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The Compass April 7, 2003 7 CCAMPUSNEWS) STUDENTS BATTLE OVER THE WAR IN IRAQ Kymber Lee Taylor Kymber t@hotmail.com War with Iraq has sparked lively discussions throughout the interna tional community with many countries flanking to their prospective sides. On Thursday, March 27 of 2003, the Elizabeth City State University’s Honors Program joined the lively debate with over 50 of the university’s students, staff and faculty gathering in Johnson’s Halls amphi theater to listen to the freshmen and sophomore classes’ wrestle with the issues. Every year the Honor’s Program sponsors at least one debate in which the freshmen and sophomore class are pitted against one another. “The Honor’s Program students are encouraged to participate in the debates, even though the debates may, at times, become heated,” said Golar Newby, a senior in the Honors Program who participated in the debates for the past three years. This year the classes debated the United States involvement in the war against Iraq. The topic was selected because of the controversy surrounding the issues and because it easily lent itself to the “heated” nature of the debates. The freshman argued the affir mative position and defended the United States efforts in the war. The freshman team consisted of Eric Peebles, Damien White, Adreene Wilson, and Q. Brandell Powell. The sophomore debate team consisted of Joy Myers, Jamica Ashley, Jennifer Pride, Don Mourn ing, Clayton Knight, Alvita Clark, and Shanika Johnson. Eric Peebles opened the debate with an impelling question that sur mised the Freshmen’s argument, “Has Iraq complied fully and immedi ately with all provisions of Resolution 1441, which, as you may recall, was drafted to afford Iraq, by this resolu tion, a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations?” The Negative team, lead by sophomore Joy Myers argued that if Iraq was not in compliance with a United Nation sanction, then it is the UN’s responsibility to police the matter, not the United States. “What the Bush administration has failed to understand is that the possible possession of weapons of mass destruction by Iraq is an issue between the UN and Iraq and was not meant to explode into a conflict between the US and Iraq,” said Myers. The debates continued for close to an hour, concluding when the judges decided in favor of the sopho more class. Dr. Glenda Griffin, Dr. Glenn Bowman, and Mr. Stephen March served as judges for the debate. “The scores were very close and I felt as though both teams had strengths and weaknesses,” said Glenda Griffin shortly after the scores were announced. LEWIS MOVES UP Erika Cooper & Jamal Williams The constitution of the Elizabeth City State University Student Govern ment Association states, “To seek and hold the office of president, candidates must have and maintain a minimum cumulative GRA (grade point average) of 3.0.” It was this article that brought forth a problem for the officers of the Student Government Association and the ECSU student legislature. Because Damiyon Sledge, 2002-2003 elected SGA presi dent, did not meet this criterion of the university constitution, he was automati cally removed from office. “During the fall semester of 2002, my GPA dropped to a 2.9, which is below the minimum required GPA of 3.0. I was in misconduct of Article 5, Section 2, Item 8 of the Student Government Association handbook. The handbook does not state consequences that follow the violation. If the handbook is not right, then let’s try to get it right before a monumental decision is made that will hinder the student body,” Sledge said. The university constitution does, however, state that all Student Govern ment officers shall take an oath to preserve, protect, and uphold this constitution. As a result of Sledge’s removal from office, Damion Lewis, vice presi dent, moved into the position of presi dent. The platform for the school year is F.O.C.U.S and Lewis said he would not change it. F.O.C.U.S is an acronym for: Further Student Participation, Outreach- ing to the community. Creating a No- Hassle Campaign, Untamed Viking Spirit, Student and faculty interaction. “I may not do it exactly like Sledge would have, but I will continue to carry out the mission SGA already has in place,” said Lewis. Although Lewis is new to being president, he is no stranger to working with the SGA. At Northwest High School in Halifax County, NC, Lewis held the position of SGA representative. Here at ECSU, Lewis has held positions includ ing sophomore class president and SGA Vice President before taking over as SGA President. Lewis felt stuck in the middle of an uncomfortable situation, involving Sledge losing his position. “Damiyon was a really good presi dent: he’s accomplished a lot. My goal is not to live up to a standard he set, but give the students the same support and leadership Damiyon gave them,” Lewis said. “Damiyon Sledge was a very dedicated and hard working president. Damion Lewis will be a good president if he too is dedicated and hardworking, but also remember that he is a student first,” said Andrew Vinson, a student legislator. “I do believe that a man’s good shows in the work that he does. I have seen that work and see these character istics in Mr. Lewis,” Sledge said. Many of the officers and Legisla tors don’t think that the student legisla ture has too much power. “As in the United States govern ment, there must be checks and bal ances, which allows justice and fair ness,” Vinson said. “They don’t realize how much power they have,” Lewis said. “They are elected by their class, but before they are elected to the position, they need to know the duties of the job itself and all that is said of them,” said Shanyell Parker, SGA Attorney General. Sledge, the former president, presented a formal proposal to the Student Legislation to try and remain in his position: however, after a vote, his request was denied. Still, Sledge main tains that the rules for his removal are not clear. Sledge pointed out that the constitution does not say that the presi dent will be relieved of all sworn duties and responsibilities. “The constitution needs to be really revised. I have not resigned, stepped down, or been impeached,” he said. Catina Alston is now the new Vice President. wifimi (HMnEstins: NM,*fWHATI CAU REALITY TV ( REALSAWm HUSSBK PIEASE. il THE PHOENIX A I^iterary Magazine Produced by the ECSU Pickwick Society The Phoenix is accepting submissions for the 2002-2003 issue. Poems, shon fiction, artwork, photographs, creative non-fiction and one act plays will be evaluated and considered for publication by members of the Pickwick Society. The deadline for submissions is April 7th, 2003. All work should be submitted to a Pickwick Society member, Mr. Stephen March, Dr. Joseph Lisowski, or Mr. Pernell Bartletl in the Literature, Language^ and Communications departmental ofitcc. Submissions must be signed and include the student’s telephone number and campus address. Any questions should be directed to Mr. March, Dr. Lisowski, or caU 335-3588. POETRY ARTWORK SHORT FICTION ONE ACT PLAYS PHOTOGRAPHS CREATIVE NON-FICTION
Elizabeth City State University Student Newspaper
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April 7, 2003, edition 1
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