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FEATURES
BSM 1978—A Challenge, a change, a campaign
By VANESSA SIDDLE
Feature Editor
A challenge and a campaign. Black
Student Movement 1978 is on its way.
But on its way where and moving
toward what?
Blacks don’t act, they react, so the
saying goes. And certainly BSM has a
reputation for reaction. But what
about initiative action? Can it be
functional, unified? Can BSM act on a
situation rather than react?
Allen Johnson, Chairperson 1978-79
says it can. And we begin with
“Challenge ’78.”
“The challenge is to pay off our loan
from student government,” said
Johnson. “We don’t want to miss the
monthly payments.”
And there’s an all out campaign.
Faculty help is counted on, BSM sub
groups donations are welcomed and
of course dues money.
“In addition, we plan to use as
much ingenuity and innovativeness as
we can in providing activities people
will enjoy and come to,” Johnson
said. “In this way we also hope to
acquire needed funds.
AND BSM PLANS...
Yes. Financial plans are here. But
the Central Committee plans an
exchange for student support—not a
rip off. And number one on the agenda
is the Dating Game.
Same format as the TV show. Same
chance to acquire eligible bachelors
or bachelorettes. But not the same
show we’ve seen on campus in the
past.
“We want to be as lavish and
attractive as possible,” Johnson said.
“There’ll be celebrities on campus
and off and we plan for big sur
prises.”
Of course all dates are the courtesy
of the BSM. And that event comes off
September 28 in Great Hall.
Then, coming up, the BSM
Coronation Ball. A new Miss BSM, a
night of entertainment and ex
citement, planned to be well worth the
• • money -vou put- into- it. -That’fi- October
6.
And save December 7. Classes will
have ended and the BSM plans for our
entertainment and its financial
benefit, the Fall Talent Show.
It’ll be local talent. The folks you
see everyday. But surprise—they
seem to have lots to offer, and they’ll
be displaying it. Include the
organization and pre-planning that
the Central Committee insists on
having, and it too should be worth an
emptier wallet.
Interesting point to note. Dues-
paying BSM members receive
discounts at BSM functions.
ON THE SUBJECT OF DUES
“Everything’s flowing nice and
smoothly,” said Stella Jones, BSM
secretary. “If dues continue at the
rate they’re going, we’ll reach our
goal.”
The Central Committee goal is 500
dues-paying members. Dues are $2.00
per person.
The freshmen have responded well,
Jones said. Approximately one third
of them have already paid. “Most
upperclassmen however, seem not to
realize their responsibility.”
There is no deadline, but Jones does
urge people to pay as soon as possible.
In addition to discounts on BSM
functions, dues-paying members also
receive a membership card.
“To be a member of the BSM, you
don’t have to pay dues,” Johnson
said, “but if you can and want to, we’d
like for you to.”
PROJECT CABINET
Not everything this year is finan
cial. A new project at birth is the
Black Campus Cabinet.
An attempt to create unity? One
would say yes. An all-out effort.
The organization is to be a com
posite of all the Black organizations
on campus, BSM subgrouped or not,
and each organization will have
representatives.
These people will meet to exchange
ideas, coordinate a calendar and in
general, function as a Jiason between
the groups and the BSM.
“We have already sent letters to the
organizations inviting them to come,”
Johnson said, “and we await their
ideas.”
SPEAKING OF NEW PROJECTS
Now when you don’t have the time
to read the Weekly Ink or you miss
something in The Black Ink, you have
an alternative. The Black Student
Movement is sponsoring a radio
program to be aired twice a week.
The scheduled beginning date for
the program is October 1. Find 89.3
ahead of time (station WXYC).
Although the format is informative,
it will include some fun spots such as
on-the-spot interviews and talent
-pots where students may display and
demonstrate their creativity.
The co-chairman of the program
committee, Rochelle Riley, is a
Journailsm-English major who says
that this is her first experience
producing a radio show. But her more
experienced co-chairman, Ike
Cummings, knows exactly what he’s
doing. He and fellow committee
members Terri Burns and Diane
Ramsey are working hard to make
the show a success.
Anyone interested in the production
of the show or the writing of scripts
for programs should contact Ike
Cummings.
AND FOR GRIPES SAKE
“We need more leaders,” said
Johnson. “There’re plenty of
followers, but nobody wants to lead or
coordinate anything.
“We need general body members
who don’t mind helping. We’re always
receptive to people who want to
work.”
And for those who don’t want to
coordinate programs, there are
receptionist and typing jobs in the
BSM office, Jones said. Stop by or call
her at 933-4177.
Black men—get in touch with
Roscoe McClain, chairman of James
Action Committee. He says he needs
you.
“I don’t want James people to
become motivated to act only with the
occurance of another crisis,” he said.
WRAPPING THINGS UP
A party? A seminar? Need a place
to meet? Check by Upendo.
“Scheduling is done on a first come,
first serve basis,” said Kurt Garrett,
Upendo Board Chairman. “Any
recognized campus organization can
schedule a meeting and reserve time
blocks. Otner groups are free to fill in
the non-scheduled hours.”
For reservations, check by the
Upendo desk. Personnel is always
available for scheduling (unlike times
past when you could never find who
you needed, when you needed them).
When not in group use, Upendo is
free for recreation or study. Hours
this year are:
1:00pm-11:00 pm Monday-Th
ursday
2:00 pm-7:00 pm P'riday
2:00 pm-5:00 pm Saturday
3:00 pm-11:00 pm Sunday
For other questions concerning
usage, check the policy sheet on the
Upendo bulletin board.
Greeks offer social outlet
By THERESA ANN WILLIAMS
Special Projects Editor
While some people feel totally content
with their lifestyles, be it exciting or
not, there are those who appreciate and
prefer the sisterhood and brotherhood
of Greek life. Each semester, sorority
rushes and fraternity smokers are held
to acquaint interested individuals with
different aspects of the social
organizations.
For the young lady who wants a taste
of sisterhood, there is the sorority. In
sorority life, women with common
interests and goals come together to
form a mutual support system within
the University and community. There
are presently two Black sororities on
campus. Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta
Sigma Theta.
Debra Harris, a soror of AKA, says
the purpose of rush is to give interested
women an opportunity to find out what
the sorority is all about. It also gives the
sorors a chance to meet those in
terested in joining the sorority.
Brotherhood and life-long friendships
are two factors which link the brothers
of our three fraternities. “A fraternity,
said Otis Speight, “is a group of in
dividuals who are collectively united by
a common source, who share ideas, and
who obligate themselves to the cause
for which the fraternity stands.”
Speight is a member of Omega Psi Phi
fraternity.
The purpose of fraternity smokers is
to provide for the interested young man
an opportunity to leam about the
fraternity’s goals, insights,
achievements and aspirations.
Prospective pledgees are expected to
possess the qualities of manhood,
scholarship, perseverance and uplift.
The other two fraternities on campus
are Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha
Psi. Groove Phi Groove, a social
organization is also on campus.
20
Official BSM emblem; voted on Spring 1978.