News
Recent Winter Weather
Gives Students Break
By Garrett N. James
Editor-In-Chief
Many students at FSU
had their eyes glued to the
television screen on the
morning of Jan. 23 in hopes
of seeing their school’s
name. With fingers crossed,
they were hoping that
classes would be canceled
for the day.
It was a wish that many
knew would come true. With
two inches of snow covering
everything in sight and being a
town that practically shuts
down at the first sight of
snow, students were sleeping
late and just
cooling.. .literally.
Jermaine Howard, a
sophomore in Bryant Hall,
says that he stayed in his
room all day except from
when he walked to the
cafeteria.
“I used to go out and play
in the snow, but I just didn’t
feel like it yesterday,” he
says.
Outside of Vance and
New Residence Halls,
students could be found
enjoying the city’s first snow
of the year. “Hit the girls,”
and “Stop playing, stop
playing,” could be heard right
before seeing snowballs
hurled at unforeseen targets.
Aleta Green is a junior in
the University Apartments.
She and her friends spent the
day studying, watching TV
and listening to the radio.
“We only went out to get
some bread and that’s it,” she
says. “We saw some slick
spots, but no accidents.”
Green and her friends
were fortunate to reach their
destinations safely and retum
A
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home with no problems.
Many others in the city were
not so blessed.
In Fayetteville alone, 151
reports of accidents involving
property damage were
received by Thursday
afternoon. In addition, there
were approximately 400
wrecks in the county.
One police spokesman
said that the department was
behind in responding to 98
calls for help from people
who were stranded or who
had crashed their cars on the
icy and snow-covered
streets.
Some people were told to
find their way home and file
an accident report this
moming. Governor Mike
Easley made a statewide plea
urging NC resident to stay off
the roads.
The state Highway Patrol
responded to 2,450
accidents across the state
from midnight through about
3:30 p.m., said patrol
spokesman Frank Pierce.
The Raleigh area
recorded the most wrecks
with 442, followed by Troop
B in the Fayetteville area with
427.
Although some fingers
never uncrossed, FSU
opened the next day with a
two-hour delay.
One day off is enough
sometimes because cancelled
days may mean a shorter
spring break for students.
Compromise is good.
United Voices of Praise
FSU Gospel Choir
Anniversary Concert
6 pm February 22
Parks Chapel FWB
III I
V'ictor Robinson wonders what took FSU officials so long to notify students.
Students Complain About
Late Weather Notice
By Garrett N. James
Editor-In-Chief
It snowed in many parts
of North Carolina on Jan 23.
There were only two or three
inches in Fayetteville, but for
a town where snow is
uncommon, two inches is
enough to shut down
businesses, stores, and of
course, schools.
While many FSU students
were laughing and throwing
snowballs that day, several
others were frowning and
hurling insults.
The insults were not
directed at the snow, but
toward FSU’s adminisfration.
Why?
“They are just
inconsiderate,” said Deidra
Mainor, an ofF-campus senior
from Fayetteville. “They had
me coming out here with all
of those wrecks outside!”
Mainor was frustrated that
the notification of FSU being
closed was posted hours
after other local schools.
Many did not receive the
message until 9:30 am.
Lauren Cook,
University Public Relations
and Communications
Director, said Chancellor
McLeod makes decisions
concerning FSU’s delays
and closings. Once the
decision is made, McLeod
then would call Cook and
she would then begin to
notify the necessary media.
Necessary media is local
TV and radio stations, FSU
Webmaster Bill Gibson,
FSU telecommunications,
and any others needed.
Cook said she received a
call from McLeod around 6
a.m. on the moming of Jan.
23. McLeod told her that
FSU would be on a two-
hour delay. She then began
making calls to the
necessary media.
She said she received a
second call from McLeod
around 6; 15 a.m. saying
that the school would be
closed for the day.
It was two hours later
before many students were
notified of the happenings.
See Weather Page 8
Concert Celebrates Life
Of Martin Luther King, Jr.
By Talia Higgs
Staff Writer
Fayetteville State
University’s Department of
Performing and Fine Arts
honored Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. at the Annual “In
Celebration of a Life”
concert, held in Seabrook
Auditorium last month.
The concert showcased
some of Fayetteville State’s
talented students as well as
featuring performances from
the local community and
abroad.
Dr. Brooksie Harrington
directed the Brother’s
Keeper Ensemble in a
musical medley, which he also
arranged. The Ensemble
featured young boys from
local area schools and is in
direct association with the
Brother’s Keeper
Organization.
Douglas Blake, senior,
read an excerpt from King’s
famous Letter from
Birmingham City Jail. Aisha
Brooks, senior, read from
Our God is Marching On.
Other guests included
the C umberland County
Youth Orchestra and the
Fayetteville State University
Concert Choir, under the
direction on Dr. Marvin
Curtis.
Valerie Johnson, winner of
the Women In the Arts
achievement award, and
Wayne Sheppard, a soloist in
Handel’s Messiah, were also
on hand to give tribute to Dr.
King.
The program closed with
a Lift Every Voice and Sing.