Follett draws mixed reactions MLK VIGII:
Follett has had some trouble meeting student demand. Empty book
shelves are just one of the problems.
Zack Hample
STATT WRITER
As Follett Higher Education
Group begins its first full semes
ter in control of the bookstore at
Guilford College, mixed reac
tions continue to accumulate
from both students and members
of the faculty.
Fifteen months ago, Presi
dent Don McNemar made the
controversial, but financially
practical, decision to outsource
Guilford's bookstore. While nu
merous benefits were guaran
teed, many opposed the move,
believing the corporate presence
would challenge the friendly in
timacy of the small Quaker cam
pus.
One yeai later, the issue re
surfaced when Follett took over
and made its presence known.
Pam Henry and Betsy lohnson.
the former long-time bookstore
managers and friends to the L im
munity, refused the offer to i\
main as part of the new operation.
The ensuing concern of com
munity members swept the cam
CTTTTT FORDTAN
Greensboro, NC
pus and cast a shadow on Follett.
Intense scrutiny of the new book
store has continued ever since.
First-year student Sarah
Crane said, "I've had experiences
with [the employees] being both
friendly and also very cold."
"When Pam and Betsy were
here," added junior Eli Abrams,
"you couldn't get three feet past
the door without them at least say
ing hello to you."
Fortunately, others like jun
ior Jackie Thai, have been able to
focus on the positives. "The books
are definitely cheaper," she said.
Junior Zach Whicker pointed
out that his recent experience in
side the bookstore was "a lot more
efficient -- 1 got out of there a lot
quicker than 1 have in the past."
According to senior
Stephanie Melesky, the good
comes with the bad: "I think that
efficiency has replaced being help
ful. It's lost the personal touch that
Guilford markets as being a pres
ence on campus.
Numerous professors have
also expressed dissatisfaction,
some of whom share the belief
that the initial decision to
between Pam Henry and Betsy
tions and assistance to the new
manager.
MeLeod said it is still too
manager has been re pensive to
casions, received incorrect edi
tions of books and failed to notify
professors promptly and appro
priately.
While Gwako acknowledges
that complaints are legitimate, he
suggested that "it might be advis
able for us to go slow on whipping
them...They are in the midst of
that transitional crisis."
Gwako added, "I am con
vinced that they are doing every
thing possible to adapt to this col
lege." He justified his confidence
by considering the situation from
Follett's perspective: Follett is a
profit-motivated company, and
their performance here will cer
tainly affect their future endeav
ors.
President McNemar wants
Follett to succeed here, not only
Please see Follett, page 2
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TheGuilfordian
c/o Student Activities
5800 W. Friendly Ave.
Greensboro, NC 27410
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recycle
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January 26, 2001
Keeping the
Dream Ally e
'"Corista ~
Kara Price
STArr WRITER
"This is no time jio en
gage in the luxury of cooling
off or to take the tranquiliz
ing drug of gradualism.... I
still have a dream... Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
On January 15th, tht
Guilford College Commu
nity observed Martin
Luther King Jr. Day
through visual and perfor
mance art, panels, discus
sions, films, and public
talks.
The day was one of re
membrance and celebration
of the life and legacy of
King as well as a time to
reflect on the existing is
sues of racism and injustice
in this country.
The heart of the cel
ebration was the candle
light vigil, at which keynote
speaker Constance Slaugh
ter-Harvey's sentiments
echoed that of the King
quote above. Her speech
synthesized the events of
past and present in order to
pose the challenging ques
tion: "Are we better off?"
Constance Slaughter-
Harvey currently works as
the assistant attorney gen-
Please see MLK, page 3