wildcat chronicles
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September 2013 issueTRANSCRIPT
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Things are already off to a great beginning! Organizations are
getting a head start on plans so that the semester is as exciting
and memorable as possible.
If you haven’t noticed, there are several new faces around
FVSU. The incoming freshmen are finally here, as well as our
new president, Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith! He has been
working expeditiously to get things together for the
university. SGA has also been working very hard to prepare
for what has been referred to as the “best homecoming ever,”
by President Rashad Robertson. The theme for
#FVSUHC2013, is “School Daze,” like the popular Spike Lee
Joint. The artist hasn’t been selected yet, but there are a few very popular names in the air.
To stay updated or provide your input, please feel free to come out to the weekly SGA
meetings at 7pm upstairs in the New Student Center.
The construction on campus is making great progress. Bishop Hall, which will hold the Mass
Communication Dept., is coming together more and more each week. As promised, the dirt
mounds across from the Pettigrew Center will be a paved parking lot soon! Furthermore, it
has been confirmed that Watson Hall will be transformed into an amphitheatre within the
next couple of years.
With all the upcoming proceedings, Fort Valley seems to be gaining back its sense of the
“Old Valley.” Only time will tell if the Wildcat Pride can survive fall semester!
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Photos have surfaced of innocent citizens dead from an unknown substance. On
August 21st, there were many civilians who died of toxic gas in Syria. The US and
other countries are considering preemptive strikes to deter the devastation.
The images released show that there is little evidence of physical
damage on the victims’ bodies, which insinuates that the deaths were the aftermath
of chemical warfare. The death toll of the Syrian civilians varies from 136 to 1,300.
According to the Associated Press, There have been accusations
claiming that the Syrian government is using chemical weapons to combat the
rebellion against their President, Bashar al-Assad beginning in March 2011. The
Syrian government denies the accusations by Syrian activists that say they are
behind the chemical attack in the suburbs east of Damascus and other allegations of
chemical warfare.
The U.S, Britain, and France insist that a group of U.N. experts be given
permission to investigate the accusations. Yet, inspection is continuously getting
interrupted by the Syrian government and sniper attacks, possibly to destroy evidence.
That is why the inspection of the bombed areas near Damascus was being delayed.
The world is considering the idea of attacking Syria as a result of the attack on
their civilians. Many countries appear to have conflicting opinions as the Syrian people lay
in the midst of this injustice.
The U.S. is prepared to assault at any moment, but is waiting on the vote of the
Congress to make a military move. France and Britain intend to take different approaches
to the situation. Referring to the New York Times, Nick Clegg, British deputy prime
minister, told reporters, “This is about taking proportionate, legal and carefully
circumscribed steps.” Also, France intends to adopt the decision of the U.N. While Russia
and China are against the military getting involved, claiming the consequences will be
dire. Essentially, the world is waiting for the United Nation Security Council to come up
with a resolution.
Cont. on page 2
Welcome Back Wildcats, By: Starr Arnold
Raise Your Awareness: Syria Is Stuck With Gas Assault By: Isaiah Oyemakinwa
Real Ruthless 2
Didn’t You Graduate 2
Org. of the Month 2
Raise Your Awareness Cont. 2
Sittin Down With Griff 3
Events 4
Dedication 4
Inside this issue:
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By: Kiara Charde’ Ruth
This isn’t just a summary of the orientation class! I’m talking about the ins and outs of image because remember, it is everything. In the Valley, social life seems to be all the rage. However, kickbacks and parties are common; you do not have to attend them all. Other things can cater to your so-
cial appetite, get involved! Clubs and Organi-zations will benefit you and the university be-fore “twerkin” can. Now, don’t get me wrong, enjoy your college life but remember, “birds of a feather flock together,” decide now where you would like to be on your expected gradua-tion date. Speaking of graduation, in order to graduate on time your education must come first. Go to class and be on time! Professors appreciate the effort of a student coming to class instead of a notebook full of excuses. In addition, strive to be the eye catcher of the class, take the initiative to sit in the front. This tactic ensures that you are focused and shows the professor you are serious about the course. Lastly, leave something to the imagination. Ladies, going to class is not the same as going to the SWAMP. Gentlemen, be sure to keep it “fresh and clean-cut.” Inappropriate and over
the top attire can be distracting. Don’t allow your appearance to deter your learning. Being safe is important in college survival as well. Be aware that even though Fort Valley is a small town, it can have some big city action. To protect you and your friends, fol-low a few simple guidelines. Never commute alone. When walking on campus at night, remain in well lit areas. Most importantly, try not to carry extreme amounts of cash on you. Flexin’ and Finessin’ comes at a risky cost! So there you have it Class of 2017. Making it will surely be a challenge but being knowledgeable of what’s expected of you will give you a smoother experience. You have been warned!
“It’s time for
freshmen to be
trained on the
matrix of making
it in college!”
Royal Elite Modeling Troupe is a fashion organization on The Fort Valley State University’s campus to gather a variety of students to exemplify fashion at its best.
Royal Elite Modeling Troupe (REMT) is a student-based organization that has been on campus since 2007. The goal and purpose of this organiza-tion is to prepare for the world fashionably, en-hance one’s ability to model and build confidence. For students who are looking to find a sense of fash-ion and/or students who think his/her fashion tips would be helpful to others, this may be the organi-zation for you. Royal Elite exudes a very diverse group of models that do not discriminate against height, weight, race nor gender. By joining this organization you will gain a keen sense of style, fashion, individuality and develop life long friend-ships. Is this the organization for you?
By: Mariah Hughes
"Fort Valley State, Fort Valley State,
our lives to thee, we dedicate!" Of
course our institution wanted us to take
pride in those words but could some of our
fellow wildcats be taking those words to
literally? Lets jump to the chase, didn't you
graduate?
After years spent complaining and
anticipating graduation, you walk off the
stage and end up right back in the good old
student center. Now, I'm not talking about
our wildcats that decided to further their
education with one of our great graduate
programs but the ones who can't seem to
jump on 475 and get away.
Why is it, every time I log on a
social network , you’re there? Constantly
discussing UNDERgraduate matters is not
acceptable. Yes, we love our underclassmen
friends but why consume time being both-
ered with meaningless drama and time consum-
ing conversation,? Didn't you graduate?
This is not to suggest that you should
lose contact with your college pals or to forget
about “The Valley.” However, give us a chance
to miss you. Go make us proud and show the
world what our beloved Middle Georgia HBCU
has instilled in you.
Whether your completing or at com-
pletion, lets not forget that Fort Valley State
University was founded for us to be great! This
1895 land grant institution was designed to
broaden the horizons for minorities who may
have never got the opportunity. So leave, see
the world! We will all be connected through our
Old Gold and Royal Blue souls.
Raise Your Awareness, cont.
Relating to this issue, it is a violation of
international law to intervene within Syria without
a UN mandate. The UN state in Chapter VIII,
Article 53 of the Charter of the United Nations,
“no enforcement action shall be taken under re-
gional arrangements or by regional agencies with-
out the authorization of the Security Council.”
On September 1st, The US
Secretary of State, John Kerry noted they have
evidence of sarin gas use through tested samples
given to the US from east Damascus on NBC’s
Meet the Press. There is still no evidence showing
who exactly is behind the attacks.
By: Desire Faulk
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By: Khadeen Gordon Fort Valley State University welcomes its 9th President, Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith.
Prior to his tenure here at FVSU, President Griffith was the budget dean of the
College of Arts and Sciences as well as dean of the Honors College at Florida
International University and the provost and senior vice president at York College
of the City University of New York. Now, Griffith has joined the FVSU family.
He recently sat down with one of the Wildcat Chronicles staff members to answer
some frequently asked questions.
What are some of Fort Valley's strengths that you've noticed since being here?
A gem that many people don't know about Fort Valley State University and its
part of my job to make it known, we've got wonderful research and teaching
facilities. We do some unique things in the College of Agriculture. But we don't
market some of that well enough. We have the record in the state of Georgia as a
public university serving unrepresented groups, FVSU leads in the number of
medical doctors, dentist and scientists created aside from research universities
like University of Georgia or Georgia State - we're number one.
Weaknesses?
We've got to tell our story better! Who are some of our outstanding alums? We under sell ourselves, we under value what we have. We don't
market ourselves well enough; we don't sell our story well enough. [Another] significant weakness I'm beginning to work on is we have too
much inefficiency; admissions, financial aid, registrars we've got to get those efficiencies straight.
Do you plan on having a Presidential Address to students?
I plan this semester to have presidential conversations, not one mass address- having an opportunity to speak to all the students in groups. I've
asked the VP for ways to have a regular opportunity to meet students; we can call it "Pizza with the President", somewhere where I can have a
regular opportunity to chat with students. I'm also [open] to invitations to speak to groups.
What are some of the critical challenges we face?
Recruitment, numbers are down. Numbers are down in other universities in Georgia and elsewhere but that doesn't help us. We have to deal
with retention; we have to deal with athletics so I've begun to take actions on those. I've brought in three sets of consultants on athletics; one
from Valdosta State, York College in New York and Florida International University (FIU). I've brought in a consultant from FIU to look into
recruitment and retention, [also] a consultant who has been to FAMU, Bethune Cookman, Florida Memorial University and FIU to look into
our fundraising.
On athletics;
We have a budget situation but we can't afford not to have an AD (athletic director). This university has been without an athletic director for a
year and a half that is not good! I'm fixing that this semester. We've started raising funds for athletics; a month ago at a National Alumni mini-
conference we raised about $20,000.
On fundraising and recruitment:
I've started a fundraising campaign called "The Dreamers Fund" for an honors program that I've launched and for an undergraduate re-
search program that I've launched.
One thing our new president fancies, like many of the young men here on campus, are bowties. He is starting a fundraiser called "Bowties for Buzz
and Bucks" that will kick off during homecoming. Proceeds will go towards funding athletics and undergraduate research. He has goals of raising
$2 million in three years through various fundraisers. Currently our President is in process of creating international partnerships with countries like
Brazil and the Bahamas to bring international students to FVSU and create partnerships in Agriculture Sciences. This will also include more study
abroad opportunities for FVSU students through FVSU and not neighboring schools.
How does it feel to be a Wildcat?
I’m wild about the Wildcats! You don't have to be alum to fall in love with an institution. We've got great talent and value within the Wildcats,
some of which has not been allowed to shine. We have a story to tell that we haven't been telling well enough; I intend for us to tell it.
-Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith
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Upcoming Events:
“PutYourBestPenForward,”
Sept. 17. Miller Hall, for more info (478) 825-6744
John W. Davison Lecture Series: Issa Rae
Sept. 18. 6:00 PM Pettigrew Center
“I Want an A,”
Sept. 24. 104 Miller Hall, for more info (478) 825-6744
How-To Workshop Series: Own, Create, & Profit From Your Music
Sept. 24, 5:30 PM Student Amenities Building, 2nd floor
Guest Speaker: Ahmad Manson, Artist/Promoter
For more info (478) 696-9083
Fort Valley State University vs. Savannah State University,
Fan Bus event link: https://orgsync.com/7510/events/606710
If you need to register to vote, visit the Office of Campus Life (Suite
210-Student Amenities Center)
SGA Meetings
Tuesdays 7:00PM
2nd Floor, Student Amenities Center
Omar Daviyale McDonald &
Russell “Rujo” Jones Jr.