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The Offi ce of Financial Aid is going paperless.
In an effort to be more sustainable, OFA will no longer send out paper notifi cations regarding student fi nancial aid by the next school year.
Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Marcia Boyd said that over 17,000 notifi cations are mailed to students each year.
“We’re trying to streamline the process. It’s a cost saving effort and it’s environmentally friendly,” said Boyd.
Not only are thousands of mail notifi cations sent out each year, but according to Boyd, 40 percent of those notifi cations are sent back due to bad addresses.
“I think that fi nancial aid going paperless is a good idea as long as the system is up to date, because OURFAMU is known to go out at a moment’s
notice,” said Journet Gooden, a fourth year education student from Miami.
Boyd said that it costs the university $10,000 to $12,000 to send out notifi cations. “That money can be used to
help students learn about debt management or with the university’s defi cit,” said Boyd.
Students like the idea of going paperless, but have their concerns about the FAMMAIL address, some wish to use an
alternative email address. “I hope that fi nancial aid will
give me an option to use an alternate email address other than my FAMU.edu email
Sports
Sports | 6
� e so� ball team completed a three-game sweep over the weekend against the ladies of SSU.
Lifestyles | 4
Lifestyles
Alum shares success story, new book and fond memories of being a student at FAMU.
66
www.TheFamuanOnline.com VOL. 112 ISSUE 22Wednesday, March 2, 2011
THE STUDENT VOICE OF FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY
“The Number 1 HBCU Newspaper”According to the Black College
Communication Association
After serving as this year’s student body vice president, Breyon Love, a junior accounting student from Conyers, Ga., will reign as Florida A&M University’s 2011-2012 student body president and university trustee.
Love and his administration want to bring change to the FAMU community by enhancing student services, providing better partnerships and developing stronger communications within FAMU.
“A couple of the big things that we want to do is implement a 24-hour study lounge on campus and also do shuttles for freshman on campus once a
SGA PRESIDENT 3FINANCIAL AID 4
Love conquers electionJASMINE BROWN
STAFF WRITER
Thursday
77 51
WEATHER
The 2000 U.S. Census counted 163,036 people with the surname Washington. Ninety percent of them were African-American, a far higher black percentage than for any other common name.
The story of how Washington became the “blackest name” begins with slavery and takes a sharp turn after the Civil War, when all blacks were allowed the dignity of a surname.
NEWS BRIEFS
NATIONAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday
77 52
Today
77 46
KEITH BLUE
STAFF WRITER
Sade Hooks The FamuanBy the start of the next school year, the Offi ce of Financial Aid will be completely paperless.
Entering a paperless age
Florida A&M professor and coordinator for the chemistry labs Richard A. Ford succumbed to prostate cancer Feb. 23 at 2 a.m. He was in his early 50s
Professor and Chairman of the Department of Chemistry Ngozi Ugochukwu said only a hand full of people knew of Ford’s condition.
“Mostly faculty and staff knew,” said Ugochukwu.
A moment of silence took place the same day at noon during chemistry lab.
Ford was known for his commitment and concern for all of his students.
Marrissa Walker, a Tallahassee native and Florida
State alumna, is currently taking prerequisite classes at FAMU in order to apply for the pharmacy program.
Walker mentioned how organized Ford’s classes were.
“In class, he would go around and make sure we were wearing our goggles and lab coats,” said Walker.
Students not only looked to Ford as a professor, but as a mentor.
Brandon Hepburn, 21, a junior chemistry student with a concentration in biochemistry from Brooklyn, N.Y. worked closely with Ford.
“He was a mentor to me,” said Hepburn.
Hepburn mentioned how Ford imitated what FAMU’s slogan
ALICIA MCKNIGHT
STAFF WRITER
FORD 3
University mourns loss of chem professor
Unemployment bene� ts face potential drastic cuts
Courtesy To The FamuanFaculty, staff, and students bid farewell to Richard A. Ford. Ford passed away of prostate cancer.
Unemployed Floridians are going to notice several changes
to their benefi ts under a bill passed by the House Finance and Tax committee on Feb. 17.
Recipients will no longer get 26
weeks of payouts while looking for a job and newly out-of-work people will have a harder time qualifying for the benefi ts, according to HB 7005.
The changes are part of Gov. Rick Scott’s plan to cut state spending and reduce the $2 billion defi cit the state has borrowed from the federal government to pay the unemployed.
The slated changes are shortening the total weeks of compensation from 26 to 20 and capping of the amount for weekly payouts at $275, according to the bill.
“I know I couldn’t live on $275 a week. And I couldn’t imagine
not having any income. That six weeks can be a matter of life and death for people,” said Rep. Waldman of Coconut Creek, in a legislative committee hearing.
The changes are expected to save business $20 per employee.
In addition, Florida’s future unemployed will have a harder time securing unemployment benefi ts.
Under the new plan, employers will be able to review and contest all unemployment claims that are submitted. And now employees that are terminated for “misconduct” will not be able to submit a claim.
For individuals that do meet
UNEMPLOYMENT 3
MARCUS SCOTT
STAFF WRITER
J. L. Evans The FamuanOut-of-work Floridians will soon have a tougher time seeking benefi ts.
TODAY’S ONLINE CONTENT:
“Interim leads FAMU-FSU COE,” by
Keith Blue
“Spring Break safety,” by Chrisopher Quinn
II
The Royal Ladies of Eternal Legendary Queens, Inc. will be hosting an interest meeting for prospective members on Oct. 13th from 7:09 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in B.L. Perry room 205. For more information contact De’Ronye Thomas at 708-662-0350 or via email at [email protected]
SUN. 11:00 a.m
THURS. 6:15 p.m. - 6:45
NO
Y
ES
YE
S Rev. O. Jermaine Simmons, Sr.2333 Lake Bradford Road(850) 574-3150www.jacobchapel.org
SUN. 9:45 a.m.
SUN. 7:30 a.m.
THURS. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30
Cathedral of Faith Ministries“ The Family Church Serving the Family of God.”
SUNDAY SCHOOL
SUN. 9:45 a.m.
FIRSTSERVICE
SUN. 11:00 a.m.THURS.7:30 p.m.
SECONDSERVICE
PRAYERMEETING
SUN. 6:30 p.m.TUE/FRI11:30-12:30
BIBLESTUDY
TUE 7:00 p.m.
WALKINGDISTANCE SHUTTLE
COLLEGIATEMINISTRY
YE
SY
ES
YE
S Elder Joseph P. Manning2122 Poppy Street(850)574-5605www.cofmcogic.org
ADDRESS
Bethel AME Church“Called to make a Difference.”
SUN. 9:30 a.m.
SUN. 7:45 a.m.
SUN. 11:00 a.m
WED. 6:30 p.m.
TUE.12:00 p.m.WED.7:00 P.M. Y
ES
YE
S
YE
S Rev. Dr. Julius H. McAllister501 W. Orange Ave.(850) 576-7501
Jacob Chapel Baptist Church “The Blue Print.”
Religion Directory
� e Famuan2 Calendar � eFamuanOnline.comWednesday, March 2, [email protected]
Events and Announcements
The FAMU Wesley Foundation presents “It’s All About M.E. Month!”—a Missions & Evangelism Speaker Series every Thursday in March. The guest speaker on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. is Mrs. Icel Rodriguez, the Director of Global Missions for the FL Conference of the UM Church. She will share about her recent mission experience in East Angola, and answer questions about global missions. Join us for a FREE meal at 7:30 p.m. at The Wes—located at 1747 S. Adams Street. For more information, call or email us at 850-425-8307 or [email protected].
The PRodigy Public Relations Firm and Sony Pictures will host a FREE MOVIE SCREENING of “Battle: Los Angeles” at the AMC Tallahassee 20 Theaters
on Thursday, March 10, at 7:00 p.m. If you’re going to be in Tallahassee for Spring Break and would like to catch a sneak preview of Battle: LA, please see PRodigy Faculty Adviser Professor Kinchlow, or any associate on the PRodigy Sony Pictures account team to get a movie pass. For more information e-mail [email protected] or call 850-412-5389.
The Florida A&M University Chapter of Progressive Black Men, Inc. hosts A Safer Spring Break: An engaging drinking and driving awareness seminar to kick off spring break on Thursday. It will take place in Gibbs Hall at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information please contact Dwight at 850-450-9687.
To place an announcement in the Calendar, e-mail your submission to [email protected] at least
For corrections please email [email protected].
Corrections
Announcements two days prior to the desired publishing issue. All submissions must include the student organization along with information in paragraph format to include “who, what, when and where.” A contact number will be published with the announcement, indicate 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 submission will not be able to be published.
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Tiffany McLeod stands quietly by the café, staring at a trash can with its top awkwardly leaning to the left side.
Her posture exudes professional elegance, and her light cream skirt suit is stylishly accented by soft make up and fl owing hair.
However, the reason she is standing so close to trash bin is far less classy.
As McLeod frowns in disgust, she quickly calculates the value of the campaign poster that now sits in a trash bin bent between rotting meat, smelly liquid and old newspapers.
“Each poster costs $12. That’s $36 that I could have saved,” said McLeod, a 21-year-old English student from Tallahassee and 2011-12 Miss FAMU candidate. She later fi nds two more discarded posters. “In order to pay for my campaign, I worked two jobs as a full time student: one at David’s Bridal, and the other at The FAMU Credit Union. People just don’t know how much we put into this.”
There were several moments when the weight of the campaign overwhelmed her, she says. The “trash can incident” was one of “those” moments.
“For someone to take my posters and just throw it away is disheartening,” says McLeod, who spent $2,000 on her unsuccessful campaign. “I worked hard to afford those, and someone from my campaign team woke up early just to put [them] up.”
According to many present and former candidates, Florida A&M student elections don’t just put a strain on their wallets. Running for elected offi ce also takes an emotional and spiritual toll. Candidates say running is not easy, and the costs can be high in terms of energy, time, fi nances, emotional stability and public scrutiny. It is even a test of moral character.
“It’s a lot [to deal with] as far as an emotional toll goes,” says Mike Wood, while sitting on “The Set,” just two days after losing his bid for Mr. FAMU. “To see freshmen who I recruited as an orientation leader, support or vote for someone else is diffi cult. For some of them, I was literally the fi rst face that they saw at FAMU.”
While refl ecting on the highs and lows of election week, Wood, the self-proclaimed jokester, still “appears” to be campaigning. He makes an honest attempt to speak to everyone who passes by, and helps the current Miss FAMU, Kendall Johnson, carry a heavy box to her car. His smooth caramel skin, straight teeth and light eyes seem fi tting for a cookie-cutter commercial, but his two tattoos sprawled across his shoulders and his backward Alpha Phi Alpha hat suggest a more urban personality.
month, so they can go to Publix or Wal-Mart to get food,” said Love.
He also plans to implement buses at low cost for students traveling home in Florida, extend the hours of the library and restructure the executive branch to make sure its effective enough to service all the students on campus.
“As far as the board, I think I would defi nitely want to try to cater more to students as far as giving out more out of state fee waivers or doing some kind of breaks for students,” said Love. “It’s important that in SGA we make sure that the students are getting the best bang for their buck even if tuition goes up a little bit.”
Love added that SGA should make sure students are getting the things that they need and that caters to education, social concerns and the student’s
excellence experience. Students and SGA offi cials are on board
with Love’s vision and they express excitement about Love entering into this new position.
Student Government Secretary of Economic Development Aaron Clinkscales said that Breyon has the intellect, character and integrity to be a successful student government president.
“I think he has a true passion on some of the things that we need to work on with being very cordial, open and aggressive in making main decisions that are crucial to the student body,” said Clinkscales.
Christine Moore, 19, a second year physics student from Naples, Fla., saw Love speak at the Jones hall re-opening.
“The one time I did get to see him speak, I thought he did an amazing job. He was very confi dent,” said Moore. “He seemed to establish himself very well as far as a large crowd and to me, he just exemplifi ed the spirit of a student leader.”
Love says it feel’s pretty good to be elected as president.
“It’s exciting but I see it as the students putting me to work,” Love said. “The students felt that I could do a great job and that’s what I’m here for. I’ve been doing it since I’ve came to FAMU, it just feels like another year of service.”
Love along with the newly elected vice-president Troy Harris, a business administration student from Atlanta, will take offi ce in May.
means. “He was the defi nition and
demonstrated Excellence with care,” Hepburn said.
Ford was also a mentor to Thomas White, a chemistry adjunct instructor.
“He was very wise and knowledgeable in the subject,” said White.
Students in the department said that many of them have taken a course taught by Ford or have met him.
Nwamaka Onyeozili, 21, a senior chemistry student from East Lansing, Mich., said she never had Ford as a professor but he would always say hello when she saw him around.
“He would come into my general and organic labs making conversation with
students and to see if we were okay,” said Onyeozili.
Former students of Ford have called in concern of what the chemistry department will be doing to honor Ford.
Ugochukwu mentioned the chemistry department will honor Ford during the annual Chemistry Banquet on April 14.
“Usually this banquet is to honor the students who are graduating and wish them well,” said Ugochukwu.
A viewing will be 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, at Bradwell Mortuary in Quincy. The funeral service will be held noon saturday at James A. Shanks High School, 1400 W. King Street, Quincy. Fla.
all of the new requirements to receive unemployment they will not be able to only seek jobs with similar wages as their previous place of work.
After 12 weeks without work, the new bill would require unemployed persons to take a job that offers at least 80 percent of their pervious salary.
Aside from these changes, state representatives are still proposing ways to overhaul the unemployment system.
In HB 509 Rep. Kathleen Passidomo is proposing that all unemployed individuals perform four hours of community service a week in order to receive their benefi t checks.
“You never know. It could help you get a job. You’re not going to get contacts staying home,” said Passidomo.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue workers do not pay
unemployment tax and employers must not make payroll deductions for this purpose. The current payout rate for employers in Florida starts at 2.7 percent and a maximum of 5.4 percent.
“This is a little outrageous. The four hours spent doing community service can be spent looking for a job,” said Jessica Flynn, a fourth year business administration student from Minneapolis.
2 Calender �e Famuan�[email protected] Monday, April 19, 2010
� eFamuan � [email protected]
News 3Wednesday, March 2, 2011
JASMINE BROWN
ALICIA MCKNIGHT
MARCUS SCOTT
SGA PRESIDENTFORD
UNEMPLOYMENT
A number of Florida’s costly inmates may be released from Florida prisons, if a proposed senate bill is passed.
On Dec. 1, 2010, Sen. Christopher Smith (D-Fort Lauderdale), fi led Senate Bill 144. The bill would create an Elderly Rehabilitated Inmate Program to provide a means for the release of inmates who are at least 50 years old and who have demonstrated that they have been rehabilitated while incarcerated for at least 25 years.
“Right now we need money in the state,” said Smith. “We noticed that we are spending a whole lot of money keeping people in jail. And we’re spending it on their health care, when they are no threat to society at all.”
According to the bill, the basic requirements for the program would be that the inmate is at least 50 years of age, has served at least 25 consecutive years of imprisonment in a corrections institution or facility and is not serving a death sentence. An inmate who meets the basic eligibility requirements can petition the ERIP one time to participate in the program.
“It’s not automatic,” said Smith. “It would be case-by-case and there would be a board looking at this.”
There are six programs and institutions
in Florida that accommodate inmates 50 years old and older.
In the 2009- 2010 fi scal year, the Florida Department of Corrections paid $88 million for community health care services to inmates, which included 17,174 days of scheduled and emergency hospitalizations, 2,937 ambulatory surgeries and 5,435 emergency services, according to reports from the Florida Department of Health.
“The only people with universal health care are prisoners,” said Smith. “They’re the only once with guaranteed health care, cause we have to spend the money to keep them healthy and alive.
According to FDOH, in fi scal year 2009-2010, the total prescription drug cost for inmates was $74,016,821. This includes all regions, stock pharmaceuticals and costs paid to DOH for HIV drugs.
“We can save a lot of money in the corrections budget, theist put that money else were in the budget,” Senator Smith said. “Even if you fi ll that bed with someone else it’s still cheaper, because you are saving money on the health care.”
There were 102, 232 inmates in prison on June 30, 2010, and of that number 12,580 are expected to die during the course of their imprisonment, according to the FDOH.
“We are talking about the 60-year-old who is on dialysis, who’s barely staying
alive, and we’re paying hundreds of thousands of dollars on medical care,” said Smith. “They’re not going to go out and rob again.”
The oldest female inmate was 91-years- old and was admitted at the age of 86 to serve a 31-year sentence. According to the FDOH, female inmates over the age of 50 accounted for 12.7 percent of all women in prison population as of June 30, 2010.
As of June 10, 2010 the oldest male inmate was 90 years old and was admitted to FDOC at the age of 82 with a 15-year sentence, according to the FDOH. The Florida Sheriffs Association opposes the proposed SB 144.
“We don’t think 50-years-old is elderly,” said Frank Messersmith, a lobbyist for the Florida Sheriffs Association. “They already have a conductional medical release program to take care of those situations. They don’t need another program.”
The Florida Legislature created Conditional Medical Release in 1992. That is an optional release, which allows the commission to release inmates on supervision who are “terminally ill” or “permanently incapacitated” and who
are not a danger to others, according to the Florida Parole Commission.
The Tallahassee/St. Marks Historic Railroad, fi rst constructed in the early 1900s, is being resurfaced.
In 2006, the Florida legislature funded $5 million to the Offi ce of Greenways and Trails, an entity within the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Roughly $3.5 million of those funds are going toward the resurfacing and widening of the 16-mile Tallahassee/St. Marks Historic Railroad trail, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
When it was built, the railroad was primarily used to navigate cotton from the plantation belt to the coast. The cotton was then moved for shipment to textile mills in New England.
Today, the former railroad corridor, turned greenway is used for numerous recreational activities. In addition to the amenities that the trail provides, it also serves as a passageway leading from Tallahassee into St. Marks, just south of the city in Wakulla County.
The historically transformed trail is now seeking resurfacing and widening after 20 years of service due to the questionable safety concerns of the
estimated 280,000 hikers, joggers and cyclists its serves.
Frequent trail cyclist Chris Conn said he looks forward to the resurfacing.
“When friends and I ride along the
trail, sometimes we have to stop abruptly to avoid running into people,” said Conn.
Dan Fortunasa, another cyclists agrees with Conn that overcrowding on the trail can be a nuisance.
“I enjoy hiking on the trail, and hopefully with the enlargement faster paced hikers will be able to pass other hikers,” said Fortunasa.
The trail will be widened from eight feet to 12 feet.
St. Marks, Fla., a small locale in Wakulla County, lies at the trail’s southern Terminus. The resurfacing and widening project is a part of the larger goal to redevelop the small town.
The city of St. Marks hopes to draw attention to its natural beauty, through the Waterfronts Florida project, according to the FLDEP.
Waterfronts Florida is a partner with the Department of Community Affairs’ waterfronts revitalization program.
“I don’t want to see St. Marks die,’’ said Billy Bishop, chairman of the 15-member St. Marks Waterfronts Florida committee.
The project is expected to be complete by July.
MARCUS [email protected]
AJAH [email protected] CAMPAIGN 4
MARCUS JOSEPH
STAFF WRITER
AJAH ROBERT
CORRESPONDENT
J. L. Evans The FamuanSGA Presidnt-elect Breyon Love.
A page taken from the Tallahassee/St.Marks Historic Railroad brochure
shows the trail’s route .
Elections lost, not hopeElderly check out early
Bike, running path renewed
STEPHANIE BURTON
STAFF WRITER
2 Calender �e Famuan�[email protected] Monday, April 19, 2010
� eFamuan� eFamuanOnline.comWednesday, March 2, [email protected]
School News 4
“Because I am an alpha, because I am Greek, “ he says, “I felt like I came into the race with a point to prove. People were thinking ‘oh I want to be a Que, he’s an Alpha so I can’t vote for him or ‘I’m a Delta or AKA and I don’t like what the Alphas did that one time. That was diffi cult.”
His campaign team also went through trying times. At one point, a campaign member tagged an Antonio Williams’ supporter’s car with Mike Wood fl iers.
The drama was heightened after a FAMU student posted a picture on Twitter. It prompted several comments within two hours, threatening Wood’s “clean race” image.
“As soon as I saw the picture, I told my campaign team to untag the person’s car,” says Wood. “I didn’t want my campaign to be about that.”
Wood says that humbling himself was one of the most diffi cult things to do.
“It’s almost like begging people to like you,” says Wood. “I worked hard to prove
myself on this campus, and for campaign week, I had to be even more extra, and then go to sleep at four and wake up at six and do it all over again the next day.”
Even his prayers were briefl y affected.“I had to pray for forgiveness a lot
more,” says Wood. “Because the battle of elections is so intense, I would think
negative thoughts sometimes — like I want to crush the other guy.”
because I know several people that never check it,” said Robensky Theodore, a third-year accounting student from Miami.
Tom Diamond II, a second-year pharmacy student from Jacksonville, said he hopes when FAMU goes paperless it sends the notifi cations out in a timely manner so that students can know what to take action.
While the department will be going paperless, Boyd said that freshman and transfer students will still receive mailed information since they may be unfamiliar with the process.
“For continuance students only, our method guide will change. Starting this year, we will only mail postcard indicating when your fi nancial award is ready to be viewed,” said Boyd. “Postcards will also be emailed via FAMU email account.”
STEPHANIE [email protected]
KEITH BLUE [email protected]
CAMPAIGN FINANCIAL AID
Gina Cherulus The FamuanStudents crowd the “Set”, vying for SGA and Royal Court positions.
Your future’s timeline, fed.
© 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. In this document, “PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a Delaware
limited liability partnership), which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member firm of which is a
separate legal entity. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.
2007
2008
2010
Meets PwC at a blood drive,
networks with PwC via college
Earns BBA, joins PwC
as an Associate
Becomes a Sustainable Business
Solutions consultant at PwC
Andy Hagerman, PwC Associate. After
being impressed by PwC’s community outreach
programs, Andy found more surprises at PwC.
Like a position on the Sustainable Business
Solutions team, where he not only effects positive
change in the world, he feeds both his career and
future. To see Andy’s full timeline and how
you can feed your future, visit www.pwc.tv
For the full story, visit the famuan online at www.thefamuanonline.com
Dear Dr. Venom,I’m a sophomore and I’m
dating a graduating senior. I really wonder if after he graduates if we’ll still be together or if I should break up with him to save myself from the heartache. We’ve been dating for a year now. What should I do?
Sincerely, Anonymous.
Dear Anonymous, If you both are in love
and committed to the relationship then why would you break it off? Him being out of school has nothing to do with the relationship itself. Make sure the two of you are working on the relationship and you should be fi ne.
Dear Dr. Venom,I’m currently a pharmacy
major, but my passion is in architecture. My family wants me to become a pharmacists but I know that’s not for me. Should I change my major or stay where I am to appease my family?
Sincerely, Confused.
Dear Confused, It’s your life not your
parents. The problem with many students today is that they feel as though they have to please everyone. You should be studying something that you will be happy doing then be miserable studying something your forced to do. Eventually your parents will come around, trust me.
Dear Dr. Venom,I’m having some problems
with one of my professors.In my mind he’s attacking me constantly and not being fair. Should I confront him or just let it be seeing as how there are only a few more weeks in the semester after spring break?
Sincerely, Fed up.
Dear Fed-Up, Sometimes, when
professors tend to call you out, it is mostly because he/she sees something in you that shows you have good work ethic or have goals you want to reach. Since you feel so upset about the whole thing, then you should politely ask your professor for a one-on-one to discuss the situation. However, I would suggest you proceed with caution because worst-case scenario could be that the professor just genuinely doesn’t like you.
As Black History month ends, National W o m e n ’ s History month begins.
I refl ect on how far women have come in this country and being a woman myself, I fi nd it quite endearing that we have a month to display our trials and tribulations to get to where we are today.
Being more than moms, and wives - and there is nothing wrong with that - but doctors, lawyers, politicians and more.
However, many Americans are unaware, or for some they just don’t really care to know, that it’s National Women’s History month.
Not to mention the numerous health awareness days/weeks - not saying those are not important, because
they truly are - the month of March has as well, that in my opinion overshadow the holiday.
Oh and let’s not forget St. Patrick’s Day.
Its almost as if this month’s holiday either gets very little face time or is completely looked over.
No major TV syndicates change their logos or TV programming to celebrate women’s history.
And no, not one of the Lifetime networks count. That’s directed toward women anyway, and for the most part they repeat the same movies every day anyhow.
Anyway, I just think this month needs a little more attention then it gets.
And so, I have decided that maybe if we know a little bit of National Women’s History month background then it might just get more play.
According to nwhp.org, women of the National Women History Project, were tired of having infl uential
women who have made great strides in American history be left out or looked over in school books, so in 1980 Pres. Jimmy Carter was persuaded to dub the week of March 8th as National Women’s week.
How nice of him…But seven years later, Pres.
Ronald Regan and Congress declared March, National Women’s History month and every year around this time there is a presidential proclamation issued to pay homage to accomplishments made by women.
So your saying to yourself, “What does it matter, the news gives the holiday all the play it needs.”
So what CNN makes reference to National Women’s History month for two minutes and we are supposed to be happy?
As much as women have done for this world and all we get is a measly two minutes? Oh come on!
Some women are probably thinking “Girl, why do you
care that all we got was two minutes on CNN? We get recognition year round.”
And that is good and well, but think about this, how is it that the month designated to be about women’s history is looked over.
I dare you to go out and ask fi ve people you know if they knew it was National Women’s History month and I bet you maybe one of the fi ve can honestly say they knew.
If we can wear green for one day of the month of March, knowing full well that most of us are not Irish…at all, not even once ounce, then we can celebrate the National Women’s History month like it is meant to be.
Instead of looking over it, which I know was not the purpose of the National Women’s History Project in getting this holiday nationalized in the fi rst place.
EDITORIAL BOARDEDITOR-IN-CHIEF:
Jordan Culver
COPY DESK:
Julian Kemper
OPINIONS EDITOR:
Khristanda Cooper
LIFESTYLES EDITOR:
Clarece Polke
SPORTS EDITOR:
Royal Shepherd
2 Calender �e Famuan�[email protected] Monday, April 19, 2010
� eFamuan Opinions 5� eFamuanOnline.comWednesday, March 2, 2011 [email protected]
DR. VENOM
Need advice? Ask Dr. VenomDR. VENOM
ADVICE COLUMNIST
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COPY DESK:
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SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR:
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METRO NEWS EDITOR:
Jason Lawrence
OPINIONS EDITOR:
Khristanda Cooper
LIFESTYLES EDITOR:
Clarece Polke
DEPUTY LIFESTYLES EDITOR:
Tanya Glover
SPORTS EDITOR:
Royal Shepherd
DEPUTY SPORTS EDITORS:
Cameron Daniels
PHOTOS EDITOR:
Keenan Doanes
DEPUTY PHOTOS EDITOR:
Jasmine Mitchell
VISUAL EDITOR:
Jeffrey Morris
GRAPHICS EDITOR:
Kenya Mawusi
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR:
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PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR:
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PROGRAM ASSISTANT:Valerie McEachin
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The Famuan, an Associated Collegiate Press 2003 Pacemaker Finalist, is published Monday, Wednesday and online only on Friday during the fall and spring semesters. The opinions do not refl ect the administration, 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.
THE F USo… what’s everyone doing
for Spring Break?I know editorials are usually
about some lofty or thought-provoking current event.
But come on, we all need a break by now. And that’s exactly why we decided to take a break from the heavy, violence-laden national critiques and the sarcastic diatribes against existing institutions.
But, I ask my opening question because, frankly, I haven’t heard of any large-scale Spring Break plans.
Either way, though, it’s perfectly fi ne. As long as you enjoy your time off.
After nearly two solid months of school, many of you have been counting down to this next week, including this writer.
Now that it’s almost here, make it count.
Go read a good book, catch up with old friends, make new friends, sleep for 17 hours straight (although it’s probably terribly unhealthy), party the night away and take several thousand pictures.
For those going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, try to at least remember part of it.
This next piece of advice may ruffl e a few feathers; if you don’t agree or think it a
very “duh” statement, feel free to ignore it.
For the entirety of Spring Break: do not think about Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Oct. 3, 1887 (What).
Of course, those who have assignments or responsibilities class or o r g a n i z a t i o n - r e l a t e d , ignore this advice until those obligations have been satisfi ed.
It’s probably going to be diffi cult for people staying in Tallahassee to ignore FAMU when it looms academically (or menacingly) in the background, but try anyway.
For everyone else, the only orange and green to focus on should be the orange juice in your glass and the green grass between your toes (or under your Jay’s; we know some people have a thing about bare feet).
Whatever you end up doing, make sure you do it to the fullest.
Because, while we may love our excellent and caring university, sometimes it’s quite necessary to maintain some semblance of sanity.
Julian Kemper for the Editorial Board.
A� er today...just three more days
National women’s history month is in March?KHRISTANDA COOPER
OPINIONS EDITOR
Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, AustriaWe feel some kind of way about this cartoon... Some kind of way...
KHRISTANDA COOPER
Political Takeout
To ask Dr. Venom for advice send him a Direct
Message via Twitter @Dr_Venom. No question is to hard for
Did you know that March was National Women’s History month?
A) Yes. B) No. C) I don’t care what month it is...Spring Break is next week!
Opinions writer needed. For more information visit The Famuan office or
What does it take to be an entrepreneur, critically acclaimed author, celebrity makeup artist and mother of three?
Just ask Florida A&M alumna Brandi Mitchell, who has done all of this and more since her days on the “Hill.”
Mitchell’s book, “The Blended Family Survival Guide,” was coined “Book of the Week” on the nationally syndicated radio talk show “The Michael Baisden Show” on Feb. 23.
“It’s remarkable to get this type of platform, especially since the book hasn’t been out that long,” said Mitchell.
The book, released earlier this year, assists readers in understanding how a functional blended family exists, while not skating around taboo issues like premarital sex and single parenthood along with the challenges of marriage.
Mitchell said “The Blended Family Survival Guide” speaks to the diverse audience.
She also said the book is relatable to students.
“You have a lot of students at FAMU who are a part of blended families, have children or are thinking of marriage,” said
the author and entrepreneur. “The book talks about these experiences and how it affects your life, even though we generally don’t think about these things when we’re college-aged.”
Mitchell began writing poetry at a young age and, in high school, was chosen to participate in an intensive writing program at the University of Michigan, not far from her hometown in Detroit.
A psychology student at FAMU by day and a cosmetologist-in-training at Lively Technical Institute by night, Mitchell said her experiences as a student shaped her success.
“The reason I think I’ve done so well is because of the psychology degree,” said Mitchell. “It really helps you to understand people and what drives them. You defi nitely need that type of training in the service industry.”
Mitchell added that her degree helped with writing “The Blended Family Survival Guide,” which she describes as “counseling in a book.”
Writing is not her only craft. As an image consultant and
celebrity makeup artist for 15 years, Mitchell has worked with high-profi le clients like Steve Harvey, Eva Pigford and Chrisette Michele.
Aside from creating her
own publishing company, Koris Pulishing, Mitchell gives speeches and hosts seminars on topics not limited to those discussed in her book.
Mitchell credits the success of her book, almost four years in the making, to “a quality degree from FAMU.”
“I always talk about FAMU and my experiences as a student. If you can make it in the ‘100,’ then you can make it anywhere,” Mitchell said of her experiences in the band and as a student.
Department of Psychology Chairwoman Huberta Jackson-Lowe said Mitchell’s
accomplishment is substantial, particularly considering the book’s subject matter.
“The fact that she’s written this book on blended family survival is really a statement about the quality students we’ve been able to produce and she should defi nitely be commended,” said Jackson-Lowe. “We also need to recognize that this is a very critical issue for all families, as little research has been done on this topic.”
Mitchell’s enterprising approach to publishing her book is what she believes helped make her career successful.
“Always maximize every opportunity, never think that things can only happen one way,” Mitchell advised students who are still searching for a career path or thinking of starting a business. “When in college, we often think that we’ll just end up having one career. But, in today’s world, it’s important to…multi-task (and) step out of your element.”
Mitchell said her FAMU days were irreplaceable and the relationships she formed on campus will last her a lifetime.
“FAMU will always be a thread of who I am,” said Mitchell.
Foursquare is a social networking site that allows customers to “check in” at local businesses, write reviews and leave tips for future visitors of the business. Each time a customer “checks in,” they receive points and the customer that “checks in” the most within a week’s time is deemed “the mayor” of that business location.
Many companies are using the social networking website as a form of advertising by offering special promotions and deals. Moe’s Southwest Grill on Apalachee Parkway launched a campaign to give a free cup of Queso to “the mayor” of the location.
“I was on Foursquare and I suggested we incorporate the use of social media to promote coupons and promotions,”
said Steve Powell, the store’s general manager. Powell proposed the idea to the owner. During the three-month campaign, Powell said approximately three people check into the location daily, but no one has ousted Powell as “the mayor” of Moe’s Southwest Grill.
“No one has received the promotion at this location yet because it’s for the mayor of the location,” Powell said.
Veronica Hernandez, 22, never imagined that downloading a social networking app to her Android phone would allow her to save money on some of her favorite things.
“I downloaded the Foursquare app because it was the latest social networking craze,” said Hernandez, a fourth-year psychology student from Jacksonville. “I was excited to receive coupons from my favorite stores.”
Moe’s Southwest Grill isn’t the
only company that offers deals and promotions through the popular website. Pizza Hut’s corporate marketing department launched a Foursquare promotional campaign in November that offers free breadsticks to “the mayor” of all locations with the purchase of any large pizza.
Tim Motta, the general manager of the Pizza Hut on Tennessee Street, said that only a handful of customers have come in and actually used the promotion.
“I have seen about four or fi ve people use the promotion through Foursquare since its launch back in November,” Motta said. “If people are more aware that the promotion exists, I believe that it could be a very successful tool.”
Tallahassee has been expanding local businesses that bring glitz and glamour to the young, fashion forward women of the community. One of the city’s new businesses, GLAM Gyrlz, launched yesterday.
“When I fi rst started GLAM Gyrlz, it was as a nationwide blog offering fashion and beauty tips to women all over the United States. After a while I n o t i c e d that my most popular posts were those in which I documented a shopping trip around Tallahassee,” said Mahogany Butler, founder of GLAM Gyrlz. “Unfortunately, many of our readers could not take advantage of the deals I would fi nd locally, so the idea to build local chapters was born.”
GLAM Gyrlz is a social networking site where women around Tallahassee can connect through their passion for fashion. With a membership, there is a discount card that will grant exclusive deals and promotions at different local fashion and beauty businesses.
Nyla Manning, a 26-year-old graduate of Taylor Tech Institute from Defuniak Springs, Fla., said she found out about the
business through a friend and decided to get a membership.
“I love to shop and I love a great deal. The rewards of participating with GLAM Gyrlz provide an incentive to both shop and save,” said Manning. “You usually hear a b o u t
discount cards to
restaurants and miscellaneous shops. Now we
fi nally have something dedicated to fashionistas.”
“GLAM Gyrlz appeals to fashionistas on a budget that are fashion enthusiasts, shoe lovers and cosmetic junkies. Our biggest following seems to be teenagers and college students in the Tallahassee area,” said Butler.
GLAM Gyrlz has partnered with ten different businesses that the members can receive discounts from. Some of these businesses are Shoe Lounge in the
Governor’s Square Mall, Fashion House Boutique and Dons-N-Divas Couture.
“Our business merchants understand the value of being a part of a
network that basically puts them right in front of their target
market. Many businesses in Tallahassee lack an online
presence; GLAM Gyrlz gives them this and so
much more,” Butler said.Nakia Williams, co-owner of Shoe Lounge,
said that GLAM Gyrlz will help her
company increase customer traffi c.
With the GLAM Gyrlz discount
c a r d , m e m b e r s can receive
15 percent off any purchase at Shoe
Lounge.“Ms. Butler is constantly on the social
media sites promoting her company and ours as well,” said Williams.
Butler said she has plans on taking her company to bigger cities, but the best place to start is her hometown, Tallahassee.
“I have many friends on Facebook that I have never met before but they will send me messages asking for help with fi nding the perfect shoes for a dress or for a cool eye shadow look for their night out on the town,” Butler said. “That is what I want to offer to our members.”
� e Famuan6 Lifestyles � eFamuanOnline.comWednesday, March 2, [email protected]
JASON LAWRENCE
CORA WILSON
KAYLA OSBORNE
Grad blends family, career
Fashionistas utilize new deals
Being ‘mayor’ has never been so delicious
Haitian artist shows everyday life in gallery
JASON LAWRENCE
METRO NEWS EDITOR
A small, dark man was perched to the left of the entrance. His bright red shirt contrasted with his ebony skin as he swiftly sliced coconuts with a machete into a grocery cart.
The simple, honest portrayal of everyday Haitian life and culture showed no signs of destruction from a 7-magnitude earthquake and the resulting cholera outbreak and mass displacement in the SeJoe Collection, launched Thursday, Feb. 24 at the Tallahassee Community College Fine Art Gallery.
The collection is named after Joseph “Se Joe” Ducasse, 23, a Florida State University alumnus. Ducasse said the contemporary Haitian art dates back to 1960.
“The art captures Haiti’s beauty and folklore,” said Ducasse. “It is looking at Haiti through the artist’s eyes. In this exhibition I choose the paintings with most vibrant and vivid colors; the pieces tell a story.”
Ducasse was born in Brooklyn, NY, but was raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Ducasse said his mother, Marie-Denise St-Amand, fi rst introduced him to art and had a wide network of artist friends in Haiti. Over 200 of the pieces were donated by Ducasse’s mother.
It’s a side of Haiti that people rarely get to see.
“I absolutely loved it,” said Emmanuela St-Jean, 20, third-year student at Florida State University.
The Se Joe Collection will be open to the public until March 24. The collection will be open Monday through Friday 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the Tallahassee Community College Fine Art Gallery. The gallery will be closed during spring break.
YOLY ZEPHYR
YOLY ZEPHYR
CORRESPONDENT
CORA WILSON
CORRESPONDENT
KAYLA OSBORNE
CORRESPONDENT
Courtesy To The Famuan“The Blended Family Survival Guide” by Brandi Mitchell.
Courtesy To The FamuanThe SeJoe Collection launched Feb. 24 at TCC.
2 Calender �e Famuan�[email protected] Monday, April 19, 2010
� e Famuan � eFamuanOnline.comWednesday, March 2, 2011 [email protected]
7 Comics
Andy Capp by Reg Smythe
Lampinʼ On Campus by Demetrius Scott
Ben by Daniel Shelton
Girls & Sports by Justin Borus and Andrew Feinstein
Pickles by Brian Crane
Jump Start by Robb Armstrong Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson
BC by Johnny Hart
CJ and TJ by Chidozie Acey
Get Fuzzy by Darby Conley
Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz
Momma by Mell Lazarus
� eFamuan� eFamuanOnline.com
Wednesday, March 2, [email protected]
Sports 8
SENIORS FALL SHORT IN FINALE
On senior night, the Rattler seniors set out to have a memorable last home game. The memories made were not the ones they were hoping for.
The South Carolina State Bulldogs beat the Rattlers 65-53 on Monday night at the Al Lawson Center.
“As a senior, you don’t want to lose your fi nal home game, but they wanted it more than us,” senior forward Larry Jackson said. “Of course this is not how I wanted to leave home, but I can walk away with my head held high.”
Pressure defense allowed the Rattlers to score nine points off eight Bulldog turnovers in the fi rst half. The Bulldogs also shot 34.5 percent from the fi eld in the half.
Offensively the ball moved from side to side and the Rattlers were able to knock down open three pointers. The Rattlers shot 5 for 12 from behind the arc and took a 29-25 lead into the half.
The Bulldogs changed the pace of the game by putting two men on freshman guard Avery Moore, allowing him to only score two points in the second half.
The Bulldogs out-rebounded the Rattlers by fi ve. The Bulldogs outscored Rattlers in second chance points and scored 32 points in the paint to the Rattlers 14.
“They were more physical than us,”
head coach Eugene Harris said. “They were hitting the boards harder than we were and because they were more physical than us, it took Amin Stevens out of the game.”
Stevens still managed to score 12 points and add 5 rebounds. Moore led the Rattlers in scoring with 19 and shot 5 for 8 from the three-point line.
This is the second consecutive game the Rattlers led going into the second half but were defeated. On Saturday, the North Carolina Central Eagles defeated the Rattlers 58-55.
“I didn’t want the seniors to leave without a fi nal home court win, so I just was confi dent in my shot and wanted to compete hard for them,” Moore said.
In the second half, the Rattlers had a fi eld goal percentage of 30.8 percent and shot 11.1 percent from the three-point line.
“We were getting open looks, but shots just weren’t falling and that came back to hurt us,” said senior forward Christopher Walker.
Guard Darnell Porter led the South Carolina State in scoring with 18 points and Presano Bell added 10. The bulldog bench contributed 23 points.
This home loss takes the Rattlers record to 12-18 and their standing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to sixth. The Rattlers are looking forward to the MEAC Tournament on March 7th. The Rattlers fi nish with a home record of 10-3 in the Al Lawson Center.
The team will try and improve on its MEAC record on March 3rd against top-ranked Bethune-Cookman University.
The game will be the fi nal test for the Rattlers before the start of the MEAC tournament.
Facing the teams rivals should provide extra motivation for a victory. Momentum is key going into the tournament.
Last year’s champions, Morgan State,
went 5-2 in their fi nal seven games prior to the tournament.
CHARMAINE PETERSONSTAFF WRITER
CHARMAINE PETERSON
Keenan Doanes The FamuanAmin Stevens goes up for a shot in a loss on senior night.
Women miss Bennett in OT
Tamika Mckelton’s potential game-sealing three-pointer was spoiled by missed free throws. Misses that lead to a South Carolina State Bulldog 76-70 overtime victory.
“Free throws is the reason we lost,” Mckelton said. “If we would have made our free throws in regulation, we would have been up by four.”
Shekeira Copeland made one of two free throws with eight seconds left in regulation, leaving the Bulldogs a solid chance at taking the game to overtime.
“We missed six free throws prior to Copeland missing a free throw,” head coach LeDawn Gibson said.
Whitney Wiley netted a three from the right wing to send the contest into overtime. She scored four points in overtime and fi nished with 13 points in the game.
“Before the Bulldogs last possession we told them to guard their three-point shooter, which was Wiley. They let her go off a screen and get wide open,” Gibson said.
Both teams matched each other point for point in the extra period until a Myeshia Simms technical
foul gave the Lady Bulldogs the advantage.
Gibson told Simms after the game the referees were terrible all game, this overtime period was too crucial to be yelling at them.
Quiana Donald scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds in the fi rst half. She fi nished with 15 points and 12 rebounds. She controlled the painted area, leading the Lady Rattlers in rebounds.
The Lady Rattlers second leading scorer Antonia Bennett will be ready for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament.
“We will have another scoring option, another versatile player that can go inside and out, another wing guard and another strong rebounder. We really need her back,” Mckelton said.
The Lady Rattlers have one more road game against rival Bethune-Cookman University. After the rivalry matchup is the MEAC Tournament in Salem, N.C. on March 7-12. The tournament is bracket style with the top eight teams in the MEAC.
“I know we have the talent to win the MEAC tournament,” Copeland said. “We want to go out and win it. We just know we have to come with our A-game every night and we know it guarantees us a spot in the championship game.”
A victory against Bethune-Cookman could give the Lady Rattlers momentum going into the tournament.
The fi fth-ranked Rattlers are one game behind the fourth seeded Hampton Lady Prirates. The fi nal regular season matchup will have major implications on the fi nal standings and seeding in the tournament.
The Lady Rattlers softball team scored 15 runs as it swept Savannah State University in a doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday. The Rattlers had to come from behind in all three games to do so.
“We had 3 wins this weekend and to sweep a team isn’t easy. It’s very exciting to do because it’s diffi cult,” said assistant head coach Lori Goodart.
Sophomore Jennifer Lindsey earned the win in the fi rst game for Florida A&M. Sophomore Shannon Reno had the loss for the Savannah State Lady Tigers.
Junior Tera Gainer went two-for-three including a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning in the second game. Gainer drove in fi ve RBIs and scored one run. Sophomores Ashanti Shepherd and Jasmin Donaldson added two hits each for FAMU.
“Those key hits were timely and real important because whenever someone got a hit it started a rally and when built off of that,” said shortstop Tenisha Dixion.
Junior Whitney Robinson earned the win for FAMU in the second game.
Savannah State sophomore Madison Hedderly had the loss.
FAMU freshman Arianna Stewart went four-for-four with one RBI and scored three runs.
Missed opportunities hurt the Lady Tigers chances to get back in the game Savannah State Head Coach Jose Gonzalez said.
“Florida A&M is a real good team. The girls play aggressive and have a winning attitude,” Gonzalez said.
The Lady Rattlers are 8-5 overall and are a perfect 4-0 at home for the season. The team will start a road trip that features Florida State, Texas A&M, Mercer and Virginia Tech.
“During the road trip, we can’t get off to slow starts. Our pitchers have to be consistent and walk less people,” Goodtart said.
TERRON BOLLING & TAROY JACKSON [email protected]
TOMMY HAWKINS
TOMMY HAWKINS
STAFF WRITER
Softball team sweeps home double header
Keenan Doanes The FamuanMcKelton looks to pass out of the Bulldog double team
File Photo The FamuanSoftball team completes sweep.
The Rattlers fi nished in fourth place at the Bethune-Cookman University Invitational over the weekend.
Shephard Archie led the team fi nishing in seventh place. Randon Holt fi nished tied for eighth.
Florida A&M’s next tournament will be the Seminole Intercollegiate, hosted by Florida State. It will be held at Southwood Golf Club on March 11 – March 13.
Mercer University picked up their ninth win of the season as they scored in every inning in route to a 24-1 win over the Florida A&M Baseball team Tuesday evening at Cladu Smith Field.
FAMU (4-6) fi nished with fi ve hits, while Mercer (9-2) garnered 21 hits.
Brandon Barker picked up the win for the Bears as he gave up three hits, one earned run and striking out four in three innings of work, while Heath Blackburn received the loss for the Rattlers allowing 10 hits, nine earned runs and striking out two in two and two-third innings.
A strong mind and competitive drive has helped Florida A&M golfer Elijah Jackson on and off the golf course.
Jackson is a fourth year nursing student from the city of Streetsboro, Ohio. Jackson’s father took him to an empty fi eld where he was introduced to golf at 11 years old.
For a complete story on Jackson check out The Famuan on March 16.
Rattlers 53
Bulldogs 65
Rattlers 70
Bulldogs 76
TERRON BOLLING & TAROY JACKSON
STAFF WRITERS
Golf
Elijah Jackson
Baseball
