COMMENT
By Roger Harris
Concerning the FSU -
WSSU game/brawl that
took place 2 October
'93, does it really
matter who threw the
first punch, who won
the fight, or for that
matter, who even won
the game? No, because
much more was lost than
a game or positional
standing in the CIAA.
When a gathering of two
universities for the
purpose not only of
entertainment but also
for building bridges of
understanding
disintegrates to the
level of a street
fight, there's no way
that anyone attending
or partici'‘ating can
claim victory.
People advancing
to a higher level of
education represent a
distinct minority in a
societal population
that, while many would
love the opportunity to
advance, iust don't
have the means to
advance as a result of
striving to survive.
Because of this
reality, college
students have an
inherent responsibility
not only to pursue
aggressively their
education but also to
set the example and
standard for those
unable to attend. We
should realize that by
attending (whether we
accept this fact or
not) , we are situating
ourselves to become the
future leaders of our
communities and nation.
In the light of
this obligation and
ethical commitment, the
specific circumstances
that led to the
eventual brawl at the
end of that game pale
in significance to the
overall damage its
occurrence has done not
only to the reputations
of the schools
involved, but also more
importantly, to the
unwarranted tarnishing
of their overall
position of leadership
and influence in their
respective communities.
Now, pointing fingers
and assigning blame and
responsibility are
moot. We must realize
that we represent the
future leadership of
our communities and
nation, and in this
regard, we should
accept the
responsibilities and
scrutiny that come
along with this
societal obliqation.
As a student body,
we must evaluate this
event, its ethical
implications, and our
response to it not so
much in relation to its
origins specifically
(the crude, tasteless,
and inflammatory
comments regarding this
university and
Fayetteville during
WSSU's half time show
by their announcer
were, without guestion,
out of line and totally
uncalled for) but
rather in relation to
its broader and more
significant effects. We
should consider what we
can and should now do
to dispel the negative
connotations that will
arise from its having
occurred. Students
should take this
opportunity to
emphasize the true
standard and level of
Bronco pride, class,
distinction, and
excellence that exists
at FSU. Indeed, all
students should be
wearing invisible
CHANCELLOR tags on
their jackets because
in the end, we are the
ones who will determine
the eventual ethical
and public perception
of this situation for
FSU and this nation, be
they positive or
negative. The guestion
is, where do we go from
here? Submit your
thoughts and responses
to the Broncos' Voice.
DAILY LIFE OF A
NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT
by Lishan Harrison
I am a full-time,
female non-traditional
student over the age of
twenty-five. I have a
family that consists of
two children under the
age of five and a
supportive husband who
is stationed at Ft.
Bragg in the 82nd
Airborne Division.
Sometimes I arrive on
the FSU campus for an
8:00 A.M. class barely
able to function
because my daughter
decided that 1:00
o'clock in the morning
was a good time to
play. Another time I
had to pick up my son
from day care early
because he did not feel
well. In order to
fulfill my role as a
parent, I must allow
these kinds of
encroachments on my
study time. I share
the same attitude with
most of the commuting
students who want to
participate in school
activities but can't
because of
complications related
to families, jobs,
commuting time, and
other extenuating
circumstances.
The following
statements are gathered
suggestions on making
life at FSU more