VO'W
n^ne Campus ^cho
No. 15
Published by and for the students of North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. 27707
April 24, 1981
Administrative vandalism?
Recently administrative personnel were allowed to collect as many tulips as
they could before the beds were replanted.
Colleges, students
face money woes
By Vivian M. Taylor
According to recent issues in The Chronicle of Higher Education, public colleges and
universities--which count on state governments for about 45 cents of every dollar in their
budgets--face formidable financial difficulties in the legislative sessions now under way.
Federal funds distributed to the states have been substantially reduced, increasing the
competition for state tax money.
The economic recession has sharply reduced the states’ income and sales-tax receipts.
Relatively high rates of unemployment, which are helping to maintain college enrollments
at record levels, also result in increased welfare payments--which further drain state
treasuries.
Inflation has forced up the states' spending faster than it has raised their tax revenues.
College costs are a major concern to middle income families, who would react negatively
to any reduction in federal support for higher education. Higher education institutions
whose students receive substantial amounts of federal students assistance benefits would
also strongly protest.
Parents of college students will be able to take out federally guaranteed loans in most
states before the beginning of the 1981-82 academic year under a new program, the
Department of Education says.
Based on a survey of state loan-guarantee agencies, the department said the parent-loan
program established by the Education Amendments of 1980 would be operating in most
states by late spring or early summer.
The-start-up date will vary from state to state. In some, loans cannot be made to parents
until state legislatures pass companion bills. In other states, delays may occur because new
administrative procedures must be established.
Massachusetts is the only state in which loans to parents already have been made under
the new program. In Indiana and Louisiana, loans may not be available until 1982, the
survey found.
Idaho legislators, faced with a budget deficit, have proposed drastic reductions in state
support for higher education.
Among the measures the lawmakers are seriously considering is the closing of Lewis-
Clark State College, the smallest of Idaho’s four public, four-year institutions.
They may also eliminate state support for intercollegiate athletics, a move that could
force Idaho’s three major universities to drop out of Division I of the National Collegiate
Athletic Association.
Maine’s program of incentive scholarships for college students will be abolished if Gov.
Joseph E. Brennan has his way.
The fate of the program, which is providing grants to more than 4,200 Maine students
this year, will be decided by the state legislature now in session.
Although stringent budget limits have been reccommended in a number of states this
year, Maine is believed to be the first in which the governor has proposed outright elimina
tion of state scholarships.
Mr. Brennan said eliminating the program would save the state about $1.9 million over
the next two fiscal years. In the current fiscal year, it is costing $955,000.
Retirees Honored
North Carolina Central University will honor 14 of its employees who retired during the
current academic year or will retire on June 30 at 6 p.m., Sunday, April 26, at the Music
Building Auditorium.
Also to be honored are five faculty and staff members who have been employed by the
university for 25 years.
Refreshments and a social hour will follow the 6 p.m. formal program. The refreshments
will be served in the NCCU Museum of Art.
The retiring personnel include B. T. McMillon, register, employed for 34 years, since
1947; Leon Snipes, maintenance mechanic, employed since 1953; and Miss Ruby Stewart,
housekeeping supervisor, employed since 1956 and a 25-year honoree this year.
Other retiring personnel are Mrs. Louise C. Davis, housekeeping assistant, employed by
the university in 1972; Mary Edwards, housekeeping supervisor, employed in 1966; Mrs.
Effie Hughes, housekeeping assistant, 1963; Luther C. McNeill, plumber supervisor, 1963;
Bruce Mitchell, housekeeping assistant, 1970; Mrs. Edna R. Mills, assistant professor of
English, 1960; Mrs. Lucille Norris, housekeeping assistant, 1976; Mrs. Minnie Norris,
assistant professor of education, 1969; Miss Rennie Perry, head librarian, 1965; Joseph
Phinazee, stock clerk, 1971; and James W. Suggs, general utility worker, 1972.
Receiving the Quarter-of-a-Century Club honor, for 25 years of service to the university,
will be Miss Stewart; Mrs.. Mary E. Ballard, secretary in the department of education; Mrs.
Pauline Johnson, bursar; Robert L. McAdams, assistant director of financial aid; and Mrs.
Helen S. Miller, associate professor of nursing.
Mrs. Gwendolyn Paschall of the department of home economics is chairman of the com
mittee planning the recognition ceremonies.
Informal survey results
A Central education
rates praise, but...
From reports by English 3100, Investigative Reporting
With afl the concern over getting your money’s worth, how
does art NCCU education stack up? >
It’s a quality deal, according to an informal survey of
students and instructors conducted by the Media-Journalism
program’s Investigative Reporting class.
As a matter of fact, English major Brenda Page called
NCCU’s work “just as valuable as an Ivy League school."
Not everyone was that lavish with his praise, though. One
instructor felt the quality was good, but “we still need to place
greater emphasis on basic skills like reading, writing, and
arithmetic.”
Pleasant Mitchell, a sophomore business major from
Scotland Neck, said, “There is no problem here at NCCU to
prohibit anyone from getting a quality education. During my
freshman year I was required to take basic courses in English
and grammar. My writing and speaking abilities were given
thorough attention, as were all of the basic skills. The instruc
tors make you work and you feel good after knowing that you
have acquired a great deal of knowledge. However, you must
apply yourself.’’
Application. That was a word brought up time and time
again.
Dr. Percy B. Murray, associate professor of history, for ex
ample, said, “Whether the students get a quality education
depends on whether or not they apply themselves.” Along
this line, he added, “The major problem is attendance. There
are some students who will come to class on the first day of
class and when tests are given. These students fail to realize
that on other days, valuable information is given, and much of
this information is not in the textbook.”
Geography instructor Jasper Harris made a similar point
when he noted Inat student problems were inevitable, since
“a certain percentage will always have problems due to a lack
of self-discipline.”
Undisciplined student behavior that bothered Eric Keaton.
The senior public adminstration major from Statesville claim
ed “the atomosphere is not conducive to learning. Most
students are looking to party or hangout at the Union,
because most of them know they can just get by with a
minimal amount of studying.”
Differing Views About The English Department
The English department came in for special notice among
those surveyed. JoAnn Harris, a 24-year-Old English major
from Garysburg, said,“As an English major. I’m ready for a
professional career. The instructors are well trained and well
organized . . . but the students must apply themselves.”
Floyd Ferebee, assistant professor of English, was more
restrained in his praise. The English department, he said, “is
doing a fairly decent job of educating students in the areas of
oral and written communications, literature and journalism,”
but “there are a few weaknesses in the department, such as a
few non-caring instructors and too many students with defi
cient skills to be dealt with on a wholesale basis.”
Frieda Jordan, a 21-year-old senior English major from
Rocky Mount, was even more critical the English program,
callingg it “very underdeveloped” and adding that “there
isn’t that much encouragement from your instructors. I feel
that sometimes I’m continuously judged on some careless er
rors made prevoiusly, which is neither fair nor encouraging.
As far as job strategies are concerned, we are not really being
taught any. So many of us are being thrown into the job world
without adequate career strategy training.”
Reporters for this article were Winfred Cross, David Moton,
Vivian Taylor, Vicky Wi|,|,ins, Calvin Williams, Letisa Yates.
Brother Yusuf, Hayes Samir to perform
Music fest slated June 6
By Letisa Yates
Take some jazz. Add hot dogs, fish, barbecue, soft
drinks, egg rolls, sno cones, and a dash of cotton can
dy. Stir in some blues. Now blend in some art and
crafts: Mix in some rhythm and blues and gospel.
What have you got?
FUNG ON THE WING.
NCCU’s first summer music and arts celebration, FLING
ON THE WING, will be held Saturday, June 6, from 10:00
a.m.to 8:00 p.m. in the library bowl.
The event will feature the jazz of Yusuf and Friends with
vocalist Eve Cornelious and The Exciting Hayes Samir
Quintet; blues from John Holman and Thomas Burt; and rock
’n’ roll, rhythm and blues, and gospel from several other
bands, according to festival coordinator Dr.Tom Scheft.
One purpose of the festival is to give people from the
Triangle area and particularly the Durham community an op
portunity to visit the NCCU campus. Another purpose is to
raise money for NCCU scholarships and other philanthropic
projects in the Durham community.
“We want to highlight the campus and bring the community
to Central,” said Scheft. “We also want something positive to
happen after the festival. For that reason, FLING will be non
profit, with the proceeds going to community educational and
recreational needs.”
Students are encouraged to display their artistic talents
and student groups are urged to provide information to the
public.
Admission to the festival is free.
A booth area will be set up for various groups, agencies, ar
tists, and craftspeople from the Triangle area to sell their
homemade goods. There will be paintings, ceramics, wooden
toys, leather work, jewelry—even health foods like “Annie’s
Honey and Oat Bars” and egg plant parmesian.
The FLING committee is composed of Dr. Waltz Maynor,
director of the Summer School; Lucille Cole and Harry Ed
monds, graphic artists for the Learning Resources Center;
Ken Foushee, director of Student Life—Men; Mildred Trent,
director of Student Life—Women; Phyllis Shumate, educa
tional counselor; and Marvin Lea, recreation assistant with
the student union.
“It’s been a big job getting this together, but the committee
has had a lot of help from people on campus. We are far from
done, and I’d appreciate any student volunteers who will be
around on the day of the event to get in touch with me im
mediately,” added Scheft.
For additional information, call Tom Scheft at the Summer
School Office, 683-6347.
Union honors elderly
Calvin Lee Williams
“We expect well over 200 senior citizens in attendance at
our annual Senior Citizens Day observance,” said Mrs. Lou S.
Barnes, program director for the Alfonso Elder Student
Union. The program will be held on Friday, May 1, from 12:00
to 3:30 p. m. on the top floor of the Student Union.
“The theme of this year’s program will be ‘Reflections of
Yesteryear.’
“We are asking senior citizens to dress up in outfits of the
20’s and 30’s to reflect the earlier style of dress. Prizes will be
given to the best dressed male and female,”added Barnes.
“Along with a senior citizen’s luncheon set to begin at 12:00
noon, there will be special appearances by the NCCU Dance
Group and the Young, Gifted and Black Choir, along with an
impromptu performance by the senior citizens,” said Barnes.
Commencement
By Frieda Jordan
NCCU’s 1981 commencement exercise will be held Sunday,
May 17, at 9:30 on O’Kelly Field.
William Clement, chairman of the NCCU board of trustees,
and Francis Kornegay, retired president and executive direc
tor of the Detroit Urban League, will recieve honorary
degrees.
Clements will deliver a brief speech to the graduating
students.
There will be a special performance by the Alumni Renunion
Choir, a group made up of former NCCU Chroir members.
In case of rain, commencement will be held in McDougal
Gymnasium.