“Miss the HU townhall meeting? Here’s the Script coverage of it.” November 16, 2008

            Hampton University administration is trying to understand the student body a little more. The Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a town hall meeting on Tuesday to allow students to speak freely with administration.

            The administration panel included President William R. Harvey, SGA President Kayla Platt, Vice President of Student Affairs Barbara Inman, Provost Joyce Jarrett and a host of other administration and staff.

            Before opening the forum for questions, Harvey spoke of the progress HU had made in his 31 years as president, including its 250 million dollar endowment and 11 million dollars spent in scholarships this year.

            Harvey and others answered questions ranging from topics of campus life with the cafeteria and dorm visitation to financial concerns of scholarships and inadequate funding for academic buildings.

            While Harvey spoke of the new proton beam therapy center, skin of color research institute and the weather satellite, some students wanted to know why that money wasn’t being used towards more pressing needs, like a new cafeteria or a new business school.

            “We can’t be all things to all people but we are going to continue to be very responsible with our funding,” Harvey said when students inquired about more scholarships.

            Jarrett said that the wait on a new business school was because of a lack of fundraising.

            “We have master plans for a business school,” Jarrett said. “The charge to the dean and that school is to be aggressive in fundraising so that the university can break ground.”

             The small audience fielded questions to the panel until the meeting’s close. Though many questions were answered and issues addressed some felt like the meeting wasn’t as productive as it could have been.

            “This would have been much more effective if more people would have known about it,” said Christian Cheairs, a junior broadcast journalism major from Chicago.

            Many were unaware of the meeting with its only advertising being a banner in hanging in the student center and a mass text that circulated the campus.

            Some felt the meeting had been successful.

            “It’s always a great pleasure to have students voice their concerns so administration can find out about student issues,” said Platt, a junior communicative sciences and disorders major from Simi Valley, Calif.

            Yet these town hall meetings have seen success as one audience member thanked administration for taking action after a request was made to change the student id numbers from social security numbers to random ones at another meeting. The town hall meetings are scheduled to take place once each semester.

           

“I’ve had it with HU administration.”

            It takes a lot to create a working relationship between administration and students and Hampton is a long way from it. The Student Government Association (SGA) held a town hall meeting to help students voice their concerns to administration.

          Though I do feel like President William R. Harvey honestly cares about creating solutions to fixable problems, most on the panel did not. He provided straight-forward answers to tough questions, no matter if his answer was considered pleasing to the students or not.

          Harvey said it best.

          “There’s no need to be rude,” he said. “I know how to say yes and I know how to say no. If I say no, I know how to do it. I don’t have to be rude about it.”

          Or in other words, there’s a way to speak to people. People appreciate kind honesty, but honesty nonetheless. When Harvey was questioned about a freshmen step show and Greek suspensions for hazing, he spoke candidly.

          “I’ve been an Omega for a while,” Harvey said. “You can’t say its tradition. That’s bull. You want to stay on campus, follow the rules.”

          That’s blunt honesty but a straightforward answer.

          When Barbara Inman, vice president of student affairs was asked if a suspension from an organization warranted suspension from school, she dodged the question. She masked her unwillingness to answer by repeatedly asking the usher to repeat the question. After repeating himself three times she finally answered.

          “The question was so general, I guess I’ll give a general answer,” she said.

          Yet when an audience member tried to narrow the question and ask about specific students, Inman said she was unable to give out personal information about specific students. So, what then is the answer? If a general question is too general and a specific question is too specific then what question should be asked? What wording would warrant an answer?

          It is my belief that students deserve honest responses from administration, after all that’s the purpose of hosting the town hall meeting, to hear the students’ concerns and address them. An administration can’t solve every problem in one meeting, after all some problems aren’t solvable, but every problem deserves to at least be addressed.

          When I submitted a question and asked why the Hampton Script hadn’t received the 10 computers our editor-in-chief Keisha Ralliford had requested in August and only approved for six I was told that some of the computers were deemed functional. After I followed up with a question of who deemed them operational Inman told me that she and a computer technician from the ATM had reviewed them and found four were in working condition. Yet, when the computer technician from the ATM reviewed the computers he told Ralliford that they weren’t worth saving.

          There is a discrepancy in the scenarios. Was the computer tech that told Ralliford the computers were no good wrong or when Inman supposedly reviewed the computers had she found something worth salvaging?

          Something has to be done about situations like this. In this case I would have preferred no answer to a half truth. It’s unacceptable. We have to hold administration accountable and question suspect answers.

          If the meeting would have had a moderator to ask the audience’s questions and create educated follow-up questions I believe the meeting would have been more productive. Too often administration was able to dodge questions because there was no one to force an answer, to press for a valid response.

          I believe the meeting was a step in the right direction but only one small step on a long path. The road must be walked by all, both administration and students. Administration, if students ask the question, we’d like an answer. Students, if administration holds a town meeting, they’d like you to come. You don’t have a voice unless you use it and if you have a concern, it won’t become an issue until you bring it to someone’s attention. That meeting wasn’t nearly as packed as it should have been for all the complaining that goes on around campus.

          It’s time to step up to the plate and all become accountable. Students, decide to ask the question. Administration, will you answer?

“Juicy Info or Childish Gossip?” October 19, 2008

Juicycampus.com hit Hampton’s campus last week and made an impact like you wouldn’t believe. In less than a week that website caused drama unlike any other.

The website self-proclaimed to have juicy gossip across over 500 campuses yet I doubt any caused as much damage as it did at Hampton. After searching for Hampton and finding all blogs specific to Hampton, you could see all types of blogs about people. There were a few positive ones like the freshest kicks, best couple, things like that but most were extremely disrespectful. The most viewed and commented blog, Where Da Hoes At. featured students’ names, female and male, and explicitly explained their sexual behavior. No one was exempt as almost everyone appeared on some blog or another with some people having blogs dedicated solely to them. Even administrators and President Harvey didn’t escape the wrath.

Though almost every school featured blogs about sex, few got as spiteful and vindicative as Hampton. It was crazy. People’s characters were questioned, if not ruined.

Overall, the website is childish, irresponsible and completely unneccessary. I couldn’t believe some of the stuff I read. Here we are in college, a place of higher education, and we’re acting like middle school students passing around a slam book. So concerned with demoralizing another person that we have to take the time out of our schedules, perhaps not busy enough schedules, to write about another person and post their personal, whether true or false, business before the entire world to see.

Its stupid and it needs to stop. If we have that much time on our hands let’s make use of it. Study for a test. Write a book, better yet, read a book. Join an organization. Perform community service. Go out on a date. Make a new friend. Go shopping. Go out to dinner. Hell, here’s a thought….ACT YOUR AGE….

“Hampton Men Aren’t Marriage Material.” October 12, 2008

           The consensus it seems is clear: Hampton University men are not marriage material, at least right now. Most Hampton women believe that men on campus have the qualities of a good husband or becoming one but just choose not to act upon them while in school.

            Their focus isn’t finding Mrs. Right, it’s Mrs. Right Now,” said Sydney Finger, a senior nursing major from Hebron, Md.

            Finger even has proof that some Hampton men are thinking like that.

            “I always ask my male friends for their opinions on topics like this and they say that they’re not looking for Mrs. Right,” Finger said. “The girlfriends they have now are Mrs. Right Now but they could eventually turn into wife material.”

            All the women interviewed believe that it’s because men are still too interested in playing the field and meeting new women.

            “You don’t see people in exclusive relationships,” said Lianne Evans, a senior computer science major from Teaneck, N.J.  “A lot of relationships at Hampton are open because men are still testing the waters.”

            Kayla Emile, a senior communicative sciences and disorders major from Boston doesn’t believe that it’s only Hampton men.

            “A limited amount of men are ready for marriage at the age of 18-22,” Emile said. “I think this is playing the field time to see what type of female they like.”

            Shannon Cosby, a senior marketing major from Plainfield, N.J. agreed with Emile.

            “I don’t think any man is ready for marriage in college,” she said.

            Yet some are hopeful that love at Hampton is not a lost cause. Alaina Patterson, a senior English major from Los Angeles is one of the select few.

            “I don’t believe a lot of men are marriage material because I haven’t had luck with any of them but that doesn’t mean that somebody else won’t,” Patterson said. There’s still hope out there for some people.”

“The New Miss Hampton University 2008-2009 is….Shannon Cooper!!”

Hampton University has a new leading lady.

            On Saturday Oct. 11, the new Miss Hampton University was crowned after competing against 13 other girls. Shannon Cooper, a senior communicative sciences and disorders major from Miami has claimed the title as the 2008-2009 Miss Hampton University.

The scholarship pageant, titled “An Evening with the Stars” was hosted by junior class president Christian Cheairs and graduate student Nandi Shareef. Shareef spoke of Miss HU’s duties.

“The new Miss Hampton University will promote her platform and compete in the Miss Virginia pageant as a part of the Miss America system,” Shareef said.

The pageant is planned under the direction of Shelia Maye, the executive director and Jerrica Cash, a senior five year MBA major from Spartenburg, SC.

The show began promptly at 7 p.m. with a semi-packed Ogden Hall with the contestants performing an opening number choreographed by Nazeem Hasan, a graduate communicative sciences and disorders student.

            Each contestant spoke of her platform with issues of domestic violence, hearing loss, self-image, autism awareness and fighting obesity being covered.

            After introductions the swimsuit and then talent portions were covered.  The talents included singing, dancing, baton twirling and a monologue reading. Cooper performed a dance solo to Christiana Aguilera’s “Walk Away” and spoke of her love for dance during the interview portion.

            “I use dance to express my emotions, feelings and passion for it. When I dance I’m showing how I feel,” Cooper said.

            Brittani Hudson, a senior entreupeurship major from Los Angeles shared her platform of “Rebuilding the Traditional Family Unit.”

            “My platform is actually a passion of mine because of my family background,” Hudson said.

            Others wanted to promote awareness of disabilities. Courtney Ward, a senior broadcast journalism major from Martinez, Ga. planned to help raise autism awareness if she had won.  

            “Raising autism awareness is important because more and more children are being diagnosed with autism every year,” Ward said.

            The new Miss HU’s platform was titled, “I Hold the Key to Communication: Speaking Out about Hearing Loss, Who It Affects and How It Can Be Avoided.” The platform holds a special place in her heart.

            “My grandmother suffered from hearing loss and during the summer of 2008 she was given hearing aids, an estimated $5000, through my internship,” Cooper said.

            Cooper interned this summer in her home state at the Speech, Language and Hearing Center of Miami.

            After graduation she plans to pursue her doctorate of audiology at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

            Though Cooper is still planning her activities for her platform, her immediate plans include a task less daunting.

            “I plan to get some sleep,” Cooper said. “But I’m ecstatic. A lot of women in the competition had it and I’m blessed to represent Hampton University.”

            Her loved ones shared her excitement.

            “I couldn’t say I doubted it because of her drive. She was so determined to win. I’m just so happy,” said Stephanie Bowling, her mother.

            Cooper’s roommate, Lianne Evans was also present and extremely happy.

            “My heart is still beating fast,” Evans said.” I’m just so proud of her. It’s surreal.”

           

“HU v. HU…Football is the last thing that matters.” September 29, 2008

        The two biggest rivals in the realm of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) faced off this weekend. Howard University squared off against Hampton University in Hampton’s first home game on Sept. 13, 2008. Hampton defeated Howard for the 13^th consecutive time with a score 38-27.

        Yet, the real battle of the HUs lies in everything outside of the football field. It seems the most anticipated game of the year has more to deal with good old fashioned rivalry than it does with the pigskin. “It’s all about proving who’s the real HU, who’s better than the other,” said Kayla Emile, a senior communicative sciences and disorders major from Boston and a Hamptonian.

         Both schools proudly claim the title of being the “real” HU. Howard students don’t consider Hampton to be the actual HU because of the fact that it started out HI. Hampton Institute was founded in 1868 and went through several name changes before finally ending at Hampton University in 1984. “Howard is the real HU, if you want to get technical. We were founded in 1867 as a university, Hampton become one years later,” said Nakia Hill, a 2007 graduate of Howard from Boston. Hampton students, however, argue that the name change is irrelevant and that Hampton holds the title.

          Yet Hill believes that the competition has another source. “It stems from both colleges being the best of the best,” said Hill. “From the students, to the school, to the alumni, both HUs are the best. No other HBCU is talked about as much as we are. So it’s only natural that the two most prominent HBCUs go at it.”

          So Hampton and Howard battle it out over everything, from the HU title, to the halftime show, to who outshines the other. Both universities attend the crowded games each year to hear the latest songs at the halftime show and see the newest fashion statements.

        “The Hampton girls try to fulfill the stereotype of being the pretty girls and Howard girls try to keep up,” Shannon Cosby said. Cosby is a senior marketing major from Plainfield, NJ.

Yet Hill disagrees and states that the Hampton stereotype at Howard isn’t about being pretty. “Howard is more down to earth, more grassroots. I’m not sure if it’s because of the different locations, but Hampton girls are known for being really stuck up,” Hill said.

           While Hill supports the stereotype of Hampton women being cocky and arrogant, Cosby believes the stereotype of Howard being a party school. “When it’s the HU v. HU game, Hampton has to try to keep up by having a lot going on after the game, some type of big party. Howard’s such a party school and Hampton tries to keep up with that,” Cosby said.

           Another important aspect of the game is the halftime show, yet another competition.

           “The biggest point of rivalry is halftime because it’s about seeing whose band is better,” said Hill. “Even though Howard’s band is better. We’ve definitely got the best band.”

           Yet despite the differences and huge rivalry, Hill insists that it’s all fun and games. “It’s a love/hate relationship because you have both HUs battling it out but it’s there’s unity because we’re both HBCUs,” Hill said.

“You’re right. You’re bourgeois. Just plain Middle Class…” September 21, 2008

            While attending Hampton University for three years I’ve seen a lot come and go. Fashion trends, people, friendships and relationships, but one thing has remained the same, its’ stereotypes.

            Hampton has been known for having cocky, stuck up, arrogant people. Yet to its’ students HU is known for being the best of the best, chic and cutting edge. Constantly delivering fashionistas and famous faces. So, a mixture between HU’s self-image and the portrayal of it among other HBCUs differs quite a bit except for one thing, both proclaim Hampton as bourgeois.

And one would think that it was the perfect portrayal of a bourgeois institution.

Women strutting the campus in 5 inch stiletto heels, looking through their Dolce and Gabbana bags to find their matching brand name sunglasses.

Men standing tall in the student center, looking down at their Rockin Republic jeans to make sure they hang just right over their Prada shoes.

Yep, they’re bourgeois.

So concerned with their clothes and confidence that they miss out on class and character. Swag isn’t a substitute for self-determination. And neither is limitless spending for unlimited wisdom. Neither of the latter can be bought, traded or returned. Once you’ve achieved them, you’ve got them for life.

So, what’s really valuable these days? Obviously, what I wish was available for purchase isn’t the same as my bourgeois counterparts. Because what I wish that I could find, buy and hold onto for life isn’t available except through true hard work, determination and self-examination. Searching within yourself to find out how strong, focused and deep your character is matters to me. If they had even one of those on sale I’d buy it quicker than people do anything that Apple Inc. puts an “i” in front of.

People at Hampton will make sure their shoes match their bag before making sure they’ve fulfilled graduation requirements. Shine up their car before brushing up on the test information that determines their future.

Yep, they’re bourgeois.

Similar to people in the hood who will buy some new rims before they make sure their rent is paid. Buy a new flat screen before buying children new beds they’ve outgrown years ago.

Different locations don’t mean different values. It’s all about priorities. Or the lack thereof.

So, who’s really bourgeois in the comparison?

They both are. Somehow, along the way the meaning of bourgeois got twisted around like the misguided priorities I’m speaking of.

According to Webster’s dictionary, bourgeois means middle class. Not the wealthy, high society meaning everyone thinks it has. It’s just a complicated name that means a simple thing, middle class.

Bourgeois is “the social class between the very wealthy and the working class; middle class.”

Or for my Hamptonians, there’s even a definition for your liking. It also means “conventional, smug, materialistic.”

So for those who love or loathe the title Hampton has earned for being bourgeois, face it, you are.

You’re bourgeois. Just plain middle class.