Newspapers / North Carolina Central University … / Oct. 6, 1980, edition 1 / Page 1
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Not without controversy Black College Day a success “Black colleges will survive” was the general consensus of an estimated group of 10,000 to 20,000 college students from predominently black and some white universities as they attended the first annual Black College Day which was held in Washington, D.C., Sept. 29. Tony Brown, nationally known journalist and former dean of Howard University’s School of Communications, was the principle coordinator and speaker at the rally that was held on the Ellipse on “E” street next to the White House. “Black students from coast to coast are experiencing educational genocide,” said Brown. “We are here on a mission to save Black Col leges!” Brown blasted the “Washington Post” for what he called “trying to start controversies where they don’t exist.” He was referring to the fact that rumors indicated that the Pepsi-Cola Company, who has been link ed with wrong doings in South Africa, was funding the event and giving Brown orders. According to Tony Brown Productions, Pepsi-Cola only provided money for the winning band in the Black College Day band competition and for the College Queen selected as Miss Black College Day. Brown’s organization also said that the M®M Company, a totally black owned company and also manufacturers of Stay-Soft Fro hair care pro ducts, contributed $10,000 to the march. Tyrone Crowder, Student Government president of Morehouse Col lege, said that the rally was not to support big business but to support the survival of predominantly black institutions. “We say no to Johnnesburg and we say no to the Pepsi-Cola Company ...we say yes to Black Colleges.” said Crowder. “Black people are here to help themselves and all people...we will not cater to the needs of big business.” After the rally was completed in the Ellipse, the marchers proceeded up Pennsylvania Avenue and assembled on the steps of the Capitol Building, where they were addressed by nationally known black activist Dick Gregory. See BLACK COLLEGE DAY, page 8 n^ne Campus ‘Ccfio No. 3 Published by and for the students of North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. 27707 October 6, 1980 In This Issue. . . computer journalism at NCCU (page 3) Storyteller comes to Union (page 4) English department sponsors black literature lecture series (page 7) Dick Gregory interview (page 8) wosososccooooecccoeoooQccoeo Faculty applauds poorly attended convocation talk By Teresa Burke The second annual “state of the university" address to faculty, staff and students met with rave reviews from a pro- Central audience made up mostly of faculty and staff last Thursday. Whiting's remarks served to ignite feelings of school pride, as he noted the great achievements that NCCU has made despite past problems in state financing and negative press coverage. Kenneth S. Foushee. director of student life for men, thought that “the convocation was very interesting and enlightning. . .an informative event.” When asked why so many students chose to stay away, Foushee remarked, "I was appalled at student attendance. This was an imformative event that was very significant to everyone, students too." Dr. Walter Faribault, a physician's assistant at the Depart ment of Health Services, said, “I thought it very necessary. I’d encourage them to have the convocation every year. It is sup portive to every one connected with NCCU.” He also was disappointed at the poor student turnout. “Not all learning takes place in the classroom. Education takes place between two ears.” Dr. Eileen M. Robertson, associate professor of Business Education, thought “it was super” and an excellent way for students to see professors in a more formal atmosphere. Robertson offered a solution to the problem of poor press that bespoke of her business career: “If all the people associated with North Carolina Central University would not buy the newspaper (Durham Morning Herald), maybe they wouldn’t print” such poor press accounts. We need better publicity.” William Savage, also of the business department, com mented, “I thought the choir was excellent. More of the students should have been there; this was an example of true school spirit.” University holds 2nd annual convocation Whiting: press underrates NCCU By Winfred Cross “The university gives something valuable to North Carolina and to society, now let the press print that,” declared Albert N. Whiting, chancellor of North Carolina Central University, as he blasted the press in the se cond annual university-wide convocation held in McDougald Gymnasium on Sept. 25. The address—delivered to approximately 1,000 faculty, staff, and students—praised the accomplishments of tiie university (increased freshmen enrollment, reaffir- ■ mation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, new curricula and programs, and the restoration of the law school to full accreditation), while lashing back at the press’ criticism about the school’s law and nursing pro grams. Whiting was particularly irate over statements made by News and Observer editor Claude Sitton about historically black insitutions. "As late as last spring, (Sitton) referred to this and other minority institutions as 'academic slums,’ ” Whiting said. "It is indescribably ap palling that so-called in telligent, highly educated people can engage in descrip tions of this sort on the basis of incomplete, minimal and overgeneralized data.” Whiting went on to say that the News and Observer’s previously stated views are “an ethnocentric bias unwor thy of any respectable newspaper.” This remark was followed by widespread applause. Based on Cental’s ac complishments, Whiting said, "Such an institution does not deserve to have its contribu tions denigrated and ignored in an annual, almost orgiastic preoccupation with the few, and I stress few, un complimentary academic weakspots.” Pointing out that library deficiencies at a “flagship school' (No.'Ui Carolina State) had not merited the same press charges of inade quacy, poor management, and faculty incompetence as 'the minority institutions had received—Whiting said, “. . .There is a reason and a name for this disparity in assessment, but I shall leave it unspoken at this time.” “Of course, such people feel that the minority schools should be closed because, after years of neglect and iit- visibility, their management and instructional genius have not elevated them to the level of achievement of the so-called ‘flagship’ schools with which we are always compared,” Whiting con tinued. Pointing out that NCCU has only received equitable funding since 1973, the chancellor added, “And yet we are expected to have reached the same perfor mance level of institutions of dramatically superior funding and visibility since their beginnings.” Whiting went on to name numerous Central graduates who have achieved national prominence, using them as examples of the thousands through whom “the universi ty gives something valuable to North Carolina and to society.” Whiting praised Central as an innovative model for other predominantly black institu tions through new curricula and formats like the current learning program at the Research Triangle Park. In describing the creation of new program “designed to develop leaders oriented toward peace,” the chancellor also explained his involvement in the establish ment of a University For Peace in Costa Rica. Whiting ended his speech by saying that the universi ty’s successes—achieved “against mountainous obstacles”—outweigh its failures. Also appearing on the pro gram was Student Govern ment Association President Ervin Baker who gave a speech outlining the SGA’s 6-point plan to improve the university by working in con junction with the administra tion. The “Support the Universi ty” campaign will focus on in- creasing enrollment, assisting the nursing school and law school, developing Masters programs, and rais ing money for scholarships. Baker mentioned that the theme of homecoming would be “I love NCCU.” There were rumors that a boycott was planned by the SGA in opposition to the com pulsory class attendance rule passed last year. Both Baker and Whiting denied this ac cusation. i I T i .iCI ic» i 'ii> liisa IIIO mm ^ SC8 Itttf Officials ^ive support at Law School opening Nursing students face new hurdles Because of “an upgraded program and higher admission standards,” students currently enrolled in the School of Nurs ing should have a “good chance” of passing the state licenc ing exam, according to Walter H. Pattillo, dean of the undergraduate school. Pattillo told the school’s board of trustees recently that a 66 percent passing rate, an increase of 48 percent, was possible in one year. Past students only needed a 2.0 grade point average for ad mission to the nursing department. Seniors (1981), present juniors, and all future students must have a 2.5 grade point average for admission. Once in the program, students now face tougher standards than before. Not only must they now pass achievement tests on each course, but they must demonstrate proficiency in other skills as well. Failure of these tests for the second time means they are automatically dropped from the department. “With these changes, we should see a significant difference in the passing rate from those who took the state test under the old program,” Pattillo said. “As a whole, this is a different kind of group.” The NCCU nursing program faces the possibility of closing if its graduates do not demonstrate a 66 percent passing rate by 1981. “This is a day of great re joicing for our university community,” said Chancellor Whiting at the dedication of the Albert L. Turner Law Building on September 19, 1980, which was officially opened for classes and public inspection. The dedication ceremonies featured speeches by Chancellor Whiting, Gover nor James B. Hunt, Law School Dean Harry E. Groves and Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart. In his speech before the 200 spectators, Dean Groves accused the Durham Morn ing Hearld of writing headlines about the law school’s bar exam scores in a size usually reserved for earth-shaking events “such as “World War III and the Se cond Coming of Christ.” He said he was disappointed in the bar exam results, but, he pointed out, the law school was accredited and ac creditation does not depend uopn bar exam results. Governor James Hunt said, “The completion of this building shows a commit ment by this administration to the school. I believe in this law school. I believe in the leadership provided by Dean Groves and Chancellor Whiting.” Hunt also spoke about the law school’s bad publicity. He said the law program in herited problems not of its own making which stemmed from the educational and political system of the state. Hunt added, “We stand ready and determined to help you.” He urged students to reach their potential. Hunt said he believes the School has a bright future. Justice Stewart spoke about the late Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger, for whom the new moot court is named. Among the dignitaries in at tendance was State Appeals Court Judge Richard C. Er win, whose nomination for a federal judgeship was con firmed Monday by the Senate. Erwin will be the first black federal judge in North Carolina since the Civil War. Frank Ballance, head of the NCCU Law School Alumni Association, presented a $5,000 check to the law school. Dean Groves
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