KIWI Scoop e-newsletter 10/6/09

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KIWI Scoop e-newsletter 9/8/09

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It’s All In Their Minds

 The Great Buck Howard puts mentalists in the spotlight, and Play talks to one of the greatest to figure out what it is they actually do.

Click below for the full article.

Its All In Their Minds

Tancredo silenced by UNC students

[Editorial]

April 27, 2009

     When the UNC Chapel Hill chapter of Youth for Western Civilization (YWC), a national organization devoted to protecting the history and identity of Western Civilization; invited Tom Tancredo, a former U.S. representative from Colorado, protest was not unexpected. However, the lengths that the protesters took to get their point across would cause a window to be broken, police intervention and possible Honor Court proceedings for any student involved.  

   Tancredo was there to speak about his disapproval of the DREAM Act. It would allow undocumented immigrants access to citizenship and in exchange they must complete two years of higher education or military service.

  “You have to respect the right of people to assemble and collectively speak,” said UNC graduate student Tyler Oakley, the student who organized the protest.  This student has a valid point, the First Amendment guarantees every U.S. citizens right to freedom of speech. However, in an effort to be heard the protesting students violated the same right they wanted to protect.

   This was no peaceful protest; although, there was no violence involved the intent of these students was clear. They wanted Tancredo silenced. And minutes into his speech Tancredo fled the university after two students stood in-front of the classroom he was making his speech in and spread a 12-foot banner across the front of the room and soon after a protester was hitting a window outside of the room so hard it shattered.  

     Is it really free speech if a group decides that your opinion is not valid and will stop at nothing to make sure you are never heard? Freedom of speech is supposed to be an open exchange of ideas without being persecuted for having certain beliefs. It is acceptable for students not to agree with the beliefs of the YWC and their speaker Tom Tancredo. However, once the police were involved it rapidly became unacceptable. The behavior of these students portrayed them as ignorant and closed-minded individuals. The same image they attempted to cast upon Tancredo.  And in their attempt to suppress the issue from being discussed, it was thrust into the national spotlight. Drawing attention to the dysfunctional protest and not the issues they championed.

Dorms vs. Apartments…Who is safer?

[Editorial]

March 23, 2009

 “We are very concerned that our students off-campus receive the same protection as students on campus,” said Council Woman Goldie Wells at the community forum about off-campus security held March 16^th at A&T. After the recent killing of A&T student Dennis Hayle in February and Derek Hodge on April 26, 2008; the city of Greensboro and the university have been forced to address safety issues at student housing complexes in the city.

 The university, the city of Greensboro and student apartment complex representatives have admitted a breakdown in communication between themselves and students and are attempting to find ways to establish it. However, they are off to a slow start with hardly any students in attendance. And the only students present were members of the student government, newspaper and alumni. With the exception of a young woman who attends A&T.  She shared a frightening story about a home invasion.

 Greensboro and the A&T police department are working together and have established plans to help ensure the safety of students living in apartment complexes surrounding the university. But with boundary and jurisdiction issues a recurrent problem it is hard to imagine how much these two will accomplish together.

  With off-campus students scattered across Greensboro, what happens to students who live in apartments that do not surround the university? How will they benefit from a safety plan that is only targeted towards students living in areas that are in-close proximity to A&T? As it was pointed out my several people in the forum crime can happen anywhere, so why were these students overlooked.

 The most disturbing part of the forum was that no one addressed their thoughts on why so many students are moving off-campus. With over 10,000 students attending A&T and not enough housing to accommodate everyone; students are forced to seek other housing options.   In 2007 only 18 percent of students who attended A&T lived in on-campus housing.  How can they effectively protect the students residing off-campus without compromising the safety of on-campus residents when the majority of their students live off-campus?

 

 

 

 

The search continues…

[Editorial]

March 16, 2009

  Once again a search committee has been assembled with the hopes of finding a new chancellor to head the University.  Since 2006 A&T has seen 3 chancellors come-and-go. This makes finding a replacement for Chancellor Battle a challenge.  After a money mishandling scandal and now alleged tensions between staff and Battle over University standards. The job of A&T chancellor is not very appealing.

   A&T is rich with history and tradition. Unfortunately people have been so focused on what the school used to be, they are neglecting the issues happening now. Battle was on a one man quest to help A&T, and had rave reviews from students, faculty, Coppin State University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. It is still hard to understand why someone would just walk away from it all, but the search must continue.

   The ideal candidate to be Chancellor of A&T was and will continue to be Stanley F. Battle. He is a compassionate individual who put the needs of the students first. He listened and his actions are a reflection of that. He understood that change was necessary for the success of this University. With a laid back attitude he was very approachable. Never afraid to mix and mingle with the students on campus. He was known for his hands-on approach when dealing with any situation. And sadly that may have been his downfall.

  Every good leader needs a good cabinet. And as power changes hands the cabinet members or in this case the administration should step down. This is to ensure that there is full cooperation from the staff. One person can not do it all. With out the positive support provided by fellow administrators it can be overwhelming. So who ever is chosen for the job may want to consider some changes from within. Despite his abrupt resignation Battle has made a template for his successor to follow. After recent events it is clear that this person must be strong-willed. They must be ready to take-on anything. This person should definitely be younger than the University’s past chancellors. They should be able to bridge the gap between the past being the administration and the present being the students. They must not be afraid to make enemies and do what is in the best interest of the University. And they have to stick around no matter what.

“A monkey could have done this?”

[Editorial]

March 9, 2009

 A Conn. woman was mauled by her friend’s pet chimpanzee and two days later President Obama signed the stimulus bill. Who would have guessed that two seemingly unrelated events would be the catalysis for a nation-wide debate on race-relations? 

The controversial cartoon by Sean Delonas published in the NY Post depicted two police officers shooting a monkey and the caption read, “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.” For many the monkey in the cartoon became a painful reminder of racism in this country. For others it was a negative reflection on the stimulus package. Unfortunately, for few it was a reminder of Charla Nash, 55, mauled by a chimp that was later shot and killed by police.

 The general consensus feels as though this cartoon was a direct insult against President Obama, because he has been the biggest supporter of the stimulus package. And the caption is irrelevant to them because it was no coincidence that a monkey was used in the cartoon. It was found to be so offensive that community leaders and organizations have called for the boycott of the NY Post and the resignation of cartoonist Sean Delonas and editor-in-chief Col Allen.

 The real question is when did it become not okay to have an opinion? The reality of the situation is that an editor can look over every item a million times to make sure that it is politically correct and not offensive to anyone; however, you can not please everyone. You can change the race of the officers in the cartoon, change the monkey to a kangaroo and put in big bold letters “this cartoon has nothing to do with President Obama” people will still interpret it the way they want to.

 Let’s suppose this cartoon was a direct insult toward the president. Is political satire off-limits while President Obama is in office? Are people upset because cartoonists are satirizing President Obama because he is a black man or a man in a position of high power?  Political officials have been the victims of satire for many years. So, why should President Obama be the exception?

The Top 10 Things College Students Should do in Greensboro Before They Graduate

So you have been accepted to one of the many great academic institutions in Greensboro and now that you are trying to figure out how to fill those weekends of yours. You can only go to so many clubs, parties and campus events before you will be searching for something else. Besides what better way is there to spend the money mom and dad give you to survive on or in case of an emergency than on memories that will last a lifetime. You will be surprised when you realize that there are some interesting and fun things to do here. It is weird to be in a new place and not know what to do, so here is a little nudge in the right direction. These are the 10 things that you must do before you walk across that stage and re-join the “real world.”

10-Wet n’ Wild at Emerald Point

Who would have guessed that the largest water-park in the Carolinas was in Greensboro?

“I heard it was fun and it was hot,” said Javelle Daley, a junior, journalism and mass communications major.

With over 36 rides and attractions you can relax and stay cool on those days when it is so hot you feel like you live on the Sun.

This place sounds way too good what’s the deal? Unfortunately, unless you plan on going to summer school you will probably only get to enjoy this awesome place for about 2-3 weeks.

Labor Day weekend is the end of the season. “It was very good I liked the slides. It was fun and I got my money’s worth,” Daley said.

Price: $20.99-31.99 for an all day pass/ $17.99-22.99 after 4pm

9- Celebration Station

“Celebration station is the best because it has arcades and there are go-kart rides and it has arcades and there are go-kart rides and its like a mini amusement park and its free to get in,” said Chrystal Vaughn, a sophomore, professional theater major.

 This place and a little bit of something for everybody; there is an arcade, batting cages, bumper boats, go-karts, and miniature golf.  There is not entry free, however; there are small costs attached to each attraction. Vaughan offers these words of advice to any student interested in going, “on Friday nights college students need not go because that is when all the high school students go. Any other time…I think would be the best.”

Price: $2.50-6.50 per attraction

*There are price breaks and deals if you purchase more than one ticket.

8-Tattoo Convention

Are you a rebel, do you want to make your parents really unhappy (just kidding)? You should check out the Annual NC tattoo convention that is held every year. It is hosted by Little Johns Tattoos’ a local legend (when it comes to tattoos). For one weekend in Sept. tattoo artists and fanatics come together at the Greensboro Marriot for networking and the opportunity to get tattooed by some of the most outstanding artists in the state. The only downside is the cost of admission. It is a bit costly, but it is an opportunity to meet people and try things that you wouldn’t normally get to do under normal circumstances. There is no rush remember you have four years to build up the courage and funds to attend.

Price: $30+

*It’s more cost efficient to buy a weekend pass.

 7- Sedgefield Crossing $2.50 movie

Remember when your grandparents would talk about how cheap it was to go to the picture show? Well nowadays this is the closest thing to that. At only $2.50 a show you can catch a flick that has been out of most theaters for a month or two sometimes even longer for less than half the price.

 “I recommend it to anybody, if you are bored and have nothing to do definitely go to the $2 movies. You can just sit there and watch movies all day and it is never crowded,” said Chrystal Vaughn, a sophomore, professional theater major.

Price: $2.50 a show

 6- Lazer-X

One of the best parts about growing up in the age of technology is lasers. Laser tag is less painful than paintball and just as fun.

“It was fun it was a lot of fun. They have it all decorated and set-up and dark and you feel like a little army solider combat person,” said Tianna Harris, a junior, psychology major. 

This place is a 2-in-1 because there is also an arcade on the premises; although, no one ever visits for the arcade. It is just a great distraction while you wait for your turn at laser tag. “If you want to go play laser tag and have fun it is a legit place to go.”

Price: $7.50 per game.

 5- Grand Prix Racing

These are not your average go-karts. And if you were unsure before you got there, the injury waiver you sign will offer you a huge reality check. This place is the real deal; neck braces, helmets, head socks and jump suits. This place is for the thrill junkie. The prices are not unreasonable; although, the cost may make this something you do every once in a while. It is definitely worth every cent.

Price: $10.00 per race.

* You must purchase a membership, it is a one time fee of $10.00 and it last a year.

 4- Woods of Terror on Church Street

This is what you do when you are too old to trick-or-treat- you pay a small fee to be scared senseless. The Woods of Terror only comes around at Halloween. And it’s a fun way to spend your Halloween, roaming through attractions designed to cause terror. If you are easily startled you may want to avoid this experience. The ghouls are trained to frighten you (without touching you), its something you will not forget.

Price: $20.00-30.00

*Purchasing your tickets in advance will save you money.

3-Cookout (Resturant)

This place is a Carolina favorite! Located all over the state, with three locations in Greensboro alone it is a must for college students. It is a drive-through style restaurant that specializes in cook-out style foods. They have great prices; you can get an entree with two-sides and a drink for less than $5 dollars. They are best known for their milkshakes. Handmade when ordered and so thick it is impossible to drink with a straw. When the semester is over, if you do not live near one of these restaurants you will miss it dearly.

Price: $0.99 and up

 2- Minjs

You have never tasted anything like Minji’s wings. With a “secret sauce” and wings rumored to be as big as your arm, it has caused lines to snake through the hallway of their restaurant on to the sidewalk. “It was the greatest taste my taste buds have ever witnessed,” said junior, accounting major, Nadia Cunningham. The best part for college students is that every Thursday is dollar wing night. We are in a recession and every dollar counts, especially when you are a broke and living off of your parents.

Price: $2.99 and up

 1- Downtown Greensboro

Take a stroll down Elm Street (between February One Place and McGee Street.) and just take it all in. It is filled with so much character. The brick-laid sidewalks, old-fashioned street lamps and specialty shops and restaurants; it create a unique experience and feeling that is welcoming to anyone whom roams these streets. Elm St. will never let you down with a great atmosphere both in the day and night there is always something to do. And on the weekends starting at 6pm on Friday and ending 6am on Monday; and weeknights after 6pm parking is free. Check-out www.downtowngreensboro.net for more information on downtown happenings.

Price: FREE

 Remember these are only suggestions. Greensboro has plenty to offer college students. This city caters to college students, considering most of them are alumni of one of the several schools here. Sometimes you find the best things to do when you are not even looking for them. Keep your eyes peeled for things that sound interesting and go for it. Just remember to be safe and do your research.

Accounting students aid fellow Aggies with their tax returns

January 25, 2009

With the failing U.S. economy forcing companies out of business and many out of jobs; more people are filing federal tax returns in the hopes of receiving a refund. Aggies have an opportunity to get a head start on filing this year with the help of the students in A&T’s advanced tax course through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).                                                

Created by the IRS over 40-years-ago the VITA program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income (generally, $42,000 and below) people who need assistance preparing their tax returns. The volunteers are certified and sponsored by different organizations to prepare basic tax returns in communities across the nation.

“Last year presented an opportunity to do it, we in the department of accounting have participated in VITA for many years and we discontinued that participation for a few years and now we are revitalizing it,” said Professor McFadden-Wade.

As the instructor of the advance tax course Professor Gwendolyn McFadden-Wade has integrated VITA into her course as a requirement. “It’s great for them, it gives them hands on experience, it takes theory into practice and it is a great service opportunity,”

“I think students are more worried about if their taxes are going to be done right but there are tax professionals on site and then you have students who have gone through a tax course prior to this that do have knowledge in tax… if I was a student I would just be glad I could get my taxes done for free,” said Shaneka Hallback, senior, accounting major.

Students, faulty and staff whose income is below $42,000 are encouraged to make an appointment to have their taxes prepared. It is a great alternative to taking your return to a paid preparer. All returns will be filled electronically. If a participant is eligible for a refund they will receive it in less than 2 weeks.

 “I’m sure no student wants to walk away knowing that they could have earned or could have received some money and they did not take the opportunity,” said James Hardy, senior, accounting major.

The program is scheduled to begin Friday, Jan. 30th from 1-5pm and will run until the end of February. “If they (students) have a W-2 they should make an appointment chances are they may be due a refund,” said Professor McFadden-Wade.

If students, faculty or staff are interested in getting their taxes prepared through VITA make sure you have all of your necessary documents. Participants are asked to bring their W-2’s or evidence of income, their social security card, a valid ID, to know whether they have been claimed as a dependant by their parent or guardian, and if they received and economic stimulus payment last year. 

“If you owe and you don’t file the return and pay you are creating a situation that is going to comeback and haunt you down the road…filing does not guarantee you are going to get a refund you may find that you owe taxes but the only way your going to know is to at least prepare the return,” said Professor McFadden-Wade.

American and International Education Week at A&T

[Originally published Nov. 19th 2008 in The A&T Register]

Click below for a PDF of the clipping.

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American_International_cont

11/17/08

This year the American and International Education Week committee presents “Educating Across Cultures in the Global Society.”  This is a week long campus celebration that will take place Nov. 16-21. It is a combination of American and International education weeks.

 Traditionally celebrated separately, “we decided to join with American education week because they were being held the same time… it was very fitting to have the two together,” said Office of International Programs, Program Assistant, Alicia Wallace. 

American Education Week has been celebrated for 87 years. It debuted in December 1921. According to the National Education Association, “An education week…observed in all communities annually for the purpose of informing the public of accomplishments and needs of the public schools and to secure the cooperation and support of the public in meeting those needs.”

 International Education Week was first held in 2000 and today it is recognized in over 100 countries worldwide. It is an opportunity to highlight the benefits of international education and exchange globally. “Exchange programs broaden students’ perspectives giving them the opportunity to make new friends, learn or perfect foreign languages, and adapt to unfamiliar cultures,” stated US Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings.  

 “All of the events are free and open to the public,” said Wallace. A few of the events featured are; “An Afternoon of Turkish Culture,” Brown Bag Lunch series, and Darfur Awareness Day.

 “An Afternoon of Turkish Culture” occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 18^th in Stallings Ballroom. “The main goal was to bring Turkish and African-Americans together,” said Wallace.

 “It is the first time I have been to a black institution of higher learning and I was touched by what I learned,” said former Ambassador of Turkey to the US, Dr. Faruk Logoglu. 

 “Exchange programs are still vital and very important for American students to go to other countries like Turkey and students from other countries to come to this country and actually live and not just for one week…you need about six months, ideally a year to really get to feel cultures, values and the rhythms of different cultures”

 The Brown Bag Lunch series will occur Wednesday, Nov. 19^th thru Friday, Nov. 21^st from 12-1pm at the C.H. Moore building in room A-16. They are intimate conversations between faculty and students that will take place in the Office of International Programs. “Bag lunches are places that faculty and students have gone…so we really want to highlight those experiences to encourage more faculty to take students abroad, also highlight some of the research and experiences of faculty and students on campus,” stated Wallace.

“One of the other events to highlight is Darfur awareness which is being hosted by a UNST class.”

 It was a class project…we were assigned to pick a position and put on the event and eventually it became more than a class project,” said sophomore, Kaurie Daniels. She is a student in the UNST 216 Genocide in the Modern World course that was responsible for the Darfur Awareness day taking place on Wednesday, Nov. 19^th in Stallings Ballroom from 6-9pm. “It was something we really wanted to do and we decided to go above and beyond what was expected from us….we are expecting over 300 people to come.”

 “Our main objective is not to have people come to the event but for people to know what is going on in Darfur…we are trying to raise awareness at A&T to let people know what is going on in the world,” said Daniels.

This week is an opportunity for students learn about the different options they have to explore different cultures. “…we have the opportunity to highlight for the citizens of other countries the value experiencing an American education… and demonstrate to American students the value of studying abroad and hosting international exchange students,” stated US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

It is important to be globally aware in a country where globalization is happening at a rapid pace. “I encourage all Americans to learn more about the worlds beyond our borders, and I encourage students to experience other cultures firsthand,” said Spellings.

 “Education and exchange very key concepts that is how the world will get better,” said Dr. Logoglu.