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GRADUATION RATES REVEAL
DISPROPORTIONATE PATTERNS BASED
ON GENDER AND RACE
By Deena Zaru
News Editor
A study of Guilford's 6-year
graduation rates for the past 10
first-year class cohorts (1993-2002),
for which data is available reveals
a pattern of females graduating
at a higher rate than males, black
females consistently graduating at
a higher rate than all men and at
times white females, and black men
generally graduating at a lower
rate than white students and black
females alike.
Guilford's Diversity Plan calls
for quantitative and qualitative
understandings of diversity in
our community. Graduation and
retention rates, while only one facet
of statistical analysis regarding
the success of an institution, are
one window into the health of the
academic and social fabric of the
Guilford community.
Diversity Action Connmittee
The Diversity Action Committee
(DAG) is currently engaged in
research and is specifically focusing
on student retention.
"The diversity action team is
determined to make sure that we
look after issues of diversity,"
said Jordan Auleb, Community
Senate treasurer and traditional
student representative on the
DAG, "and that Guilford is a
culturally pluralistic place that
celebrates different cultiires and
offers resources for students from
different backgrounds."
Auleb said that while the DAC
works to implement quantitative
or numerical goals in terms of
I-
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Q-
PERCENT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
GRADUATION RATES OF BLACK
AND WHITE STUDENTS
With the exception of Randolph Macon,
the graduation rates of white students for
the cohort class of 2002 were higher than
that of black students.There is no data
available for Southern Virginia's graduation
rate for black students.
Courtesy of Deena Zaru
SEE ALSO:
DIN schools prepare
to track athlete
graduation rates
PAGE 6
diversity, their work and research
is focused on qualitative goals that
complement them.
"We are going to different
units and doing research," said
Professor of Theatre Studies and
DAC member, David Hammond.
"We are examining what has been
done and what each unit sees the
challenges are so we can prioritize
and then plan the action steps to be
addressed in the next few years."
While exploring graduation rates
of black males, several areas need to
be examined including the athletic
department because according
to Vice-President for Enrollment
Services Randy Doss, it is common
that the majority of black males
come to Guilford as part of a sports
team.
Doss said that of the 72 black
students admitted in fall 2009, 38
were male and 34 were female, and
that of the 38 males, 18 were on the
football team and five more were a
part of other sports. Twenty-three
out of 38 entered as athletes.
See "Graduation" on page 4
NEWS
Workers, students allege
mistreatment in cafeteria
By Eric Ginsburg
Staff Writer
Last year, Debbie Grogan re
ceived the Dick Dyer Staff Hearts
and Hands Award, Earlier this
semester, many people were
shocked and confused when
Meriwether Godsey fired her.
Now, students, workers and for
mer employees are speaking out
against what they consider to be
a pattern of abuses, arguing that
problems with the company run
much deeper.
Employees' complaints en
compass a variety of issues, rang
ing from what they claim to be
insulting eight-cent pay raises to
racial discrimination. The most
common complaints are over
working, a complete lack of job
security, and a problem with the
work environment created by
management.
"Slave days are back at Guil
ford College," said one employee
in a telephone interview. "The
atmosphere is so tense in there."
Current employees who were
interviewed declined to speak
freely on record for fear of being
identified and losing their jobs for
speaking out. Former employ
ees who feel they were
wrongfully terminated
were more willing to
share their frustrations
and anger.
"I think I sold my
soul to the devil for a
few more dollars an
hour," said former em
ployee James Crump,
referring to the prom
ised pay raises when
Meriwether Godsey's contract
was negotiated.
The prospect of unexpect
edly losing a job is arguably the
most troublesome aspect of the
issues with Meriwether Godsey.
Watching beloved employees
like Barbara Piimix and Debbie
Grogan lose their jobs in the last
year seems to have caused the
most outrage amongst workers
and students alike.
In this economy, especially for
older workers and longer-term
employees, losing a job can be a
crippling and devastating blow.
"I have been out every day out
looking for jobs, going to Good
will, looking on the computer.
I am really in a bad, bad situa
tion," said Grogan.
Ms. Debbie’s Story
Grogan was fired earlier this
semester. While Meriwether
Godsey cannot and will not talk
about it, other people are.
"I was surprised," said Jona
than Vamell, who manages Guil
ford's account with Meriwether
Godsey. "Nobody, legally, can
say a word. You have no idea and
See "Cafeteria" on page 2
WORLD i NATION
Liberian president Sirleaf announces plan to run in 2011
By Becca Heller
Staff Writer
Two months ago, current Liberian Presi
dent Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf announced that she
plans to seek reelection in 2011.
"I know from whence we came yesterday. I
know where we are today; I know where we
ought to be tomorrow and I know how we will
get there," said Sirleaf in her announcement,
according to Women's Media Center.
Elected president of Liberia in 2005, Sirleaf
became Africa's first female head of state. Li
beria's feminist movement, already picking
up steam, strengthened tenfold with Sirleaf in
charge.
One of Sirleaf's primary focuses during her
presidency has been to empower the women
of Liberia. After 14 years of civil war, Sirleaf
inherited a country haunted by a history of
violence, torture and rape. During this time
women lived in constant fear of abuse, and,
even after her election, the aftermath of this
mistreatment of women is evident.
Sirleaf's solution? Put women in charge. \
Sirleaf filled her cabinet with capable worn-
en, and flooded law enforcement with strong,
well-trained women officers. She put numer
ous policies into place, according to The New
York Times, aiming to empower Liberian
women through educational and economic
means.
"Women are no longer sitting at home, wait
ing for their husbands to give their food," said
market vendor, Christiana Miller in a report by
The New York Times. "They can run a busi
ness, they can read and write. Now I feel like
See "Sirleaf" on page 15