The News Argus

Jennifer Rooksstaff [email protected]

Groundbreaking for a new residence hall is scheduled to begin July 1 with a grand opening in August 2013.

The dormitory is being built to accom-modate freshmen and possibly sopho-mores who are required by Winston-

Salem State to stay on campus during their first two years.

Nearly 800 students are anticipated to enter into WSSU in fall 2013.

“That [enrollment size] creates the potential for a lagerhead or jam that would be difficult for us to get out of without additional housing that is des-ignated for freshmen and sophomore

residents,” said Trae Cotton, vice chan-cellor of Student Affairs.

The resident hall is part of a plan to increase the freshmen and sophomore bed count by 500 within six to eight years. The dorm will add approxi-mately 200 beds to that number once completed.

According to the proposed design,

the building will sit between Moore Hall and the S.G. Atkins house.

“We hope that through construc-tion and renovation to create an upper mostly first-year housing village that will house the entire freshman class

Groundbreaking set for new dormitory

Dormcontinued on Page 6

Athletics reducedby three

Jordan Hollowaysports [email protected]

Men’s indoor and outdoor track and field and golf teams have been cut by the Athletic Department to save approxi-mately $232,000.

The change will eliminate one coach and 13 scholarship athletes.

The revenue allocated for those sports will be used to fund the other athletic pro-grams, said Kevin Manns, assistant director of Athletics for Media Relations.

Eliminatedcontinued on Page 8

Men’s indoor and outdoor track and field and golf programs cut

starting fall 2012

Men’s track & field, golf GONE

T his year marks the 50th anniversary for Winston-Salem State’s

student publication, The News Argus. Through the years, the Argus has experienced several changes.

The Argus began as The Teacher’s College Informer.

The Informer was created to inform students, faculty and staff about news around the campus and throughout the Winston-Salem community.

In 1962, the Informer spon-sored a contest for students to rename the newspaper: The News Argus was the winning name.

The News Argus began publishing as a monthly broadsheet. It was later changed to a tabloid-size newspaper.

The Argus staff office has been located in Eller Hall and Hall-Patterson. Today the office is in Carolina Hall.

Visit www.TheNewsArgus.com to read the entire story and see the 50th anniversary slide show.

Page 2 The News Argus www.thenewsargus.com

News & FeaturesTuesday, March 27, 2012

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Mattress Outlet: 336-402-7145Located only minutes from WSSU campus.

Sunday, March 4At 7:37 p.m. Campus Police responded to

a call of larceny and vandalism of a vending machine in Rams Common. The machine’s front glass had been broken and items removed. No suspects have been reported.

The case is open.

Thursday, March 8At 2:18 p.m. Campus Police took a report

from a male student that had his phone stolen. The student reported that as he was walking on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive with a female student, an unknown black male walked between them. The male student said he soon after realized his phone had been taken out of his pocket. The case is under investigation.

At 11:22 p.m. a male student was charged for the possession and the selling of mari-juana in Foundation Heights. When Campus Police searched the suspect he had 10.7 grams of marijuana. The student was arrested and placed under a $2,500 secure bond. The case is closed.

Friday, March 9At 3:07 a.m. Campus Police took a report

from a female student in Lot X. She said she had been assaulted by her boyfriend. The suspect, who was not a student, was arrested but the female student decided not to file criminal charges. The case is closed.

Thursday, March 22At 8:07 p.m. Campus Police received a call

that shots were fired at the Anderson Center. The officers that responded couldn’t locate anyone in the area. Investigations show that a large crowd had gathered at the Anderson Center when the shots were fired. No inju-ries have been reported. Campus Police will review video.

All information provided in the Campus Incident Report was provided verbally by the Campus Police. These were the most updated reports available before The News Argus deadline.

Source: WSSU Department of Police and Public Safety

Compiled by Daniel Braswell, Staff Reporter

The Campus Incident Report is a concise summary of the up-to-date incidents that affect the Winston-Salem State campus and community. Certain incidents may lead to News Argus articles.

Students choose less expensiveoption by attending HBCU’sKanesha Leakstaff reporter [email protected]

With the cost of tuition increasing over the years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities have become a less expensive alternatives.

There are 11 HBCU’s in North Carolina. According to blackcollegesearch.com, five are public and six are private.

Three of the HBCU’s are in the Triangle: NC Central, Shaw University, and St. Augustine’s College.

Three HBCU’s in the Triad: Winston-Salem State, NC A&T State University and Bennett College.

What makes the HBCU’s in the Triad and Triangle easier on your pockets?

Tuition for in-state students during the 2011-2012 school year NCCU was the least expen-sive --with a yearly tuition of $3,244, according nccu.edu. WSSU tuition is in sec-ond place [$5,051]; third place

NC A&T [$5,569], fourth place Shaw University [$10,440], fifth place St. Augustine’s College [$12,364], and sixth place Bennett College for Women [$14,150].

“Even though NCCU’s tuition is cheaper than WSSU’s, the facilities and environment at [WSSU]are more upscale so it is a better option to me,” said, Charles Chavis, senior psychol-ogy, major from Charlotte.

The HBCU with the most affordable tuition in the Triad and Triangle for out-of-state students is WSSU. With tuition costs of $5,978.

In second place is Shaw University [$9,438] a pri-vate institution; third is St. Augustine’s College [$12,364] also private. Fourth is NC A&T [$13,605], followed by NCCU [$13,817]. Bennett College [$14,150] is the most expensive.

“I chose to come to North Carolina because I hated South Carolina,” said Alex Spry, junior elementary education major, from Manning, S.C.

“I wanted to get away from the norm and try something new.”

According to get-tuition.com, tuition and fees rise as the inflation rate increases.

Starting next year UNC schools WSSU and NC A&T will see an increase in tuition.

According to get-tuition.com, with a larger overhead cost required to keep the schools operational, universi-ty’s would have to increase the student fees to be able to make up for all the expenses that they spent for the year.

“I don’t necessarily believe that tuition increases are good or beneficial to the students, but I do believe it is a neces-sary action for institutions to employ due to the maintenance of buildings and facilities,” Chavis said.

“It is necessary for schools to increase tuition especially during the present time where our economy is currently and continuously suffering from inflation.”

Corbin [email protected]

A major change has hit the University’s music program for the better.

As of spring 2012, the music program is accredited by the National Association of Music Schools.

The music program’s accred-itation process began in 2008, as part of a re-accreditation process, headed by the efforts of Charles Hicks, former department chair of Fine Arts.

The accrediting process included an extensive checklist of items -- to be met and to be approved as an accredited major.

After several attempts, pro-cesses had been held up by concerns that needed to be addressed and solved by the University.

Concerns ranged from a change in the curriculum to inconveniences in the build-ings and labs.

“The concerns were nothing more than normal accredita-tion process procedure, “ Charles Ford, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said.

“We [Department of Arts and Sciences] send a report, and they send back findings, and they ask us to modify the findings, and that’s just the way the accreditation cycle works.”

Having an accredited pro-gram presents many advan-tages to current and future students.

“Students want to join pro-grams with high standards,” Ford said.

“The department will gain resources, raise faculty cre-dentials, and grant students the opportunity to get better jobs as a nationally recognized program.”

Michael Magruder, interim chair of the Fine Arts Department, director of band and professor of music, says that the accreditation is impor-tant.

“Students can be assured

that they are in an accred-ited program and that the University has continued to display a commitment of support to the music cur-riculum and music program,” Magruder said.

Being an accredited major allows the University to com-pete with the curriculae at many schools in the state and in the country.

The music program is now offering a Bachelor of Arts in music to complement the Bachelor of Science already set.

The modified change allows students to choose whether to have a wide-ranging degree with music still being its main focus.

Terrance Johnson, senior music business major from Raleigh came into WSSU to earn a Bachelor of Science and is now switching to a B.A.

“With a B.A. I can now graduate this spring 2012, instead of waiting another semester to get out of here” says Johnson, a fifth year senior.

A B.S. requires students to take 18 more credit hours than a person on the B.A. track.

“When I came in, a Bachelor of Science was my only option. With a new curriculum, I can really focus with the classes that will help me in the future and in my choice of career and finally I can get my diploma,” Johnson said.

Ford also added, the vision of our provost [Brenda Allen] was very instrumental in influencing the department to get a B.A. in music.

`This new degree [Bachelor of Arts] should catch the atten-tion of incoming students and transfers.

“I like that they’ve added a B.A. to the curriculum. For future students, it allows you to get out in four years, unless you choose to do otherwise,”

Johnson said.

Music program nowoffers accreditedBachelor of Arts



Corbin [email protected]

The 4th annual College of Arts and Sciences awards ceremony will be March 27 in Diggs Gallery.

Established in 2008, this event, was created to recognize CAS students for outstand-ing achievement in their col-lege careers in their academic departments.

The CAS Awards is com-prised of several categories including: Academic, Service, Research, and Top Graduate.

Each award is presented to one student throughout nine departments; a total of approx-imately 35 statues and certifi-cates will be awarded.

Awards are presented to stu-dents who have achieved excel-lence in the area of academic work, research and indepen-dent work, service to his or her department, the University or the community.

All award recipients are rec-ommended by faculty in their field of study.

This year, the College Awards Committee imple-mented a new award; “Most Improved.”

The “Most Improved” award is presented to one student from each department whose performance has improved the most over a calendar year, based on GPA and other cri-teria.

Dean of College of Arts and Sciences and co-chair of the College Awards Committee, Charles Ford says he very

excited about this year’s awards.

“Because we know that stu-dents excel at different points in their college career, the College decided to reward students who over time have improved significantly in their academic performance,” Ford said. “This is the purpose of the most improved award.”

The hour-long ceremony fea-tures a welcome (presented by the co-chair), opening remarks, presentation of awards and closing remarks.

Ford and the committee will have a similar program from past events with a few changes.

The committee has imple-mented an in-house approach to introduce and award stu-dents.

“We want to make the pro-gram as short as possible, so we’ve encouraged our faculty to get speaking roles during the program,” Ford said. There will be no guest speakers.

The “in-house” approach stresses continuity, Ford said.

Moreover, the department has come to have a two co-chair system, and each mem-ber of the committee has the opportunity to advance to a chair position the following year.

Mohammad Faud, assistant professor in the department of Computer Science has served as co-chair for two years (2009-2010, and 2010-2011).

He says, “It was a learning experience for me. I was new to the faculty but enjoyed my time at each ceremony.”

CAS to host 4th annual student award ceremony

Mallory Greenstaff [email protected]

Feeling sick? Need a physical or want to get tested?

The Winston-Salem State’s student health center offers a variety of options for students.

A.H. Ray Student Health Center is the only center at an HBCU in North Carolina that is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. The health center operates Mondays through Fridays, offers a walk-in clinic every day, and is open during the summer sessions.

Students are required to bring their RAM card and an insurance card with them for every visit.

There is no co-pay for students.The health center offers a variety of general

medical care services, which includes con-traception and counseling, HIV/STD testing, physicals, immunizations and allergy injections.

“We offer general health care that you get at your primary care physician’s office,” said Michael D. Isler, the clinical services and infor-matics coordinator.

The health center sees about 3,000 students a year.

Depending on the season, students come to the health center for different reasons.

“Typically in the winter, students come over for cold and flu symptoms, and in the summer a lot times students come for allergy symptoms and rashes,” Isler said.

Although the center does not treat faculty and staff, it does offer TB skin tests for the entire WSSU community -- students, faculty

and staff.There are three nurse practitioners available

who can diagnose, treat students, and write prescriptions.

The health center always has a medical doc-tor on call. Nurses are able to give students over-the-counter medicine at no cost.

“What we try to do at the student health center is to keep cost as low as possible for the students,” Isler said.

The center also provides pap smears and birth control.

“Our students make use of being able to get their pap smear done, when they are away from home,” Isler said.

There are some students who prefer not to use the health center at all.

“I don’t use the student health center any-more,” said Leonza Sanders a marketing major from Wilson, N.C.

“I used it my freshmen year and that’s it,” Sanders said.

“I have my own insurance now.”Isler said that typically students don’t like to

see a doctor when they’re afraid something is wrong.

“We encourage students to utilize the health center,” Isler said.

Within the next year, the health center may open a pharmacy.

“The [pharmacist] position is open for a pharmacist and we are hoping to get one,” Isler said.

WSSU is only HBCU in state with nationally accredited student health center

We all have an opinion of what a perfect professor should be like. To me, perfect professors will inspire their students in many ways and have a lasting influence.

Good professors should establish clear understanding and communication the first time they meet their students.

Students can determine how they should better approach their professor by how they [professors] communicate with their stu-dents.

The learning experience between a student and professor should be about give and take. Professors should give great efforts in what they are teaching students.

Maybe then students will take classes and the work more seriously. In other words, stu-dents will give back what a professor puts in.

A good professor should be professional at all times.

Personal opinions about students should not be shared with anyone, and should not hinder a student’s learning. This can often prevent students from excelling because they feel their professor is not approachable.

Professors should show some kind of empathy for their stu-dents because they were once in those same classroom seats.

Some students may go through a few trials during their four or five years in college.

Professors should be a person they can talk to and hope they would understand what their students are going through.

When professors know the reasons a student is not coming to class or turning in work, they can help them get back on track.

Professors can push their students to do their best but also acknowledge the reason for doing so. A professor should never push students to do anything for personal gain.

Most importantly, professors should never take their personal frustrations out on their students.

If there is something going on in the professors’ personal life, they should be able to separate that from their work environ-ment.

Professors should not only teach, but they should also strive to be mentors. There are students who come to college who have never had someone to talk to about their goals or someone who has influenced them.

Professors are a big influence on students and their future. When students graduate, they should be able to name at least one professor that has influenced them.

The reality is there is not any professor who is completely per-fect. The ones who make an effort to make change through their work with students and the academy will have a lasting legacy once their job is done.


OpiNiONTuesday, March 27, 2012

Should faculty and staff be drug tested randomly?

Photos and Interviews by Corbin Bradford and Sierra Thompson

DOVONTE REECEJUNIOR,ACCOUNTINGEAST ST. LOUIS, ILL.

“Professors should not be drug tested because marijuana is a stress reliever and as long as they’re on top of their jobs.”

VICTORIA BANKSOPHOMORE, NURSING

GREENSBORO“Professors should be drug tested because teaching is a professional job, and with any job it requires a drug test.”

ASHLEY TAYLORSENIOR,CHEMISTRY

QUEENS, N.Y.“Professors should be drug tested because they are repre-senting us, and we are repre-senting them.”

RYAN MAYSSENIOR, POLI SCI.

CARY, N.C.“Professors should not be drug tested if it is not affecting their work life. Then it’s none of our business.”

JOI HOLIDAYJUNIOR, MASS COMM.

LAS VEGAS“Professors should be drug tested because they are at a public university, and they should be held accountable for the things they do.”

WSSU students, faculty and staff are selected randomly to answer a provocative question from The News Argus. Comments do not represent the opinions of the Argus staff. To view the complete responses visit www.thenewsargus.com.

The perfect professor

When athletes are playing sports, they get drug tested. Students are required to get drug tested when they become involved in collegiate sports. When students apply for jobs they get drug tested.

So why not drug test Winston-Salem State’s profes-sors?This issue’s Campus Crew asks...

As a matter of policy, The News

Argus will publish corrections for errors in facts.

The corrections will be made as soon as possible after

the error has been brought to the

attention of The News Argus [email protected]

Argus Letter PolicyThe News Argus is a student publication of Winston-Salem State University. The News Argus encourages written comments to the editor and guest columns, but some rules apply: q A signature, address and phone number must accompany all letters. Letters should be double-spaced and no more than 250 words. q Letters will be verified by The News Argus by a phone call prior to publication. If The News Argus is unable to contact the writer of a let-ter, the letter will be held until contact is made. Letters intended as advertising will not be published.q The News Argus does not publish “form letters”or letters sent to multiple newspapers outside the Triad unless the issue discussed in the letter is of importance to the WSSU community. q The News Argus reserves the right to edit letters and guest col-umns for clarity, length and libel. The News Argus will edit letters that are grossly inaccurate or cross the boundaries of good taste. q The News Argus allows readers to reply to someone’s response to any earlier letter only once. q Guest columns may be no more than 400 words. The News Argus will accept endorsements of candidates, but only one per writer per candidate. The letter may challenge a candidate’s record, but no intensely personal attacks will be printed. The News Argus per-mits candidates to write letters to the editor to specifically respond to another letter.

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BIANCAPENDERCopy desk Chief

Winston-Salem State has decided to make cuts to its Athletic Department to

reallocate funds. You know what this

sounds like to me; it sounds like they [Athletic Department] want to make the rich richer.

If you read the email that was sent on March 21 to the campus com-munity, you would see that Athletic Director William Hayes said

that they would be allocating fund to fur-ther support the remaining sports.

It seems like the football, basketball, and baseball teams will be getting more money so they can stay competitive nationally.

To reallocate money from three sports (men’s indoor and outdoor track and field and men’s golf) that have seen more suc-cess since the jump back to the CIAA than they did while the transition was taking place makes this team no different than any other program.

The men’s track and field teams have

been successful since returning to the CIAA placing in the top three in the con-ference in the indoor and outdoor seasons since returning to the conference.

The golf team has seen some successes this season with one first place finish, two-second place finishes, and one-third place finish in seven events this season.

I can remember when WSSU was mak-ing the transition to the MEAC in 2006, and the only program that was competi-tive on any level was track and field and for it to be cut from the budget is more than a travesty; it’s a shame.

With that being said, I do understand that this is a business and that you make the moves you need to make to win championships and make money.

I understand that you always want to field the best team that you can.

But I do know this; if you know you cannot afford something you do not invest in it.

At the March 21 campus forum, all I heard was, “We are cutting the programs to refocus efforts in other sports.”

That is well and good, but when you recruit freshman with the hopes of being a champion and then after their first year

of competition you take it away, THAT IS WRONG!

These athletes are given the chance to go to other universities and compete there. But think about this scenario: What if another school doesn’t pick up the player?

They will be left with dreams and a lot of “what if’s” and no one deserves that.

My prayer is that the athletes who lost their opportunity to compete as Rams find somewhere to go.

The results of this news could have led to a much worse outcome for WSSU ath-letics then it did.

The entire track and field and golf pro-grams could have said that they were not going to participate for the rest of the sea-son and forfeit the school’s final chance at a men’s golf or track and field champion-ship.

Personally, I am glad they didn’t choose that option.

These athletes have handled this situa-tion with grace and professionalism and for that I do say, “Thank you and Go Rams.”

The public celebration of women’s history in this country began in

1978 as “Women’s History Week” in Sonoma County, Calif.

The week including March 8, International Women’s Day, was selected.

International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the economic,

political and social achievements of women, took place for the first time on March 8, 1911.

Many countries around the world celebrate the holiday with demonstra-tions, educational initiatives and cus-toms such as presenting women with gifts and flowers.

Presentations were given at dozens of schools, hundreds of students par-

ticipated in a “Real Woman” essay contest and a parade was held in downtown Santa Rosa.

The United Nations has sponsored International Women’s Day since 1975.

In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint Congressional resolution proclaiming a national Women’s History Week.

In 1987, Congress expanded the cel-ebration to a month, and March was declared Women’s History Month.

In 2011, the Barack Obama adminis-tration released a report highlighting 50 years of progress. According to history.com, the 2012 theme, “Women’s Education—Women’s Empowerment,” honors pioneering teachers and advocates who helped women and other groups gain access to advanced learning.

Women have made so many contri-butions to the world – from childbirth

to inventions, from Congress to the Neighborhood Watch.

More importantly, women have had to fight through Women’s Suffrage, making way for their own rights and opportunities in search for equality.

Retrospectively, minority women have had to rally, fight and work twice as hard.

March gives women the opportu-nity to showcase and honor other women who go above and beyond the expected domesticity.

I encourage everyone to go to the production of For Colored Girls, the play March 30 through April 1.

Check the Campus Life Daily Digest for time and location information.

As we come to the close of this month, I challenge each person to find a way to honor one woman whether it be through an email, gift or kind words.

www.thenewsargus.com The News Argus Page 5

OpiNiONTuesday, March 27, 2012

Are you a registered

organ donor?

To participate in the poll,

register online @ thenewsargus.com

Yes

59%No

21%

I am considering it.

10%Never. I am keeping

all my parts!

10% JordanHollowaysports editor

VICTORIASTAPLESonline news editor

Celebrating women everywhere March is Women’s History Month

A cut all Rams will feel



Hill Hall renovations make way for new Student Success Center Bianca PenderCopy desk [email protected]

After seven years of being vacant, Hill Hall will be renovated and will become Winston-Salem State’s new Student Success Center.

Hill Hall, built in 1965, was formerly used as the science building. It was shut down due to issues with asbestos.

“The building, as all old buildings, had asbestos,” said Nasser Massry, University engineer and project manager.

“The building was cleared of it in the past two years and to get rid of anything else that was harmful.”

The Student Success Center will be a “one-stop-shop” where all students can utilize services such as International Programs, Career Services, a reading and writing center and academic advising.

Student Affairs and students who were a part of the Student Government Association par-ticipated in a forum discussing needed improvements.

The decision was made to

create the center because the University needed a place to have different departments in one building and in a central location.

“We began with a master planning process and looked at the strategic plan to identify the needs of students,” said Carolynn Berry, associate pro-vost for Planning, Assessment and Research.

The plan derived from WSSU’s strategic plan’s goal of having supportive aca-demic facilities with effective resources.

“Student success was the main priority,” Berry said.

All student services in the Hauser Building will be moved to Hill Hall.

“We really have a nice model in University College but it’s too small,’ Berry said.

The Center will have a com-puter lab, café and lecture auditorium. The design of the center will feature conference and meeting rooms and tech-nology for video conferences.

Meeting rooms will be avail-able to students to work on

group projects.“What was a classroom is

going to be structured so that it’s a flexible space so that you could teach a class,” Berry said.

The lecture auditorium will also be used for presentations and guest speakers.

The center will have lounge spaces with moveable furni-ture.

The building will become energy and water efficient and environmentally friendly.

“We are looking to use solar energy in the building,” Massry said.

Trae Cotton, vice chancel-lor of Student Affairs said the Student Success Center will be a good counterpoint to the new Student Activities Center.

“We are truly creating space on campus to address all aspects of a student’s life,” Cotton said.

“Through these new facili-ties we will truly help prepare our students to be global citi-zens and outstanding alumni.”

continued from Page 1Dorm

THE YARD BY BRANDON COLEY

Jamal Williamsstaff [email protected]

Winston-Salem State’s mandatory room inspection require-ment is for every student living on campus, and some off campus.

The room inspections take place at the end of every month and before holidays.

“Every hall is required to have posted signs letting students know a week in advance before room inspecting,” said Elizabeth Roberts, area coordinator of Housing and Residence Life.

Signs are posted at various locations in every dormitory by residence assistants. Some of those areas are near elevators, exits, and bulletin boards.

“We try to put the signs in plain sight for students to see,” said Willie Stroud, a senior music education major from Kannapolis, N.C.

Stroud is an RA for Foundation Heights. Inspections are made to ensure that rooms are clean have no

safety hazards, or maintenance issues.“The staff members have a form that shows the guidelines of

what to look for,” Roberts said. The form includes some items that staff members should be

looking for during room inspections. “How dirty the tub is, the garbage, bed with laundry, and

smells of room are some of things to look for in the rooms,” Roberts said.

If the items on the checklist are found in rooms, then the indi-vidual or whole suite receives a warning from the RA.

“If a student fails the second time, they have to be written up and sent to Judicial Affairs,” Stroud said.

The form also explains the fines given to a student for viola-tions. Each student who violates the rules will be fined separately, unless the violation involves the kitchen or other common areas.

Also students can be fined for possessing illegal items on campus.

“If I see any illegal activities or anything that causes suspen-sion, I will write it up and come back with police and the hall director,” Stroud said.

“I don’t think room inspections are necessary, especially when students are considered grown,” said Donte’ Gerald, a junior English education major and vocal minor from Tabor, N.C. Gerald lives in Gleason-Harriston Terrence.

“The issue that I have is that some rooms get checked com-pletely, and some just get a fine,” Gerald said.

The Athletic Department also conducts room inspections of student athletes.

“We [football team] give room inspections to our players because we want to help them with awareness,” said Kienus Boulware, an assistant coach for the football team.

Random room inspections are performed by coaches.“Every kid comes from different walks of life, but we are trying

to teach these guys discipline,” Boulware said.The room inspections are done both for on campus and off

campus players all year. “I support coaches that inspect their players’ rooms for cleanli-

ness or curfews,” Roberts said.

as well as some sophomore housing,” said Peter Blutreich, assistant director and interim director for Housing and Residence Life.

The dorm will consist of two towers, one containing three floors and the second contain-ing four floors.

Each floor will be separated into two sections known as “pods.”

Each pod will contain 16 rooms with each room being able to accommodate two stu-dents and will have desks, beds, closets and dressers.

Each pod will have a com-munity bathroom with three sinks, toilets and showers, and a community kitchenette.

Other options include a living room for each floor equipped with a television and furniture, and a laundry area for each pod.

Cotton said he also wants to add options such as card swipe access to pod rooms and possi-bly a mini fridge rental system for each student.

Plans have not been final-ized, according to Cotton.

“We have a finite amount of money that we have to spend on the project, and as a result of that some of the things that we may want may not go into the project,” Cotton said.

“If money were not an option, then these things will get done.”

Cotton says that he cannot discuss exactly how much the project will cost. But he said the construction costs are esti-mated at more than $10 mil-lion.

Cotton said he anticipates that when the construction management team is hired, plans for the new hall will be finalized in the latter part of May, to make the July 1 groundbreaking deadline.

“We are fairly certain about the location. The general style is pretty much set. We are really down to the some of the smaller fine detailed oriented things that could change the cost,” Cotton said.

Student room inspections can take place on campusand...off campus

Jordan Hollowaysports editor

Francesca Edgerton, a junior infielder from Ellenboro, N.C., was chosen by Head Softball Coach LaTaya Hilliard-Gray as the Gameball recipient.

Coach Hilliard-Gray said the right-handed batter is one of the hardest working players on the team.

Edgerton is having a great season so far; in a game against Benedict College Feb. 11 she had three hits, three doubles, and four RBI’s.

She has one of the hottest bats on the team this season. She has seven RBI’s on eight hits and has a .533 batting average.

Hilliard-Gray said Edgerton has been one of the most consistent players on the team.

Edgerton said that she is more than pleased winning the award.

“I am glad to see my hard work paying off,” Edgerton said.

Francesca Edgerton


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

spOrts

Jamal Williamsstaff [email protected]

The Ram Nation can bid farewell to Winston- Salem State football star running back Nicholas Cooper because he has decided to pursue a career in the National Football League.

Cooper, a redshirt senior from Clinton, N.C. will forgo his last semester of eligibility and enter his name into the 2012 NFL draft.

His last season proved to be his best. He fin-ished with 1,808 rushing yards on 267 carries, averaging 6.8 per carry with 22 touchdowns. He averaged 129 rushing yards per game.

The decision to enter the draft was not his original plan after the 2011 season.

The situation that presented a problem was the guidelines for his eligibility to play next fall. He would have had to sit out or take off the spring semester and take some classes to be eligible to participate for the fall season.

The dilemma for Cooper was not the classes or sitting out a semester but the cost of the classes.

“I was working out as a regular student-athlete at school every day until I got that call informing me about the requirements for my eligibility,” Cooper said.

Cooper was an interdisciplinary studies major and needed 20 to 30 hours to gradu-ate. Most of his classes were to be completed online. “After the call, I went home and talked with my parents to get some guidance then signed with an agent,.”

Since entering the, draft he has been training in Charlotte at Velocity gym, working on resis-tance, techniques, and drills for pro days.

“I am a solid 240 pounds, but I am faster than I used to be; it’s crazy,” Cooper said.

Cooper expects to test well at the workouts that he goes to in March and April. He is scheduled to attend Wake Forest University and Coastal Carolina pro days.

“After the pro days and workouts things are going to get crazy so all I can do is continue to work out and get better.”

Cooper has won various awards including CIAA Championship MVP and All-American. But he said he knows being drafted by the NFL can be added to that list of accomplishments.

One of his former coaches told him that NFL stands for “Not For Long,” Cooper said.

“That’s why I have to finish school and get my degree.”

Cooper said that after football he still has “the rest of my life to work.”

The production of Cooper will be missed on the field, but Cooper said he will miss his experiences and people at WSSU.

“The relationships I have built over the past five years with teammates and the joking with my coaches I will truly miss.”

Brian Williams, a strong safety for the Rams grew up with Cooper.

“Coop [Cooper] has always been like a brother to me since I was 7 years old, and he knows my parents like I know his parents,” Williams said.

Cooper and Williams both graduated from Clinton High School in 2007.

“When I was looking to transfer from UNC-Pembroke, I knew coming to WSSU with Nicholas was the right decision because I knew he would lead me in the right direction,” Williams said.

In the 2011 season, Cooper was a team cap-tain on along with three other teammates one being junior quarterback Kameron Smith from Garner N.C.

“Coop was a humble and wholesome guy that made his teammates better,” Smith said.

Smith will not have the luxury of handing off to the 240 pound “Big Fella” in the upcoming 2012 season but said he is ready to build off last year’s success.

“During my five years, I have learned time management, accountability, integrity and doing the right things when no one is looking,”

Nic Cooper preparing for NFL draft

Photo by WSSU AthleticsCooper won the Most Valuable Player award during the CIAA championship game Nov. 12. He finished that game with 163 rushing yards and three touch-downs. If drafted, Cooper will be the first Ram since William Hayes in 2008 to be selected.

Jordan Hollowaysports [email protected]

Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams put on dominating performances as they opened up CIAA Southern Division round-up play against Johnson C. Smith sweeping men’s and women’s teams, 9-0 on March 23.

The Lady Rams are 10-6 (6-0 CIAA) and the Rams tennis team is 6-5 (4-1 CIAA).

“We played well and had a ton of confidence going into the match,” said Drew Dunzweiler a sophomore right hander from Asheboro.

“Even though they were a weak team, we always try to stay focused against all oppo-nents.”

The Rams tennis team opened with three doubles wins, 8-1,8-0, and 8-0.

“We sometimes lost focus during the match,” Dunzweiler said.

“But we rebounded and con-tinued to play hard and came away with the victory.”

The Lady Rams were just

as impressive in their doubles play against the Lady Golden Bulls.

Taylor Harris a right-handed sophomore from Charlotte said that she felt like her doubles match shouldn’t have been as close as it was.

“We should have won by a much larger deficit,” Harris said.

“I am glad that we pulled through and got the win though.”

Harris’ partner during the doubles match was Chelsea Chatman.

In singles competition Winston-Salem State saw the same success.

The Lady Rams needed the win to keep the lead that they have on the Shaw Bears in the race for conference supremacy.

Holding down home court is also valuable to WSSU.

“It is very important that we win on our home court,” said Dominique Lindsay. Lindsay is a left-handed sophomore from Charlotte.

“The race for the conference championship is between us

and Shaw.”The two teams are tied for

first place. The results of the March 23-25 round-up will help determine who wins the Southern Division. Harris said that the support from the fans and students is needed to help the team play well.

“It is very important to hear your teammates cheer you on during play,’ Harris said.

“This is the most support that we have had from the stu-dent body since I have started playing here.”

In attendance at the round-up was newly acquired walk-on right-hander Tyler Khiry Ross from Nashville, Tenn.

“I came to the team a few weeks ago and talked to [Nick] John,” Ross said.

“I worked out for coach [John Martin] and he said I was good enough to be on the team and play.”

Ross will be eligible to play this season after the NCAA clears him to play academi-cally.

Shaw is in first place after the event.

Men’s, women’s tennis sweep JCSU


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

spOrts

A student body forum on March 21 was held to explain Winston-Salem State’s decision to eliminate the programs.

“We are very emotional and heartbroken right now,” said Desmond Wiggan.

Wiggan is a senior business management major from Charlotte and the captain of the men’s track team.

Wiggan has been a member of the track and field since 2008.

Before the cuts, WSSU had 16 teams in the Athletic Department.

Under the Division II rules for membership, a pro-gram needs at least 10 sports.

Those sports include: Men’s Basketball, Football, Baseball, Cross Country, Women’s Basketball, Softball, Bowling and Women’s track and field.

WSSU still has more than the required number of sports, with 13 teams.

“Our budget can’t handle 16 teams,” said William Hayes the athletic director.

Manns, said that this decision has been in discus-sion for a while.

“These are tough economic times and we’re operat-ing with too many sports in the department for our budget to handle,” Manns said.

Manns also said that raising money to support the sports was an option.

He said that delivering the news to the teams was very tough for Hayes to do.

“To be present in the meeting with the track and golf teams was extremely difficult,” Manns said.

“That was something hard for him [Hayes] to do, it was gut-wrenching.”

Knowing that these are tough times for the student athletes, Manns said the department is working dili-gently to find new homes for the student-athletes.

“We have already been contacted by some schools who are interested in our athletes,” Manns said.

One of the athletes affected by the news is freshman Michael Neal.

Neal is an All-American sprinter. He said that if he would have known about this [the program cuts] sooner that he would have weighed other options.

He said that he knows that he can still go some-where else and compete.

“As long as I go somewhere and run I will be happy for myself,” Neal said.

The track and field teams have to refocus their efforts as they prepare for the first track meet at WSSU in more than 30 years, Manns said.

Wiggan said that event will be a very emotional one for the entire team.

Manns said that athletes on scholarship, may choose to stay and the Athletic Department will support them if they meet all of the requirements.

He said the athletes will be supported through the next academic year as well.

Many students voiced their opinions to Chancellor Reaves during the forum.

He told the students that the move was about money.

“You don’t save money when you field as many teams as a Division I program,” Reaves said during the forum.

Hayes agreed with the chancellor and said that the plan is to reallocate funds and focus efforts on the other sports.

“If we want to be a Division II national contender we have to focus our efforts on getting better at the things we do best,” Hayes said during the forum.

Toward the end of the forum had, SGA President Austin Grier said to the students that there was a dif-ference between agreeing and understanding.

“You don’t have to agree to understand what is going on,” he said.

Some athletes expressed their disappointment. “For many of the athletes, who are sophomores and

juniors, it is especially difficult,” Wiggan said. Neal said he is worried about some of his team-

mates. “I thought about my teammates and what were

some of them going to do if they couldn’t find a school to run at,”Neal said.

continued from Page 1Eliminated

Photo by Marisha BeasonAthletic Director William Hayes and Chancellor Reaves tell the campus why the cuts had to be made in the athletic depart-ment, March 22.

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