Nubian Message, Aug. 13, 2019 — Symposium Edition: How to survive your first year

NUBIANMESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM | monday, AUGUST 19, 2019

how to Survive your first year

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Letter from the editor

THIS ISSUE 3

HOW TO SURVIVE COLLEGE

4

MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

6

PARTY SCENE

7

“BORN A CRIME”

Hi everyone!

Welcome to NC State Class of 2023. Fun fact: We are one of the largest land-owning universities in the state of North Carolina, and we have the largest alumni network in the state. With that being said, NC State has a lot to offer.

From the organizations to the technological resources, you will find everything you need to prosper here on campus. One of our most notable organizations on campus is the University Activities Board (UAB).

Throughout the days leading up to the first day of classes, UAB will host various events to help your transition as a new member of the pack. In this issue, the staff members of the Nubian Message have compiled resources, advice, tips and descriptions of organizations to help you navigate these events.

As a student who transferred to NC State from a much smaller University, my advice would be to find your way around campus before classes start. You want to know the bus routes and shortcuts before the first day, or else you might end up running from one side of campus to the other. My experience running from class to class in the heat was not the best way to start my time at NC State, however, it did allow me to witness all sides of the campus, bump into new people and discover all that NC State has to offer. I learned about the rich history of NC State (both good and bad) and I found my place on campus, two things that I suggest every new student does when arriving. A much better way to find your place, and meet new people is to attend the Welcome Week events. Go out and explore all of the resources available to you as a new student at NC State. Also, don’t be afraid to hang out with people outside of the group that you created over the summer. While these people may become your best friends, it is often the case that the people you met when you first walked on campus will not be the friends you lean on in your junior and senior years. You may go through some pretty life-changing events while you are here and the people around you may change. Remember that everyone’s experience in college is different, your experience probably won’t look like everyone else’s. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

Take this issue, and the advice provided inside as a guide.

Also, feel free to make your own college survival guide.

Shameless plug: Follow the Nubian Message (@nubianmessage) on our social media accounts for news and to learn about what is going on around campus.

Good luck on your first year. You got this.

-Yesenia

Advice and tips from student leaders.

Your guide to clubs and orgs.

Tips and tricks for party-goers.

The full book review.

cover art by je’wel lucas/Nubian Message Artist’s website: www.blackjewelss.bigcartel.com Artist’s Instagram: @black.jewelss Artist’s Twitter: @black_jewelss

The Sentinel of the African-American Community at N.C. State Since 1992.

314 Witherspoon Student Center, NCSU Campus Box 7318, Raleigh, NC 27695 office 919-515-1468 advertising 919-515-2411 online thenubianmessage.com

Yesenia Jones

Editor-in-Chief

nubian-editor@ncsu.edu Kevin Moye

Managing editor

nubian-managingeditor@ncsu.edu Elikem Dodor Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe Layout designers

Mersina Boynton

general manager

media-sales@ncsu.edu

Only with the permission of our elders do we proudly produce each edition of Nubian Message: Dr. Yosef ben-Yochannan, Dr. John Henrik Clark, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, The Black Panther Party, Mumia A. Jamal, Geronimo Pratt, Tony Williamson, Dr. Lawrence Clark, Dr. Augustus McIver Witherspoon, Dr. Wandra P. Hill, Mr. Kyran Anderson, Dr. Lathan Turner, Dr. M. Iyailu Moses, Dokta Toni Thorpe and all those who accompany us as we are still on the journey to true consciousness.

news

The Diverse Side of Welcome Week

Kevin moye

Managing Editor

The beginning of the school year at NC State marks the start of Welcome Week activities to help students develop connections. The week also provides students with the opportunity to connect with the various cultures NC State has to offer.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21 the University Activities Board will be hosting the “Back 2 School Jam” from 5:00-9:00 p.m. The event which will take place on Harris Field is sponsored by the Black Students Board division of UAB. The Back 2 School Jam will showcase the artistic capabilities of groups on campus like the National Panhellenic Council.

Welcome Week also provides a time for students to get acquainted with the many resources available for the diverse communities at State. The GLBT Center will be hosting their symposium on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Last year’s symposium provided students with an opportunity to connect, and to hear the experiences of older GLBT students.

“This half-day event is held during move-in weekend as a way for incoming GLBT students to connect with one another, build community,” said the Program Coordinator for the GLBT center, Andy DeRoin.

In a similar vein, campus community centers will be launching their open house, Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The centers which include the Women’s Center, Multicultural Student Affairs and the African American Cultural Center will provide students with key resources.

“Our community centers provide a safe space to hang out, meet with friends and study, as well as connect with professional staff…,” writes the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity.

Wednesday, Aug. 21 will highlight the global diversity NC State has to offer with the Global Welcome Celebration. A celebration of the campus’s collection of cultures will take place at the Belltower on Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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Advice from Student Leaders “The biggest advice I can give to incoming freshmen is to make spaces for yourself that provide a sense of safety, motivation and community.

Being 1 student amongst 35,000 can be overwhelming and what made my time at NC State great is getting involved. Find out ways to build your talents in spaces that make you a better person.”

-Robyn Bess, Chair of the Black Student Black Board

“If I could talk to my freshman self I would tell myself that it is okay to not be okay… My advice would be to utilize the resources on campus; see a counselor, seek advice from organization leaders, visit MSA or the WMEP (Women and Minority Engineering Program) Office and surround yourself with people that look/think like you. We all deserve to be here, so do not let Imposter Syndrome stop you from being all that you can and will be...”

-Kierra Simmons, President of the National Society of Black Engineers

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Features

For the culture : Black Students Board The Black Students Board aims to foster a sense of unity among students of the African diaspora. The organization hosts events throughout the year to bring the community together. Most notably they host the annual Pan-Afrikan week.

Contact Information: uab-blackstudentsboard@ncsu.edu Carribean Student Association (CSA) This organization seeks to increase knowledge and awareness of Caribbean cultures at North Carolina State University. CSA promotes unity amongst all who share an interest in learning about Caribbean culture.

Contact Information: csancstate@gmail.com

African Student Union (ASU) This organization promotes African culture on campus. They stress the importance of scholarship, service and overall enlightenment of African culture.

Contact Information: africans.ncsu@gmail. com Mi Familia The purpose of Mi Familia is to promote the richness of the Latinx community and culture. The group often hosts community events that unify and educate students.

Contact Information: facruzca@ncsu.edu

Emma Dimig /Nubian Message Naqua’Na Sessoms, a fourth-year student studying business administration, performs a spoken word poem at the 2019 Pan-Afrikan Pageant. An annual event hosted by the Black Students Board.

Asian Students Association A cultural organization that promotes awareness for the Asian community on campus.

Contact Information: ncsu.asa@gmail.com Native Student Association An organization that was formed to create a community amongst Native American Students.

Contact Information: nasa.ncsu@gmail.com Emma Dimig/Nubian Message Maayan Eaves, a third-year student studying communications and art studies, sings during the talent portion of the 2019 Pan-Afrikan Pageant. An annual event hosted by the Black Students Board.

Kaydee gawlik/Nubian Message Mi Familia held a Quincenera for the organization’s 15th year on campus.

The event was held in the McKimmon Center.

Vietnamese Student Association An organization whose goal is to provide representation and awareness for Vietnamese culture on campus.

Contact Information: ncstate.vsa@gmail.com

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Features

A guide to some of the Multicultural organizations on campus The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) A collaborative organization of nine historically Black International Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities. Their primary purpose is to create solidarity and maintain a commitment to service in the communities they serve.

Contact Information: nphc_president@ ncsu.edu Alpha Phi Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha Delta Sigma Theta Iota Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Psi Phi Beta Sigma Omega Psi Phi Sigma Gamma Rho Kairas Williams/Nubian Message Robert Corbitt of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Incorporated, entertains the crowd at the Respect Your Roots event hosted by the fraternity.

Dance Visions A student-performing dance company organized in 1977 by three African American women who wanted to dance while in college.

The goal of DanceVisions is to offer a unique extracurricular activity for the entire student body.

Contact Information: dancevisions.club.ncsu@ gmail.com Sube Ritmo Latin Dance Team NC State’s only Latin dance team wants to help unify people and celebrate Latin culture through Latin Dance.

Contact Information: ncsusuberitmo@gmail. com

Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) The Multicultural Greek Council serves as the governing body for culturally-based Greek organizations. Their goal is to maintain high standards for their community.

Contact Information: mgc-president@ncsu.edu Alpha Phi Gamma Alpha Pi Omega Kappa Phi Lambda Lambda Pi Chi Theta Nu Xi Delta Sigma Iota Lambda Theta Phi Phi Sigma Nu Pi Alpha Phi swathi karthik/Nubian Message The Pan-Afrikan Stroll-Off, hosted by the National Pan-Hellenic Council on Saturday, April 13 at Talley Student Union. Members of the Mu Xi Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta perform a Beyoncé inspired routine.

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Opinion

Party Scene: Lessons I Learned

Yesenia Jones

Welcome to NC State, Class of 2023! This is an Editor-in-Chief exciting time that will be filled with new people and surroundings. Like many incoming freshmen, you’ve probably heard stories about partying in college.

I was once in your shoes and, like many other upperclassmen, I have multiple stories that are filled with regret. Between emergency room visits, and waking up in unfamiliar places, I’d say that I have learned a lot about how to be safe while partying.

To avoid making some of the same mistakes that I did, here are some tips on how you can stay safe while also having a good time.

First, find a group of friends that you deem mildly trustworthy. At this point in your college career, it’s not likely that you will have the time to become well-acquainted with your entire friend group on campus.

You probably met most of your friends in your residence hall, during summer orientation or the Symposium for Multicultural Scholars. Let’s be real, you don’t know half of these people. Find the group of people that you trust the most and make them your party crew. This is the most important thing you can do to stay safe while partying.

Most parties are in residential areas or

Sarah cochran /Nubian Message on Saturday, June 8, 2019. The Plaza City Raleigh’s downtown in slide electric the to dance Festival Participants of the annual International annual International Festival was created to represent and support Raleigh’s diverse community.

apartment complexes. It is much safer to travel to and from these areas with a group of people, especially when it’s 4 a.m. One Halloween, when my friends and I were leaving a party at 4 a.m., a man dressed in a penguin costume stood in the middle of the road so my car could not pass. I attempted to drive around him then he punched my passenger side window.

So be prepared for anything out there y’all!

Second, take an Uber or Lyft wherever you go. Even if you have a car on campus or someone you know has a car, ridesharing is still a safer option. This ensures that your driver will be completely sober. I’ve heard too many designated drivers claim that they are better at driving while drunk or high than they are at driving while sober. I’ve also heard many designated drivers claim that if they spread their drinks out, the alcohol will not be in their system when it is time to drive. Do not listen to these people. They’re usually the worst at handling their liquor.

Just hire yourself a driver.

Third, if you choose to drink, don’t mix dark liquors with white liquors. It might seem like a good idea when your friends are cheering you on while you chase shots of Svedka with shots of Captain Morgan. Trust me, it’s not. After doing this, I woke up in an

unfamiliar apartment with vomit in my hair.

Lucky for me, I have great friends who stayed overnight with me in the apartment, attempted to get most of my vomit in the toilet and paid for my Uber home the next morning. But if you find yourself in an unfortunate situation and your group abandons you, it’s likely that you’ll end up in an emergency room and possibly facing underage drinking charges. This has happened to multiple people that I know, so just do your best not to mix white and dark liquors.

Fourth, if you’re going to drink the punch at a frat party, only drink it after you see one of the brothers in the frat drink it themselves. If they aren’t drinking it, you probably shouldn’t either. I’ve never had any bad experiences with punch at parties, but I’ve heard stories where the punch was spiked with molly or roofies. While it’s rare for the punch to be spiked with drugs, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Fifth, if a fight breaks out in the party, don’t stand around to watch, don’t join in if you get hit and don’t try to find everyone you came with at that moment. Fights in packed party venues can become dangerous very quickly. The fight can grow rapidly, and the stampede of people trying to get out of

the house or apartment will make it difficult to find an escape route.

Your best bet is to grab your closest friend by the forearm and strategically make your way out. Panicking in a situation like this can cause more harm to you and the people around you, so just stay calm. Most importantly make your way out.

The sixth tip is to always carry tissue or small sanitizing wipes with you. If you ever have to use the bathroom at a party, you’ll thank yourself for bringing these items. Frat houses normally don’t have toilet paper or a designated soap to wash your hands with.

I’m not sure why.

I hope these tips help make your partying experiences good memories that will last a lifetime. When partying, the most important thing is to have fun. So make friends, learn new things and party as much as you can while you still have the time.

Also, don’t forget to submit those assignments before you head out! Remembering that you had an assignment due at 11:55 p.m. while dancing and drinking will ruin your mood.

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Opinion

“Born A Crime”: The Full Review

Shawn Fredricks Staff Writer

This year’s common reading “Born A Crime”, by comedian and television host Trevor Noah, is an amazing book. It’s about his life growing up in South Africa. So there review done.

You’ve got a good gist of the premise and story. Oh, you want more? I guess you have to read then eh. Okay fine, let me give my full thoughts, with verrrry minor spoilers you won’t even remember, you demanding reader.

(this is where the spoilers come in) Trevor had to weave between three groups most of his life those groups being black people, colored people and white people. It is within the schoolyard he makes a decision, a lifelong decision, to be black as he walks over to the black kids. After conversing with them, he decides that he self-determined his identity and he identifies with black people despite his father being white.

That was my best Trevor Noah impression, do not ask me to do it again because it doesn’t get any better. Humor is a huge aspect of this book, the jokes fly in this book with the sharp wit and biting commentary per usual of Trevor Noah’s sense of humor.

This decision to find your group, to find a sense of belonging with a community is not unique, we all do it.

And how will we decide?

Will it have to do with skin color, class, or maybe faith it could be all three or just one or two. However, we do have to choose because loneliness and isolation are not options.

As these feelings come with dire consequences, not just to yourself but others as well.

In this social media age, it is easy to get lost in being connected but not feeling connected. Electronic communication cannot replace real-world interaction.

As the reader, we get to see how Trevor Noah became well, Trevor Noah. A real treat as his life story is filled with pain, triumph and ultimately fulfillment. As he navigates life as a societal chameleon who weaves in-between social groups and norms to survive. As he is per the title of the book “Born A Crime”.

Noah in the book continually contextualizes his experiences, and upbringing within wider societal changes happening within South Africa. Now this book is not offering a deep dive in the wider socio-political workings of South African society, merely, Trevor Noah is grounding his narrative within the wider narrative of South Africa. As this book is the story of Trevor Noah, not the story of South Africa.

Photo Courtesy of Penguin Random House

This book carries a powerful story filled with gems of wisdom from dire real-life experiences. Trevor Noah from childhood to adolescence experienced more than a lifetime’s worth of complex situations that have molded a thoughtful and world-weary individual.

That is to say, his story can be revisited and should be revisited. The wisdom in this book will open minds, make wiser hearts and always will get a heartwarming laugh out of anyone.

For College students, this book gives many lessons on how to navigate social situations in the world. The

student body at NC State is diverse meaning you will be surrounded by people from all over the world. While this book is not a guideline on how to interact with people different from you, it does give profound insight into the benefits but also the sometimes difficulty of interacting with people different from you.

The book is also helpful for introspection about groups.

Again it’s not a guide but insight into how Trevor found where he belonged whom he identified with and how finding his group impacted his sense of self. During some time in his school days,

Go out and find your pride, lions organize their groups in a pride. I know we are the wolf pack but run with it. You know like a pack of wolves get it? We are not “Born A Crime” like Trevor Noah but it is a crime to rob yourself the experience of finding community and belonging with others. So go out and find your people.

Rating: 8/10

The plug: resources for transfer students

Each fall, NC State has the pleasure of welcoming thousands of transfer students to the pack. Nubian Message has compiled a list of resources to help transfer students along their journeys here at NC State!

S.T. A.T. E. Village

STATE village provides on-campus housing specifically for transfer students and second-year students, as well as enrichment opportunities based on six core pillars of student success: academic success, career development, community and global engagement, diversity, leadership and life skills.

Location: Wolf Village Community Director: Lean Campbell Email: lncampb2@ncsu.edu Phone: 919-515-0940

University TUtorial Center

The tutoring center provides students with free assistance in common 100- and 200-level courses, as well as speaking and writing assistance.

Location: 101 Park Shops (next to Port City Java) Email: tutorialcenter@ncsu.edu Phone: 919-515-3163

Career Development Center

This center houses multiple resources to prepare students for success after graduation. They critique resumes, offer mock interviews and provide free professional clothing for job interviews. Don’t wait go see a career counselor. Get there as soon as possible!

Location: 2100 Pullen Hall Email: career-development@ncsu.edu Phone: 919-515-2396

Office of Undergraduate Research

This office helps match students with research opportunities, hosts symposia at NC State for students to share their work and offers funding for students to present at external conferences.

Location: 2229 Broughton Hall Email: undergraduate-research@ncsu.edu Phone: 919-513-0095

Disability Resource Office

The office ensures that students, faculty and staff with disabilities are given equal opportunity. They offer accommodations such as extended time on tests and assistive technology.

Location: Holmes Hall Suite 304 Email: disability@ncsu.edu