3 • BENNETT BANNER • MARCH 8. 2000
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letters to the editor
Student concerned about
administraton, staff salaries
As a student at Bennett
College, I am forced to believe
that becoming a phenomoial
woman means excelling in the
academic arena.
I realize that becoming a
phenomenal leader is related to
how many changes you make.
As I was thumbing through
the “University Faculty Voice,” a
periodical for the nation’s
historically Black Colleges and
Universities, I read an article
about the salaries of administra
tors and staff at our institutions.
Bennett College was among the
list of participants in the survey.
1997-1998 Bennett College
Administration Salaries
Dr. Gloria Scott $ 90,500
President
Dr. Donna Oliver $ 75,000
Vice President for Academic
Affairs
Dr. Charlotte Alston $75,000
Provost
Ms. Jean Humphrey, $70,000
Vice President Sponsored
Programs
Ms. Sandra Blue-Harris, $95,000
Vice President for Capital
Campaigns
Ms. Jeannie Wheeler, $72,000
College Secretary
Revenue $17,734,038
Expenses $18,194,401.00
Deficit $ 460,363,00
It is appalling to see “Dear
Old Bennett” had a deficit of
about $500,000. 1 investigated
colleges and universitlies with
similar student populations and
faculty ratios.
Those included Wilberforce
University and Chaflin College
who had excess funds of
$300,000 and $4,000,000
respectively.
There are concerns that students
have about where their mcmey is
going, what grants are used for,
and why so many fixtures are
needed on the campus.
Why are administration and staff
receiving such healthy salaries at
such a small institution?
Students past and present
have been stressed with the fiscal
affairs and residence life of the
college. I would love to freely
give to Bennett College, but not
until I’m given an answer and a
change.
Krishel A. Panion
Sophomore
Pre-Med major
Miami, Fla.
Respect goes with the
responsibility of protesting
What a blessing it is to be a
student at Bennett College! What
a blessing to be surrounded by so
many phenomenal women...
phenomenal students, phenom
enal professors, and yes, even
phenomenal administrators.
In the wake of the recent
demonstrations, I have been
moved to speak on a number of
issues sitting heavy on my heart:
Respect for our elders, respect
for our schools, and respect fw
ourselves.
First, let us remember that
despite whatever we as students
may feel as a result of some
adverse conditions at Bennett,
we must respect our administra
tion for who and what they are:
Our elders, and phenomenal
Black women. I do not doubt
that they are imperfect, as we all
are. But we must appreciate the
unique privilege we have as
Bennett Belles. Where else can
we look up to an administration
filled with Black Women?
I was alarmed and hurt to hear
the ugly tones, cruel words, and
see unpleasant attitude during
our meeting with the board of
trustees. Whatever our hard
ships, we must handle them with
grace and dignity.
In a show of respect for our
school, we must be careful of
the portrayal we present of
Bennett College to White media.
Rules regarding the College’s
deaUng with the press, I believe,
are for our protection. Many
contingents are simply waiting
for fuel to fire their crusade
against the Historically Black
College. There is more to
Bennett than broken showers.
This is all some see.
Additionally, we must consider
just how many times we received
positive press for the College.
When is that last time we have
made the front page of the local
newspaper on a positive note?
Finally, respect for ourselves
must be addressed. This being a
closed campus, no one has the
opportunity to throw trash on
campus but us, for the most part
We must respect that when we
took on the responsibility to
stage a protest, we took on the
responsibility to help pay the
new $1.9 million debt necessary
to address our pressing (and
some trivial) complaints. We
must recognize the maturity we
must display when our tuition
expenses increase.
I believe in demonstrating our
respect for our elders, our
College, and ourselves we can
preserve the legacy of our
institution and move toward
positive change.
Lovingly,
Shellie R. Morrison
Junior, Sociology major
Philadelphia, Pa.
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27401
Belle says recent protest
an unforgettable experience
They say “Anything worth
having is worth fighting for.” I
agree. I have been to some great
day-after-Christmas sales. They
said, “Sometimes you have to
make everything a resource.” I
know that’s right because I have
gotten my share of hookups with
other people’s mall employee
discounts (when I’ve never even
worked at that particular mall.)
They also said, “Don’t be
moved.” I said I know that’s
right because if I don’ feel like
partying this weekend I won’t,
(but there is always next week
end.) I know I sound extremely
clueless and I was, and I’m sure I
still am in some areas.
However, I have every right
to be. Like many of you, I never
had to worry about where my
next meal was coming from and
I didn’t have to worry about the
bills because my parents handled
all that and more. I worried
about things that don’t matter
now, but were very important
then, like what I was wearing to
the football game on Friday.
Things have changed.
I’m saying all this to show
how amazing it is that a two-day
protest can change your outiook
on life. Feb. 18, for the first time
during my college days, I was a
part of something that really
mattered and effected more than
just my friends and me. My
Bennett sisters and I sat on the
President’s lawn, shared our
things, and told our real life
experiences while passing out
hot chocolate, filed chicken, etc.
We sat in the cold for a few
hours but were not moved. We
did the same thing Saturday.lt
was warmer on Saturday - thank
God! We did this because it was
right and that’s what makes it so
great I did not start this whole
[protest], but I am proud to be a
part of it Those of you who
were unable to attend for
whatever reason.. Just know that
you have not lived until you have
protested with fed up Bennett
Belles. This was an experience
I’ll never forget
Frances Dreama Adamson
Sophomore, Accounting Major
Conway, S.C.