Newspaper Page Text
Volume XLIV No.
www.spelmanspotlight.com
Wednesday, February 1. 2006
in
NEWS
The rules have
changed
Parking policies and com
puter lab procedures help
regulate student activity.
UGHT
FEATURES
SEVEN is a
lucky number
Students from all over the
AUC organize for a cause.
R SPORTS
r kSS
Sara Redd
serves it up!
Mf f ■ T|n
r
P3
JP8
THIS
ISSUE:
ARTS
Amalia Amaki’s
Boxes, Buttons,
and the Blues
New exhibit at Cosby Museum
uses many mediums to express
blackness and challenge the stan
dard of beauty.
P4
ENTERTAINMENT
Sanaa Lathan on
“Something New”
Spotlight sits down with “black-
tress,” Sanaa Latnan to discuss
her new movie and more...
P5
WELLNESS
You gotta eat!
Feed your body and feed our
brain. Health writer, Mindy Jones
offers some ideas on healthy eat
ing.
P7
WORD ON THE STREET
How do you feel about
the new SSGA
reconstruction and the
revision of the
constitution?
“I like the new structure of our SGA
because it gives new positions which
allot a voice for the student body. For
example, positions for commuter,
gateway, and representatives for all
the majors.”
Victoria Lamoert, freshman, eco
nomics major
P6
New structure proposed for SSGA
sawt-at
SGA Parliamentarian, Julynn Williams-Chandler and SGA Treasurer Erica
Parker discuss the new changes implemented for the SSGA constitution.
Shayla Ball
Co-Editor In Chief
From parking to printing, a
number of new campus poli
cies and procedures have been
implemented. One of the
most significant changes cur
rently taking place is the
restructuring of the Spelman
Student Government
Association (SSGA)
Constitution.
As stated in the preamble to
the document, the constitu
tion was created “in order to
form a democratic, efficient
and responsible student gov
ernment in order to represent,
lead and unify the student
body.” According to vice pres
ident Andrea Cleveland, the
reform comes as a result of
changing times. It has been
years since a new procedure
was set in place for SSGA, and
as Cleveland clearly states, “it
is time for us to take an even
more active role in addressing
the concerns of the student
body.”
“The current structure was
n’t as effective as our commit
ment level intended for it to
be. It’s time for a change.
The new structure will allow
for more representation,
accountability, and a more
effective student govern
ment,” said Cleveland.
Traditional positions such
as secretary, parliamentarian,
and treasurer have all been
replaced by positions with
more comprehensive respon
sibilities. New positions
include Secretary of Academic
Affairs, and Secretary of
Enrollment Management and
Secretary of Finance.
Executive Assistant and
Director of Public Relations
will also be implemented into
the new SSGA structure as
appointed positions.
The senate, reminiscent of
Morehouse’s Student
Government Association, will
replace the House of
Representatives to increase
the representation and
accountability of student
organizations on campus.
Students have mixed emo
tions regarding such a dramat
ic change to the campus com
munity (see Word on the Street,
page 6)
There is speculation that
other SSGA positions will be
paid. Currently, the president
and vice president are the only
paid positions.
Official changes were effec
tive Jan. 24, 2006, when the
student body was invited to
attend the Election General
Information Session. This
event introduced students to
the major changes that have
taken place, and provided
them with an outlined descrip
tion of the positions available.
In light of some ol the
recent campus initiatives that
have been more cumbersome
than beneficial lor the student
body, and depending on how
well elections go this year, the
restructuring ol the SSGA
constitution could be just
what the doctor ordered.
Atlanta mayor shares dream at Spelman
Nicole Barden
Staff Writer
Jan.19, 2006, Spelman
honored the life and dream of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
during convocation in Sisters
Chapel. Mayor Shirley
Franklin was the keynote
speaker for the celebration
sponsored by the Center for
Leadership & Civic
Engagement.
Dr. Jane E. Smith, execu
tive director of Spelman
LEADS, began the ceremony
with a welcome speech. Junior
Jennifer Beal, King's great
niece, introduced Franklin.
Franklin is the first female
mayor of Atlanta, and the first
black woman to serve as
mayor of a major southern
city. She began her speech by
reflecting on her experience at
the March on Washington,
where she heard Dr. King and
John Louis speak lor the first
time.
She interpreted King's mes
sage as being a call to people of
all races, ethnicities, and ages
to unite against injustice. She
encouraged Spelmanites to
examine King's full message,
“In order to celebrate Dr.
King's message, you have to
understand it."
Franklin also spoke about
women's ability to lead. While
their leadership styles may be
different from those of men,
they should not be discredited.
“Our leadership styles are a
reflection of our own experi
ences,” Franklin explained.
“Until 50, I was scared of
my own potential. As mayor I
had to step up and speak.” She
admitted to imitating
Maynard Jackson, the first
black Mayor of Atlanta; and
Andrew Young, his successor.
“As I ran for
office, I did not
have my own
words.” Franklin
credited King
with giving peo
ple the push to
speak their minds.
“We are called to
give our own
speech, our own
story.”
“The impor
tant role ol higher
education is to
give you the con
fidence to tell
your own story.
Franklin continued by direct
ly relating this theme to
Spelman. She cited the cam
pus' efforts to combat the
negative images of women in
the music industry, “You
ought to be applauded for
standing up.” She also encour-
Mayor Shirley Franklin reflects on the life legacy of
Martin Luther King at the annual Martin Luther King
Day convocation.
aged the audience to do more
by living King's dream on a
daily basis. “Take one issue
that you care about and dedi
cate five hours a week to it.”
The call to action was con
tinued by senior Sarah
see Franklin on Pg 2 »>
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