Monya TomRnson
Editor
Were the protests worth it?
My fellow Belles staged a protest last month to decry poor
dormitory conditions, a lack of textbooks, treatment of interna
tional students, etc. Though it was wet and freezing that day, the
100 plus Belles waited on the lawn f«- a response from College
administration . They spent two days, Feb. 18 and 19 expressing
their feelings and concerns for our fair institution.
Was it worth it? I think the answer is yes... and no.
Yes, we needed the administration and Board of Trustees to
hear our concerns. Yes, we needed answers and solutions to our
problems. And, yes, we needed
to let out all our frustrations and
experience a little revolution.
The protests, however, did not
help the morale on this campus.
1 was able to deal with the problems at Bennett before the protest
because 1 knew it was not going to be like this forever. After the
protests, 1 and many of my friends had considered transferring
from Bennett
February's events didn’t help the College’s reputation, either.
Local media ["Bad news is good news for the media!"] seemed
eager to report a troubled Bennett College.
Image isn’t everything, but most of the students and faculty
I’ve talked to admit it’s embarrassing for the College community,
when BenneU is on the front page of the newspaper everyday for
nearly five days - and none of the news is good.
On the flip side, the true meaning of Bennett sisterhood
showed through. Students and alumnae made contact and
interacted, when under most circumstances, they wouldn’t.
Students felt empowered to know that they could openly voice
their opinions and someone would listen.
Overall, the protests were needed. However, our actions will
prove unsuccessful unless until changes or improvements are
made.
Time wiU tell if the protests were effective.
The opinion expressed in this column is that of the author and does
not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire Bennett Banner staff.
STUDENT OPINION POLL:
The Bennett Banner
EDITORS
MONYA D. TOMUNSONEditor
RUNGANO P. NYAJEKA Managing Editor
CANDACE D. EVANS Sports Editor,
Photograher
EPrrORIAL STAFF
How effective were the student
protests ?
Photos by Candice D. Evans, Banner Photographer
SHAWNTEE ANDERSON
General Assignment Reporter
LA’SHAINNA CAMPBELL Herstory, Briefings, KUDOS
ROCHELLE CLARKE Circulation
DARNiTA HOWARD Health
HABIBA KOROMA Reviev^s
SHANTILK OTEY Pheness
KRISHEL A. PANTON Graphics
SHERIEA WATERS General Assignnnent Reporter
TIFFANY BOWE Classifieds
PRODUCTION
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DANITA HOLUNS Production Assistant
JESSICA LONDON Production Assistant
ADVISER
DR. LONA D. COBB
The Bennett Banner is a laboratory newspaper published twice a
month during the academic year, except during months with Ck)llege
recognized holidays or College vacations. The newspaper is pro
duced by and for students at Bennett College. The newspaperoffice
is located in Shell Hall C-2.
SAMARIA COLBERT
CLASS: FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR; UNDECIDED
HOME STATE; MARYLAND
The protest was very effective. In
my dorm Pfieifer Hall there have
been a lot of changes that
wouldn't have happened without
the student protest.
ERIN MIXON
CLASS; JUNIOR
MAJOR; ENGLISH
HOME STATE; FLORIDA
A lot of positive changes are in
the process of being implemented
as a result of the protest. I hope
that we will continue to see
results.
KATHERINE SHIVERS
CLASS; FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR; BIOLOGY
HOME STATE: NORTH CAROLINA
We did an excellent job as far
as the protest is concerned.
Many things on this campus are
being improved as we speak.
AMBER LOVE
CLASS; FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR; MASS COMM
HOME STATE; CALIFORNIA
I truly believe the protest was
effective because everyone's
voice was heard. The students
are ready but is the administra
tion at Bennett College ready
for change?
ANGELA BYRD
CLASS; FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR: MIDDLE
SCHOOL EDUCATION
HOME STATE: VIRGINIA
COLLEEN HALL
CLASS: FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR; MASS COMM
HOME STATE; NEW JERSEY
The protest was effective.
Without student action, im
provements probably would not
have been made. It is because of receive a literature book,
a unified front that Bennett is
changing.
There have been a lot of changes
for the good of the school since
the protest. I have a few prob
lems; however, I have yet to