WWW.THEFAMUANONLINE.COM VOL. 114 ISSUE 17WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2012

Attorney Hal Uhrig will join Craig Sonner in representing gunman George Zimmerman. National protests are still going strong in hopes of Zimmerman’s arrest. The prosecution is set for April 10.

Florida A&M faculty will vote this week on a Tentative Agreement that will increase their pay by 3 percent. They will be paid retroactively from July 2011. Voting is in Tucker Hall Wednesday and the Jackson-Davis building Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Several reported tornadoes tore through the Dallas area Tuesday. The National Weather Service reported at least two separate “large and extremely dangerous” tornadoes south of Dallas and Fort Worth. No deaths or injuries have been reported.

International envoy Kofi Annan told the U.N. Security Council Monday Syria informed him its military will complete the withdrawal of troops and heavy weapons from populated areas by April 10.

Zimmerman selects new attorney

FAMU faculty to vote on wage increase

Tornadoes topple Dallas, Fort Worth area

Syria to withdraw from violent conflict

Smith wants law reviewed

Martin audio raises questions

Police chief retires

Splish splash, the pool is back

IN this ISSUE

After an 11-year career as chief of the Florida A&M Police Department, Calvin Ross has resigned.

Ross, in a letter to President James H. Ammons, said he would be working with his wife on a private business venture, “Infinit Productions,” created by his son.

His original plan was to retire in January, but he cited the death of Robert Champion and the want to conclude the following investigations as the reason for continuing to serve.

His retirement follows allegations that FAMU PD mishandled the investigation of two FAMU music department professors for connections to a hazing incident.

According to the TPD report, FAMU PD did not respond to reports of the incident until after the Tallahassee Democrat reported about it and TPD began an investigation.

“As of this date, I believe we have reached that conclusion,” said Ross.

Assistant Chief of Police John Earst will serve as acting chief as the university searches for a

new head to FAMU PD.Earst has worked in law

enforcement for more than 30 years with over 10 years

at TPD before coming to FAMU in 1988.

Ross dismissed suggestions that his

A Broward County legislator is calling for a second look at the “Stand Your Ground” law in light of the Trayvon Martin killing.

Sen. Christopher Smith, D-Broward, spoke at the Florida Press Center Tuesday to discuss the issues surrounding “Stand Your Ground,” which states a person may use force in self–defense when there is reasonable belief of personal threat.

“Trayvon Martin’s case may be an outliner when it comes to “Stand Your Ground,” said Smith. “We need a serious look at the entire statute. We don’t need the Trayvon Martin case because this has been a concern since 2008 when you had gangs shooting at each other in Tallahassee.”

Smith added, “I’m trying to get legal minds in. If you look at the type of people I brought in, they were legal scholars. I’m trying to have an adult discussion about this law.”

Smith said people get a false sense of when they can avail themselves with the “Stand Your Ground” law because of their interpretation of it. He said Florida tourism might be in jeopardy in the aftermath of the Martin case.

“I don’t know if the governor truly realizes the concerns now,” Smith said. “That’s why the first person presenting will be Nicki Grossman, a woman who has been in the tourism industry for years and knows what drives tourism.”

Gov. Rick Scott launched a task force two weeks ago to review the controversial law George Zimmerman has based his defense. Scott said the group will not meet until the investigation is complete.

The National Rifle Association lobbied for “Stand Your Ground” laws in Florida in 2005. Although the NRA has previously been vocal on a national level about the law, it hasn’t yet to comment on the Martin case.

Smith said the NRA has its issues and citizens should think Florida first.

“We will see how the citizens contact the Legislature,” Smith said. “As stewards of Florida, as people who want to see Florida prosper, we have to put aside political allegiance to any group.”

The cries for help on the 911 recording moments before Trayvon Martin was shot were not those of George Zimmerman, according to two forensic voice-identification experts.

“There’s a huge chance that this is not Zimmerman’s voice,” Ed Primeau, an audio engineer who is listed as an expert in recorded evidence by the American College of Forensic Examiners International, told the Orlando Sentinel. “As a matter of fact, after 28 years of doing this, I would put my reputation on the line and say this is not George Zimmerman screaming.”

Zimmerman told police he was screaming for help after Martin punched him in the face, knocked him to the ground and slammed his head into the concrete.

“The tests concluded that it’s not the

Resuscitating Florida A&M’s Aquatic Center requires nearly $90,000 for lifeguards and maintenance. A proposal was sent to the Student Government Association for its approval, according to the pool director.

The Aquatic Center, which opened in 1980 and closed down in 2008 due to budget cuts, is in the process of reopening just in time for the heat.

Students were enthused to see the pool back filled with water recently, but everyone is asking, “How long will it be before we can swim in it?”

“There are a lot of things that need to take place,” said Jorge L. Olaves director and head coach of educational and recreational facility swimming and diving.

In the past, students swam, scuba-dived and did underwater athletics in the pool. The reopening of the pool will bring all of these opportunities

back to campus and the community, including swimming lessons and lifeguard training.

Not only would the reopening of the pool bring back athletic and recreational programs but the Aquatic Center is also endorsed under the College of Education for students interested in aquatics. Current students will be able to train in oceanography, marine biology, underwater science and related fields.

Olaves explained that the pool should be fully functional in a few weeks depending on SGA. “The proposal has been done, but I don’t know when they’re going to respond,” Olaves said.

The proposal asked for $88,000: $67,200 to pay eight lifeguards and the remaining $13,800 would buy rescue equipment and uniforms for the lifeguards.

“This is all a process,” said Ariana Williams, the chairwoman for SGA’s financial committee. “The budget should be presented to the Senate in about two weeks. After

the Senate, it goes to the student body president and, if approved, has to go before the university president and the Board of Trustees.”

The Aquatic Center needs lifeguards and swim teachers. The pool will also need chemicals and constant maintenance.

“We need all of this before the pool can open,” Olaves said.

These things however, will not be possible without the appropriate funding.

“I’m really excited about the pool reopening. It brings back the old school feel of being in college and excitement to our FAMU students,” said Steven Serrano, a fourth-year businesses administration student from Washington.

Many students don’t have access to pools in their housing complexes. For some reopening the Aquatic Center is overdue. Like a watering hole, the pool is expected to bring together on-campus and off-campus students, as well as the community.

Technology in the twenty-first century has changed drastically. ipods and phones that allow digital convenience at any moment have become the norm. Is that a good thing?

A men’s track and field walk-on has exceeded expectations, becoming a dominant force in the 400 meter dash.

Page 5

Page 5

OPINIONS

Page 6

Page 6

SPORTS

Karl EttersNews Editor Spencer Henderson

Correspondent

Kendra McLemoreCorrespondent

Domnique MayesStaff Writer

See Martin page 3

Seee Chief page 3

See page 4

INDEX Calendar 2 Classifieds 2 Lifestyles 4 News 1,3 Opinions 5 Sports 6

Smith

Karl Etters The Famuan

FAMU’s pool will soon be open to the public, although a date has not been announced yet.

Tamisha Hawkins The FamuanRoss

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012famuancalendar@gmail.com

2 Calendar

New Hope InternationalOutreach Ministries“An apostolic ministry helping oth-ers pursue excellence and christ.”

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday9 a.m.

FIRSTSERVICE

Sunday 10:30 a.m.

SECONDSERVICE

Friday7:30 p.m.

PRAYERMEETING

MON. 6:30 p.m.WED. 7 p.m. and SAT. 6 a.m.

BIBLE

Wednes-day 7:30 p.m.

Wednes-day 7:30 p.m.

CO

LLE

GIA

TE

MIN

IST

RY

SHUT-TLE

NO

YE

S

YE

S

ADDRESS

Family Worship & Praise Center“Bring Them In...Build Them Up...Send Them Out!”

Sunday 9:45 a.m.

Sunday8 a.m.

Sunday11 a.m.

MON. 7 p.m - 8 p.m. held at Gibbs Hall and the Sanctuary N

OY

ES

YE

SY

ES

YE

S

Pastor Cyrus F. Flanagan 1609 Branch Street (850) 656-9378 www.fwpcministries.org

Jacob Chapel Baptist Church“No Limits”

Greater Blessings Tabernacle of Praise“The Church Where Love Lives”

Sunday11 a.m.

N/A

Thurs-day 6:15 p.m. - 6:45 Tuesday7 p.m.

NO

NO

YE

SY

ES

Rev. O. Jermaine Simmons, Sr. 2333 Lake Bradford Road (850) 574-3150

Rev. Dewayne K. Harvey 684 W. 5th Ave. (850) 656-5934 or (850) 241-3589

Sunday9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Sunday9:30 a.m.

Sunday7:30 a.m.

Sunday10:45 a.m.

THURS. 6:45 p.m.- 7 p.m.

MON.- FRI.6 a.m.

Religion Directory

Bishop John E. Baker3426 Crawfordville Rd(850) 219-9950www.newhopeiom.com

WA

LKIN

GD

ISTA

NC

E

April 4

Become a Peace Corps Vol-unteer. Spend two years in a developing country assisting a local community in one of the following areas: agriculture, education, youth and com-munity development, health, business and information tech-nology and the environment. An information session will be hosted by local recruiter Eliza-beth Whitton in Room 104 of Office of Student Activities, to-day at 12:30 p.m. Please bring your lunch. Interested and curi-ous undergraduate students and faculty are also invited.

April 5

Man-Up: Rattler’s Against Violence will be held Thurs-day at 7 p.m. in Gaither Gym. This event will be sponsored by Verizon. For more informa-tion, contact Willie Williams at

850-508-0289.

The FAMU Anime Club will hold a general body meeting Thursday at 8 p.m., in Room 121 of the architecture build-ing. This week, the club will be watching the anime Mitsu-domoe. An anime video lottery for $1 will allow the chosen student to pick anime episodes for the next meeting. There will be in-depth discussions about popular manga and vid-eo games, theater-seat viewing of the featured anime and free cake and cookies. For more information, email the pub-lic liaison, Allika Williams, at famuanimeclub@gmail.com.

FAMU Green Coalition will be holding it’s biweekly meeting in Room 2073 in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is wel-comed, so bring a friend or

two. For more information, contact 954-937-2524.

April 6 and 7

Mahogany Dance Theatre and FAMU Strikers will present the 23rd Annual Spring Excur-sion “Mind Over Matter” on Friday and Saturday, in Lee Hall Auditorium. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. Admission is $5 and free to FAMU students. For more information, email us at famu_strikers@yahoo.com.

April 7

The FAMU Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa International Education Society will host its annual walkathon, “Chalk Walk,” at the Godby High School Track on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. PDK is donat-ing a portion of the proceeds to the Leon County Schools Foundation. There will be free food, prizes, athletic activities, and live entertainment. It will

also be featured on the WCTV event spotlight section next week. For more information, please contact Dr. Patty Ball Thomas at 850-599-3107.

April 12

Marine Corps Officer Program presents Campus Recreation Spring Games April 12-14. Campus Rec TV may cover the event for broadcast and use on social media.

April 14

The Bond Community Health Center, Inc., will host its Sev-enth Annual Gala on April 14 at 7 p.m. at the Alfred B. Lawson Multipurpose Center, located at 1800 Wahnish Way. Tickets are $50 and sponsor-ships are welcome. For tickets and more information, contact Mrs. Cynthia Harris at Bond Community Health Center, Inc., 1720 South Gadsden Street, and 850-576-2347.

Announcements

Corrections

Employment

Services

Bartenders Wanted!!!$250/day potential. No experience necessary.Training provided age 18+ okay.Call (800)965-6520 ext. 189

Attention Students! Need storage space for the summer? Reserve NowGreat rates-air conditioned or regular storage. Call now for details.Economy Storage West, 3005 W. Tharpe Street. 850-576-6108

Classifieds

Buy 1 Get 2nd pair 20% o with this coupon ONLY

register today for tcc summer classes

Stress

No More

?havingTROUBLEscheduling your summer classes

small classes | affordable tuition | credits that easily transfer

www.GoToTCC.com 850-201-8555

Tallahassee Community College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, genetic information, national origin, religion, gender, marital status, disability, or age in its programs and activities.

Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies may be directed to

Renae Tolson, Equity OfficerRoom 146 Administration Building 444 Appleyard DriveTallahassee, FL 32304-2895(850) 201-8510 | tolsonr@tcc.fl.edu

The FAMU Concert Choir was incorrectly labeled in the “Young, Gifted and Black Week” photo roundup in Monday’s issue.

voice of Mr. Zimmerman," Tom Owen, of Owen Forensic Services LLC and chair emeritus for the American Board of Recorded Evidence, told MSNBC.

The Orlando Sentinel first reported the conclusion of Owen and Primeau.

Owen used Easy Voice Biometrics software to compare Zimmerman's voice to the 911 call screams, and it was a 48 percent match – much less than the 90 percent required for a positive match.

Primeau used audio enhancement and human analysis to come to the same conclusion.

In a CNN interview, Primeau said he was 95 percent sure the screams heard on the tape were not from Zimmerman.

“I believe that's Trayvon Martin in the background without a doubt,” said Primeau. “That's a young man screaming.”

However, both experts cannot identify who was screaming because they don’t have samples of Martin’s voice.

Florida A&M students who have heard the audio also believe the calls were from Martin.

"It definitely sounds like a younger person crying out for help," said Michael Beauchamp, a 21-year-old fourth-year criminal justice student from

Ft. Lauderdale.The Retreat at Twin Lakes

in Sanford, Fla. became an unimaginable scene of fear and suffering on a February night while Martin cried for help before Zimmerman shot him in the chest.

On Feb. 26, Zimmerman called police to report a “suspicious” person and followed Martin after being advised not to by the dispatcher.

By the time police arrived, they found Martin lying face down with a bag of Skittles and a can of Arizona Iced Tea in his pocket. He was unarmed.

Zimmerman claims he acted out of self-defense.

Witnesses have said they heard cries for help that stopped after the shot was fired.

Zimmerman admitted to the shooting and was briefly taken into custody.

Footage of him arriving at the police station without visible injuries contradicts his claim he was attacked. He has been released and no charges or arrest has been made.

The case is set to appear before a grand jury on April 10.

retirement was forced a week after the police report was released.

William Hudson Jr., vice president of student affairs, said that Ross was not asked to leave.

Hudson said Ross was assisting with a transition plan that is preparing Earst and other members of police staff to work under new leadership while a permanent replacement is found.

“We’re going to try and find the best person for the position to move us forward,” said Hudson.

“The investigation started as investigators were working on numerous cases," said Ross. "They worked it up until a point. We shared it with them [TPD] and it became a joint investigation.”

Ross said that the conclusion of the TPD investigation was the first time he learned of faculty involvement in hazing. “That information would not have come out until the end,” he said.

He said the staff he was leaving behind was more than qualified to handle the ongoing investigations into hazing and any other police work as well.

“They’re not immediately bringing someone in to take over

where I left off,” said Ross. “The people that are there are the very same people that I would call on a day-to-day basis that will take over and continue to run the police department.”

During Ross’ career at FAMU, he established a police force at the FAMU College of Law in Orlando, implemented the E2 Campus emergency system and merged parking services and the police department to enhance convergence operations.

Ross is on administrative leave until until May 1, when his retirement becomes official.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012famuannews@gmail.com

3News

Martinfrom page 1

Chieffrom page 1

The Florida A&M Board of Trustees is meeting today and Thursday in the Grand Ballroom to discuss, among other things, a shorter workweek this summer and crucial roadwork being done around campus.

Committee meetings, Wednesday, will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and the full board meeting, Thursday, will be held from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

One subject the committees will discuss is the approval of the university’s request for the BOT to implement “a four-day workweek schedule for the period beginning May 11-Aug. 2.”

Another important subject was the approval of the FAMU Way Extension Project that will serve the community, particularly around the university, in preventing significant traffic delays.

Updates include the ongoing Board of Governors investigation requesting university files

related to hazing, a list of student organizations and reports presented to the BOT relating to the Anti-Hazing Committee.

Another is the Financial Audit Report of FAMU’s fiscal year that ended June 30, 2011, reflected an unqualified opinion and no audit findings.

During this meeting, Trustee Belinda Shannon approved FAMU’s Crisis Management Plan to build an Anti-Hazing Committee.

In last week’s Anti-Hazing Committee meeting, the BOT reversed the committee’s decision to act as fact-finders and not accept recommendations from members after Gov. Rick Scott expressed “disappointment” in the change.

President James H. Ammons, at a Campus Safety Forum on Jan. 31, said he would temporarily suspend membership intake for all student clubs and organizations until fall 2012.

Ammons said, “FAMU will become an even safer campus where the practice of respect and dignity becomes our guide in interacting with our colleagues and fellow students.”

Vice President Teresa Hardee presented preliminary budget recommendations from the House and Senate.

Florida universities will implement a 7 percent tuition differential increase and an 8 percent increase in undergraduate base tuition, graduate/professional and out-of-state fees.

For anyone who would like to listen in, but is unable to attend Wednesday or Thursday’s meetings, a conference call line has been established.

The number is 800- 309- 9169 and the conference ID number is 66704473.

Kendrah MinceyCopy Editor

BOT hosts final spring meeting

Associated PressGeorge Zimmerman was a neighborhood watchman in the gat-ed community where Trayvon Martin was fatally shot Feb. 26.

LARGEPIZZA$575

Carry-out

CHEESE OR PEPPERONI

Plus Tax & Delivery Limited Time Offer

ORDER 3 OR MORE & WE’LL DELIVER!

1496 Apalachee Pkwy.Next to Best Buy

942-6800

131 Orange Ave.Next to Captain D’s • Corner of Orange & Adams

421-3333Drive Thru Available

ZimmermanMartin

Wednesday Board of Trustees Committee Meeting Agenda

9:00-10:15 a.m. Budget and Finance Committee RufusMontgomery*,KelvinLawson,WilliamJennings,MarjorieTurnbull,KarlWhite

10:15-10:45 a.m. Audit Committee KarlWhite*,ToreyAlston,BelindaReedShannon, SpurgeonMcWilliams,NarayanPersaud

10:45-11:15 a.m. Academic Affairs MarjorieTurnbull*,ToreyAlston,BreyonLove, NarayanPersaud,CharlesLangston

1:00-2:00 p.m. DSO Committee BelindaReedShannon*,CharlesLangston,Kelvin Lawson,SpurgeonMcWilliams,RufusMontgomery, WilliamJennings

2:00-3:15 p.m. Trustee-Student Affairs Committee ToreyAlston*,BeyonLove,NarayanPersaud,Belinda ReedShannon,MarjorieTurnbull

3:15-4:45 p.m. Facilities Committee SpurgeonMcWilliams*,KelvinLawson,Charles Langston,WilliamJennings,KarlWhite

*Denotes Committee ChairpersonNote:Theseareapproximatetimes.Thenextcommitteemeetingwillfollowim-mediatelyaftertheprecedingmeetingconcludes.

Hudson

Students will soon gather at the Robert “Pete” Griffin Track at Florida A&M, and I will be there too -- to remember of my mom during Relay for Life.

I will never forget the night my Aunt Brynn’s car horn woke me. She came to drive my mom to the doctor. I soon learned this visit was unusual. In August 2000, my mom was diagnosed with cancer.

Aunt Brynn is a cosmetologist. Every Sunday after church, mom would go to her house to get her hair done. My mom always had long, straight hair. Aunt Brynn would experiment with new styles on my mom before introducing the looks to her clients.

As I sat and watched more of mom’s hair fell to the floor with every stroke of the comb. I quickly realized cancer had no simple, overnight cure.

I became accustomed to seeing her without hair. Although it was quite an adjustment for a 10-year-old, I was optimistic.

Two months after the hair loss, mom stopped working. It wasn’t bad because I was a momma’s boy. Her not working meant that we could spend more time together.

Autumn became winter. Her birthday followed New Year’s, and I noticed her failing health. She was

unable to make my mac and cheese or do my laundry, so I felt it was my responsibility to help.

“Mom, are you going to die?” I finally asked. I was the type of kid to say exactly what was on my mind, so asking didn’t shock her.

She replied, “Baby, I’m going to be around to see my grandchildren.”

Her answer reassured me.By May, it was difficult for mom to

walk alone. But things were getting better. I remember the morning of my fifth-grade field trip; she got up by herself and helped me get ready. I was so happy. It meant the world to me to see her doing better.

That afternoon, when I returned home, things took a significant turn. She was breathing through an oxygen tank, and my entire family had gathered at my house. Dad told me I was going to spend the night with my aunt.

As I said bye, I kissed her and she said, “I love my sweet baby boy. Always say your prayers and know that God has a plan for you.”

I smiled at her. She gave me the biggest hug as she lay in her bed. I felt so loved.

That night I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned in pain. Around 5 a.m., the pain went away and I fell asleep.

The next day, we returned home and I jumped out of the car, ready to see my mom. My dad stopped me.

“Son, mom is not in there this morning. She left us last night and went to heaven,” he said.

I cried for the person who tucked me in at night, the person who kissed my wounds to make them better. My best friend was gone. I knew I would never be the same.

Years after my mom’s death, I struggled with depression and abandonment. I realized in high school my mom would hate to see

me that way, and I began living my life in her honor.

I am 21 now. I look back at the events surrounding my mom’s death, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Losing my mom to cancer was traumatic, but it helped shape me into the man I am today. It may sound crazy, but cancer didn’t win because I consider myself a survivor.

As a young girl, Michelle Robinson knew she would grace Broadway’s stage. She grew up in a family of musicians, which allowed her to discover her passion.

Her career has taken her from the Dance Theatre of Harlem to the Radio City Rockettes, and now to direct Florida A&M’s Essential Theatre.

The Harlem native began dancing at nine and progressed within the Dance Theatre of Harlem to become a company member. Robinson studied classical ballet, modern and then musical theatre.

Sitting on the stairs behind Charles Winter Wood, Robinson said she never wanted to pursue anything else.

After studying at The

Julliard School, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance at the State University of New York at Purchase College.

Her talents led her to a position of a world renowned Radio City Rockette, which she considered a challenge and an achievement in the late ‘80s.

“It was especially memorable, being a woman of color, a dark woman at that.”

Robinson never saw the color of her skin as a huge burden. Her parents, who are also her heroes, instilled in her very early that anything is possible for a dark-skinned girl; she just had to go get it. As a child she was inspired by Cicely Tyson who she credits as her favorite actress.

“She looked like me, and let me know there was a place for me.” Robinson added,

“It meant a lot because in the early ‘70s, black women weren’t seen as much on TV.”

Once Robinson got started in her career, she didn’t stop. She’s been in Broadway shows such as ‘Ain’t Misbehavin,’ ‘For Colored Girls’ and ‘Jelly’s Last Jam,’ just to name a few. Her secret dream role is to play Deena Jones in ‘Dreamgirls,’ she formerly played Michelle in

the R&B Broadway musical. Robinson has worked with such artists as Gregory Hines, Debbie Allen and Brooke Shields. She’s even traveled to Jamaica, Trinidad, Brazil and Europe. “It was great working in Europe because I was connected to a show. It was different living amongst a different culture because the public treated you different,” Robinson added, “They appreciated art regardless of what I looked like.”

She said being on Broadway and being African-American was a responsibility.

“I wouldn’t say it was hard, the ratio in comparison to others was small and the demand from others was hard. You’re representing a group of people, not just yourself.”

Robinson was recommended to FAMU by alum Harlan Penn, a set

designer, who worked with her on ‘Ain’t Misbehavin.’ She was invited to be a guest director for ‘Smokey Joe’s Café,’ which opens this week and Robinson has enjoyed her time here working with FAMU students.

“I’m an educator so I also teach,” Robinson said. “I have a raw approach that I hope they were receptive to, especially if this is something they want to pursue.” Martinez ‘MJ’ Johnson, a second-year theatre student from Jacksonville, said working with Robinson is one of the greatest and rewarding experiences to have.

“She is not only a phenomenal director, but a teacher and inspiration to everyone she has come in contact with here.”

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012famuanlifestyles@gmail.com

4 Lifestyles

Special to The FamuanMichelle Robinson takes on the role of director for the first time at FAMU.

Special to The FamuanJeremy Davis (bottom, right) lost his mother to cancer when he was in the fifth grade. Davis tells his experience about dealing with cancer.

Alvin McBean The Famuan‘Smokey Joe’s Café’ presented by FAMU’s Essential Theatre, will be showing from Wednesday to Sunday.

A son remembers his mother’s battle

From Broadway to FAMU, director follows her passion

Sneak peek of ‘Smokey Joe’s’

Jeremy DavisStaff Writer

Kourtney BerryStaff Writer

Y.O.L.O !

To get started visit http://floridaquitline.com or call 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1.877.822.6669).

This ad was paid for through funding support to the School of Allied Health Sciences from the

Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Prevention Program

Go to thefamuanonline.com for more stories and photosOn A Different World, a bi-weekly column an article on Relay for Life, and ‘Be Out Day.’

The impact that social media has had enormous – almost worryingly so. While the advent of social media should be considered an overall net positive, there are a number of aspects that keep it from escaping scrutiny.

Before anyone can get into the specifics of what is so troubling about social media, one should take a moment to consider how powerful it truly is. In the past five years alone, the world has seen developments that have been next-to-impossible without social media.

Take, for instance, the Iranian presidential election, and its subsequent protests, in 2009. In a time when many foreign journalists were not able to broadcast any developments from the country, amateur photographs and videos posted on the internet were instrumental in the global perception of the election.

In just the last few months, there has been an ongoing, international solidarity between thousands of citizens that could not

have had its present effetcs without social media to keep everyone informed – the Occupy Movement.

It is not just monumental protests that social media has influenced, aspects that make us essential as human beings – communication, perception of the world, etc. – have in some way been influenced by social media.

The amount of effort it takes to find information on any current subject is negligible, and the correspondence between two international partners is instant.

Every aspect of social media projects immediacy, and therein lies a few of its problems.

Because absolutely anyone with regular access to an internet-enabled device can make a social media account of some sort, it means a wide variety of posts can reach the world – and not all of them have any bearing of tolerance.

There are countless numbers of posts regarding any sort of topic that make efforts to hurt someone in some way, and because it

is on the internet, there is a very good chance of that happening.

Besides that, there is a huge problem with misinformation reaching a large number of people that has led some less-than-commendable occasions. For a recent example, one does not need to look any further than the Trayvon Martin case.

For the past month, there have been numerous accounts of what exactly

happened during the incident spread around through social media – and disturbingly major news outlets. Just last week, filmmaker Spike Lee re-tweeted the address of what he thought was the house of George Zimmerman, which was in actuality the house of an elderly couple.

It is all too easy to post any information dealing with anything, and it often leads to a cycle of confusion, ignorance, and animosity.

Now obviously there is no way that present-day society can forcibly revert to an era without technology, nor would it be necessarily wise to do. Social media is a powerful tool and it needs to be treated as such – with calm demeanor and rational thought.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012famuanopinions@gmail.com

Opinions

The good things that technology has done for our lives goes far beyond this paper. In the most general sense that I can think of, let me just say that whether you like it or not, technology has made your life better.

The obvious first thing that everybody is going to expect me to talk about is the iPhone, but before I do that, let’s go to a time where people were walking around the street with brick cellphones toted in a bag with the antenna sticking out of it. That made their life easier. Now, press a few numbers and talk to somebody that is counties, cities, or states away. To go from that to what we have now with the iPhones, is an incredible feat.

Now let’s go back to our earliest form of music commercially known: vinyl records. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s the giant black record that DJ’s now scratch on or what was used back in the 60s when you would lift up the needle, put the record under it and music would play. Back then, that was how music got out, and then we made the phenomenal transition to cassette tapes, CDs and now downloading

music from iTunes or Rhapsody. Technology has made getting and listening to music much more efficient.

Like other technologies, the television has seen grand innovations. From grainy black and white to 3D, televisions have revolutionized entertainment. Because of TV, important messages are spread quickly across airwaves.

Facebook has allowed us to reconnect with old friends. Twitter has allowed you to get trending topics around the world spread easily with the press of a button. Skype gives us visual confirmation of family and friends anywhere. Technology is universal and Japan and China are known for being the most savvy users.

There’s probably no end to what technology can do, and it’s all for the betterment of the people cope with. The possibilities are endless.

Technology is the foundation for progress in today’s society. However, technology can be a curse. Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

That definitely applies to technology because on Florida A&M’s campus, all technological advantages that a student has produces disadvantages as well.

For example, the university’s flex bucks system is always malfunctioning, which can cause a student to miss meals.

College students cannot always afford the choice of cash or credit because the system is down.

A lot of underclassmen do not have the privilege of being able to cook in their dorms, so if the system is down, they are basically out of luck. Students should not have to search for food when they invest in a meal plan.

Now, I’m not saying they should get rid of the system. I’m just saying they have some kinks to work out.

One of the biggest

problems is iRattler and the wireless Internet. The headaches that iRattler inflicts on students during enrollment should be deducted from tuition because we need some sort of compensation.

I missed a few classes during the first few weeks of school because the system was down and I was unable to access my classes.

The Wi-Fi at FAMU has particular stipulations that can affect students’ mobile devices.

Overall, the technology at FAMU just needs to be upgraded. I know FAMU’s tech team is tired of dealing with all the complaints and having to put in the extra time for day-to-day dilemmas.

Once the necessary changes are made to our technology, a lot of processes will become a lot smoother.

Technological innovations make our lives much easier

FAMU’s wireless networksdesperately need an upgrade

Tommie Cooper iiiCorrespondent

Marquez BrownCorrespondent

Beware of misinformation on your Twitter timelineChristopher BatsonStaff Writer

Editor-in-Chief:thefamuaneic@gmail.comJorge Rodriguez-Jimenez

Managing Editor:famuanlive@gmail.comD.A. Robin

Multimedia Editor:famuanlive@gmail.comD.A. Robin

Copy Desk Chief:thefamuancopydesk@gmail.comKhristanda Cooper

Copy Editor:kendrahsherrice@yahoo.comKendrah Mincey

News Editor:famuannews@gmail.comfamuan.metro@gmail.comKarl Etters

Deputy News Editor:famuannews@gmail.comfamuan.metro@gmail.comJanay Cook

Deputy News Editor:famuannews@gmail.comfamuan.metro@gmail.comMarie Eustache

Opinions Editor:famuanopinions@gmail.comAngie Meus

Deputy Opinions Editor: famuanopinions@gmail.comBreanna Rittman

Lifestyles Editor:famuanlifestyles@gmail.comKristin Broner

Deputy Lifestyles Editor:dwash5592@gmail.comDeidra Washington

Deputy Lifestyles Editor:ellen1.robinson@famu.eduEllen Robinson Sports Editor:famuansports@gmail.comBrandon Lee Deputy Sports Editor:famuansports@gmail.comFrank Peterman

Photo Editor:famuanphotography@gmail.comKeenan Doanes

Visuals Editor:marlon9.wilson@gmail.comMarlon Wilson Deputy Visuals Editor:ashley1.mccray@gmail.comAshley McCray PR Coordinator:famuancalendar@gmail.comBreanna Rittman

Program Coordinator:Valerie McEachin Adviser:andrew.skerritt@famu.eduAndrew Skerritt

Senior Adviser:valerie.white@famu.eduValerie D. White

Fax850.561.2570Editor-in-ChiEF

850.561.2569SECrEtary850.599.3159nEwSroom

850.599.3011/ 561.2569

The Famuan, an Associated Collegiate Press Association non-daily finalist, is published on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters. The opinions do not reflect the administra-tion, faculty or staff of the university. The editorials are the expressed opinions of the staff and columnists. The Famuan is funded partially by Activities and Services fees.

Contact Angie Meus

How big of an impact has technology had in the 21st Century?A. Very little B. Major impact C. None

Political Takeout

NateBeeler,The Washington Examiner

It began in fall 2010. Then-freshman Derrick Morgan walked into men’s track and field head coach Wayne Angel’s office, Gaither Room 207, and introduced himself.

As Angel stared from his arbor-colored desk, the 6-foot-2, 165-pounder talked about his track and field accomplishments at North Central High School in Indianapolis. Morgan had competed in both the regionals and state finals during his senior year.

Morgan believed he could compete at the Division I level - Florida A&M’s Robert “Pete” Griffin Track, specifically.

“I just had to convince Angel that I could,” Morgan said.

Angel told Morgan to come to FAMU’s next time trial. Morgan blazed to a second-place finish at the time trial – the first day he had seen a track in months.

That invitation led to a quarter-mile runner whose performances have exceeded several of his teammates’, many of whom are scholarship athletes.

Morgan, now a sophomore, has become a dominant force for the Rattlers in the 400m dash during the last two seasons, despite the challenges that face walk-on athletes.

This season, Morgan is ranked seventh in the eastern region and 20th in the nation. These standings followed seven top-five finishes in the 400m dash, including a victory during the Florida State Relays recently with a personal-best time of 47.12.

“It feels pretty good to see my name on the national leaderboards, but I know that I still have a long ways to go to be where I would like to toward the end of the season,” Morgan said.

Such accomplishment is expected of scholarship athletes. But when a walk-on measures up, it surprises many.

Walk-ons are required to take on the responsibilities of the team’s

recruited athletes – the demanding workouts, the long trips, the performance expectations – with no financial benefit. Lack of assistance weakens some athletes’ motivation. But with Morgan, this drives his success.

“It’s difficult knowing that you’re not getting paid for your accomplishments,” Morgan said. “But what motivates me is the future. I just think about what it takes to earn a scholarship down the road.”

Today, Morgan is awestruck by his college success considering he does not consider his high school performance extra-ordinary.

“I was just an average high school athlete running normal times on JV (junior v a r s i t y ) , ” M o r g a n said. “I never thought three years down the line I’d be running low 47s (seconds) and ranked 20th in the nation. My mom did, but I never imagined this.”

Blondina Morgan, his mother, reco-gnized something he and college recruiters did not.

The runner said the main reason college recruiters overlooked him was the left hip flexor injury he suffered after a strenuous practice his junior year – when recruiters make their selections. The injury sidelined Morgan for the majority of the season.

He felt a sharp pain in his hip but

raced through it out of fear of losing his position on the varsity team. Unknown to him at that time, that decision would affect his future.

Morgan returned to the track during his

senior season in maximum

form fol lowing several physical therapy sessions. He earned 13th place in the 400m dash during the 2010 Indiana IHSAA Outdoor State Championship. By that time,

college recruiters had moved on. But Morgan refused to let his

college aspirations fade. While he chose to attend FAMU to pursue

a bachelor’s degree in business administration, trying out for its track and field team was always

in mind. During his walks to the School of Business and Industry

from the Gibbs Hall dormitory, Morgan always envisioned himself

wearing FAMU's white and orange track uniforms.

Angel was in his inaugural season at the time, and Morgan sought to impress him.

“I had heard that FAMU was getting a new coach,”

Morgan said, “so I figured I’d just go out there and try out.” The coach said giving Morgan

a chance was risky because he didn’t know how well Morgan would

perform at the college level. “Walk-ons, if they’re good

enough, can become the foundation of a program,” Angel said. “And sometimes, walk-ons become better than your scholarship athletes. These things are exactly what have happened with Derrick.”

Team captain Shuaib Winters, a senior who was recruited from Conyers, Ga., in 2008, said Morgan has been a treasure to the team since his arrival. He added that Morgan’s success has subtly influenced team members’ work ethic because only the best athletes maintain scholarships.

“This is a business,” Winters said. “Everybody knows that if they don’t perform, they can lose their scholarship. Morgan is exceeding expectations; he’s stepping up. He makes everyone work harder.”

Morgan said meeting Angel that fall afternoon was the best move he made since leaving Indianapolis.

“Just thinking about it, I’m very happy I went to the office that day,” Morgan said. “I’ve been running track for nine years now, and I’m glad I can continue with a coach like Angel who pushes me to be the best I can be.”

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012famuanathletics@gmail.com

6 Sports

STATS

Age: 20

Hometown: Indianapolis

Ranked 7th in the Eastern

Region

Ranked 20th in the nation

1st Place in 400m dash (47.12) at FSU Relays

Brandon Lee

SportS Editor

A ‘walk-on’ at the top of his game

The Lady Rattlers tennis team will enter its bout against rival Bethune-Cookman with history on its side.

Florida A&M (3-9, 3-1 MEAC) claimed the last five meetings between the teams and is looking to extend its streak to six Saturday afternoon at the FAMU Tennis Complex.

The match-up carries Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference Championship implications as the Lady Rattlers would maintain their No.3 seed when the tournament begins. With a loss, FAMU would fall to fourth place behind North Carolina Central (7-7, 3-2 MEAC). The championship begins April 13 in Raleigh, N.C.

Team captain Kathline Durden, a 21-year-old senior

information technology student from Detroit, said the team is in position to defeat the Wildcats (17-5, 3-0 MEAC) during its final match of the regular season.

“Since my freshman year we haven’t lost to Bethune,” Durden said. “My freshman year, we beat them 4-3. Every year, it’s been close, but we’ve managed to pull it off.”

To prepare for the match, the Lady Rattlers have sharpened three facets of their game.

“The things we have been focusing on are consistency, communication, especially in doubles, and just going out with a lot of energy,” head coach Nikki Goldthreate said. “Those are just some of the things we’ve been working on, and we have improved.”

Goldthreate and the team’s seniors are anticipating the match, not only because of

its implications, but also because it is FAMU’s senior Day. The team’s four seniors – Durden, Britney Dean, Alexis Brown, and Vanessa McCall – will be recognized for their accomplishments. The events will include picture sessions and a presentation of Letterman jackets.

“I am excited about the match especially because it’s senior day,” said co-captain Dean, a senior education student from Riverdale, Ga. “It will be my last match of the season, as well as the end of my college career.”

Durden said she is equally as eager about this weekend.

“I am excited as well because it is senior day,” Durden said. “They (the Wildcats) are a good fit for us, and it will be an exciting match for people to come watch on the day our seniors are recognized.”

File photo The FamuanKathline Durden looks to lead the Lady Rattlers ten-nis team to its sixth-straight victory over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at the FAMU Tennis Complex.

FAMU seeks sixth-straight win against WildcatsMonet FraserStaff Writer

The North Carolina Central Eagles swept the Florida A&M Rattlers baseball team in a three-game series over the weekend at Moore-Kittles Baseball Complex.

Defensive struggles, which have been an issue for Florida A&M (5-26, 3-6 MEAC) all season, plagued the team during every game of the series.

Head coach Willie Brown said the team’s defensive woes extended innings and allowed the Eagles (8-22, 6-6 MEAC) to score

unearned runs. He added that he expected to see improvement because FAMU is entering a road trip, which is when the team plays best.

“We need to stop letting the ball get by us,” Brown said. “We allowed another i n s i d e - t h e - p a r k homerun, and we let the balls get by us. We have a 15-game road trip, and I know we play our better games on the road. So I am hoping that trend will keep up.”

David Duncan pitched all seven innings for the Rattlers during game

two. He allowed two runs and seven hits. Duncan said the team needs to put this series behind and focus on performing better next game.

“We have to leave it here in Tallahassee and get on the bus and play a new game,” Duncan said. “We have to stay motivated with the challenge of the mound. I feel that I am better than their (the Eagles) pitcher, and we have to start knowing we’re going to get hits instead of hoping to get hits.”

During the series, the Rattlers gave up 36 hits and 29 runs.

Third baseman Reginald Grant said a lack of enthusiasm hurt FAMU’s performance.

“We got down and we stayed down,” Grant said. “We didn’t help our pitching and we just stayed down. We have to keep practicing; we can’t have players and coaches yelling. We need to forget losses and keep playing like its zero to zero.”

The Rattlers will return to action today against Florida International (14-13) in Miami. The first pitch will be thrown at 6 p.m.

File photo The FamuanDavid Duncan allowed two runs and seven hits during game two.

EAGLES CLAIM THREE-GAME SERIES

Defensive struggles plague baseball team Jimmie SmithCorrespondent

DerrickMorgan