Jaye ColeAssitAnt Editor

jcole109@wssu.edu

Winston-Salem State has taken steps to correct the areas that were cited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accrediting agency in March.

The eight-member team examined the University in several aspects to determine its accreditation status.

WSSU was cited in four areas: not pub-lishing information in the undergraduate catalog; two issues within financial aid; and faculty competence.

The administration has taken note and already begun to address these issues.

Correcting them include placing the SACS logo and the five general education outcomes in the undergraduate catalog, ensuring that the courses professors teach are within their discipline and a full report

from the Financial Aid Office.“We have taken actions to comply

with all SACS requirements,” said Senior Associate Provost Merdis McCarter.

In terms of academe, WSSU fared well, even garnering a mark of distinction for Rams Write, a program implemented

SACScontinued on Page 2

Wake Forest University reported a bed bug infestation. University offi-cials said as of Sept. 10, all rooms identified as having evidence of bed bugs have been treated, either by conventional or heat treatments, including a few rooms in upper-class residence halls found during canine inspections. Source: www.bedbugger.com

Flu shots available on campus

WSSU has partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC and Maxim Health Systems to give Flu and Pneumonia vaccines Sept. 21 and Oct. 18-19 at F.L. Atkins for faculty and staff and their families. A BCBSNC card and photo identifica-tion are required for shots. Source: www.wssu.edu

Winston-Salem State will be celebrating Constitution Day Sept. 23. In observance of Constitution Day, instructors are asked to engage their students in any discussion, project or activity that relates to the U.S. Constitution. Source: www.wssu.edu

Jordan HowseEditor in ChiEf

jhowse106@wssu.edu

Most Winston-Salem State students, as well as students all over the state agree that financial aid is the most tedious part of college.

In March, President Barack Obama signed a health care bill that included education reform. In that bill, private lenders were eliminated and the U.S. Department of Education became the sole provider of financial aid to students at state colleges and universities.

“The process is more seam-less after procuring the federal government as your lender,” said Tomikia LeGrande, assis-tant vice chancellor of enroll-ment management.

“The money comes to the institutions on a much more rapid basis.

“Because the money comes faster, and the interest rates are lower with a more flexible schedule payment, students seem excited about the ben-efits and the change to direct lending,” LeGrande said.

Some students do not agree. “This is my fifth semester at

WSSU, and it’s the first time I haven’t gotten my refund check during the first dis-bursement,” said Julisa Fields, a junior business administra-tion major from Hickory.

Students that completed all paperwork before July 15

Student safety the priority on MLK

A new wrought iron fence stretches through campus from Cromartie Street to Reynolds Park Road along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The city of Winston-Salem started installing the fence during the summer and completed it the first week of classes. It was built to facilitate the use of crosswalks.

Direct loans ease aid

Financial Aidcontinued on Page 3

Photo by Brandon Wainright, Staff Photographer

WSSU correcting four SACS cites

Constitution Day celebrated WFU reports bed bug issue

News & FeaturesPage 2 The News Argus www.thenewsargus.com

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Tuesday, Aug. 10A bookstore employee admitted to stealing $2,000 worth of textbooks. The employee was escorted to Campus Police to be interviewed. The employee was read his rights, transported to the Winston-Salem Police department and placed under arrest for larceny. He was given a secured bond with a preliminary hearing date Aug. 27.

Friday, Aug. 20At 8:30 a.m. a staff/director entered his office to find pornographic material on his com-puter screen. Staff from IT was notified of the situation and assisted with the investigation indicating this type of problem is campus wide. They are working to correct the prob-lem. There being no further information, the case is closed.

Monday, Aug. 23Approximately 12:30 a.m. an individual who was with other subjects gave a female stu-dent his number. Red Sea of Sound members congregating nearby said the individual was being disrespectful to the female. An alterca-tion ensued, and a student was punched in the face. A gun was pulled out and the state-ment was made, “I will shoot one of y’all.” One shot was fired in the air. No one was hurt or injured.

Tuesday, Aug. 24At 12:20 a.m. a student was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint of money, dorm and house keys, jewelry and a cell phone. The stu-dent had been dropped off when a car pulled up carrying four males. Two males, one with a gun, jumped out of the car and demanded the student to empty his pockets. No further information at this time.

Tuesday, Aug. 31At approximately 1:05 a.m. two male non-students were involved in an altercation that resulted in gunfire. A female student was a passenger in the vehicle that one of the male non-students was driving. The other male non-student fired two rounds of a small cali-ber handgun into the vehicle shattering the glass, giving the occupants non life-threat-ening injuries. According to the report, the injured male non-student may have been under the influence of narcotics. A BB gun was found under the driver seat. Charges to the shooter and the victim are pending. No further information at this time.

Thursday, Sept. 2At 9:45 a.m. an officer was dispatched in refer-ence to a shuttle bus being on fire. There were no passengers and the driver said that there have been problems from the bus before. The brakes may have overheated, causing a leak in the brake line and smoke to come from the rear tires. No further information at this time.

The Campus Crime Blotter is a concise summary of the up-to-date incidents that affect the Winston-Salem State campus and community. Certain incidents may lead to News Argus articles that discuss them at great length.

Source: WSSU Department of Police and Public Safety

Compiled by Myiesha Speight, News Argus Contributor

by the University’s Quality Enhancement Program.

“We will not know what action SACS has taken on our response to the areas of non-compliance until the annual meeting in December 2010.”

The Financial Aid Office staff was unavailable for com-ment.

The areas which received citations were just a portion of what the SACS representa-tives were looking for.

QEP: Rams WriteIn 2007, the University was

introduced to Rams Write, a five-year plan to improve writing in the majors.

This initiative was originally set forth by the QEP, and after two years of training faculty and staff, 2010 marks the gen-esis of Rams Write's five-year journey.

Pamela Simmons, the new QEP director, and her staff have worked to get the stu-dents involved as much as possible.

Their achievements are reflected through the high marks received from SACS.

“There are very few [HBCU’s] reaching this level of achievement,” Simmons said.

Rams Write’s goal is to remain compliant within the SACS as well as assist in WSSU’s reaffirmation process.

QEP is targeting both junior and senior levels of writing, but would eventually like to implement the program at the developmental level.

“Everyone has the ability to write,” Simmons said.

During the spring semes-ter, the administration made efforts to promote Rams Write as much as possible.

This included posting adver-tisements around campus, giv-ing out gifts for students who actively participated, and even erected a banner in the breeze-way of the Thompson Center.

Their efforts have not gone in vain.

According to the assistant QEP director Tanya Walker, there have already been signs of positive results.

“I have seen improvements in student's writing, particu-larly because of the clarity of the assignment sheets the stu-dents are now receiving, clar-ity in instruction, and a better grasp of the content,” Walker said.

She also said that the out-look of the five year plan is “optimistic” and encourages all majors to utilize the new writing center.

Students who have diffi-culty with their writing skills may visit the Language Arts Center, located in the Hauser building, for assistance.

Jaye ColeAssistAnt Editor

jcole109@wssu.edu Grace AndersonArgus Contributor

Due to popular demand, the once defunct day care center and student research lab at Winston -Salem State tentatively plans to re-open as the Child Development Center at the end of this month.

The day care, which initially opened in 1975, shut its doors Aug. 21, 2009, largely due to budget cuts. The abrupt closing brought to an end a legacy of the five-star rated child care facility.

Chancellor Donald Reaves and the administration made the decision to shut down the day care specifi-cally because operating costs were too exorbitant.

“Our current budget will not allow us to spend money on the center when there are other alternatives available in the community for our students,” Reaves said in the Winston-Salem Journal June 30, 2009.

There were many people — which included alumni, students and faculty — who were not pleased with the closing of the facility, which eventually led to its inclusion of a protest on campus.

Eventually lawmakers and other community lead-ers got involved, and, after budget adjustments and collaboration with the Child Development Division of Family Services, Inc., the administration found the resources to re-open the child care facility.

With the re-opening of the facility comes new pur-pose and direction.

It is no longer classified as a day care and research lab; it is a Headstart Child Development Center with the Family Services of Winston-Salem on campus. The Center accepts children ages 3 to 5 years. The staff screens and evaluates each student and keeps meticu-lous records of the child’s development.

In addition to faculty and students, parents living in surrounding neighborhoods such as Happy Hill and Morningside who are at or below the poverty line have an opportunity to enroll their children as well.

Child Development Center manager Sheila Ebrahim says the Center uses a ‘creative curriculum’ to teach the children.

“This is more than a day care,” Ebrahim said. “It is the task of the Center to get the students ready

for the next level. The classrooms are outfitted with several learning tools, not just toys.

“We are preparing our students for elementary [school],” Ebrahim said.

The Center also accepts children with learning disabilities. Many students with learning disabilities may receive priority based on the needs of the child. Ebrahim said the children go through assessments and ongoing observations.

“If there is a concern in either developmental speech or hearing, then we provide additional ser-vices through community resources.”

The staff is ready for a Sept. 30 start date. Nearly every classroom has been completed.

Angela Roberts, a pre-kindergarten teacher from Brooksdale, Fla., said she anticipates a productive grand re-opening.

“I’m looking forward to a new year, a really good year,” Roberts said.

The Child Development Center began accepting applications for WSSU faculty and students Sept. 1. The applications are being taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Associate Director of Adult and Graduate Admissions Victoria Hanchell, a mother of a four-year-old, was on the waiting list at the old facility for over a year. Her daughter was enrolled at the day care for two weeks before she learned of its closing, she said.

Hanchell said she remains optimistic and hopes to get her child into the new Child Development Center.

“The WSSU Child Development Center has a his-tory of instilling good foundations in reading, writ-ing and mathematics. Also, the children aren’t just playing all day but rather are learning and building developmental skills. It is truly a preschool and not a day care,” Hanchell said.

Spaces at the Center will also be available for fami-lies in the community, with a special focus on provid-ing services to families who need financial support for child care. Additionally, the Center will be avail-able to meet WSSU student training needs, faculty research and grant-writing opportunities.

SACS continued from Page 1

Preschool gets Headstart

Child Development Center to re-open

News & Featureswww.thenewsargus.com The News Argus Page 3

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

received their refund Sept. 7. The Financial Aid Office was

audited because the informa-tion collected was insufficient and did not provide proof to the federal government that some students were eligible to receive funds.

“The goal this year is to pro-vide our students education,” LeGrande said.

“About 90 percent of stu-dents receive financial aid in some form, so we want the student population to under-stand three things: why it is so important to get your FAFSA in early; the things that prompt the federal government to select a student for verifica-tion; and, the paperwork to provide to prevent the need for verification.”

Chancellor Donald Reaves sent an e-mail to students Aug. 27. It stated those who had not paid their tuition because they hadn’t received their financial aid would be allowed to con-tinue attending classes.

About 350 students would have been purged if Reaves had not made this decision.

Approximately 4,000 stu-dents did not submit the infor-mation by the deadline set by the federal government and the University.

Many students were selected for verification because of this. Verification, according to the WSSU financial aid web site, is the process to confirm a stu-dent’s application data.

Alishia Grant, a sophomore nursing major from Durham was a student that was selected for verification.

“It wasn’t as big of a deal as I thought it would be,” Grant said.

“When I was told I had been selected for verification I thought it was going to set me way back from getting my financial aid.

“I just didn’t know that I had to sign a new promissory note and do that entrance counsel-ing.”

Grant said after she com-pleted her documents, her financial aid package was back on track.

Amanda Colfield, a senior biology major from Greensboro, said she didn’t find the verification process so easy.

“I turned in all my paper-work before the end of last [spring 2010] semester,” Colfield said.

“I’ve had financial aid prob-lems before, and I was deter-mined to not have them again.

“Then at the very end of the summer, I got an e-mail and checked my banner account, and it said I had unsatisfied requirements,” she said.

During this transitional year, Financial Aid Office is advanc-ing technologically.

LeGrande said the Office is getting a new document and facsimile imaging system that can scan and archive docu-ments that have been sent.

James JacksonArgus Contributor &Jarrett DawkinsArgus ChiEf photogrAphEr

jdawkins106@wssu.edu

More than 1,500 people have visited Diggs Gallery since June 26 to view 16 artistic pre-sentations including paintings, photographs and video docu-mentation of Winston-Salem’s oldest African-American com-munity.

The “Pride and Dignity from the Hill” art exhibit was cre-ated by Diggs Gallery with the help of community members.

Available through Feb. 26, the exhibit offers a snapshot of

the Happy Hill area as it was during the 60s, 70s and 80s.

“Pride and Dignity” extracts the most positive elements out of that community.

The exhibit features artwork done by many local artists, including Glen Johnson who lived in the community for 14 years.

“It was exciting to be able to paint and draw and express my memories,” Johnson said in an interview with the Winston-Salem Journal.

He said his experiences are invaluable to events such as these and allows people that may not be familiar with the area to see what he saw so

many years ago. Lining the perimeter of the

gallery is an array of artwork that spans from sports memo-rabilia to life-sized figurines meant to portray a certain element of African-American culture. There are also reli-gious mementos representing the popularity of spirituality in the African American com-munity.

The exhibit shows the rich history of the Happy Hill community, serves as a visual reminder of how far it has come at the same time preserving the memories of everyone that grew up there.

Financial Aid continued from Page 1

Bianca L. PenderArgus stAff rEportEr

bpender107@wssu.edu

Michele B. Releford assumed the position of interim vice chancellor of student affairs May 17 and is determined to lead the Rams in a more struc-tured direction.

Releford has served as the Dean of University College for two years. She said taking the position of vice chancellor of student affairs was not a hard transition.

Releford has already insti-tuted changes in her new role. For one, she is requiring all student organizations to have one coordinator.

Beginning this year, students who live on campus were pro-vided with a new free washing and drying service in the laun-dry rooms.

Releford served on the Strategic Plan committee as Dean of University College. According to the WSSU web site, the Strategic Plan outlines goals, processes and timetables of what needs to be improved at the University.

She began the Ramdition program for freshmen in 2008.

Ramdition is a week-long program that puts students in academic settings and gives them a welcoming ceremony at the end of the week.

“Ramdition was created out of a meeting I held in October of 2008,” Releford said.

Releford said she plans to have a week dedicated to seniors in the spring. She also wants to incorporate more aca-demics in student activities.

She said her personal rela-tionship with the staff is very important to her.

“There is never a dull moment in Student Affairs and no two days are ever the same,” said LaVon Gray, special projects manager for Student Affairs & University College.

“The new leadership has been refreshing,” said Bridgette Hazelwood, admin-istrative support associate. “She puts the needs of stu-dents first.”

Releford said she would like for students to get what they paid for when they graduate.

“They paid for an educa-tion that will allow them to seek graduate study, handle the work force as a productive member of society and to want to give back to the institution.”

Releford said she wants the students of WSSU to know that she is approachable.

Janae Williams, a junior music business major said Releford is one faculty mem-ber who is easy to talk to.

“Though I’ve had little inter-action with her personally, it doesn’t take long. She doesn’t give you long to warm up to her bubbly, youthful aura,” Williams said.

As of now it is unknown if Releford will remain vice chancellor of student affairs.

Releford assumes interim positionfor student affairs

Art exhibit honors Happy Hill

Hello Winston-Salem State community, my name is Jordan Howse and I am the editor in chief of the

News Argus for the 2010-2011 school year. It’s really ironic that I am working on a newspaper because I have not always been interested in working in media. In 2008, I returned to WSSU and became a mass communications ma-jor and began contributing articles to the Argus. After I completed my internship

at The High Point Enterprise this summer, I knew the newsroom is where I wanted to be. I got a lot of experience as a writer and I hope to get a lot of editing experience this school year. The News Argus is an award-winning newspaper. And my goal, like my predecessors is to keep bring-ing home the prizes. I am more than confident that my hardworking staff and I will do our best to make WSSU proud. We will present news that is relevant, accurate, fair, balanced, informative and entertaining. I hope to get students more interested and knowl-edgeable about the activities, events and issues that happen on campus and in the nation. Not only are we working hard to make both the print Argus a good news source, but we are also add-ing some exciting new additions to Argus online. It’s undergoing an upgrade and soon we will be-come more interactive and feature more multimedia. As a new campus leader, this will be a learning process and I appreciate anything students, faculty and alumni can teach me. I am looking forward to receiving suggestions and news tips, so please come to my office G005 in Carolina Hall or send e-mail to jhowse106@wssu.edu. Rumor is journalists are a dying breed,but I intend to resuscitate.

Page 4 The News Argus www.thenewsargus.com

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

OpiNiON

Argus Letter PolicyThe News Argus is a student publication of Winston-Salem State University. The News Argus encourages written comments to the edi-tor and guest columns, but some rules apply: q A signature, address and phone number must accompany all let-ters. 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 advertis-ing 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 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.

JORDANHOWSEEditor in ChiEf

What do you think about about renting textbooks from the bookstore?

Rent-A-Text is a new renting service provided by the WSSU bookstore and university bookstores across the country. It allows students to rent text-books in the bookstore or online.

This method helps students save money. It’s also convenient because students can pay with cash, a credit card or their Ram card. This issue’s Campus Crew asks…

Interviews and photos by Jarrett Dawkins

MARY IBEL MARTINEZ FRESHMAN, EDUCATION

YADKINVILLE, N.CIt’s good; it’s just a little slow, so they would have to speed it up a little bit, but you will save a lot of money.

STEPHANIE NESMITHJUNIOR, CLINIC LAB SCI

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.I like it a lot. It helped me to save money this year.

DENISE BAUCOMFRESHMAN, ELEM ED.

WEDDINGTON, N.C.It means more to me to pur-chase the book than to rent it, so I can go back to the book if I need to.

JACOB GREENJUNIOR, MATH

GASTONIAThe rental policy is really good. Everything was pretty simple, and I’m enjoying it.

ETHAN STANGGRAD STUDENT, PT

CHAPEL-HILLIt’s a great idea to save a lot of money. I wish the grad school would allow us to rent books.

As a matter of policy, The News

Argus will publish corrections for

errors.

The corrections will be made as soons as possible after

the error has been brought to the at-

tention of the Argus Editor In Chief at

thenewsargus@yahoo.com

Forum of comments from WSSU students, faculty and staff selected randomly to answer a provocative question from The News Argus. Comments do not represent the opinions of the Argus staff. To hear the complete responses visit www.thenewsargus.com and listen to the podcasts.

A breath of fresh air

Before integration, black athletes were rarely recruited by predominantly white institutions so they had little options but to enroll and play at HBCUs.

Then in Sept. 1970, Sam Cunningham's historical performance against the University of Alabama changed college football recruiting forever.

Soon after that, many white schools began to heavily recruit black players.

University of Alabama offered a scholarship to Wilbur Jackson, the first African American in Tide his-tory to receive a scholarship from the school.

Predominantly white institu-tions are able to pamper their recruits with state of the art facilities, dormitories, huge football stadiums and nation-wide exposure to NFL scouts.

HBCUs have struggled to sign the best recruits because they are lacking in these cat-egories and many of their schools’ football programs are not funded like larger schools,

such as the University of Florida or the University of Southern California (USC).

The main difference when comparing football pro-grams such as Howard's and University of Florida is that one is a private institution and the other is public.

“The obvious difference between HBCUs and PWIs, is they have a considerable amount of more scholarships to give out, which naturally adds more depth, which makes it hard for HBCUs to compete because it’s a numbers game," said Donald Ware, who hosts the nationally syndicated sports show "From the Press Box to Press Row."

Public Universities receive millions in funding from the state for their football pro-grams and other aspects of their school.

They apply this money towards physical facilities, academics, better dorms and

classrooms and quality labs. Also, the alumni base between a private and public institution varies.

A private institution is not as large, so its disposable income for giving back is not as high.

“ Financial support is almost non-existent compared to the

other large divi-sion one schools in athletics field. It’s unfortunate we don’t get the

same opportunity as those other athletes that attend the neighboring schools," said Chatman Young, senior right guard.

PWIs offer more seats for fans and onlookers than other schools.

The biggest football sta-dium for an HBCU belongs to Norfolk State University, which can seat up to 30,000 people.

The University of Michigan stadium can seat up to 100,000 people. Howard's Green Stadium can only seat up to 10,000 people.

“Overall, the HBCU does not have financial resources that predominantly white institutions have because the HBCU funding has been put into the physical plant of the university, to renovate dorms, class rooms and laboratories, as opposed to the emphasis in athletic venues," said Newton Jackson, PhD, former ath-letic director at Florida A&M University.

Although Cunningham's performance will forever be remembered as the day that broke segregation among college football, it was also the day that HBCU's lost key recruits and the ability to compete with predominantly white institutions.

Karim AlammuriSports Editor

The Hilltop, student newspaper

at Howard UniversityPublished: Aug. 30

Updated: Sept. 2

www.thenewsargus.com The News Argus Page 5

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

OpiNiON

Do you support the plans to build a 13-story mosque (an Islamic place of wor-ship) and a Moslem com-munity center two blocks

from ground zero ?

No. It’s offensive and disrespectful. They should build their

mosque some place else.

29%

Yes. Despite what happened on 9/11, the Muslim com-

munity has religious freedom.

58%

Op-Ed

To participate in the poll,

register online @ thenewsargus.com

I don’t care.

13%

HBCUs struggle to compete with white institutions athletically

The veterans attending Winston-Salem State have yet to be awarded their govern-ment stipends.

Students — vets —who fall under Chapters 30, 31 and 33 (Montgomery GI, Vocational Rehabilitation and Post 9/11 Veterans) are entitled to receive financial compen-sation as long as they are enrolled in school.

Their funds are usually dispensed at the beginning of each month. However, the stu-dents did not get their money because of “errors included in the WSSU online course cata-log.” University officials say they are working on the cor-rections.

But, how did this mistake happen in the first place?

As a student, I appreciate my school and have an under-standing for administrative woes under a massive early fall semester workload; even upperclassmen need time to

re-adjust following a three-month hiatus from school.

As a veteran, I cannot fathom how my school would allow us to go this far into the semester without formally ensuring us that they are mak-ing a concerted effort to rectify the problem.

The funda-mental legal principles passed down to us by our nation’s founders was written at a time of both turmoil and trepidation, yet the delegates that gathered in Philadelphia possessed unparalleled opti-mism. They seemed to not only depend on God, but also on the strength of the coun-try’s newly formed armed forces.

That’s how much the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard mean to America; they are entities placed at a level scantly beneath divin-

ity. Time and again, we have celebrated the military for the defense of this country and all that it stands for. Their pres-ence is constant and uncom-promising, hence the apprecia-tion shown for their service is continual.

America is indebted to the sacrifices made by those who gave up life and limb.

That is why it’s so hard for me to understand why it seems that WSSU has not made a stalwart attempt to help keep its veteran student population financially secure.

We have altered our lives, oftentimes putting personal, family, and career affairs aside so that the many unsung liber-ties can continue to be enjoyed by all Americans.

There are many aberrations that can be made while pro-cessing paperwork; however,

the errors that were made, whether it directly or indi-rectly affected our veterans, came at a great cost. The sti-pends that are awarded each month are the source of many veterans’ livelihood.

The stress of making the grade in school — in addition to making sure that rent or mortgage is paid, power stays on, the children are fed, and the car tank is filled — can often prove to be overwhelm-ing for any student.

These financial conditions are unfair and inadequate for any student-veteran at any school. I love Winston-Salem State, but in the words of Chancellor Donald Reaves, “We can do better; we will do better.”

It is my sincerest desire that this issue is resolved with urgency and immediacy.

Jaye ColeArgus Assistant Editor

Op-Ed

Vets at WSSU suffering financially due to incorrect online catalog information

Ebony S. SmithArgus stAff rEportEr

esmith109@wssu.edu

After numerous rounds of appli-cants and interviews, and weeks of deliberation, the Senior Class Council and SGA announced that JaEric Brooks- Shoffner is Mr. Senior 2010-2011.

This past April, e-mails were sent to the students stating that SGA elections were soon to be underway.

Immediately after the deadline for applications, the campus saw a profusion of signs, posters, buttons and pins.

When the results came in, both the student body president and vice president were elected, a number of secretarial offices were filled, and a senior class president was chosen, but the Mr. Senior position was vacant.

SGA proceeded with business as usual, as the new members adjusted to their titles and offices.

“The only logical choice of action was to abide by the constitution and appoint individuals for the rest of the council, so I accepted and reviewed applications and letters of intent, and promoted the vacan-cies on the council,” said Lauren J. Waters, a social work major, and this

year’s Senior Class President.“The students of the class of

2011 are incredibly resilient, and intelligent; however, it was very disheartening to learn that there were not any men within the class who desired to run for not only Mr.

Senior, but any position on the coun-cil.”

Waters chose the candidate she said was most qualified.

However, with new Student Affairs administration implemented over the summer, it was discovered that the candidate chosen did not meet the requirements to hold a senior position.

“The [SGA] constitution states that the senior class president holds the rank to make a decision in these types of situations, but an eligible candidate was required to have 90 hours by the end of the spring semester,” Vivian Spencer said.

Spencer is the Senior Class Adviser.

After a second upset with another candidate, the SGA executive board voted to have special elections dur-ing the fall.

E-mails were sent to the Senior Class notifying them that the oppor-tunity was available to run for Mr. Senior.

Three candidates on the ballot were JaEric Brooks-Shoffner, Joshua Chavis, and James Walker. And with a total of 56 votes, Brooks-Shoffner won.

Out of 1,462 seniors eligible to vote, about 9 percent participated in the voting, with 125 ballots cast.

“We were excited to finally be finished with the selection process, and to have someone serve as Mr. Senior, but the fact that the student body didn’t really take part was dis-appointing,” said Amilca O’Connor, a rehabilitation studies major, and Miss Senior 2010-2011.

News & FeaturesPage 6 The News Argus www.thenewsargus.com

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Natalie D. DavisAssistAnt Editor

ndavis107@wssu.edu

The Education Department at Winston-Salem State has re-organized and added new sequences.

“The changes are meant to reposition the entire teacher preparation programs at WSSU,” said Madu Ireh, assis-tant professor of education and human performance.

“It is a welcomed reorgani-zation and meant to improve instruction, learning, and ser-vices to students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.”

Cynthia Williams-Brown, chair and associate professor of secondary education, said the Education Department offers math, English and physical education sequences, and is working on developing a sequence in science.

The sequences will focus on teacher education at the high school and middle school levels. Physical education is taught in grade schools.

Williams-Brown said that the re-organization took a lot of planning.

Faculty were transferred from different departments, including math, science, and physical education, into the

Education Department. “We [Education

Department] are having a majors meeting to explain the makeup of the new depart-ment and how they will have to do business now,” Williams-Brown said.

Edwin Bell said that he is optimistic about what the department will be able to accomplish, and that the stu-dents he has talked to seem pleased that they are getting more attention.

Bell is the professor and interim chair of educational leadership, counseling and professional studies.

“I feel pretty good about the

new additions,” Bell said. “We could have done a

better job planning the reor-ganization, but the new orga-nizational structure provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen teacher education and rehabilitation counseling at WSSU.”

Students are required to apply to the department after their sophomore year, and after they complete their gen-eral education requirements. They must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5, pass the Praxis I [teacher certification exam], pass a written essay and per-sonal interview. They must also submit a recommendation

from a professor.Ireh said that the decision

was made by higher authori-ties, with some consultation with faculty and staff in the two existing departments.

Williams-Brown said that each sequence has a coor-dinator who is responsible for monitoring the curricu-lum and ensuring that the sequences are updated.

The coordinators are Cedric Bass for English, Pamela Moses-Snipes for math, Donna Spinks for physical education, and Sandra Ingram for sci-ence.

Mr. Senior selection decided with 56 votesJaEric Brooks- Shoffner

Education Department undergoes re-organization

JaEric Brooks- Shoffner

As Mr. Senior, Brooks-Shoffner, a political science major from Durham, says he has plenty to offer. He played on several different sports teams last year, but dropped his athletic endeavors for a heavier academic load.

“My goal as Mr. Senior is to serve as an everyday role model to other males around campus, no matter what clas-sification,” he said.

“Now that I am a more vis-ible member of the student body, I want to work to change the attitude and mind sets of my classmates, especially the males, about getting involved on campus.”

Brooks-Shoffner said he plans to use his experience as the vice president of the Pre-Law soci-ety, a legacy leader, a resident assistant, and a member of the Talented Tenth Brotherhood to invoke initiative within the stu-dent body.

www.thenewsargus.com The News Argus Page 7

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

News & Features

Natalie D. DavisAssistAnt Editor

ndavis107@wssu.edu

The Social Work program at Winston-Salem State is closer to being an accredited program.

Isiah Marshall, an associate professor and coordinator of social work, said that the Council on Social Work Education visited in February. The results were reported to the program in June.

Representative James Adams, a commissioner from the CSWE, conducted the site visit. Based on the program’s documents and a review brief, he recommended a second view of candidacy.

During the visit, Adams met with the social work faculty to discuss the curriculum and the administrators regarding accreditation. He also met with the majors to get their opinion about the program.

Adams gave a preliminary report to the social work program to continue candidacy.

Marshall said that everyone is pleased with the outcome of the visit.

“The students reacted very positively to Dr. Adams,” Marshall said. “They were very excited and felt comfortable in letting him know what the program was doing.”

Lauren Pointer, a junior social work major from Burlington, said that she was excited about the commissioner’s visit.

“I, personally, am not worried about accredi-tation,” Pointer said.

“They [faculty and administrators] are doing what needs to be done to ensure that our pro-gram gets their accreditation.”

The next visit will be between November and February 2011. The outcome of this visit decides whether they will be scheduled for the full initial accreditation site visit next fall. If so, they will have to prepare for another visit in four years. Site visits must be conducted every eight years.

Marshall said that graduates of the now unac-credited program are working in the field, and attending graduate schools of Wake Forest Law School, and UNC-Charlotte.

WSSU does not have a graduate program for social work. Marshall said that it would be a good idea to catch students on their off years because most schools take graduate applications for social work every two years.

“Yes, it [a graduate social work program] seems to be an area to be explored,” Marshall said.

Dawn SwinnieArgus Contributor

Returning students are find-ing ways to decrease their work load, increase their GPA, and make more time for study-ing.

They have turned to taking online classes, but not every-one is taking them.

“Online classes cause more stress,” said Steven Logan, a junior business management major from Forest City, N.C.

Online classes give students the ability to work at their own pace without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by the work-load. Students who have cho-sen online classes are trying to find a new method to pass classes, but for others, it has turned out to be the contrary.

“I have heard a lot of bad things about online classes, most of my friends have failed them,” said Kelsey Mobley, a junior mass communications major from Gastonia.

Instructors of online classes are as available to the students taking their course online just as they are for students taking classroom courses.

“Some are more determined to understand the informa-tion since they do not have a classroom to attend. If I had to estimate the percentage of online students that I actually

have contact with it would be approximately 8 percent,” said Jeremy Lane, a mathematics professor.

“I like online classes, but I would rather be in a classroom for classes like math,” said Tiffany Walls, a junior biology major from Shelby, N.C.

Others have different opin-ions about online classes.

“Online classes would be great; I won’t have to walk up all these hills every day,” said Bianca Smith, a junior molecular biology and biol-ogy technology major from Fayetteville.

Lynette Wood, an account-ing professor, does not con-duct any online classes and does not plan to in the future. She said she believes that stu-dents learn better in a class-room.

“They [online classes] are manageable for any student, non-traditional students as well,” said Aisha Martin, a junior health care manage-ment major from Lexington.

Martin has two online classes this semester.

“Most online students tend to be non-traditional students. Older students often take a different interest in their work than traditional aged stu-dents,” said Sonya Miller, an English professor.

Brittany McEachirn Argus Contributor

Winston-Salem State is offering a campus-wide initia-tive called “Rams Walk” to bring awareness to the stu-dents about the importance of physical activity and its rel-evance to overall health.

The new program, created by Cynthia Williams-Brown, began Sept. 20.

“Rams Walk is designed with all people in mind, something simple, yet a great way to get in shape and stay healthy,” said Williams-Brown, chair and associate professor of secondary educa-tion.

“Some main areas the pro-gram is targeting are weight loss, high blood pressure pre-vention and control, increased levels of good cholesterol, and reduction in the risk factors for type 2 diabetes.”

It is a walking program that works with all schedules and accommodates every fitness ability.

Rams Walk will include a nine-month walking series in which participants will be asked to log their daily steps. A pedometer will be provided to all student participants. “At first, when I read the fli-ers, I thought it was going to be easy and something I would get bored with very fast,” said Arthur McIllwain, a junior education major from Charlotte.

“Then when I logged on the web site on the flier I saw it had more to offer the partici-pants.”

The program offers two types of walking groups. There are walking groups for participants who want to take part in a structured program; these groups meet twice a week.

There is also a program for

participants who do not want to walk with a group.

All walkers will be asked to log their daily steps and weekly sessions. All partici-pants will be encouraged to walk at least 10,000 steps per day.

“Physical fitness is a huge part of band, if I had more time I would definitely join this program,” said Leigh Taylor, a junior management information systems major from Greensboro.

“When I heard about Rams Walk, I told my mom to come join, and with no hesitation she said ‘yes.’“

Along with the walking program, there will be two seminars focusing on the importance of physical activi-ties and nutrition.

Registration is required and is available online, or in person at the Department of Secondary Education in Anderson C131 .

Social work program moving closer to accreditation

RAMS WALK: A way to stay fit at WSSU

Students, faculty offer different viewpointsfor online classes

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Page 8 The News Argus www.thenewsargus.com

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

spOrts

Jordan Hollowaysports rEportEr

jholloway106@wssu.edu

Let’s Play Ball! Baseball fans wait every spring to hear those

words. Now Rams fans only have to wait until the spring to hear those words.

For the first time since 1973 Winston-Salem State will have a baseball team.

WSSU is now one of eight schools that have a baseball program. The CIAA requires colleges and universities to have a baseball program to join the conference.

The Rams will be led by Kevin Ritsche, interim head men’s baseball coach.

He is no stranger to WSSU. Ritsche has served as assistant professor of exercise science in the Department of Human Performance and Sport Sciences since 2006.

Ritsche was also a standout player on the diamond where he played catcher and was also a two-time Academic All- American while play-ing at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. in 2003 and 2004.

He is working on his doctorate in Exercise Physiology.

According to a recent WSSU press release, Chancellor Donald Reaves is excited about a WSSU baseball team.

Having played baseball as a little leaguer Reaves said baseball is a great game.

Reaves said he hopes a WSSU baseball team

will generate more interest in the sport. “We took 10 guys from the 40 that came

out [for tryouts],” Ritsche said. “Out of the 40 people only a dozen had high school baseball experience.”

When WSSU returned to the CIAA, the con-ference had to revise the schedule it had origi-nally planned to use.

“Even though the schedule isn’t done yet we are preparing our players as if they are going on the field tomorrow,” Ritsche said.

The season opens with a conference game against Shaw University Feb. 9, 2011.

One of the biggest challenges that the Rams baseball team will face during the season is keeping the interest of the student body.

“Everybody loves to win, so I feel that if we win then we will keep the attention of the school and be able to compete with the basketball and football teams when it comes to being a popular sport on campus,” Ritsche said.

The new baseball team will face another chal-lenge.

“We have been using the old practice football field below the C.E. Gaines Center.

“Even though we cannot use the field for hit-ting or outfielders practice it’s better than not having a place at all,” Ritsche said.

The team also needs a field for home games. “Athletic Director Bill Hayes is working very

hard to find us a quality place to practice and play our home games,” Ritsche said.

Fayetteville native Alton Keaton was selected as the Coach’s Game Ball recipient because of his outstanding per-formance Sept. 4 during the “I-40 Showdown” against NC A&T. Keaton forced one fumble and assisted in five tackles.

“The returning player is no stranger to big games,” said Rams defensive coordinator Kienus Boulware. “He really drove the defensive line into momentum,” Boulware said.

“His ability to lead vocally and physically really contrib-uted to the big win. I am completely honored and if it were not for his dedicated teammates the big win wouldn’t of occurred. No team is perfect. We still have glitches to iron out, but it feels good to know that the campus is recogniz-ing individual and team success.”

An essential key defensive player, Keaton a junior accounting major, was the Most Valuable Player at Douglas Byrd High School.

Keaton is a cancer survivor.

Awarded to Alton KeatonPamela MannehArgus Contributor

Jaye ColeAssistAnt Editor jcole109@wssu.edu

The 2010 Rams football squad, which has been re-appointed to Division II CIAA Athletics, has already turned the tide of last year’s losing season.

The Rams only managed to put up a single win during their 2009-10 run.

During the offseason, the Rams underwent a number of administrative, personnel and coaching transitions. Winston-Salem State brought in veteran coach and Fayetteville native Connell Maynor as head coach, offensive coordinator and the quarterbacks coach.

Maynor engineered the 2009 CIAA Champion Fayetteville State University Broncos offense.

The Rams won their first game of the season 47-13 against conference rival Virginia Union on Aug. 28 at the A.J. Simeon Stadium in High Point.

“People didn’t expect us to win…but we did,” Maynor said.

WSSU outscored the Virginia Union Panthers every quarter, and dominated nearly every aspect of the game.

Maynor used a balanced attack on offense, with his team accumulating 207 yards in the air and 186 yards rushing. A couple of touchdowns on the

ground from running back Nic Cooper, a junior business administration major from Clinton, N.C. helped to solid-ify their victory at the inau-gural Furniture City Gridiron Classic.

Sept. 4, their next contest, in Greensboro, pitted the Rams against the Aggies of N.C. A&T.

The fierce rivalry, also known as the ‘I-40 Showdown,’ would give WSSU an opportunity to show the world of college sports how they would fare against a Division I-AA team.

The WSSU football team did not disappoint.

In front of a near capacity crowd, the Rams displayed what Coach Maynor described as “intestinal fortitude.”

“With A&T, we had to come from behind and won in the fourth quarter, and that shows that these guys aren’t quitters,” Maynor said.

Defensive back Alton Keaton, a junior accounting major from Fayetteville, and fullback Tyrone Goldston, a freshman accounting major from Goldsboro, turned in solid performances to aid in the Rams victory.

However, it was the efforts of quarterback Kameron Smith, sophomore economics major and a transfer from the U.S. Naval Academy that secured a win for the Rams.

Smith mustered up a 78-yard

game winning drive that included a 13-yard pass, and finally a 7-yard scramble into the end zone. His scoring drive and the point after touchdown put the score at 21-14, leav-ing the Aggies 41 seconds to answer.

“We didn’t have to win the A&T game. That’s not a con-ference game for us,” Maynor said.

“But that was big for them, for bragging rights for the stu-dent body, for the community and for Ram pride. That’s what that ‘W’ did.”

Sept. 11, the Rams marched into the NCCU O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium where they extended their streak to 3-0. They ousted the Eagles 34-27.

A host of Rams displayed their physical prowess as WSSU mounted a come from behind victory that stunned yet another Division I-AA football team.

“Our goal is to get better every day, and every drill that we do, individually so that we can get better as a team so we can win games,” Maynor said.

Maynor said he implements that philosophy when it comes to winning football games.

“We can’t look ahead trying to go 10-0 and we’re in week five.

“We gotta stay focused and take it one day at a time, one game at a time, and respect all and fear none.”

Perfect debut for Ram footballFor the first time since 1991, the WSSU Rams are off to a 3-0 start on the gridiron.

After 38 years, baseball returns to WSSU