..IL. f t J.-': - , I, ?T\|nQ ‘11 h j ’*11-=^' The Broncos’ Voice of Fayetteville State University Volume VIII, Issue 7 ‘TO INFORM, EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND ENTERTAIN’ Winter 2001 EDITION Three Sorority Sisters Charged With Assault By LaKeshia Denson Staff Writer Sisterhood, family, loyalty, are some of the words that come to mind when one hears the word sorority. A sorority is a family of women who all share a common goal. Like most families, ail sorority sisters are not going to get along with each other all of the time. Recently, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., witnessed a disagreement that reached the highest point. Their disagreement lead to an arrest, and the estrangement of a fellow sister. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority' Inc., is now traveling the road of healing and are try ing to move on without the support of one of their sisters. “ I don’t want to be a part of them anymore. There are some wounds that can’t be healed,” Tiffany Douglas. Douglas believes that the root of the problem between her and her sorority sisters, began because she did not conform to their ways. “I did not eat lunch with them everyday or hang out with them always. I kept the same friends I had before I joined the organization.” When asked about the reason why the altercation happened between her and her sisters, Douglas responded with a tale of incidents. “Nakia Palmer is not an official member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority'Inc. She did not have a 2.5 GPA at the time we crossed last spring. Nakia was allowed to cross with the understanding that she could not wear any paraphernalia at any on-eampus events. I saw her at a 3 on 3-tournament basketball game and she had some paraphernalia with her. I pulled her to the side, and reminded her that she was not to be wearing it. I told her that if I saw her w ith anything again 1 would take it from her. Some days later I saw her with her cane, and I asked her for it. She gave it to me but said she’d have it back later. I was walking between Harris Hall and the old cafeteria when a car drove up and someone held me while Nakia hit me in my face. They [Devian Blocker, Nakia Palmer, Tanya Wiggins], beat me down, took my bag and my keys. I was screaming, ‘Somebody help me!' No one helped me. They were trying to get me in the car, but they couldn’t so then they left. I returned to my room, which is where they went, they had entered my room, took Nakia’s cane back, and that’s when we all began to fight. The fight was broke up by RAs a few minutes later. 1 am so disappointed. I think what happened is a disgrace to all Greek organizations. My mother did not even know I was in a sorority and I had to call her and tell her that this had happened to me. Fayetteville State University’s administration did nothing; 1 do not think justice was serv ed.” Caroly n Dunston, advisor for the Delta Iota Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, said the problems with the undergraduate students may be more of a personal nature than a sorority issue. Dunston wanted Gwen Morris, graduate advisor, to speak on the issue, but she could not be reached for comment. “At the time we had our spring initiation, she (Palmer) was eligible as certified by the university,” Dunston said. “Of course, sometimes things happen. Even though you may be certified at that time, fulfilling the university requirements and national guidelines can run close. There can be a glitch in the process of doing things and later on they may need to do something to remain at that point.” Not necessarily in the case with Palmer, but Dunston added that a grade of “I” or Incomplete in a class can aflect a student’s grade. “That can be a slow process, and the person can feel they are where they need to be ... in good standing,” she said. Mrs. Olivia Chavis, Vice Chancellorof Student Affairs, said she was disappointed with the way the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho handled their disagreement. “I look at Greeks to be leaders on campus. 1 was very disappointed to hear of young black women conducting themselves in such a manner. The only good that will result from this is if they learned anything positive to apply that lesson to their lives and move on.” When asked about the disciplinary actions taken against the young women she replied, “I sanctioned everyone individually. I tried to be fair.” One possible reason for why Mrs. Chavis decided to sanction everyone individually could be that every one in the organization did not participate in the assault. Devian Blocker, president of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., had no comment to the responses made by Tiffany Douglas; how'ever she did respond, “Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., wishes to move on See Rhos Page 8 i MissFSU Tai Irby poses with the newly crowned Mr.FSU Senior Anthony Raphael Crowned Mr. FSU 2001-02 By Toshanika Moore Staff Writer Anthony Raphael, a senior from Fayetteville, NC was crowned Mr. Fayetteville State University during the sixth annual Mr. FSU competition, held Sunday, October 14,2001. This was the official kickoff of Homecoming 2001. “Mr. FSU is an official ambassador of Bronco Pride. He represents the student body in community service, judging other pageants, and is involved in parades in the community,” stated Kelvin Thompson, coordinator of the pageant. This year’s contestants included John “BJ” McNeill, Edwin Lewis, Reginald Williams, Kevin McCrimmon, Marquis Crews, Rufus Johnson and Anthony Raphael. Lewis, a junior from Rocky Mount, NC was named first runner-up and received the Student Vote Award. See Mr. FSU Page 8 John McNeill Marquis Crews Kevin Mc Crimmon . • Rufus Johnson Reginald Williams Edwin Lewis ► I' k: • i