Special Homecoming Issue
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a Clark Atlanta PANTHER University Volume II Number IV Atlanta, Georgia October 4, 1990 Dr. Cole Challenges Students By PA ULETTE V. WALKER Editor-in-Chief Dr. Thomas Cole, president, Clark Atlanta University, challenged students to become more concerned with global issues in the opening convocation last week. Speaking to a crowd of more than 1,000 faculty, students and staff in the Vivian W. Henderson Center, the president stressed that students should examine the problems of homelessness, unemployment, illiteracy, teen-pregnancy, violence, crime, poverty, drugs, apartheid and the impending doom in the Middle East. “We are here today to celebrate,” announced Dr. Cole. “Not because we have worked out all of our problems, or that we have all of the answers. We are here to celebrate because Clark Atlanta University is alive and well today.” Alive and well it might be, but Clark Atlanta has been criticized by parents, students and the Atlanta media. Despite this, Dr. Cole expressed hopes for better days. “The time since Clark College and Atlanta University consolidated has been a test,” said Dr. Cole. “The tough times are inevitable. They are not over, but we have passed the first test.” Dr. Cole stressed that to pass these tests would require patience, hard work and an understanding that people are accustomed to working in different ways. A tlanta hosts parade to celebrate winning Olympics bid. “We have learned from our expreiences, and the 1990-91 school year will be a better year,” promised Dr. Cole. “We will work harder to give you the best education that our resources Atlanta To Host Olympics can provide.” Dr. Cole spoke of the identity of Clark Atlanta University. By TOYIA G. NASH amateur sports. resource person to Dr. Cole. “Our identity is in process, it is revolving — being shaped Staff Writer “There is no other single “It’s really going to be neat. I through sharing, cooperating and an occasional difference of Atlanta, Georgia is the home activity that could bring think that all of the Atlanta opinion.” of the 1996 Olympics and Clark Atlanta together more so than University Center is going to As part of this identity-shaping process, Dr. Cole mentioned Atlanta University was instru the Olympics,” said Mr. benefit, but we (CAU) are three areas that would enhance the tangible identity of CAU. mental in helping the dream Caldwell after discussing the trying to position ourselves to There are plans to increase the library resources, improve the become a reality. details of the venue’s that have be a major force in the quality and appearance of the dormitories, and to increase the When the final decision was been proposed for Clark Olympics,” stated Mr. efficiency of the registration and financial aid processes. announced by the Internati Atlanta University and the Caldwell. According to the Dr. Cole expressed pleasure at the increasing enrollment at onal Olympic Committee Atlanta University Center proposed bid, several of the CAU. (IOC), that Atlanta won the Area. The Olympic Village major events will be held on or One of the most glorious reasons to celebrate, said Dr. Cole, Olympic bid, thousands of that will be located on the near CAU. The water polo is the approximately 2,462 undergraduate, and 900 graduate people had cause for celebra campus of Georgia Institute of competition will be held at the students. tion. Two members of the Technology, will be the home new stadium that will be “More students have returned and are defying the statistics, 1 Atlanta Olympic Committee to approximately 15,500 constructed next to the present salute you!” (AOC), which was responsible athletes and officials. It has pool located in the Vivian In a rap style, that surprised and delighted the students, Dr. for preparing the bid to present been the subject of much dis Wilson Henderson Gym on the Cole set out demands and expectations for the students. to the IOC, are Dr. Thomas W. cussion in Atlanta. According campus. The indoor pool will “Y ou can dance, rap and step, but work just as hard. Get high Cole, president of Clark to the proposed bid devised by serve as a practice facility on knowledge and not on drugs. You can listen to ‘As Nastyas Atlanta University (CAU) and the AOC, twin towers will be while the stadium will be used They Wanna Be’, but don’t use the profanity in these songs.” Johnnetta B. Cole, president constructed that will provide as the site for the events. “Be special, confident, articulate and proud,”demanded Dr. of Spelman College. The posit housing, dining, entertain “There has been discussion of Cole. “Mediocrity has no place in this university.” ions they hold are Co-Chair ment, training, medical and formulating a formal swim The president concluded his address by giving meaning to persons to the Summer Youth other facilities necessary for team for CAU, after the comp the colors of Clark Atlanta University. Opportunities Committee, the comfort of the Athletes. etitions, however it is still on “Red signifies hard work, Black is the intensity, and Grey is which falls under the Public “After the games are all the table,” said Mr. Caldwell. for creativity and imagination.” Support Committee. According completed and everyone has Dr. Cole explained that it is not enough to be in college and to Mr. Getchel Caldwell, left, the Olympic Village will Although the new graduate receive an education. assistant vice-president of be used to house students from dorms are already under “The importance lies in what we do with what we receive.” development at Clark Atlanta the Atlanta University Center, construction, it is strategically University, one of the responsi Georgia TEC., and Georgia placed by accident, close to the the garnet’ according to Mr. and reconstruction in prepar bilities of the committee was to State,” said Mr. Caldwell. area that wil house the new Caldwell. The existing Alonzo ation for the Olympics. At this develop programs for promot Most of the sports and practice field. The area be F. Herdon Stadium, located on site, the primary field hockey ing greater opportunities for facilities of various campus’ tween Holly Hill and the campus of Morris Brown competition will be held. children and young adults for will be used for practice and Bumstead Ware Hall is going College will not miss the path Within walking distance will mental and physical develop other functions, according to to be an official practice field of reconstruction. The stadium ment through participation in Mr. Caldwell who is the that will become CAU’s after will undergo major renovation Continued On Page 2 Special Homecoming Issue Page 2 Clark Atlanta University Panther October 4, 1990 Intruder Enters Female’s Room A female student of Clark Atlanta University Another issue that surfaced during the was attacked Sept. 22 in her room in the E. L. meeting was the condition of the apartment Simon Courts. complex, i.e., the lack of air conditioning and According to reports, the intruder entered the other repairs. NEWSBITS young lady’s room through a sliding door that According to the victim of the attack, she left was left open. her sliding door open because it was hot in her “1 was awakened by a tall man standing over room and there was no air conditioning. CAU Represented At me with a knife at my throat,” said the student, Clarence Thomas, a resident in the courts, Hall of Fame Weekend who did not wish to be identified. She described said all of these problems should have been taken care of prior to the students’ return. Miss Trecia Y. Wilhite, Miss CAU, represented Clark the victim as tall, dark and with a short hair cut. Atlanta University in the National Black College Alumni The young lady received cuts to her hand, but “All of the doors and screens should have been secured during the summer,” said Thomas. “The Hall of Fame competition for college queens. The was otherwise unharmed. competition, held Sept. 15, was part of a weekend-long Following the attack, a search was conducted. bushes should have been trimmed so that people can no longer hide behind them. Maintenance is celebration held Sept. 13-15 at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency The intruder was not captured. A full Hotel. Some other activities held during the weekend investigation is being conducted and as of this so slow to do what they are paid for; these included a roundup dance, a concert with blues great date, there is no additional information. modifications and repairs were brought to their attention long ago,” added the outraged student. Bobby Blue Bland, a college recruitment and job fair, Hall This attack raises several issues, one being the of Fame Induction Dinner and Symposium entitled “The competency of CAU’s new security force. “I understand the problems students are Black Male in Crisis”. According to a young man who arrived early having with securing their apartments, but on the scene, he had to argue with the security students must also do their share by locking up guard because the officer did not believe the in order to keep intruders out,” said Dr. Earvin. report he had given in reference to the attack. Some students agreed with Dr. Earvin in that Many students that reside in the apartment the residents should not be careless as they have Atlanta Ballet Season Premiers been with security measures. complex expressed concern that the courts are The Atlanta Ballet’s 1990-91 season opens with a new Ms. Wilburn, on the other hand, disagreed. not properly patrolled and secured. version of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Red Shoes and “1 don’t think that is correct.