Feb 9 Issue

THE WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

monday

FEB 9 2015

Vol. 53, Issue 8

WWW.THENEWSARGUS.COM

Illegal parking tolerated for campus police WSSU athletes

Sheridan Watkins Copy Editor @swatkins110

You can park your personal vehicle minus a parking decal anywhere on campus -- if you’re a Winston-Salem State campus police officer.

About 7.500 parking citations have been issued from August 2014 to January 2015 accumulating $250,000 in parking fines. Most common offenses include vehicles not parked in their designated area or without a WSSU permit.

A person could receive a parking fine of $10 for exceeding the parking meter time limit or a $50 fine for parking in a reserved space.

Three parking tickets, and the vehicle gets a boot; campus police charges $50 to remove the boot.

LayPrecious Graves, a WSSU fixed assets officer at WSSU, said not everyone’s vehicle is ticketed Graves said she believes campus police officers’ vehicles don’t get ticketed.

“I began noticing in October and figured they [the officers] were

parking here [Lot J] because of homecoming, but once it was over [the illegal parking] persisted,” Graves said.

Graves, renews her $260 decal in parking Lot J each year but said she noticed officers’ personal vehicles parked in the lot throughout various times of the day near hers.

“From what I understand, they made a deal with Norman Johnson to park in lot J,” she said.

Johnson is the interim director of traffic enforcement.

Johnson said there have been few instances of officers being issued a ticket for their personal vehicles, but whenever they are not issued a ticket it is something he can vouch for. He said there is no special “deal” made with the officers.

Capt. A. A. Henry of campus police and public safety, said there is a reason for some officers intentionally parking in the wrong lots.

“It is about safety,” he said.

champion academics Matt Parmesano Sports Editor @mparmesano112

Photos by Sheridan Watkins

Graves said both of these personal vehicles of campus police officers are parked illegally in Lot J.

PARKING

continued on Page 3

Winston-Salem State is putting the “student” in student-athlete. Seventy-seven WSSU student-athletes finished the fall 2014 semester with a 3.0 GPA or higher and made the dean’s list.

“That’s a third of our student-athletes, and we find that very respectable and very good,” said Clifton Huff, chief academic adviser for athletics.

“We had another 10 percent of the athletes finish with around a 2.9. We’re proud of the effort those 77 put in and the 18 or so that had a 2.9 or a little higher.”All WSSU student-athletes, regardless of classification, are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA to remain eligible. The NCAA requirements for Division II athletes is a 1.8 for freshmen, 1.9 for sophomores and 2.0 for juniors and seniors.

University College and Lifelong Learning and GradesFirst are two programs that have led to the recent increase in success among WSSU student-athletes and all students campus-wide. The new Student Success Center at Hill Hall, which opened for the spring 2014 semester is the office for UCaLL and has been a nice asset as well. The Success Center is a place for students to go and study, meet with UCaLL counselors and keep their academics in order.

Huff, who is in the midst of his third academic year at the University, worked at Florida A&M University and Grambling State University before coming to WSSU and said the Success Center at Hill Hall is the best of the three universities.

ATHLETES

continued on Page 8

Student’s demand to deans: Do your job Dysheada Reid Reporter @dreid112

Concerned and eager students filled L05 in the Student Success Center to discuss issues at the “Let’s Talk: Three Deans,” event, hosted by the Nontraditional Adult Student Organization Jan. 29.

Lawrence Bridget, , voiced his concerns about maintenance, shuttle services and the recent realignment of the College of Arts and Sciences. Bridget is a 53-year-old junior information and technology major from Newark, New Jersey and a member of NASO. “I wanted the deans to know that the info recorded in the media and on campus needs to be clear. They need to understand that the infrastructure they plan on doing, we [the students] are watching.”

Stephanie Street, NASO secretary, said the lines of communication need

to be open with the three deans because problems cannot be solved if the issue is unknown.

Corey Walker, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Peggy Valentine, dean of the School of Health Sciences, and Kathy Stitts,dean of the University of College and Lifelong Learning, were on the panel.

“After having a number of discussions with our non-traditional students at our NASO meetings, we came to the conclusion that there are a series of issues that face the non-traditional and traditional students as well today,” Street said.

“We want to give you [the students] everything. That’s my goal,” Walker said.

However, Bridget loudly expressed his disappointment about the realignment of the School of Business and Economics, the School of Education and Human Performance and the College of Arts and Sciences.

The realignment, called “The College,” has been in effect since July 1, 2014.

“I had to go through a whole lot just to get the understanding of what this new program [The College] is all about,” Bridget said.

“I am very disappointed, not in you [Dean Walker] but in the system here at Winston-Salem State.”

Bridget said that the lines of communication are blurred between students and administrators.

“Why is this University still walking in slavery chains? We have the power; we are stakeholders. It is time to stop.”

He said WSSU was criticized in an article in Black Business Inc. about the realignment of “The College” that included interviews Walker, and provost Brenda Allen .

Bridget said Allen’s comments “degraded WSSU.” She [Allen] says WSSU will increase in value and respect across the higher education landscape

when we demonstrate capability in business, government and other organizations.’ We are demonstrating that now,” Bridget said.

“It takes me two hours to get here [WSSU], and I take public transportation.[every day].

Bridget said WSSU Shuttle Services should not take an hour in between each stop being that it is a small Universty.

Bridget started a petition last year for WSSU to purchase two additional shuttles. The petition also asks that they resume transportation to WinstonSalem bus station.

Bridget said he gave the petition to the Ram Shuttle Services and put the petition online at MoveOn.org.

“Our professors are marking us late because the shuttle busses make us wait an hour. The shuttle should run twenty minutes on the hour,” Bridget said.

Bridget also talked about the infra-

DEAN

continued on Page 3

Page 2

The News Argus

News & Features

Monday, February 9, 2015

www.thenewsargus.com

Another HBCU in trouble: South Carolina State Jarret Carter HBCUDigest Alumni and students of South Carolina State University have made good on their promise of bringing hell to the state for threatening closure against their institution.

Recently the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in South Carolina Higher Education filed a lawsuit against the state, alleging harm done by underfunding and the state willfully duplicating programs which once were unique to SCSU at other state institutions, which created in South Carolina a publicly funded ‘separate but equal’ system of higher education for black and white students.

It is a familiar refrain from the suit brought against the State of Maryland in 2006, which seven years later led to a federal judge ruling the state’s higher education policies and programmatic efforts unconstitutional and in violation of Supreme Court civil rights precedence.

The lawsuit threat will likely force SC legislature to back off of its plans to close, and to scurry in funding and build up SCSU before a judge forces the issue by potential transferring of programs, new buildings, or mergers into its flagship public HBCU. In ten years, two groups of HBCU constituents have filed federal suits in the name of preserving historically black higher education. These suits are the offspring of landmark judicial action in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.

Each of the previous legal efforts

contributed toward the march for parity and equity between historically black and predominantly white institutions.

South Carolina State, with the latest efforts by state legislators to close the school, may have the best case of all for a major financial settlement or development agreement forced by a judge, or to be brokered in mediation.

But in order for South Carolina to be the hill upon which higher education discrimination nationwide dies, it will first require trustees, alumni, students and black legislators in the state to be on one accord.

It is understandable why many have questioned the allegiances of SCSU President Thomas Elzey and the SCSU Board of Trustees as operatives in a larger political game to shut down the school.

On the surface, it seems unconscionable for the president and board to have met on several occasions since the vote to close the school, without action for financial rightsizing, personnel realignment, or formal institutional response to the legislative threat.

But when an institution has been underfunded for so long and operates at a minimal level of support, it is not easy to simply right without doing harm to programs and services offered to students. Cutting back faculty or programs creates instant violence to prospects of increasing enrollment, which will lead to certain death of the institution with or without political influence.

It is just as unconscionable for SCSU alumni leadership to proclaim the school ‘alive and well,’ knowing damn

well that life support is the antithesis of living well.

The board and president may be suffering from sinister political loyalties, and the alumni may be suffering from a lack of authentic information and bewildering optimism about the school’s state of affairs.

But both sides must be willing to put all information and personal agendas out on the table, or else, everyone loses.

The alumni and students will lose their school, and the trustees will lose all credibility and favor from legislature, once the doors are locked for good.

Most of all, Orangeburg will lose its unquestioned economic engine.

Hundreds will be out of jobs, millions will be sucked instantly out of the city’s commerce, and the city will dramatically decline.

But the president and board are not the priorities. The priority is galvanizing the legal and political muscle from all corners of South Carolina’s municipal and state infrastructures to solidly oppose the closure efforts.

Every HBCU community is a microcosm of the HBCU landscape at large.

For generations, public HBCUs have quietly fought with state leadership nationwide to be seen and supported as mainstream members of the state higher ed community.

In response, states have always treated them as peripheral members of that community; unwanted appendages that grabbed only the helpless and unprepared for the discriminate rare air of higher education, only to be harshly judged for the failure of retaining, grad-

The Campus Incident Report is a summary of the up-to-date incidents that affect the Winston-Salem State campus and community. Incidents can lead to News Argus news stories and reports.

Jan. 22 Simple Assault At 8:13 p.m. three females suitemates in Wilson Hall said they were concerned about the hygiene of their suitemate and posted a sign on her door saying, “Clean your hair up.” The female said she was insulted and punched the suitemate who wrote the sign in the mouth.

The female who punched her suitemate was charged with simple assault. Her court date is Feb. 20.

Jan. 27 Disorderly Conduct At 12:01 a.m. a male walked past the Wilson Hall security desk. The security guard asked the male to show identification and the male said, “It’s in my room.” The security guard stopped him from walking farther into the building.

The male said, “WSSU security guards ain’t sh*t. F**k WSSU security.” The male was not a student. He issued a citation and no longer allowed on campus.

Jan. 25 Violation of Controlled Substance Act At 4:26 a.m. campus police smelled marijuana on a male who was in Wilson Hall. The officer asked the male if was in possession of marijuana. The male said, “Yeah, I do.” Officers found marijuana in the male’s jacket pocket and an empty bottle of alcohol in his pants pocket. The case was sent to Student Conduct.

Jan. 27 Criminal Damage to Property At 8:53 a.m. a male visitor parked illegally in the handicap parking space behind Rams Commons 1.

Campus police put a boot on his car. The male hammered the boot off. The case is pending.

Jan. 27 Fraud/Money At 11 a.m. campus police was sent to the Billings and Receivables Department in

the Thompson Center to investigate a fraud case on campus. According to the report, a female student had been using fake electronic checks to pay her tuition.

She also withdrew $650 from her Ram Card and put the cash on her credit card.

The student services manager blocked her from making any more transactions.

The student sent an email to the manager saying, “I don’t have the money now and have been trying to get it. I do not receive financial aid, and I really am praying that God will touch your heart and keep my account validated. Please help me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.” The student has been charged with obtaining property by false pretense. Her court date is Feb. 12.

Source: WSSU Department of Police and Public Safety Compiled by Dysheada Reid

uating, and ensuring employment for that same student group.

But equitable funding is the only solution to reversing racist tones and labels used against black colleges.

Several federal courts have made it undeniably clear - funding and supporting comparability and competitiveness among HBCUs and PWIs is the only way to establish for HBCUs an identity separate and apart from one of race and cultural separatism.

Wherever they are on the scale of resources, HBCUs must be made comparable to attract students regardless of race.

They must be able to establish student-faculty ratios consistent with institutional caliber, to compete for state and federal contracts and grants, to appeal to alumni for support, and to offer unique programs of industrial benefit to the cities and states in which they are stationed.

If SCSU supporters can unite for a common cause, they will establish a new reality for state governments, which firmly believe in segregated funding and education.

They will only need to copy the filings from South Carolina and Maryland’s coalitions, plug in their own numbers, and brace for the public fallout.

Now is the time for concerted, strategic operation from all SCSU stakeholders. Because they aren’t just working to save a campus; they are working to lay a foundation for all public black colleges across the country.

Parking continued from Page 1

“When I first got here, officers were parking near the [Bowman Gray] stadium and various places,The problem with that is if there is an emergency right when the officers get here how are they going to respond to the call quickly? At least if they park here [Lot J] they are in walking distance to the patrol cars.”

Henry said campus police carry around lot of unsafe equipment.

Johnson said the reason officers do not purchase parking decals because they are rarely on duty during the day.

“They are working about 15 days a month, and one week

of that is during the day. So it just does not make sense [for them to purchase decals] because most of them are working second and third shift,” Johnson said.

Johnson said parking in lots that are not residential student lots or reserved spaces is not a violation after 5 p.m.

“We are not trying to get over on anyone. You just have to understand that the officers have to do their job and do it quickly,” Henry said.

Staff members or anyone else that has an issue with traffic enforcement can speak personally to Johnson.

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Page 3

The News Argus

News & Features

Monday, February 9 2015

Epic rivalry may relaunch to replace spring stepshow

Courtney Herring Multimedia Editor @cherring111

Students from Winston-Salem State and North Carolina A&T may have a chance to renew at least one of their rivalries: A modified Battle of I-40.

The original Battle of I-40 was the annual highly anticipated football game against then rival N.C. A&T Aggies. It’s been about five years since the teams, separated by less than 30 miles on Interstate-40, met on the field.

It is unlikely the other I-40 Battle – the Rams vs. Aggies football will return soon. In 2009 WSSU moved back to Division II and N.C. A&T is a Division I university. http:// meacswacsports.blogspot. com/2009/09/mounting-deficits-moves-wssu-rams-back. html “Once we stopped playing N.C. A&T in football the rivalry died out,” said Chelii Broussard, marketing and promotions coordinator for Student Activities.

“Now the students want to bring back the competition but on the stage instead of the field.”

That Battle will be replaced by the step show during homecoming.

“This [Battle of I-40] could bring a new atmosphere to the campus,” said Orlando Mitchell, assistant director for Greek Life and Special Programs.

“Instead of us having the step show in the spring, we are saving that for next year’s homecoming.” The proposed Battle would include model and dance troupes.

The Vice President of External Affairs Kenny Brown said the spring step show lacked Greek participation and student attendance.

Only four Greek organizations participated in last year’s spring step show.

Mitchell said the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Council of Independent Greek Organization invested more money in the step show than they received.

Mitchell, the two councils and the Ram Fest Committee decided to revitalize Greek and campus life by bringing the Battle back.

Miaja Harris-Cason said she was disappointed when the Battle of I-40 was discontinued. Harris-Cason is a senior clinical laboratory science major from Atlanta, Georgia and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. “It was an amazing experience to see how hard everyone went for their school,” she said.

“The crowd seemed to love the I-40.”

Mitchell said the committees want to concentrate on improving the homecoming step show by including the Battle.

The Battle of I-40 may prove to be more successful than a spring step show, Mitchell said.

But according to Broussard the change has not been made to determine if one event could be more profitable than the other one.

“We were only thinking of a huge event to end the year,” Broussard said.

“The Campus Life and Marketing Committee and

Campus Activities Board mentioned in the fall to have the showcase battle, but too much was going on with homecoming, so it made more sense for us to host it in the spring.”

According to rumors on campus, North Carolina Central and Livingstone would be included, but Broussard said WSSU wants to keep the event as simple as possible -with the former rivals, Aggies and Rams.

“If the event happens to have a good turnout, we will then consider inviting other schools to participate,” she said.

DeVonte Reece said he feels that involving A&T could be a great success. Reece is a senior finance major from East St. Louis, Illinois and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. “This could give Greek organizations the opportunity to display their talents outside of just doing the work of their organization,” Reece said.

“Greek life on our campus is slightly poor. There isn’t enough unity and not enough events being held.”

Harris-Cason said the Battle would be a success if both universities promote it enough to make students want to come. She said it would be a good way to raise money for Greek organizations.

“Having our organizations compete with another school would stop us from being in so much competition with each other and have some school spirit. We are all here to serve the same purpose at the end of the day.”

Deans continued from Page 1 structure of the buildings.

“There is a bathroom problem in Coltrane Hall that should have been fixed, ” Bridget

Photo by Lewis Miller

Joshua Recore and panel host at the “Let’s Talk” event.

said. “The infrastructure is failing. People are complaining, but nobody is listening.

Maintenance is not doing their job.”

Bridget said he reported the maintenance issue last semester and nothing has been done.

Walker said that if there was a “single bullet” to solve every issue, they would do it.

“Do we make mistakes? Yes. Should we admit to them? Yes. Are we wrong sometimes? Yes. Can we get it right? Yes. We have to be humble enough to admit when we are wrong,” Walker said.

Bridget said that he loves the deans but he just wants them to do their job.

“We are not a college. We are a university.

We’re just like Duke,we’re just like A&T. It’s time for y’all to stop,” Bridget said.

“It is time to stop the madness,” Bridget said following the event.

www.thenewsargus.com

It Starts Here The first African American College Graduate

Alexander Lucius Twilight, born in 1795, was indentured to work on a farm until he was 20.

In 1823, graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont. In 1836, to prevent the state from reducing funds for his school, Twilight got elected to the Vermont State Legislature, becoming the first African American to do so.

The first university for African American students

The first college expressly intended for the education of African American students was established in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1854. It was called Ashmun Institute, after the president of Liberia, and its student body was limited to young men. In 1866 its name was changed to Lincoln University, in honor of the slain president,. In 1953 it began accepting women.

The first African American Woman To earn a B.A. Degree

Ten years after her birth in North Carolina in 1840, Mary Jane Patterson’ father moved the family to Oberlin, Ohio so his children could receive an education at Oberlin College, which was the first white college to accept black students. Patterson graduated in 1862, becoming the first African American woman to earn a arts degree and devoted her life to educating African American children.

The first African American to earn a PH.D. in the United States

Edward Alexander Bouchet, , born in 1852 in New Haven, Connecticut, received a Ph.D. in physics from Yale University in 1876 and was the first African American to earn a doctorate in the United States. He taught chemistry and physics for 26 years at the Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia, and was on the faculty of Bishop College in Marshall, Texas.

Page 6

The News Argus

Opinion

Monday, February 9, 2015

www.thenewsargus.com

Today in Journalism 101

It’s time for me to take WinstonSalem State’s staff to school.

Recent events – involvKatrina Robinson ing Editor-in-Chief members @krobinson110 of my Argus staff – have escalated forcing me to provide a short lecture about an ongoing issue: the role of The News Argus student-run newspaper at WSSU. I often hear criticism about journalism, the one thing people go to for information and entertainment. If a story isn’t covered the way people want it, they make it known that they’re dissatisfied.

But when you’re dealing with college media, student reporters can’t get to the keyboard before their critics find them. A student reporter will receive backlash for publishing unflattering stories about topics involving departments, policies, procedures and so on.

My reporters more often than not, receive backlash from some WSSU staff, the very people who are supposed to encourage academic achievement.

Other typical responses my staff hears include: “No comment”; “You should not ask that kind of question”; “Who are you working for TMZ?”; “Who told you to ask that question?”; “Read what I said in another publication”; “Who are your sources?”

Recently, one of my editors

was told to... “let the WinstonSalem Journal” cover a story.

Lucky for us, we don’t work for those people.

Student journalists are not publicist. Our job description doesn’t include “keeping the University’s image clean.”

We are trying to learn how to be good journalists. My editors and student reporters are the brave tireless individuals who try their best to write balanced, unbiased stories.

We don’t intentionally seek or write “negative” stories.

We want to provide our readers a truthful account of every side of an issue and we want to get it right the first time.

We are not ashamed of our work. Every Argus story has the reporter’s name and the reporter’s email.

So if we decide to cover -- I don’t know – a story within the athletics departments, we will do so because athletics is not a separate entity from this University, even if some like to think so.

That $694 athletic fee we’re getting charged for took care of that.

If reporters find an interesting lead, we’re going to follow it because we are committed to the students and good journalism, not because we’re trying to be TMZ. Though I bet you would have cooperated with them more than you have your student press.

Our letters spell WSSU not WUSS so instead of wasting energy trying to intimidate student journalists, save it for your opponents.

We’re just trying to do our jobs.

You do yours.

Class dismissed.

Victor Toodle

Argus Letter Policy

As a matter of policy, The News Argus will publish corrections for errors in facts.

The corrections will be made as soon as possible after the error has been brought to the attention of The News Argus at

thenewsargus@gmail.com

The News Argus is a student publication of Winston-Salem State University. The News Argus encourages written comments to the editor and guest columns, but some rules apply: q A signature, address and phone number must accompany all letters. Letters should be double-spaced and no more than 250 words. q Letters will be verified by The News Argus by a phone call prior to publication. If The News Argus is unable to contact the writer of a letter, the letter will be held until contact is made. Letters intended as advertising will not be published. q The News Argus does not publish “form letters”or letters sent to multiple newspapers outside the Triad unless the issue discussed in the letter is of importance to the WSSU community. q The News Argus reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for clarity, length and libel. The News Argus will edit letters that are grossly inaccurate or cross the boundaries of good taste. q The News Argus allows readers to reply to someone’s response to any earlier letter only once. q Guest columns may be no more than 400 words. The News Argus will accept endorsements of candidates, but only one per writer per candidate. The letter may challenge a candidate’s record, but no intensely personal attacks will be printed. The News Argus permits candidates to write letters to the editor to specifically respond to another letter.

Photos and Interviews by Argus Staff

WSSU students, faculty and staff are selected randomly to answer a provocative question from The News Argus.

Comments do not represent the opinions of the Argus staff.

To see and listen to the complete responses visit www. thenewsargus.com.

JESSICA DAVIS MASS COMMUNICATIONS CHARLOTTE [Black History Month] is important because history tends to repeat itself. If we have more knowledge, it, will decrease the likelihood of it happening.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievement and a time for recognizing African Americans in U.S. history. Some question the relevance of Black History Month considering the great advances African Americans have accomplished today.

This issue’s Campus Crew asks...

Do we still need Black History Month?

RACHAEL BEMAND BIOLOGY QUEENS, N.Y. It’s necessary to know what our ancestors and family have been through to get us where we are.. It should be more than a month because we have endured so much over the years.

WILLIAM R. SMITH II HISTORY GASTONIA Yes but I think it should be for other ethnic groups who don’t know our history too. Other cultures should know where we came from and how we built ourselves up.

HALEIGH MANNEY SOCIAL WORK CHARLOTTE Black History Month is important and it needs to be through the whole year. We should keep it because people don’t know much about history until February comes around.

TJ HARRIS SPORTS MANAG. GREENSBORO

Yes, because people don’t take the time to appreciate things that have happened in the past. We are here today is because of our history.

Opinion

Monday,November February 9, www.thenewsargus.com The News Argus Page Tuesday, 18,2015 2008 Page 7 The News Argus

www.thenewsargus.com 7

‘America’s T.V. father’ victim of reckless journalism Matt Parmesano Sports Editor @mparmesano112

Twenty-nine women have accused Bill “America’s Father” Cosby of sexual assault. The first came forward in 2004; the majority told their stories known in November 2014. As expected, the media have had a field day with the story. Major news networks across the country have con-

ducted interviews with various accusers. I get it.

The fact that an actor as iconic as Cosby has been accused by so many women of such a serious crime is a major story, and the public wants to learn all it can about the accusers and their claims. The media are just giving the people what they want.

After about a month and a half of seeing his accusers being interviewed on TV, CNN in particular, the 77-year-

If it’s preventable, then why suffer?

Dysheada Reid Special Projects Editor @dreid112

Not getting yourself or your child vaccinated is a personal choice, but that choice can be fatal. The recent measles outbreak that was traced to Disneyland, has spread to more than half a dozen states, and Mexico.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, last year, 644 cases of measles were reported in the United State., Only one month into the year, 144 cases have been reported.

Do you like to suffer? Do you like to see your child suffer?

Do you want you or your child to live or die? These are very simple questions that require very simple answers.

Well at least they should.

Americans are complicated creatures. We are experts at making minor situations turn into a web of difficulties and worries, to the point where everyone involved is confused in the end.

We are one of the few countries that should be grateful to have vaccinations so readily available.

Thirty to 50 percent of children are not vaccinated in California schools. It is incredible how so many people can look past a problem.

A child should not be dying or getting severely ill from a disease that has been prevent-

able in the United States since the 1980s.

Some things should not be a choice. Vaccination will stop many others from dying from a preventable infectious disease.

Notice I said preventable.

All 50 states require vacinations for children entering public schools even though no mandatory federal vaccination laws exist.

Children who are sent to school or other public places without being vaccinated run the risk of spreading illness to others.

Understand that preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, whooping cough, or mumps can be fatal.

One parent’s decision to have his or her child vaccinated will impact hundreds of lives.

Science has proven that there is no link between vaccinations and child disorders.

Parents are scared for no reason.

Your child is 100 times more likely to get struck by lightning then to have a serious allergic reaction to the measles vaccination.

I am not saying that no one will ever have a reaction against these vaccinations.

Your child really could be that one in a million, literally, to have a serious reaction.

But just because one person choked when they drunk their water, doesn’t mean that every person in the world should stop drinking water.

T h e Staff

N e w s

old embattled actor and his attorney, Marty Singer, issued a statement on Dec. 19, 2014 in regard to the way the media have been covering his situation on Dec. 19, 2014.

“This reckless approach to ‘journalism’ is outrageous. Accusers are being given a national platform by CNN without first exercising the most rudimentary journalistic investigation... as to their claims and motivation... CNN should stop its one-side reporting.”

entertaining criticism Looking back to move forward Martrese Meachum Contributor @mmeachum109 The movie “Selma,” directed by African American, Ava DuVarney, is a living, breathing portrait of the Civil Rights Movement and its most famous leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It covers the Selma-to-Montgomery marches that were part of the Voter’s Rights Movement of 1965. Although most of the film is shot on location in Selma, Alabama. The film begins with Dr. King and his wife Coretta as he accepts the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. DuVarney’s depiction of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in the first five minutes leaves a heavy feel of anxiety that doesn’t ever go away. This tragedy is followed by several snapshots of the historical Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee working through the gritty details of voting legislation transformation, all while handling the complexities of human life.

DuVarney inherited, and seriously edited the script for this project, which was produced by Oprah. Winfrey, who makes a cameo as Annie Lee Cooper, an activist known for punching Selma sheriff Jim Clark in the head. The film is nominated for the 2015 Academy Awards in the Best Picture and Best Original Song categories.

This epic work is DuVarney’s first major motion picture project following the independently successful films “I Will Follow” and “Middle of Nowhere.” This marks her third time working alongside British-Nigerian lead actor David Oyelowo.

Oyelowo delivers an interpretation of MLK that truly captures the essence of the man behind the movement. Especially exceptional is the scene where Martin and James Bevel, played

by Common, deliver condolences to the family of Jimmy Lee Jackson. Jackson was murdered

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Katrina Robinson

Dysheada Reid

Social Media/Special Projects Editor

Sabrina Robinson

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Matt Parmesano

Sports Editor/ 2nd Take Production Manager

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Veniscia Jones Brandi McIver Social Media Assistants Eric Hargrove Lewis Miller Demetrius Dillard 2nd Take Team

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103 Old Nursing Building 601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr Winston-Salem, N.C. 27110 Newsroom 336-750-2327 Advertising 336-750-8701 FAX 336-750-8704 Production 336-750-8703 thenewsargus@gmail.com www.thenewsargus.com

after he by Alabama State Trooper James Fowler.

When tears well up in Martin’s eyes while he embraces Johnson’s grandfather, Oyelowo seems to be reliving the moment rather than acting it out. Oyelowo’s scenes with Coretta, played by Carmen Ejogo, offer a carefully chilling confrontation between King’s commitment to his family and recognition of the suffering Coretta endured as the wife of a national Civil Rights leader.

Appearances by well-known historical figures in Selma include the Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, Malcolm X, Mahalia Jackson, President Lendon B. Johnson and J. Edgar Hoover, among countless others.

Also worthy of applause is DuVarney’s retelling of “Bloody Sunday.” Cinematographer Bradford Young creates horribly captivating footage of the hundreds of protestors being attacked by white rioters on the Edmund Pettis Bridge on the morning of March 7, 1965.

“Selma” is the most humanized depiction of a Black Civil Rights leader to pass through the gates of Hollywood since Spike Lee’s Malcolm X in 1992.

Most importantly, it builds a monument to the town and people of the Civil Rights movement that can be used as a how-to guide for organizing movements and negotiating with power that may be effective in building a better world today.

s p r i n g

Jaquel Horne Lewis Miller Multimedia Producers

Editor-in-Chief

Cosby is guilty.

But I do agree with him that CNN and other networks have let his accusers go public and pile on without knowing whether they are telling the truth or their intentions.

I’d naive to think all the women are telling the truth and that none of them are just trying to take advantage of the situation.. There should be an investigation into each accuser’s claims before she is allowed to go on the air.

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The News Argus, the official student newspaper of WinstonSalem State University, is produced in conjunction with two classes in the Communication and Media Studies Department.

Any full-time WSSU student is eligible to join the staff or become a contributor. The Argus is published and circulated twice monthly on Mondays during the fall and spring semesters. The Argus is not published during holidays or University breaks. The News Argus online (www.thenewsargus.com) is updated regularly throughout the fall and spring semester. The newspaper is not published during the summer sessions.

The News Argus affiliations include: Uloop College Publisher, College Media Advisors, Society of News Design, North Carolina College Media Association, Southern University Newspapers, Associated Collegiate Press, Black College Communication Association

Sports Page 8

The News Argus

Monday, February 9, 2015

www.thenewsargus.com

Covington a ‘multi-talented athlete with determination, courage’

By Demetrius Dillard Contributor

Raven Covington We are having a great indoor season,” said Inez Turner, Winston-Salem State women’s indoor track head coach. The indoor track team ranks high in the CIAA and has several athletes who have qualified to compete in the NCAA Division II national track meet.

One of WSSU’s premier indoor track athletes mentioned by Turner was Raven Covington, a junior nursing major, who is this issue’s recipient for the Coach’s Game Ball.

“We have so many that we could choose, but I’m going to go ahead and choose Raven Covington,” Turner said.

“I pick her because of her courage, her determination, her strength and the willpower that she has.”

The 5-foot-1-inch Covington, from Hartford, Connecticut, is a multitalented athlete. She competes in the

long jump, the 200-meter dash and the 60-meter dash, which is her strongest event. In the 60, Covington ranks 6th in the nation and 3rd in the CIAA with a time of 7.53 seconds.

According to Turner, Covington often runs through pain, which is what makes her worthy of admiration. Covington also excels in the classroom, landing a spot on the dean’s list in fall 2014.

The Lady Rams have high expectations as they approach the CIAA Indoor Track & Field Championships Feb. 15 and 16 at JDL Fast Track in WinstonSalem.

“Leading up to the conference championship, I’m expecting great things,” Turner said. With 10 national qualifiers -- some of them in multiple events -- the Lady Rams are in good shape.

Argus: When did you know track was the sport for you?

Covington: In the sixth grade. I juggled track and basketball at the same time, but in high school I realized that track was the sport for me.

Argus: Why did you choose WSSU? Covington: My coaches [at WSSU].

Coach Turner tracked me down at a state meet my senior year. Her personality and character really stood out to me and my parents.

Argus: What thoughts run through your mind before every track meet?

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Covington: All the hard work I put in, staying focused and trusting in myself and my support.

Argus: Do you have any pre-meet rituals?

Covington: Not really. If anything, I just think over what my coaches told me or what my sprint coaches tell me. I also think of previous races and how I can improve as I go forward.

Argus: What has been the highlight of your career?

Covington: Last season when we came in second place in the 4x100 relay for nationals.

Argus: What is the greatest challenge you’ve faced in your quest to becoming a nationally ranked athlete?

Covington: I definitely have to have a strong mind. Being injured has taken a toll on me. I try to overcome that in realizing that pain is only temporary.

Whatever goal I set my mind on is stronger than the pain that I’m feeling.

Argus: What are your hobbies outside of track?

Covington: Shopping, eating and hanging out with friends.

Argus: What are your plans after graduation?

Photo courtesy of www.wssurams.com

Junior sprinter Raven Covington has had a successful debut at WSSU. Covington: I want to be a pediatric nurse. If track opportunities come, then I’ll pursue track.

Argus: What one trait do you want to be remembered for by the WSSU community?

Covington: Definitely, having a brave heart.

Athletes continued from Page 1

“The academic center at WinstonSalem State is a lot more conducive to learning than those I had the privilege to work in at the other two universities because it’s larger and has more support staff,” Huff said.

UCaLL helps all students and studentathletes stay on track to graduate and stay eligible to play by pairing them up with tutors and counselors. GradesFirst, a software program, provides students, coaches, tutors and UCaLL counselors with up-to-date information regarding students’ or student-athletes’ progress in their classes on a daily basis.

Huff dealt with GradesFirst while at FAMU and Grambling, and he strongly advised WSSU to bring the program to the University two years ago.

The UCaLL staff helps run the studentathlete study hall program and makes sure student-athletes are attending study hall. Just as every student on campus, all student-athletes have a faculty adviser and an academic success counselor.

There are also three academic success counselors within UCaLL whose job is to specifically monitor the student-athletes.

Any student-athlete who has a GPA of 2.5 or lower and any freshman or first-time transfer student must participate in the program. The program requires these students to attend study hall in Hill Hall eight hours per week.

Student-athletes meet every couple of weeks with their academic success counselors to create a plan to ensure they are able to meet their study hall requirements.

“We want to make sure we help our athletes off the field because they’re students first,” said Kathy Stitts, associate provost and UCaLL dean.

“We want them to have just as much, if not more success off the field as they do on the field.”

The UCaLL staff and the academic success counselors report to coaches as

well as Athletic Director Tonia Walker.

Walker said she is happy with the collaboration between UCaLL and the athletic department.

“About three years ago, because of various academic scandals involving student-athletes at certain universities, the North Carolina General Administration mandated that academic oversight of student-athletes fall under the universities’ provosts,” Walker said.

“So no longer are we able to manage the academic pursuits of our studentathletes; that falls under UCaLL. And so because of the great partnership we have with UCaLL, because of the structure that’s put in place not only for our student-athletes but for all of our students, we are able to achieve great feats like (having 77 student-athletes make the dean’s list).”

Walker and the athletic department ensure student-athletes are rewarded for their academic success just as well as they are for their athletic performance.

The athletes on the team with the highest average GPA for each academic year are each given Athletic Director’s Cups at the end-of-the-year sports banquet.

The individual athlete with the highest GPA over two years of participation is awarded the Chancellor’s Cup. “Even though we are pleased with the 77 number, we are always looking for ways to increase it,” Walker said.

“In order to do that, we will continue to work on the structure of study hall and ensure we are equipping our student-athletes with the skills needed to talk to professors and build relationships with their professors so that they’re comfortable going to them and asking for help if they don’t understand something,” Walker said.

“It’s more than just study hall, and it’s more than just going to class -- it’s forging those relationships with their professors.”