FEBRUARY 2009 BENNETT BANNER

NO. 3 VOLUME XXXIX WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2009

THEBennett BANNER The Newspaper Produced by and Published for the Phenomenal Women of Bennett College, Greensboro, North Carolina

Campus Happenings Belles witness Obama inauguration

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave to supporters after President Obama’s inauguration

ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 20 in Washington D.C. Many Bennett Belles flocked to the inauguration to support President Obama, while other Belles who were unable to attend, witnessed the inauguration on TV. Bennett faculty

facilitated “Inaugural Address Discussion Groups” from 11:30 a.m.—2 p.m. in residence hall parlors.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE.COM

NLP check stolen, cashed, untraceable At the beginning of the semester, a Bennett Belle experienced something that could have been prevented—something no student should ever have to experience. A sophomore theater ma-jor, who wishes for her name to be withheld for confiden-tially purposes, was told she was cleared during early reg-istration, only to find out once

she returned for her second semester that she owed the College $918. “I received a print-out of my account and then I saw two Net Loan Proceed checks,

By Christen WalkerBanner Staff

plus an additional Wachovia check for $2,000 that I was supposed to get in December but never did,” she said. Student Accounts Coordi-nator Derrinita Manuel from the Department of Business and Finance, looked into the Belle’s account history and gave her a printed copy of the cashed Wachovia check. There was a fingerprint on

the front of the check indicat-ing that whoever cashed the check was not a customer of the bank. There were also two A-num-bers, also known as employee I.D. numbers that in the event of fraud identify the employee who cashed the check. There was also a forged sig-

nature endorsed on the back of the check. Even though the check was written for $2,000 the employee cashed the check for $3,000.

It is very possible for the teller to have accidentally cashed the check for more than it was worth because he or she was simply not paying attention.

“I was told that the check was mailed home, so I called my mother and asked her but she told me that she didn’t receive a check. I also told my friend who works for Wachovia and she gave me an 800-number to call,” said the Belle. “She was able to look up the A-numbers on the Wachovia employee Web site and found out that the A-numbers be-long to employees that work here in Greensboro.” “Normally the student has to take up an issue with the bank if it has to deal with fraud,” said Manuel. However, Wachovia repre-sentatives state differently.

“In most cases if a Wacho-via check is stolen and cashed, there is no way of tracing it. Wachovia would not be responsible for reimburse-ment,” said Nancy David, a Wachovia Human Resources representative. “Getting reimbursed de-pends on the company [or school’s] policies.” Meanwhile the Belle has to fill out papers in order for

Wachovia to open an inves-tigation to prove whether or not the check was stolen. This process can take up to 90 days. For more information please contact Christen Walker at [email protected].

“In most cases if a Wachovia check is stolen and cashed, there is no way of tracing it. ”

-Nancy David

Stop by the Office of Financial Aid

and make an appointment to see

the Scholarship Coordinator Crystal

Mattison or email her at [email protected]

Dr. Maya Angelou Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000

Application Deadline: Feb. 14

❖Erickson Retirement Communities/

UNCF Scholarship



❖Minorities in Government Finance

Scholarship


Application Deadline: mid-February

❖American Federation of State,

County, and Municipal Employees

Award Amount: $5,000 plus a

10-week internship with $4,000

stipend


❖Julianne Malveaux Scholarship


Application Deadline: March 11

Scholarship Opportunities Available

THE BENNETT BANNER - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 - PAGE 2

BelleSPEAK

THE BENNETT BANNER - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2009- PAGE 2

By Aziza JacksonBanner Editor

LETTER POLICY: The Banner welcomes brief letters to the editor and guest columns but does not guarantee their publication. The Banner retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. All submissions become the property of the Banner and will not be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published. All letters must contain the name of the writer, classification, major or group affili-ation, phone number and campus address. The Banner does not accept facsimiles, or e-mails. Address letters to: Aziza Jackson, Editor, The Bennett Banner, Campus Box 25, Shell Hall C-2 Greensboro, NC, 27401

-MISSION STATEMENT-The Bennett Banner is the official student newspaper of Bennett Col-lege. The Banner is produced in conjunction with a laboratory class in the Journalism & Media Studies Department. Any full-time Bennett College student is eligible to become a member of the newspaper staff and earn one credit. The Banner is published at least three times each semester during the 2007-08 academic year. Editorials are the opinion of the Banner editor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire Banner staff. Signed columns and letters to the editor reflect the opinion of the writer and serve as an open forum for the expression of facts or opinions. The newspaper is distributed throughout the campus on a weekday, Monday through Friday, during the fall and spring semesters, except during holidays and college breaks. Publication and distribution dates are subject to change without advance notice.

Spring 2009 Bennett Banner Staff

OPINION ‘Talk is Cheap. Free Speech Isn’t’

What’s on your bookshelf?

“I had already read “Dreams of My Father.” I wanted to k n o w w h a t he [President Barack Obama]

thought about race and politics. I’m biracial too, so I wanted to see how he adapted to his life, as being half African half white. I’m having to adapt to being half black and half white.” Emanuelique Cole//Freshwoman //Lenoir, N.C.//English Education major//On her bookshelf: ‘Audacity of Hope’ by President Barack Obama

“I like to broad-en my horizon, I like diversity; it’s about vam-pires.”

“I like to read Harry Potter because I go away to a mag-ical world; it seems easy and they [the char-

acters] can just make things disappear.” Brittany Wilder//Sophomore//Macon, Ga.//Business Administration major//On her bookshelf:‘Harry Potter’ 6th Edition by J.K. Rowling

“My bible is for who I am, and what my purpose is; my social work books are for school, but

there are some interesting things in there to read.” Jasmine Frazier //Senior//Winston-Salem, N.C.//Social Work major//On her bookshelf: social work books and her Bible

Aziza [email protected]’Ara [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Carmen [email protected] [email protected] Iymaani [email protected] Wright [email protected] [email protected]. Yvonne WelbonFaculty Advisor(336) [email protected] Bennett Banner Office

900 E. Washington St., Box 25Greensboro, NC 27401 (336) 517-2305 / Shell Hall C-2, [email protected]

produce, then men would step up to the challenge and raise their game. Why? Because men want women, and getting them is their life’s goal. But if one woman will not allow nonsense, but twenty others will, well, that is not the fault of the man. Now, I’m not saying that men do not have a part in this, because they do. But women need to realize that they have much more of a role than they think in how guys act when it comes to them. Women stay in broken-down relationships with men who do not deserve them and stay in them for so long that when they finally do

get out these relationships, they have a negative image that all men are like that. No, just the men you date are like that. Immaturity exists among men and women. Time after time, a woman will detail the many downfalls of the man she’s with. She continuously reels off his faults, his issues and his inability to be who she needs him to be, yet she is still with him. I understand that women are natural nurturers but after a while you have to say enough is enough.

By Ronald P. Clark Black College Wire

Women, please stop complaining about menReciprocity please

Women need to stop com-plaining -- they are the reason for the lack of “high caliber” men on college campuses. The standard is set by the female. A male dresses nice to attract females. A man keeps himself up to attract females. But he will not do more than is needed to attract females, which is where the problem lies. Women have allowed such haphazard, lazy, trifling and downright embarrassing at-tempts at approaching them fly for so long that men do not

feel the need to improve their approaches because they don’t see the reason to expend a lot of energy when the minimal effort is successful. If I can take a test by barely glancing over my notes and still pass, that’s what I’m going to do. But if I know I must reread the chapter, go over my notes multiple times and make note cards, just to pass, then I will. Women used to be the latter, now they are the former. If all women came together and decided that they were not going to allow any more of the nonsense men are known to

Lauren Waters //Junior//Washington, D.C.//Journalism and Media Studies major//On her bookshelf: ‘Twilight’ by Stephenie Meyer

Mark Twain once said that he never let his schooling in-terfere with his education. It is the time for Bennett Belles to take their education into their own hands. The graduating seniors of 2009 will soon face numerous challenges this upcoming year, especially in the job market. Has Bennett prepared them for what is to come? No. Bennett needs money in order to thrive. There are not nearly enough investors that are investing their time and money into an institution that strives to educate young Black women. Seniors have not been equipped with the tools they deserve and need in order to compete with the thousands of other students across the nation, who will also be graduating and competing for the same jobs these Belles will. After graduating seniors walk across that stage May 9, they will be stepping into one of the most devastating recessions our country has seen in years. The economy is in bad shape, and will be, for a number of years. As my sister Belles of all classifications embark on

their journeys towards building lives, wealth, and families of their own, the burden of financial woes and student loans

will haunt them. And yes, Bennett continues to raise money and find inves-tors, but the question as to whether Bennett will ever attain the funds necessary to progress does arise. It is truly a disappointment that the fight to fund this small

private college has been so tough. I truly question how long the College can sustain an overworked and underpaid staff and faculty, retain students, and maintain the vision of this Oasis. Bennett Belles invest their time, energy, and debt into mak-ing this institution flourish. Sisters come from all over the

world, to thrive, excel, and succeed at Bennett College. We invest too much in this institution to not receive reciprocity.


FEATURES Psychology department receives upgrades

There has been some talk about great new updates around campus. With the technology savvy society we live in today, it is important that Bennett Col-lege students stay connected. Currently, there are two computer labs in Pfeiffer Science, one computer lab in Merner Hall, and two in Black Hall. One of the computer labs in Black Hall is used mainly for the business department. Psychology is the second largest major on campus, with approximately 100 majors and minors; its students feel that they need and deserve updates in their building and

By Rykiell Rhea-TurnerBanner Staff

their beloved “psych room,” also known as Pfeiffer Science Room 102. Vatia Collins, a graduat-ing senior, psychology major stated, “I feel great about this change that is coming, I think we deserve it and it’s long overdue.” Dr. Alan Goble, a psychol-ogy professor and chair of the department said, “We were able to negotiate a $40,000 upgrade for Pfeiffer Science Room 102.” According to Goble, the room will become a SMART classroom, with a SMART Board. The SMART Board inter-active whiteboard is a product of SMART Technologies. It is a large, touch-con-trolled screen that works with a projector and a computer.

The projector puts the com-puter’s desktop image onto the interactive whiteboard, which acts as both a monitor and an input device. Users can write on the interactive whiteboard

in digital ink or use a finger to

control computer applications by pointing, clicking and drag-ging, just as with a desktop mouse. The current electrical sys-tem in the 41-year-old Pfeiffer Science building will not sup-port all of the new computers that will be coming soon. Therefore, the electrical infrastructure will have to be upgraded so that the circuit breakers won’t keep getting blown. “Most of the materials for the job have arrived and we are waiting for the electrical system to be assessed and up-graded before the computers can be installed,” said Goble. The renovations will also include a new podium with a computer and DVD player, and 16 student computers

with the capability to expand to 18. A laser printer will be available for printing, and there will also be some move-able tables available in the back of the classroom for col-laborative work. “This upgrade should in-crease the availability of re-sources for our students, and enhance their learning experi-ence,” said Goble. “Our next goal is to secure some laboratory space for conducting social, clinical, and developmental research [such as observation] and clinical training. Other departments in this division have dedicated laboratory space for their students (some have multiple rooms), and we hope to secure the same for ours, especially since our student population is so large.”

“This up-grade should increase the availability of resources for our students, and enhance their learning experience.”

-Dr. Alan Goble


FEATURES continued

By Carmen SmithBanner Staff

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW STAFFLeRoy Summers

Vice President for Business, Finance, and Technology, LeRoy Summers Jr. is respon-sible for managing a deficit of

over 1.2 million dollars. His 30-plus years of fiscal

management experience in post-secondary environments like Bowie State, Florida A&M, Kentucky State and Savannah State Universities is helpful. Summers came from a private school, Florida Memo-

rial University and upon com-ing to Bennett he said he did not prefer to come to another private college, because the government funds state schools and as a result, they cannot owe any money. However at private colleges, finances are dissimilar because

they run off of student fees and donations. “Bennett is two things: the first

women’s college I have worked at, and the smallest, but the challenges are the same just smaller,” Summers said. One of those challenges is making sure students have covered their attendance costs. He said that college is a service but the services cannot be met if vendors are not able to be paid due to the lack of students’ payment. “Our primary purpose is to educate students, but we must operate as a business,” Sum-mers said. He said before his arrival there

was not a person in place to manage funds as he is doing now, and some students were able to pre-register, receive grades, and even graduate with balances. A student only reports to Summers’ office once their needs cannot be met at the office of Student Accounts. Summers then gets parents involved, and together they try to find the best resolution.

“Our last resort is to ask a student to leave,” Summers said. His other responsibility is campus technology that covers three departments, Human Resources, Controller and Information Technology. Summers is from St. George, S.C., a small town 50 miles from Charleston, S.C. He re-ceived a B.A. in Business Man-agement/Accounting from Shaw University and an MBA from Morgan State University. He has a wife, Nancy, and a son, Kendrick.

Cafeteria undergoesnew improvements With yet another academic year under his belt, General Manager Lamal Foreman is upgrading the way customers dine in the Sally Walker Dining Hall. Over the winter break came new food stations, equipment, staff and procedures. “I wanted to bring everything up-to-date,” Foreman said. The deli, pizza and interna-tional stations have combined and all feature specialty foods everyday. Barry University-trained Ex-ecutive Chef Juan Ramirez contributes to staff by having experience from PF Chang’s and Macaroni Grill. He places orders, chooses recipes, and is over campus catering. Among the additions are a soup station, salad choices and coffee machines.


“I’m glad we have more of a variety to choose from, especially with the soup because it is ap-propriate for this time of year,” Sierra Cotton, a freshwoman journalism and media studies major from Houston, Texas, said. The cafeteria is joining the effort to help save the environ-ment, becoming eco-friendly with earth-toned napkins, re-usable condiments like salt and pepper shakers and sauce disposers. Now trayless helps in water conservation, something Fore-man said many colleges and universities are doing. This is something Charmel Holland, vice president of the Environmental Club, appreci-ates. “It helps so much when little actions are made, students now

International Belles find

home away from home

When the in-state and out-of-state students at Bennett College prepare for their long awaited holiday break, Tatenda Mujeni and Madoupe Durojaiye reminisce about their warm mo-ments with their families, but they do not return home for Thanksgiving and Christmas break. Durojaiye, a graduating senior and native of Nigeria, has not returned home since she arrived in the U.S. July 30, 2005. Even when Durojaiye feels homesick, she knows she has relatives who live in Atlanta. Durojaiye has not seen her parents in a little over three years. She does her best to keep in contact with them. “Always communicate with your parents even when things seem trivial,” said Durojaiye.

“Always find a home away

from home.” She gives the international students advice on ways she survives the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays without her family. Mujeni is a native of Zimba-bwe; she has not returned to Zimbabwe since she arrived in the U.S. Aug. 3, 2007. When the thought of going home crosses her mind, Mujeni thinks about how much work goes into making the 24-hour trip back to Zimbabwe. She takes into consideration the cost, the documentations and visa needed, and the uncer-tainties of her country’s leader-ship. “My parents are trying to survive in Zimbabwe and their one priority was for me to get an education,” said Mujeni.

By Nezile MthembuBanner Staff

CAFETERIAcontinued on Page 7

HOME continued on Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT THE BENNETT BANNER - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2009- PAGE 7

Only 55% of Americans

know that the sun is a star.

The word ‘News’ is actu-

ally an acronym standing

for the 4 cardinal compass

points - North, East, West,

and South.

Fingernails grow fastest on

the hand you favor.

More than 40,000 parasites

and 250 types of bacteria

are exchanged during a

typical French kiss.

Bill Gates’ house was

designed using a Macintosh

computer.

Contrary to popular

beliefs, chocolate does not

cause acne.

A company in Taiwan

makes dinnerware out of

wheat, so you can eat your

plate.

More Americans have

died in car accidents than

have died in all the wars

ever fought by the United

States.

The Edge

Source: http://www.hooke-

donfacts.com/index.htm

a death in the family. Lindner attempts to persuade the fam-ily that it is not the place for them and unknowingly insults them as he negotiates. Willis’ students are excited about his role. “It is going to be really good and I’m glad to see him per-form because he hasn’t done it in a while,” Jasmine Faison said. Faison is a senior theatre major from Baltimore Md. Tickets are $10-25 and if you buy one ticket, you get one free; the box office fee is $1. For

more information, contact the Greensboro Masonic Temple at (336) 273-8502.

Bennett staff to star in ‘Raisin’ One of the most prominent African-American plays to hit the stage is currently featured at the Greensboro Masonic Temple through Feb. 8, and two members of Bennett Col-lege’s staff are part of the cast. “A Raisin in the Sun” is a sto-ry that illustrates the struggles of a southside Chicago family in the 1950s. Assistant professor of busi-ness and diversity, Rhonda Butler plays Ruth, wife of Wal-ter Lee, who is desperate to provide for his fiscally fragile

family that is growing. Ruth is carrying her seond child and also battles with watching her husband in his struggle for independence from his mother’s income. Assistant professor of speech and theater, Steve Willis’ char-acter Lindner is introduced later in the Lorraine Hansberry production. Lindner is the representa-tive of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association; the neighborhood the family plans to live in after receiving a $10,000 insurance check from



‘Banner’ Book of the Month: Twilight

It’s Friday night, and 18 de-grees outside.

You’re all alone in the house keeping warm, when suddenly boredom sets in and then the big question of “what should I do?” pops into your head. Instead of turning the TV on and doing mindless channel surfing, or logging onto the Internet, why don’t you cuddle up with a good book? I recommend “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer. Although I know many of you have seen the movie, did you know that the book is even better, because it gives you a lot more detail? Join Isabella “Bella” Swan on her journey as a new student

in a different city, with a father she barely knows, to falling in love with the unknown. Originally from sunny and hot Pheonix Ariz., Bella trades her lifestyle to live in rainy, cold, and dull Forks, Wash., with her dad, Charlie, in order to give her mother, Renee, and new stepfather the life they deserve. Bella soon becomes the new girl at Forks High School. Her attention is then turned toward the highly attractive Edward Cullen; he’s so different and mysterious, and Bella can’t seem to draw herself away from him.

After being captivated by Ed-ward, Bella wants to find a way

to get next to him, which at first

seems like a difficult task.

Edward seems repulsed by her and avoids her every chance he gets. After a life-threatening acci-dent that almost claims Bella’s life, Edward saves her, she finds

a way to get closer to him, and the questions of what he is start swirling through Bella’s head. As time passes, Bella learns the truth about Edward Cul-len and his family—a clan of vampires. Now Bella and Edward must find out if it’s possible for

a human and a vampire to live together and make a relation-ship work. Bella embarks on her jour-ney of learning about the ups and downs of dating and lov-ing a vampire, and the many dangers entangled with this forbidden love. From being chased by vam-pires who love the scent of her blood, to surviving high school, Bella must cope with a fictional

fantasy that has become her reality. Is this new life possible, or is she entertaining the possibility of such a complex impossibil-ity? Read to find out more.

By Lawana RossBanner Staff


CAFETERIA Continued from Page 5are more engaged in saving energy and reducing waste,” Holland said. In February new drink ma-chines will offer two new flavors,

Coke Zero and Raspberry Tea. The La Belle Café has added Pillsbury Sweet Minis that fea-ture chocolate chip cookies, doughnuts, and brownies to its menu. Upon Foreman’s arrival in October 2007 he said the en-vironment was different from his work at North Carolina A&T State University, and brother school Morehouse College. “Bennett is a family environ-ment and the people here are nicer than any other place I have ever worked at,” Foreman said. “Everyone is open to change and it makes it easier.”

He has purchased 400 new cups along with new an im-proved silverware dispensers but he said he urges customers of the dining hall to return utensils after usage. This year alone $10,000 was spent on plate, cup, and utensil expenses. Instead of spending that money on replacements, Foreman would like to spend it on the things customers want to see in the cafeteria. In September 2009 he plans to substitute the two current televisions above the cafeteria’s entrance with flat screens so that

he can add to his past features like Carnival and Seafood Night, with Dinner and a Movie. For more information, contact Carmen M. Smith at [email protected].

HOME Continued from Page 5 Like Durojaiye, Mujeni may not be able to return home until she graduates in May 2011. “I may not be able to go home until I graduate because it’s just not realistic. I know my parents don’t even make money for an air ticket in three years, it’s un-realistic,” said Mujeni. During Thanksgiving and Christmas break, Mujeni visits her older brother. She has made friends, and she talks to her par-ents over the holidays. Durojaiye hopes to return home in May 2009 once she has graduated.

While Mujeni waits for her turn to graduate and she hopes her country makes progress to-wards stability and peace. The rising airline prices and the strict U.S. Homeland Se-curity process for International students have made it even more difficult for International

students to travel home for col-lege breaks. “Just knowing it’s all out of love, my parents gave up all they had for me to be here and now it’s my turn to sacrifice,” said

Mujeni.

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FEBRUARY 2009 BENNETT BANNER