Volume 102, Issue 10
Washington, D.C.
November 13, 2017
THE GRIEVANCE ISSUE
Images show atrocious conditions in the Tubman Quadrangle. Photo credit from top left, clockwise: Maya Owens, Nancy Vu, Colby McElrath and Nancy Vu
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Since Our Last Issue: As the student voice of Howard University, it is our utmost priority to not only provide transparency through our news coverage but also through our functions and operations. In our “What Would You Do Without The Hilltop?” issue and #WWYDHU social media campaign, we made clear our critical need of resources, respect and reciprocity. Since the establishment of our grievances and demands we have made strides towards the betterment of reflecting the thoughts, ideals and beliefs of the student body. We are extremely grateful for the resounding support of our solidarity from both students, faculty, alum, and former Hilltop staffers. We want to make it clear that taking a stand for what you deserve is the “Howard way” and no true protest or activism can be successful without seeing it through. For years, former Hilltop staffs have been denied basic needs, resources and tools. We want to set a precedent for that to change. We want to to prompt this action. What would you do without The Hilltop and what are you going to do to keep it alive?
Very Respectfully, The Hilltop Executive Staff
NOVEMBER 13, 2017
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CAMPUS
Living “Lavishly” In The Harriet Tubman Quadrangle By: Nancy Vu, News and Life+ Style Reporter The corridors that connect the different halls of the Harriet Tubman Quadrangle are notorious for greeting visitors with an unwelcoming smell. This scent is just one of the many unlivable conditions that residents of the Quad have been subjected to.
@NancyVu99
their goals and the students’ expectations. When students try to voice their grievances to the Office of Residence Life or Maintenance, their demands often go ignored for long periods of time. This is due to various factors, such as lack of manpower and resources.
“I legitimately feel like I’m in prison or a halfway house,” says Freshman clinical laboratory science major Maya Owens has freshman nursing major NaKayla Bruno when describing her caught five dead mice in her room within a matter of eight experience living in Quad. days. Owens states that maintenance prolonged the issue for over a month and attempted to cover it up with temporary She’s not wrong— with overcrowded, small spaces, failing solutions such as glue, sugar and snapping traps. This only infrastructure, rodents running rampant, mold growing in the resulted in more dead mice being caught. showers and unidentifiable substances in the water fountains, living in Quad deeply resembles living in a penitentiary. The According to Owens, maintenance was only difference is students are paying between $4,270 and able to locate the immediate problem: the $8,388 each academic year depending on their unit size.
mice were eating through the insulation
The Office of Residence Life and the Office of Maintenance and Housekeeping are the two departments in charge of of the heating and cooling units. making sure students’ housing needs are met and taken care of. Both departments serve to upkeep the building and “It’s thoroughly annoying. Residents pay to live here so the maintain a sanitary environment for the students to live in. standards should match up,” Owens says, “Maintenance However, the conditions the students are currently living in show that these two departments have failed to meet cont. on page 4
Jazmin Goodwin, Editor-in-Chief
The Hilltop Staff
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT: Almani Jackson, Business Manager Shai Vaz, Assistant Business Manager Brittany Read, Executive Operations Manager Jerry Augustin, Sales Account Executive
CREATIVE DEPARTMENT:
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EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT:
Kimberly Nnorom, Senior Copy Editor Bria Horsley, News Editor Kai Sinclair, Assistant News Editor Clarice Metzger, Life+Style Editor Lawrence Dow, Sports Editor Brianna Sims, Assistant Sports Editor
The Hilltop Newspaper Office 2401 4th Street NW, 62B Washington, D.C. 20059 Phone Number: (202) 806-4749 For Zora. For Howard For You. Est. 1924.
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from page 3
believes that one crucial factor is lack of manpower. They emphasize that the staff numbers dwindle on the weekends needs to be more on top of things and work in a faster, more with around 10 people reporting for work in both the thorough manner.” ResLife and Maintenance departments. Freshman environmental studies major Audre’ana Ellis had a similar dilemma with maintenance’s inability to fix immediate issues when her ceiling collapsed into her room due to leaky pipes. Like Owens, she was forced to reside in a bed that was not her own until the issue was resolved.
“We have the whole university that we’re responsible for and we’re understaffed,” says the employee.
“This happened last year, a former resident assistant said, but no one fixed the problem so it happened to me,” Ellis said. “A lot of contaminated water came down and got my stuff wet when the ceiling tile fell through. Maintenance realized that the tiles in the bathroom were not sealed correctly, so they sealed them. That’s why water was leaking down when people were taking showers.”
Another maintenance employee continues saying that communication is crucial to the efficiency of the maintenance system. As of right now, maintenance is using cell phones to spread information about service orders; however, if one party forgets to communicate the order, or is late in responding to the order, communication is interrupted and the job does not get done.
Freshman Coby McElrath reported unidentifiable substances “Lack of communication means [we] don’t relay the stuff fast in the water fountain and could only get the attention of enough, so I guess once they do that then we [can] get things maintenance after tweeting a picture of the fountain. done right,” said the employee. “A lot of girls on my floor and our RA called maintenance Another issue that both employees emphasize is the lack of multiple times and they didn’t come to fix it until days after resources and a larger allocation of resources toward their we tweeted the picture,” said McElrath. respective departments. Ironically, the public entities that the residents use to cleanse themselves are not the cleanest facilities to use. Both freshman history major Allyssa Mack and freshman business major Lyneè Phillips highlight the lack of toiletries in the bathroom, and the abundance of mold in the showers.
“Say something breaks, and you need a part to fix it. It’s not just a matter of twisting a bulb or taking a screwdriver,” says one of the employees. “You actually need the part and you can’t fix it without the part. Sometimes getting the part is an issue.”
“There’s never any working soap machines, now everyone on the floor is sick,” said Mack.
The issue is clear. With a combination of factors that lack staff, communication and resources it’s no wonder maintenance is unable to do their job in a timely and efficient manner. As a result, the students have to suffer through the repercussions of the university’s lack of attentiveness to the issue.
“On our floor, in the bathrooms, we have black mold on the ceiling that has spread to above nearly every shower. So when “We really just want our grievances addressed in a timely you look up that’s all you see,” says Phillips. fashion,” said Bruno. “We talk to our administration over and over again in an orderly fashion about our wants, but no one The residents who are constantly facing the hazardous and wants to listen until we get all loud and ghetto. We just feel unsanitary issues are under the impression that ResLife and like we pay so much money to live here, but we aren’t seeing Maintenance are not interested or concerned for the wellbeing the money get put to use. The Quad is definitely not a $4,500 of students. lifestyle.” “I feel as if they don’t really care because if they did, things would be handled in a much more timely manner rather than them waiting until it’s convenient for them to come fix things,” says McElrath. However, there are a number of factors contributing to the lack of timeliness and efficiency at which these problems are fixed. One maintenance employee
What do students have to do in order to get the administration’s attention? Do students have to protest and yell in unison to get what their money’s worth? The only question that still stands is how the university plans on handling the hazardous living conditions of the Harriet Tubman Quadrangle.
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Frustration Brewing? Students Voice Concern Over Administration’s Lack of Communication By: Aliyah Thompson, Campus Reporter
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@Hel1o_itsme
One of the primary complaints against Howard is the lack of we’re here to be featured in The Hilltop for having good looks or communication between administration or staff and students. whatever,” said Galloway. “I just feel like they don’t really trust us to give us the direct answer and if they do, they don’t know “I don’t want to bash the people at the A[dministration] [B] the direct answer themselves. Information on both sides needs to uilding, cause that is a pretty difficult job, being responsible be conveyed.” for like the 10,000 students at Howard and all their money, transcripts, transfer requests and major changes,” said For other students, such as freshman public relations major freshman political science and African-American studies Kevion Daley, getting problems addressed and rectified is double major Zephaniah Galloway. as simple as taking a trip to the corresponding office or department. When it comes to issues such as maintenance, “But I just feel like if — especially through HU Communications according to Daley, the delay in resolving requests is beyond — they could keep us up-to-date with dates of what’s the last day maintenance control. to withdraw or when you will get your refund check depending on your classification, that would make things a lot easier.” “They’ve been pretty quick in my experience,” said Daley. “And the only time they’re slow on something is if they legit don’t To some students, this gap in communication stems from the know or have it. And that’s upper admin’s fault sometimes. For administration’s perspective of students as merely students — not instance, I’m on the top bunk and I️ still don’t have a ladder. The adults. Along with communication comes transparency, which maintenance crew told me Howard just hasn’t ordered them yet.” the administration may not want. Although the administration does hold the most responsibility To Galloway, the administration does not trust students enough when it comes to communicating, both Galloway and Daley think to give them direct answers for the most part. that it is up to students to take initiative when it comes to resolving problems that they may have. “They seem to think that we’re just here for First Fridays and The Office of the Dean of the Chapel would like to thank the following organizations for their “Call to Chapel” during the month of October. We pray you had a successful program. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., 33 Prisms of a Flame Rekindled – Spring 1982 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sweet 16 – Spring 1976 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Omega Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Beta Chapter Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity, Inc. Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., Alpha Delta Beta Chapter CHILL – College Has Its Life Lessons Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Intangible 25 – Spring 1977 HBCU All-Stars Howard Gospel Choir Howard Gospel Choir Howard University 2007 Reunion Committee Howard University Angel Tree Project
Howard University College of Arts and Sciences Howard University Department of Theatre Arts Howard University Department of Theatre Arts Howard University Georgia Club Howard University International Pals Howard University New Jersey Club Howard University Philly Club Howard University Psychology Club Howard University Residence Life Royal Court Howard University Royal Court Jewels, Inc. Juvenile Justice Advocates Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Chapter Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Chapter Sigma Alpha Iota Int’l Music Fraternity, Delta Nu Chapter Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Alpha Chapter
All colleges, schools, organizations, alumni, and community groups are welcome to have a “Call to Chapel.” All “Calls to Chapel” must be submitted no later than 10:00 A.M. Wednesday morning to be included in the Chapel service. For information, please visit http://chapel.howard.edu, visit the Lower Level of the Carnegie Building or call the Chapel Office at (202) 806-7280.
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Campus Speak
OUT! Compiled by: Kamilah Tom, Campus Reporter @adventurouskam
1. What do you think the mission of Howard University should be? Is it correctly fulfilling that mission? 2. What should black Americans do in the next four years to maintain or promote their interests under the Trump administration?
1. I believe that Howard University’s mission should be to create a space of not just learning but individual self growth and growth as a community for students, especially students of color to navigate the world around them. I do not believe that Howard is adequately fulfilling the mission as a whole. However, when you look at the students, I do believe that students are working towards that mission and the actual drive is there.
Isis Fuller Senior Biology Oakland, CA
2. We really need to look and understand that we are a very diverse group and understand our own interpersonal issues relating to us within the group. We need to come together and support other people of color.
Brentton Ford Junior English, Sociology Savannah, GA
Monique Paul Senior Media Management Chicago, IL
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1. I think the mission of Howard University should be to get every student out of here on time. I do not think Howard is fulfilling that mission. 2. Black Americans should go out and vote in their local elections and try to change everything locally first and then get those local representatives to represent you federally.
1. I feel like the mission should be the overall uplifting and advancement of black people I don’t think howard is fulfilling it at all, maybe just 10%. I feel like Howard is being ran more as a corporation, so they’re doing things for the money. They’re doing things to get a monetarily return. I feel howard is more focused on what you can see and not the behind the scenes of what really matters like our wifi. 2. I feel like we can start by educating ourselves period. Everyone should put down their phones, pick up a book and learn something.
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Colbi Branch Freshman Political Science, Afro-American Studies Dallas, TX
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1. I think the Howard University mission should be to produce students who feel like they have a moral obligation to give back and to make the world a better place. So i feel like they should be producing students who are about action and match their talk with their words. I currently feel like Howard is fulfilling that mission but I also feel like Howard is headed in a very different direction. Back in the 60s and 70s Howard was more revolutionary. Now i feel like we are trying to show more government friendly face. 2. We definitely need to get out and vote. It’s not just presidential level, but we need to understand that local government and politics matter. So we definitely need to be advocating for more action in our local government. We also need to have more education about our rights as far as our legal system. We need to advocate for education and push our kids to go to school, to get jobs that are in the government because you can’t change a system that you’re not apart of. We have to infiltrate the system to make change.
1. The mission of Howard should be to educate young people to become whatever they desire to be in school. Prepare students and provide students with necessary courses or equipment or technology or resources in order to get a proper education and pursue their passions and dreams. I feel that Howard could do better, but in general no. I think they could use their money better instead of investing in trivial things that are not necessarily needed, like leisure things, focus more on educational. They could direct money more towards better classrooms or more professors.
Yem Ehikhamenor Senior Biology Largo, MD
2. I think black Americans should continue to speak out and stand up for their issues but in a respectful way, in a way that doesn’t incite violence or backlash. To also continue to get educated and pursue their own passions, goals and dreams and build each other up and continue to pray for a better America.
Sultan Muhammad Senior Psychology Detroit, MI
1. I think Howard University’s mission should be to propel black students forward and to give us all the tools we need to not only bring our people up, but to better the world in general. I think Howard is doing the best it can thus the situation it has. I think they’re trying to make sure we have the best education because I’ve had some of the best teachers here that I’ve had my entire life. 2. I think what all of us can do is try to be more of ourselves in white spaces and not try to code switch as much. Know when it may be important to, but understand that you don’t have to be whitewashed to fit in.
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Q&A with the Director of Howard’s University Counseling Services By: Kai Sinclair, Asst. News Editor
Howard University’s Counseling Service provides services to 1,040 clients per month, including the nearly 700 new students who have sought services since the start of the semester. Ayanna Watkins-Northern, Ph.D., UCS’s director, believed that most students had positive Ayanna Watkins-Northern, Ph.D., director of Howard’s experiences with University Counseling Services, oversees a staff of nine other full-time clinicians, a part-time psychiatrist, and multiple the counseling office advanced doctoral students. Image provided by Ayanna Watkins-Northern, Ph.D and staff, and was surprised to hear of students’ recent complaints. What are some of the complaints you’ve heard from students? One of the complaints we get most often is about the wait. Students are welcome to walk-in for intake appointments three days a week, but sometimes the wait can be a while. That’s because our staff do those types of appointments only when they are not meeting with clients who have scheduled appointments. If someone is having a crisis and needs to be seen right away, I’m usually the one to meet with them, but students don’t always let us know when they’re in that state. If a student doesn’t need to be seen immediately for intake, we suggest that they make an appointment rather than walking in so they don’t risk having to wait to be seen. Does UCS face any challenges? Oh, yes. Firstly, we’re forever looking at how to meet and, hopefully, stay ahead of our level of need. The national ratio for full-time university clinicians to students is one to 1,500 students. We’re currently well within that ratio since we have 10 full-time clinicians, myself included. That doesn’t include our one part-time psychiatrist, and I’m in the process of hiring another. While we have struggled with resources in the past, President Frederick and Vice President Holmes have been very supportive of our plans to continue improving UCS. They’re even working on plans for a new physical space for us.
@kai_sinclair
That can be very hard to cope with for some people, which can lead to feelings of being unsupported. So sometimes when the counseling process doesn’t move as quickly as students would like it to, they can feel like they’re not being cared about and thought of, which is never the case here. We are probably our harshest critics. For example, I’m not sure if the process and next steps being explained clearly enough to people when they come. That’s something we’re working on correcting now. In your own words, what do you think UCS brings to the Howard community? We bring skilled, clinical services–the exact same services one might receive in outpatient services or if they paid for it out of pocket–to students at no cost to them, on their campus. Beyond being academically and practically skilled, we train our staff to be very sensitive to the diversity of and diverse challenges that our student population faces. We’re also a nationally accredited training facility, meaning that we have advanced doctoral students under clinical supervision. That says a lot about the standard of care we provide. It takes around three years of post-doctoral work to become credentialed as a group specialist, and our center has a national reputation for our skill in group counselling. We’re often contacted by other universities in the area asking if their students can be involved in our group counseling programs. If you could speak directly to the Howard community on behalf of yourself and UCS, what would you say? Firstly, if anyone has experiences any interaction with UCS or our staff that has caused distress, please let me know or let your therapist know. Every single student is important and we are devoted, loyal and committed to serving this university and its students, so we don’t want anyone to have negative experiences with us. I would let them know that delivering skillful care to students is the top priority to us. You’re our future, and taking care of your mental health as you’d take care of your physical or dental health is essential. Most people don’t have serious psychological conditions, just like most people at the dentist’s office aren’t there to get teeth extracted. Most people are there for routine cleanings treatments. Mental health is no different. I would also encourage people to utilize our crisis line in the event that they find themselves in an emergency and the office is not open.
The UCS Crisis Line operates all after hours during the Additionally, the stressors that are in our environment that weekdays, all weekends and all holidays. 202-345-6709; affect all of us, especially our young people, keep getting bigger. 202-714-7471.
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Changes at Sodexo: Bridging the Gap Between Howard’s Student Body and Sodexo By: Sidney Johnson, News Reporter
@afamilycompany_
The program that Miller stressed was the Student Culinary Council, a committee that works towards giving students a space to express their needs to the Howard Sodexo staff. Nia Kerr, a junior, says she has never heard of the Student Culinary Council. According to Miller, the group meets once a month with the staff over a meal that features upcoming menu specials. Miller said, “We don’t do a good enough job yet, but we’re working on it.” In order to increase awareness of the dining service’s efforts, Miller said his staff displays a calendar in Blackburn every month showing specials and events related to dining services. Melissa Grignol, Sodexo Marketing Specialist, is also actively working towards changing the Sodexo has gained on Howard’s campus. In order to accomplish this goal, Grignol hopes to build relationships with groups such as the Undergraduate Student Association. The UGSA is the host of First Friday, a special event held in The Punchout the first Friday of every month.
Board displaying a First Friday advertisement, featuring a berry smoothie. Photo by: Sidney Johnson
By strengthening the connection between Sodexo and groups like UGSA, Grignol believes it could help accomplish Sodexo’s goal of consumer satisfaction. One initiative that Miller discussed was the addition of new specials like Tex Mex Tuesday, caramel apples, and National Donut Day celebrations.
The relationship between Howard students and Sodexo, the on-campus dining service provider, has been tense for quite These initiatives may benefit students like Taylor who said, some time. Complaints have been made against the company “I feel like the main problem is variety. After a while you get for its management of Howard’s dining services, unreasonable tired of eating the same old thing.” hours, quality of food and lack of food options. However those same initiatives, that are primarily meat and Many students feel that the existing problems have been dairy based, may not benefit students like Kerr who is a vegan prevalent on campus for too long and that they have seen little and already has trouble finding options that cater to her diet. Miller also mentioned a survey that is offered at the end of to no effort towards change. each semester here at Howard University. The survey is set When asked about the changes made in the dining services up outside of all of the different dining options on campus. It since she began attending Howard University, Cayla Taylor, usually includes a series of anonymous questions that help a sophomore, said “ I feel like it really hasn’t gotten any better give feedback to the dining staff. The survey was taken on Nov. 6, but there were a lack of students willing to participate since I got here.” in the survey. If you would like to make sure your concerns do George Miller, General Manager of Sodexo Operations, said, not go unnoticed, then keep a look out for the survey stands “Quite often what we struggle with is when we do things and next semester. students don’t really know about it.”
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Hilltop
Happenings
Graduation Portraits for the Bison Yearbook
Prepping for the Stagecoach - Wells Fargo Case Study Workshop
Date: 11/13/17 Time: 10:00 a.m. Location: Armour J. Blackburn Center - Music Listening Room
Date: 11/16/17 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Howard University School of Business Auditorium
K-12 Educator Workshop: Adding a Global Dimension to your Classroom Date: 11/13/17 Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: U.S. Department of Education Barnard Auditorium
Reverse STEM Fair at HU Middle School of Mathematics and Science (MS)2 Date: 11/16/17 Time: 8:30 a.m. Location: Founder’s Library Browsing Room
ECHO: Student Fall Dance Showcase Date: 11/17/17 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Ira Aldridge Theater
Celebrating the Life & Music of Phife Dawg (A Tribe Called Quest) Date: 11/19/17 Time: 3:00 p.m. Location: Church & State
Howard University Classes Suspended Date: 11/22/17 Time: 12:00 p.m.
Dept. of Music guest speaker, Dr. David Garcia: “Duke Ellington’s Liberian Suite University Closed - Thanksgiving Recess and the 1947 Celebration of Liberia’s Date: 11/23/17 - 11/26/17 Centennial” Date: 11/16/17 Time: 12:30 p.m. Location: Childers Recital Hall (Room 3001, Lulu Vere Childers Hall)
The Hilltop Policy Board Meeting Date: 11/28/17 Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location: TBD
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LIFE+STYLE Comic
By: Devariae “Yae” McDaniels “HIGHER LEARNING”
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@YaeTBG “THE CYCLE CONTINUES”
CREATIVE CALL: THE HILLTOP IS LOOKING FOR: - Graphic Designers - Photographers - Videographers - Editorial Assistants - Interns Contact Hiring@thehilltoponline.com
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HOWARD "HOME” UNIVERSITY By: Malcolm Wyche
Is Howard University worth it? This is a question that the Howard alumni network encounters frequently. The Mecca comes with so many stories that people want to know the truth. But when it comes to Howard University, the question of “is it worth it?” can only be answered by the person asking the question. No one experience at Howard University can ever be the same. When I was at Howard, arguably, we had one of the best Homecomings of all-time. We were able to live in Meridian and Valley parties were normal. But a few years before that, Jae Murphy and Chase B were running the campus. Things change. But, Howard will always be worth the experience. Going to Howard University will prepare for the harsh lesson of life: you have to work for everything. Reflecting on my journey to the illustrious campus in Washington, D.C, I remember thinking college would be fairly easy. I figured the only thing I would have to take care of is making sure my grades were good. Housing? The university would handle that. Food? The university would handle that too. It seemed like common sense that a college would be able to provide the basic necessities needed to survive. And I thought that since college was such a big deal, universities would be top of the line. It didn’t take long for me to realize I was far from right.
My first day on campus was spent rearranging my prearranged housing agreement which became a situation that lasted my entire first month. This would be the first of many administrative issues Howard would put me through. The one thing people did have right about college was the attitude of the professors. They really don’t care if you don’t care. After floating through high school, Howard was the place where I finally had to work for every grade I got.
@ByMalcolm
As far as academics are considered, Howard could use some maintenance. As a Communications major with a degree in Audio Engineering, I would have expected my curriculum to have more than two audio classes. It seems that the process of updating the classes to fit the times has been slow. This university is known for its culture and it would be ideal to see our classrooms take more advantage of that. The academic offerings should be as appealing as the extracurricular activities. It’s also apparent that students would like to be more directly involved with campus.
The relationship between students and administration is tense and uncomfortable. On-campus events have been stripped down. There are less and less student-operated committees. And there’s barely anyplace for students to meet-up on campus that isn’t outside. For a university to be successful, the students should be proud to represent and organize for their school. Events should be fun-filled and rally school pride. A more united campus would only increase the experience. But, time spent here is worth it. Because of my time spent at The Mecca, I am able to face life head-on. We often call Howard University, Finesse University, but it’s more than that. We learn how to survive and then thrive on campus. I have countless stories of students at their worst and feeling like their school left them out to dry, but these same stories have redemptive outcomes with triumphant victories. And even for those who did I have to make the decision to leave Howard, they still cherish their every moment spent on campus. That’s powerful. Over the years, Howard has been able to create a special type of culture that exudes a sense of family. A lot of people refer to the network when it comes to Howard, but I believe it’s bigger than the network. Howard gives students a place where they can belong. A place they can call their own. It’s the one place we know we can always come back to. It might not be until after you graduate, but you’ll come to appreciate Howard University because it is home.
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“uniquely different ”
Octavious Dozier Sophomore Media Production Atlanta, GA
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“comfortable”
Amaiya Johnson
Freshman Legal Communications Atlanta, GA
By: Tanasia Smith, Fashion+Style Reporter @TanasiaSmith
“reflective”
Courtney Harris
Freshman African American Studies Columbus, Ohio
“eclectic”
Nadirah Alford Freshman Marketing Bridgeport, CT
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SPORTS
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First It’s a Grind, Then It’s a Struggle: A Bison’s Plea for Athletic Resources By: Amerra Sheckles
@SheckMeOut
Although I can’t speak for all HBCUs, competing as a Division-I Yet, when you look at the athletic facilities available, these two athlete at Howard is a different grind in itself. schools don’t appear to be equal. Hampton has an athletic training staff of six athletic trainers and two certified doctors for a total of I was always told that sports in High School act as more of a 16 teams. hobby; whereas, sports in college are run as a business. In high school, you compete for the love of the game. In college, although Hampton also has an entire stadium designated for softball. you may sustain your love for the game, success requires much In contrast, Howard University’s softball program often uses more than just showing up to practice. Being a Division-I athlete Banneker Community Center’s baseball field located on Georgia is a full-time, contract-driven job. To compete at the collegiate Avenue, across from the Lewis K. Downing, College of Engineering level is to jump headfirst into a relationship that seemingly steals Building’s parking lot. all your time and energy. In return, you get countless bruises, permanent callouses, a few muscle gains, a couple muscle strains Where Hampton has facilities designated for their volleyball and (hopefully) an unaffected GPA, all so that you may uphold the program, at Howard University, on the other hand, our back-tolegacy of your program, whether it be positive or otherwise. back volleyball MEAC champions have to split time upstairs and downstairs with both men’s and women’s basketball teams. In addition, as an NCAA athlete competing at the Division-I level, you have access to a plethora of resources—both academically So think about it—if our athletes are able to thrive without access and athletically. You have supportive staff and assistant coaches, to the facilities other schools have, imagine the difference it would adequate treatment facilities, access to proper nutrition and make in overall athletic performance. academic tutors and compliance liaisons to facilitate communication with professors, right? Student-athletes at Howard University constantly undergo tests of heart, of hustle, of determination and of grit. Historically, Howard Not necessarily. has never been a sports-oriented school, but that should be no excuse for complacency. I have been here for four years and I have It’s no surprise that Howard is not the most well-endowed school. seen a big change in the past three months with this new sudden It’s also no surprise that real estate is not cheap in D.C., so access push towards athletics. There has been an influx of new staff than to the biggest and nicest facilities has always been unlikely. I have seen in the preceding three years combined. This should However, it is important to acknowledge that no matter how never have been the case. naturally talented an athlete may be, the resources he or she has access to make all the difference in the world when it comes to Where other schools have the financial support and the means to athletic performance. provide more than what’s necessary, Howard teams have sustained a tradition of often “making-do” with the bare minimum. Howard’s Schools competing at the Division-I level must “field” at least 14 lack of resources becomes even more noticeable when we finally teams. The illustrious Howard University sponsors a total of 17 gain access to the small, albeit invaluable, luxuries like protein NCAA sanctioned sports: seven men’s teams and ten women’s shakes after weight training or adequate facilities while on the teams, featuring well over 300 athletes. To support these 17 road visiting opponents. We, as athletes, deserve athletic trainers sports, the University itself has one competition gymnasium, one who aren’t understaffed or overwhelmed. We deserve facilities that turf field, one six-lane track, one competition swimming pool and aren’t underdeveloped and overused. We deserve academic support one varsity weight training room. For these 300+ athletes, the that is more extensive than a handful of volunteer tutors and an athletic training staff has a total of four full-time trainers. For these outdated book-bank. 17 programs, there is a total of three full-time weight training coaches. It’s easy to grow tired of feeling like our teams have to work three times as hard just to stay in the same place, and five times as This is not normal. hard to be successful, but our student athletes persist, nonetheless. Despite our lack of resources and the lack of financial support our For reference’s sake, let’s compare these numbers to Hampton programs have, you will still catch anywhere from five to ten teams University. Although the locations of the two Universities are not up at the crack of dawn, heading to Burr with the mentality that comparable, Hampton, much like Howard’s, still lacks the generous somehow, someway the mission is possible. The question then endowment larger universities and state schools have. becomes will things ever get better?
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