Change Ahead for 2016!

Welcome Back Wildcats,

This year’s biggest movement will be in fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

Not sure where to start on your New Year’s resolution? First, take a moment to write down your ultimate physical goal and any improvements you would like to see. 

Next, make time for your health and create a schedule where you include up to 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Any type of movement of the body is considered exercise; therefore, this doesn’t mean you’ll be in the gym seven days a week. 

Strive to include some kind of activity, even if it is just walking the dog or riding a bike. 

When reducing your intake of unhealthy foods, remember to replace them healthy alternatives. 

Try preparing more of your own meals. Cooking at home will help you control what goes in and out of the kitchen, and monitor what actually goes into your food. 

Once you’re ready to make a change, it may seem difficult to stay committed, but don’t let that discourage you! 

Stay motivated, take control of your life and remember it isn’t a diet, it is a lifestyle.

Cherika Brice is a staff writer of the FVSU Peachite Student newspaper. She is a English major from Fort Valley, Ga. who loves writing, reading and fitness. (Not quite a gym rat...yet.)

Hidden Treasures Of The Fort Valley State University

Hidden Treasures of The Fort Valley State University

Opinionated Column Piece By: Lawrence G. Malloy

Chances are you've probably seen the gist of all what The Fort Valley State University has to offer. Whether it’s sports, academics, or organizations there is something great that every individual can enjoy from the University. The Fort Valley State University is listed as a 1890 Land Grant Institution and boasts more than 100 acres of land, which is used for education and research purposes. Have you ever wondered are there any hidden treasures here at such a small but dynamic University? Let us take a look at what hidden treasures there are at The Fort Valley State University.

Agricultural and Technology Conference Center 

Have you ever wondered what that little house was that sits off of Highway 49? Well, if your guess is as good as mines, many students are not aware that that is a continuation of the universities campus. This center is very resourceful to the university community in terms of hosting many events, conferences and meetings. If you would like to obtain more information on how to host your next event, meeting, or conference there, please visit http://ag.fvsu.edu/index.php/extension/ag-tech-conference-center/

Huntington Hall

Restored with modern day fixtures and a state of the art appeal, Huntington Hall is home to several important offices here at The Fort Valley State University. The Hall itself has chairman features which boasts as a significant piece of history here at The Fort Valley State University. With beautiful elevators, restored antique hardwood floors and stair cases, the building is one to stop by and make a visit to.

FVSU Equine Center

The Fort Valley State University offers a wide array of things to do here at the University and many individuals including students are not aware that the university has an Equine Center. The equine center offers free horseback riding lessons from beginners to  advanced courses. Also, the equestrian Center houses all of the universities horses in which are used for educational purposes. The University’s Equine Center has several acres of land for the horses to enjoy recreational activities on as well If you would like to obtain more information on the equine center or any of its services, please visit http://ag.fvsu.edu/index.php/extension/equine-center/

Theres a look at what YOU’VE been missing! i hope that you you will check out these any many other features that the university offers. 

With Best Regards,

Mr. Lawrence G. Malloy

FVSU SGA Executive Secretary 2015-2016

Director of Communications, FVSU Collegiate 100 2015-2016

Senior, Mass Communications/Public Relations Major

The Fort Valley State University

Email - l.malloy1@wildcat.fvsu.edu Cell - (478) 973-8058

Political perspective on the HBCU crisis

Political Perspective on the HBCU crisis

By: Kalo Oglesby

With the American political stage Focusing on key issues such as the financial deficit, Social Welfare programs, and Donald Trump’s grandiose tax plans being at the core of this country’s political debate, the circus has become a great sideshow for many, but continues to exclude important concerns within the college community. 

With the primaries swiftly approaching the question of nationalistic issues are vital, but there are key components that the media and candidates are missing that won President Obama the highest office in the land, twice- that being the college voting population. As a college student, I can’t help but think of the questions that aren’t being asked and, the sentiments that many polls have excluded,    including the impact of this topic on  the HBCU voting population. As a college student, the climate of the collegiate institutions in America and their viability is emphatically diminishing due to the increasing cost of a higher education tag that many middle class families cannot afford.

 Historically Black Colleges and Universities serve students body with the majority at 70percent[ low income, one can’t help but think what is the political agenda concerning higher education in this country for the presidential candidates. There has been no other political casualty that has suffered an immense loss financially, and academically in education like the Historically Black Colleges.  The cut in appropriations, changes in Pell Grant criteria, and question of relevancy have become the weapons of choice for many politicians concerning the Historically Black Institutions. 

There is a consensus that I think we as students have taken on, and have not noticed how detrimental it will be and is becoming to sit idle while the political landscape continues to change, with out the notations of the minority college student population concerns. We have taken the incoherent approach: to carry on business as usual without paying attention inevitably on the path to serving the fate of Morris Brown College. 

With the lack of state funding and the hard pressures of the federal government picking up the bill, the Federal Pell Grant availability has decreased from 18 months to 12, making it much harder for HBCU students who tend to take longer to finish college due to financial needs, family obligations, and participation in organizations that are apart of the HBCU experience. Students who attend HBCU are 17 points more likely to graduate with debt, compared to a student who attends a predominately white school. According to the gall-up poll, twenty-two percent of blacks leave with no debt, counter to 38 percent of whites.  Along with the economic structures, and class lines- the political questions concerning us as college students should be asked and it should be a national issues.

What happened to FVSU campus life?

What Happened to Campus Life?

By: Valencia Murphy

I can remember my freshman year of Fall 2011 when Fort Valley State University students would stay on campus for the weekend. Now it seems as though everyone goes home every weekend. 

I remember there was a time where everywhere you look you would see students hanging out somewhere on campus, whether it was under the tree in front Moore Hall or hanging out by the Wildcat Commons.  The weekends were the times where you could hang out with friends and socialize with different people. This was the time to relax and take a break from the week and some schoolwork.  

Years later, it seems as though students no longer want to stay on campus during the weekends and the question is why? 

So I went around and asked a couple of students what are some ways to encourage FVSU students, to stay on campus for the weekend. 

Ariel Brawner, an FVSU junior, said “[The campus should], have more things to do for students and have more student moral.” 

Troy Lawson, an FVSU senior, says “Have more freedom and less restrictions for the students that stay in the dorms.” 

Another student Andre Harris, an FVSU senior, said, “The café could be open longer, have more actual events, and demand the freshman to attend all the events.”  

So it seems as though the main issue for students is that there are no activities or events on the weekends. 

Now that we know some ways to fix this problem its time to take some action and plan some event or activities for the weekend and they do not have to be a huge extravagant event but something that would make students want to attend.

Is #BlackLivesMatter racist?

Is #BlackLivesMatter Racist?

By. Randall Barnes 

With the recent racial events of the past few years, black people around America and the world have started to become more socially and politically aware. Once seemingly blind to the acts of covert oppression, the murder of Michael Brown and the highly publicized riots in Ferguson, Mo. and Baltimore, Md. have shown the African-American population that the system of white supremacy is indeed an issue that must be confronted. Grassroots movements have been created in response to racist acts by bigoted white citizens and police officers, but none more powerful then “#BlackLivesMatter”. 

Using our savvy social media skills, black millennials have championed this hashtag on Twitter and caused a viral discussion about the total disregard of black life in America. Of course, something so positive and forthright wouldn’t go on for long without opposition. Propaganda-based news organization Fox News and other conservative media personalities have used their platforms to challenge the good intentions of the “#BlackLivesMatter” campaign by branding it as a police hate group instead of a movement to further the call for black human rights. Even black police officers, seemingly more loyal to their jobs than their racial/ethnic identity, have joined in championing the new campaign “#AllLivesMatter”.

“#AllLivesMatter” was made in opposition to “#BlackLivesMatter," with supporters of the latter completely diminishing everything that legitimate social activists and well-meaning people of color have been fighting for over the past year. It seems as if the “#BlackLivesMatter” movement is being attacked by conservative detractors and even members of the organization. Recently, there’s been public tension among some of the more notable members of the movement as collective heat has been put on them. Simply put, some of them now seem like opportunists who are using a legitimate social issue to get attention. 

Some “#BlackLivesMatter” supporters are picking fights with black celebrities over childish nonsense, wasting time and energy that could be put into actual political activism and economic empowerment. Nia Long, most known for her culturally iconic role of fiery broadcast journalist “Jordan Armstrong” in The Best Man franchise, was heavily criticized and attacked on social media after using the “#AllLivesMatter” hashtag. Let’s just disregarded the fact that she was promoting an organization seeking justice for wrongfully convicted inmates, a major problem among the black male population. No, taking her out of context and “putting her in check” is better! They get to have the notoriety they care so much about right? 

Never mind the pettiness that’s coming from many members of “#BlackLivesMatter”. The detractors are even more absurd! How is saying that black lives matter in any way disregarding the issues of other ethnic groups? Is there any other group of people in America more disrespected then black folks? Let’s be real, the branding of the “#BlackLivesMatter” campaign as “racist” makes no sense. As a matter a fact, it makes the idea of “reverse racism” hilarious in hindsight. 

“#BlackLivesMatter” is backed and funded by George Soros, a billionaire investor who uses his money, power and influence to affect the social and political landscape. The hashtag-turned-political organization was created by Alicia Garza, director of Special Projects for the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA).  The NDWA is recipient of George’s Soros’s Open Society grant, which means that the organization is on his payroll. So, no matter what detractors say, Soros is directly and/or indirectly in support of #BlackLivesMatter.

So, how can an organization bankrolled by a white billionaire be racist? When anyone in opposition of the relevance of a movement such as “#BlackLivesMatter” answers that, we can have a real discussion. 

9/11 Tribute: A day we won't forget

A Day We Won't Forget

 By: Aquarius Hollis

                                                                                                                           

Years will pass, but we will  never forget what happened on Sept. 11, 2001. It was a day that changed the nation forever. On this fateful day, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist groups al-Qaeda hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two planes were flown into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane into the Pentagon outside of Washington, D.C., and a fourth plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. More than 3000 people were killed during these attacks and more than 400 police officers and firefighters.

Passengers boarding the American Airlines Flight 11 heading to California did not know the horrible future ahead of them. The destruction of the World Trade Center and nearby buildings caused a lot of damage to Lower Manhattan and had a big effect on global markets.The cleanup of the World Trade Center site was completed in May 2002 and the Pentagon was repaired within a year. The World Trade Center was officially re-opened on Nov. 3, 2014.

A 9/11 museum was built in remembrance of the people who lost their life and of the buildings that once stood untouched.Fort Valley State University recently had a National Day of Service and Remembrance, Remembering 9/11 last Friday to show respect to all the people that lost their lives on that sad day. Lives were changed and no one ever thought that the land of the free would be under attack. Expect the unexpected is what this horrible event taught America.

It took New York years to go back to being somewhat normal. As a result of the attack, airlines have changed their rules about what can be brought on and off the planes, while being more protective about who is boarding. More than 14 years later, the 9/11 attack taught our country to not be afraid to go to war, yet innocent people died in the process. Years go by, but we will never forget the 9/11 attacks.

                                                                                                                 

FVSU 101

FVSU 101

Mass Communications and Education Programs

By: Quacy Hammonds

When stepping foot on your college campus, there will be quite a few unknowns. Although each individual experience is unique to the student and their perspective school, there is one common factor we share in the beginning: the required task of applying for scholarships, completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, financial aid, buying expensive textbooks, parking decals, the first homecoming, and of course, deciding what to major in. We know our scholars here at Fort Valley State University possess the knowledge to succeed at their goals. 
For those who may need a few pointers to head in the right direction, unsure of what to expect, or just seeking more information on a particular major, our FVSU 101 course is designed to give student-to-student insight on how you can excel in the classroom and in your career. 

EDUCATION MAJORS:

1.     Your balance sheet is to become your magical map to getting out of the maze on time! (Provided there isn’t anything less than a “B” on the front side)

2.     Take Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators Basic Skills as soon as you can, its bark is bigger than its bite!

3.     Run from College of Education Dean, Dr. Edward Hill- if you have not done the two aforementioned!

4.     Find Dr. Alfrieda Manson, Ed.D. Director of Clinical and Field Experiences, College of Education. For every reason you find you want to leave or quit, (and you will) she will find every reason to convince you that you can do anything you set your unyielding mind to do.

5.     Most importantly, you will need to have a love for children and all there is to come with shaping young minds. (This means watching social media-and your reputation).

MASS COMMUNICATION MAJORS:

1.     Be versatile: read as well as you write, write as well as you speak, speak well enough to present yourself and brand as someone desired by the company of interest.

2.     Invest in your own materials, equipment, and resources. Being able to get the job done without outside assistance is a great way to showcase your drive and desire to complete the task at hand. (If assistance is required, DO NOT be afraid to speak up.) 

3.     Network and build your portfolio: Teamwork makes the dream work, cliché, but, it’s true across the board. Networking can open doors that may not have been accessible before. While networking be sure to save any completed work you’ve done as a group and alone. The assignments from teachers will add up, along with classmates wanting your help, building a portfolio should be something you start early in your college tenure. 

4.     Take your classes IN SEQUENCE! Dr. Andrew Lee, Professor of Speech, and Chata Spikes, Professor of Public Relations will not take excuses in the upper level courses. By then you should be familiar with your major and the expectations. 

5.     Practice, study and master your craft. Love your craft, and be passionate about it. Do what you love as often as possible, experiment, fail (because you will, it’s a part of life), learn how to pick yourself back up and continue strive for excellence. 

FVSU's Department of Visual and Performing Arts & Media Studies - formerly Fine Arts, Humanities and Mass Communication - offers two majors: Visual and Performing Arts and the other in Media Studies,  instead of the previously offered three degrees, Commercial Design Music and Mass Communication. 

Now students will be able to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts or a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies degree with a concentration in the following areas: 

Visual and Performing Arts

Digital Music and Sound  

Digital Media and Design 

Studio Arts 

Theatre and Performance Studies 

Vocal/Instrumental Music 

Media Studies 

Broadcasting 

Digital Journalism 

Public Relations 

The commitment to excellence is implemented through the partnership with the College of Education, as well as public schools, in the preparation of proficient educators. We offer majors in:

Middle Grades 

- Bachelor of Science 

- Post Baccalaureate

- Master of Science  (MSEd) offered at Warner Robins Campus

Early Childhood/Special Education

- Bachelor of Science

- Master of Science 

Agriculture Education

- Bachelor of Science 

- Post Baccalaureate

Health and Physical Education

- Bachelor of Science 

Family and Consumer Sciences

- Bachelor of Science 

School Counselor Education

- Master of Science  (MSEd) offered at Warner Robins Campus 

- Education Specialist (EdS) offered at Warner Robins Campus