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Read the Signs to Save a Life
“Suicide? Only white people do that.” Within the black community issues such as
suicide and depression are not often discussed but statistics show that “while whites
might be twice as likely as African-Americans to commit suicide, the rate is growing
faster among black youth.”
Some behaviors exhibited by those contemplating suicide are as follows:
Often, but not always, a person may show certain symptoms or behaviors before a
suicide attempt, including:
• Having trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
• Giving away belongings
• Talking about going away or the need to “get my affairs in order”
• Suddenly changing behavior, especially calmness after a period of anxiety
• Losing interest in activities that they used to enjoy
• Performing self-destructive behaviors, such as heavily drinking alcohol, using
illegal drugs, or cutting their body
• Pulling away from friends or not wanting to go out
• Suddenly having trouble in school or work
• Talking about death or suicide, or even saying that they want to hurt them
selves
• Talking about feeling hopeless or guilty
• Changing sleep or eating habits
Attempts of suicide in the black community have been increasing as time progresses.
No longer can we as a community turn a blind eye to this problem that is steadily
growing. There are several preventative measures one can take.
“Project 2015”: An In-Depth
Look into Dr. Tatums plans
r n 1 11 Jasmine Ellis
for Speiman College «****■■
At the beginning of the semester Spelmans current president, Dr. Beverly
Daniel Tatum, revealed her much anticipated development to the student body
called “Project 2015” during her opening convocation speech.
“Project 2015 is a phrase that I’m using to describe out efforts to increase
the graduation rate for the Class of 2015. Spelman College has a strong graduation
rate already, but we believe it could be better. I know there are many reasons why
students sometimes leave, the primary reason usually for financial reasons,” said
Dr. Tatum.
Spelmans graduation rate currently fluctuates between 77 and 80 percent
due to the economic hardships America is now facing. Nevertheless Dr. Tatum is
determined see this project through.
“On average we talk about our graduation rate being about 80 percent, but
80 percent means that in a class of 500 that 100 don’t graduate so I call that 100
don’t graduate ‘the missing 100’. It would be a wonderful thing that in 2015 we
could say almost all of the students who entered in the fall of 2011 were able to
graduate in May of 2015,” said Dr. Tatum.
“The Spelman College Plan for the class of 2015” as Dr. Tatum calls Spel-
man’s strategic plan incorporates a lot of opportunity students will be able to ben
efit from.
“It [Project 2015] has in it a lot of wonderful things; global experience, op
portunities for internships, alumnae connections, leadership development, service
learning. These are wonderful experiences, but they won’t matter if you’re not here.
So Project 2015 is really about making sure that as many students who enter in the
class of 2015 are here to take full advantage of what we are offering as part of our
new strategic plan,” said Dr. Tatum.
Although Dr. Tatum has made the Class of 2015 a pivotal aspect of her
focus with “Project 2015,” Dr. Tatum still finds Spelmans student body as a whole
responsible for their actions including the choices students make that will affect
their environment.
In efforts to reduce Spelmans carbon footprint and help save our ecosys
tem Dr. Tatum has made significant changes to the Spelman community. These
changes include recycling, low project vegetation that doesn’t require a lot of water,
discarding of trays in the dining hall to conserve water, and purchasing locally
grown foods
In today’s society health and fitness has become a crucial aspect of our de
velopment. Spelman promotes students having a healthy lifestyle through both the
activities conducted in Reed Hall and through smart food choices such as the fab
500 in the cafeteria.
“We have invested in a pretty dynamic program. I think Chivonne Shorter,
our health and wellness coordinator, has done a great job of providing interesting
physical options for students who want to exercise in addition to usual elliptical
machines or treadmills in the gym whether its Zumba classes, aqua aerobics, or
palates. I think she does a great job trying to educate not just the students, but the
employees as well and the dining hall by providing healthier food choices and mak
ing healthy options available,” said Dr. Tatum
Spelmans standards of excellence include civility, commitment, and consis
tency. These standards will be beneficial to the Spelman community not only while
at Spelman, but also when dealing with the real world.
“I think we all have to work at it students, faculty, staff, everyone has to
work at it. I think raising awareness about the importance specifically in a social
context and I don’t just mean Spelman if you look at television, if you see the news,
if you look at YouTube you see a lot of uncivil behavior. There are a lot of people
who would suggest American society is getting less and less civil yet I think most
people want to live in a neighborhood or community treating each other with
respect and kindness. If we model this behavior we model that and this is where
commitment comes in then I think that we can really making a difference. I think
that if each of us takes responsibility whether you’re faculty, student, or staff if I
take responsibility for my own behavior even if I get rudeness directed towards me
if I make a commitment not to send it back I think we can create the kind of con
sistently welcoming community we would like to have, said Dr. Tatum.
The Magic of Homecoming:
First Year
Ayanna Runcie
Staff Writer
Whether it was hanging out with
your friends and viewing trendy fash
ions at the fashion show/concert or
shining on the dance floor at the ball,
there was something fun for everyone to
do during homecoming week. Spelhouse
homecoming was filled with a plethora
of events, creating an amazing first time
homecoming experience for many Spel
man women and Men of Morehouse.
Taylor Curry, 2015 states, “It was more
than I expected it to be. Because since
both of my sisters went to Spelman, I
came to the homecoming when I was a
small child and it was fun but this time
was so much cooler because I was actu
ally involved.” Homecoming week fin
ished with a bang as Morehouse athletes
left the field a winning team. Saturday
was especially exciting for many first
year students as it was their first time
taking part in tailgating. Some people
describe tailgating as their favorite part
of homecoming, “My favorite event was
So this is What College
the footbaffgame not because of the game but
because of the tailgating. What I liked most
was seeing all the alumni in one place and
they were all having fun. One thing I liked was
that when I walked through tailgating it was
like walking from one generation to the other
because of all of the different music,” says Ju
lian Booker, 2015. However some things that
first year Spelhouse students state that they
would do differently for next year is using op
portunities, such as tailgating and homecom
ing Market Friday, to network with alumni.
Several students also state that they would
have gone to more events to fully maximize
their homecoming experience. Even though
some students would have wish they did more
during homecoming week, what they did do
seems to have been an amazing experience for
the most part. ‘The most exciting was getting
to meet with Miguels band after the concert,
we just loitered around after the concert and
got to meet with the band” says Marlon Book
er, 2015. It seems that in general homecoming
for the class of 2015 proved to be a success.
is Like?
Lauren Hawkins
Staff Writer
So you thought you were the “man”
or the “woman” in high school, but then
you had you first day of college. You were
no longer the pretty girl, or the smart girl,
or the most popular girl. Instead you were
a new student trying to figure out where
your classes were, what you were doing
this weekend, and if coming to Atlanta and
Spelman was really the best decision for
you. Orientation week gave you a chance to
get acquainted with the school, its princi
ples, and your new Spelman sisters. Do you
remember feeling excited or overwhelmed
at all the new information? Are you unsure
how to take advantage of your newfound
freedom and lifestyle? In college, you may
not be sure how to stand out and make the
best of the opportunities presented to you.
But with these tips you are sure to exceed
your expectations and truly shine at Spel
man College.
1. Join Clubs
On campus there are all types of clubs that
bring people with similar interest together.
Whether you’re into fashion, Spanish, recy
cling, or music, there is a club in the AUC
for you. By joining a club, you can run for
a leadership position, be an active member,
and plans events for fellow Spelmanites and
students in the AUC. Participating in a club
will also teach you how to work well with
others and be creative.
2. Attend events in different social set
tings
Every other night there are many different
events such as panel discussions, movie
nights, community service projects, and
pageants. The best part about these events
is that you are bound to meet at least one
new person that you would not run into
regularly. By placing yourself in different
social settings you may gain a new perspec
tive on an issue, hear the latest songs, or
get a good laugh. You will not know how
interested you are in something until you
experience it first-hand. You may be pleas
antly surprised by the people you meet and
the fun
room? Make a habit of dropping by your
teacher s office hours or speaking to them
in the Cafeteria. They can give you insight
that you have by attending different types
of events.
3. Build relationships with your advisor
and teachers. Due to Spelmans small close-
knit classes, into how they grade, advice
from a teacher s standpoint, and a support
system when your professor already knows
you even if you do not know them. Why
not build good relationship them outside
the class you need it the most. Take advan
tage of the knowledge your advisors and
professors may have about life. You can
never be to close with your teachers, the
better your relationship with your teachers
the better you educational experience in
college will be.
4. Take advantage of all Public speaking
opportunities
Your teacher asks for a volunteer to read
aloud or at panel discussion they ask if
anyone in the audience has a question.
These are perfect times to build your public
speaking skills and become more comfort
able speaking out. The more experience
you get with public speaking, the better.
Being able to speak well in front of others
is a great skill to possess and will take you
far in life. But first you have to take that
chance, raise your hand, and speak out!
5. Make conversation with strangers
Whether you are waiting for the AUC
library shuttle or in line at the Cafeteria,
make conversation. People are willing to
talk to you and you may be surprised by
the interesting conversation people have to
offer. By making conversation with strang
ers around the AUC you may learn more
about your major, be able to buy a ticket to
the biggest party this weekend, or find out
that you and someone are from the same
city.
6. Visit Morehouse and Clark Atlanta
Although Spelman has a lot to offer its stu
dents, it is a part of the AUC for a reason.
Morehouse and Clark Atlanta University
also have events, opportunities, and people
that will enhance your college experience
and give you a different vibe when you
walk out of the pearly Spelman gates. Work
all three campuses and be involved in or
ganizations on all three campuses. There is
nothing like being well connected and in
formed about your school and the schools
around you that make up the AUC.