If you are interested in helping this process along,email us at info {at} btreenews(.)com. You can also sign up for the new JOUR 3012 class and help develop this website. Check your student email for updates on this.

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Onu, however, is unlike many artists that today’s generation may be familiar with. “My whole point is to bring clean, secular entertainment back into the music world because I feel that the influence that artists have on today’s world is bad. And I want to change that, to allow families to watch me on stage.” Not only that, but he is the first person in his family to have become a part of the music industry and believes that it is not necessary to have an artist in one’s family or relatives in order for one to succeed as an artist. A Christian from Nigeria, Onu says his real name used to be Isaac but he changed it to Jah Onu- Jah meaning “God” and Onu meaning “speaker of the people”- a name that he thinks represents him best.

When asked what message he would give to aspiring artists, Onu responded, “The music industry is all about the drive, so if you don’t have the will to do it, you may not succeed. People will say bad stuff about you, but just remember there’s no perfect artist.”

During the Art, Film, and Video’s “I Love the 80’s: Masquerade Ball,” he performed “a medley of his songs including ‘I Need Love’ and ‘I’ma Get It,’ along with ‘Billie Jean’ as a Michael Jackson tribute,” says Kama Waweru, president of AFV. “Students enjoy his dance moves, and from time to time compare his style to Michael Jackson. So this performance was the perfect opportunity to celebrate his influences while showcasing his originality. He put together an impressive routine and executed it amazingly.”

An artist with talent and values, Jah Onu has proven himself to be a great role model for generations to come. Check out his MySpace page for more information.

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2008 is not only an election year, but one where we get to chose a new President, along with several other key posts in our government. Republicans and Democrats start with several candidates, but for each party, there can be only one (President that is).

When asked about Super Tuesday, Senior Helena Pezce fell silent. Although Helena knew about the primary election, the name “Super Tuesday” didn’t register. She’s not alone in her lack of knowledge about presidental primaries. Much of Clayton State, as well as the country in general, could benefit from a little history lesson.

Georgia’s primary election was given the name “Super Tuesday” during the 1988 primary presidential elections. It was an effort by Southern states to increase their influence in selecting their candidate. Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia were included in the U.S. States that voted March 8, 1988. Influential wins in Super Tuesday primaries have typically determined the party nomination. Though the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primaries receive much of the press attention during these early campaign agendas, they are criticized for not representing the country as a whole.

This election year, Super Tuesday will be held on February 5, 2008 (today) with the polls open from 7am to 7pm. For those balancing school and work, remember you can still vote if you’re in line by 7:00 p.m.. If you want to miss the rush, visit the polls during slow times. The rushes happen at 7:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and during mid-day lunch hour.

Clayton State Students and Georgians 18 years or older should be sure to cast your vote this year and every year to come. Voting is one few ways that we have as Americans to let our voices be heard loud and clear by our representatives. For more information on individual polling precincts or to become a register voter please visit the Georgia Voting Website. See you at the polls.

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The AMSA program was founded in 1950 to give students the opportunity to address the concerns of physicians in training. The Clayton State chapter meets these objectives, but also gives students a chance to collaborate with other students interested in opportunities in the medical field.

AMSA Vice President, Nate Mansperger, spoke about how the organization benefits its members. “AMSA members are recognized throughout the world” and are deeply invested in the community. The AMSA program offers various volunteer opportunities within the medical field at multiple hospitals and health organizations. Another initiative is their yearly Medical School Tour. This event allows members to visit local medical schools to speak to staff, teachers, and current students about the joys, pains, and tasks of a demanding medical education.

New member representative Hina Rehmari spoke about the upcoming 58th Annual AMSA Convention whose theme is “Women in Medicine.” “There will be keynote speakers, over one hundred programs and workshops, an AMSA poster session, Exhibit Hall and medical school fair.” The convention will take place from March 12th –

March 16, 2008 in Houston Texas. In order to attend the yearly session, AMSA members are currently thinking of ways to develop fund raising techniques and ideas to pay for it.

The AMSA program is not limited to students that are enrolled in the Pre-Med major. The program is open to any student that has interest in helping the medical community and those currently without adequate medical care to gain access to it, as well as anyone with prior medical experience. Perhaps one of the most valuable tools to members is assistance with the daunting medical school application process and MCAT preparation.

Current president, Moyo Olagoke, stresses the importance of this organization not only on campus, but in the community as well. As a native of Nigeria, he has seen firsthand the impact of inadequate medical care and accessibility. Growing up he realized his calling to become a doctor was fueled by his need to “help and do something to change a person’s life.” As president of AMSA, his ability to help develop community initiatives comes from his desire and joy in “seeing people succeed.”

For more information, contact the organization president Moyo Olagoke at molagoke {at} student.clayton(.)edu.

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Students could enjoy “Big Surfs” with Robo Surfer, Big Chair Photo, and Candy Apples to eat on Monday. On Tuesday, students got twisted up with Big Twister, Bungee Run, and sweet cotton candy. If students ever wondered what they would look like as a cartoon, they got the answer on Wednesday, as they posed for caricature paintings.

Wednesday evening festivities included the comedy screening of the movie “Superbad.” Thursday ended the back to school events with a Karaoke Night that brought students, faculty, and staff together for music, dance, and laughter. Hit Songs from groups like Destiny’s Child and Madonna were performed.

Most students felt the same way as Brandon Hopper about coming back to school. “Winter break felt so short, but coming back to school and seeing all the activities, I felt more welcomed and ready to get back in the swing of things.”

Who would have thought that college students could have just as much fun as little children at Chuck-E-Cheez? These events were great publicity for CEC and encouraged student involvement. Lakiesa Cantey, Assistant Director of Campus Life stated, “overall I thought the events were successful thanks to the help of events coordinator, Jesseka Gooding and the members of CEC who all pulled together. If we continue to have great events, we hope that students will be encouraged to come out and participate.”

The Campus Events Council was created for student involvement influencing leadership, creativity, and group dynamics. They do monthly events to add a little excitement to the every day monotony of studying for classes. Campus involvement is highly encouraged at Clayton State because it is a great opportunity for networking and learning more about campus life. Campus life will only grow as the campus becomes more traditionalized with the dorms.

For more information about the Campus Events Council visit them online at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/campuslife/.

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Please pardon the disruption and understand that this is a construction zone. Use caution when passing by the site and be aware of construction traffic in the area. Once the construction is completed, it will be a great gathering place and enhance our cultural programs.

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All,

As many of you have surely become aware, connectivity to
www.facebook.com, seems to be down. We don’t have any
authoritative information from facebook or their ISPs, but we
have confirmed that traffic for facebook from PeachNet
leaving PeachNet via any of our ISPs stops somewhere along
the way - invariably a number of hops from us.

It appears that facebooks prefixes are still being advertised
across a link or links that is no longer carrying traffic
which is why we can’t get there from here.

The problem appears to be widespread. While we don’t see
anything that we can do to remedy the situation at present,
we will continue to monitor it.

Network Support Services

Off-campus access is still possible and efforts to contact Facebook for more information have been unsuccessful.

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I may not be able to solve the problem, that’s your job, but at least, between the entire student body and myself, at least you’ll be heard.

Got a problem? Need advice? Then type away and leave a comment below……….

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As a member of the Student Financial Advisory Board (SFAB) last year, I know that we had a long debate about giving travel funds to student organizations. We decided against it for the most part, we couldn’t figure how that helps the university as a whole. As a result, Mock Trial only received $300 in funding this year, while Bent Tree News and SGA were awarded more than ten thousand each.

Don’t me wrong, Mock Trial, like most organizations did not do a good job justifying why they needed the money they asked for—something I hope we can help with this year. But, looking back, I think they should have gotten more and here’s why.

When was the last time you went to see one of our golf team’s games? What about Track and Field? These are two teams that never, ever have home games because we don’t have a track or any golf holes. I don’t know exactly how much support these teams get from the school, but I imagine it’s more than $300. Of course, I don’t see any reason to begrudge them what they have, it just forces me to think about our priorities.

Both the golf team and Mock Trial are paid for out of student fees, separate from tuition. But the way things are now, we obviously value our athletic teams way WAY more than our academic ones. I’m not sure I understood myself why these academic teams mattered. I mean are no Ga Tech with a robotics team that brought the RoboCup 2007 to Atlanta. But then I watched a movie about a debate team out of Texas, and I thought about how much a winning Mock Trial team could mean to the university.

The Great Debaters (2007), according to imdb is

A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school’s first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.

The film is a bit overwrought, but I still highly recommend it, if for nothing but the climatic monologue at the end. It begins, “In Texas, they lynch Negros.” It’s still playing at the AMC 24 in Morrow. Check it out while things are still easy at school.

Compared to other schools near our size in our state, we spend much less percentage wise directly on student organizations. It took a long time before I understood why.

Our student activity fee is just too low. Some blame it on enrollment. We would have more money to spend if we had more students, they say. But Harvard University has just 700 more undergraduates than we do. Exactly how much bigger do we want our classes to get?

For new freshman, the Athletics fee is $125. The new Student Activity Center fee is $75. In contrast, our Student Activity Fee is $50. That’s $50 per student to pay salaries and expenses for Student Affairs which includes Counseling Services, Disability Services, Career Services, Campus Life, Student Conduct, Orientation and New Student Services, Recreational Sports and Intramurals, and SmartBodies. What’s left after that goes back to the students. Believe me, it’s really not much. Bent Tree News was very lucky this year. (You can help us for next year, just click on an ad.)

The fees for next year have likely been voted on already, without public debate. But next Fall, lets remember to make SGA bring it up and lets talk about it and see just how much our Mock Trial team members mean to us. For now, let’s wish them luck!

Update:  The activity fee only pays for part of the salaries and expenses of Student Affairs, the rest is paid for by the state. Also, an increase of the activity fee can only be suggested to the Board of Regents. They choose if the increase is merited.

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While UC 272 was not filled to capacity as it ought to have been on October 17th, everyone present was exposed to much more than statistics, fliers and pamphlets. Our guest speakers, Patrice Altemus of Secrus House of Clayton County’s Domestic Violence Shelter, and Dr. Bernard Francis founder of the Center for Behavioral Change, had plenty insight into those that abuse and those that are abused. Also able to share was Miss Mary, a student who is an advocate for ending domestic violence. Her testimony, along with the wealth of information offered by the panelists, inspired and urged students and staff to also be advocates for positive change in the community.

The evening began with an introduction of the panel and an opportunity for each of them to speak. Ms. Altemus was the first of the three.

Just the previous day she and the Program Coordinator for Secrus House had a discussion about whether domestic violence could really be stopped. “We work 24/7 to try and do those things [eradicate violence], but how can we when the general public is uninformed about what is actually happening with family violence?”

Altemus described the cycle of domestic violence, the different phases an abusive relationship goes through. First there is the physical or verbal abuse, and then there is the “honeymoon phase” where the abuser reverses tactics. They become a sweet talker after beating their partner and try to explain or justify their action. “’When you asked me for money to go to Wal-Mart, it just got me kind of excited,’” said Altemus, giving an example of an abuser’s justification for violence.

Just as abusers have patterns of behavior, so do the abused. For women, Altemus believes it is the surprising lack of education and practical skills that are used to exercise monopolistic control over their partner. It is due to this manipulation and control that the abused often times remain in relationships that are unsafe and unhealthy.

She believes childhood relationships are a contributing factor in the maintenance of an abusive relationship. Positive healthy childhood relationships serve as examples of how to honor and respect our partners. “We partner off with each other, and ‘I love you and you love me, and baby make three and everything is going to be wonderful, and we’re going to get the house with the picket fence and we’re going to live happily ever after,’” said Altemus. However, with the promise of all this bliss, important issues can be overlooked. The question of if one of the partners were raised in a household of domestic violence is something that is often times not thought about in relationships.

To offset this, initiatives to educate our youth are crucial to eradicating domestic violence. “If we are able to have some kind of dialogue starting with very young people, then we will be able to stop the violence,” she continued.

According to Altemus, Clayton County reported 70 deaths due to domestic violence in 2006, “one is too many.” In other words, there were 70 people whose lives were taken from them because someone chose to take out their anger, rage, and pain on another human being.

The next panelist to speak was Dr. Bernard Francis, founder of the Center for Behavioral Change. Located in Decatur, Ga., the Center is a place where abusers learn alternate ways to resolve issues. For example, they are taught how to feel empathy and sympathy for others.

Dr. Francis reminded the audience about the different types of abuse: physical, mental, and sexual. He also mentions the “honeymoon stage” referred to by Altemus, but adds that over time this honeymoon stage decreases and the abuse increases in severity.

“It’s all about responsibility, and holding [oneself] accountable for your own actions,” said Francis as he shared what he emphasizes most to participants in his program. Often times those in his course feel that they have not done anything unjust. When doing a pre-assessment for the classes, many of the perpetrators “precede the incident with one word: ‘just’,” began Francis. “I ‘just’ pushed her. I ‘just’ shoved her. I ‘just’ put my hand around her neck ‘just’ to show her you don’t talk to me like that…and all these things are just too many ‘justs.’” After completing their program, the abuser learns that there are other ways to express their anger and that non-violent relationships are feasible and healthy.

Regardless of the type of abuse, abusers share characteristics such as low self-esteem, lack of trust, low tolerance of stress, and the inability to take responsibility for their actions.

The last speaker on the panel was Miss Mary who proudly stated that she was not, “here as a victim. I’m here as an advocate. I have overcome domestic violence, and I didn’t do it by myself.”

She tells her story of an inspiring and prosperous female attorney who employed Miss Mary as a housekeeper at her mansion. The woman caught sight of her face and inquired about her blackened eye. Miss Mary explained what happened to her. “There was something about [her] that empowered me, because I grew up in a family of nineteen, and our daily entertainment was our father…we grew up with my father beating my mother daily…pregnant, bare-footed…and in the kitchen. I promised myself I would not marry a man that was like my father. About two years after we married, I found out that I had married my father’s twin.”

“I came here tonight not out of grief…I came to empower you,” Miss Mary explained. “I want to empower the males. I want to empower the females, and I want you to know that love does not hurt.” She urged the audience, “The first time he hits you call 911.” She said just two weeks ago an incident occurred at her neighbor’s home that was most bothersome to her. While she was gardening she heard the agonizing screams of a young woman, she came from across her yard to find out that this young girl was trying her hardest to get away from a young man who would not release her. She was desperately trying to get away from him getting into her car and “he simply would not allow it.” He hit her so hard she could hear the sound of his blows, “and every time he hit her, her scream lessened and got softer. There were at least twelve men witnessing this event, and not one would react.”

She went over and urged the young man to stop hitting the young woman. “He stopped,” she said, but only long enough to “tell me where my old behind should go.” She attempted to use her home phone to call 911 but could not because her husband was purposefully occupying it. “I said ‘okay, this is the way it’s going to be.’ I had to use the last resort, because he was beating her to death. I went to get a gun, and I told him, ‘if they don’t get a hold of you, they certainly going to pick your ass up today.”

I had to do it because I’ve been there,” she explained. “I have lost jobs because I was beaten so bad I was ashamed. Every policeman in my neighborhood knew me, because I had to run. Pregnant, I had to run. You go and buy your husband a nice pair of shoes. You’re six months pregnant and you look and he’s stomping you with them. I’ve been through it. I don’t want you to go through it. My ministry is to break the cycle: domestic violence can be a generational cycle, and we must break it. When someone has control of you the one thing they don’t want you to have is knowledge, because knowledge is power,” explained Miss Mary.

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Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to one united people – a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government, very similar in their manners and customs…
– John Jay, First American Supreme Court Chief Justice

Providence, according to Chief Justice John Jay, has proven wrong. The United States has become a prosperous land largely due to the different races that compose our great nation. Clayton State University seems to be evidence of this error.
U.S. News and World Reports’ America’s Best Colleges 2008 issue claimed that, once again, Clayton State University is one of the most diverse campuses in Georgia. In fact, Clayton was named the most ethnically diverse baccalaureate college in the South. The categories used to calculate these rankings were American Indians and Native Alaskans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, African-American who are non-Hispanic, whites who are non-Hispanic, and Hispanics.

This level of diversity is not a new occurrence here at Clayton State. For example, in the fall of 2005, with a total student enrollment of 6,212 students, the campus consisted of 64.6% minorities. These numbers break down to 4.9% Asian/Pacific Island, 51% Black, 2.7% Hispanic, 5.7% Multiracial, .2% Native American & 35.4% White. In 2006, these increased slightly to 66.4% minorities. The current enrollment on campus almost mirrors these numbers although exact figures were not available by press time.

Unfortunately, U.S. News did not include international students such as Native Africans, West Indians, Middle Eastern and Asians who are non-Pacific in their calculations. There were several other groups that were not used to calculate diversity that Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Integrative Studies, felt should have been taken into consideration. “The article does not discuss any other types of diversity - e.g. non-traditional students, women, etc. I would like to see some data on these groups as well.” For example, Clayton State’s student body is 70.3% female and 48% are non-traditional.

The importance of diversity on campus was best summed up by Dr. Steve Spence, Associate Professor of English and Media Studies when he said, “one of CSU’s real strengths is its diverse student body. Attending classes with people of different backgrounds, races, ethnicities, ages, religious beliefs, and sexualities benefits all of our students.”

Many students on campus feel that being a diverse campus is a benefit to their education. “I prefer diversity. The benefits are the knowledge and the one on one personal experience with different cultures,” says Phebe Rameau, a sophomore asked about her feelings on the article’s findings. Krysta Nelson, a senior, did not share Rameau’s enthusiasm towards diversity. Nelson explained “that [the diversity on campus] was not what really attracted me to the college, but it may attract a lot of other people. I came here because I believe it was the best school for me.” Not all students feel that the diversity on campus comes without difficulties all its own. Student Government Association (SGA) Vice-President & Sophomore Brandon Johnson adds that, “it’s a great thing but it’s so diverse that it’s almost segregated, you know….being that clubs stick with clubs. Like the Vietnamese Student Association only stick with other VSA members. It’s so diverse that each clique seems like its own country.”

Jesseka Gooding, Junior & Campus Events Council (CEC) Entertainment Chair, responds to Johnson’s statement by saying that she “agree[s] to some extent…academic wise, but when it comes to campus involvement…I don’t feel that all the groups on campus participate. Maybe, it’s because they feel that they don’t have events that cater to them.”

This reporter has no problem admitting that the make-up of the student body is very diverse; however, the numbers on the faculty at Clayton differ greatly from those of the student body or as Dr. Spence put it “in a word, we are much whiter.” According to data provided by the university, our faculty was 81% white in 2005 and 75% white in 2006. Dr. Spence continued, “we should be working to change that, and we are. One encouraging recent change has been a move to begin searches for new faculty much earlier.” Dr. Burns-Ardolino shared Dr. Spence’s optimism towards the future asserting that “I can see that we are moving toward more diversity. Change of this kind is often slow, but it is palpable.”

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Sanders seems to be an intrinsic part of the university. In a there and back again saga, he left Clayton’s Health Sciences Department in 2004 to work in advertising for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He then left the AJC in September 2005 to make Clayton State history by becoming the first full-time Intramurals Coordinator.

Prior to Sanders taking over the position, intramurals was a function of the Office of Student Life and coordinated by a student. When asked why he returned to Clayton State, he replied, “I didn’t like sitting in front of a computer all day, and I wanted a job that allowed me to interact more with people.” Sanders says he enjoys “working here because of the family environment.” This past spring, he again assumed a role new to Clayton State—Assistant Director of Recreational Sports and Intramurals.

Sanders brought several programs to Clayton State including the annual ski trip which occurs every January. The ski trip has several fans such as Krysta Nelson, senior, who said that she fell while snowboarding, “but I was having so much fun that I went right back up the hill and fell down again.” This year, he opened up the annual ski trip to recent Clayton State graduates at the current student price.

“He [Sanders] has brought a great deal to Clayton State,” says Sunita Caton, sophomore. “He’s very approachable and accepting of new ideas.”Sanders had more to say about intramurals. “I want people to know that college has more to offer than an education. While education should be the focus of your college experience, it shouldn’t be the whole of your college experience. I want students to realize that intramurals is an opportunity to have fun, meet new people, and get some exercise,” he said.

On just the short list of activities Intramurals offered this past semester were volleyball, flag football, 3-on-3 basketball, bowling, and paintball. For a complete list of services and activities offered by the Recreational Sports and Intramural department and upcoming events, be sure to log on to their website.

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Lead by Head Coach Pete Petersen, the team played a great season and fought their way to being ranked 14th and winning the Peach Belt Conference again with a record of 13-3-2. After another hard fought season, we are going to the playoffs, but this was no easy season. Battling low attendance and a tough schedule, the team lost 3-1 in what some are calling an upset to USC-Aiken. This game was very physical due to the combined 49 fouls and 3 yellow cards. They rebounded and won seven of the last eight regular season games to advance to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.

One thing is sure about this team, fighting to gain respect comes naturally as the team is complied of players from different backgrounds, personalities, and locations. The roster is complied of various countries such as South Africa, Antigua, Haiti, Germany, Kenya, England and Sweden. The captain of the team is South African Jarrid Nicholson, a senior midfielder who finished the season with four assists on the season. The leading scorer and most captivating player is Jamal Geathers, a defenseman who hails from Aiken, South Carolina. But don’t get it twisted, he has assisted other teammates in scoring, and winning has been the mission.

Success is nothing new to this team; they are repeat league champions and conference tournament champions in 2005 and 2007. In 2004 and 2005 the team reached the NCAA tournament. Grades and brighter futures are the main reason we attend school, however, these men are carrying that load and more. So before you go out to hit the club, or start on that paper you waited too long to write, come see what the fuss on and off the field is all about! The Men’s Soccer team is well on its way to becoming a soccer powerhouse. Join the growing support as we strive to solidify our championship season and take this fight to the national stage!

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For the second year in a row, the HUB took home the “Homecoming Spirit” trophy for a campus department, and the Teacher Education Club took home the award’s club or organization counterpart. The “Banner Competition” went to The Clayton State Science Association and the Center for Academic Success received top honors for the “Door Decorating Contest.”

Gid Rowell, Director of Alumni Relations and cochair of the Homecoming Committee, explained how Homecoming came to be so close to Halloween this year. “Since the year 2000, Homecoming has been held during the soccer season in the fall, before that year, Homecoming was held during the basketball season in the winter,” he explained. Because of this, the schedule has to work with the team’s game times and they “grabbed the first home game date available.” For example, Homecoming last year was “mid October from the 9th through the 14th,” according Mr. Rowell. When asked if he thought Homecoming on Halloween weekend would affect student turnout, he replied, “Clayton State has held homecoming during or near the Halloween weekend before. In 2002 we even had a Halloween theme…I don’t think it will have an impact on the attendance outcome.” This year, the theme was “Catch Us If You Can.”

“The theme is geared toward all the development that is going on in and around campus. With the construction of the new student center and new student dorms, along with the progression of the new Business building, we thought it was appropriate,” concluded Mr. Rowell.

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