april 22, 2009
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APRIL 22, 2009
CampusWanna park near the
caf? Pull out your debitcard cuz it’ll cost you
200 clams
Page 2
N O R T H C A R O L I N A C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y VOLUME 100, ISSUE 111801 FAYETTEVILLE STREETDURHAM, NC 27707
919 530 7116/[email protected]
OpinionsHere she goes again:Now Britney Rooks is
griping about firealarms in Eagle
Landing
Page 14
Photo FeatureDancers Brang It onlike popping corn.
And MitchellWebson
Page 10
SportsNCCU alumnus
LeVelle Moton plansto put basketball in
motion
Page 13
BY RENEE SCHOOFMCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS (MCT)
WWAASSHHIINNGGTTOONN —— Capping yearsof work by U.S. governmentscientists, the Environmen-tal Protection Agency onFriday declared that theheating of Earth's climatefrom fossil fuel use threat-ens human health and theenvironment.
The decision paves theway for the EPA to orderthe nation's first mandatoryreductions of global warm-ing emissions.
Congress is working onlegislation that also wouldrequire emissions reduc-tions. President BarackObama and EPAAdministrator Lisa Jacksonsaid they would preferusing a new law, rather thanEPA rules, to make thereductions and spur renew-able energy.
The EPA’s announce-ment on Friday, however,serves notice that ifCongress doesn't takeaction, the EPA will.
The EPA had no choicebut to make a declarationon whether the science isclear that global warmingposes risks.
The Supreme Court in2007 ruled that greenhousegas emissions were pollu-tants under the Clean AirAct and ordered the EPA todetermine whether theyharmed health and welfareor whether the science wastoo uncertain to make ajudgment.
The EPA’s response on
BY DENIQUE PROUTECHO STAFF REPORTER
She was an outspoken,thoughtful and loving civilrights worker with anenchanting smile.
Her dedication as ateacher and civil rightsactivist is well known.
Joycelyn D. McKissick,who died in 2005, will behonored by her youngest sis-ter, Charmaine McKissick-Melton, at the College ofLiberal Arts’ AnnualSymposium.
This year’s event, takingplace at the UniversityTheater April 27-29, willfocus on “Women'sContributions to theHumanities.”
Professors will give pre-sentations on the roles ofwomen in language, musicand other aspects of thehumanities.
The symposium is beingcelebrated with a seriesprints on the front windowsof the Farrison-NewtonCommunication Building.
The prints, crafted by art
students, depict well-knownwomen throughout history,including Angela Davis,Maya Angelou, MotherTeresa, Virginia Woolf, ToniMorrison and others.
Marco Polo HernándezCuevas, associate professorin Modern ForeignLanguages, organized thesymposium series.
Claudia Becker, aGerman professor in theDepartment of ModernForeign Languages, will talkabout German poets andtheir experiences living in
the United States. “Those voices are impor-
tant because they capture aside of the American dreamthat has either not beenexpressed or listened to,”Becker said.
Spanish professor ReineTurcato will speak abouthow women can find theirvoices in a male-dominatedsociety.
“It is through the use oflanguage that women use intheir writing that one can
BBllaacckk mmaalleess ssttrruuggggllee aatt HHBBCCUUssNational six-year graduation rate at 29 percent
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ROBERT LAWSON/Office of Public Relations
Morialto speak
tograds
Urban Leagueprez, May 16
BY MARK SCOTTECHO STAFF REPORTER
Marc H. Morial, the presi-dent and executive officer ofthe National Urban League
will deliverN.C. CentralUniversity’sc o m m e n c e -ment address.
Morial is aNew Orleansnative and isthe son ofpolitical fig-ure ErnestMorial. He
attended the University ofPennsylvania for undergrad-uate studies and a JD fromGeorgetown.
He has been involved forseveral years in public serv-ice. During the 1990s, Morialwas a state senator inLouisiana, and mayor ofNew Orleans.
Since 2002, he has beenthe head of the NationalUrban League while contin-uing to work in the commu-nity.
As president of TheNational Urban League,Morial says he is committedto empowering AfricanAmericans to enter the eco-nomic and social main-stream.
Morial also writes aweekly column titled “To BeEqual,” which is syndicatedto more than 400 newspa-pers in the U.S.
In an April 1 column,Morial paid tribute to histo-rian John Hope Franklin,who died March 25.
“John Hope Franklin wasa once-in-a-lifetime gift toAmerica, and indeed, to ourworld,” Morial wrote, citingFranklin’s work withThurgood Marshall on thelandmark Brown v. Board ofEducation case.
In a more recent column,Morial lauded PresidentObama’s emergence as aworld leader.
NCCU’s 113th commence-ment exercises will takeplace 9 a.m. on May 16 atO’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. n See EEPPAA Page 9
tion April 14 at N.C. Central UniversitySchool of Law.
Working in two teams of three, thefinalists, Williams, Robert Dodson,Kahlida Lloyd, John Stuart, LaTanyaHarris, and Matthew Reeder, argueda hypothetical case: whether it wasunconstitutional for the U.S. govern-ment to give anti-psychotic medica-tion to criminal defendant Jeremy
Arrington to restore his ability tostand trial for threatening a federaljudge.
The case noted Sell v. UnitedStates, in which the U.S. governmentcould obtain a court order to useanti-psychotic medication against adefendant’s will in order to make thedefendant able to stand trial.
The facts have to meet a four-parttest.
During the arguments, issueswere raised regarding the applica-tion and evaluation of the Sell fac-tors that have not yet been addressedby the Supreme Court.
Presiding over the competitionwas U.S. Supreme Court ChiefJustice John Roberts.
This marked the first time in theschool’s 69-year history that a U.S.
n See CCOOUURRTT Page 2
A Supreme test at NCCU
BY CARLTON KOONCEECHO STAFF REPORTER
Recent studies concern-ing black student gradua-tion rates have alarms ring-ing across the educationsector.
In 83 federally designat-ed four-year historically
black colleges and universi-ties, only 37 percent of stu-dents receive a degree with-in six years, according to arecent Associated Pressstudy.
This is in comparison toa national overall six-yearcollege graduation rate of56 percent.
Another alarming statis-
tic: only 29 percent of blackmales at HBCUs complete abachelor’s degree within sixyears.
This statistic raises ques-tions about the viability ofHBCUs in America today.
The most recent data atthe University of NorthCarolina’s Web site reportsthat the graduation rate in
2007 for all N.C. CentralUniversity students —males and females — was 49percent.
Females at NCCU gradu-ated at a rate of 56 percentin six years, while malesgraduated at a rate of 34percent.
At N.C. A&T, an HBCU inGreensboro, the overall six-
year graduation rate in 2007was 48 percent, with a malegraduation rate similar toNCCU’s, at 35 percent.
Elizabeth City StateUniversity, which has madean effort to identify strug-gling students, has a six-year male graduation rate
n See MMAALLEESS Page 2
MMAARRCCMMOORRIIAALL
After more than six weeks of case studying,critiques and planning, Dominique Williamswas finally ready for his day in court.
As the third-year student at N.C. CentralUniversity School of Law argued his case before apanel of renowned judges, the butterflies and
teeth-clenching questions did not faze him. Heknew to stay relaxed and keep his ground.
“All I thought about was the hard work put intothis week after week,” said Williams.
Williams, along with five other finalists, partici-pated in the final round of a moot court competi-
EPA: fossil fuelharmful
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n See SSYYMMPPOOSSIIUUMM Page 2
BY GEOFFREY COOPER / ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Symposium honors womenAchievements in liberal arts celebrated at NCCU
2 Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009Campus
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COURTCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
MALESCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
chief justice has come tocampus.
Roberts was accompa-nied by Allyson Duncanand Henry Frye.
Duncan is a formerNCCU law professor andthe first African-Americanjudge to sit on the UnitedStates Court of Appeals forthe Fourth Circuit; Frye isthe first African-Americanappointed as N.C. ChiefJustice.
Williams, who spoke forthe defendant, said hewanted to keep the dia-logue between himself andthe judges conversational.
“The judges really putme at ease,” said Williams.“I appreciate them formaking this fun.”
Although the judgesdelivered quick rebuttalsand stern questioning tothe students’ arguments, inthe end each judge gavethe students marks ofapproval for their knowl-edge and composure.
“I’m a little disappointedthey weren’t more nervous,”Roberts said jokingly to theaudience and both teamsafter the proceedings.
Duncan said she wasmost impressed with thestudents’ confidence andwondered if she, alongwith her fellow judges,were intimidating enough.
“They were so self-pos-sessed, confident andpoised,” said Duncan.
“It is lovely to be back tosee the quality of studentsbeing produced.”
After watching the stu-dents perform in court,Frye, a 1959 graduate ofUNC-Chapel Hill School ofLaw, said he wishes he’dhad an experience similarto theirs.
“You don’t get manyopportunities such asthis,” Frye said. “It wasclear they were ready.”
The competition startedin January, when partici-pants could side witheither the U.S. governmentor the defendant.
Participants prepared abrief, which was examinedby faculty, addressing alllegal issues raised whileattempting to make asound argument.
In February, after oralarguments were heldbefore faculty membersand attorneys, four final-
ists were selected andpaired into teams.
The teams preparedfinal case briefs andreceived training fromattorneys on how to oratetheir arguments.
After grueling confer-ences with area lawyersand judges, second-yearNCCU law student KahlidaLloyd said prayer was hertool in the weeks leadingup to the competition.
“We all prayed for nonervousness and prayedthat we were prepared,”Lloyd said.
Lloyd said while shewas dead center with thejudges, most of her nerv-ousness was channeledthrough her excitement,calling her experience“phenomenal.”
“Just the thoughtprocess of being able torepresent our law schooland this University wassomething we all felt wasimportant,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd and opposingteam member MatthewReeder received thejudges’ honor as the com-petition’s best speakers.
Reeder, who will gradu-ate in December, attrib-uted some of the group’ssuccess to their recentvisit to the U.S. SupremeCourt Building to witnessan actual Supreme Courtargument.
He said this helped himget a feel for what his dayin court would be like.
NCCU School of Law’sassociate dean for academ-ic affairs, David Green,said Roberts had a strongreputation for askinglawyers tough questionsduring trial.
“That’s typical,” saidGreen.
“All the judges’ ques-tions were pretty tough,but the students anticipat-ed that.”
Besides judging themock trial, Roberts wasalso present April 13 toswear in 20 candidates, allalumni of NCCU School ofLaw, for admission to theU.S. Supreme Court Bar.
In the end, all threejudges advised the final-ists to slow down whenspeaking, control thetempo of the argument andunderstand their casesbetter than anyone else.
The judges really put me at ease. I appreciatethem for making this fun.
DOMINIQUE WILLIAMSNCCU LAW STUDENT
that is 11 percent higherthan NCCU’s.
Meanwhile, the gradua-tion rate for black studentsat the University of NorthCarolina-Chapel Hill is 76percent.
The low graduation ratefor black males has somestudents wondering: What’sthe problem?
“One must understandthe outside causes whichhinder black men beforethey even reach college, ifthey ever do,” said MonetPhillips, a history senior.
This sentiment is sharedby others at NCCU.
“I don’t think it has to dowith the college experi-ence,” said Jonah Vincent, ajazz studies senior.
“It has everything to dowith before you got here.How prepared were you?”
Vincent enrolled at NCCUin 2004 and will be graduat-ing in May.
He said black male gradu-ation rates have more to dowith a negative home andneighborhood environmentthan the culture on anHBCU campus.
“The drop-out rate amonghigh school students,” saidPhillips,“is higher amongmales than females.”
Vincent said that the“root” of the problem needsto be addressed.
“The public educationsystem is a failure,” he said.
“Public schools shouldmake it easier to learn.
“Black men are more thancapable. It all starts earlierthan college.”
Phillips said HBCUs canincrease graduation rates byreaching out with mentors toblack middle grade studentsand instilling the impor-tance of education in themearly.
“The program should bedesigned to not only mentorand tutor,” said Phillips, “butto also expose them to theHBCU experience.
“Show the intellectual aswell as the leisure side ofcollege.”
According to an AssociatedPress analysis, some HBCUs— Howard University, forexample — has graduationrates that exceed the nationalaverages for both black and
white students. Howard has a combined
male and female graduationrate of 60 percent.
Ivy League schools suchas Harvard and Yale univer-sities have lower blackenrollment rates thanHBCUs, but top the list ofgraduation rates for blacks,with 96 percent and 94 per-cent, respectively.
At some HBCUs, the blackmale graduation rate is soabysmal that these schoolsbring down the national aver-age male graduation rates atall HBCUs to 29 percent.
Texas Southern, MilesCollege in Alabama, andEdward Waters in Florida,for example, have six-yearmale graduation rates under10 percent.
Besides identifying strug-gling students and makingall resources available tothem, Elizabeth City StateUniversity brings its facultyin to help retain and gradu-ate black males.
That university asks itsbest professors teach intro-ductory and developmentalcourses.
It convenes mandatorysessions to help studentsapply for financial aid cor-rectly.
When a student drops out,the university follows upwith a call to find out whatthe problem was, and tries toconvince the student toreturn to school.
At Howard University,regular reports are pre-pared concerning maleretention and graduationrates.
NCCU’s Dean ofUniversity College, BerniceJohnson, said the Universityrecognizes the severity of itsretention problem, and isworking on initiatives tobegin next fall.
Johnson said theUniversity plans to createlearning communitiesacross the campus, one ofwhich will focus on African-American freshman males.
“My philosophy is thatstudents can do the work,”said Johnson.
“Our job is to connectwhat we have to what thestudent needs, early on.”
SYMPOSIUMCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
see their voice screaming tobe heard,” Turcato said.“[The symposium] is anexcellent opportunity for allto hear what it is thatwomen are saying.”
Blues singers BessieSmith and Alberta Hunterwill be the focus of LenoraZenzalai Helm’s presenta-tion.
Helm, a music professor,will sing Smith’s andHunter’s music as well asone of her own songs.
“My program, ‘WellBehaved Women Don’t MakeHistory,’ will featureexcerpts about women inmusic whose business andentrepreneurial boldnessand innovation paved theway for women in musicdecades later,” Helm said.
McKissick-Melton wantedto honor her sister’s role infighting for equality forAfrican Americans.
The oldest daughter ofcivil rights leader Floyd B.McKissick Sr., JocelynMcKissick, at age 14, partici-pated in the picketing ofRoyal Ice Cream in 1957,considered to be NorthCarolina’s first sit-in.
She was the first blackfemale to attend and to grad-uate from Durham HighSchool, her sister said.
She attended SpellmanCollege before graduatingfrom North Carolina College(now N. C. CentralUniversity), and received anM.A. in education fromHarvard University in 1971.
As an educator, McKissicktaught at several federal pris-
ons and was a teacher andcounselor at Kittrell JobCorps and at Vance-GranvilleCommunity College.
McKissick was one of thefew female student leadersof the American civil rightsmovement.
She spent three days injail after protesting segrega-tion at a Howard Johnson’sand participated in numer-
ous sit-ins and demonstra-tions.
As a member of theFreedom Riders, she wasbeaten and jailed whileprotesting in Mississippiand Alabama.
Her injuries left herunable to have children, hersister said.
M c K i s s i c k - M e l t o nbelieves her sister’s injuries
were the cause of a doublebrain aneurysm in 1986.
She became her sister’slegal guardian before shedied in 2005.
“She was brilliant, eccen-tric and an artist with lots ofpersonal style,” McKissick-Melton said about her sisterin her symposium submis-sion.
“She was an original.”
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ROBERT LAWSON/Office of Public Relations
Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009 Campus
N O R T H C A R O L I N A C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y
3
BY SADE THOMPSON
ECHO STAFF WRITER
Stephen Allsop, biology juniorand jazz studies minor, has beenawarded the 2009-2010 BarryGoldwater Scholarship for mathe-matical and scientific excellence.
The award is considered themost prestigious award in the U.S.given to undergraduates in the sci-ences.
This year, 278 scholarships wereawarded nationally to undergradu-ate sophomores and juniors in thefields of mathematics, science, engi-neering and computer disciplines.
“The prestige of the scholarshipmeans I am put in a caliber of stu-dents that when I apply for MD andPh.D. programs, it will put me aheadof my competition,” said Allsop, anNCCCU Chancellor’s Scholar.
Recipients for the GoldwaterScholarship were selected from afield of 1,097 national applicants.
“I am delighted Stephen won the
scholarship because no one atNorth Carolina Central ever had theopportunity to win,” said AntonioBaines, an NCCU assistant profes-sor of biology.
The scholarship covers the costof tuition, fees, books and room andboard up to $7,500 per year.
Allsop, a native of Trinidad,Tobago by way of Brooklyn, was cho-sen out of 1,100 other students in thefield of mathematics, science andengineering.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarshipwas instituted in 1986 by the U.S.Congress in honor of former five-term Senator Barry M. Goldwater.
Goldwater represented Arizonafor 30 years from 1953-1965 and from1969-1987.
He was defeated as theRepublican nominee for presidentin 1964 by Democrat LyndonJohnson and died in 1998.
Since 1986 the foundation hasawarded 5,801 scholarships worthapproximately $56 million dollars.
Allsop is the oldest of three chil-dren. His father is a naturopathicdoctor and his mother is a highschool special education teacher.
He said he has always had a pas-sion for science and rememberswatching the National GeographicChannel before he was old enoughto attend elementary school.
“The more I learned, the more Ibecame engaged,” he said.
After graduating, Allsop plans todo cancer research and surgicaloncology.
He said he wants to develop waysto “treat cancer in a tumor- specific,minimally toxic manner.”
Allsop wants to advise his peersto challenge themselves.
“We have to raise our expectationof ourselves,” he said.
“Often, I hear many people say, ‘Ijust want to pass,’ and that bothersme because it demonstrates anexpectancy of mediocrity that per-petuates the way other institutionsviews us as an HBCU.”
Allsop strikes ‘Gold’ with scholarship Goldwater Scholarship recognized as most prestigious for science undergraduates
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4 Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009Campus
N O R T H C A R O L I N A C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y
BY ADRIANNE FOWLKESECHO STAFF REPORTER
Though the commercialparking lot at the corner ofLawson and Merrick streetsis conveniently locatedacross from the newly reno-vated Pearson Cafeteria, itis not free.
Any student who thinksit’s free is in for a headache.
Students who park thereshould prepare to fork over$200 to the owner, JimmieYoung, for towing and stor-age.
“I honestly thought it wasfor students,” said masscommunication sophomoreLea Randolph.
“I never noticed it [theparking lot] before.”
Despite the sign at theentrance of the lot inform-ing people that the lot is pri-vate, many students makethe mistake of parkingthere.
“I came from the cafete-ria looking for my car, and itwas gone,” said family andconsumer science sopho-more Curtisha Sellars.
“I was livid.” Sellars was not the only
student to suffer the steeptowing and storage fee atAction Towing.
“I saw the towing sign,but I only stepped away tothe convenience store for
like 10 minutes,” said busi-ness management juniorDanielle Copeland.
Copeland said shereturned to her FordExplorer while it was gettingtowed, but she still had toredeem it at the towing lot.
Young’s lot is mostly usedby faculty and staff, who pay$30-$40 per month for anassigned parking space.
Since the cafeteriaopened, faculty are startingto see more students park intheir assigned places.
“It’s only happened to meonce, but that only hap-pened since the cafeteriaopened,” said CharmaineMcKissick-Melton, associ-ate professor of English andmass communication.
Faculty and staff useYoung’s commercial lotbecause they have difficultygetting assigned campusparking.
Michele Ware, associateprofessor of English, usedYoung’s lot for two yearswhile waiting for herassigned parking space inthe Farrison-NewtonCommunications Buildingparking lot.
She pays $250 a year forthe University-ownedspace.
“I waited on the waitinglist for seven years beforegetting a spot behind the
Communications building,”said Ware.
She said that Young’s lotwas close, convenient andsafe.
Ware said that before shebegan using the lot, sheused to park “way downDupree Street.”
“Sometimes I left afterdark, and I didn’t feel safeat all,” she said.
Before becoming a dirtparking lot, the 601 E.Lawson Street location washome to an abandonedhouse with a long history ofhousing code violations.
The Durham Departmentof Housing issued a demoli-tion order in December1999 after a 1998 fire.
Young bought the proper-ty in 1998 from James andCarolyn Walker for $42,000.
He then demolished thehouse and opened the pri-vate lot in 2005.
It was the first private lotserving NCCU.
Sellars said that she willsteer clear of the lot fromnow on.
“I definitely know not tochance parking therebecause they will tow yourcar in a heartbeat,” shesaid.
“There’s nothing likeseeing your car one minute,and not seeing it the next.”
Art bonds neighbors Hillside drama, music alumni flourish at NCCU
BY DAVID FITTSECHO STAFF REPORTER
The family relationshipbetween N.C. CentralUniversity and HillsideHigh School goes back tothe days when the twoschools were known respec-tively as the NationalReligious Training Schooland Chautauqua, and JamesA. Whitted High School.
Whitted, a former princi-pal of Hillside, establishedthe school in 1887.
In 1909, James Shepardestablished what is knowntoday as NCCU.
Since then, both schoolshave been working toimprove both city and eachother.
NCCU students and fac-ulty work with Hillside stu-dents through mentoringprograms and other proj-ects designed to help stu-dents achieve.
Perhaps the most endur-ing bond has been formedthrough the performingarts.
Right now, 12 Hillsidegraduates are in NCCU’sband program and two arein the theatre program.
“We share a number ofstudents who choose to bein the band, as well as onthe stage,” said KarenDacons-Brock, associateprofessor of theatre atNCCU.
Dacons-Brock said thatNCCU thrives on the coop-erative relationshipbetween the arts programsof the two schools.
“Both programs allowsome flexibility whenschedules overlap,” shesaid.
“Students who have par-ticipated in both programsappear to be satisfied withboth.”
Xavier Cason, director ofbands at Hillside, is a 1984NCCU alumnus. He was adrum major during his sen-ior year, earning a B.A. inmusic education.
Cason was band directorat NCCU for eight years,before he went to Hillsidein 1997.
“Hillside and Centralborrow a lot from eachother, as well as Hornetswho become Eagles, which Iam happy to see,” saidCason.
Another NCCU graduate,Wendell Tabb, is director oftheatre at Hillside.
Tabb said his studentsalso benefit from the con-nection between NCCU andHillside.
“Many of our high schoolstudents are given opportu-nities to perform on theNCCU stage, and many ofthe NCCU students workwith our students in theatremanagement, lighting, andset building and designs,”said Tabb.
Tiffany Agerston, theatreeducation freshman and a2008 Hillside graduate, per-formed in numerous playsthroughout her four yearsthere.
She performed in herfirst college play, “Home,”in October.
Agerston said herHillside credentials havehelped her form bonds atNCCU.
“I notice when peopleask me where I went to highschool and I respond withHillside, they say they knowwhat I’m talking about,” shesaid.
Tabb said he’s glad tohave a fellow Hillside gradon board.
“Tiffany is an amazingperformer,” Tabb said.
“If she applies the train-ing she received at Hillsidewith the knowledge andtraining she will receivefrom the NCCU theatre fac-ulty, I am sure she will con-
tinue to grow as a profes-sional artist.”
Roy Ector, drum juniorand a 2006 Hillside gradu-ate, was a drum major dur-ing his senior year atHillside.
“I feel blessed andproud,” Ector said.
“Being a drum major atHillside High was like adream to me.
“So when I was appoint-ed to that position, it was anhonor because of the legacyand tradition that it has.”
However, Ector said thatthe band also can pose chal-lenges.
“You have to eat andsleep band 24 hours, sevendays a week, and it’s goingto be hard at times, but itpays off,” he said.
Cason said he is happywhen he hears that one ofhis students has decided togo to NCCU.
“It’s good to see someonetake the path that I took,and I hope that I have influ-enced them in the sameway,” said Cason.
Tabb echoed those senti-ments.
“When my drama stu-dents decide to attendNCCU, that really touchesmy heart,” he said.
Easy, but not freePrivate lot owner tows, charges $200
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CARLTON KOONCE/Echo Staff Photographer
Campus Echo
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Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009 Campus
N O R T H C A R O L I N A C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y
5
Summer 1: May 19–June 26 Summer 2: June 29–August 7
SUMMER inBOSTONlearn.explore.discover.
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Call 617-353-5124 Visit bu.edu/summer
Check is in the mail255 nonrefundable deposts to be refunded
BY BETHANY SNEED
ECHO STAFF WRITER
If all goes as planned,255 students will receivehousing deposit refunds inearly May.
Residential life hasmade an exception to their$150 nonrefundable depositpolicy for rising juniors andseniors who paid theirdeposits before January 23.
“Central made a gooddecision on returning hous-ing deposits to studentsthey were unable to accom-modate,” said nursing jun-ior Osrielle McKoy.
Jennifer Wilder, N.C.Central University directorof Residential Life, madethe decision on March 19 torefund housing deposits tothose students who met thepayment deadline, but did
not receive a room assign-ment.
“The housing situation isunfortunate, but at least thedeposits are being refund-ed,” said mass communica-tions junior DorianNewton.
Wilder’s letter containeda form to be filled out andreturned to ResidentialLife on or before March 31in order to obtain a depositrefund.
If eligible students fail toturn in the form on time,they will not receive theirhousing deposit refund.
The check request forrefunds will be turned intothe Comptroller Officetomorrow.
The checks will then bemailed to the students’ per-manent address on recordin Banner.
“We anticipate it will beapproximately two weeksbefore students receivetheir checks, as they have tobe processed and approvedin the Comptroller’s officebefore the checks can beissued,” said Wilder lastweek.
Residential Life hasworked with the Office ofFinancial Aid andUniversity Police to easethe difficulties students arefacing with housing with aseries of educational ses-sions.
On March 3, ResidentialLife held a housing fair.
There is also an off cam-pus housing list on NCCU ‘swebsite and a list of offcampus residences in theResidential Life office inthe Student AffairsComplex.
6 Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009
Actually,the world DOES need another lawyer.
7Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009 Beyond NCCU
N O R T H C A R O L I N A C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y
Fruit flies earn no respect ... except among scientistsFlies and humans share many genes that control similar biological functions
BY ROBERT S. BOYDMCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS (MCT)
WWAASSHHIINNGGTTOONN —— That annoy-ing kitchen pest, the fruitfly, occupies an honoredplace in science and medi-cine, despite slurs frompoliticians such as Sen.John McCain and his 2008sidekick, Sarah Palin.
Scientists have beenstudying these dinkyinsects for more than a cen-tury, but they say thatthey’re still turning upvaluable new informationin more than 1,000 labora-tories all over the world.
Fruit fly research is con-tributing to biomedicaladvances against autism,birth defects, diabetes,Alzheimer’s, heart disease,cancer and a host of othermaladies.
It also sheds light on theintricate process by whicha single fertilized celldevelops into an adulthuman being.
Four Nobel prizes havebeen awarded for work onDrosophila, the scientificname for the fruit fly. Itmeans “dew-lover” inGreek.
“The humble fruit fly hasbeen a workhorse for biolo-gists for almost a century,”said Scott Hawley, a cancergenetics expert at theStowers Institute forMedical Research inKansas City, Mo.
“No other organism hascontributed more to ourunderstanding of evolu-tionary and populationbiology than Drosophila.”
Scientists prize fruitflies as ideal model organ-isms for study becausethey’re cheap, easy to raiseand can produce 200 off-spring in a life cycle of only10 days.
Unlike houseflies, they
carry no diseases. Theycan, however, damage fruitcrops, such as California’solive groves, a behaviorthat brought them a dash ofill repute in last year’selection.
To protect his state’solive growers, Rep. MikeThompson, D-Calif., insert-ed a $742,764 “earmark” inthe last congressionalappropriations bill toresearch ways to controlthe pests.
Some of the money is tobe spent in France, wherethe U.S. Department ofAgriculture has a researchstation.
Palin, then theRepublican vice presiden-tial candidate, snatched atthis item.
She scoffed at “dollarsthat have little or nothingto do with the public good,things like fruit flyresearch in Paris, France.... I kid you not.”
In the Senate last month,McCain again singled outfruit fly research in hiscondemnation of budgetearmarks.
Despite such jibes, mod-ern science is deeplyindebted to the fruit fly.
“These studies estab-lished our understandingof the basic principles ofgenetics,” said CarlThummel, a fly researcherat the University of UtahSchool of Medicine in SaltLake City.
Fly research revealed“the nature of the gene,how genes are linked to oneanother along the chromo-some and how chromo-somes can recombine withone another.”
Despite their enormousdifferences, flies andhumans descended from adistant common ancestorand share many genes that
control similar biologicalfunctions.
“Seventy percent ofhuman and Drosophilagenes are conserved, mean-ing the genes resembleeach other in structure andstill carry out a related oridentical function,” saidAllan Spradling, a biologistat the Carnegie Institute ofWashington in Baltimore.
“It is much easier tounderstand gene functionin Drosophila than inhumans.”
“The same tool kit estab-lishes body plans in fliesand humans,” said TerryOrr-Weaver, a Drosophilaexpert at the WhiteheadInstitute for BiomedicalResearch in Cambridge,Mass.
“The same genes buildthe fly eye and the humaneye.”
A few of the many recentachievements in fruit flyresearch:• Rolf Bodmer at theBurnham Institute forMedical Research in LaJolla, Calif., identifiedgenes in Drosophila thatcause heart rhythm defectsin eight out of every 1,000babies born each year.• Scientists at theUniversity of NorthCarolina at Chapel Hill dis-covered a Drosophila pro-tein called neurexin that’sa risk factor for autism.• Researchers at theLangone Medical Center inNew York discovered anenzyme connected to Barthsyndrome, a sometimes-fatal childhood heart dis-ease.
“A hundred years work-ing with this organism andwe are really now just hit-ting our stride,” Hawleysaid.
“There is so much moreto come.”
“Seventy percent of human and Drosophila genes are conserved, meaning the genes resemble each other in structure
and still carry out a related or identical function.”
ALLAN SPRADLINGBIOLOGIST, CARNEGIE INSTITUTE OF WASHINGTON IN BALTIMORE
TThheessee hhuummbbllee ffrruuiitt fflliieess,, cclliinnggiinngg ttoo aa mmaattcchhssttiicckk,, mmaayy bbee kkiittcchheennppeessttss,, bbuutt tthheeyy ccoonnttrriibbuuttee eennoorrmmoouussllyy ttoo bbiioollooggiiccaall aanndd mmeeddiiccaall sscciieennccee..
NEW SOUTH WALES DEPARTMENTOF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES/MCT
8 Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009Beyond NCCU
N O R T H C A R O L I N A C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y
15 years after apartheid, S. Africa at a crossroadsPolls show that a plurality thinks the country is headed in the wrong direction
BY SHASHANK BENGALIMCCLATCHY NEWSPAPES
JJOOHHAANNNNEESSBBUURRGG,, SSoouutthh AAffrriiccaa ––It's easy to look around thisproud, polyglot city and thinkthat the favorite slogan of thenew South Africa — a“Rainbow Nation” of racesstriving together for prosper-ity —is becoming a reality.
Blacks and whites minglein buzzing bars and restau-rants, in state-of-the-art busi-ness parks and shoppingmalls, and in tree-lined sub-urbs that recall SouthernCalifornia more than south-ern Africa. A blossomingblack middle class fills theboardrooms and back offices
of a diverse economy that’sthe engine and envy of thecontinent.
In the 15 years sinceNelson Mandela won the firstdemocratic elections here,finally closing the book onfour decades of whiteapartheid rule, a lot has goneright with South Africa. Yetdays before a new election, adeep malaise has taken hold,a creeping fear that the nextdecade and a half won’t be asgood as the first was.
For months, the newspages have been dominatedby stories about political cor-ruption, intimidation andback-room dealing at the
highest levels of the AfricanNational Congress, the partythat led the fight againstapartheid and has controlledthe government ever since.The man who figures tobecome president after theApril 22 elections, JacobZuma, had a long-runningbribery case against him sud-denly dropped this month onlegal technicalities thatmany suspect were the resultof political pressure.
In low-income black town-ships, residents complainthat while the leaders of theliberation struggle are get-ting rich running the newSouth Africa, they’re stillspinning their wheels in theold one — a place of depriva-tion where electricity, cleanwater, affordable homes anddecent schools remain out ofreach.
Among the still-prosper-ous white minority, worriesabout crime and corruptionare driving many young, edu-cated people overseas, leav-ing the country short of doc-tors engineers and otherskilled professionals.
Since capturing theworld’s imagination in 1994,this country has seen itself asexceptional, an African oasis.Now, for the first time, pollsshow that a plurality of peo-ple thinks the country isheaded in the wrong direc-tion.
“People thought this wasnot Africa,” said SimangaKhumalo, a professor of reli-gion who grew up in theblack township of Soweto inthe 1970s, when it was a caul-dron of anti-apartheid resist-ance.
“People looked at oureconomy and businesses, andwe look like an advancedsociety. But this is Africa. Weare no different. Our leadersalso love power.”
In many ways, class barri-ers have replaced the oldracial divisions. Despiterobust economic growthunder former PresidentThabo Mbeki, unemploymenthas risen to 38 percent from32 percent in 1994.
The number of jobless hasdoubled. Despite one of thelargest welfare systems in theworld, more than half ofblacks live below the povertyline, compared with about 10percent of the rest of thecountry.
The “black diamonds” —the fast-growing black mid-dle class — comprises 6 per-cent of the country but morethan a quarter of its buyingpower. Grants and govern-ment loans have helpedmany launch new businesses,while affirmative action hasdramatically diversified oncelily-white corporate ranks.
A loan helped Ndumi
Medupe, armed only with abusiness plan, start a consult-ing firm in 2007. Now she has20 employees, offices in atree-lined business park andclients spread across a rangeof government departments.
Medupe grew up in asmall eastern village andwent to college on loans. Nowshe and her husband live in agated home in a quiet suburb.Their two children, 13 and 5,“live in a different world.”
But she only has to look atthe children’s privateschools, where three-quar-ters of their classmates arewhite, to be reminded thatnot everyone is thriving inthe new South Africa.
“From our point of view,the Rainbow Nation exists,”Medupe said, invoking, aspeople here often do, theterm coined by Nobel Prize-winning ArchbishopDesmond Tutu to describethe dream of an integratedSouth Africa.
“For someone at the bot-tom of the ladder ... thingshaven’t changed much fromthe apartheid years.”
Still, polls predict a com-fortable ANC victory in afield that includes severalsmaller parties, although itlikely will fall short of the 70percent it won in 2004.
Speaking last month at abusiness breakfast, Zumaacknowledged the inequitiesbut said the countryremained “fiercely protec-tive” of the party. “Supportfor the ANC among SouthAfricans is as big and asenthusiastic as ever,” he said.
For those who fear forSouth Africa, Zuma is the
great bogeyman. The 67-year-old head of the ANC haspolarized the nation like nopolitician before him.
Supporters think the for-mer liberation fighter is astrong leader in the mold of aZulu tribal patriarch (whichhe is, reportedly keepingfour wives) and the corrup-tion case against him, whichdated to a multibillion-dollararms deal in the 1990s, wasplotted by his political ene-mies.
To critics, he’s anunschooled rabble-rouserwith troubling views onwomen’s rights, the rule oflaw and AIDS. In 2006, dur-ing a trial in which he wasacquitted of raping a womanhe knew to be HIV-positive,he cast himself in the role ofa traditional Zulu male, forwhom it was required to havesex with a woman if she camebefore him wearing a skirt.
A former ANC parliamen-tarian, Andrew Feinstein,who resigned in 2001 over theparty’s failure to probe thearms deal, thinks the dis-missal of the Zuma briberycase has irreversibly dam-aged South Africa’s demo-cratic credentials and couldscare off foreign investors.
“All of these things makeme very alarmed about therule of law in the country,”Feinstein said.
“If the nature of SouthAfrican democracy is that bigbosses can get away with any-thing, people feel there is noreal equality before the law.”
There’s more and morehand-wringing among SouthAfrican whites.
In rural areas, farmers are
troubled by high crime ratesand a lack of governmentsupport. In cities, resentmentat affirmative-action policiesand the attraction of better-paying jobs abroad havelured thousands of profes-sionals in their late 20s andearly 30s to places such asAustralia and Great Britain.
The fears run so high thatone of the best-selling localbooks last year was called“Don’t Panic!” — a plea toSouth Africans to stay andhelp build their nation.
It began as an e-mail toemployees from Alan Knott-Craig, head of an Internetfirm that circulated to SouthAfricans around the globeand eventually became abook.
In an interview, Knott-Craig said that crime andpolitical instability are con-stant concerns. But the glob-al economic slowdown hasforced many young SouthAfricans to rethink movingabroad, and he noted thatZuma has pledged to reducecrime, which affects SouthAfricans of all races.
“There’s a lot of uncer-tainty. Jacob Zuma has quitea bad reputation,” he said.But, ever the optimist, hequickly added: “I personallyfeel we’ll be pleasantly sur-prised.
“Anyone with a brain mustbe very happy with our polit-ical situation. Our presidentsleave office peacefully —they don’t stay for 20 years, orchange the constitution orget the army to protect them.It’s a true democracy. The bigthing we have lacked sinceMandela is true leadership.”
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tthhee 1155 yyeeaarrss ssiinnccee aappaarrtthheeiidd iinn SSoouutthh AAffrriiccaa eennddeedd..
SHASHANK BENGALI/MCT
Jobless at Graduation?
Don t panic.
1 Contact yourcareer center toexplore career options.2 Take an internshipor volunteer in theshort term.3 Consider tempo-rary work that maylead to full-time.4 Network withfriends, relatives, par-ents of friends, etc.5 Maintain a positiveattitude!
Career Career ChoicesChoices
University Career Services William Jones Bldg, Lower LevelPhone: 919-530-6337Email: [email protected]
For more information or to get involved
in Campus Ministries contact us at
530-5263 or e-mailus at
UUnniitteedd CChhrriissttiiaann CCaammppuuss MMiinniissttrryy
552255 NNeellssoonn SSttrreeeett,, NNCCCCUU CCaammppuuss
MMiicchhaaeell DD.. PPaaggeeCCaammppuuss MMiinniisstteerr
Join ChristianStudent
Fellowship
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGEATNCCU PEDU 4510
Learn a beautiful language: ASL. Three credit hourcourses offered this summer and next fall at NCCU. Also, look for this new listing: American Sign Languagefor Beginners II. For more information contact Dr. Kaky McPeak at [email protected]
The Church of the Abiding Savior,Lutheran
introduces Rhonda Royal Hatton as thenew Lutheran Campus
Outreach Minister to NCCU.
ABIDING SAVIOR CARES ABOUT YOUAND THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY.
IT IS A PLACE WHERE WE ARE A PEOPLE OF GRACE,GROWING IN FAITH, MAKING GOD'S LOVE KNOWN.
Contact Rhonda RoyalHatton by e-mail at [email protected] orby cell phone 919.698.3648
Church of the AbidingSavior, LutheranRev. Gordon Myers, Pastor1625 S. Alston AvenueDurham, NC919.682.7497
9Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009 Beyond NCCU
N O R T H C A R O L I N A C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y
Undecided about your major?Why not become a teacher
and give back to thecommunity?
For more information drop by or call:North Carolina Central UniversityH.M. Michaux, Jr. School of Education712 Cecil Street919.530.6656 ~ www.nccu.edu/soe
Here are some majors in which you could become a teacher:
Birth-Kindergarten,Elementary (K-6), andMiddle GradesEducation (6-9)
• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
Secondary Education
• English
• Family & Consumer
Sciences
• Mathematics
• Comprehensive
Science
• Comprehensive Social
Studies
Special Areas (K-12)
• Art
• French
• Spanish
• Music
• Physical Education
• Theatre
Add on Licensure Areas
•Accademically &
Intellectually Gifted
(AIG)
• English as Second
Language (ESL)
• Reading
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T o l l F r e e 8 6 6 - 9 5 7 - 2 7 1 1
Is modern life hastening human evolution?
BY ROBERT S. BOYDMCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS (MCT)
WWAASSHHIINNGGTTOONN —— We’re not fin-ished yet. Even today, sci-entists say that humanbeings are continuing toevolve as our genesrespond to rapid changes inthe world around us.
In fact, the pressures ofmodern life may be speed-ing up the pace of humanevolution, some anthropol-ogists think.
Their view contradictsthe widespread 20th-centu-ry assumption that modernmedical practice, antibi-otics, better diet and otheradvances would protectpeople from the perils andstresses that drive evolu-tionary change.
Nowadays, the idea that“human evolution is a con-tinuing process is widelyaccepted among anthropol-ogists,” said Robert WaldSussman, the editor of theYearbook of PhysicalAnthropology atWashington University inSt. Louis.
It’s even conceivable, hesaid, that our genes eventu-ally will change enough tocreate an entirely newhuman species, one nolonger able to breed withour own species, Homosapiens.
“Someday in the far dis-tant future, enough geneticchanges might haveoccurred so that futurepopulations could not inter-breed with the currentone,” Sussman said in an e-mail message.
The still-controversialconcept of “ongoing evolu-tion” was much discussedrecently at the annual
meeting of the AmericanAssociation of PhysicalAnthropologists in Chicago.
It’s also the topic of anew book, “The 10,000 YearExplosion,” by anthropolo-gists Henry Harpendingand Gregory Cochran of theUniversity of Utah, SaltLake City.
“For most of the last cen-tury, the received wisdomin the social sciences hasbeen that human evolutionstopped a long time ago,”Harpending said.
“Clearly, received wis-dom is wrong, and humanevolution has continued.”
In their book, the Utahanthropologists contendthat “human evolution hasaccelerated in the past10,000 years, rather thanslowing or stopping. ... Thepace has been so rapid thathumans have changed sig-nificantly in body and mindover recorded history.”
Evolutionary changesresult when random muta-tions or damage to DNAfrom such factors as radia-tion, smoking or toxicchemicals create new vari-eties of genes.
Some gene changes areharmful, most have noeffect and a few provideadvantages that are passedon to future generations.
If they’re particularlybeneficial, they spreadthroughout the population.
“Any gene variant thatincreases your chance of
having children early andoften should be favored,”Cochran said in an e-mailmessage.
This is the process of“natural selection,” whichCharles Darwin proposed150 years ago and is still theheart of modern evolution-ary theory.
For example, a tinychange in a gene for skincolor played a major role inthe evolution of pale skin inhumans who migrated fromAfrica to northern Europe,while people who remainedin Africa kept their darkskin. That dark skin pro-tected Africans from thetropical sun’s dangerousultraviolet rays; northern-ers’ lighter skin allowedsunlight to produce morevitamin D, important forbone growth.
Another set of gene vari-ants produced a differentshade of light skin in Asia.
“Asians and Europeansare both bleached Africans,but they evolved differentbleaches,” Harpendingsaid.
Despite modern medicaland technologicaladvances, the pressuresthat lead to evolution bynatural selection have con-tinued.
The massive AIDS epi-demic that’s raging insouthern Africa, for exam-ple, is “almost certainly”causing gene variants thatprotect against HIV, the
virus that causes AIDS, toaccumulate in the Africanpopulation, Harpendingsaid.
When he was asked howmany genes currently areevolving, Harpendingreplied: “A lot. Several hun-dred at least, maybe over athousand.”
Another anthropologist,John Hawks of theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison, said, “Our evolu-tion has recently accelerat-ed by around 100-fold.”
A key reason, Hawkssaid, is the enormousgrowth of the world’s popu-lation, which multiplies thesize of the gene pool avail-able to launch new vari-eties.
“Today, beneficial muta-tion must be happening farmore than ever before,since there are more than 6billion of us,” Cochran said.
The changes are so rapidthat “we could, in the verynear future, compare thegenes of old people andyoung people” to detectnewly evolving genes,Cochran said.
Skeletons from a fewthousand or even a fewhundred years ago alsomight provide evidence ofgenetic change.
“Human evolution didn’tstop when anatomicallymodern humans appearedor when they expanded outof Africa,” Harpendingsaid. “It never stopped.”
“Human volution did not stop when anatomically modern humansappeared or when they expanded out of Africa.”
HENRY HARPENDINGANTHROPOLOGIST, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
EPACONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Friday was that the scientif-ic evidence required actionto reduce risks.
U.S. and internationalclimate scientists agreethat observed changes inthe atmosphere, oceans andice show the world is warm-ing because of humanactions, and that the trendcarries risks of irreversibleclimate disruption thatcould persist for centuries.
Scientists have chartedan increase in Earth’s aver-age temperature in recentdecades, as the amount ofthese gases in the atmos-phere has grown to levelshigher than any time inhuman history.
The EPA’s statement, aproposed “endangermentfinding,” was based onpeer-reviewed scientificanalysis of the effects of anaccumulation of emissionsof carbon dioxide and othergreenhouse gases fromburning fossil fuels.
“This finding confirmsthat greenhouse gas pollu-tion is a serious problemnow and for future genera-tions.
“Fortunately, it followsPresident Obama’s call fora low-carbon economy andstrong leadership inCongress on clean energyand climate legislation,”Jackson said.
“This pollution problemhas a solution — one thatwill create millions ofgreen jobs and end ourcountry’s dependence onforeign oil.”
TTIIMMEELLIINNEE
1999 – Environmental andrenewable energy groupsfiled a legal petition request-ing that the Clinton adminis-tration EPA regulate green-house gas emission from carsand trucks under the CleanAir Act.
2003 – The Bush adminis-tration denied the petition. Itsaid that it lacked authorityunder the Clean Air Act toregulate greenhouse gases tofight climate change, andthat even if it did have theauthority it chose not to doso. Environmental groupssued over the denial.
April 2007 – The SupremeCourt ruled that the EPA didhave authority to regulatethe emissions under the law.
It said the EPA had todetermine whether green-house gases endangeredhealth and welfare orwhether the science was toouncertain to know.
December 2007 – TheBush administration pre-pared a proposal for findingthat the emissions endan-gered the environment, butdidn’t release it.
July 2008 – The Bushadministration called forfurther comments on poten-tial regulations of green-house gases under the CleanAir Act.
April 17, 2009 – The EPAissued the “endangermentfinding.” It said the emis-sions endanger both healthand the environment. Such afinding requires the EPA totake action to prevent thatharm.
“This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now
and for future generationsa.”
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYAPRIL 17, 2009 ENDANGERMENT FINDING
10 Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009
N O R T H C A R O L I N A C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y
Photos by Mitchell Webson /Story by Siegfried Leyh
Rockin’ to the Rhythm
The “Brang It” dance bat-tle rolled through N.C.Central University
M c L e n d o n - M c D o u g a l dGymnasium on Saturday,April 18.
The event was beingfilmed for a TV pilot featuringdancers from small-townAmerica.
The sun came down, thelights came up and the musicstarted to rumble.
The judges ran out to themiddle of the floor and posedeveryone.
“I was very excited to see adifferent type of perform-ance. It had my attention towhere I was in a state ofshock,” said Martha Butler,
history junior. “Everything was put
together well and it look likea story line, clean, like it wasstart from a Hollywood studioset,” she said.
McLendon-McDougaldGymnasium was set up tocapture the feel of an eye-catching arena
Cameras were set torecord action from all angles.
“It looked like a movie,”said Dominique Holiday,physical education senior.
“It really looks better thanABDC, where the judges getinvolved with the show,”Holiday said.
Judges included Roland“Ro Ro” Tabor, international
b-boy/breakdancer Jacob“Krazy Kujo” Lyons, poppingand locking artist Salah fromFrance and street dancerProzak, aka John Gillette.
Host Prozak started theshow with the solo males.
Then came solo females,solo youth, and the big event:dance crew and step team.
Dancers came from areamiddle and high schools andcolleges from as far away asChicago and New Jersey.
There was a live musicalperformance, with BrandonBroadway Robinson and DevDixon doing the songs theymade famous.
A highlight was Salah’ssignature performance.
Salah is a star on theFrench version of “So YouThink You Can Dance.”
He creates his perform-ances out of his dreams.
The audience reacted with“oooos” and “aaahhs.” “How did he do that?” theyasked.
After head-to-head bat-tles, the winners were Ashsiafrom Wakefield High Schoolas female solo, Josh, akaSkatz, from Southern HighSchool as male solo, LittleRockstar from Neal JuniorHigh as youth solo, andUnderground Legendz fromNCCU as dance crew.
On Sunday the Brang It
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11A&EN O R T H C A R O L I N A C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009Campus Echo
Wale fromDC to NC
Stand-up guyBanner encourages students to step up and lead
BY ERICA MCRAEECHO STAFF WRITER
Students were truly caught offguard last Thursday when rapperDavid Banner walked into their HipHop in Context class.
Banner is a rap artist and pro-ducer who has made an impact onthe hip hop community because ofhis ability to reach out to his audi-ences motivationally, spiritually andsincerely.
He helps his listeners under-stand the importance of appreciat-ing where they come from andwhere they are going.
“In our quest to chase theAmerican dream, we have forgottenour opportunities at leadership,”Banner said.
He used Martin Luther King, Jr.and Malcolm X as examples of greatleaders who made a few mistakeson their journeys to success.
“Yes, Malcolm was a pimp, yes,Martin was a womanizer, but thatdidn’t affect their ability to lead,”Banner said.
“You can’t let your mistakes stopyou from becoming a leader.”
The hip hop activist stressed theimportance of utilizing yourstrengths, talents, and weaknessesto prepare yourself for future situa-tions.
“Take your mistakes and learnfrom them — you never know whenyou have to use your utility belt,” hesaid.
Mass communication sophomoreAlesha Russell said, “I really appre-ciate Banner for coming to speak toour class because most hip hopartists wouldn’t have; and to knowthat his advice and words of wisdomwas genuine means a lot to me.”
Banner pointed out his personalvalues and positive accomplish-ments, which he said the media
rarely acknowledges.Banner was SGA president at
Southern University in BatonRouge, Louisiana, graduating with a3.99 GPA.
He also holds a masters degreein education from the University ofMaryland and was lauded by theNational Black Caucus of StateLegislatures for his relief workafter Hurricane Katrina.
Psychology senior Marcus Waterssaid, “David Banner has alwaysbeen a stand-up guy.
“Most people lecture at us andnot to us, but Banner’s connectionwas real.
“He related and understoodwhere we came from and didn’tsugar-coat his message.”
Banner ended by urging studentsto stay focused and to take responsi-bility in their universities, jobs, andcommunities to become better lead-ers for future generations.
DDaayy 2266FFoorreevveerr iinn aa DDaayyBad Boy Records
2out of 5 on the
black hand side
Rhythm & Blues hasgiven us some amazing malemusic groups.
These groups have givenus classic albums.
When one thinks of Day26, does classic come tomind? How about gimmick?’Causegimmickworks forme.
Thegroup’slatestalbum,“Foreverin a Day,”is typicalpre-dictableDiddy.
I guessthis isthe perk of being realityshow stars on Bad Boy, big-name producers and song-writers.
The album features pro-ducers like Bryan Cox,Jermaine Dupri, Jazze Pha,and T-Pain.
Tank and Ne-Yo are justtwo of the artists whohelped with songwriting forthe album.
Willie and Qwanell arethe only members of Day 26who participated in thesongwriting process.
Dang, there are five ofyou — can you give us
something original? One of the best tracks on
the album is “PerfectlyBlind,” which fits the feel ofthe group and was co-writ-ten by Q’s boo Dawn.
Songs like “Bipolar” and“Girlfriend” sound awkwardand messy — they don’t mixwell with the group.
It’s understandable towant to try new things. Let’sjust make sure they workfirst.
The rest of the album isbasically all the same song.
This album doesn’t standout against the classic R&B
dudes weknow andlove.This is just
another oneof Diddy’smoney-mak-ers.Wait for thealbum to beon imeem —it’s not amust to takehome.Besides, allyour other
cd’s will want to move out.This whole Day 26,
Danity Kane thing is unrealto me. Honestly, is it real?Should we take them seri-ously as artists?
Can we honestly say theydeserve the fame and atten-tion over artists whoworked their way to thetop?
A true artist is one of akind. If Diddy can replaceyou at his own will, thenyou could be anyone whocan keep up with his image.
— Joanna Hernandez
RRaappppeerr aanndd hhiipp hhoopp aaccttiivviisstt DDaavviidd BBaannnneerr,, rriigghhtt,, ssuurrpprriisseedd ssttuuddeennttss iinn tthhee HHiipp HHoopp iinn CCoonntteexxtt ccoouurrssee oonn llaasstt TThhuurrssddaayy.. RAY TYLER/Echo Staff Photographer
Workshop at Hillside High Schoolwas the hightlight of the weekend.
Participants received intensetraining from the judges, beginningwith Prozak’s crash course in streetdance.
“I got my start posting my videofreestyles on BoogieZone.com andasking anyone for critiques on any-thing,” said Prozak.. Prozak is originally from Mobile,Alabama, but reside now in Denver,Colorado.
Serious dancers travel to takehis intense class, but because of the
“Brang It” tour, it was possible tobe here in Durham.
“This whole event made a bigimpact on everyone, making themaware of what they have to give tothe world.”
Ater his training session Kujoshowed B-Boy/Breaking, Salah,showed his methods of warmingexercise and popping, and Ro Rotaught a choreographed routine inwhich nine dancers were given theopportunity to be in a music videofilmed at Digital Circus in Raleigh.
This was the first time ever
Salah has taught in the UnitedStates.
“The competition and workshopwas the greatest thing that I everexperience,” said Noel Bailey crim-inal justice junior.
Baily said she has been to fourfourth, but “Brang It” gave her theopportunity to feel like a familymember with the instructors.
“You can be afraid,” she said.“But you have to go out there andshow your heart and that is what alot of new fellow family memberswould say too.”
RRoocckk SStteeaaddyy CCrreeww ffrroomm SSoouutthheerrnn HHiigghh SScchhooooll ccoommppeettee iinn tthhee ccrreeww bbaattttllee oonn SSaattuurrddaayy..MITCHELL WEBSON/Echo Staff Photographer
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Hip Hop is a genre ofmusic that is considered tobe ever-evolving. What
started withtwo turnta-bles in thepark wouldturn into aboulderwith mas-sive velocity,collidingwith every
other genreof music inits way. Contrary to
popular belief, hip hop didnot have the same originstory in every area.
Meet Wale, a 24-year-oldD.C./Maryland native andnewcomer to this age of hiphop.
He broke into the main-stream with his fusion ofhis regional love of Go-Gomusic with hip hop. “Wedidn’t have turntables,” saidWale during his set.
“Instead we had musi-cians.”
It wouldn’t be historicallyincorrect to say that go-gomusic, which derived fromfunk, would later aid in thebirthing of hip hop in D.C.,Maryland, and Virginia.
Although known locally,his name would begin totravel in 2006 due to thesuccess of his song “DigDug” and his first mix tape,“Paint a Picture.”
In 2007, he would joinforces with Grammy-Award-winning producer Mark
Ronson, who is responsiblefor the success and sound ofAmy Winehouse’s “Fade toBlack.” Ronson would inkWale to a production dealwith his Allido Recordsimprint.
“W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.,” hisrendition of electronic duoJustice’s hit song“D.A.N.C.E.,” would garnerhim more national attentionfrom a wide span of musiclisteners.
Clothing sponsorshipswould come from LRG and10Deep and the mix tapeswould follow until he wouldannounce to fans that hewas closing a major distri-bution deal with InterscopeRecords.
In preparation for therelease of his first album,“Attention Deficit,” Wale ison an eponymous nation-wide promotional tour. J.Cole, a North Carolinanative and Roc Nationsignee, and Colin Munroealso perform on the tour.
Last week during thetour’s stop at the Cat’sCradle in Carrboro, Walebrought out N. C. Central’sown Patrick “9th Wonder”Douthit to announce thathe would be working with9th Wonder for his upcom-ing major release.
Wale’s highly anticipated“Back to the Feature” mixtape will feature full pro-duction from 9th Wonder.
More information onWale’s visitwww.elitaste.com.
DANCECONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
Josh P.Leak
12 Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009
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NCCU WRITING STUDIO
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Wednesday 10 am - 6 pm
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Program begins May 26th
• Earn a paralegal certificate in 6-weeks• Curriculum provides skill-based training• Convenient daytime classes• NC State Bar Qualifi ed program• Instructors all licensed attorneys• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree required
FREE INFORMATION SESSION:Tuesday, April 14 @ 6:30pm
Erwin Square Mill Building, Bay C, Durham, NC
For more information, or to register:www.learnmore.duke.edu/paralegal
or call 919.684.62591-866-EDU-DUKE
Campus Echo Onlinewww.campusecho.com
SportsCampus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009
EAGLELAND
Serving N.C. Central UniversityIf we don’t have it, we will get it.
If we can’t get it, it’s probably not worth having!
We have the best prices on Earth.We do custom orders.
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Marvin Bass, Owner2501 Fayetteville St.Durham, NC 27707
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baseball caps�buttons�mugs�caps�car flagspens�pencils�pennants�pom poms�
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C a m p u s E c h o O n l i n eww ww ww .. cc aa mm pp uu ss ee cc hh oo .. cc oo mm
Track team speeds to P.A. Track team to compete in prestigous Penn Relays
MMoottoonn tthhee rriigghhtt mmaann ffoorr tthhee jjoobb NCCU TAGS LEVELLE MOTON AS BASKETBALL’S NEXT HEAD COACH
13
Residential Services is currently
looking for Direct Support
Professionals to work in our group
homes for children and adults with
autism and other developmental
disabilities. Entry-level positions
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Are you looking for a rewarding careerwhere you can use your major
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BY AARON SAUNDERSECHO SPORTS REPORTER
After N.C. CentralUniversity fired formerhead basketball coach offive years Henry Dicker-son, the search for a viablecandidate was on.
Many applied but onlyone man survived: NCCUalumnus LeVelle Moton,who was announced as the17th men’s basketballcoach on March 25.
Moton attended NCCUfrom 1992-1996. He wasnamed to the ALL-CIAAfirst team his junior andsenior years and amassed1,714 points.
Upon graduation in1996, Moton played profes-sional basketball for fouryears in Indonesia andIsrael.
In 2004, he was inductedinto NCCU’s athletic hall offame .
Moton started his coach-ing career in 2001 as headcoach at West MillbrookMiddle School, where hestayed until 2004.
Moton then becamehead coach at SandersonHigh School in Raleigh, aposition he held until hewas hired as assistant bas-ketball coach at NCCU in2007.
Moton, NCCU’s 3rd alltime leading scorer, isecstatic about his new job.
He described last monthas one he would never for-get.
“It’s an incredible feel-ing and I am still at a lossfor words. I am just happythat God blessed me with agreat chance,” he said.
Moton said he is hon-ored to coach at his almamater.
“It’s not about me,” hesaid. “The biggest accom-plishment to me is to be a
part of something greaterthan myself, and to be apart of this great coachingchain.”
According to MotonNCCU coaching has a greathistory.
“John McClendoncoached here and helearned the game from thecreator of basketball, Dr.James Naismith,” he said.
Moton came from whatsome would be considereda hopeless road. Growingup in the Lane Street
Projects in Raleigh, Motonplans to draw from hispast to help return promi-nence to the basketballprogram.
“I believe that adversityintroduces a man to him-self,” Moton said.
He said living in thosenegative situations gavehim the drive to succeed.
“I am no savior. I don’twalk on water.
“Hard work, dedication,discipline and recruiting iswhat it will take to get the
program back on track.” One thing that will help
on that journey is recruits. NCCU has already land-
ed one: C.J. Wilkerson, a 6-4 wing man from ClintonJunior College who wasfirst-team all-region.
Moton described him as“a very talented and goodkid.”
The Eagles struggledlast year to find scoringfrom the inside and attimes seemed to be over-matched by other teams’
depth.The lone bright spot
from last season’s abysmalrecord was freshman guardJamar Briscoe, the Eagle’leading scorer and go -toman at all times .
As for the Eagles’ sched-ule next year, Moton saysthat nothing is concrete.
“We don’t know for surewho we will be playing, butwe are working diligentlyto finish the schedule. “Wewant to add five or sixmore games to complete it.”
BY AARON SAUNDERSECHO SPORTS REPORTER
When one thinks of thetrack and field in America,two meets come to mind: theOlympics and the historicPenn Relays.
Penn Relays started morethan 100 years ago and hasseen many great athletesparticipate from highschools, colleges and theprofessional ranks.
This Thursday, N.CCentral University will trav-el to Pennsylvania to com-pete in the annual event inwhich the athletes competeagainst the best track andfield athletes the UnitedStates has to offer.
The lineage of Penn
Relays is classic and his-toric. The greatest of runnershave run here from JesseOwens to Maurice Green.
Head track coach MikeLawson enjoys the atmos-phere of this landmarkevent.
Lawson, who ran for St.Augustine’s College from1977-1981, describes the feel-ing of 55,000 screaming fanslooking down at him on thetrack as very exciting andnerve-wracking.
“For me the Penn Relaysfeels like going to theOlympics,” Lawson said.
“There is just that electricbuzz that you get from beingthere.”
Traditionally, NCCU hasbeen a force to be reckoned
with when it comes to trackand field.
In 1972, two Eagles relayteams won their respectiveraces.
The sprint medley relayteam was enshrined on thePenn Relay Wall of Fame in1995; ten years later, the 880-yard relay team wasenshrined.
NCCU has also had indi-viduals selected to the Wallof Fame such as Larry Blackand Lee Calhoun.
Black, an Olympic goldand silver medalist andCalhoun, a two-time 120Yard NCAA champion, areconsidered two of NCCU’sgreatest runners.
Under Head Coach MikeLawson, NCCU has been
competitive in the relays. Last year, NCCU won the
4x100 collegiate relays.NCCU senior Will Scott
also took home the triplejump for the collegiate divi-sion.
“This year, we won’t beable to defend our 4x100crown due to some injuriesthat we had during the sea-son, but we expect our 4x200men’s team to be good,” saidLawson.
“Our girls have a reallygood chance of doing well,we just have to bring our bestgame.”
The meet will start thisThursday morning. TheEagles will look to bringhome the title Penn RelaysChampions of America.
521 Nelson StreetDurham, NC 27707
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
919 530-7128
Charles E. McClinton, Ph.D., Director
Alfreda D. Evans, Student Services Coordinator
Special Programs
• Boston University Early
Medical School Selection
Program
• Clinical Health Summer
Program NCCU/Duke
University Medical
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• North Carolina Access,
Retention and
Completion Initiative in
the Allied Health
Sciences (NC-ARC)
Course Number BIOL-
2030. This course gives stu-
dents an overview of allied
health professions and facili-
tates acceptance into the
School of Allied Health
Sciences at the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill
More Opportunities are
available. Contact us.
Health Careers CenterN.C. Central University
35th
Year of
Service
The NCCU Health Careers
Center staff celebrates 35 years
developing pre-health profession-
al students into viable candidates
for health and medical careers by
providing:
• Advocacy • Counseling •
Enrichment Activities • Health
Career Network Access • Health
Career Recruitment • Information
• Internships & Shadowing
Experiences • Standardized Test
Prep Workshops • Other services
and activities
NNCCCCUU bbaasskkeettbbaallll ccooaacchh LLeevveellllee MMoottoonn cchhaattss wwiitthh BBrryyaann AAyyaallaa iinn 22000088..Echo File Photo
“I believe that adversity introduces a man to himself.”
LEVELLE MOTONNCCU HEAD BASKETBALL COACH
Imagine you’re lying inbed. It’s two o’clock inthe morning and
you’re having the bestnight’s sleep you couldimagine. Your room isquiet, dark, peaceful.
Suddenly, there’s afaint shrieking in the dis-
tance. It’sg r o w i n glouder ...now it’sright inyour ears.A piercingalarm isgoing off.
T h ebuilding isb e i n gevacuated.
You are forced to wakeup, throw on your hoodieand run outside in themiddle of the night.
The fire alarm hasbeen set off repeatedly inthe Eagle LandingResidence Hall thissemester, and it’s verydisturbing.
There have been firedrills at all hours of the
night and sometimesduring daylight hoursas well.
I’ve been forced toleave my room andstand in the designatedwaiting area numeroustimes and in all kinds ofweather.
I’ve had to stand in mypajamas in the rain,snow, and wind due tothese false alarms.
To make mattersworse, it was announceda couple of times thatsomeone had pulled thealarm as a prank.
This isn’t funny. It’schildish and annoying.
People have class inthe morning.
They don’t have time tokeep waking up in themiddle of the night just tostand outside for 20 to 30minutes at a time fornothing.
There’s never a goodtime for me to get com-fortable in my roombecause I keep expectingthe alarm to go off.
I’m scared to take a
shower in my own bath-room because I fear I’mgoing to have run outsidecovered in soap and atowel in order to get outof the building within thedesignated four minutes.
I did not sign up forthis.
Fire drills and alarmsare supposed to teachsafety, but at the rate theygo off in Eagle Landing,no one would take a realfire seriously if everthere was one.
One or two drills persemester are acceptable— we have them at leasttwice a week.
Some students have
been fined because theirfloors’ alarms have beenpulled.
A thousand-dollar fineis split among the resi-dents of the floor onwhich the alarm waspulled and charged totheir accounts.
A police officer threat-ened to fine me for near-ly entering the buildingafter I was mistakenlytold it was okay to go in.
But why should I befined for wanting to goback to my own room?
I’m the one beinginterrupted.
When there’s no realfire, students can’t be
expected to keep jump-ing up for these phonyalarms that occur at anyrandom hour.
If anything, I should bereceiving compensationor a partial refund forbeing disrupted repeat-edly in a residence that Iam shelling out $5,200.16to stay in.
If we have cameras inthe building, why aren’tthey being utilized tocatch the people respon-sible for pulling thealarm?
Maybe we need moresurveillance, or someoneto dust for fingerprints.
And if the other half ofthe problem is alarmsgoing off due to triggersas small as a bag of pop-corn burning in themicrowave, then maybethe alarms are too sensi-tive.
Either way, this distur-bance cannot continue.
The unnecessary firealarms have got to stop!
14 Campus EchoWEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009
N O R T H C A R O L I N A C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y
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“Myself. The matu-ration process, thepeople around me,the whole Eaglecommunity haveinspired a changein me and who Iam as a woman. ”
——AAsshhlleeyyWWiitthheerrssppoooonn
“I’m from a predom-inantly white areaand I have a lot ofwhite friends, so Ilearned more aboutthe black culture ingeneral.”
—— AAllvviinn HHeennddrriicckkss
“You cuss folk out toget things done!Also I’ve becomemore mature andfocused. Centralhas taught me theworld is not easy.That life is not abeach chair.”
——JJoosseepphh PPeerrkkiinnss
QQuueessttiioonn::AAss aa ggrraadduuaattiinngg sseenniioorr,,wwhhaatt hhaavvee yyoouu lleeaarrnneedd
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Campus EchoNORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
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Campus Echo
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Alarming days and nights
BritneyRooks
Opinions
LLeetttteerrss && EEddiittoorriiaallssThe Echo welcomes letters and editorials. Letters to the editor should be lessthan 350 words. Editorials should be about 575 words. Include contact infor-mation. The Echo reserves the right to edit contributions for clarity, vulgarity,typos and miscellaneous grammatical gaffs. Opinions published in the Echo
do not necessarily reflect those of the Echo editorial staff.
E-mail: [email protected] address: www.campusecho.com
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The Denita Monique Smith NewsroomRoom 348, Farrison-Newton Communications Bldg.
NCCU, Durham, NC 27707
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AAlluummnnii AAddvviisseerrss -- SSaasshhaa VVaannnn,, CCaarrllaa AAaarroonn--LLooppeezzMMiikkee WWiilllliiaammss,, SShheeeennaa JJoohhnnssoonn,, JJeeaann RRooggeerrss,, && CCaarroollyynn MMccGGiillll
Whether we knowit or not, everystudent has
come to this Universityto fulfill a purpose.
It’s funny;when Iarrived atN . C .C e n t r a lUniversityin fall 2005,I was obliv-ious to
what minewas.
I knew Ididn’t want
to be one of those studentswho just went to class, thecafeteria, the dormitory.
I strived to beinformed and consciousof what was going onaround me.
Since my sophomoreyear, I have had the priv-ilege to report anduncover news integral tostudents on this campus.
Many students maysay the Campus Echowas informative as wellas entertaining. Some
may harbor differentopinions.
Either way, it’s finewith me.
Let’s be for real —we don’t get a five- orsix- figure salary.Tenure, benefits and araise aren’t figured ineither.
But what I have beenmost humbled by is theopportunity to serveNCCU’s campus and theDurham community.
This required time,ambition and mostimportantly, love.
Amidst the frustratingdays of production andstories facing deadline, Iasked myself countlesstimes, “Is this all worthit?”
Was it worth the longand restless nightscamping out on the sofa,pondering how I wasgoing to finish school-work and wake up ontime for class?
Was it worth missingmeetings and functionswith my LBs, only to get
grilled the next day? Was it worth playing
catch-up with friendsbecause I didn’t havetime to call them back?
Was it worth breakingdinner dates, promises,even missing my lastHomecoming?
Some would say, “Hellno!”
Oddly enough, I beg todiffer. When you lovesomething, sometimesyou have to sacrifice.There’s no other way.
Many hold a specialplace in my heart.
To God: You are love.You are my life. You arethe reason.
To my family: You aremy biggest cheerleaders.I love you all for support-ing and trusting me to
make the right choices. Ishall continue to makeyou proud.
DP: I can’t begin tothank you for all yourguidance and patiencewith me during these lastthree years. I’m going tomiss your crazy, randomoutbursts and robustsense of humor. Thankyou for believing in meand my leadership.
To the Echo: Nas saidit best: “The World IsYours.” Continue to berevolutionary! Stand forquality! Stand for thestudents! Report andwrite for change, not forspace.
Special recognitiongoes out to my favoriteteachers in the Englishand Mass Comm
Department: Chambers,Kuwahara, Nowell, Carl,Mac, Rountree, Evans,Keaton-Jackson, Nessly,Paulin, Williams,Maynor, Ware, Forte,Soper, Harrington-Austin, Pearce andFuller. I applaud you allfor your daily sacrificesto raise the intellectualstatus of our studentbody.
To friends: Much lovegoes out to those whohave held me togetherthroughout the best andworst of times. You willnever be forgotten.
To NCCU students: Idid it for all of you. I ammerely a servant.Without all of you, mywork and achievementsmean absolutely noth-ing. Thank you.
So peace, two fingers,arrivederci, AssalamAlaikum. However youwant to decipher it … I’mnot weeping because it’sover, but smiling becauseit happened. One love.
Bye to you, NCCU
GeoffreyCooper
I’m not weeping because it’s over, but smil-ing because it happened.
There’s never a good time to really get com-
fortable ... this disturbance cannot
continue. The unnecessary fire alarms
have got to stop!