^mB Argua
Vol. XXII, No. 6
Winston-Salem State University
March, 1984
Debated by Board:
New Admissions Policy: A Blessing or a Curse
By Jimmy K. Slade
Students applying for admission to
Winston-Salem State University will soon
be required to have the same minimum
high school requirements as students at
UNC, N.C. State or any of the other 16
schools that make up the University of
North Carolina system. This new policy
was adopted by the UNC Board of Gover
nors and was the major topic of discussion
at the recent WSSU Board of Trustees
meeting.
The policy will start with applicants for
the fall semester of 1988. Students entering
the ninth grade this fall will be the first af
fected by it and they will have time to
prepare for it.
The new policy will require that students
seeking admission to WSSU or any of the
UNC system schools have a high shcool
diploma or its equivalent with core studies
that include:
Four units of college preparatory
P^nglish;
Three units of math, including Algebra I
and 11 and geometry;
Two units of social studies, including one
in U.S. history and the other in either
government or economics, and
Three units in science, including at least
one in a life science or biology, at least one
in a physical science and one laboratory
course.
The policy also recommends, but does
not require, at least two units in a foreign
language. It also recommended that high
school students take one foreign language
and one math course in their senior year.
The implimentation of this program will
call for some drastic changes in the admis
sion standards at Winston-Salem State
University. The present admission policy
is weak in the areas of math, requiring on
ly one unit, and in the area of science, also
requiring only one unit.
The Board of Trustees of the university
were basically pleased with the policy
change. In their meeting most said it
would help to attract higher quality
students to the university as well as mak
ing sure that the students are prepared for
college level work. “Only if the quality of
education in the public schools is improved
will this program work,” said Mr. John
Clark, a member of the Board.
On the negative siae. Dr. Haywood
Wilson, who presented the program on the
change in policy, said that the new pro
gram may cut down on the number of
students that go to college.
Whether this change is good or bad is yet
to be answered but students have definite
opinions on the issue. Most of the com
ments were positive, though some students
expressed reservations about the policy
change. As one student put it “this will
help to bridge the gap between the white
and black schools.” Another student said
that the new admission policy would
“weed out the students that weren’t
serious about getting an education.”
On the down side one student said that
“The new admisson policy would help to
keep Blacks from going to college.”
Another student said that the new system
would not guarantee a better prepared stu
dent body.
The effect that the new Admission policy
will have on Winston-Salem State Univer
sity is likely to be the subject of much
debate on campus. The Administration is
hoping that the new policies will decrease
the need for remedial classes and is pray
ing it will not decrease the university’s
enrollment. What the final effect will be
only time will tell.
Member of Wilmington Ten
Political Activist
Visits WSSU
By Angela Corbett
Before the termination of an inspiring
Black History Month, WSSU students were
honored with a presentation from
Reverend Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., a
member of the Wilmington Ten.
According to Rev. Chavis, blacks should
become more involved in politics and the
political scene. He said this may be ac
complished by registering to vote and sup
porting black candidates. He also stated,
“Blacks should strive to be the best they
can, yet never forgetting their black
heritage.”
Although blacks are not too supportive of
Jesse Jackson, Rev. Chavis is strongly ad
vocating Jackson’s candidacy. “Some
black people say now is not the time for a
black president, but it’s now or never,” he
said. “Despite the odds that are cast
against blacks we should strive for
political excellency as well as achieving
other goals in life.”
continued on page 6
Lovely Jayne Kennedy was one of many fans that turned out for the CIAA
Tournament in Norfolk, Va.
photo Bv Keith Hilliard
Atkins says No to
Coed Visitation
By Ann Hawkins
In a recent vote, coed study and visita
tion privileges were banned in Atkins Hall.
“I think we should have it and the way it
was decided wasn’t fair. We should vote
over,” said LaVonda Propst, an Atkins
resident.
Based solely on interviews with dorm
residents, it is apparent that a vital part of
coed privileges was forgotten. Sharon
Jacobs stated, “The study part of coed
visitation should have been emphasized
more.”
When the time for exams comes and stu
dying could be done with male classmates,
Atkins Hall will be at a disadvantage.
Some Atkins coeds said often there are
young men who have academic assistance
to offer. “It would have been nice to study
together. I feel that it would have been
beneficial,” said Linda Broadway.
Most of the young ladies interviewed
agreed that the lobby of Atkins Hall is
hardly a place fit to study. The lobby is
crowded, uncomfortable, and has a
tremendous amount of continuous noise.
While some of the young ladies seem
happy about the decision, some are not and
others don’t seem to care either way.
Many of the young ladies interviewed
who voted no seemed to have personal
reasons for doing so. Regina Drakeford
said, “It isn’t coed because we couldn’t
have outside visitors. It isn’t fair to those
students who don’t have anyone on campus
they would want to visit them. Some of us
girls aren’t into any guys up here.”
Another concern the students expressed
was for the lack of privacy. “The hours
were too late and too long. Those hours are
when females are really getting comfor
table. There would have been a lack of
privacy,” stated Devetta Blount. Eneta
Lucas added, “This is really a ‘to each her
own’ situation but when I look at it from
my point of view—I love the privacy that I
have and will be able to keep.”
Carol Brannor said that coed put un
necessary restrictions on her. Ms. Bran
non stated, “I like doing what I want to do
when I want to do it!!”
Yet, there are some young ladies who
feel like Ms. Terri Swain. She stated, “We
don’t need coed because there are too
many wild girls in Atkins!” Sherita Marks
agreed. “I’m glad we didn’t get coed
because of the reputation Atkins already
has. Maybe this will show that a few bad
apples didn’t spoil the whole bunch,” said
Ms. Marks.
continued on page 6
On The Yard Off the Yard ..
Contents:
p.2
Writing Center
P-3
Sports
Entertainment
....p.6
Editorials