Oct. 2, 2006
The News Argus
Campus News
Technology advancing like wildfire at WSSU
Jerrod X. Johnson
STAFF REPORTER
In Japan, electronic sensors are
placed in teddy bears to help care
for the elderly. When the bear asks
its human companion a question,
its sensor decides whether to call a
nursing assistant, depending on the
elderly person's response time. A
person can buy groceries, send mail
and pay bills without ever leaving
the computer. In Howard County,
N.C., a young woman named
Claudia Mitchell recently got a
bionic arm that operates via her
mental commands and can sense
both the heat and the pressure of a
handshake.
Technology has grown in leaps
and bounds in the past couple of
years, and WSSU is no exception to .
the trend. There is even talk of
someday wearing computers in a
headband, with thoughts flowing
directly from one person's brain
over a network directly into anoth
er person's mind.
It is true that technology has
improved significantly throughout
the years and has altered the course
of society in many ways. Whether
it is the birth of the World Wide
Web, countless health-related inno
vations or the creation of things
once thought limited to the world
of science-fiction, there is no doubt
that technology has influenced life.
Yet a question must be asked: Is
this ever-widening field growing
beyond our ability to properly han
dle it? Is technology evolving at a
level we can't handle, leaving us in
the dust? In short, is technology
going too far, too fast?
Some WSSU students believe that
technology has gone overboard
already, without our being able to
use it properly, and paving the way
for such problems as identity theft.
"Technology has gone too far;
computers do everything for us
and we can't do for ourselves,"
said Jasmine Sams.
Dr. Vincent Snipes, Interim
Director of the Center for
Mathematics, Science and
Technology Education, agrees with
that statement. "Some things are
kind of scary because there is a lack
of privacy today. People can now
Google your name and find out
a lot of stuff about you," he
said. "Based on what you buy
online, people can also find out
information about you. I don't even
like to use online services that
much because of the possibility of
identity theft."
Others thirik that the technology
itself is not a potential hazard, but
it is the over-reliance on it that can
cause problems. Moreover, the
common and varied usage of tech
nology makes people dependent on
computers for everything, which
can pose to be a problem when
technology cannot perform for any
number of reasons.
"Technology is good, but it's also
making us lazy," said Kimberly
Oldham, a student. "Instead of
mailing a letter via the post office,
we do it by e-mail. There should be
some limitations."
WSSU student Pete Paul had this
to add: "Technology is making us a
little lazy because there's nothing
we can't do. A few years ago, we
used to vacuum the floors our
selves, but now you can buy some
thing that'll do it for you."
When asked about WSSU's
technological future. Snipes
answered, "In 20 years, there will
be more online and long-distance
courses; it would prove to be more
Photo courtesy of Media Relations
Dr. Vincent Snipes, math instructor, is an advocate for technology.
convenient and make it so students
wouldn't have to fight traffic.
Although we have a lot of technol
ogy, a lot of people are not up on it
or take it for granted."
As a member of a committee for
more online courses. Snipes was
quick to add that he didn't think
this would work for all classes.
"Some people have trouble with
math, for instance. People will need
to have that face-to-face interaction.
An online course won't be able to
simulate everything," he said.
Photo by Sharrod Patterson
New “no smoking” policy implement
ed for dorms.
Students caught
smoking in dorms
face stiff penalties
Chris Bryant
STAFF REPORTER
According to the 2006-07 residential
handbooks, smoking is prohibited in three
of the eight residential dorms on WSSU's
campus. While smoking is not permitted
in any of the other buildings, there are five
non-traditional resident dorms where
smoking is allowed.
A student who is caught smoking a
tobacco product initially receives a verbal
warning from a resident assistant.
According to the residential handbook and
the WSSU website, the second time a
student is caught smoking in his or her
room, he or she will receive a fine. The
price paid in fines will cost WSSU students
much more than the price they pay for a
carton of cigarettes.
A student can be placed on housing pro
bation if he or she is constantly found vio
lating rules that are set in the residential
handbook or inhabiting a smoke-filled
room while possessing smoke-related para
phernalia. Those residents will, with no
questions asked, be required to appear in
front of the Office of Judicial Affairs.
Due to diversity among the student
body, the overall opinion about smoking in
the dorms differs from person to person.
Senior Wilson Hall resident assistant,
Danielle Rogers, said she has no problem
with students who smoke. "You have to be
hard on the students from the first day
mainly because the students here feel they
can get over on authority cind not have to
follow the rules set for everybody," she
said. Rogers, a non-smoker, says enforcing
the smoking policy in Wilson Hall is not
hard at all. She hopes that the university
never reverses its decision on smoking in
traditional dorms, like Wilson, mainly
because students who have medical prob
lems are placed in Wilson.
Linda Inman, Director of Housing and
Residence Life, is constructing a conunittee
of students who will be able to make deci
sions on issues such as smoking in dorm
rooms. She also brought up the point that
due to how the buildings are made, the
decision for traditional housing may never
change. In the event of a fire, the entire
building may be lost. So smoking is not
allowed in the new dorms, and may never
be allowed.
For some, Homecoming may
interfere with mid-term exams
Trygeania Dowell
STAFF REPORTER
Homecoming is here to
stay, and the students are out
to play. But with many stu
dents planning on attending
Homecoming this year, will
the highly anticipated game
interfere with their studies?
As far as the costs, the
prices seem pretty reasonable
if you are a student attending
WSSU. For example, admis
sion to the Will Downing con
cert, which is directed more
to students and alumni who
like jazz, is $37.50 per person.
The WSSU Be True
Homecoming Concert 2006
featuring rapper Ludacris, for
students and alumni who like
hip-hop, is $24.50.
However, for those want
ing to attend with family and
friends, the prices are higher
for guests. Tlie Ludacris con
cert for the general public is
$32.50 and $37.50 per person
for the Will Downing concert.
With all the excitement of
Homeconung, there is one
downfaO. Homecoming starts
a week before mid-terms and
ends on Sunday, Oct. 8, with
a worship service at St.
Peter's World Outreach, leav
ing little time for studying.
Sophomore Grant Fulton,
Photo by Sharrod Patterson
Festivities may taie a toll on students’ studies during
Homecoming week.
19, does not think it is fair
that Homecoming is near
mid-terms.
"This is the first time in
three years that Homecoming
has been held near mid-term
exams," said Theo Howard,
Assistant Vice Chair of
Campus Life and Chair of
Homecoming Committee.
The Athletic Department
determines when
Homecoming will take place,
he explained, and this year
the Homecoming football
game between WSSU and
Howard is scheduled for Oct.
7. That is a lot earlier than last
year's game which was
scheduled Oct. 23, after mid
term exams.
According to Howard,
there have been some
changes in the Athletic
Department this year, which
leads to a tight schedule.
A tight schedule which stu
dents should be mindful of
when preparing for mid-term
exams.
Plenty of good times offered throughout Homecoming week
Tamika Green and Terri Day
COPY EDITOR AND STAFF REPORTER
Homecoming Week Festivities
Sunday, October 1
Get ready to start your week off right with a
gospel concert. Get wired and inspired by
performances by Myron Butler, The Lights of
Zion Mime Ministry, WSSU and WFU Gospel
Choirs, Focus and Voices of Art. The concert
starts at 6 p.m., and will be held in K.R.
Williams Auditorium. Free for WSSU students
and $5 for general admission.
Also, be sure to keep your Sunday evening
open for the "Screen on the Green" drive-in
movie at 9 p.m. Head down to the Practice Field,
and don't forget the snacks! For ticket informa
tion or questions call Homecoming Coordinator
Office of Campus Life 336-750-3356.
Monday, October 2
"1 ain't going nowhere, it's time for the com
edy show!" Why watch Comic View Monday
night when you can have your very own com
edy experience right here at WSSU? Come out
and see comedians Rob Stapleton, Ms. B-
Phlat, Rodman, and Co-Coa Brown. The show
will be held in K.R. Williams Auditorium, and
will begin at 7:30 p.m. Students, get your tick
ets in advance for $5, or $7 at the door.
General admission is $10 in advance and $15
at the door. Remember, if you sit in the front
you will get called out!
Tuesday, October 3
If you like the spoken word, you'll love the
Poetry Slam Contest Tuesday afternoon at 4
p.m. in the plaza. And don't forget about the
Street Ball All-Star Tour later that evening at
7:30 p.m. in the Gaines Center. WSSU students
pay $3, any student I.D. will get you in for $5,
and the general public will be admitted for
$10.
Wednesday, October 4
Come out and support your 2006-2007
Royal Court at Coronations starting at 7:30
p.m. in the K.R. Williams Auditorium. Make
sure to dust off those formal dresses and tuxe
dos later that evening for a night to remember.
The Royal Ball will be held immediately after
Coronation in the Anderson Center McNeil
Ballroom.
Thursday, October 5
Come on out and enjoy an evening of music
and fun at the Yard Fest Concoction! This is
bound to be an exciting event. It will be held
in the Thompson Center Plaza from 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday, October 6
The classic pep rally gets a WSSU makeover
at the Ram Rally! Come to the Breezeway at
noon to get hype and show your love for the
team.
The Ram Carnival will follow, taking place
from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Thompson Center
Plaza. Prepare to have some fun, old school
style, and show your Ram spirit.
Don't forget about the step show, which will
begin at 7 p.m. Preorder tickets for $7, or buy
them at the door for $10. This exciting staple
showcasing African traditions is bound to be a
'foot stomping' good time.
Saturday, October 7
Wake up early and enjoy a good, old-fash
ioned parade. Starting at 10 a.m., the parade
will feature Miss WSSU, Mr. RAM, and the
Kings, Queens and escorts of various clubs on
campus. Be sure to wave to your favorite ones!
Later that day, former Miss WSSU's and Mr.
Ram's will gather together for the Royal
Reunion Luncheon at noon. This is an invita
tion-only event.
Everyone's favorite part of Homecoming—
the football game—will begin at 2 p.m. at
Bowman Gray Stadium. Come out and cheer
for your Rams, watch the cheerleaders do
their thing and listen to the band play!
Ludacris plus Young Jock equals one crunk
Homecoming Concert! It is scheduled to start
at 8 p.m., and will take place at the Lawrence
Joel Coliseum. WSSU students pay $24.50, and
$32.50 for the general public.
If you don't plan on attending the concert,
make your way over to the Plaza for the DJ in
the Plaza event, which will take place from 6
to 10 p.m. Snap your fingers and do your step
to your favorite songs.
Faculty and staff, you have not been forgot
ten. There will be a Will Downing Concert at
8 p.m. in K.R. Williams Auditorium. There
will also be special guests comedian Rodney
Perry and singer Maria Howell. The cost is
$37.50 in advance, and $40 the day of the
show.
Sunday, October 8
Close your weekend of festivities with a
worship service at St. Peters World Outreach
Center at 10 a.m.