Letter From Editor Greetings Broncos! I’d like to extend my wholehearted appreciation to the Bronco Family for making the first print issue of Spring 2010 a major success. It just goes to show that with hope, persever ance, teamwork, and passion, anything is possible. Fayetteville State University’s new administration also played a key role in ensuring the Voice Newspaper returned after its year and a half hiatus. Please do not hesitate to reflect upon the new programs and traditions that have been established at FSU during the last two years. Never forget to express your thanks to our administration, faculty and staff for listening and implementing whatever ventures possible to improve the academic, social, emotional, and mental quality of life for students. Remember two things, one- refrain from complaining if you are not actively attempting to correct the issue you are complaining about, and two- change is neither easy, nor quick, but still worth the blood, sweat and tears. In my living room I proudly display my high school diploma sitting on the very top of my bookshelf Although soon I will add a bachelor’s degree to that shelf, at 20 years old, I don’t have much else to display, besides a host of leadership and social activism awards. On many instances guests have questioned me as to why I display a “little high school diploma.” “It doesn’t mean much these days,” a friend even dared to say, which brought me to an important realization. Many African-American young adults are just two to four generations separated from slavery. A century ago, that “little high school diploma” represented the faith, hope and dream that so many people, regardless of color, died fighting for. Each individual accomplishment in life serves as a single step in your staircase of goals and dreams. If you don’t take those “high school diploma” steps at the bottom, how can you climb to the Ph.D step at the top? Never take any accomplishment in life for granted, especially not that “little high school diploma,” which took 18 years to obtain. ..longer than it takes many to achieve their Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doc torate degrees-combined. L’Asia B. Brown The Carson Administration by Shante’ Elliott Fayetteville State University takes pride in allowing it’s students to serve as student leaders. One leadership position open to all FSU students lies within the Student Government Association (SGA). This academic school year the SGA is under the leadership of Senior Monica Carson (President) and Senior Francine Dunbar (Vice President). At the January 27, 2010 SGA Meet ing, the position of Webmaster was filled. President Carson appointed Senior Akin Kayode as Webmaster. Kayode is responsible for updating and maintaining the SGA website. Kayode says he is qualified for the position because he has “the skills needed to bring out SGA and it’s full potential onto it’s website”. A major topic discussed at the January 27th meeting was to place clear plastic bins displaying students’ food waste in the Student Center. The idea was presented to the SGA by Aramark manager Roland Randolph. The bins are to remain present during breakfast, lunch, and dinner and will include facts about food waste nationwide. Volunteers are needed to help make this project a suc cess. Interested students should see Angel Robinson, director of Student Volunteers. SGA’s upcoming events include: February 10 SGA Meeting at 4:00 pm in RJSC 236 February 12 Dangerously in Love Part II 8:30 cafeteria (jazz, poetry, food) February 24 SGA Meeting 4:00 RJST 236 All FSU students are members of the SGA and they are encour aged to become active. GIVEN _ continued from page 1 tions regarding the university’s efforts on raising money, people like Affleck and his colleagues work diligently to find more'innovative and effective ways to raise money for FSU. They include: ■ Being the Tom Joyner School of the Month. “We have already raised $150,000 towards this goal and Mr. Tom Joyner will be our special guest at the Chancellor’s CIAA lunch on Friday, February 26th in Charlotte. All funds will, be used to support student scholarships at FSU,” said Affleck. ■ Gathering community volunteers for an Annual Fund Committee that will help secure support from more of the Fayetteville community. ■ A phone-a-thon for March. FSU students and volunteers will call alumni and others who have not given this year ■ Enhancing FSU’s technology including the FSU website to better man age the databases and communicate with all constituents. FSU is also trying ,to make better use of social media like Facebook and Twitter to reach and maintain contact with younger alumni. ■ FSU plans to hire a marketing firm to help develop a comprehensive marketing/branding program for the entire university. “A stronger FSU brand will lead to increased contributions,” said the Vice Chancellor. With all of these efforts in the making, it soon might be more difficult to find a student who has not heard the importance of financially supporting the university. “This is vitally important, because if we can help students to de velop the habit of giving they are more likely to give when they graduate,” said Affleck. The Vice Chancellor also said his office is working with the Student Government Association to support their fundraising effort. “We want students to be aware that as our support from the state of North Carolina decreases, we must raise more private sector funds to support our programs, faculty and students. They should be a part of this effort because they will benefit directly as more money is raised.” Dexter Days, a senior at FSU, says that if as an alumnus he makes a dona tion to the institution, he would want to know what the money is being used for. Many other students also want to know where the money goes. “Most of the money donated from private sources goes to support FSU student scholar ships and, to a lesser extent, academic programs and initiatives. Since over 90% of our students need some form of financial aid, the need is often greater than our resources,” said Affleck. The Vice Chancellor says the good news is the University is doing better now than it has in recent years and FSU plans to do even better going forward.