send news tips to the editor; thevoice.fsu@gmail.com | www.issuu.com/fsuvoice | March 28, 2012 | ThE VoiCE, For Students, By Students 3
Not Another Dilapidated Building
By Alisha Murphy
Discussion about the university's future for
the home of Fayetteville State’s third Presi
dent, E.E. Smith, will resume in early April.
FSU officials and representatives of the
City of Fayetteville will meet the first week
of April to discuss ideas for Smith’s former
home on 135 Blount Street in Fayetteville.
The home, which is now surrounded by
commercial property, was set for demolition
early this year, but has since been saved in
hopes of restoration. The redevelopment of
the area is said to include new business space
and an overall cosmetic adjustment to the
area.
In 1902, Dr. Smith purchased the two-year-
old, two story, three bedroom, one bath home
for $100 dollars. During his era, the commu
nity was home to many professionals and a
“thriving black community” according to An
drew Barksdale, a reporter with The Fayette
ville Observer.
Over the years the home has accommo
dated several families, as well as a local busi-
The City of Fayetteville now owns the
property, but hopes the community will be
able to contribute to the project. Budget cuts
and lack of information and involvement
have halted any further discussions about the
home’s restoration.
Dr. Bertha H. Miller, FSU historian, said
the university is spearheading efforts to raise
money for the project and is proposing that
FSU alunmi, E.E. Smith alumni, and the state
contribute.
According to Dr. Miller, Dr. Smith was a
“very generous man, who raised and donated
funds to purchase the first 40 acres of land
where Fayetteville State currently sits.” As
an advocate for community involvement,
Dr, Smith’s legacy would benefit from direct
community collaboration, but it seems that
funds are just not available at this time.
While all parties agree the project will be
costly, no ideas have yet been discussed as to
what would be appropriate or preferred for
the restoration, nor has a budget been drawn.
Courtesy of ZilHow.COm
Second home owned by E.E. Smith located at 135 Blount Street here In Fay
etteville, shown in a dilapidated condition.
Federal Reminders
Taxes must be filed with the IRS by April 15 at Midnight
All students must renew their FAFSA if you want Financial Aid for 2012-2013
FSU Reminders
Returning FSU students it is time again to register for
On Campus Housing. For Application dates and details
log on to uncfsu.edu/reslife or call the Office of Resi
dence Life at (910) 672-2599
oice
Are You Graduating?
By Jalynn Jones
Are you aware that African American's na
tional average gradiution rate from four-year
colleges is 41 percent? Fayetteville State Uni
versity’s current graduation rate is 11 percent.
If you look aroimd your classroom, only 11
percent of the students who came in as in
coming freshman will graduate in six years.
Statistical information can be confusing so, in
laymen’s terms, less than half of blacks en
rolled in four-year universities are graduating
in six years.
Historically Black Colleges and Universi
ties typically admit students with lower grade
point averages to provide opportunities to at
tend higher education institutions. This prac
tice has a direct effect on overall graduation
rates. FSU recognizes that there is a problem
and continues to create programs and hire na
tionally renowned individuals to improve the
retention rate among all students.
Dr. D. Jason De Sousa was recently hired
as FSU’s Vice Chancellor of Retention. De
Sousa has over 10 years of experience in
higher education and a passion for “helping
students push forward.” He has held various
administrative positions in higher education
institutions but he said he enjoys working
with students face to face. Although Dr. De
Sousa is concerned with retention in the gen
eral student population, he specializes in the
improvement of African American males’ re
tention rates.
African American males are the most at
risk group in higher education, according to
Dr. De Sousa.
Courtesy of facebook.com
Dr. D. Jason De Sousa talking with a group of students.
“African American males with bachelor
degrees tend to provide state and federal gov
ernment with better tax pays. Meaning that,
they can get jobs and pay taxes and contribute
to society in ways that are needed. It’s in the
best interest of the United States for African
American males to graduate at greater levels
than previous was the case. Much is at stake
here.”
The statistics are stacked against African
American students, but that does not mean
students of color are defeated. According to
the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education,
the graduation rate for black males has im
proved from 28 percent to 36 percent over
the past 15 years. Students need to recognize
generational obstacles and other road blocks
that may stand in the way of finishing their
education. On the other hand, black women
continue to have steady gains each year and
currently have a 46 percent graduation rate.
FSU’s Student Government Association
recently held a panel discussion titled “Can
You See Yourself through All That Smoke.”
The panel was designed to give students the
opportunity to get advice from college gradu
ates and staff about staying in school. Panel
members explored several obstacles that pre
vent students from finishing school. Issues,
such as too much involvement in clubs and
organizations and frnancial setbacks were ad
dressed. In the end, the question still remains;
Are you graduating?