AAAS stresses involvement on campus

The Association of African-American Students announced changes in its organization during its first meeting of the school year to a crowd of nearly 100 students in the Russell House Theater on Tuesday.

The AAAS, according to a press release, hopes to change into "an organization that unifies the black population on campus." At the meeting, the group's leaders stressed the changes that were going to occur.

Celita Moore, treasurer of the AAAS, spoke about some of these changes during the meeting.

"From what I've seen on campus, minorities don't get involved. We need to get involved in helping the campus and helping the community," Moore, a third-year pharmacy student, said.

The meeting started with the AAAS reciting its mission statement, motto and the Negro National Anthem.

Guest speaker Leigh Bonner, a staff member of Teach for America, then spoke to the students.

"The biggest civil rights issue in America today is educational inequity," Bonner said. "Imagine an America where our top doctors, lawyers and politicians taught in low income areas for a year."

Following the guest speaker, the AAAS introduced its liaisons, describing the different minority programs and groups working with the campus group. The Executive Council and directors also described their jobs, enumerating the different positions and responsibilities the group has.

The AAAS discussed the various events and publications it hosts on campus, such as community service, panels led by black professional groups and the traditional events such as the annual fashion show.

The group's Voices of Color publication announced a format change, planning a yearly literary magazine instead of a newsletter. The group is also in talks with SGTV to create a television show called "Minority Report."

Students were invited to join the different councils and publications of the AAAS, who hope to incorporate freshmen and future students into the organization.

Owen Black, marketing director for the AAAS, spoke about this at the meeting.

"We make it hot," Black, a third-year marketing student, said. "We make the people come to us."

Students interested in the AAAS can find our more information by attending the next meeting on Sept. 2 in the Russell House Theater at 6 p.m.