Community Service Debate

Students are at odds over community service that doesn’t involve physically interacting with the community. Students regularly make cards for children, the elderly, and the sick & shut-in throughout the year. Some students question if they are actually helping the community, and personally growing from doing these types of non-interactive tasks.

Most students must fulfill a minimum of 40 hours of community service in order to graduate. Bennett College encourages students to be community activists, and it stresses giving back to local communities.

Senior Faith Colvins, a psychology major says students are taught one thing, but their behavior says another sometimes.

“Bennett College doesn’t interact much with our community, and it makes us look like we are above the neighborhood we live in,” says Colvins.

“Making holiday cards can be boring, tedious, and impersonal especially when you do not know the person’s circumstance, so you write ‘Happy Holiday’ and ‘Get Well Soon’ in every card.”

Aisha Henderson, the community service coordinator says events are approved by the impact it will have on the community not just by community interaction.

“[Students] make cards for the elderly that do not have family just to bring joy to them.” Henderson says this activity might not guarantee physical interaction with the recipients, but it satisfies somebody with minimal support, and that deserves credit.

Sophomore English major Veronica Minor from Asheboro, N.C. does community service for her own personal growth. “Interactive community service guarantees self-satisfaction, whereas making cards can be redundant and can be done without ever having felt like you’ve contributed to the betterment of the community.” She says all community service should be interactive. “It builds character, and allows us to have the experience of service without expecting something back…and that’s what Belles do!”

The Queens Association, headed by Miss Bennett College is responsible for providing community service hours for their prospective clubs and organizations. Miss Sophomore Cherie Johnson says she provides much of her community service on campus because it is hard for students to get off campus.

“Community Service doesn’t have to be interactive, I could stuff hygiene baskets and send them out and never see who is getting them.  I would still consider that community service because somebody is benefiting from the time and energy that I spent,” says Johnson.

Cortney Reese, a sophomore social work major from Oakland, Calf. says some tasks should be done without receiving recognition. “Belles just need to give back! Credit shouldn’t always have to be given. You can get credit for a card that is not quality. If Belles do not do things as simple as making a card without receiving hours then that goes to show what we’re doing for credit defeats the purpose of why we serve to begin with.”

“Women help make the community and should take part in giving back to the community,” says Cherie Johnson. “While working on campus may seem standoffish, and less interactive, Bennett’s activities are just as impacting and can be felt at Moses Cone [Hospital], in high schools, Girl Scouts, and throughout the Greensboro community.”

You can find out more community service information by contacting the campus queens or Aisha Henderson, director of civic engagement & service learning at (336) 517-1567.

By: Delrisha White

Students’ Concerns Addressed

A full house of students, faculty, and staff met for Bennett College’s first town hall meeting of the semester. The meeting took place during the regularly scheduled Academic and Cultural Enrichment Series on January 18.

Bennett College President Dr. Julianne Malveaux first addressed concerns about her frequent traveling. She said some students have complained about her numerous absences from college events. Malveaux explained that she travels about 70 percent of the time to fundraise and market the college.

“I want that when people think about women, they think about Bennett,” she said.

Although her schedule cannot promise a set office hour, she revealed her conscious efforts to always eat in the café and even stop by dorms. She is currently taking suggestions about having open office hours to accommodate students.

Next, Malveaux revealed that cyber bullying has become a problem on campus.

“If you’re bad enough to bully, you’re bad enough to sign your name,” Malveaux said in response to anonymous threats via text, email, and social networking websites. She then reminded the college that sisterhood is a priority.

Dr. Stanely Viltiz, provost of student affairs, announced position changes in the Student Government Association. She said that due to the college’s academic policy all student leaders are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average. Because of this policy, Shanee’ Williams will now serve as president and Amber Coleman as vice president.

Next, Dr. Esther Terry, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, addressed the feasibility of keeping the Holgate Library open 24 hours.  Students asked for the library hours to be extended. The school opened the doors around the clock during the Fall 2010 finals period at the request of students.  Dr. Terry says no more than 65 students used the library daily during the extended hours. The provost says it was not economically feasible to keep the doors open.  The college says it has not made a final decision, so the issue is still up for debate.

Another concern is if and when campus “Gym Jams” will return. The college banned “Gym Jams” in 2009 after violence erupted at a party resulting in police being called to the campus.

“You have to figure out how to contain your friends,” says Malveaux. “We have to protect the campus and it’s reputation.”

“As a senior, ‘Gym Jams’ are not a big concern of mine but I can understand, for social reasons, why many underclassmen feel deprived,’ says Ashley Barham. Barham is a senior biology major from Newark, NJ.

With the opening of the Honor’s Dormitory in 2010, other residents have questioned the college’s efforts to update the older dormitories.

President Malveaux addressed this concern by first saying that Bennett is a historic campus with 19 buildings on the registrar of historic buildings in the state of North Carolina.

“Fixing old building is not as easy as building new ones.”

The Honor’s dorm and new Global Studies buildings were built with funds by a grant with a proposal that Bennett had to build new buildings.

While the college is searching for resources to fix old dorms, keeping rooms and bathrooms clean and reporting problems as soon as they occur are ways every student can help with upkeep according to Malveaux.

President Malveaux was also asked to write a blog to increase communication. She agreed to the idea only if she had help from a student.

Other student concerns included extending curriculum in the business department to cover economics, extending café hours, student accessibility to the kitchen of the Honor’s Hall, and comprehensive fees for off campus students. Latonya Flamer, vice president for Business & Finance, explained that these fees cover, but are not limited to, health services, student publications, identification cards, and computers and printers.

“These programs are available to all students,” says Flamer,” and you are using them even if you do not know you are.”

Another question addressed to Flamer: Why aren’t there more positions open for work-study? She explained that the college does not have enough federal funds to employ every student.

The panel addressing concerns included: President Julianne Malveaux, Ph.D; Dr. Esther Terry, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; Dr. Stanley Viltz, associate provost of Student Affairs; Dr. James Dixon, chief of staff; Dr. Millicent Rainey, senior associate provost of Academic Affairs; Latonya Flamer, vice president for Business & Finance; Anthony Neal, vice president of Institutional Advancement; and Andrena Coleman, vice president of Administrative Services.

Students were required to write their questions on an index card. Malveaux suggested this method to teach students to affectively communicate through writing.

“I think this was a very productive meeting,” says Shanee Williams, president of the Student Government Association. Williams was announced as the new study body president during the meeting. “Many concerns of the students were addressed and answered.”

If there are any additional concerns students are advised to direct dialogue to SGA leaders. President Malveaux plans on holding another town hall meeting later this year.

By: Myeisha Essex

Welcome Back “Gym Jams”

Belles are ready to rock the mic for the return of "Gym Jams".

“Gym Jams” are back!

Bennett College approved the student government association’s “Gym Jam” proposal.

“Gym Jams” are parties that typically feature music and dancing located in Bennett’s Ida B. Goode gym.

Executive secretary of the SGA board Cierra Brockington says safety was the top issue in their proposal.

“A lot of changes have been made to ensure the safety of the students.”

Brockington says the new proposal states several changes. First, only college students will be allowed to attend the event. Second, strobe lights will be added inside of the building, so that people can see more clearly. Third, there will be a change in the dress code for outsiders and Belles. Last but not least there will be increased security.

Brockington says there will be more security in the inner and outer parts of our events.

“We are trying to make a safer environment for everyone.”

Recently, Bennett College President, Dr. Julianne Malveaux addressed ending “Gym Jams” at a town hall meeting for students, faculty, and staff. The president says they were taken away because the last one ended with police outside of the college. Dr. Malveaux says the way the event ended is not the way she wants others to view Bennett College. So, the president charged the SGA with submitting a proposal in order to make the “Gym Jams” safer.

Dr. Stanley Viltz, provost of student affairs, is glad students will be able to enjoy the on-campus parties once again.

“I am happy that the ‘Gym Jams’ are returning, I want the students to have a great social life just as long as it is in a safe environment.”

The freshwomen on campus haven’t experienced “Gym Jams”, so one of them says she’s glad to hear its coming back.

”I always heard upperclasswomen talk about what used to go on at the ‘Gym Jams’ and I thought it was unfair that the actions of other people stopped my class from having the ‘Gym Jam’ experience. I am so excited that they are returning,” says Ashley Long, a freshwoman.

Brockington says they will announce the date for the next “Gym Jam” in the near future.

By: Zipporah Sanders

SGA Leaders Out

2010 elected Student Government Association members

The Bennett College town hall meeting cleared up rumors. Multiple SGA Leaders out.

And I’d like to serve as your next? Last year around this time on Bennett College’s campus students were scraping up change, baking cupcakes, and posting flyers for student government positions and class executive boards.

Belle’s made sure to gather their committees and pick a slogan,which defined them and made them stand out to the college. Now students say they can’t believe their votes were not taken seriously with four of their elected Student Government Association leaders no longer in office.

The SGA officers forced to vacate their positions were Sierra Morton, president; Jasmine Snead, vice president; Amber Andrews, chaplain; and Lakyra Doran, special events coordinator.

While rumors shook the campus since last November about academic leadership probation, they soon came to an end during the Jan. 18 town hall meeting. Dr. Stanley Viltz, associate provost of student affairs announced two current SGA members would take over the top two positions.

Shanee’ Williams, junior from Washington D.C. and Amber Coleman, sophomore, from Inglewood, California are the new SGA President and Vice President respectively. The chaplain and special events coordinator positions were left vacant.

The Bennett College Student Constitution says student leaders must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the semester.

Student leaders who failed to pull their GPAs up to the minimum during a probationary period were removed from their positions.

“I did not understand why four people lost their positions and only two were called out. I think that the previous leaders should have been able to come forth to the student body before administration presented the information to the college,” says Tarshai Peterson, senior theater major from Washington, DC.

Beyond presentation some Belles are content with the transitions.

“I think that the new SGA leaders are in office with reason. As a campus we have to keep on going and if we needed to make certain changes in order to do so then it had to happen,” says Erica Harris, candidate for SGA President 2010-2011 senior, psychology major from Jacksonville, Florida.

Miss Junior Keyona Smith has mixed emotions about the entire ordeal. “This transition has been very tragic, but it is a necessary change and I think that they will do well.” Miss junior has high expectations of SGA and challenges her class to step up. “I would like to see an interest in the student body, a big outcome with ebony soul, and a phenomenal senate. My challenge to the graduating class of 2012 is to be more involved and informed. I will continue my program, and will offer at least 30 hours [of community service]. I’m hoping for a better turnout because last year numbers did not meet my expectations. You will no longer be spoon-fed and fly through your courses. Her slogan for this semester is ‘Ambition without Maliciousness’.”

Shanee’ Williams, newly elected SGA President is striving to make her first semester a progressive one. Her main objective as a student leader is to work with her fellow Belles on academic success.

“My goal for this semester is to raise the overall GPA on the campus.”

Williams leaves the student body with these words. “Keep striving for success…we are in this together.”

While the campus adjusts to the new position holders, campus leaders say Belles must remember the transitions were made with progression mind.

By: Lydia Blanco