Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I I Vol. 46, Issue 5
• ^-y
Winston-Salem State University
T
Staff Report
WSSU partnered with Habitat for Humanity
of Forsyth County, Dell and GMAC Insurance
to build a "green" eco-friendly house in the
Happy Hill community near campus.
Dell and GMAC Insurance are providing
financial support, while WSSU faculty, staff
and students are providing the in kind support
to construct the house.
"Winston-Salem State University's partner
ship with Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth
County is just one more way to tangibly
demonstrate our commitment to being a
responsible and caring citizen, and to reinforce
Photo by Garrett Garms
Chancellor Donald Reaves and wife Deborah Reaves help out at the construction
site in the Happy Hill community.
WSSU helps to build a ‘green’ home in kind
our support of projects that promote sustain
able growth and environmentally friendly ini
tiatives," said Chancellor Donald Reaves said
in a press release.
The proposed WSSU-Habitat for Humanity
"green" Labor of Love house design is based
on environmentally-conscious construction
which encompasses: minimal impact on nature
in lot preparation and design; resource, energy
and water efficiency in building materials and
appliances; and operational, maintenance and
comfort qualities based on environmentally
friendly standards for healthy indoor living.
Construction of the house began Aug. 27.
By Jordan Howse
NEWS REPORTER
In response to the recent rob
beries during homecoming
week, WSSU's public safety
department has stepped up its
efforts to keep the campus safe
by heightening the RAMalert
system.
RAMalert was implemented
after the April 2007 Virginia
Tech tragedy.
"The WSSU RAMalert is an
internet-based communication
tool," said Jonathan Martin
executive assistant to the
Chancellor.
"It is designed to keep stu
dents, administrators, faculty,
staff and other key constituents
informed in emergency situa
tions."
When the campus experi
ences an emergency such as
criminal activity, inclement
weather conditions or environ-
to keep campus safe
mental hazards, students are
sent automatic e-mail alerts.
Students can receive text
message alerts if they sign up
for RAMalert.
A cell phone number with
text messaging capabilities
must be provided. Standard
text messaging fees apply.
According to the WSSU web
site, RAMalert also provides
the capability to track and
respond to questions from out
side organizations such as the
police, fire department, EMS,
hospitals and the media.
Students were sent
RAMalert e-mails but not text
messages about the homecom
ing robberies.
Apryll Monroe, a junior,
says she registered her phone
number because she didn't
Alert
continued on Page 6
SGA requests more funds
By ReDonah Anderson
News Reporter
The Student Government
Association is asking for an
increase and a separate operat
ing budget that will reflect the
growth in student enrollment
for the 2009-10 academic year.
SGA, along with other stu
dent organizations, is funded
through the student activity
fee. The activity fee for the
2008-09 academic year is $380
per student.
SGA now has $100,000, the
largest operating budget in the
university's history.
SGA's budget can not
exceed $100,000, no matter the
enrollment size of the univer
sity.
On Oct. 31, SGA submitted a
proposal asking Chancellor
Donald Reaves for an increase
in funds to about $40 each aca
demic year. The fee would be
divided between the fall and
spring semesters.
Quintin Jones, SGA Secretary
of Commuter Affairs, said, "We
are asking for enough money
to cover the student homecom
ing concert-one of the biggest
Budget
continued on Page 7
Michigan State University to allow video
for admissions. Students could find a new out
let to express their creative side through video
personal statements for the application
process at MSU. Jim Cotter, director of admis
sions at Michigan State, said the videos will
play a supplemental role in deciding applicant
status, which means students will still have to
submit a written personal statement.
Source: UWIRE
Wisconsin college offers free bike for no
car promise. For the first time, Ripon College is
providing a bike to any freshman who signs a
pledge not to bring a car to school for the dura
tion of the academic year. Last fall, when more
students at Ripon College requested parking
permits than were spots available, the admin
istration decided to remedy the situation by
implementing a bike sharing program.
Source: UWIRE
Campus tragedies prompt security improve
ments. Fatal shootings at universities from
across the country have led to the discussion
of efficient and effective emergency notification
systems on campuses. Although the systems
some universities have are working, many are
looking to improve their existing methods
because of the heavy traffic generated by
mass text message alerts. Have you signed up
for WSSU RAMalert?
Source: UWIRE
)
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