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iVI PM SPAV, \( )\ IMIM R 7, 2007 PAGE 2 Achievers bring Disability Awareness Day to campus By Ellis Smith News Editor ellisthered@gmtil.com For most people, D- Day means an invasion of Normandy. For the Achievers, anew group tor handicapped students at the University of West Georgia, D-Day meaas Disability Awareness Day. The event included free food, speeches, a raffle, and a wheelchair race across campus. Justin Hill, president of the new group, was on hand to help raise awareness. “This day is not jast for people for disabilities, it is to help make people aware that everybody is the same, we just do things a different way,” Hill said. TTre gnxip was started when Shanxi Nunnally, herself a former Achiever, appmached several disabled students who University of West Georgia students take steps to "Make a Difference" By Brittany Reid Staff Writer Breid2@m\.westga .edit Did you know' that you could make a difference in someone's life by getting involved right here on campus? All it takes is one Saturday a year to donate time to volunteer. That one day is officially known across the country as “Make A Difference Day.” “Make A Difference Day” is a celebration of lending a hand to those in need and of taking action to improve one’s community. Anyone can participate. Created by USA Weekend Magazine, “Make A 'Frightful Read' for all W-^Vv f Photo by Kim Halm English professor Dr. Jane Hill reads from a selected Halloween text during the Ingram library’s Frightful Read event that took place throughout the Halloween day. This special Halloween treat brought many professors out to share their favorite spooky stories with stu dents as they enjoyed punch and snacks. (Fife West (Georgian The University of West Georgia University Community Center, Room 111 Carrollton, GA, 30118-0070 Editorial Line: (678) 839-6527 Advertising Manager: (678) 839-4783 Editorial E-mail: uwgpaper@westga.edu Advertising E-mail: paperads@westga.edu On the web at http://www.thewestgeorgian.com now make up the core gnxip of the Achievers. From that first meeting, the gnxip began to gain momentum. Hill and his achievers are trying to restart a now -defunct program that pays students to assist the haixlicapped with certain tasks. “We tire trying to rejuvenate the anchor pn igram. In the past, the anchor program cost atxxit SISOO per semester. We lost the funding, and the students now want to raise the funding themselves,” Hill said. Hill also has concerns abcxit the accessibility of some areas on campus. “Even though the campus may look accessible, in some parts, work needs to be done.” he said. When pressed for specifics.Hillcontinued,“Right in front of Roberts Drive, there is a ramp between the sidewalk and the street where there is a A Difference Day” is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. Millions have taken part in this event. In2oos,3million people cared enough about their communities to volunteer on that day. accomplishing thousands of projects in hundreds of towns. The UWG Multicultural Achievement Program contributes to “Make A DifferenceDay”through their own project called “Move Me!,” made specifically for this event. The “Move Me!” project connects children in the community with UWG students for a day of educational enrichment. difficult gap that needs to be repaired. There is also access into buildings that needs to be fixed, such its in Humanities aixl the Richards College of Business.” Hill is grateful to Nunnally at Student Development mxl Dr. Ann Phillips, Americans with Disabilities Act uxxdinatix at UWG, lor helping disabled students share their concerns with the administration. Nunnally provided assistance by bringing vendors from all over the Scxitheast, many of whom she had worked with before, to bring the latest technical wizardry for students to admire. “These vendors are here tree of charge, iuxl have come from Atlanta, Birmingham. Marietta, and even further away to help spearhead txu first event, which we plan on turning into an annual event,” Nunnally said. It is a project specifically designed to reach underprivileged children in the Carroll County area. The Associate Director and Coordinator of the Multicultural Achievement Program is Professor DeLandra Hunter. When asked what events the MAP conducted for “Make A Difference Day” this year, he eagerly recounted the details. According to Professor Hunter, this year the “Move Me!” project contributed to the Youth Connections Program at Live Oaks Shelter, a shelter for abused children in Carroll County. The volunteers of the project Erik Waters, Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Smith, Advertising & Business Manager Ellis Smith, News Editor Jesse Duke, A&E Editor Steven A. Gilley, Sports Editor Terence Rushin, Photo Editor Tracy Ammons, Copy Editor Lauren Lovvorn, Webmaster Chris Graydon, Distribution Manager Doug Vinson, Advisor Masthead Art by Jesse Duke Nunnally also talked atxxit sixne of the challenges the Achievers face when attempting to navigate thnxigh certain buildings on campus. “We're really hoping that the university will consider tlx 1 students with mobility disabilities, many of whom arc majoring in business,” Nunnally said. ‘The RCOB is not accessible to them. We’re hoping to make some gradual changes, and there has to be funding, and so we hope that by raising awareness, that it will be soinething they will think abtxit and that we will get the money fix eventually. We need elevators, aixl we need |Xish butti xis, ;uxl I kiK >w that things have come so far firxn since I first was here, but there is still much to be done.” The t+) mobility challenged Achievers hope to raise S2OOO per semester to restart the anchor program. were not only members of UWG's MAP Mentoring Program, but also of UWG's Latino Cultural Society, a student organization on campus. The student leaders taught the children salsa dancing and different customs and fixxls of Latin America. The children particularly enjoyed hitting the pinata and diving for the candy. LCS taught the children how to speak Spanish as well. M A Pmembers prepared lunch for the children in the shelter. The kids received Latin American candy from LCS members and UWG t shirts from MAP students. College Republicans hold first meeting By Johnathan Davis Staff Writer jdavis23@my.westga.edu UWG’s College Republicans hosted their inaugural meeting Tuesday nightattheßichardsCollege of Business’ Lecture Hall Billing itself as "The Best Party on Campus,” the College Republicans first meeting focused on building the party organization on campus by connecting conservative students and helping them get involved. "This is a real important time for our join IfflHHrß TODAY! A. % [ **> Best Part y on '■ ■ —■■—■■■■■- ■—■ Get involved! - Define Your Future! Meet New Friends! • Have a BJmBKAv * ——— ?^ loh'HUluin Dd\i \ David Bachman, Chairman of the West Georgia College Republicans, stands proudly beside his organization’s hanging display Till- WIST (;iOR(,I.\N MAYS 'MBBT * ftp .fjTPHft <C I Photo by Stephen Broome Popular campus mascot Wolfie the wolf was at Disability Awareness Day to lend a paw with the festivities. Other activities during the day consisted of play ing games such as musical chairs. “It has been years since I have played musical chairs, although 1 don’t recall getting dizzy as a child playing the game,” Hunter said. W'hen the day was all over, the children wished that it didn't have to end. “As we were departing, many of the children asked w hen we were coming back. 1 said soon, and LCS plans to bring the children to campus and give them a tour next month,” LCS Vice President for Activities Elyse Carid said. The experience was country," Chairman of the College Republicans David Bachman said. "And that’s mainly why I'm involved with the Republican Party.” “We’re the future generation, so it’s up to us to get active, make a difference, and get behind candidates, issues and causes that will affect our future,” Bachman said. The College Republicans were not active until this year, and are starting over anew. With the goal of building membership. Bachman is hoping to target what he sees as a student body Copyright Notice The IVest Georgian, copyright 2007, is an official publication of the University of West Georgia. Opinions expressed herein are those ot the newspaper staff or individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of university faculty or stall Letter Submission Policy The IVest Georgian welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be mailed to: Editor, The IVest Georgian , University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA. 30118, or sent via electronic mail to: uwgpaper(a>westga.edu. All letters must be signed and include a phone number and mailing ad dress for verification purposes. Letters should not exceed 350 words and should be submitted by 5 p m the Sunday prior to publication. Editors reserve the right to edit for style, content and length rewarding for the cixirdinators, student leaders, and the children. “The children in the shelter were grateful for us sharing our day with them, and I appreciated seeing our students share their culture with the children,” Hunter said. While “Make a Difference Day” happens only once a year, more volunteer work is needed throughout the year. For more information on “Make a Difference Day,” or other ideas on how to donate time to volunteer work, visit http://usavveekend.com/ diffday/index .html. with many whose beliefs and ideals align with that of the Republican Party. For the future of the College Republicans, Bachman hopes to bring Saxby Chambliss and other elected officials to campus and to raise SSOOO by this time next year. "It'll be fun, we’re still planning a lot of activities,” Bachman said. Students interested in joining the College Republicans can join their group on Facebook or send an e-mail to dbachmal @my.westga. edu.