Xovi'inlvr II, I^Mi Opinion
Chief Justice Bibbs Says Blacks Need to Get Involved
The Collegiate Black Caucus, po
litical voice of black students at the
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, recently sponsored a
leadership workshop for minority
freshmen interested in becoming
involved in Student Government.
The facilitator was Mark Bibbs, a
senior Political Science major and
president of theUniversity of North
Carolina Association of Student
Governments, the student govern
ing body for the 16-school system.
Bibbs, the first student elected to
the UNC Board of Governors and
Chief Justice of the campus Stu
dent Supreme Court, took a few
moments to answer questions from
the Black Inkabout the role of blacks
in the political life of the Univer
sity. Bibbs, who has been involved
in campus politics since his Fresh
man year, lost a close race for stu
dent body president in a run-off
with Bill Hildebolt in the spring se
mester of 1990.
Ink On-Campus Editor Lee
Richardson conducted the inter
view.
BLACK INK; Why, would you
say, have blacks not been more
prevalent in Student Government?
BIBBS: I don’t think blacks realize
the importance of getting involved.
During my freshman year, (friends)
told me that UNC would not accept
blacks in Student Government
(Black students) think we will
not be able to make a significant
difference. They feel that we will be
limited in our capacity. I disagree. I
believe Blacks would make more
significant changes and contribu
tions in addition to those already
made.
INK; What was the ultimate pur
pose for this (minority leadership)
workshc^?
BIBBS; The ultimate purpose of
this workshop was to encourage
black students to participate actively
in traditional Student Government,
to expose them to the way the game
is played at UNC—who the players
are and how to break into the estab
lishment. In addition, I hope to
motivate the students who attend to
actively seek and win campus po
litical office.
INK; What strategies were you
prepared to use to assist those inter
ested in Student Government?
BIBBS; Strategies I discussed were
the methods of networking, cam
paign finance, advertising strate
Black Ink Photo By:Evan Eile
Chief Justice Mark Bibbs sits in on his first meeting as student representative to the Board of Governor's.
gies, how to be a credible candidate,
and how to get people out to vote.
INK; Why was this workshop (and
similar workshops) important for
the future of Blacks in Student
Government?
BIBBS; As those of us who have
become campus leaders move on, it
is important that we cultivate new
leadership, that we pass the torch,
so to speak. I feel many times black
poUticians, black leaders, and poli
ticians and leaders of all races, of
ten become involved primarily for
self-gain and often run on issues
that are just important at that time.
I feel all politicians, especially
blacks, should reach back to those
after them to help to inspire, train,
and serve as a mentor to develop
their leadership potential.
INK; What do you see as the future
for blacks in UNC’s Student Gov
ernment? Must there be change?
BIBBS; This minority freshman
class plays the major role on the
future. They need to maximize their
effort to ensure (that) minority lead
ership is developed to its fullest
potential. For any minority fresh
man who wishes to participate in
Student Government or any other
leadership position, education on
the significance of the system is
important now because what we do
now will determine our course in
the future.
I hope to see the workshop con
tinued, to keep developing new fel
lowship. I hope to contribute sig
nificant, helpful information to the
overall future of minority leader
ship on campus.
INK; What/Who was your ultimate
driving force to excel in Student
Government?
BIBBS; My ultimate driving force
was to make a difference, to help
contribute my part to the Univer
sity, to demonstrate leadership, to
help other minorities the best way I
could, and to serve as a role model
for other black students.
I am very appreciative and eter
nally grateful for the support that I
have received from blacks on this
campus. Had it not been for their
support, loyalty, and dedication, I
would not have been able to achieve
many of the goals and other things
that I have accomplished. The black
students on this campus have given
me much support, moral and ac
tive. For that, I am thankful.
Black Ink Photo By:Evan Eile
Mark Bibbs is sworn in to the UNC-System Board of Governors.