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Page 8 _ CM' S' By Katina Constant Contributing Writer l^amona Houston has many things in store for the students at Clark Atlanta University this school year. The 22-year-old student from Brownwood, Texas was elected undergraduate president for CAU’s Student Government Association for the 1991-92 school year. Houston had one answer for why she decided to run for undergraduate SGA president. "I consider myself in love with my institution," she said. "I feel that my institution has done a lot for me. It has helped me develop into a better person." Aside from her love for CAU, Ms. Houston said that she has many good ideas for CAU. "I have the passion to make a positive difference." Among the many things she enjoys about the university, the location also plays a major role in her admiration of the school. "Being a part of one of the institutions in the Atlanta University Center and being in Atlanta - the Mecca of African Americans - is great. Politicians, entertainers, activists and the who's who of Black America stop at the schools in the AUC while visiting Atlanta," said Ms. Houston. f She also likes the school's uniqueness. Ms. Houston added that the school's newly built foundation aspires her to assist in anyway possible to make it one of the best institutions. There are three things that she is not pleased with and would like to change. She is not pleased with the amount of apathy existing among the students. She added that many By Chandra R. Thomas Contributing Writer f^/eet Pamela Malone, CAU's 1991- 92 Student Government Association Graduate President. As an African and African- American studies major with a concentration in literature and native of East St. Louis. Illinois, Pamela Malone exemplifies the focus, determination, depth and dedication of an efficacious and potent leader. When not partaking in her presidential duties, she's involved in such church activities as directing the choir, teaching Sunday school and other church organizations. "My main objective is to organize SGA to serve as a liaison between the student body and the administration," she said "The way to improve SGA is to open the lines of communication by holding regular meetings on regular times and days. I al$o plan to incorporate the use of suggestion boxes so that students will feel free to take an active role in the decision making process of their school." Ms. Malone said she sought the position of president because she saw the need to "eliminate student apathy and the desire to instill student responsibility. 'The goal of my campaign was to instill the importance of values and taking steps to solve the problems of CAU." Her campaign slogan challenged students to "Deprogram to Reprogram." The function of of SGA is to solve problems of security, housing and financial aid. Also to promote student activities . Ms. Malone said that her election victory was not a matter of being more Clark Atlanta University Panther November 13, 1991 students are not concerned about the school or the community. "Black people have not made it until all have made it", she said. The undergraduate president also believes that students have a strong voice, but most do not use it to guide the institution. 'The AUC exists so that we can use each others resources." She feels that there are too many limited resources to be fighting amongst each other whether it be on the administrative level, or the student level. One solution she offers to the problem is"we need brotherhood and sisterhood and we need to come together not as the AUC, but as a people." Even though her schedule is busy, she still finds time to be active in the community. Three years ago she and her sister unofficially adopted four children. She still remains in contact with the children and even brought them home with her one summer to Texas. She also formed a dance troupe entitled "Making a Difference," made up of girls from the community. Houston has many plans for the undergraduate class during the school year. She wants to promote pride in the institution with pep rallies before every home game. Homecoming was organized by many participants and she feels good about the students' involvement. There are also several things in the making such as an AUC week in March, getting renowned speakers to speak at the institution, promoting the athletic clubs, and an AUC formal ball in February with a guest jazz artist. "There's a need for support from the student body concerning members." She talked to Dr. Alfred Wyatt and David Byrd, the director and assistant director of the marching band, about ways of promoting the band and improving enrollment. There is also a CAU day in the making. For the AUC, she plans to have a religious service once a month along with forums. President Thomas W. Cole Jr. has also been active with the SGA. Houston meets with the President on a bi-weekly basis. "When we have a President that's sympathetic toward the needs of the students, that's positive,” she added. There has also been a SGA meeting with the student body eveiy other Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. Overall, she has many plans in the making for the upcoming school year which includes more activities and more input from students. "This institution exists for the students and our power is in numbers," she said. Pamela Malone qualified. "Had my opponent won, they (the students) would have gotten a good candidate," she added. However, she accredits her winning to her exemplary leadership skills at her undergraduate institution, Marmouth College. There, she headed several committees and organized a Martin Luther King festival, among other accomplishments. "Very stressful, rewarding, exciting, and intense," declared Pamela when asked to describe the experiences she has encountered during her term. "I see students become involved, they ask 'what can I do?' and it's truly rewarding. " She said much of the power of SGA behind the relentless efforts of the other SGA members. Although she said that her undergraduate counterpart, Ramona Houston, is a joy to work with, very dedicated, creative and extremely student oriented, she admits that it is often difficult to act as co-presidents. She said it would be easier to have one president. However, there's no doubt that both of their missions are to better this institution. She also urges students to "Read! Know your university's policies. The only way this university can become one is through the power of the students. This power can be achieved through a strong mind. Read works by African American writers like Malinga Karenga, Na-in Arbarkber, Nsanti Keto, and Dr. Hare." Of all the forces in her life, Ms. Malone says God has greatly influenced her life. "At he age of 13 I made a personal commitment to serve Christ and to do his will. " Although she believes that AUC unity is possible, she said, "It will remain intangible if we continue to believe in elite, middle and lower class divisions. The lack of unity stems from administration, students, preconceived ideas and acquired notions. She challenges the student body to "take an afrocentric approach and be aware that it has nothing to do with hair or clothes. It deals with loving unconditionally. "When you love unconditionally you'll put yourself on the line. You will act and react in certain ways. See that you are blessed with the opportunity to attend a a predominantly African-American institution," she said. " *]Jw only way this university can become one, is through the power of the students." -‘Famela Makm Ramona Houston