News
Meredith’s Black Student Union Brings Culture to Campus
Marlena Brown, Managing Editor
via Facebook
February might seem like an ordinary
month with nothing too exciting going on,
but February is nationally recognized as Black
History Month, celebrating the achievements
of Africans and African-Americans. Meredith’s
newly formed Black Student Union embraced
the opportunity to celebrate African-American
heritage and bring some cultural spirit to
campus.
Two events were hosted by BSU in
honor of Black History Month in February. The
first was a panel lecture on beauty and self-
image amongst African-American women. The
lecture, entitled “The Skin I’m In,” highlighted
stereotypical views of beauty standards for
African-American women and what defines
beauty in a judgmental society. From skin
complexion to hair care standards, the
discussion was open and honest in addressing
beauty issues that many African-American
women face on a daily basis.
The second event celebrated African-
American culture through music, speech,
and art. During the event, vibrant aspects of
African-American culture Were on display.
BSU celebrated past, present and future
accomplishments of African-Americans with
the Raleigh community at this event. There was
also a special visit from the fraternity Kappa
Alpha Psi. In addition, BSU (in conjunction
with Ethiopian Community Organization in
North Carolina) also hosted the Battle of Adwa
presentation. This was in commemoration of
the 119th anniversary of Ethiopia gaining its
independence from Italy.
Although newly formed, Meredith’s
BSU seems to be making its presence known on
campus. Humble beginnings for BSU have not
stopped it from spreading cultural awareness
to the Meredith community—after all,
bringing people together through communal
understanding is a significant feat.
For inquiries or information about BSU, please
email tbwillia@email.meredith.edu. Also check
Meredith’s Enews page for announcements
regarding meetings and events.
Sweet Briar in Distress
Kristen Lawhorne, Staff Writer
It is likely that many have already heard about Sweet Briar’s
impending shut-down. As a whole. Sweet Briar’s campus takes up
3,250 acres of land-much larger than Meredith’s 225 acres (according
to our website). However, the school only has 700 students, compared
to roughly 2,000 at Meredith College. Although Sweet Briar intends to
close down the school, they cannot sell the land. Indiana William, the
school’s founding benefactor, has stated in her will that the land must
be used for the creation of Sweet Briar, a women’s college. The court has
yet to decide what will happen to the land; however, there is a possibility
that the land will be transferred over to another charitable organization.
The school itself has been open for 114 years. It currently has an
endowment fund of $94 million, which is the same amount currently
funded to Meredith College. About $60 million of that fund has been
donated to put toward specific projects, restricting the available funding
to about $30 million. Sweet Briar has stated that they are closing their
doors because of financial challenges; this is true, but there was more to
the decision than that. President Jo Allen says, “Although Meredith and
Sweet Briar share an historical commitment to educational excellence
for women, we differ in a number of critical ways. First, Meredith has
substantially more students than Sweet Briar, meaning that enrollment
fluctuations do not impact our financial situation as dramatically as
they may a smaller institution. Second, our location in Raleigh/RTP is a
tremendous attraction for many students who want to be part of a vibrant
community.” This fact has become more apparent to Sweet Briar, located
near Lynchburg, VA.
According to the hoard at Sweet Briar, the number of students
attending small, rural schools has been decreasing. They have tried to
implement a strategy to increase the number of students, but because
their finance has been restrained, it is impossible to make a comeback.
The fact that Sweet Briar is losing students and the fact they are not in
an overpopulated region has really hit them hard financially. Although
they are closing, the memories of that school will continue to live on in
the hearts of its students and alumnae. Meredith College is and will still
be standing strong.
For more information:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/pascalemmanuelgobry/2015/03/lo/
does-sweet-briar-college-want-to-survive/
http://www.businessinsider.com/sweet-briar-college-land-cannot-be-
sold-according-to-founders-last-will-and-testament-2015-3
http://shc.edu/news/academics/boafd-direcf6rs-votes-close-college-
2014-2015-academic-year/
http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2015/03/03/sweet__
briar_college_closing_why__the_wealthy__virginia_school_is_closing_
its.html
via Getty Images
Changes in Gas Prices Coming to North Carolina
Monique Kreisman, News Editor
This month, the General Assembly is
considering changes to the state gas tax that will
impact prices in North Carolina. The goal is to
slow decreases in revenue for the Department
of Transportation. The Department is very
dependent on the gas tax; according to its
website, $1.82 billion of its $4 billion budget
comes from the gas tax. Part of the tax is fixed,
and part of it varies based on wholesale oil
prices, so with falling gas prices, the DOT is
receiving less revenue. Several plans have heen
proposed to solve this problem, and they will all
directly affect North Carolina drivers.
The current North Carolina gas tax is
37.5 cents per gallon. According to a Mar. 11
article in the Charlotte Observer, the House has
passed a bill to reduce the tax to an unchanging
36 cents, and the Senate passed a bill to reduce
it to 35. Although these proposals are for a
tax less than the current amount, they would
actually be successful in slowing the decrease
in DOT revenue, for if the current variahle tax
were to remain, it^ would drop well helow 35
cents this summer. The goal of the plan is to find
a stable source of revenue for the Department
of Transportation that does not change with gas
prices.
Rep. Charles Jeter (R) proposes another
plan. He suggests a $201 annual fee for all
registered North Carolina drivers in lieu of any
state tax. While some drivers may prefer paying
a flat fee once a year instead of paying higher
gas prices, opponents of the plan complain that
it does not take into account road usage—people
who drive infrequently would be taxed as much
as people who drive every day—and it does not
tax interstate drivers who use North Carolina
highways. Whatever plan is agreed upon. North
Carolina drivers will likely notice a difference in
the cost of gas this summer.
Via Getty Images