The News Argus, November 2003
ampus
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Welcome Back
WSSU revives
NAACP chapter
4
What does
the alumni
of WSSU
think about
all the
changes?
Page 10
By Nicole Ferguson
Argus Editor-In-Chief
A student chapter of the
NAACP has been reinstated
on the campus of
Winston-Salem State
University and one of its first
tasks will be to rally students
to support a moratorium on
the death penalty in North
Carolina.
"We are the third highest
state in the nation in execu
tions behind Oklahoma and
Texas," Rep. Earline W.
Parmon told students during a
meeting this month.
She added that there will be
three executions of inmates in
the state before the end of the
year, including the scheduled
execution of Forsyth County's
Robbie J. Lyons on Dec.5.
At present, there are 198
offenders on death row in
North Carolina and, as of last
April, there were 3,533 nation
ally. Of the 198 in North
Carolina, 70 are white, 116 are
black, seven are Indian and
five are listed as other.
Lyons is a 31-year-old
African-American convicted of
killing Stephen Stafford, the
owner of Sam's Club Market
in Winston-Salem , during an
attempted robbery in
September, 1993.
"We have gone on record in
support of a moratorium on
the death penalty until the
issue can be looked at,"
Parmon said. "It passed
through the NC Senate, but
not the House, so we're
requesting two years for the
issue to be looked at."
The student chapter held its
second meeting on Nov. 3 and
featured Rep. Larry Womble in
addition to Parmon.
Womble, an alumnus of
WSSU and former Student
Government Association,
reflected on his days as a stu
dent in Winston-Salem during
the earl/1960s. He discussed
the importance of organiza
tions such as the NAACP
(National Association for the
Advancement of Colored
People), SNICK and Congress
of Racial Equality to the black
college students of his time.
Argus Photos By Nicole Ferguson
State Representative Larry Womble talks with students at
recent NACCP meeting Nov. 3.
"Those were student-led
groups that changed this
country," said Womble. "So
don't tell me you can't do any
thing. We're calling on you
once again to make that
change."
Womble also spoke out
against President George W.
Bush's $2000- a -plate dinner,
which was held in Winston-
Salem on Nov. 7. He said the
high cost of the dinner was
beyond the financial means of
most middle and low-income
people.
"I cannot sit back and let
George Bush come in the city
for an hour and nobody say
anything," said Womble. "It's
time for us, the average peo
ple to take a stand."
Womble said he worried that
many students today lack the
same "fire and passion" for
civil concerns that his genera
tion possessed.
Antoine James is the interim
vice-president of the NAACP
chapter at WSSU. He said he is
confident that members will
rally behind relevant social
and political issues, once they
understand how these matters
affect their lives.
"It's a lot of people involved
right now who are passionate
about what they want to see
done around campus and
around us in the community,"
said James.
Jessica Tillman, interim pres
ident, said she thinks the
NAACP chapter is especially
important to students who
aren't aware of the issues they
impact them.
"I think we'll get the chance
to take a stand and really dis
play some leadership skills,"
Delayed completion of plot area
creates sour note for some Greeks
By Lakisa Leake
Argus Reporter
For Riqui'ta Quick, a member of
the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, this
year's homecoming weekend was
almost perfect, with the good
weather, high-stepping parade
and, of course, big win. As far as
she is concerned, only one thing
could have made it better and that
is the Zeta Phi Beta plot.
The plots of Winston-Salem State
University's Greek fraternities and
sororities have always been a dis
tinguishing feature of the campus.
However, they have been temporar
ily removed as part of a develop
ment project involving the con
struction of a new clock tower and
pedestrian walkway.
Dr. Melody Pierce the Vice
Chancellor of Student Affairs,
blamed rain for delaying comple
tion of the development project.
She added that each of the Greek
organizations have submitted a
drawing of their plot, and it will be
constructed to scale. She further
explained that money has been
allocated to rebuild the plots, and
that the university will handle the
business and financial aspect of the
project.
"We have made arrangements to
‘7 am upset because
they tore up something
that had historical
value for so many
people ... Now we
have no where to meet
with old members of
the organization.*^
— Senior Marreo Burch,
a member of the
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
have the sketches of the future
plots, that the current members of
the organizations have drawn,
blown up, so that Alumni will see
what is going on," Pierce said.
But that's little consolation for
students who looked forward to
seeing the plots replaced by home
coming.
"They told us prior to construc
tion that the plots would be fin
ished by homecoming" Quick said.
Senior Marreo Burch, a member
of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
said, "I am upset because they tore
up something that had historical
value for so many people... Now
we have no where to meet with old
members of the organization."
LaToya Greene, a senior and a
member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, agreed with Burch. "We
really don't have anywhere to
socialize with other Greek organi
zations. And new members don't
have the luxury of sitting on the
plots and representing their respec
tive organizations." If the plots are
not replaced, Greene said members
of the Greek organizations "will all
be devastated. It's the only place
where all members of each organi
zation can be together at one time
on campus."
In addressing student's concerns.
Eh-. Pierce said, "This project has
allowed us to give equal space to
all nine of the historical Greek
organizations."
"The plots have a significant role
here at WSSU," she added. "It's the
bond between the University and
the graduated Greeks. For them to
know that they have a special
place here where they can come
back and spend time with past and
present members."
WSSU to offer
B.A. degree
in Social Work
By Janell J. Lewis
Argus News Editor
Starting next spring, the Department of
Social Sciences will offer a bachelor's degree
in social work.
Coordinator for the Social Work program,
Sharon Warren Cook said "we wanted to make
sure our students had the best opportunities
after graduation. We're trying to give them
the best."
Cook said she began designing the program
after graduates complained that they strug
gled to find jobs with a sociology degree. At
present, students may major in sociology with
a concentration in social welfare.
Dr. Ike Okonta, chairman of the Department
of Social Sciences, said the curriculum is
"highly needed...and desirable."
The Bachelor of Social Work program will be
part of the Department of Social Sciences.
"Social work is a very lucrative profession,"
Okonta said. He added that social workers
assist families, individuals and groups. "They
work with communities...to solve social prob
lems."