Kay Mcgarry in a navy skrit and multi-color jacket, and Gracie Edwards in a red dress and white cardigan, both wearing hardhats and holding shovels at the Giles groundbreaking
Central Piedmont's basketball team ranks 18, nationally. Their success as a team has some of the athletes being looked at by Division I schools. The Student Government Association (SGA) holds a blood drive. The SGA also collects goods to send to Native Americans, and helps raise money to get children Christmas presents. During Black History Month, Carla Shoates, a staff writer, writes about how African Americans should be more proud of their ancestry. She also speaks about how everyone should know about African American History, to better understand how their prejudices are wrong. Melanie Scribner addresses the fear of donating blood. This issue also addresses the need for parking for persons with disabilities. Marcus Sloan also speaks about his personal experience with Central Piedmont not having enough spaces for persons with disabilities. This issue mentions how Valentine's day approaching and provides information on how to secure the one you want. Central Piedmont celebrates Black History Month. The Black Student Organization (BSO) strives to bring more attention to the club. People gather together at the Annual Commemorative Celebration for Martin Luther King, Jr. In Dr. Frank Madison Reid III's speech, he talks about giving up the "Plantation Mentality" and ways in which to give it up. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) gets a new office in the Student Life Center. PTK members also volunteer for the community and the campus and host a cook-out. The Central Piedmont fencers sharpen activities with classes and clubs. Student Ambassadors, help reach other students and the community. Literary club hosts the annual Literary Festival that allows students to meet professional poets and writers. A new Mentor program at Central Piedmont offers opportunities for students. Sandra J. McCain, a student at Central Piedmont, scared off carjackers when leaving work at 10 PM. The Student Life Center (SLC) receives a bomb threat and deals with other issues around this time. The Language Lab receives a new lab director and a new classroom for more space. Spark Staff review the movies "Boys On The Side," "Higher Learning," "Houseguest," and "Dial 'M' For Murder." A Costa Rican student talks about life in Costa Rica. He also mentions how he's at Central Piedmont to learn English.Volume 45 Number 4
.CPCC sponsors Black
Heritage Celebration
The CPCC Cultural Diversity
Committee will sponsor a Black Heritage
Celebration in Pease Auditorium on Feb.
16 at 11:30 a.m. The speaker will be
Regent Sanford, who was given the
Humanitarian Award by the
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
in September 1987. She has had extensive
experience as a speaker for civic, social,
professional, educational and
philanthropic organizations across the
United States. For_: more information on
the Black Heritage Celebration, contact
Claude Williams at 342-6702.
For a better smile:
Attention Students:
The CPCC Dental Clinic will clean
your teeth and take x-rays, if needed, for
only 20.Ifyou′veneverbeentotheCPCCDentalClinic,youmustbescreenedbythedentistbeforeyourteethcanbe′cleaned.FreescreeningisavailableMondaysandWednesdaysfrom9:30a.m.to11:30a.m.andfrom1:30p.m.to3:30p.m.OnFridays,screeningisavailablefrom9:30a.m.to11:30a.m.only.Literarycompetitiondeadlineextended⋅CPCCstudentsareeligibletoentera1994−95nationalliterarycompetitionsponsoredbytheLeagueofInnovationintheCommunityCollege.Studentsenrolledinthewinterquartermaysubmitoriginalpoems,shortstoriesandessaysthroughCPCC.ThedeadlineforsubmissionsisFeb.28,1995.Entrantswillbejudgedonbothlocalandnationallevels.Thosethatgoontothenationallevelwillbeeligibleforprizes:500 for
first place, 200forsecondplaceand100 for third place. For submission
information, contact Mike Osborne,
Sloan 230, 342-5012, or another English
department instructor. Students must be
enrolled during winter quarter to
participate.
February,1995
Black History Month
at CPCC - pgs. 4-5
Student activity
happenings - pgs. 6-7
# Valentine sweetheart
notes - pg. 12
Tigers shoot for regional title
by Lindsay Hunter, Staff Writer
One of CPCC's best kept secrets is its
winning basketball team. Ranked
number 18 nationally (for the week of
Jan.31), theTigerswonFeb.3, 127-76,
and Feb. 4, 96-74.
Theteam'srecordis 18-7asofFeb. 7.
They're also 5-2 in the region and tied
for fJrSt in the region.
The Tigers gathered in the Hagemeyer
Leaming Resource Center Jan. 13 for a
meet-the-team reception~ which
included cheerleaders, players, and
coaches. Team members said that they
really enjoy practicing under Coach
Jeff Coffey and Assistant Coach Joe
Fortier. The team would also like for
more people to come out and see,the
games. "With student support we can
makeittonationals,"saidShonSanders.
Fortier mentioned that some of the
players are getting recruited by Division
I schools such as North Carolina A&T,
East Tennessee State University,
Oklahoma State University, UNC
Asheville, University of Nevada-Las
Michael "Kool-Aid" Alexander shoots for Tigers.
Photo by Delano Brooks
Vegas and Mercer College. Many of the
players plan on going on to Division. I
schools and many of them know what
they want to do after leaving CPCC.
Team members also said that playing
ball for CPCC has been a great learning
experience. They highly recommend it
to all newcomers. "CPCC is a big
stepping stone for upcoming players,"
said Mike Alexander, #13. He said that
CPCC is a good place to start an4 it
shows a better image to new players.
"Never ever rest till your good is better
and your better is best," said Odell
Witherspoon, #35.
Upcoming games:
Feb. 11, CPCC vs. Wayne CC, 2 p.m.
(away)
Feb. 17, CPCC vs. Sampson CC, 7
p.m. (home)
Feb. 18, CPCC vs. Spartanburg
Methodist College, 7 p.m. (home)
The Tigers will finish the season by
traveling to the Region X Tournament
in Kinston, N.C., Feb. 23-25.
For more information about games,
contact John Toms at 342-6584. .
SGA does more than squeeze your arms
by Yolanda Shamberger, Guest Writer
The Student Government Association's
blood drive Jan. 12 in the Student Life
Center, which drew enough blood to meet
its quarterly goal, was only one of its many
service activities with charity and volunteer
David Smith gives blood.
Photo by Greg Finley
groups.
SGA'squarterlyblooddrivehasanannual
goal of 350 pints. This quarter, their goal
was 75 pints. "I think that this quarter is
going to be a bit tougher because it is flu
season," said Tracie D. Tallant,
parliamentarian. Tallant said that past blood
drives have been quite successful and that
it was hoped this drive would show a good
turnout
In addition to blood drives, SGA
participates with many charity and
volunteer groups both on and off campus.
For instance, over the holidays, SGA
collected clothes to send to American
Indians living on a reservation in South
Dakota, stockings for the needy and
volunteered to help with the "One Special
Christmas" auction which raises money to
buy Christmas presents for needy children.
The main purpose of SGA is to act as a
coordinator for all student organfaations
on campus by providing them with a general
means of communication. SGA's main
emphasis is to encourage more students to
get involved in student organizations on
campus.
Ruth Mclendon enjoys act of giving.
Photo by Greg Finley
SGA has been promoting unity
· throughout the campus, but Bruce Rallis,
president since May 1994, says that the
only real problem has been getting students
involved on campus. "Our goal is to get
See SGApg. 7
2 OPINION
Black History Month:
Proud to be who we are • • •
by Carla Shoates, Staff Writ.er
Today, I am a
proud AfricanAmerican
female. It
wasn't always that
way. It wasn't until I
moved to Charlotte
two years ago that I
began to learn more
about me - who I
was then and who I
am now. It's easy to say that you're proud
to be black, or any other term that applies,
for that matt.er, but what are you proud of!
I am proud of who I am, not because it's the
right thing to do or say, but because I know
who I am, where I come from, the history .
of my ancestors and where I want to go in
life.
As students we need to understand the ·
importance of African-American history.
Some may wonder, "Why?"
Imagine yourself as a CPCC AfricanAmerican
student walking into a campus
lobby. You gaze up at a bulletin board and
notice a flyer which reads, "The Black
Student Organization 'Student Speakout
Forum' Topic: What can we do to help
uplift the black community?" You think to
yourself, "An organization on campus for
us African-Americans?" That is, until your
excitement is injured with an act of
vandalism: Out of ignorance, someone
wrote, "Go Back to Africa, Niggers!!"
As if our ancestors decided, "ffiIMMM!
Why don't we leave our civilization, venture
out to the old U.S. and help them make the
land profitable, then struggle for the rest of
our lives from generation to generation.
Immediately, you do what? Get angry
and upset? Maybe you just shrug it off
because you know it's obvious that whoever
. vandalized the BSO's flyer doesn't know
the history of African-Americans.
African-American students should thirst
for the history of African-Americans.
I've questioned why, out of
approximately 3,500 African-American
CPCC students enrolled during the fall '94
quarter, only 22 were applicants to BSO
and only 16 of these applicants were active
members. Why, out of approximately 3,500
African-American students here, only 43
took Black History I during the fall '94
quarter.
People of all races and nationalities,
sometimes even our own, blame AfricanAmericans
for the intensified problems,
such as welfare and crime, in today's
society. Therefore, people of all races and
nationalities need to know the history of
African-Americans. Maybe then they
would find out why it seems that most of
these problems exist among the AfricanAmerican
community. Not many seem to
want to learn Black History, so maybe
welfare and crime will continue to escalate,
if indeed it were true that most criminals
and welfare recipients were AfricanArnericans.
As African-Americans, we have many
opportunities to learn and better ourselves
as individuals and as a community. As
CPCC students, we should take advantage
of what is available to us. Black history
teaches us about our past and how many
people before us made it possible to be
African-American students.
We should also take advantage of the
BSO. BSO gives us the opportunity to
change problems we experience in today's
society. Thanks to BSO, we are given the
privilege to hear speakers who teach us
about our history and about how to deal
with the problems in our community.
During a three-part series of events, BSO
presented speakers like Brother Ahmad
Daniels, who made us think about where
we as a people are going in society; John
Love, who read from his own writings,
making us think about how we treat
ourselves and others; and Rev. Sheldon R.
Shipman of Walls Memorial AME Zion
Church, who taught us the seven principles
of K wan7.aa.
Black History is not a course that should
be taken by only African-American
students. The best way to get along with or
understand a people is to know more abou~
them. Then you can relate to them better.
There is much we can learn about ourselves
and do to better African-American
communities, but it is up to us to take
advantage of the opportunities to do so.
We cannot expect racial slurs, vandalism
and discrimination against us to end until
those who do these things decide for
themselves to learn the history of AfricanAmericans
and vice versa.
Regardless of it all, if we do what we
have to do as African-Americans, we can
still be proud of who we are as individuals
and as a people.
Donating blood: ''What, me worry?''
by Melanie Scnbner, Editor
I did it! At the not-so-tender age of 32, I
finally decided to give blood. What took
me so long? One word: FEAR.
Fear is a killer. It has certainly paralyze.j
me more than once. In this case, I was
afraid I would have some sort of odd
reaction, you know, like passing out or
dying in front oflots 'n lots of friendly Red
Cross workers, or worse, throwing up in
front of students!
Now, I'm a wimp by nature. It's true!
And I do not like needles. I especially do
not like needles I know are going to
penetrate my epidermis. And I have rolypoly
veins (a technical term used by elite
medical professionals).
Anyone who has been afflicted with rolypoly
veins knows how it feels to have the ,
world's tightest tourniquet strapped to his
or her arm while evil nurse Ratchett slaps
around the forearm area for at least five
minutes, only to have a hypodermic needle
jabbed into tender flesh and wiggled around
seemingly without end in search of an
elusive vein. It is not fun. It can leave huge
bruises. Especially if the nurse in question
has a sadistic nature.
And then there's the whole AIDS issue.
They test donated blood for the AIDS virus.
Okay, so I've been married for 13 years and
my husband and I are monogamous people.
What if sometime in the very early '80s he
or I ... well, you know, slept with somebody,
who slept with somebody, who slept with
somebody, who could possibly have slept
with an IV drug user? It could happen!
I've never had an AIDS test, so, what
if ... ? Do I really want to know?
It's bad enough that I had these concerns
before I went to the Student Life Cent.er to
give my blood away, but aft.er I filled out
the information sheet and had my iron
checked by a nurse with one of those evil
little finger-poking devices, they gave me
three IV bags and told me to go sit in the
waiting area.
As I sat there, I looked at those bags and
all I could think was, there is no way they
could take that much blood out of a body
and expect her to walk away. No doubt
about it, I was going to die!
I was in the unfortunate situation of having
lost copious amounts of blood once before,
and I know its effect on the (my) human
anatomy. I also knew that the blood they
were going to take out of me was much,
much more than I ever lost!
There were other people in the waiting
area and I decided to find out if they knew
the Red Cross was going to literally bleed
us dry.
It turns out that they only take around half
a lit.er of blood - thank God! The other two
bags are for lab technicians to separate the
plasma from the red blood cells. So instead
of bowing out gracefully, as I very nearly
did a minute before, I stuck around.
When it was tny turn, I warned the nurse
about my veins. She had no problem finding
one and told me to lay back and relax, that
there was "nothing to it"
So I'm laying there, making a fist every
five seconds like she said to, and I think,
"Why haven't I done this before? It's really
not so bad!"
And then I think, "What if it were me?
What if I needed blood? I would certainly
hope others might be willing to take the
time to donate blood for me.
So what's to fear? They take your
temperature, check your blood pressure
and iron, test you for AIDS, suck a little
blood, and feed you all sorts of cookies and
caffeinated beverages.
After you have accumulated a blood
donation of one gallon, they give you a cute
little gallon pin.
I'll do it again. It made, me feel pretty
good about my place in the Big Picture.
Maybe next time you (yes, you) will join
me, fear and all.
February 1995
The Spark
February 1995 Vol. 45 No. 4
Editors Melanie Scribner
Gary Weiss
Photo Editor Greg Finley
Ad Editor Nancy Skon
Paste-up Artists Julia Barringer
Joann Brislin
Rose-Ann Grant
Typesetter Mickey Brown
Staff Writers Shane Barker
Jennifer Barri1er
Ryan ek
John Bradley
Franklin Diaz
Derrick Hargrave
Lindsay Hunter
Angel Miller
Naci Morris
Carla Shoates
Marcus Sloan
Dana Swafford
Eric Turner
Staff
Photographers Delano Brooks
Robert Comfort
Jeff Harbinson
Mansoor Khan
Office
Danielle Prophete
Assistants Dana Swafford
Carla Shoates
Student
Publications Adviser Liz Rogers
Student Life Director Mark Helms
The Spark is a news publication
financed by student activity fees
and written and published by
student journalists for the CPCC
community. It is not an official
college publication. Any view
points expressed should not be
interpreted as representing official
CPCC positions.
THE SPARK welcomes letters!
We are located in TA 205 or you
can mail them in care of THE
SPARK to:
PO BOX35009
Charlotte, NC 28235
Letters to the editor for the March
Issue of The Sparkmust be received
by Friday, February 24, 1995. We
reserve the right to edit for brevity
and clarity. All letters must be
signed and should Include a phone
number for verification.
The Spark
Is printed on recycled paper •
.
@.
· Help preserve the earth.
Please recycle
· · our paper.
Advertising Policy
· The Spark reserves the right
to refuse any advertising
submitted. Advertising in
this publication does not
reflect the views of either the
Spark staff or the college.
February 1995 3
· The Spark OPINION · ---·•-----------------------------------------------------
The importance of handicapped parking
by Marcus Sloan, Staff Writer
Let's talk about parking.
Now that I have your attention, I would
like to address the availability of
handicapped parking spaces on CPCC's
main campus. While the majority of
individuals probably do not think about the
necessity of providing handicapped parking
spaces (except when they wish they could
park close to a building and not have to
walk so far). I used to think the same way,
I now find myself easily infuriated when
adequate handicapped parking is not
available. ·
After three back surgeries and numerous
visits to physical therapy classes and rehab
programs, I have chronic pain in my legs
and lower back which prohibits me from
normal everyday functions such as walking
long distances, standing and sitting for
extended periods of time, walking up steep
flights of stairs,etc. Because of my situation,
the availability of handicapped parking has
now become an important part of my life.
About three months ago, I arrived at
school on two separate occasions and found
no open handicapped parking spaces so I
parked in a no-parking zone between the
stadium and the Grady Cole Center. Even
though I displayed my handicapped parking
sign (I felt this was an acceptable reason to
park in a no-parking zone), I received a
ticket on both occasions.
After receiving the tickets, I contacted
Bill Jordan of Campus Secwity and he
instructed me to contact the captain of the.
police precinct in charge of the stadium
area and also to speak with the individual in
charge of Americans with Disabilities Act
The heart of Valentine's Day
by Robert Comfort, Staff Photographer
Valentine's Day is in our line of sight and
Cupid has marked his targets for that special
day. His arrows are tipped with a magic
potion that will instill love, romance and
affection for another person when it
penetrates his victim's heart. It's probably
themostpleasurableanddesirableofhuman
feelings.
So will Cupid select your heart for one of
his targets? If not, would you like for his
arrow to pierce your heart? If yes, read on.
I have some inspiring news that might
help you capture that someone special in
whom you're interested. What I am about
to tell you will provide you with practical
and proven techniques to lure and attract
someone as your special Valentine.
First, take a critical look at your
appearance: clothes, hairstyle, grooming,
physical shape. People will and do judge
and stereotype others by these criteria. Our
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way it is.
Just remember, people are attracted to
attractive people. Malec yc:U'SClf attractive,
whatever it takes. Project the image that
will attract the person you're interested in
attracting.
Second, smile sincerely and say "Hi!"
People are drawn toward and feel
comfortable around smiling, friendly
people. Ladies, try this technique on a guy
you're interested in meeting. I assure that
you'll get a friendly open response from
the guy.
Lastly, just ask! That's right Ask the
other for what you want ... to meet them,
his/her phone number, to study together, or
a date. Good Luck and Happy Valentine's.
Please write me in c/o The Spark with
comments, advice and testimonials
pertaining to this article.
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1400 E. Morehead Street (by Carolinas Medical)
for the school. I contacted the Captain of
· Baker 1 and she assisted me in having the
parking tickets waived due to my situation.
I also cont.acted Winston Edmonds, CPCC's
ADA coordinator, and he advised me that
CPCC was, in fact, in compliance with the
law and that an adequate number of
handicapped spaces were provided.
After my conversation with Edmonds, an
additional six handicapped spaces were
added behind the st.di.um even though the
school was already in compliance with the
law.
I hope that after reading this article,
everyone will appreciate the importance; of
handicapped
The College's graduation ceremony takes place on May 25, where approximately 400 out of 1,012 potential graduates will receive diplomas. Central Piemont changes from their quater system to a new semester system in 1997. Central Piedmont's 35millionbondforthecampusexpansionisdiscussed.Astudenttalksaboutthegoodthat′llcomefromthebondandhowit′llhelpwithparkingandrepairsalongsidebuildingnewcampuses.AstudentleavesanoteonthedooroftheStudentPublication′sOffice,drawingattentiontotheerrorsbeingmadeinTheSpark,whichledthemtopostanadvertisementaskingforeditors.Asurveywastakenandtheyfound21NEWSBRIEFSKeystone′95deadlineThedeadlineforsubmittingworktoKeystone′95isMay19.Submityourpoetry,prose,artorphotographytoCPCC′sstudentcreativeartsmagazine.Forinformation:LizRogers,StudentPublications,Taylor205,342−6665.SGAelectionresultsTheStudentGovernmentAssociationelectednewofficersonMay12.Theemergingstudentleadersareasfollows:President−MichaelSpomerVicePresident−AdamRosenbergerSecretary−TanikaKimbroughPublicInformationOfficer−SteveHagarTreasurer−ErinCrouseParliamentarian−SuzanneRallisJobExpocomingKnowsomebodywhoneedsanewopportunity?Hotelandrestaurantemployeesareofferingculinarytrainingleadingtojobsstartingat6.ti0
an hour. Employers will be at "Job
Expo" on May 23 at 9 a.m. in the
Citizens Building. Those selected will
receive four weeks of training and
supplies paid for by area employers.
Applicants need to be 18 years old and
haveatenthgradeEnglishproficiency.
A high school diploma is not required.
All interested MUST sign up in
Terrell231 (before4p.m.)byMay 19.
Graduates of this training program will
receive a Food Service Specialist
certificate. This program is offered in
conjunction with CPCC's hospitalii.y
program and the NC Department of
Labor. Sponsors include the Charlotte
Mecklenburg Restaurant Association
and the Greater Charlotte Hospitality
& Tourism Alliance. For more
information, call 342-6551 or 342-
5476.
MAY 1995
Summer facilities hours
pg. 12
Student awards
pgs. 8-9
# Crimebeat
pg.10
Graduates will march on May 25
by Jennifer Barringer, Staff Writer
This year's graduation day ceremony will
be held at the Independence Arena
on Thursday, May 25, at 7 p.m.,
with a reception following.
There is a total of 1,012 potential
CPCC graduates, from summer
1994 to spring 1995, of whom
approximately 400 will receive
their diplomas at the ceremony. The
diplomas will be presented by Dr.
Tony Zeiss, CPCC president, and
Dr. Alice Villadsen, vice president
for instruction.
System, will be this year' skeynote speaker.
Most recently, Hackley was Chancellor
and tenured Professor of Political Science
Universities, a position to which he was
appointed by President Clinton in
November 1993. He was awarded the
Bronze Star for "
Meritorious Service in
Combat with Valor
and received his
doctorate in political
science from UNCChapel
Hill.
The Rev. Sheldon R.
Shipman will give the
invocation and
benediction.
Welcomes will be
delivered by William
Disher, chairman of
the Board of Trustees,
and Bruce Rallis,
president of the
In addition to the awarding of
degrees, diplomas and certificates,
there will be the presentation of the
RichardH. Hagemeyer Educational
Advancement Award. This award
is given to a selected alumnus of
CPCC who has brought honor to
both him/herself and to the college
through his/her achievements.
Graduates enjoy recognition at 1994 ceremony. Student Government
Dr. Lloyd V. Hackley, president of the
North Carolina Community College
Photo courtesy of Tom Covington Association.
at Fayetteville State University. He is also
chairman of the President' sAdvisory Board
on Historically Black Colleges and
Honor students will be distinguished by
sashes. A gold cord will be worn by students
with a 4.0 GPA, purple for 3.9-3.7 and
white for 3.5-3.6.
CPCC will convert to semesters in 1997
by John Bradley, Staff Writer
It is official: CPCC is converting to a
semester system from the present quarter
system.
The North Carolina State Board of
Community Colleges approved a proposal
April 21 to convert all 58 community
colleges in North Carolina to semesters,
making North Carolina one of the last large
community college systems to adopt the
semester system. First proposed in spring
1992, the proposal had the support of 56 of
the 58North Carolina community college
presidents.
The semester system will not be phased
in until fall 1997, using summer 1997 to
implement the change, according to Dr. J.
Parker Chesson, executive vice president
and chief operating officer of the North
Carolina System of Community Colleges.
Chesson said that the summer is usually
used in the transition to be able to tailor
courses for students to get the proper credits
they need and not lose credits in · the
transition. "In all fairness, it is a large
projectandalotofworkforthefaculty,"he
said.
Dr. Tony Zeiss, CPCC president, thinks
that the semester system will be much more
convenient for both students and faculty,
having himself worked with both systems.
Students will have to register only two or
three times per year instead of the current
three or four times. That means once in the
fall semester that begins in August and
ends before Christmas; once in the other
semester, probably called spring semester,
starting in January and ending in May; and
once for the eight-week summer session.
The traditional "spring" registration will
be eliminated.
Student record keeping will also be
simplified, having to be compiled only
three times a year instead of the present
four.
Zeiss said that the change will require an
effort by the faculty and course schedulers,
but said that it will be more efficient for the
students and the college as a whole. He said
that the semester system will be more
"cohesive," mirroring the UNC Charlotte
schedule.
Zeiss said that the semester system will
have no adverse effect on the quality of
instruction and that it should actually
improve with the extra time to cover the
subject matter. He said the insttμctors at
CPCC really care about what they teach.
_ "No fundamental changes are expected"
that would result in layoffs either in
instruction or records personnel are being
anticipated as a result of the change, Zeiss
said. He said other community college
systems leveled off their staff size after
making the change.
The length of the semesters at CPCC is
yettobedetermined. Theproposalapproved
bytheNorthCarolinaBoard of Community
Colleges changed the credit hours for
community colleges from quarter hours to
semester hours and left it to each college to
set its own schedule. Semesters will be 15
or 16 weeks long instead of the current 11-
to 12- week quarters.
Zeiss said that summer session will last
about eight weeks as would some courses
during regular semesters, pennitting more
flexibilityforcourses.Hesaidsomecourses
may vary in length with credit based on
contact hours. A typical three-ho\D' credit
course will involve approximately 45 or 48
contacthoursforthe 15 or 16 week semester.
The biggest boost for students will be an
equitybetweenK-12andCPCCschedules.
see semesters, pg. 4
2 OPINION
Campus expansion: The 35millionquestionbyMelanieScnbner,EditorOnMay30,MecklenburgCountyvoterswilldecidewhetherornottoallowCentralPiedmontCommunityCollegetobranchoutfurtherintothecornrnunity.Voterswill,ineffect,decidethefutureofCPCCbyagreeingwhethezornottoprovide35
million in funding to build three of four
new proposed expansion campuses to be
situated around the construction of the outer
belt loop.
Many of CPCC's students are registezed
voters and will aid in this countywide
decision. It is important as both students
andcitiz.ens that this decision be an educated
one.
On May 4, the editors of The Spark were
invited to attend a meeting between swdent
leaders and the administration in which
college president Tony Zeiss discussed the
campus need to provide adequate
instruction to all of CPCC's students,
cwrent as well as fuwre.
1be.following is a list of some of the
issues surrounding the bond referendum
according to the administration, as I
understand them:
- The bond issue included on the May 30
ballot is the first of two bond referenda
proposed to aid in the expansion of the
college. The second bond will come before
Mecklenburg County voters as the need
arises. Togethez, the two bonds will total
49million.−Themaincampusiscurrently166percentbeyondcapacity.Thereisa300,000squarefootshortageofclassroomspace.CPCCisrankednumberoneintermsofspacedeficiencystatewideamongall58communitycolleges.−−Thenewcampuseswillbeexpandable.EvenbJallyoneofthemcouldbecomelargerthanthemaincampus.−Thiscampusis"landlocked."Meaning,thereisverylittleroomtoexpandthemaincampusandmostofthepropeztiescurrentlyavailablearoundtheperimeterofthecampusaretooexpensiveforCPCCtoacquire.−−Howevez,CPCChasalease−purchaseagreementwiththeownezoftheToyotadealershiponindependenceBoulevardandplanstoincludethepurchasepriceinasubsequentbondpackage.−−Over61,000studentsattendedCPCClastyear.Bytheyear2005,thestudentbodyisprojectedtoincreasetoover120,000.Giventhecurrentproblems⋅plaguingthecampussuchasparkingandwaitinglistsforhigh−demandcourses,itseemshighlyunlikelythatthemaincampuscouldaccommodate120,000swdents.−−Theadditionofexpansioncampusesisexpectedtoreducernaincampusattendanceby25percent−−Eachoftheexpansioncampuseswilloffezspecializeddegreeprogramsandwilleventuallyoffermostifnotallofthenecessarycollege:transfercurricula.−CPCCisthenumberonesourceofworkforcedevelopmentintheCarolinas.Thisinstiwtiontrainsandretrainsworkersfromover700localbusinesses.−−CitizensofMecklenburgandsurroundingcountiesattendedclassesatCPCCtolearnnewtnidesandtoupdateskillstothetuneof61,368enrollmentslastyear,accordingtoCecilCarter,systemsanalystforthePlanningandResearchDepartmentCorporateandContinuingEducationinstructionrepresentedawhopping32percentofthestudentpopulation;highschoolcompletion,GEDandliteracycoursesrepresented11percentoftheinstructionofferedhere;two−yeardegreeprogramsmadeup57percentoftheinstructionwith⋅collegetransferrepresenting17percentandnontransfer40percent.⋅−−Nomatterwhatprogrameachstudentonthiscampusisenrolledbi,thechancesarehighlyprobablethatheorshewillreturntocommunitycollegeatsometimeinthefuturetoupdateorerμichhisorhereducation...−−CPCCistheeducationalsourceforthat77perceniofthepopulationwhichdoesnotgoontouniversitiestoreceiveafour−yeardegree,.Mostlikelythis77percentwillbemostaffectedbythecampusexpansion.Ithasthepotentialtoputtheeducationtheyseekclosertotheirhomesandoffices.Thepmposeofthiseditorialisnottopersuadeswdentstovotefororagainstthebondreferendum.Rath«,thepmposeistourgeeachswdentasaregisteredvotertoshowupathisorhervotingprecinctonMay30andcastaninformedvote.Forfurtherinformationconcerningthebondreferendum,pleasecontactthefollowingmembersofTheCPCCBondInformationCommittee:JimSasser,342−6615;ErvileenPridgen,342−6907;Dr.PhyllisBarber,342−5931;orJudithMcGinnis,342−6666.IfyoucareaboutthefutureofCentralPiedmontCommunityCollege,ifyoucarehowyourMecklenburgCountytaxdollarsarespent,ifyoucareaboutyourinalienablerightsasanAmericancitizen,doyoucivicduty:VOTE.StudentsupportsCapitalCampaign.,bondDearEditors:MynameisTracieD.TallantandIamcurrentlytheParliamentarianfortheStudentGovernmentAssociation.IhaveattendedCentralPiedmontCommunityCollegeoff−and−onforoversevenyears.IhaveobtainedmyHighSchoolDiploma,myAssociateinSecretarialScience,andamcurrentlyworkingonmyCollegeTransfezcreditstoattendauniversity.IthasbecomeapparentthatmanyofourstudentsarenoteducatedonsomeoftheissuesthatourCollegefaces.Iworkdiligentlyeacquartertoraiseawarenessonthiscampus.SometimesitisverydiscouragingtohearstudentstalkingaboutCollegeissuestheyknownothingabout.⋅TheStudentGovernmentAssociationmeetseveryweektohelpbringawarenesstoallstudents.OurGeneralAssemblymeetingsareheldthesecondFridayofeachmonth(at12:30p.m.inVanEvery103)andilllswdentsareinvitedtoattend,participate,andgetinvolved.BelowIhaveattemptedtosimplifytwoofthemapeffortstheCollegeisattemptingatthistime.TheCapitalCampaigniscoordinatedbytheCPCCFoundationandareabusinessleaders.Thiscampaignisafund−raisingefforttoraiseapproximately4.6 million
from individuals and businesses on campus
and in the community. The money raised
will benefit several supportive programs at
the College, including continuing
education, small business assistance
initiatives, basic skills equipment, work
ethics courses, child care/parenting
programs, and neighborhood support
sezvices. Workforcedeveloprnentwillalso
be supported with Capital Campaign funds.
These include Business/Office Technology,
Engineering/Machining Technology,
Health/Public Safety, Practical Food .
Services, and Printing/Graphic Arts/
Commercial Art Programs.
CPCC's Bond Issue comes up for votes
on May 30. This bond is for 35millionandwillbeusedtobeginCPCC′smovetowardbecomingamulti−campuscollege.Thiswillkeepmanystudentsfromhavingtod:riveacrosstowntoattend,andisone.solutiontoourparkingproblems.ThebondmoneywillalsohelpfixtheroofontheGaring«Building.Theareacenterswillbe⋅locatedneartheproposedouterbeltwaysurroundingthecity.Evenblally,withthesupportofouradministrators,faculty,staff,students,businesses,andcommunities,sixCPCCcampuseswillexistTheseincludethe.CentralcampusonElizabethAvenue,theSouthcampusinMatthews,theSouthWest.campusonHebronStreet,theWestcampQSneartheairport,theNorthEastcampusnearUNCCatW.T.HarrisBoulevardandGrierRoad,andtheNorthcampusinHuntersville.IsupportboththeCapitalCampaignandtheCPCCBondandencourageallstudentstodothesame.ContributionscanbemadetotheCapitalCampaignwhenyouregister.PleasesupportCPCCbyvotingonMay30.Sincerely,TracieD.TallantMay1995EditorsPhotoEditorAdEditorPaste−upArtistsIllustratorTypesetterStaffWritersStaffPhotographersOfficeAssistantsStudentMay1995TheSparkVol.45No.7MelanieScribnerGaryWeissEricTomtenNancySkonChrisPeiglerTylerRiggsPaulLehnerMickeyBrownJenniferBarringerJohnBradleyAngelMillerNaciMorrisChrisOstleCarlaShoatesMarcusSloanDanaSwaffordEricWellsTomCushmanMansoorKhanJamieRhoadsCarlaShoatesDanaSwaffordPublicationsAdviserLizRogersStudentLifeDirectorMarkHelmsTheSparkisanewspublicationfinancedbystudentactivityfeesandwrittenandpublishedbystudentjournalistsfortheCPCCcommunity.Itisnotanofficialcollegepublication.AnyviewpointsexpressedshouldnotbeinterpretedasrepresentingofficialCPCCpositions.CPCCisanequalopportunity/affirmativeactioninstitution.Accommodationswillbemadeforindividualswithhearing,sightandphysicaldisabilities.THESPARKwelcomesletters!⋅WearelocatedinTA205,oryoucanmailthemincareofTHESPARKto:POBOX35009Charlotte,NC28235LetterstotheeditorforthenextIssueofTheSparkmustbereceivedbyFriday,June16,1995.Wereservetherighttoeditforbrevityandclarity.AlllettersmustbesignedandshouldIncludeaphonenumberforverification.TheSparkIsprintedonrecycledpaper.Helppreservetheearth.Pleaserecycleourpaper.AdvertisingPolicyTheSparkreservestherighttorefuseanyadvertisingsubmitted.AdvertisinginthispublicationdoesnotreflecttheviewsofeithertheSparkstafforthecollege.May1995TheSparkEnglishmajorwantedOnThursday,April20,anotewasleftonthedoa′ofStudentPublicationspointingoutawordchoiceerrorinanAprilSporlearticle.Itread,"Youneedtohavesomeoneproofyourarticles!Thiswasonlyoneofthreemistakes,"andwassigned,"ConcernedEnglishMajor."WhileTMSparknormallydoesnotprintanonymouscommentary,theeditorsagreethatthisstudenthasapointDuetothetransientnatureofCPCC′sstudentbody,StudentPublicationsisalwaysinneedofpeopletoeditTMSparkandwouldadjurethisparticularstudentaswellasanyotherconcernedorotherwiseinterestedandcaringstudentstobecomeapartofStudentPublications.Althoughtherewereover61,000studentsmatriculatingatthisinstitutionlastyear,TMSpark′swriterpoolaveragedbetweenfiveandeightdedicatedwritersperissueandcurrentlyhasnocopyeditors.Weneedallofthestudentsupportwecanget,sobyallmeans.joinusinTaylor205,weekdayaftemoons,andhelpensmethatYOURstudentnewspaperisasperfectaspezfectcanbe.TheEditors,TheSparkOPINION3Aneye−openingsurvey:sleepinginthelibrarybyNaciMorris,StaffWriterStudentswerepolledatCPCC′sIeternationalSpringfest,April26,abouttheirlibrarysleepinghabits.Twenty−mepm:entsaidthattheysleepinthelibrary;37pezcentofthosewhoadmittedsleepinginthelibrarydosomorethanonceaweek.Thefloorofpreferenceforslumberingwasthefourth.Therewasanequalsplitonthequestionofintenttosleepuponenteringthelibrary.Only38percentofthosewhomakeahabitofsleepinginthelibrarysaidtheypresenttheappearanceofstudying.Fifty−ninepercentofpeoplepolledsaidthatsleepinginthelibraryshouldbeallowed.Forty−onepercentofthestudentssaidtheyneverskippedclasses.Whenaskedifthereshouldbeapenaltyforskippingclasses,69percentbelievedthatthereshouldnotbe.Concerningtimespentoncampuseachday,33percentofstudentsclaimedtospendmorethanthreehoursstudying.FiftyfourpercentsaidthattheyspentsometimeparticipatinginclubsorotherCPCCstudentactivities.And54percentofallstudentspolledspendatleastonehouradayjusthangingoutRovingReporter:Whatareyoursummerplans?IbyOanaSwafford,StaffWriter;PhotosbyTomCushmanStacyWard,22,collegetransfer:"IamgoingtoworkextrahourstomakemoneyforaseasonpasstoCarowindswhereIcanspendthreemonthsontheVortex."Tobia,Wlgard,19,HighSchoolcompktlon:"Iwillbegoingtoschool.OnmyfreetimeIwillbeatthebeachreadingthescriptures."KimCaldwell,20,collegetransfer:"fllbeworkingandgoingtoschool.Onmybreaks111takeacoupleoftripsandrelax."Presidentdiscussesparking,bondsatforumbyJohnBradley,StaffWriterParkingcardswillnotbegoingupanytimesoon,itwasannouncedbyCPCCPresidentAnthonyZeissatthe"CoffeeWiththePresident"forumonApril5.TheannouncementwasmadeinresponsetoanarticleintheMarchissueofTMSparkaboutapossiblepredictedincreaseinthecostofparkingcards,basedoninformationfromFredP.Adams,assistantvicepresidentforoperations.InaninformalmeetingApril24,KathyH.Drumm,vicepresidentofadministrativeservices,confirmedthatnoincreaseineitherdailyparkingfeesorparlcingcardfeeswasforecastthroughtheJuly1995−June1996fiscalyear.Itwasalsoannouncedatthepresident′sforumthatthecountycommissionvotedunanimouslythenightbefore(April4)toputthe35 million community college
bond issue on the ballot May 30.
If passed, the bonds will begin to create
an expansion campus system for CPCC,
with each campus offering curriculum
classes as well as its own specialized
programs.
Zeiss said that the expansion campuses
would help relieve the many parking
problems inherent at CPCC' s "land-locked"
main campus.
The other big issue discussed during the
forum was the proposed major budget cuts
of three percent this year compared to last
year's one percenL Zeiss said that most of
the impact would be felt during summer
quarter, with curriculum classes being
offered. only Monday through Thursday
and the number of sections cut back
drastically.
The Hagem
President of Central Piedmont Community College Dr. Tony Zeiss speaking at the groundbreaking for the Giles building. He is wearing a yellow hard hat. Standing next to him is an ASL interpreter
Two unidentified men with shovels at the Giles groundbreaking. Both men are wearing a yellow hard hat. The man on the left is wearing a suit and is standing stright. The man on the right bent over his shovel and is wearing kaki pants and a navy/green sweater. Two unidentified people in the background on the right
Powell Majors in a gray jacket and yellow tie wearing a hardhat and holding a shovel at the Giles groundbreaking
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