The FAMUAN: 12-06-2012

WWW.THEFAMUANONLINE.COM VOL. 114 ISSUE 17

The Student Voice of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Since 1900

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2011

Florida A&M may be getting a 24-hour facility for students to study next semester.

SGA President Breyon Love said FAMU doesn’t have the funding for a 24-hour library. SGA, however, is working to have The University Commons opened for 24 hours.

“Student government is looking into sponsoring, for the last two weeks of school, a 24-hour library. We just got the funding available to make that happened,” Love said. “That was one of my biggest concerns with the administration, was having somewhere on campus to study, even if we couldn’t get the library.

Whitnee Raeburn, a first-year biology student, is one of many students concerned about how they can study without interruption.

“It does bother me when I have to go study for my mid-terms. The library closes around 2 a.m., but it would help if it didn’t close,” Raeburn said.

“That way I can stay and study longer because it’s hard to study in my dorm room. When you’re studying, you’re in a zone in your own cubical and then the security guard says you have to leave. When I start studying again, I have to get back in the zone and it’s hard.”

Florida State University has a 24-hour

library, Strozier Library, that FAMU and TCC students can access.

Brandon Camille, a fourth-year business administration student, said getting kicked out of the library isn’t fair and puts students at a disadvantage.

“It’s really unfair to us. It puts us at a disadvantage when we are already black students at a HBCU. A lot of companies

in corporate America look down on our school,” Camille said. “Of course we can be self-motivated and go home, but the library provides things like computers and books, resources that we might not have at our own disposal.”

Javonte Johnson, a first-year business

The Famuan received reports from at least 13 present band members who witnessed Robert Champion being forced onto Bus C, a bus with a reputation for hazing.

The band members were interviewed independently, and asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution. The Famuan decided to honor that request.

The 13 sources each claimed that band members from Bus C met Champion, who was assigned to another bus, when his bus arrived at the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando, Fla., after the Florida Classic football game. The group then allegedly forced Champion onto Bus C.

On Nov. 22, four students, including head drum major Jonathan Boyce, a 24-year-old from Marietta, Ga., were notified via letter they had been dismissed by the university due to their alleged involvement in incidents surrounding Champion’s death. The confidential letter was written and signed by the Vice President of Student Affairs William Hudson Jr., Ph.D.

The letter stated that the students were “hereby dismissed for an indefinite period from Florida A&M University.” The letter also said the individuals are not allowed to enter upon the grounds of the campus.

The rationale behind the dismissal was quoted clearly in the statement. In

Florida A&M’s search committee for the director of retention met Friday in the School of Business and Industry to interview prospective candidates for the position.

According to Maurice Edington, QEP director and Associate Professor

of Chemistry, the university began its search when former director of retention, William Hudson, was as the vice president for student affairs.

Edington said the committee is looking for a director who is a visionary and someone who can relate to students, faculty and staff.

“You want to have someone who has a knowledge of best practices for

retaining students and developing programs of academic support and social support programs to help students matriculate towards graduation,” said Edington.

Edington, who serves as the chair of the search committee, wants to see an improvement in the graduation rate and said that filling this position means there will be someone whose task is to

help students succeed.“We’ll have someone whose job it is

everyday to work to promote programs that will help students succeed at the university and help particularly at risk and someone who will be in charge of implementing innovative strategies for helping students to succeed.

There are new discussions of the defunct Amtrak commuter rail line back to Tallahassee and redeveloping the station near Florida A&M’s campus.

The Amtrak route once connected Tallahassee to other stations. The Gulf Coast Connector’s Sunset Limited was discontinued in late 2005 after Hurricane Katrina destroyed many of the tracks, according to the National Association of Railroad Passengers

The NARP also claims that although the tracks have been repaired since 2005, the Amtrak trains remain “an indefinite suspension of the Sunset

Limited east of New Orleans.” The Sunset Limited was a

commuter train that linked New Orleans and Jacksonville, with stops in Biloxi, Mobile, Pensacola, and Tallahassee.

Jay Townsend, assistant city manager, said he and other city officials have been working to get the route reinstated.

“The talk of Amtrak trains returning is just starting to begin. The City Commission had a meeting in order to start bringing the trains back to Tallahassee,” said Townsend.

“A passed resolution was sent to congressional delegation that states the commission supports to bring it back.”

The Amtrak Service Resolution

included a 2009 Gulf Coast Service Plan Report, outlining a means of restoring and revising the train route.

Since there is no commuter train service that travels through Tallahassee, the Amtrak Service Resolution said, “The purpose of the resolution is to urge the Federal Government to restore service to the Gulf Coast region as soon as possible for both economic and quality of life regions.”

Kaya Jones, a freshman from Tallahassee, likes the idea of Amtrak services returning to the city.

“If Amtrak trains returned, it would provide many jobs for

Florida A&M’s Student Government Association has scheduled a mandatory anti-hazing forum for all student organizations for Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m.

In response to the death of Robert Champion, SGA has decided to gather representatives from each student organization to discuss the issue of hazing.

“It’s extremely important for students to attend this anti-hazing forum in light of the event that just occurred,” said Alexandria Collins, SGA director of communications and a third-year broadcast journalism student from Tallahassee, Fla.

“It’s unfortunate that something like this had to happen for light to be shed on hazing, but hopefully we can stop things like this from happening on campus and around the nation.”

There will be speakers at the forum to speak with students on the issue of hazing. Some of the speakers include university officials like President James Ammons and Dean of Students Henry Kirby. Ammons and Kirby will present their vision for the future of the university and where they want to see the university and student body improve.

“This will be a lot more in-depth because of the incident that occurred,” said Collins. “We’ll make sure that we elaborate on

what hazing is and make students understand the importance of standing up against hazing.”

Breyon Love, SGA president, was talking with Ammons and they came to the conclusion that change needed to be made by the students.

“The issue that happened with some of our fellow students didn’t happen because of administrators,” said Love. “It’s a culture that we have within our student body and we need to address it together. That’s why it has to be a student-led initiative.”

Organizations are warned that if they are not represented during the mandatory forum, SGA will impose

A President’s Forum is scheduled for faculty and staff for Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium. President Ammons will provide an update on the circumstances surrounding student and drum major Robert Champion’s death.

MIAMI (AP) - A feud has erupted within the first family of reggae. The widow and nine children of Bob Marley are suing Marley’s half brother to stop use of the Marley name to promote an annual Miami music festival and profit from other businsses in his native Jamaica.

TALLAHASSEE (AP) - Florida House and Senate redistricting panels will work off the other’s map for its own chamber. House Reapportionment Committee Chairman Will Weatherford said Friday that he’d follow the Senate’s example.

Hip-hop has revloutionized the world of music one song at a time. With famous artists like Jay-Z and Kanye West, the music and business world have collided to become a force unlike any other, which is why Professor Christopher “Play” Martin believes aspiring artists should pursue a college education.

The Florida A&M baseball team will host a 100-inning fundraising game for the upcoming baseball season. The games will be held on Wednesday through Saturday on Moore-Kittles Field.

Shari KareshStaff Writer

Tanya GloverStaff Writer

Angie MeusOpinions Editor

Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez News Editor

Natalie JohnsonCorrespondent

Students want study outlet Fatal night recounted

Search committee discusses candidates

Amtrak service may be revamped

SGA calls mandatory anti-hazing meeting for students

Library 4 Hazing 4

Search 4

Amtrak 4

Unity 4

Lifestyles pg. 6

Sports pg. 8

Keenan Doanes/The FamuanFreshmen engineering students Tiko Nelson (left) and Emily Todd (right) are preparing for the remaining days of the fall semester.

WWW.THEFAMUANONLINE.COM [email protected]

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Events and AnnouncementsAnnouncements

Employment

Attention Faculty and Staff: A Presi-dent’s Forum is scheduled for cafulty and today at 4 p.m. in Lee Hall Audi-torium. President Ammons will provide an update of the Robert Champion in-cident.

A mandatory student forum will be held today at 6:30 p.m. in Gaither Gym. The forum will be held so that FAMU can recommit to being a non-hazing cam-pus. Clubs and organizations that fail to have representation at this forum will be sanctioned.

Milk & Honey Publishing, Colleg-eGreekBooks.com and Big Walk An-derson are proud to announce up to seven $700 cash awards for the spring semester. All applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA. Contact the schol-arship office to request an application or apply online at www.collegegreek-books.com/cashaward.html. The dead-line is Dec 6.

Please join Epsilon Pi Tau for a fund-raising event on Dec. 7 from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in front of SJGC. There will be $1 hotdogs to feed your hunger.

General

Classifieds

To place an announce-ment in the Calendar, email your submission to [email protected] at least two days pri-or to the desired publish-ing issue. All submissions must include the student organization along with information in paragraph format to include “who, what, when and where.” A contact number and e-mail address is required to correspond with the individual submitting announcements. If you do not desire that num-ber to be published with the announcement, indi-cate so in your e-mailed submission and provide an alternate method for readers to obtain more information. If you do not follow the paragraph format then your submis-sion will not be able to be published.

The FAMU Chapter of NAACP will be hosting its monthly meeting Dec. 7 at 8:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. The organization is still accepting new memberships.

Epicurean! Fashion Experience presents: Ecstasy! The show will be held at 20/20 on Dec 8. The tickets are $10.

The FAMU Division of Journalism pres-ents: J-school Journals. This event show-cases the best documentary film work written and produced by students in the broadcast journalism degree sequence. The theme is Knight Writers. It will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. in the Charles Winter Wood Theater. There is a $2 admission fee. For more information, contact Professor Kenneth Jones at [email protected] or Professor Gina Kinchlow at [email protected].

The FAMU SGA Department of Diversity will be hosting a seminar titled Yorubaland Religion. The seminar will take place Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in B.L. Perry, Room 200. The seminar will address African religion, sac-rifices and its influence on other religions, including Brazilian Santeria and Louisiana Voodoo.


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WWW.THEFAMUANONLINE.COMMONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2011


4.news


Last week, I began coordinating with FAMU student-journalists to collect reports from victims and witnesses of hazing at the university using a simple Web form. As a proud alumnus heartbroken by the death of Robert Champion, I felt it was vital to collaborate across generations to get a better understanding of a cross-generational problem.

Rattlers of all ages have been responding. As of late Saturday, a dozen alumni and three students have come forward to describe hazing incidents spanning almost 50 years.

The number of submissions so far doesn’t constitute a massive sample, we know. But it’s a start. We know we’re fighting an uphill battle against deep-rooted subcultures of secrecy on campus, and so we’re going to continue gathering data beyond today, offering the opportunity to remain anonymous if you wish. There is a direct link to the blog available at www.thefamuanonline.com.

Here’s a summary of what we have so far:

•Accusers have come forward regarding not only the Marching 100, but also seven Greek-letter organizations and five non-Greek student organizations.

•The organizations that were reported at least once each by current students were the Marching 100, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Omega Psi Phi.

•Eight of the 15 submissions cited violence. Some accusers took us up on the option to

provide further detail via write-in.

A 1962 graduate wrote of her experience pledging Delta Sigma Theta: “A single-burner hotplate was laid on my back and I suffered a third-degree burn that has left a large black circle that is a permanent mark and reminder.”

A member of the Marching 100 from 1980 wrote: “I was punched in the chest. I was verbally threatened many times. I heard a girl scream and saw a freshman band sister, saxophone player being dragged across the patch by her hair late one night after band practice.”

An alumna who tried to join the Pershing Angels in the mid-80s wrote: “For every day I was online, I was beaten with paddles til my entire body

hurt. I was thrown down the steps outside Foote-Hilyer that lead down to the street (Adams). That was the day I dropped line.”

•Alpha Phi Alpha, the frat President James Ammons joined as a young man, was named in five submissions. One was from a current student alleging violence and every other category of abuse we offered as a choice on our form. He says he encountered hazing behaviors among Alphas between five and 10 times, and he has so far only told his friends.

If the president is now on a quest to root out hazing on FAMU’s campus, including organizations aside from the band, he may need to start with his own younger frat brothers.

•About half the accusers

said they did not report hazing incidents to anyone around the time the incidents occurred. About half said they reported to friends. Every other option, including police and administrators, showed little usage.

Of the people who did report hazing to someone, only one -- a current member of the Marching 100 -- said she got a satisfactory response. More on her later.

•The numbers cited above exclude several responses we threw out for various reasons that seemed to render them statistically invalid. For instance, one current student complained about a fraternity that is not currently registered with FAMU’s Office of Student Activities as being “on the yard.” It is thus unclear for the

moment how such an incident could possibly have taken place, though we’ve reached out to the student asking for clarification.

I’d like to add one final thought that has little to do with numbers per se. It relates to that present-day Marching 100 member, whose complaint was limited to forms of hazing short of violence. She says she reported the incidents to band staff, her parents, and friends, then got a satisfactory response.

The student wrote: “I was made fun of. I walked home countless nights because no one would take me home. I was called out of my name everyday and ostracized because I said no. My section leader told people to steal my instrument and things so I would quit. Because I wouldn’t be hazed, my section would not let me march on the field and told me I was irrelevant and bad. They also made me give them part of my allocation money.”

If we reach a point as a community where more of the students who find themselves in situations like this get the support they need, that would be great. But even more than that, I’d like FAMU to be a place where such situations simply don’t happen.

Peter McKay, a 1997 FAMU graduate, is co-founder of the news startup Roscoe Labs. A former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, he is a past winner of the Thelma Thurston Gorham Distinguished Alumnus Award from FAMU’s journalism school. He is based in New York.

Opponents of gambling on quarter horse barrel racing in Florida won another preliminary legal victory Friday as the number of lawsuits, appeals and administrative complaints filed over the issue continues to grow.

Administrative Law Judge Cathy Sellers said during a conference call with the parties that she would let traditional flat track quarter horse racing interests amend their complaint in a way that could keep that case going even if they lose another in Circuit Court.

Besides those two cases, three others related to barrel racing are pending in an appellate court.

“It’s beginning to sound like the 12 days of Christmas,” said Ralf Michels, a lawyer for the state Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering. “I just don’t know how many lawyers are filing. I don’t know what number to put on that in the song.”

Michels noted the division sometimes has sided with the barrel racing advocates and at other times with opponents.

The Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association and Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association contend that betting on barrel racing, a women’s rodeo sport that requires far fewer horses and riders than flat track racing, violates state racing rules. They argue it’s an attempt by pari-mutuel facilities to qualify on the cheap for more lucrative

card rooms and possibly slot machines.

A recent appellate court ruling saying the Legislature can permit slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities such as dog and horse tracks and jai alai frontons, across the state has been appealed to the Florida Supreme Court.

The Florida Quarter Horse Track Association supports barrel racing and contends it’s a legitimate form of gaming although never before done in Florida.

The administrative complaint alleges the state failed to adopt a rule on barrel racing before permitting it at a track in Gretna. Barrel racing was held for the first time on Thursday in the Panhandle town west of Tallahassee.

The revised complaint adds two new parties, a pair of individuals who race quarter horses on traditional flat tracks.

It also adds new arguments for why the racing and breeders and owners associations have a right to challenge barrel racing.

The track owners group had opposed the amended complaint. If it holds up, though, the administrative case can continue no matter what happens in the Circuit Court case in which the track association is challenging the constitutionality of two state laws the barrel racing opponents cited as giving them a right to file their challenge.

AssociAted [email protected]

FAmuAn [email protected]

people who are unemployed,” said the environmental science student. “It would also give students an alternative means of transportation than the bus or airplanes.”

In 1858, the Tallahassee station was built and is the oldest Amtrak station

named on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the only station on the historic list not in use.

The Sunset Limited also ran east of New Orleans for 12 years, between 1993 and 2005. After the tracks were repaired in 2006, the Amtrak service was not renewed but cargo trains were.

“It would be nice if the

Amtrak train returned to Tallahassee,” said sophomore student and Miami native Samyra Wilson. “It gives people a chance to relax and experience an exciting option to transportation.”

nAtAlie [email protected]

Amtrak

“We’ll have someone whose job it is every day to work to promote programs that will help students succeed

at the university and help particularly at risk and someone who will be in charge of implementing innovative strategies for helping students to succeed academically and socially,” said Edington.

Cheree Wiltsher, director of

student services for the School of Allied Health Sciences and member of the search committee, said the position is vital to the university.

Angie [email protected]

Search

administration student, also has trouble finding a place to study.

“Students who have papers due early in the morning and students who have night

classes might not be able to make it to the library, so they wouldn’t be able to do those papers,” Johnson said.

Love said a facility should be opened permanently next semester.

“I have a meeting next week

with EIT to really see what’s going on. It will definitely be up at the beginning of next semester,” Love said. “It should have already been up.

sanctions on those organizations.

Marvin Green, director of student activities, confirmed that student organizations not in attendance will be placed on inactive status.

The event is expected to last about one hour and students will be given anti-hazing pledges to sign. All students are welcome to participate in the anti-hazing forum, even if they are not part of an organization yet.

Depending on the results,

it is possible similar forums will be held in the future, Love said.

the Student Code of Conduct (1. Hazing (Regulations 2.012 (10) (h) and 2.028 (1-4) and 2. Conspiracy (Regulation 2.012 (10) (o)). The letter also stated, “The conduct and offenses you

have engaged in are detrimental to the university and are of such a serious, heinous or repulsive nature as to adversely affect members of the university community.”

shAri [email protected]

Jorge rodriguez-Jimenez [email protected]

tAnyA [email protected]

Library

UnityHazing

Report sheds light on hazing culture

Opposition to Florida barrel race gambling grows, lawsuits filed

Peter McKaySpecial to the famuan

Associated Press

Special to The FamuanMost respondents alleged abuse at more than one organization, including fraternities, sorori-ties, dance troupes and service organizations. Only one person identified himself.

Keenan Doanes/The FamuanTalks of bringing the AmTrak commuter rail line back to Tallahassee have begun.

WWW.THEFAMUANONLINE.COM [email protected], DECEMBER 5, 2011

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The Famuan, an Associated Collegiate Press Association non-daily finalist, is published on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters. The opinions do not reflect the administra-tion, faculty or staff of the University. The editorials are the expressed opinions of the staff and columnists. The Famuan is funded partially by activities and services fees.

Michael Jackson dying from a prescription-drug overdose is not what is most disturbing about the circumstances surrounding his passing. It is the fact that the administrator of the drug was dealt a punishment that hardly matches the intensity or prominence of the late performer’s life.

On Nov. 29, Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal physician for three years, was given the maximum sentence of four years in prison for manslaughter after administering a lethal amount of various drugs to Jackson.For a number of people, four years imprisonment on the charge of manslaughter does not seem strong enough of a punishment for a crime that resulted in the death of the “King of Pop.”

“Four years is not enough for someone’s life, it won’t bring him back… 100 years won’t be enough,” Katherine and Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson’s mother and sibling respectively, told KTLA reporters.

As it turns out, Murray might only serve a fraction of his prison sentence, mainly due to the overcrowding that

has plagued Los Angeles County prisons, according to published reports.

With all this information, Jackson’s fans, interested lawyers or even just casual observers of popular culture have to wonder if Murray’s sentencing was worth the time, effort and money used to prosecute him.

It is a sad thought, but the prison sentence will not suddenly resuscitate Jackson. Murray’s sentencing has actually made the public more aware of Jackson’s impact on the world.This is not to say that there should not be any punishment for Murray.

According to evidence from the trial, Murray showed extreme medical negligence when he administered CPR to Jackson on a bed, which would only absorb the energy meant to be given to Jackson. Additionally, Murray’s interview with NBC, as well as his past financial troubles, paints him as a questionable man who shirks his responsibilities.

By all means, Murray should definitely be given the maximum sentence for this case based on the principles of the justice system.

However, with all the good that Murray has done (opening and working at various health institutes), it will be overshadowed by his time with Michael Jackson. Eventually, Murray may almost become an afterthought, a tragic element in the life of one of the world’s most iconic celebrities.

ChriStophEr [email protected]

Sentence won’t bring back the ‘King of Pop’

No matter what, I think that abortion will always be an issue that people feel strongly about whether they believe it’s wrong or right.

A woman from New York is being charged with first-degree self-abortion for allegedly

terminating her child with an herbal drink.

There are only a few states that have laws against the practice of self-abortion and New York is one of them.

So, this made me think about one very important question people may ask. Is it ever ok to abort a child and should it be legalized?

I don’t agree with anyone taking the life of a child or any human being, but whether or not people choose to face it, this is not an easy issue to decide on.

There are many different factors that play into a woman’s decision to abort a child.

Some people may be quick

to say that it should be illegal, however, I think that they are forgetting one important thing.

While some women make a conscious decision to have a child, there are unfortunately some who don’t. Their choice was stripped from them.

We can’t allow ourselves to forget about the women who were raped and impregnated by either a stranger or sometimes someone they know.

It’s not fair to force them to live with a constant reminder of a life-altering experience.

No, I am not for abortion, but I do believe that there are circumstances where you can’t really blame the woman.

In this woman’s case, who

knows what her situation was. That doesn’t make it right, but it should call for officials to look into the issue a little deeper in the investigation surrounding her case.

I’m not saying what she did was right and the charges are unjustified, but, when it comes to this sensitive issue, we need to keep in mind the unique circumstances that women are faced with.

Before you say that abortion should be made illegal, I ask that you think about how every woman’s situation varies.

angiE [email protected]

Abortion is not black and white

angiE mEuSopinions Editor

ChriStophEr BatSoncorrEspondEnt

Taylor Jones Politicalcartoons.comWow...there’s actually a rhyme for this.

I am saddened and immensely disappointed in Herman Cain.

He provided our nation with the image that, if you work hard enough and trust God, you can be very successful.

He seemed like the all-American guy who worked hard, went to church regularly and provided well for his family. In my mind, he was the friendly neighbor who held regular social barbecues and invited all the men in the community to join him in drinking a beer while fishing down at the local lake.

I’ve always considered myself a staunch independent voter who relies more on a candidate’s actions than party affiliation. So when he first appeared as one of the Republican runners for the 2012 Presidential campaign, I was infatuated. He seemed bold and unafraid to step up, roll up his sleeves and get the job done.

My friends thought I was crazy and referred to him as “Herman Coon” and “Uncle Step n’ fetch it,” but I didn’t care. I believed in his dream for America and supported him 100 percent.

I listened intently as he described his infamous “9-9-9 plan,” a plan that would create a flat nine percent tax rate for all businesses and citizens. I became infatuated with his ability to give his supporters with a fresh outlook. I loved when he would sing “Amazing Grace” at his rallies. I knew without a shadow of doubt that

Herman Cain was the right choice for me.

According to recent Gallup polls, Cain had a staunch lead with 30.9 percent to Mitt Romney’s 24.4 percent.

Things seemed to be looking great for Cain…that is, until the first scandal of sexual harassment broke. Us true “Hermanites” shrugged it off and knew Cain was too religious and too faithful to Gloria, his wife of nearly 44 years.

But when the third and fourth accusations of sexual harassment came out, I began to read the writing on the wall and realized that Cain might just be another politician.

But when I heard him say, “God called him to run for president” during a press conference, I was foolishly convinced that Cain was living a holier-than-thou life and these women wanted nothing more than a spot in the media.

But, when the latest scandal

broke that Cain had an alleged consensual 13-year affair with Ginger White, I was done. As a result, his campaign suffered, his numbers fell sharply and his image was eternally tainted.

On Saturday, before a crowd of nearly 2,000 supporters, Cain suspended his presidential campaign, but vowed that he would not go away.

“I’m at peace with my God,” he said. “I’m at peace with my wife, and she is at peace with me.”

For me, Cain will always be the first politician that I felt a personal connection with. He will also be the first politician to actually disappoint me.

I guess the world may never see an honest politician.

roSCoE [email protected]

Herman Cain’s campaign suspension is a disappointment

roSCoE thompSondEputy lifEstylEs Editor

With each semester, students are faced with new book requirements and a checkout line at the bookstore that seems to never end. Expensive textbooks and inconvenient lines make some students feel duped.

SwoopThat.com, a website which allows students to save time and money, gives students the opportunity to buy the books they need for the best price.

Founder and CEO of SwoopThat.com Jonathan Simkin said the site is different from retail websites because students are able to compare different prices at the same time.

“You never know if you are getting the best price on the other websites,” Simkin said. “We’re like a combination of the other retailers. Some people call us the Kayak for textbooks.”

To save students time, SwoopThat.com allows students to type in their schools and courses, which then generates the textbook required for the courses. Students are able to see new, used and rental books and given the option to choose the book at the best price. SwoopThat.com does not limit the amount of courses a student can select.

Eduardo Torres, a second-year criminal justice student, from Quincy said the website is user-friendly.

“The website is neat. It’s easy to follow and there are a lot of different categories,” said Torres. “It’s a really organized

website, which helps save time.”

Simkin said even schools that are not listed can still utilize the website.

“It won’t take students at schools not listed longer to find their books,” Simkin said. “All students need is the ISBN, author or title of the book.”

Amber Barnes, a senior nursing student, said she would have saved money throughout her college years if she had used SwoopThat.

“The books in the bookstore cost me too much money,” Barnes said. “I’ll definitely use SwoopThat from now on.”

Last Fall, SwoopThat.com had its official launch. The San Diego-based website now offers course information from about 2,347 schools. College graduates and founders Benjamin Carson and Simkin wanted to reduce both time and money spent in bookstores.

“We offer quick book checks. It takes you half the time on our website than it does at other online retailers,” said Simkin.

As SwoopThat.com becomes more popular among student Simkin said he wants to work with more schools and build on the fundraising feature the website offers.

SwoopThat .com allows clubs and organizations to build their own fundraising website that can earn them money. The more students who purchase products through their account, the more money the organization earns back.

“It’s a completely open platform with custom branding features,” Simkin said.

There was no limit to the musical varieties selected at AJ’s Sports Bar Saturday night.

AJ’s and Red Bull hosted an event called “Table Manners: Battle of the DJs- Florida A&M vs. Florida State.” The event showcased the skills of four disc jockeys-DJ Venom, Brandon M, DJ Nosaj and James Henderson.

There were three rounds, and each DJ was given six minutes to blend samples, instrumentals and songs of various genres, including hip-hop, house, dub-step, techno, rock and rhythm and blues.

“The music choices were very versatile, but I could tell that FSU had much more crowd support,” said Ashley Milton, a recent FAMU graduate. “Next time I’d like to see more FAMU students in attendance.”

The DJs took the crowd on a trip around the globe, with versatility being the theme. Henderson took the crowd to Miami when he ended his set with Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.” DJ Nosaj led the crowd to Jamaica with Serani, then over to California with Roger Trout and Tupac. Brandon M. played a unique blend of house music from Europe, then detoured to Japan with his techno set. DJ Venom chose a unique clip of Kanye West from the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. He blended Kanye’s interruption of Taylor Swift’s award acceptance with an up-tempo Dub-Step instrumental.

Although the majority of attendants were from FSU, many DJs and artists came out to show support, including Sean D

from FAMU’s radio station 90.5 WANM and Boogie G of Blazin’ 102.3.

“I didn’t know what to expect at the battle, but I was certainly impressed with each DJ and his musical selection,” said Brad Rutledge, an FSU business student said.

One member of the crowd stood in the middle of the crowd, jumped into the air, grabbed his toes and did a back flip. The audience’s involvement and the music pounding from the DJ booth, kept the crowd hyped all

night.DJ Venom (FAMU) was the

winner of the People’s Choice award. The next award was presented to James Henderson (FSU), as the winner of the Red Bull Table Manners competition.

“The event was definitely a success,” said Melia Watson, Red Bull’s student brand manager. “We look forward to hosting another event to follow this one up next semester.”


6.Lifestyles


Rapper Flavor Flav, Common, Chuck D, Dorrough, Talib Kweli and Plies are all hip-hop artists who went to college.

Christopher “Play” Martin, former member of 90s hip-hop duo Kid-n-Play and Florida A&M professor, said he wants to see a transformation in the industry of not just a few selected artists attending college, but all artists making the leap to get a degree.

Martin is working on a documentary titled “Can Hip-hop Go To School,” addressing how the current state of hip-hop would be different if many artists had taken business courses or attended college.

Kawachi Clemons of the FAMU Hip-Hop Institute said artists could have more longevity in their careers if they take potentially beneficial classes or attend a few basic business courses.

“There could be a tremendous gain from going through studies. It doesn’t have to be formal studies but it could be just continuing education or seminars,” said Clemons. “At the basic level, the music industry is a business. It is a corporate structure,

and to operate within that corporate structure you need to know the vernacular of that corporate structure. You need to know how to move in and out of those circles. You need to have a certain level of professional development and etiquette.”

Attending school can teach future artists the basic rules of success in corporate America while learning how to build a brand for themselves.

Willie Harris, a third-year public relations student from Jacksonville, said school assisted him in his music career and gave him networking opportunities.

“If I hadn’t come to FAMU, I would have had the same style of (Jacksonville-based) rap, but being at FAMU forced me to change the content of my music in order to have better reactions from my peers,” said Harris. “I am sure I wouldn’t have met some of the key people I know if I wasn’t in school.”

Harris said he believes the people he surrounds himself with help him stay determined and focus on the goal at hand.

“Benefits come from the connections you make while you are in school. It helps you become a more industry-ready artist faster and the people around you are geared toward helping your career,” said Harris.

Clemons said many students who attend business schools learn the concept of major 500 companies, which is equivalent to learning how the music industry works. Clemons said the same basic principle of supply and demand at Proctor and Gamble is applicable at Sony Music Entertainment.

“What is the difference? One company is selling soap the other company is selling music,” said Clemons. “The “P’s” of promotion, price, product and place is exactly the same. The only thing that changes is the product.”

There are artists who see the importance of attending college. Rapper Lil’ Wayne attended the University of Houston in 2005. Because of conflicts in his schedule, he left UH and enrolled in Phoenix University online, studying psychology.

Martin said the origin of hip-hop arose from frustration with the lack of arts and music in public schools. Martin said hip-hop was a means to an end, and “tamed the savage beast.”

“Education is the bottom line,” said Martin. “It has always been.”

Kristin [email protected]

Hip-hop takes a few courses

Special to The Famuan

Kristin BronerDeputy opinions eDitor

purhnel MeeKCorresponDent

Montrell [email protected]

Students cash in on books before new semester beginsMontrell FainCorresponDent

purhnel [email protected]

Make sure to mind your ‘table manners’

Special to The Famuan

Associated PressChristopher “Play” Martin, (from hip-hop duo Kid-n-play), urges rap artists to pursue higher education.


7.Lifestyles


Fingers snapped, hands clapped and feet stomped to the melodies of Florida A&M students this weekend.

While the performances are usually held in Charles Winter Wood Theatre, Change It Up III was held in a spacious classroom, which was transformed into a small studio with dim lights, a live band and just enough space to create the feeling of togetherness for members of the audience.

Jamaal Green, a computer information systems student from Atlanta, performed the poem “Erudition,” which was about the elevation of minds.

“I have a passion for poetry, so I felt the need to finally showcase my talent,” said Green

“Change It up III…Trippin’ Out” was a spoken word entertainment performance sponsored by FAMU’s Essential Theatre and faculty member Kim Harding.

Students from all over campus were given the opportunity to discuss topics such as black

power, oppression, HIV, natural hair, domestic abuse and abortion.

Students also danced, sang and even rapped to portray positive messages for the audience.

Audience members were encouraged to participate.

Fans had the opportunity to see the show at least three times on Friday night at 10 p.m., and twice on Saturday at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The university’s talent recruiters from the “FAMU Connection” were the night’s

primary singers and dancers between different scenes of spoken word acts.

Students were urged to come at least one hour prior to show time to purchase tickets because of the small space available. Even that did not deter them from filling up every seat in the room, nor did the $5 student ticket price.

People from all schools were in attendance.

“I enjoy spoken word and poetry, so I came to support my classmates,” said Nikki Washington, a fourth-year

criminal justice student.Michael Harris-Young

dedicated a poem to former drum major Robert Champion, titled “Tribute to a Champion.”

The poet ended with the words “Even in death, nothing can divide the band.”

Shanica [email protected]

Students exposed through spoken words

Shanica JohnsonStaff Writer

Britney Buchanan/The FamuanStudents performed poetry, songs and raps in one of Tucker Hall’s spacious classrooms for “Change it Up III...Trippin’ Out.”

Downtown Monroe St. was filled with students and residents witnessing a unique celebration of lights, music and the arts. Tallahassee’s Winter Festival held its 25th anniversary Saturday.

Tallahassee resident Nancy Gunn is no newcomer to the annual parade, and said she looks forward to the end of the year because of the parade.

“I enjoy getting into the holiday spirit and seeing all of the creative floats,” said Gunn. “There’s a friendly atmosphere to go along with this near-perfect temperature.”

Along with various companies that participated, ROWE Roofing was throwing beads to anxious crowd members from their float.

The event catered to all ages while the lights mesmerized younger children. Tallahassee resident Jennifer Barron brought her 2-year-old granddaughter Zaria Williams to the event.

“Zaria had been excited for the past week asking about the lights,” said Barron. “She’s has her yellow sucker and she’s watching the parade. She’s enjoying herself.”

Val Barton, a Gadsden county resident, attended with her 10-month-old son.

“My favorite part of the parade is the marching bands, particularly Griffin Middle School,” said Barton.

A participant in the parade was Wendell Marshall, 12,

who played the baritone for one of the crowd’s favorite school bands, Griffin Middle School. The seventh grader was happy to be at the event and enjoyed playing his instrument for the crowd.

“I am dedicated to my music,” said Marshall.

Spreading wide across the street, the Divine Praise Dance ministry of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist church synchronized a dance to a gospel melody. Their dance troupe ranged from ages 4 - 25.

A first-time visitor and Leon County resident Nicolle Leider was informed of the Winter Festival by a co-worker.

“The parade participants are nice and they talk to the crowd,” said Leider. “They really encouraged crowd participation.”

An unexpected attendee, Whitney Sigell, is already making plans to attend next year’s event with more friends and family.“I was with friends downtown when we heard drums and decided to check out the excitement,” said Sigell. “This is definitely in the plans for next year.”

Brittany [email protected]

Bright lights bring the holiday spirit Brittany WhitecorreSpondent

Brittany White/The FamuanStudents, faculty and Tallahassee residents attended Tallahassee’s 25th Winter Festival on downtown on Monroe Street. The night was filled with lights and creative floats.

For more story coverage on T a l l a h a s s e e ’ s Winter Festival and other stories,

visit www.famuanonline.com

For more story coverage on “Change It Up...Trippin’ Out” and other stories, visit

www.famuanonline.com


8.Sports


The Lady Rattlers crushed Bethune-Cookman in their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference debut 81-57. Their potent offensive arsenal struck down their first MEAC victim this season.

“We are going through enough adversity, and we need to be one of the bright spots to represent our university. They came out, played hard and we were victorious,” head coach LeDawn Gibson said.

Antonia Bennett posted a double double with 23 points and 14 rebounds and picked off four passes.

Tamecka McKelton added 15 points and shot 75 percent from the free throw line.

The team’s defense was suffocating, limiting the Wildcats to 16 shots the entire game. BCU made six shots in the first half and 10 in the second half.

“We played solid defense and controlled the boards. We also tried to capitalize in transition by getting easy buckets,” McKelton said.

The Rattlers took a 20-point lead into halftime, with the score being 43-23.

Cookman shot 19 free throws and their overall play improved in the second half, but was not enough to overcome the halftime deficit.

“When BCU hit their spirit in the second half, we just kept our head up and continued to work together. I feel we all played as a team,” sophomore guard Kimberly Sparkman said. “Our fast breaks at the end of the game were how we capitalized and finally put the game away and came out with the win.”

Donald has taken over in the previous two games against Southern Mississippi and Bethune-Cookman.

She scored a total of 38 points and grabbed 25 rebounds in both double-digit victories. She is the second leading scorer on the team, averaging 14 points, and grabs almost 11 rebounds a game.

“Donald was doing a great job in the paint of getting to the basket and drawing the foul,” Sparkman said.

Donald has a knack for finishing offensive plays and grabbing rebounds on teammates’ missed shots. She has 39 offensive rebounds and 37 defensive rebounds.

She netted five threes in Saturday’s win, and finished with 17 points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Sparkman is a three-point specialist, making at least one three-pointer in every game she’s played in so far.

The evenly distributed scoring gives the Lady Rattlers two more options when Bennett or McKelton may have an off night shooting, although Saturday was not one of those nights.

FAMU will take on Nicholls State University Friday in Houma, La.

Nicholls State is 2-5 and has yet to win a game on its home floor this season.

FAMU rolls in averaging 79 points in its past two games. The team wants to continue this upward scoring trend into its third straight victory.

“Every game we play in, I find areas we are improving in and that’s what is important to me,” Gibson said.

The Florida A&M men’s basketball team (0-7, 0-1 MEAC) dropped its seventh consecutive game to begin the 2011 season.

The team lost to defending 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season champion Bethune-Cookman (3-5, 1-1 MEAC) 74-59 in Daytona Beach Saturday afternoon.

BCU took command of the game early, building a 38-27 lead going into the half and didn’t look back. FAMU was able to cut BCU’s lead to 47-42 early in the second half, but the Wildcats pulled away.

FAMU head coach Clemon Johnson was not pleased with his team’s performance.

“I’m very angry and very disturbed,” Johnson said. “This double digit differential in this game should not have been.”

Reggie Lewis led the Rattlers in scoring with 10 points, but was the only FAMU player to score in double digits.

Brandon Hosley and Markee Teal both scored eight points each.

BCU’s Anthony Breeze scored a game-high 22 points, shooting 6-10 from the field while grabbing seven rebounds. Adrien Coleman added 18 points for the Wildcats.

Yannick Crowder led the Rattlers on the boards, grabbing six rebounds. However, the Rattlers were out rebounded 30-25. Coleman snagged nine rebounds to lead the Wildcats.

“We got down on our on ourselves and were never able to climb out of the hole we created,” Crowder said. “We had too many mental lapses.”

The win marked BCU’s fourth consecutive victory over the Rattlers and their eighth MEAC win in a row dating back to last season.

FAMU hosts Allen University at the Al Lawson Center Monday at 6 p.m.

The Florida A&M baseball team will have its first 100-inning fundraiser game Wednesday through Saturday. The game will be played on the Moore-Kittles baseball field on the corner of West Osceola Street and Wahnish Way.

The games will start at 6 p.m. each day, and end once the team reaches its goal of 20 innings.

Saturday, the game will start at 10 a.m. and will continue for another 20 innings.

The game is free to the public. However, the team is asking for a $5 donation and sponsorship.

“Coach devised a way for us to raise money without having to depend on FAMU athletics,” Adam Decker, a sophomore right-handed pitcher, said.

Head coach Willie Brown said the goal of the fundraiser is for the team and the community to have fun while raising money toward a MEAC championship.

Since this is the team’s first 100-inning game, there is no set monetary or sponsorship goal.

Brown, a FAMU graduate and former outfielder for the Florida Marlins’ minor league club, said

the game is a test to set up for the following years. He said he hopes to establish a tradition within the FAMU program.

“I’m not expecting a large crowd because of the length of the game, but I’m hoping everyone who does come out will see the players’ renewed commitment to the program,” Brown said. “I’m not setting any expectations for the initial trial. I’m concerned with starting something and watching it

grow.”He enjoyed playing the

100-inning games before and after hitting the minor league.

“I’ve played in these types of games in high school and loved it,” Brown said. “The programs I coached have also done it. It’s become a part of me and my coaching style.”

Janay [email protected]

Women dominate Wildcats

Men drop 7th straight contest

Baseball team to host 100-inning fundraiser No progress made in efforts for FAMU aquatics upgrades

Keenan Doanes The FamuanAntonia Bennett leads a cast of double-digit scorers for the Lady Rattlers. The list includes Tameka McKelton, Qiana Donald and Kimberly Sparkman.

Keenan Doanes The FamuanThe men’s basketball team is searching for the right formula to get its first win under head coach Clemon Johnson.

Keenan Doanes The FamuanThe baseball team is working toward independently raising funds for the upcoming season.

Keenan Doanes The FamuanFAMU’s swim team is still patiently waiting on the day when the university’s aquatics center will be back up and running.

Tommy HawkinssTaff wriTer

CurTis fordsTaff wriTer

Janay CooksTaff wriTer

CurTis [email protected]

Tommy [email protected]

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The FAMUAN: 12-06-2012