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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 Traditional positions such as secretary, parliamentarian, and treasurer have all been replaced by positions with more comprehensive respon sibilities.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 »> loto | Alicia Lane