i
I
A\C PHOENIX
Housing & Other Issues for 1996,
Seiying the Triad & Surrounding Areas Volume 12 Issue No. 120
PRICELESS (Take One)
PROTEST AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
DEBATE OVER WHO WILL SPEAK AT 1996 COMMENCEMENT ANGERS STUDENTS
embers of the Winston-Salem
I )Ti I State University Student Govem-
ment Association, in addition to
what has been referred to as “the ma
jority” of the students in the 1996 graduat
ing class, are making their mark on the
campus of WSSU.
It is ironic that during the same hour
information on Ron Brown’s death was
being aired on WSNC FM, the WSSU
campus radio station, approximately 200
students were gathered outside of Blair
Hall, the building which houses the chan
cellors office, demanding that the admin
istration bring Minister Louis Farrakhan
to speak at commencement. “This is not
about Minister Farrakhan,” remarked Jen
nifer Snipes, a sophomore at WSSU
“...this is about the importance of the stu
dent’s voice on this campus. We are los
ing our university to the white establish
ment and no one seems to care.”
The
We are losing
our university
to the white
establishment,
and no one
seems to care.
protest
march began at the
Student Union mall
area where students
chanted and showed
their support of hav
ing Farrakhan speak
at graduation. In the
past, students have
SGA President (Joe Briscoe) addresses concerned students regarding who makes
the final decision about commencement speakers. Photo CJ McCullough
tate me is the fact that I work very
hard to maintain a 3.0 grade point
average, yet there is no financial
assistance available for me. White
students come here because it is a
FREE education for them”.
Winston-Salem State Univer-
. sity has an approximate white en
rollment of 22%. WSSU is a pub
lic institution, therefore if the num
ber of white students enrolled
raises to 50% there is not much
that can be done, unless of course,
alumni get together and do some
thing about it. Unlike universities
such as Wake Forest and Duke,
Winston-Salem State depends
largely on donations given by in
dustry, i.e., Sarah Lee Hosiery,
Wachovia Bank, R.J. Reynolds,
etc. The students are concerned
that not only is there no money
available for African American
attempted to invite Minister Farrakhan to address
graduating seniors at commencement, with no suc
cess. This is the first time students have held any
type of protest regarding the commencement
speaker. Chancellor Alvin J. Schexnider, who
took office in January of this
year, met with the students to
explain the reasoning behind
not having Farrakhan speak
at the commencement exer
cises. Schexnider insists that
the final decision of who will
speak at commencement
rests with him and he has de
cided against having this
controversial figure speak
during commencement. Joe
Briscoe says, however, that
graduation is the single most
important event for college stu
dents, thus the students should
be able to determine who de
livers the commencement ad
dress.
Students expressed their
discontent with the growing
numbers of white students at
tending the university. Says
one student “It doesn’t bother
me that white students attend
our university. What does irri-
students, but that the predominantly black
student voice is being minimized, due to the
fact that the administration fears that industry
and other outside support will cease; if figures
like Minister Farrakhan are allowed to address
the students at such a culminating event as
commencement.
Marcus Starks, a junior at WSSU,
said that he participated in this protest because
he believes in “freedom of choice and freedom
of voice. If the students want Minister
Farrakhan to speak at the graduation, why is
that so wrong?” cont’d to pg. 6
NAACP HOSTS
BANQUET GALA
The Winston-Salem Branch of
the NAACP held its annual “Freedom
Fund Gala” on Friday, April 12 at 7pm
at the Benton Convention Center.
Congressman Melvin Watt of the 12th
District greeted participants.
The Winston Salem Branch of
the NAACP has been active for the
past 63 years. Bill Tatum, the local
branch president has worked diligently
throughout his tenure to guarantee that
the NAACP remains just that -
ACTIVE.
See article page 7
RON BROWN'S
DEATH SHAKES
THE WORLD
RON BROyVN
See page 7
DID YOU FILE AN
EXTENSION?
If you forgot to file an
extension on your taxes, it
is still not too late.
Extensions are to avoid late
payment penalties if you
owe money to the IRS. If
you forgot to file an
extension, do so as soon as
possible. The longer you
wait, the more interest will
accumulate on your IRS
account.
See TAX TIPS on pg. 11
SHOULD YOU BUY OR RENT YOUR HOME?
It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a
home, and to forget that home ownership may have it’s
drawbacks. But there are more advantages than disadvantages
to home ownership.
Look at the following advantages:
A home is usually a sound investment
Home ownership offers great tax advantages.
A first home often leads to a better second home.
You are better able to plan your housing costs.
You gain the satisfaction and security of ownership.
Now review some of the disadvantages and this will
help you to decide whether or not you are ready to buy a house.
Many lending institutions are offering more affordable
loans and loan incentive programs. A list of these programs can
be obtained through the AC PHOENIX Newspaper.
Read ARE YOU PREPARED TO BUY? Pg. 4
“More than a newspaper, a community institution.”
ll.