Clergymen Oppose F are Increase BY ANGELA C. ESANNASON Abernathy, president emeritus to insure that the mandate is should the fare be increased. cost of diesel fuel and repair Panther News Editor of the Southern Christian carried out.” "The elderly poor who are on parts and supplies for buses and A group of clergymen Leadership Conference. The MARTA board approved fixed incomes are in double rail cars led to the proposed fare representing 100 churches in Abernathy, who spoke on behalf raising the fare from the once 25 jeopardy,” he said. "Rising in­ increase. Atlanta raised their voices in of the clergymen, said people cents to the current 50 cents. It flation has already put a severe Although MARTA Board outrage against MARTA's are tired of being denied of their was proposed to take effect July burden on them, and they have Chairman Dan Pattillo said proposed 100 percent fare in­ “god given” constitutional 1, but the city of the Atlanta filed no hope of increased income to MARTA would either have to go crease saying the increase might rights. suit in federal court to block the compensate for MARTA's fare with a 50 cent fare or reduce spark violent outbreaks similar to "MARTA was created with a increase. Fulton County later increase.” service by 10 percent, lay off 250 the ones in Miami. mandate to provide affordable joined the suit. MARTA officials had said the employees and eliminate a "Help us save Atlanta so it public transportation,” "Public transportation for the fare increase was needed to dozen or more bus routes, black would not become another Abernathy said. “And it has a poor is not a luxury,” said avoid a deficit in the fiscal year leaders and community activists Miami,” said Rev. Ralph D. public and a moral responsibility Abernathy. "It is a bare necessity 1981 operating budget of about suggested that MARTA charge for those who can afford neither $104 million and to maintain for parking and for advertising automobiles nor the gasoline to present services levels. MARTA on buses, pay cuts and reduced MARTA Raises Fare run them.” ended fiscal year 1980 on June 30 benefits for top-level MARTA Abernathy said then that there with nearly a $4 million deficit. executives, financial getting help should not be any fare increase According to a budget sum­ from the state government and at all. He added that as citizens mary presented, the effects of in­ To Fifty Cents see Abernathy, page 2 receive larger incomes only then flation mostly on wages and the The MARTA Board of Direc­ According to a 1979 MARTA tors has raised the regular transit ridership survey, 50.3 percent of fare from 25 cents to 50 cents, MARTA riders make more than effective July 26, 1980. At the eight transit trips a week. same time, in an effort to provide Another 6.6 percent make Freshman Expected This Week relief to low-income patrons, the between seven and eight trips Board introduced a $4 weekly per week, while 11.6 of the Over 500 freshmen are direct attention on the traditions tivities has been planned for TransCard while raising the price regular riders make more than expected to arrive at Clark and rituals of Clark College. New Freshmen Orientation Week. of the monthly TransCard from ten trips. College during Freshmen Orien­ students are helped to adjust to Activities will include ad­ $10 to $17. According to the same study, tation Week. Under the theme, college life before registration visement, testing, and regis­ Like the monthly pass, the new TransCard users averaged 48.5 "Beginning New Horizons,” ac­ through a series of informal lec­ tration for new students. For a weekly TransCard is valid for trips per month, while single fare tivities are scheduled for August tures, get-acquainted activities, f u 111 ¡st of activ ¡ties, see schedu le. unlimited number of rides dur­ paying passengers averaged 33 24 - September 3, 1980. and tests. Sunday, August 24,1980 ing the week of issue (Sunday trips per month. This is Coordinated by the Office of Mary Agnes Ware, associate 8 a.m. - Residence Halls Open through Saturday). The card will equivalent to 11.2 trips per week Student Affairs, the Freshmen Dean of Student Affairs, said the 11 a.m. - Worship Services - be on sale every Thursday and for TransCard users and 7.6 trips Orientation Program focuses orientation committee and Davage Auditorium Friday at the Authority’s RideS- members of the Freshmen Guide 1:30 p.m. - Incept Assembly - tore in downtown Atlanta. see MARTA, page Corps are anxiously awaiting the Parent’s Awareness Forum. arrival of the new Ciarkites. Vivian Wilson - Henderson “It is with a sense of pride and Center excitement and devotion that Monday, August 25, 1980 the faculty, administration, staff, 8:30 a.m. - Testing - Davage and students of Clark prepare for Auditorium the arrival of many knowledge 4:00 p.m. - Freshmen Class seeking freshmen,” said Mrs. Meeting - Davage Auditorium Ware. "We hope that attending 8:00 p.m. - Alumni Social - Clark College will be an unique Vivian Wilson, Henderson experience for our new students, Center since most of them will be leav­ Tuesday, August 26, 1980 ing home for the first time.” 8:30 a.m. - Testing - Davage “The Clark College Family, Auditorium and particularly the Freshmen 2:00 p.m. - Freshmen Class Guides, will help new students Meeting - Davage Auditorium make the necessary adjustments 5:00 - Get Acquainted Dinner to college life. Smooth tran­ 7:00 - Awareness Forum (Rap sitions, however, depends mos­ Session) - Davage Auditorium tly upon personal attitudes and Wednesday, August 27, 1980 vigorous determination." 8:30 a.m. - Academic Program Mrs. Ware added that the - Dean Betty McNair; Pre­ freshmen year is probably the Alumni Assembly - Mrs. Juanita most crucial in a student’s Eber; Work Study - Mrs. college career. "For this reason, Shedricka Miller; Business Af­ we strongly urge all Freshmen to fairs - Mr. Nathaniel Williams; take advantage of the new Security Seminar - A.U.C. Public services offered at Clark.” National Forensics winners Yolanda White and Monty Ross are Ciarkites that prove that Clark A program with a variety of ac­ see freshman page 7 College is full of talent. (Photo by Ly Bensons) see page 10 Page 2 The Panther August 25,1980 Senior Receives Award MARTA from page 1 a week for single fare riders. two transit trips every day, using On the basis of the 1979 study, the weekly TransCard, will pay nearly two-thirds of MARTA $208 a year or 29 cents per trip. Gregory Among Two Students riders make an average of eight The same person, using the mon­ trips per week. MARTA patrons thly TransCard everyday, will Receiving NAMCPAF Honors who make more than eight trips spend $204 a year or the per week will realize significant equivalent of 28 cents a ride. benefits by using either the In a related action, the Board Bel^/ove Gregory is the was selected to represent Clark weekly or monthly TransCard adopted a half-fare policy for the recipient of the Sybil C. Mobley in Who’s Who in American rather than paying single trip elderly and handicapped at all Award from the National As­ Universities and College’s. fares. On an annualized basis, times except du ring the morning sociation of Minority Certified Gregory is very active in persons using the monthly rush hour (6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) Mon­ Public Accounting Firms several campus organizations at TransCard will even save more day through Friday. Previously, (NAMCPAF). The award was Clark. He was elected business than persons using the weekly elderly and handicapped riders presented to the Clark College manager of the Student pass. were required to pay the full fare student during the Ninth Annual Government Association in 1979, For example, a person making during both the morning and Convention of the NAMCPAF and is currently president of the evening rush hours. August 5-9,1980, at the Sheraton Caribbean Oriented Students - Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas. Association in the Atlanta ABERNATHY from page 1 University Center. even offering sundry conces­ Abernathy said. “It is the opinion A senior majoring in ac­ sions in the rapid-raid stations to of this group that even a 40 cent counting, Gregory is the first Recently Gregory completed help raise revenues. fare will represent an extreme Clark student to receive top an intership with Main, "MARTA claims they need an hardship on the public transit honors from the NAMCPAF. ministration and Economics,said Hurdman and Cranstoun, a additional $9 million in revenues dependent citizens and it’s an Along with Lawrence Shephard “After three years of recommen­ certified public accounting firm or in service deductions to outrageous suggestion. of the University of Texas at Aus­ ding students for the Sybil C. in Atlanta, where he was res­ achieve a $40 cent fare,” tin, Gregory was chosen for his Mobley Award for accounting ponsible for editing financial outstanding academic excellence, I am pleased to an­ reports and assisting staff ac­ achievements in the accounting nounce that Belgrove Gregory, a countants. His immediate goal is F uttrell, Spicer profession. Clark College senior, has been selected to receive this award. to attend graduate school to "I am very p leased to be one of Prior to this year, Clark had only receive a master's in businessad­ Join Staff the two persons selected for the received honorable mention in ministration, and become a prestigious award,” said the nationalawardscompetition. certified public accountant WCLK-FM Radio at Clark Pittsburgh Courier, and later the Gregory.