On April 24, 2013 the Student’ Government Association’s budget committee released the student activities’ budget allocations for the 2013-14 academic year. Many organizations experienced budget cuts more severe than before. One of the worst cuts was for the African Students’ Union, a crippling 81% reduction.

       Who are we? We are The African Students’ Union (ASU), formerly known as UJAMAA. We were shocked to see that all Africa Week events except for the annual banquet (free food event) were denied funding. We understand that almost everyone’s budgets were cut, however we would like to focus on one of the specific reasons provided by SGA’s Budget Committee for one of our cuts that ASU found extremely offensive, ignorant of our mission, and perhaps reflective of the problems of intercultural and interracial understanding on Wooster’s campus.

        It reads as follows, “Budget was late, and similar events are hosted by W.A.C.”

       Our mission: ASU is an organization founded for the purpose of bringing together African Students in a community that is foreign to their own. ASU aims to increase the Wooster community’s awareness of issues taking place in countries in Africa, while creating a platform for cross-cultural understanding and discussion, and redefining the image and idea of Africa on campus.

       According to Wooster’s website, here is W.A.C.’s mission: “The group’s purpose is to plan, promote, and produce entertaining and socially engaging events that both provide academic relief and unite the student body. W.A.C. brings innovative and novelty events to the College, as well as plans annual events such as Party on the Green, Gala, and Springfest.”

       The implication of this rationale is that there is no need for our organization to organize our own Africa Week event because W.A.C. can do something of this nature as well. W.A.C. is not capable of or responsible for carrying out our mission or the events of Africa Week, nor is ASU capable of or responsible for carrying out W.A.C.’s events and mission. This is not to be mistaken for an attack against W.A.C., but rather as an apparently necessary clarification of the distinction between the two. One organization’s mission is not more valuable than the other, yet there is a time and place for each. One’s increase in funds should not result in the decrease of the other’s. To play Devil’s Advocate, even if W.A.C. and ASU both had events similarly representing the continent, is that a bad thing? We think it would be great to see a W.A.C. event on the topic of Africa outside of Africa Week.

        SGA’s Budget Committee took the power of organizing an African performance away from ASU and made us dependent on W.A.C. It’s not that no other groups should host events that highlight African cultures on campus, but rather that we, the African Students Union, should not be denied this power. We are the Africans on campus. By the nature of who we are, we are equipped to tailor our events to accurately reflect the specific African nationalities represented at Wooster better than any other student organization.

      As for the “tardiness” of our budget, we submitted it 60 seconds late. Good leadership means knowing how to wisely and appropriately apply rules and policies, and knowing when to make exceptions. Because this is an unwise application of regulation, it is consequently an exhibition of poor leadership. Additionally, SGA’s same Budget Committee who penalized us for 60 seconds showed up 15 minutes late to the budget appeals meetings.

       As a result of many multi-ethnic groups feeling similarly disrespected, there was an open discussion that occurred on April 28^th organized by Peter Jeffy and Antawn Chambers of the Men of Harambee. The director of CDGE, program coordinators, and various deans and professors were in attendance. Two SGA members, Steve Hardy and Joe Weston, along with the SGA advisor, Dean Holmes, were also present. At the following SGA general assembly meeting, the budget committee chair, Steve Hardy, updated everyone on the status of the budgets, yet not a word was said about the multi-ethnic groups’ open discussion. This is surprising because this was an important event lasting two hours in which we discussed matters of serious concern to multiple multi-ethnic student groups about budgets.

      ASU is disappointed that—for whatever reason—members of SGA chose to withhold information pertaining to a large group of students and faculty from the general assembly. It is unfair to us, and unfair to other SGA members who may have added insightful things to this discussion had it arose, had they known. This lack of communication is a disappointing reaffirmation that, as multi-ethnic students and student leaders, our concerns are not seen as relevant or note-worthy to SGA, no matter how important they are to us.

       Isn’t representing the concerns of the student body the whole point of SGA? We are writing this letter to hold SGA’s Budget Committee and SGA itself accountable for the aforementioned occurrences.

Before the end of this 2013 spring semester we expect:

1. Full funding for all Africa Week events (at least)
2. Formal recognition from SGA and the Budget Committee of the vital and distinct role ASU plays in contributing to student life and the overall educational mission of Wooster by promoting global awareness and engagement.

ASU’s advisor Professor N’Diaye said eloquently at the open discussion, “Budgets are not just numbers, they are value indicators. Let us not forget that.”

Sincerely,

African Students’ Union, The College of Wooster

We, the men of Beta Kappa Phi formally apologize for our actions on the evening of April 17, 2013. On this night the Greek community hosted the annual Lip Sync event for Greek Week in McGaw Chapel. This is an event in which each group performs a dance in order to showcase their group to the rest of the College. The goal is to have fun, be respectful, and to show pride in the Greek Organization you as an individual have chosen to be a part of. It is with sadness that we write this letter to say that our performance at Lip Sync in no way embodied any of the aforementioned characteristics. Our performance included a moment simulating the use of chloroform on a woman. This sequence was beyond offensive, disrespectful, most of all ignorant. In no way was it a moment in which we were proud to be members of Beta Kappa Phi. The decision to have this offensive scene in the dance was made without the knowledge of anyone in the fraternity except for those on stage. Those who made the decision did so out of ignorance and without consideration for the Wooster community, women, and humanity at large. Going forward, our fraternity will attend some form of group counseling to gain further awareness of the offensive nature of our actions, and strive to avoid ignorant acts like this in the future. It is our hope that rather than allow our mistakes at Lip Sync to disrupt the Wooster community, that we can all join in a collective effort to raise awareness and speak out against violations of basic human rights.

Sincerely,

Beta Kappa Phi

We all run around Saturday night like we don’t have a care in the world and yet we have no idea who’s allowing us a lot of the time to not have a care in the world. As our conversation progressed, I began to realize how little I knew about just security in general, in both the professional and figurative sense. Chief Glick outlined for me typical procedure, why he wanted to be involved in the security detail, and how everybody really gets along in the office. (which for the record is actually pretty well…and they always have pizza!?!) But what he really managed to outline was the degree to which we all unknowingly go protected. Think about it, in almost every area of campus there’s a security car, or someone roaming around or just a building to run into and hide. And academically, there’s tutoring, the learning center, career services, and the writing center all there to help us if we don’t feel safe in our courses. Socially, there are 2200 kids, a small campus but nevertheless more than enough people for you to find your security socially. Housing wise, well Bissman isn’t that terrible with enough antiperspirant.

Ultimately, what I’m trying to say here is that when you look at college on both a figurative and literal level, we as students are provided with a huge amount of protection. Often times though, I feel like we just aren’t willing to note it. Recognizing the fact that there is a safety net requires noting the fact that you’re not always safe on your own. That means going to the writing center for someone to double check your paper or realizing you can call residence life if someone needs help after a long sunday night. Or in other words, admitting you can’t do it all yourself. I don’t honestly think that any college student is that self obsessed and motivationally driven enough to think they can do it all on their own, but how many adderall riddled nights and moms runs would we save ourselves if we sought out a little security every once in a while?

Every knows the drill, preparation is key, procrastination is death and cheating death is standard. Nobody ever wants to look out for themselves, looking out for ourselves requires so much damn effort. We have to get ready for what’s ahead instead of just living in the moment, and as post adolescent adults, thinking before we act does not come easily. We want to run on impulse and do what we need to get by. This is the period of crazy we get before becoming an adult,  the time where conformity is rejected and we can just be us.

Preparing means admitting to ourselves that at some point, that is gonna be cool and we’re going to have to embrace the other ways of the world.

         Mamoudou, on the other hand, focused on the fancy Wooster brochures and the actual reality of being on a college campus, “I don’t care what it looks like from the outside, it’s no joke”, he added, knowing how fairytale like Wooster can seem for a prospective student. You could hear students laughing so hard that they were breathing for air when Mamoudou compared slavery to doing the I.S., from revolting against the “master” (advisor) to working on “cotton” (I.S), his calm demeanor was only the icing on the cake. Mamoudou’s comfort with race, gender, and sexuality is what made his act so brilliant.

         It was eerie to watch how well Mamoudou nailed everyone’s thoughts without really offending anyone because truthfully, we could all relate. We may not have been able to relate to his identity as a African-American with a strong Muslim background but Mamoudou painted a clear picture of what that experience is like. Everyone walked away laughing and there are bound to be a couple of days that pass before the excitement about the show calms down. As a neuroscience major, African-American, and a Muslim, Mamoudou’s identity, and jokes, were well received at the show.

]]> http://www.woostonian.com/reporting/opinion/cant-grow-up-comedy-series/feed/ 0 http://www.woostonian.com/uncategorized/chris-diaz-party-at-hider/ http://www.woostonian.com/uncategorized/chris-diaz-party-at-hider/#comments Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:48:56 +0000 Breanna Bertacchi http://www.woostonian.com/?p=1733

            When you wake up Saturday morning feeling like the bright young buck you are, you’re going to need a good breakfast. Forget your physician lecturing you about various multi-vitamins and electrolyte replenishments; you need some grease to coat that little hangover belly of yours. Your first stop is The Parlor in downtown Wooster. This is a great little diner with incredibly cheap prices. Also, the staff there will pour you endless cups of coffee and glasses of water to nurse you back from the dead. My recommendation is The Working Man’s Special. For a mere $4.30 you can have a luscious plate of hash browns, bacon, pancake, and eggs done to your liking.

            Next take a nap, watch gladiator movies, and knit an afghan. Bottom Line: Do you. Digest that delicious breakfast you just had at The Parlor. Yeah, you’re welcome. Make a little sammy (sandwich) if you must, but we’re on to aperitifs my friend. For this, you’re going to want The Olde Jaol. Get there between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm and you can catch the Daily Plea Bargains with select appetizers being half priced. My recommendation: The Loaded Potato Skins for $3.25. Couple that with any $5.00 martini or a beer and you’re looking at an early dinner or hefty snack for a neat total of $8.25.

            Now I hear you, you’re getting thirsty. Like, you really want to get after it. Well thanks to my helpful advice you’re left with $17.45 just for drinks! Hooray! Okay, and maybe you’re thinking gosh that’s super precise. Whatever. Do you want a budget or not? So pick your place, ask for the drink specials if any, and raise your glass. Here’s to you bargain hunter, may it go down smooth. My final advice? Have a designated driver or call Miller cab service, only $5.00!

Yesterday, on April 1^st, an epidemic of paranoia struck Wooster. There is no other way to describe it. It doesn’t matter if you wear the green band or fight for the cause; wanton fear has struck this campus.

Walking to Lowry I watched several participants encircle each other with their guns pointed outwards. It made me glance around for where that dreadful OZ may be lurking. It made me scared that anyone might jump on me. I was terrified that a stray nerf bullet might find it’s way to my head. It made the images of my friends flash before my eyes. Were they safe? It’s sad to say, but after everything this college community has been through, all the ups and downs, the College of Wooster is no longer safe. Fear now reigns.

How did it come to this? How did our loving college reach the point where students have to stake out in the Taylor bathroom for 20 minutes out of class, because they are scared of the violence that waits them outside? Where walking home from the library, I see students sprinting from door to door, hiding behind trees. What type of world is this, where all of the Kauke doorways have become fortified traps and dangerous to pass through? Those zombies waiting to claim lives at these doors can grab even innocent bystanders such as myself.

Yesterday was the quietest day I have seen yet at Wooster. It was the calm before the storm. So far the zombie apocalypse has not yet claimed to many lives on campus. The OZ’s have either been held at bay or undiscovered. But they will come… and 6 days from now when this community returns to it’s normal ways, the scars and terrors of this week will forever be engrained in our minds.

I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. This is the testament of day 1 of an innocent bystander hit by the Human vs. Zombie’s war.