Sean Kornegay

It’s mid-March. With probates over, we have new campus celebrities. Must be time for SGA elections.

Elections used to take place earlier; I suppose someone realized how much easier it is to run with Greek letters on your chest than on your own merit. Most graduating seniors are so dejected by the lack of student and administrative organization at NCCU that they’re uninterested in elections.

However, I have a vested interest in who leads my alma mater as we approach our centennial.

I have even more interest in authentic leadership. Unfortunately, some candidates are running for positions because they like the attention.

Some people just woke up one morning this semester and said, “Eureka! I think I can!” Others were told to run by their frat brothers.

I’m not saying that you must have SGA experience to lead. I simply question the motivation of individuals who have never made any efforts to lead until now.

I appreciate the continuance of a movement, but part of me can’t help but notice how many candidates are running under “Unity & Progress,” a theme already twice recycled. It lacks originality; however, their efforts are much more valuable than the slogan they chose.

In observing neighboring institutions, such as NC A&T and WSSU, I have to question the validity of this theme.

It’s not SGA’s fault, but in my years at NCCU, I’ve seen a steady increase in lethargy, especially during the past few years.

Where’s our unity? Where’s our progression? I see a campus that lacks direction, a student body with a weakened immune system, infected by apathy, beaten down by an oppressive administration, and famished by lack of nourishing leadership.

We at NCCU seem to be generally uninterested in education.

Our inability to retain students is an embarrassment to the vision of James E. Shepard and Alfonso Elder.

“Excellence without Excuses” was not just Elder’s motto — it was his vision; he hoped to produce not just black America’s brightest, but our nation’s brightest.

This vision revolutionized education, especially when we were closer to slavery than to the civil rights movement.

Shepard aimed to produce the nation’s first black liberal arts institution. As we approach our centennial, many of our students barely qualify as literate.

I’m an English major. many of my classmates struggle mightily with basic grammatical rules. It’s frustrating to know they’ll be holding the same degree as me.

I’m not insulting anyone’s intelligence. The mind’s potential goes well beyond the classroom.

I do perform well in both Algebra and English, but I understand that most excel in just one area. What bothers me is how many students are below average in both subjects.

I don’t blame this solely on the faculty. Teachers can only teach those who wish to learn. I point the finger back at us.

We can’t learn if we spend more time in line at the Eagle’s Nest than in class. We can’t progress if we devote more time to frivolous organizations than to academics. So who’s responsible when the student body becomes infected with low grade-point averages?

Our administration is.

We sent a lot of kids home after fall 2007 because they didn’t seem to want to be scholars.

Doesn’t the University owe more to those who have invested in higher education?

Or was this just Charlie’s quick solution to Ammons’ problem? How many more Eagles will have their wings clipped before we demand change?

For too long our University has engaged in educational malpractice. Students need to stand together and demand better resources — like a library that is open 24 hours a day and longer hours at the Walker Complex.

Every campus struggles with parking and sub-par cafeteria food; at NCCU, those issues are simply the tip of the iceberg.

But how can we expect students who are too lazy to aid themselves to stand together?

This is where our SGA should step in and lead. It takes more than a speech, a smile, and a Homecoming concert.

I see capable SGA candidates, and students who have worked humbly for NCCU’s needs.

And I admire candidates who have recently been inspired to lead.

However, some candidates represent the interests of organizations who couldn’t care less about the needs of the whole.

Vote wisely. Analyze each candidate’s resume and platform before you decide who is best fit to lead.