CIAA CHAMPIONSHIPcontinued on Page 3

W W W . T H E N E W S A R G U S . C O M

news argus MONDAY

2014Vol.53, Issue 5

the

NOV 17

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

Katrina Q. RobinsonEditor-in-chiEf@krobinson110

Winston-Salem State’s new chancellor, Elwood L. Robinson, will assume his duties in January.

However, the overall chan-cellor selection process has been somewhat controversial.

Winston-Salem State Board of Trustees Vice Chair Victor Johnson has been firing accu-sations against Chair Debra Miller.

During a recent interview with The News Argus, Johnson said Miller had violated the WSSU BOT bylaws because she selected members for the chancellor search committee and did not have the Board’s permission.

Johnson said Miller had con-ducted two “illegal” Board meetings.

He said the meetings did not have quorum.

According to Section 2 of the Board’s bylaws, a Board quo-rum consists of a majority of Board members in office and is required for conducting busi-ness.

According to the documentJohnson provided to the

Argus, six out of 13 Board members were present at a meeting in Charlotte, Aug. 8-9. At that meeting was Bryant Bell, Student Government Association president for the 2013-2014 academic year. Bell graduated spring 2014.

The new SGA president and current Board member, Olivia Sedwick, did not attend the meeting in Charlotte.

“You must have at least seven [of 13] trustees from the Board to make it a quorum and she [Miller] had six. She tried to use the guy from last year [Bell] as the seventh,” Johnson said.

A WSSU source told the Argus that Bell was on the BOT at the time the search was conducted, and he had the right to vote.

The names of the three final-ist for the chancellor posi-tion -- Virginia Hardy, Harry Williams and Robinson -- were released to the Winston-Salem Journal on Aug. 23.

According to a Nov. 7 story published in the WSJ, the

Board of Governors recom-mended Johnson be dismissed from the BOT because he released the names of the three finalist, thereby breaching the confidentiality agreement.

Johnson said he was accused of releasing the three names because Miller “…got hot at me because I told her before we put these names out there, we have to have another meet-ing...”

He said in a written state-ment to media, ”I am being victimized because I wanted Board Chair Debra Miller to follow the WSSU bylaws: ‘In the event of a vacancy in the chancellorship, the Board of Trustees shall establish a search committee composed of representatives of the Board of Trustees, the faculty, the stu-dent body and the alumni.’”

Subash Shah, retired politi-cal science professor and for-mer WSSU faculty senate chair, sent an email in May to the president of UNC Systems, Tom Ross.

argus staff report

There was justifiable ten-sion during the CIAA Championship loss; Virginia State broke the Rams CIAA winning streak with a score of 21-17 Nov. 15.

The Rams were denied a conference three-peat and will not participate in the Division II national play-offs for the first time since 2010, effectively ending the Winston-Salem State careers of 29 Ram seniors.

And there was just as much chaos present off the field.

The teams’ match-up was highly anticipated after they were robbed of the chance to meet last year.

Nov. 15, 2013 quarterback Rudy Johnson was assaulted allegedly by VSU foot-ball play-ers during the annual CIAA ban-quet in the A n d e r s o n Center at WSSU.

T h o u g h J o h n s o n reported at least five p l a y e r s a s s a u l t e d him, only one player, a running back Lamont Darnell Britt, 22, of Portsmouth, Va. was arrested and charged with assault and inflicting serious injury.

According to the Winston-Salem Journal, Britt pled guilty to simple assault and was sentenced to 45 days in jail, suspended for a semester and put on probation for a year. The court imposed the con-dition that Britt complete or be in the process of complet-ing his education.

Britt apologized to Johnson in court.

According to the University Herald, Britt was suspended from VSU for one semester.

Despite the sensitivity sur-rounding last year’s incident, “offensive” Instagram pic-tures featuring Johnson’s bat-tered face circulated before the teams met for the cham-pionship Nov. 15.

In addition, a press release was posted on VSU's Facebook criticizing the Ram players’ behavior during Nov. 14 banquet. According to the post, VSU’s “class,

dress and dignity were on full display,”

It also mentioned that WSSU players were “whoop-ing, chanting, and barking” and that their actions were “suitable for a middle school assembly.”

“We have no comment on what Virginia State chose to put on their social media page,” said Kevin Manns, WSSU’s assistant athletic director of media relations.

“This is the same school that jumped someone in the bathroom to get out of a loss,” said Jamal Haizlip, a senior interdisciplinary stud-ies major Haizlip is a tight end for the Rams. “We expect them to be ghetto.”

Haizlip said [VSU] were on their best behavior because

of what hap-pened last year.

T h o m a s Reed said they have no comment about the press release. Reed is the director of u n i v e r s i t y relations at VSU.

“It was a hard fought game

between two well-disciplined and well coached champion-ship football teams. The fans and alumni of VSU and WSSU both showed great support to their respective schools. We are all fortunate to have been a part of such a great game,” said Latrell Scott, VSU’s head football coach.

Reed said it was an excel-lent event for both the CIAA and HBCU football.

"Hats off to our team, although both teams fought a hard game,” Reed said.

“It was a clean game. The coaches should be com-mended. Both teams played well.”

The Rams are not going to the playoffs.

“We are not going to the playoffs this year because simply, we were not selected,” Manns said.

“Our previous winning streak [31 consecutive games] has nothing to do with the selection to the playoffs.”

C H A N C E L L O R SEARCHcontinued on Page 3

Myriad story angles abound,as Rams denied three-peat

BOT vice chair challenges chancellor search process

“We are very proud of the accomplish-ments of our

team, and the season we had.”

— Kevin Mannsassistant athletic director of

media relations

The 21-17 loss of the CIIA Cham-pionship Game Nov. 17 was and is a frustration for all of us, and I’m sure it was extremely tough defeat for those 29 seniors who will not be returning next fall to play. But at the risk of sounding cliché, and possibly arrogant, our guys won much more that a ring couldn’t even suffice. We became

the face of the CIAA. According to a Nov. 16 “press

release” posted on Virginia State’s Facebook page “…I could not be more proud of our #VSU Trojan team. Their class, dress and dignity were on full display as opposed to… well let’s just say, whooping, chants, barking and other strange noises are more suitable to a middle school assembly than a collegiate awards banquet… No matter the outcome, Coach Scott has a team of WINNERS!” To the writer of that press release, I applaud you. You did your job by making it known that your VSU football players finally did what they were actually supposed to do — know their place. A position they [yes they] forgot last year during the championship banquet fall 2013. Visit www.uTube.com/watch?V=0Pof4z3i4YM The Ram football players “whooping, chants and bark-ing” aren’t childish, but leave it up to VSU to say so.It’s the nature of competition. Not indulging them doesn’t classify them as winners; it just means that this year the players were able to have some self-control. Discounting the insensitive Instagram featuring the “bruised” face of starting QB Roddy Johnson – after he was attacked by VSU players during last season’s infa-mous banquet I’ll give credit to VSU. Visit www.uTube.com/watch?V=0Pof4z3i4YM It was an impressive game. And VSU fans and players should really thank the Rams.VSU’s football players seized opportunities throughout the game and conquered a powerhouse Ram team -- that throughout this season has trampled its CIAA competi-tion. Since 2010, the game wasn’t just about the cham-pionship or even making it to the playoffs, it was about taking down the Rams. And thank you VSU, for becoming something the Winston-Salem State Rams football team hasn’t seen in a long time from this conference: Competition.

Katrina Q. RobinsonEditor-in-chiEf@krobinson110

Page 2 The News Argus www.thenewsargus.com

Monday, November 17, 2014

opinion

Should WSSU disqualify a job applicant who has any type of criminal record?

KALON ANTHONYELEMENTARY ED.

ATLANTAIt all depends. In an interview,see if what happened in theirpast is a reoccurring event. Ifthey are hired, they should beplaced on a grace period.

NICHOLOS PATTERSONJUSTICE STUDIESWINSTON-SALEM

I feel as though someone’sbackground shouldn’t deter-mine their future. People withsmall misdemeanors shouldbe hired.

MONTRELL DAVISMARKETING

WHITSETT,N.C.Who are we to judge?Everyone needs a secondchance. Also, if they are goodat what they do, thenwhy not hire them?

IMANI PINKNEYHEALTH CARE MANAG.

HENDERSON, N.C.It depends on the seriousnessof the crime. That way thestudents won’t be in any kindof danger. A serious crimewould be like rape, and theyshouldn’t be hired.

No, it really depends on the person. If there are people working here that do have backgrounds, you would never know because you may never see them and they’re not going to just tell you.

A lot people in today’s job market have criminal records; some have committed serious crimes, while others have committed minor offenses. A few have not committed any crime at all; they were found not guilty of the charge for which they were arrested or are victims of identity theft. This issue’s Campus Crew ask...

The News Argus staff randomly selects WSSU students, faculty and staff to respond to provocative questions about current is-sues or concerns -- on and off campus. Respondents’ comments do not represent the opinions of the Argus staff. To hear the respondents’ entire responses, visit www.thenewsargus.com

SCHALYLA BOWERSBIOLOGY

FAYETVILLE

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 atthenewsargus@gmail.com

Katrina Robinson Editor-in-Chief

Dysheada ReidSocial Media Manager

Frederick GrahamGraphics Artist Intern

Sabrina RobinsonGraphics Artist Intern

Graphics Artist Intern

Dr. Lona D. Cobb*Faculty Adviser

Courtney Herring -Reporter

Jaquel Horne - Reporter

Veniscia Jones - Reporter

Raven Jones - Reporter

Eric Hargrove - Reporter

Lewis Miller- Reporter

Tyresha Parker - Reporter

Matt Parmesano - Reporter

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The News Argus, the official student newspaper of Winston-Salem 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 contribu-tor. 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.

Victor Toodle

Your welcome VSU

Page 3 The News Argus www.thenewsargus.com

Monday November 17, 2014

news & Features

Jaquel HornerEportEr @jhorne111

Two Winston-Salem State stu-dents, a sister and brother, have created a non-profit organization, “Hoops 4 LYFE”-- Low-income Youth and Families Everywhere.

Founders Brittany Ward, 28, and Joel Ward, 27, started the Hoops 4 LYFE organization in 2011. The acronym stands for Low-income Youth and Families Everywhere. Both students are pursuing a mas-ter’s of art degrees in teaching and plans to graduate next spring.

The organization provides men-tors, hosts fundraisers, advises parents and encourages healthy living.

Hoops 4 LYFE also offers a sum-mer camp basketball program.

“A lot of people say they don’t have the resources so we bring the resources to them,” Brittany said.

“We inform them of services provided by social services, churches and local people willing to help out. That way they don’t have excuse.”

Brittany, a former substitute teacher for Quality Education

Institute, said she recruits children everywhere she goes. She said her inspiration for Hoops 4 LYFE grew from her involvement with the Communities in Schools program.

Hoops 4 LYFE targets students in grades K-12 attending Title I schools. A Title I schools is feder-ally funded school where low-income students risk academic failure.

“All we knew [growing up] was basketball,”Joel said.

Their parents and other mem-bers of the family played basket-ball.

“It [basketball] kept us out of trouble.”

In October, Hoops 4 LYFE hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness Basketball Tournament in honor of Tony Byrd, a friend whose mother died from the disease.

Five teams played in the tourna-ment and a team was eliminated each round. A trophy was given to the No.1 team. Both Byrd and Joel were members of the winning team.

“Everyone wanted to come out and support me in honoring my mother. We were balling for a cause,” Byrd said.

“We want to let people know we support them.”

All the players that came out for the event are friends of one another and grew up together playing different sporting events. Some of the participants have their own organizations as well.

“We’re all a big family,” Joel said. “It’s not about the competi-tion; it’s about doing something for a cause.”

The profits for the event will be donated to WSSU alumna, India Myers, who is battling breast can-cer. Hoops 4 LYFE is planning to surprise her with its gift donation.

“She’s an alumni and a friend of mine,” Brittany said.

“I wanted to help her with her bills because she is already battling cancer and doesn’t need another fight. The whole point was to find someone in need, so I feel like we’re making a difference.”

Hoops 4 LYFE has plans to donate for Thanksgiving, a toy drive and other events.

The organization can be con-tacted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Hoops4LYFE.

CHANCELLOR SEARCH continued from Page 1In his email, Shah discussed his con-

cerns about the quality of the three final-ists and how a new chancellor would begin at the start of spring semester, midway through the academic year. Shah also discussed Miller’s decision to exclude SGA president, Sedwick, from voting.

“Does the UNC General Administration want our next chan-cellor to be someone who is willing to leave his/her current university in the lurch to take a higher level, more appealing job?” Shah said.

Ross said, “for the right opportunity, WSSU will see provosts who are will-ing to leave for a chancellor’s position mid-year.”

Shah said, “The composition of the search committee, including substan-tive student representation, is key to a successful search. There does not seem to be any reason the search com-mittee could not include two student

representatives, both the outgoing and newly elected SGA presidents.”

Ross said he understood Miller’s decision.

Miller said that the bylaws of the Board permit her to choose members of special committees.

“We followed the bylaws of the University and of the UNC Systems when it came to the search,” she said.

“I think they {bylaws] speak for them-selves. If there’s something wrong, I don’t want to break the rules.”

Miller said there is nothing in the bylaws that backup Johnson’s accusa-tions .

A WSSU source said Sedwick wasn’t sworn in as a BOT member until Sept. 19, passed the deadline to submit the candidates’ names to the Board of Governors.

According to the bylaws, special com-mittees may be created by the Board or the chairperson of the Board to perform

specific functions not requiring the continuous existence of a committee. The size, function, and procedures of special committees shall be determined either by majority vote of the Board or by the chairperson of the Board.

“The search committee was a special committee,” Miller said.

Johnson said the committee was cre-ated to stack the odds against other prospective candidates, particularly Provost Brenda Allen.

“The ones like Allen have moved this campus forward,” he said.

“When you have those people who aren’t in [WSSU] finance or athletics and such, they don’t give a d#@+% about Allen.”

Johnson said that he doesn’t under-stand why representatives from the Board of Governors, Ann Lemmons and Joan McNeil, would disregard Miller’s “violations.”

He said. “These two white women

got Debra running around doing the wrong thing. They [Board of Governors] don’t like for Black people to stand up. I’m a stand up n#@%. I ain’t no house n#@%.”

Johnson said that when he spoke up about what he thought were violations, a target on his back.

Shah said during a telephone inter-view with the Argus he was shocked to hear about the leak of the finalist’s names.

Shah said he signed the same confi-dentiality contract as did Johnson..

“I have been there [WSSU] for 34 years, and not once has there been a leak during a search,” Shah said.

On Dec. 5, the Board will announce rather Johnson will be dismissed.

If the Board releases Johnson, he will be the first BOT member in WSSU his-tory to be dismissed.

“I’m going to fight this all the way,” Johnson said.

To be selected for playoffs, the Rams had to rank top six in the CIAA.

“Unfortunately with the loss to VSU we were knocked out of the top six,” Manns said.

The Rams went 1,500 days undefeated in the CIAA and were Southern Division champions for four consecutive seasons.

Manns said Coach Boulware, his staff and players, worked extremely hard this season and finished with a 9-2 record.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments of our team, and the season we had,” Manns said.

“We are positive that we will regroup, recruit hard and be back in position next season for another run at the CIAA title and NCAA play-offs.”

Three Rams’ football players were removed from the roster. The Argus was able to identify two of them, Takhare Donalson and Sidney Lawson.

“They were removed from the roster because of a violation of team rules at the head coach’s discretion,” Manns said.

“Other than that, we have no other comment on this.”

WSSU siblings establishnon-profit for at-risk groups

CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP continued from Page 1

Photo courtesy of Brittany and Joel Ward

This photo of quarterback Rudy Johnson was posted on Instagram before the CIAA Championship game Nov. 14. Johnson had been assaulted November 2013 by a VSU football player.

Hoops 4 Lyfe participants gather around during a basketball game.

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