Page 2 - The News Argus - April 1977 Blacks Displeased At Bell’s Progress The Nationeil Wihnington 10 Defense Committee wishes to state oiir displea sure at the statements released yesterday by the Justice Department with regard to their investigation into the Wilmington 10 case. Although the Justice Department announced that they will release to both the defense counsel and the State Attorney General transcripts of the federal grand jury investigation and the FBI reports on request, this essentially implies that the Justice Department itself is not willing to make any moves against Jay Stroud and the other public officials who have committed federal crimes in North Carolina by railroading our defendants to jail. We will have access to the federal reports but that only means that both sides will use the material in addition to existing material in the slow moving appeals process. We must also point out that presently we simply do not know exactly what the reports say and whether or not they will help or hinder SREB Reports ATLANTA - Total colle giate enrollment in the South declined slightly last fall over the record high levels of fall 1975, even though enrollment of women and first-time college students increased markedly. Analyzing preliminary da ta from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), researchers with the Southern Regional Edu cation Board (SREB) identify these trends: the defense. I can speculate, however, that the federal report can’t be tremendously supportive for us because sources close to this investigation have said that the mere willing ness of the Justice Depart ment to release the entire report would tend to indicate that no criminal action is forthcoming against the North Carolina officials. If criminal proceedings were being considered it is unlikely that the department would disclose all their reports and evidence. That same source seemed to feel that the Justice Department does not feel that it can prove beyond a reasonable doubt the guilt of the conspiracy led by Jay Stroud. We find this statement quite unbelievable. Given that the public has now heard from two of the state’s former witnesses that they were coerced by Mr. Stroud to lie at the 1972 trial and has also heard from a third witness that he was bribed for his testimony, it seems to * Enrollment in the South’s public colleges and universities dropped one per cent between fall 1975 and fall 1976, but the region’s private institutions geiined two percent more students; * This spelled an overall decline of 0.6 per cent in the South’s collegiate enroll ment, since public institu tions account for the lion’s share of regional enrollment — about 85 per cent. ♦Enrollment of women in the South increased dramati- us that there is more than enough evidence to prove beyond a doubt that Stroud used illegal tactics to gain a conviction of the Wilmington 10. Most everyone across this country can recall cases where individuals have been convicted for various crimes on a lot less evidence than that. In our opinion this sounds like a very weak excuse. Although they say that they are continuing the investigation, they have failed to make a final decision on where they’ll go from here. I personally feel that the pubic should be outraged that the Justice Department after several weeks of intensive investigation and such obvious public know ledge of the facts cannot announce strongly its inten tions to launch an indictment against the guilty North Carolina officials. Just how long will this investigation drag out? When will they make a decision? It appears to us that Mr. Bell has done as the cally by 4.5 per cent between fall 1975 and fall 1976, while male enrollment dropped by 4.8 per cent; women now account for over 47 per cent of all Southern collegiate enrollment, compared to 40 per cent in 1966; ♦Due to the largest-ever high school graduating class, first-time college enrollment in fall 1976 grew substantial ly, with increases of seven percent in Southern public institutions, and more than 15 per cent in the South’s private sector; ♦The greatest enrollment decline came in the South’s public two-year colleges, which were down nearly thre per cent from 1975 with 24.000 fewer students en rolled. (See Table on page two). Much the same pattern was reflected nationally, according to the NCES data, which show 11,106,000 students enrolled nationwide in fall 1976, a decline of 79.000 from fall 1975. In the 14 SREB states, total enrollment was 2,828,000 in fall 1976, which is 18,000 less than in fall 1975. The leveling enrollments of fall 1976 follow the unexpected large increases of 1975 when total enroll- See COLLEGES, Page 7 federal courts have done already to us and that is to make the defense continue to fight this case out in the lengthy appeals process throgh the maze of state and federal courts. This process could take five or six years to complete. Meanwhile, inno cent people are in jail. We are disappointed at this lack of positive action on the part of Mr. Bell at this point. We are hoping that he The Rams and Coach (Bighouse) Gaines brought several titles from the CIAA Tournament this year. Ap preciation for a job well done was extended to them by Winston-Salem Mayor Franklin Shirley. In honor of the Rams’ victory, March 7-12 was proclaimed as Winston-Salem State Uni versity Week. Coach Gaines, was named the CIAA’s Most Outstand ing Coach. He accepted the Proclamation which was presented to him by Winslow Lowery, Director of Alumni Affairs at Winston-Salem State. In accepting the Proclama tion, Gaines stated that the team was very happy and proud to have brought back the CIAA title, and that his only regret was that they were not able to bring back a national title to the city. Gaines stated that the team experienced quite a bit of sickness during the regular season prior to the tournament. Continued from page 1 principal speaker. Sunday dinner was served from 12:00 Noon - 2:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Dining Hall. Following dinner, parents had an opportunity to meet with members of the administration, faculty, and staff in Hauser Student Union until 3:30 p.m. The afternoon program featured a concert, “Choral Union”, which combined the talents of the University Choir, directed by Mr. Robert Morris; Schola Can- torum, directed by Dr. Prmilla Dunston; and the University Madrigal Singers, directed by Dr. Lee Beall. There were parents in attendance from eleven different states including North Carolina. Total regis tration for the conference was 1219. and Mr. Carter would be concerned about clearing this case up quickly in light of the growing criticism ion world circles about the pressure of political prison ers here in this country. Perhaps there is informa tion that Mr. Bell is not telling us right now; 1 hope he does have some positive surprises in store for us soon. Or, perhaps his earlier See BLACKS, Page 6 CO-EDITORS...Beverly Blackwell, Cheryl Brandon, Janet Brower BUSINESS MANAGER Wanda Brown REPORTERS Althea Bailey, Phyllis Battle, Brenda Poole, Norris Sutton, Williani Penn, Michael Smith, Julius Wilson TYPISTS Marsha Graddy, Gwendolyn Moore Jannie Williams, Gwendolyn Kendricks PHOTOGRAPHER Janet Brower CIRCULATION Cathey Mason, Vide Walker ADVISOR....... ...Charisse Fountain The NEWS ARGUS is a student publication of Winston-Salem State University. The contents are the sole responsibility of its students. WSSUWeekProclaime(d Parents Day Held Gaines said he feels the team will do just as well next season because they will not be starting out new. Most of the guys are returning. Chancellor Williams was among those present for the occasion. He extended congradulatory remarks to the Coach and team for their success. Williams stated that he has known the Coach for thirty-one years, and during that time had experienced only one losing season. Gaines was asked to comment on the rumor that he is retiring. “I will retire when 1 feel that 1 am not making a contribution to the team.” He explained that he does very little of the physical work. Rather, the work is done by his assistant coaches, Arthur Chavious and WiUiam English. March 7-12, 1977, WIN STON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY WEEK will be long remembered by the Rams. Several prizes were given. Among these were prizes for parents who deserved spe cial recognition. The parent who traveled the longest distance, Mrs. Joretta Gar ner Young — El Paso, Texas; the first arrival for registra tion, Mr. & Mrs. James W. Bullard — Lumberton, N.C.; door prizes were given to Mrs. Martha Richardson Bailey — Winston-Salem, N.C., Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Roach — Reidsville, N.C.; and Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pharr — Charlotte, N.C. Parents having two or more children enrolled at WSSU, Mr. & Mrs. David Foster, Jr. — Henderson, N.C.; attend ed Parents’ Day for four years, Mrs. Samuel Davis — Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Mrs. Pearline Howard — Winston- Salem, N.C. Enrollment Declines In SO. Colleges

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