April 4 issue

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SENIOR COUNTDOWN

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THE A&T

FREE

REGISTER VOLUME LXXXV NO. 21

APRIL 4, 2012

NCATREGISTER.COM

SERVING THE AGGIE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 80 YEARS

WEDNESDAY

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF NORTH CAROLINA A&T

CAMPUS NOTEBOOK

Grad tickets spark campus fury KELCIE C. MCCRAE Editor-in-Chief

Campus was filled with excitement last Wednesday as news hit that First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver the commencement address. Now a week later, a new feeling is present — rage. Per a university delivered email, graduating seniors are now up in arms over a new mandate that requires ticket access to the commencement ceremony on May 12 in the Greensboro Coliseum. Originally six tickets were to be allotted, however after further review from the administration, graduates now have eight tickets to dispense amongst family and friends. Previously, the ceremony was a public event. “I was devastated when I found out,” said Sabrina Hagood, a biology major from Columbia S.C. “Graduation is not going to be the same to me at all because the past four years there

has been ups and downs, and I’m finally done with a biology degree and I want all my family to be with me.” Hagood is the first grandchild to graduate from college, and she has over 20 people that have booked to come to the ceremony. She says she has no idea how to choose who will be able to actu-

“This is my day, and I feel as

though they’re making her the big show.” -JacQuetta Williams, graduating senior ally see her cross the stage. This change comes only a month before graduation is set to take place — a change that JacQuetta Williams, says is untimely. “If Michelle is causing this much of a controversay now,

then I can do without her,” said the social work major from Durham. “This is my day, and I feel as though they’re making her the big show.” Williams has about 20 family members coming to see her graduate. This is the first time that the university has authorized a ticket requirement for a commencement of any size. The reasons for the new measure according to Nicole Pride, associate vice chancellor for university relations, is to account for security. “With our new speaker, a lot of people from around the community want to be involved,” she said. “We want to make sure our students and their families get in first. They are the VIPs for the day.” N.C. A&T is now working hand in hand with the White House to ensure that the coliseum is secure for the first lady’s arrival. They had to create and submit a seating diagram to secret service for approval.

Election day ends in victories and run-offs

The Greensboro Coliseum has a seating capacity of over 20,000, however due to the stage set-up, seats for the graduates, faculty, golden-year graduates, as well as distinguished guests that number is decreased. According to Pride, there are now 15,000 seats available for guests. The majority, 12,000, will be for guests of the students, and then 3,000 will be split between faculty, staff, alumni, and the Greensboro community. As of today, the process of distribution of tickets to the community has not been determined. Over 1,000 students are set to graduate in May, and for many of them, eight is still not enough. “I feel like it should be ticketed because of who our speaker is,” said Brittny Johnson, a sports science major from Wilmington, N.C. “However there has to be more tickets because I have people who have worked overtime, [hours] they didn’t have to work just so they can come to my graduation.”

Contributor

Eager Aggies rallied at the student union Monday to campaign and vote, after the Student Government Association elections were postponed from its original date on March 28th. The elections were pushed back after a concern arose that the online election ballot could have been tampered with. “We want to make sure everything is secure,” said Shakira Redd, chair of the election committee. Previously, students were asked their banner I.D. number in addition to their birth date to cast their vote on the online election ballot. That raised a concern because certain students on campus have access to that information and could use it to falsify the vote. The new measure required students to enter a unique pin code to vote. As expected, the physical turnout for voting in Stallings Ballroom was not as big as previous years due to the option for

“We want to make sure our students and their families get in first. They are the VIPs for the day.” -Nicole Pride, associate VC for univeristy relations

through the Internet for an electronic petition sheet. “I saw how upset the seniors were about this decision,” Bingham said. “So I decided to do something to get the university’s attention.” So far over 400 people have

LILIANE LONG Contributor

PHOTO BY NECOLE JACKSON • THE A&T REGISTER

the student body to vote online. This alternative made it more convenient for students who have jobs and other priorities, giving them an opportunity to cast their vote. “Students will be able to vote today for run-off elections from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Exhibit Hall. The election process is online and students are given a password sent to their email,” said Redd. Each candidate running for a 2012-2013 position, along with friends who were assisting with campaigning, posted his or her materials on tables at the rear of the union. “Becoming SGA President has been a goal of mine PHOTO BY NECOLE JACKSON • THE A&T REGISTER since before arriving at A&T. I believe that no other student STUDENTS campaign and support other candidates behind the Union, before people went in to vote would fight and care for the on April 2, 2012. university like I would,” said “I want to win the position at the union to vote enjoyed Allahquan Tate, an architecture of Miss A&T because I know I the election festivities as they engineering major. However, after all the chant- would bring a positive change assembled around along the ing, free food and block parties, that others did not know was steps. “Voting is an important the run-offs to determine the needed. Being the female rep- aspect of being an Aggie, stuofficial positions of Miss A&T, resentative of our university dents say they want change but Miss Sophomore and Editor- would be a honor,” said Cath- some don’t take the time to do In-Chief of The A&T Register erine Hamlin, journalism and so,” said Jasmine Rucker, a mass communication major. will be held today. Students who did gather  See ELECTIONS on Page 2

A crowd of N.C. A&T students, family members and friends gathered in front of Holland Bowl Tuesday to welcome new members to the Greek world. The new initiates were from Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. Probate season will continue over the next two days with coming out shows from additional members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council as well as the Greek Life Council. This is the first time in years that the probate show has been held outdoors. Previously, probates were held in Corbett Sports Center.

theWORD

theSCORE

theSCENE

SURVEYS AVAILABLE

EMERGENCY SIREN TEST

GRAD TICKETS SPARK ANGER

STUDENTS DUKE IT OUT IN MARTIAL ARTS

IT’S AGGIE FEST YALL!

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

An emergency siren test is scheduled for next week.

Managing editor Sylvia Obell discusses her disappointment over the ticket allotment for spring commencement.

A spotlight on martial arts the club.

Check out the ins and outs of this year’s Aggie Fest.

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“Probates being outside goes back to being traditional and very historical,” said Tres Savage, a senior finance major from California. “I think it gives students a chance to see it in a different light, to see how it used to be done and to not be so crammed up in the gym.” Greek members however did not seem to like the new lay out. “I don’t like probates being outside,” said D’yana Mack, an animal science major from Raleigh, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “I would rather be inside because I have really bad allergies and they should have a side for Greek seating.” Many A&T students did not  See ELECTIONS on Page 2

PHOTO BY KENNETH L. HAWKINS, JR. • THE A&T REGISTER

theYARD

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 See Tickets on Page 2

PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY, INC. leaves after revealing their new 2012 initiates.

ONLINE

www.ncatregister.com

penned their name to the web site. Bingham says she hopes the university takes heed to what the students want. “My mom is very upset over the decision,” she said. “She already has her plane and hotel booked, and she doesn’t want to call my other family members and tell them that they can’t come anymore.” Bingham has about 15 family members coming from Chicago for graduation. They all have booked their travel arrangements. “I signed the petition and I think that it’s good that the students are unified,” said Williams. “Hopefully they hear us.” SGA president Christian Robinson says that he has been voicing the concerns of the students to the administration. “My job is to be here for the students,” he said. “When I was in those meetings, I made sure I let them know what the students were saying.”

Spring 2012 probates have change of venue

STUDENTS holds signs, pass out candy and food to potential voters on April 2, 2012.

LATISHA FREEMAN

Outraged by a decision, Synnaman Bingham, a senior psychology major from Chicago took it upon herself to start a petition against the ticket allotment. After researching ways to get signatures fast, Bingham found the web site www.change.org to house her cause. This site is designed to connect people

WEATHER WEDNESDAY

80° Low: 57° High:

THURSDAY: Rainy | High 58°

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FRIDAY: Rainy | High 61°


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