Seminar aims to empower students

Reigning Mr. Prairie View A&M University Malcolm Copeland inspired students to have a mindset of empowerment at his first seminar, "Awakening of the Prairie View Student," Thursday.

He opened the seminar with a video clip of news coverage highlighting a student revolt in London for a 300 percent increase of tuition to show students the power that they have if they would choose to use it.

"Unlike some of us, those students knew their power. They weren't afraid to stand up for what they believed was their right," he said.

Copeland shared an anonymous quote from a member of the Prairie View community with the audience, defining the issues of the student body and their lack of concern with the problems around us.

This person expressed opinions about students being "happy with a professor not attending or cancelling class, yet being upset with an undesired grade in that same class," and the idea that without action, no change has or ever will occur among a people.

He used various examples of protest, including sit-ins during the civil rights movement and the university's voters' rally for the 2008 presidential election.

Some of the issues discussed include the lack of financial institutions for students, the culture and mindset within the student population, shortage of professors of "color," recent problems with interns from Prairie View, and the lack of coordinated student effort.

SGA President Bobby J. Smith said: "Part of the reason why there is no collaboration amongst students is because we aren't willing to step out of our comfort zone. We as leaders need to be visible. The students need to see us doing our job around the campus to actively motivate them. We must take what we're doing to the people instead of waiting on the people to come to us."

Although there were a lot of ideas and likeminded comments circulating throughout the room, Copeland pushed the fact that nothing will truly change for the better without action.

In an effort to bring cohesiveness to the student body, a sign-up list was available for all students to network and empower the campus as well as the community.

Copeland said, "The power to change Prairie View lies within the students. We can talk about problems all day, but problems need solutions, and solutions need a plan of action. It takes the faculty, staff, students and administration to get the job done."