Page 660 – HBCU Buzz

Sigma Pi Phi Donates 1,000 to Saint Augustine’s Tornado Relief Fund

Posted on Jun 21, 2011

The Gamma Sigma Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity donated $1,000 to Saint Augustine’s College’s Restoration and Recovery Fund. The fund was created to help the school restore its campus in the wake of the April 16 tornado.

“We feel compelled to support our HBCUs, particularly the ones in our backyard because many of us have connections (with those schools),” said Dr. Leroy S. Darkes. “The devastation of the tornado was compelling. We had to do something.”

Darkes, the Boule’s grammateus, and Dr. George Wylie, the sire archon, came to campus to present the donation to President Dianne Boardley Suber.

“We certainly appreciate the contribution, but we equally appreciate the support and the opportunity to get you to campus and establish a long-term partnership,” Suber said.

Article Reference from Saint Augustine College

Buzzing News

NCCU Law School Hosting Free Public Forum on Workplace Rights

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 21, 2011

The North Carolina Central University School of Law is inviting the public to a free forum this Saturday on workplace issues.

The event, called “Workplace Rights: Equal Opportunity is the Law,” will include representatives from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the State Employment Security Commission Agency. The representatives will provide an overview of the laws enforced by the agencies and complaint processing procedures. A panel of plaintiff attorneys will be available to answer questions.

The forum will use the law school’s Technology Assisted Legal Instruction and Services (TALIAS) program. TALIAS allows people across the state to participate through HD video teleconferencing. NCCU has established sites at four universities: Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina A&T University, and Winston-Salem State University. All four will participate in Saturday’s event.

The forum is from 10 a.m. to noon at the Turner Law Building. To register to attend at any location, contact Michelle S. Roberts at 919-530-6601 or at msroberts @nccu .edu.

Additional locations include:

Winston Salem State University
1922 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

Fayetteville State University
1200 Murchison Road
Cook Building

Elizabeth City State University
More Hall, Room 124

North Carolina A&T State University
2501 Yanceyville St.

Article Referenced from NCCU

Buzz Killer

Maryland Board of Regents Voted to Increase In-State Tuition for Undergraduates by up to 3 Percent

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 20, 2011

The University System of Maryland Board of Regents voted to increase in-state tuition for undergraduates by up to 3 percent for fiscal year 2012 in a public meeting Friday at Bowie State University. Tuition also went up 3 percent in the current fiscal year following a four-year tuition freeze. Salisbury University, the only exception to the 3 percent maximum, will see an increase of 6 percent due to its lower costs.

“Given the severe recession, it became clear that to keep the quality of academic offerings and support to our students that is expected of us, we needed to impose a 3 percent increase in in-state undergraduate tuition,” said Mike Lurie, spokesman for the University System of Maryland.

“Although we take these increases very seriously, it’s a rather modest amount of money, especially when compared with the severe increases in other systems across the country,” he said.

Lurie said the increase amounted to between $150 and $300 per semester, with exact costs differing slightly at each school in the system. The board also approved its proposed plan to guide a study of the potential merger of the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore. In April, Maryland lawmakers linked $1 million in state funding to the Board of Regents submitting the findings of such a study by Dec. 15.

Article Reference from Daily Record

Stylish Buzz of the Week

Stylish Buzz of the Week: Brianna Newton-Williams from Morgan State University by The Profashional

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 20, 2011

Stylish Buzz of the Week: Brianna Newton-Williams

from Morgan State University by The Profashional

Name: Brianna Newton-Williams “Brii”

Repin’: Morgan State University

Classification: Junior

Major: Fashion Merchandising

Hometown: Silver Spring, MD

Description of Style: I consider myself a hipster who displays creativity through frugal fashions.

Brianna’s attire is none-the-less eccentric, and chic! I love the head piece, harem pants, and washed jeans! I can tell she concocted her look to suit her. Style isn’t duplicating but instead getting inspired by others to make your own. Anytime someone takes ownership of their look, I just have to give them props! Brii has style!

Buzzing News

Bethune Cookman joins effort to meld Minorities, Racing and Education

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 19, 2011

DAYTONA BEACH — A new motorsports team geared toward diversity unveiled an extensive plan Wednesday to bring money to historically black, Hispanic and other colleges while also attracting minority fans to racing.

Complete with a new hip-hop song promoting the joint venture, Racing For Education has been formed by a group that includes Evelyn Bethune, president of the Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Preservation Institute, and Diversity Motorsports Racing, in collaboration with Bethune-Cookman University.

The program and new racing team were highlighted at a news conference in front of the statue of Bethune near the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center.

A show car was also on display with the Racing For Education logo that will be similar to one that team officials said will race in the Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway on July 1.

The driver of that car, which they said has already been confirmed, will be announced two days before the race. On the Diversity Motorsports Racing website, it lists “Our Drivers” as Mike Bliss, Hannah Baker and Ricky Byers.

“Racing For Education is in the arena. Failure is not an option,” said Terrance Cox III, co-owner of Diversity Motorsports Racing, formed last year.

Marcus Jadotte, vice president of public affairs and multicultural development for NASCAR in Daytona Beach, said NASCAR has not heard of the team or the initiative, but “we’re always excited about entrepreneurs wanting to come into the sport of team owners.

“We believe it is important for the sport going forward at every level to look like the country in terms of demographics. Having expanded minority participation in the ownership ranks of the sport, we would welcome that.”

Read Full Article at The News Journal

Fashion

Leggings ≠ pants! by The ProFashional

Robert Hoggard

Posted on Jun 19, 2011

Leggings ≠ pants!

Leggings are a great accessory to add to an outfit! They are comfy, stylish and versatile. I can see why many include leggings in their wardrobe. However, wearing leggings properly simple separates the chic and fashion hell no’s!

Leggings are an all year round clothing accessory, but we don’t have all year to get this right. Here are a few rules to help those adopting the trend.

Layer, Layer, Layer, I repeat Layer– Layering is a must when wearing leggings. Opposing to what some may believe leggings are not pants or jeans but instead should be viewed as stockings or tights.

Hide your tush– No one should ever be able to see your panty line. The best solution to this is wearing a tunic (summer) long blazer (fall) or long sweater cardigan (winter). Notice all these options should be loosely fitted. Wearing leggings and a fitted top would serve your look an injustice. If you like the fitted top and bottom look, try considering a romper!

Shoe appropriate: It is very crucial to wear the appropriate shoes with leggings. Please be aware that sneakers are only ok when the gym is involved. With that one exception, try out your options in your closet and really put your own style on this.

This is an epidemic, pass the word along. 😉

By Sha’nece Austin “Profashional”

Buzzing News

Bean Pies and Bow Ties by April C. Thornton

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 19, 2011

Bean Pies and Bow Ties
April C. Thornton

Are individual’s perception of other religions triggered by historical events, media outlets or actually observing people from different religious backgrounds? Take a look at African American male Muslims for example. People have their own ideas on what the everyday black male Muslim look like and represent. They see historical video footage of Malcolm X standing behind the podium with his militant persona advocating black independence, while staring out of his thick framed glasses with his tie nicely straightened. These audiovisuals of Malcolm X may give people the false impression that all Black Muslims have the same militant attitude. They know that As-Salamu Alaykum means ‘Peace be upon you’ in Arabic and Muslims pray to Allah. In addition, humorous jokes are made about Black Muslims selling bean pies on the nearest corner and refusing to eat pork. Aside from the comical jokes and narrow perceptions, what do people truly know about African American male Muslims?

Large populations of young African American males are converting to Islam. Either they are joining a popular trend across the nation that has been associated with imprisonment or they are looking for a positive change in their life. These so-called affiliates believe that wearing djellabahs, turbans or coofies makes them Muslims, while ignoring the spiritual and mental connection that comes along with converting to Islam. Despite the fact, that many young black male Muslims along with some non- Black Muslims misunderstands what the faith solely represents because not all Muslims look the same or have the same beliefs. It is time for inquisitive minds to grasp an understanding of how the Black Islamic faith was introduced to America’s society.

A glimpse into the early 1800s shows that many African Muslims were brought to America as slaves. Their slave-owners noticed something different about these particular slaves by their determination, intellectual and survival personality. Now, let’s fast-forward to the 1930s when Wallace Fard Muhammed wanted to improve the spiritual, mental, social and economic situations of African Americans of America. He found the first Temple of Islam also known as the Nation of Islam (NOI) or the Black Muslim. After his death, Elijah Muhammad became the leader of the NOI by spreading the same exact teachings of Wallace Fard Muhammed. The NOI taught mutual respect, discipline in appearance and behavior, stressed modesty and morality. Most importantly NOI believer’s was devoted to the Five Pillars, kept a healthy diet and physical fitness by excluding the consumption of alcohol, drugs and tobacco and pork.

Presently, the overall custom has drastically changed from the clean cut image and healthy lifestyle of the Black Muslim long-ago. The modern day picture of young African American male Muslims are jeans hanging below their buttocks, finding pleasure in smoking or drinking an alcoholic drink of their choice. To easily example this faulty description, modern day Black Muslims are finding comfort with disobeying the guidelines that Allah and his prophets advocated and created before them. How can individuals define and fully comprehend the African American Black Muslim? Do people study the original teachings or observe how young black male Muslims of today deteriorate the faith? Until society figures out what African American male Muslims look like and stand for, majority of people will keep associating them with bean pies and bow ties.

In Reality

The HBCU Experience by Dior Ginyard

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 19, 2011

HBCU’s are known throughout America for developing gifted African American men and women that are ready to take on challenges and obstacles that life has in store for them. HBCU’s have produced prominent individuals such as Civil Rights activist Jesse Jackson, talk show host Oprah Winfrey, actor Samuel Jackson, filmmaker Spike Lee, and Chairman to the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Herman Cain, just to name a few. Each one of these individuals has their own story on how their HBCU experience has prepared them for the daily challenges they face.

A unique story that you probably are unaware of however is that of Leelannee K. Malin, PhD, a true product of the HBCU experience. Dr. Malin received her Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University, and later earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Communications from Bowie State University. After working in corporate communications and the non-profit sector, Malin attained a doctoral degree in Mass Communications Media Studies at Howard University at the age of 30.

Dr.Malin, used the knowledge, skills, and life lessons learned to launch Malin PR, a boutique public relations firm, specializing in sports and entertainment, corporate communications and non-profit industries. Malin PR provides a comprehensive range of communications and public relations programs that assist its clients in increasing visibility and building relationships with prospects, members of the press, and the greater community. Malin Pr creates and executes innovative, targeted exposure and communications packages promoting their clients interest to the market, the media, and the public. The Malin PR client roster includes, model Gia Nichole, international motivational speaker, Mark “The Speakerman” Wiggins and her most recognizable client, New Orleans Saints Defensive Back Usama Young, and the Usama Young Youth Foundation.

Malin’s experience working in the sports agency began at 16 years old, recording football statistics, which ultimately leading to a sports information internship at Morehouse College. Malin has worked for semi-professional and professional athletes and organizations including the National Football League Players Association and Retired Super Bowl Champion, Cliff Crosby of the Indianapolis Colts. Continuing to make her mark on the industry, Malin’s latest endeavor includes serving as the official public relations provider for Usama Young’s 3^rd Annual Stay Focused Weekend slated for June 23-25, 2011 in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. The weekend, which Malin PR serves as the sole source of planning and coordination is highlighted by appearances by high profile athletes and celebrities , a football and cheer camp for youth, a community service project, bowling fundraiser event ,and annual foundation reception.

Community spirit is the name of Malin PR’s game as a “Culture for Service” was instilled in Malin as a freshman at Clark Atlanta. Therefore, since the launch of Malin PR, Dr. Malin a teacher by trade has mentored, developed, and trained local high school students interested in careers in the Communications industry. Making it a point to pay it forward, Malin offers seasonal internships each year to students from all three of her alma maters.

The Stay Focused Weekend 2011 will encompass a slew of events that include a food drive at Largo High School,a visit to the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, DC, a “Celebrity Scoop” event at Rita’s, “Rock-n-Bowl” at Lucky Strikes which is also in Washington, DC, and the highlight of the weekend which is the football and cheer camp. All proceeds will benefit the Usama Young Youth Foundation.

For more information about the Usama Young Youth Foundation and Stay Focused Weekend 2011 log on to www.usamayoung28.com. To learn more about Dr.Malin and Malin PR, visit www.malinpr.com.

-Dior Ginyard

Baseball

San Diego Padres Pick Up Rashaad Ingram, 2B, St. Augustine’s College In Round 28

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 19, 2011

Star shortstop Rashaad Ingram (Savannah, Ga.) of Saint Augustine’s College was drafted Tuesday by the San Diego Padres on the second day of the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Ingram was taken by the Padres in the 28^th round with the 863rd pick. He becomes the second Saint Augustine’s College player in three seasons to be drafted. Anthione Shaw, also a shortstop for the Falcons, was picked by the Oakland Athletics in 2009.

Ingram was drafted after a remarkable senior season in 2011. He captured national, regional and conference honors after leading the Falcons to a modern school record of 36 wins. The NCAA Division II leader in steals (80) and stolen bases per game (1.48), Ingram was named Daktronics Third Team All-American, Daktronics First Team All-Atlantic Region, All-CIAA first team and CIAA player of the year. He was one of 36 players nationally who was named to the College Baseball Lineup DII All-Star Team. Ingram led the Falcons in batting average (.390), hits (67), runs (72) and doubles (15) as a senior.

Ingram, tied for third in Division II in runs, finished his four-year career as one of the most decorated baseball players ever at Saint Augustine’s College. He was part of a senior group that sparked a resurgence in the baseball program after four straight losing seasons including six wins the year before Ingram arrived.

The Falcons amassed 119 wins in four years. The baseball team won two CIAA regular-season titles, one CIAA Tournament crown, and made four consecutive CIAA Tournament finals appearances during that period.

Read Full Article HBCUSports Online

Baseball

Southern’s Frazier Hall goes to the Angels, while Cody Hall goes to Giants

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 19, 2011

Southern University teammates, Frazier Hall and Cody Hall (no relation), were selected on Tuesday in the Major League Baseball Draft. The duo became the Jaguars 30th and 31st MLB draft picks since 2000. And on Wednesday, Roddarick Jones became the 32nd draftee.

The Los Angeles Angels took Frazier Hall in the 16th round, bringing to a culmination a great career on the bluff.

Hall was named third team Louisville Slugger All-American, to go along with back to back SWAC Player of the Year honors. He missed the offensive triple crown in the league by just two home runs as he led the SWAC in batting average (.417) and RBIs (59).

Frazier finished his career with a .382 career batting average, to go along with 238 hits, 179 runs, 22 home runs, 55 doubles, four triples and 180 RBi’s.

Less than an hour later, the San Francisco Giants took his teammate, right-hander Cody Hall, in the 19th round. The Detroit Tigers took him in the 35th round of last year’s draft, but Cody Hall decided to return to Southern for his senior year, betting that his value could rise with another college season.

Cody was named first team All-SWAC this season as a relief pitcher, and finished his career at SU with a 4.02 ERA, going 6-4 with five saves in 35 appearances. HE pitched 85.1 innings and had 96 strikeouts.

Roddarick Jones was chosen on Wednesday in the 37th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jones sat out this past season after transferring from the University of New Orleans.

Read Full Article at HBCUSports Online

Baseball

Oakland A’s Select North Carolina A&T Outfielder Xavier Macklin

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 19, 2011

GREENSBORO- North Carolina A&T slugger Xavier Macklin is a member of the Oakland Athletics organization. On the second day of the First-Year Major League Baseball Player Draft, Macklin was selected in the 12th round as the 376th pick. Macklin is the first Aggie taken in the draft since the St. Louis Cardinals selected C.J. Beatty in the 26th round in 2009.

Macklin, a junior out of Rocky Mount, N.C., posted impressive power numbers throughout his Aggies career. He hit .357 with 49 home runs and 183 RBIs as he set school marks in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage. Macklin’s reputation for power can be measured in his .705 career slugging percentage. He ends his collegiate career with three first-team All-MEAC honors.

Macklin said he was informed about being drafted at approximately 5 p.m. Apprehension and nervousness drove him away from following the draft hours before the Athletics selected him. Macklin received a phone call from a friend notifying him of the good news. A local A’s scout who lives in Greensboro made the official call for the organization.

“I can’t describe this feeling right now,” said Macklin. “It’s crazy. It’s surreal. It’s like I’m not even here right now.”

The 2011 season solidified Macklin’s status as a MLB prospect. He hit .355 with 22 home runs and 67 RBIs. Nationally, he ranks second in home runs and home runs per game. He owns the fourth-best slugging percentage in the nation and his RBIs per game ranks him 11th.

“He really deserves this,” said N.C. A&T head coach Keith Shumate. “People recognize how much talent this young man has, but I don’t think people know how hard he worked to get to this point. He had a legendary career at A&T.”

Macklin is one of only two MEAC players who have been selected thus far. Bethune-Cookman catcher Peter O’Brien went in the third round to the Colorado Rockies. Macklin becomes the seventh player under Shumate to be taken in the MLB Draft. He is the fourth Aggie in the last five years to be selected, and earned the second highest draft position of any Aggie selected during the Shumate era. Duron LaGrande was drafted in the 10th round by the Montreal Expos in 2004.

Read Full Article HBCU Sports Online

Baseball

Bethune-Cookman’s Peter O’Brien Taken In The 3rd Round Of The MLB Draft

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 19, 2011

SECAUCUS, N.J. – Keeping with the legacy of Bethune-Cookman baseball’s standard of developing players for the next level, catcher Peter O’Brien joined the ranks of the drafted, Tuesday afternoon, as the Colorado Rockies picked him with the 17^th pick in the third round (107^th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft.The Wildcat junior from Miami Gardens, Fla. has more than earned the honor, leading the team and among the MEAC’s leaders in home runs the past two seasons, in addition to leading Team USA in the same stat during the summer of 2010.

“It’s a great honor for him, he definitely deserves that…and better,” said Melendez. “I’m very proud of him. He’s worked extremely hard to go from undrafted to a third-rounder now, and it says a lot about him and the work ethic that he put in while he was at Bethune-Cookman. I look for him to make it to the big leagues real soon and be a good player at that level.”

With his pick in the 2011 draft, O’Brien becomes the highest selected Wildcat in Head Coach Mervyl Melendez’ 12-year tenure at the helm. The previous highest draftee was Mark Woodyard, B-CU pitcher drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 Draft.

In total, O’Brien played in 168 games in the Maroon and Gold, hitting a total of 38 home runs and 38 doubles, while racking up 154 RBI and a .336 batting average. In his time behind the plate, he collected 1038 putouts and 148 assists, for a .985 fielding percentage.

Read Full article HBCUSprots Online

News

NCAA Postseason Bans to Include SWAC Championships and Tournaments

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 19, 2011

Birmingham, Ala. – The SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted Thursday to adopt a league policy to prohibit any member institution subject to NCAA postseason bans to include SWAC championships and tournaments. The policy is effective immediately Currently, the policy prohibits Southern and Jackson State from being eligible to participate in the 2011 Farmers Insurance SWAC Football Championship, and it prohibits the Southern and Grambling State men’s basketball teams from participation in the 2012 Farmers Insurance SWAC Basketball Tournament.

Article From HBCUSports Online

News

19 HBCU Athletes named All Americans by The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 19, 2011

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced those that earned USTFCCCA All-America distinctions for the 2011 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field season. Honors are awarded for performances at the final site of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships occurring the previous weekend in Des Moines, Iowa.

First-team USTFCCCA All-America honors are awarded to those who earn any portion of a team point at the national championships, or reach an eight-entrant final. Second-team All-America honors are handed out to those whose final placing in the national meet range from ninth to 16th place.

Those who participated at the final site but did not place in the meet’s top 16 are listed as honorable mention for the All-America award.

Student-Athletes listed are part of programs that are members of the USTFCCCA.

2011 USTFCCCA Outdoor Track & Field – NCAA Division I
FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
MEN

Event Name Institution
4x400m Relay Tyquan Brown Delaware State
4x400m Relay Ryan Carter Delaware State
4x400m Relay Tariq Devore Delaware State
4x400m Relay Leslie Murray Delaware State
SECOND-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
MEN

Event Name Institution
400m Hurdles Leslie Murray Delaware State
200m Dash Torrance Womack North Carolina A&T
HONORABLE MENTION
MEN

Event Name Institution
110m Hurdles Kemar Clarke Bethune-Cookman
400m Hurdles Jibri Victorian Coppin State
Long Jump Leon Hunt Florida A&M
400m Hurdles Trey Charles Morgan State
400m Dash Marquis Holston Norfolk State
110m Hurdles Aramis Massenburg Norfolk State
Long Jump Darris Shelton Norfolk State
4x100m Relay Jarrell Elliott North Carolina A&T
4x100m Relay Jonathan Hancock North Carolina A&T
4x100m Relay Earl House North Carolina A&T
4x100m Relay Torrance Womack North Carolina A&T
100m Dash Philip Redrick Texas Southern
110m Hurdles Ackeem Smith UMES
WOMEN

Event Name Institution
Long Jump Kendra Mayers Delaware State
Long Jump Champagne Bell Norfolk State

Read Full Article at Onnidans Sports

News

Bonita Hamilton-Caesar Alabama State University Alumna will visits ASU’s theatre Camp

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 18, 2011

Hundreds of youth from around the state are attending camps at Alabama State University this summer. Those attending ASU’s theatre camp will be joined by alumna and Broadway actress Bonita Hamilton-Caesar. Summer camp season at Alabama State University is in full swing, with hundreds of young people enrolled in ASU’s many sports and enrichment camps.

At Camp 3T (Teaching Through Theatre), sponsored by the Department of Theatre Arts, ASU alumna and Broadway actress Bonita Hamilton-Caesar (’97) will make a special guest appearance.

Hamilton-Caesar currently stars in the acclaimed Broadway musical, “The Lion King.”

Dr. Tommie Stewart, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, said this is a great opportunity for Camp 3T participants.

“I am extremely excited about Hamilton-Caesar coming to Camp 3T. She will work directly with the campers giving them acting tips and conducting motivational workshops,” Stewart said. “We are extremely proud of her accomplishments, and it means a lot that she is coming back to her alma mater to work with our campers.”

Camp 3T runs from June 19 through June 25. A final performance will be held June 25 at 1 p.m. in the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

Call 334-229-6929 for ticket information.

Camp Eagle
Numerous other camps also are underway at ASU, including Camp Eagle, an academic enrichment, character development and entrepreneurial camp sponsored by the College of Business Administration (COBA) and the Office of the Executive Vice President.

Students from 10 Alabama counties are spending a week living in ASU dormitories, attending classes and getting real-life college experience.

The campers also will travel to Atlanta, where they will spend a week at the Allen Institute and get lessons and experience in entrepreneurship and networking.

ASU President William H. Harris welcomed the campers to campus on Sunday, June 12. He told the seventh, eighth and ninth graders that in the future, they will compete for jobs with other candidates from around the world and they have to become world ready.

“You are going to have to work hard, figure out what you need to do to succeed and no matter what, always complete the task once you start it. You are attending Camp Eagle. Eagles always fly high, so I want you to soar like an eagle,” Harris said.

This is Camp Eagle’s fourth year. The camp’s director is Zina Wiggins and the assistant director is Dr. Michelle Crawford, a COBA business law professor.

View photos from Camp Eagle.

SKYCAP
The Summer Kids Youth College Adventure Program (SKYCAP) is in the middle of its first session.

More than 150 first through 12th graders are participating in various academic and self-enrichment programs, as well as swimming and other extracurricular activities, including a cruise on Montgomery’s Harriott II Riverboat.

SKYCAP’s second session begins July 11. For more information call 334-229-4686.

Buzz Killer

AAMU Trustees Approve Tuition and Fees Increases #Buzz Killer

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jun 18, 2011

The Alabama A&M University (AAMU) Board of Trustees on Friday, June 17, approved a nine (9) percent tuition increase for the 2011-2012 academic year for all student categories (undergraduate and graduate). When factoring in mandatory fees plus room and board, in-state undergraduate students will realize a ten (10) percent net increase. A similar net percentage increase will occur for all other student categories. “This represents an $18.27 increase per credit hour for the typical in-state undergraduate student taking at least 15 credit hours of classes,” notes Ralph Johnson, AAMU vice president for business and finance. “The increase raises yearly in-state undergraduate tuition from $6,090 to $6,638. In-state graduate students will realize a $27.81 increase per credit hour.” Out-of-state undergraduates will pay $36.54 more per credit hour, he added, and out-of-state graduate students will pay $55.62 more per credit hour.

Housing costs will increase by $100 per semester for both traditional and nontraditional residents. Meal plans for both residential and commuter students will remain flat. A $250 housing deposit will be implemented for all residential students. Although the costs of providing services continue to rise locally and nationwide, the Board of Trustees remains committed to AAMU’s mission of providing an affordable education. The increase was influenced in part by the loss of federal stimulus funding, which ends following the current year, officials say, adding that, despite the increase, AAMU remains “a very affordable university,” Johnson says. “We have a quality product and want to maintain that quality product,” commented Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., AAMU president. “We are in tough economic times, and we must look at things long-term. No constituency of the University will escape some impact. This is shared sacrifice.”