Season 1 - Episode 5
Inside the Auditorium, Convocation has just begun. The stage is lined with university administration, and the student assembly officers. The choir has just sang the Ahpla University Song, "A Hymn for Ahpla ". President Melinda Ferguson has just walked up to the podium to deliver her opening address.
President Ferguson: To the board of trustees, the administration, the faculty, the staff, the student assembly officers, students, parents, and friends of Ahpla University, I would like to welcome you today to the 98th Annual Opening Student Convocation.
(the audience claps)
President Ferguson continues: My dear students, it has been a long summer. A summer full of transition, soul searching, and change. Although it has only been a short time since our last encounter, it feels like it's been years. There are many changes taking place at Ahpla. This is the season of change! If you look around, you may only see a few familiar faces. And while it is comforting to see those whom we've grown accustomed to, I want to encourage you, my young scholars to embrace the new. Get to know those new and wonderful faces on campus! Love them and show them that wonderful fighting Ahpla spirit. We have a wonderful year planned for you! This fall will mark the 10 year anniversary of reorganization of the Athletic Department. To commemorate this event, we have worked for over a year to plan a very memorable and exciting homecoming weekend! We have worked diligently to ensure that we were able to contact every single Ahpla University alumnae! Those alums who we all love so dear will soon return to the place that they called home. Over the University's rich and colorful 98 year history, many people, myself included, have grown to call Ahpla home. I know that you will, too.(The audience begins to clap.)
President Ferguson: Now in the spirit of change, we have had some significant changes in administration over the past summer. I want to now introduce to you some of the new faces on our staff. This first individual I would like to introduce to you truly needs no introduction. She is also an Aphla University Alumnae, she is a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and a wonderful human being all around. She's giving, kind, warm, and dedicated to the ideals and missions of the Ahpla University Student affairs office. Aphla Students, please let me be the first to introduce you to your new Director of Greek Life, Ms Mona Ferguson! Mona, please come and greet the students and tell them a little about what you have planned for greek life on campus!
Mona gets up and walks toward the podium as the audience claps to receive her.
Mona: Thank you, mother.........I mean, President Ferguson. Before I get started, why don't we introduce this year's assembly officers first?
President Ferguson makes her way back towards the stage.
President Ferguson: Excellent, Mona. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you this year's assembly president. Sydney Tyler, a Senior Communications major and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. She is also a member of the Communications honor society and Phi Beta Kappa. Sydney will come now and greet you and introduce her officers to you in her own way. Sydney......
Sydney walks towards the podium and the audience claps and the AKA's are heard
Skeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-Wee!.
Sydney: Thank you, President Ferguson for that warm introduction. To the faculty, staff, and students assembled here today, I want to welcome you not only to another year here at Aphla, but I want to welcome you to the future; the future of Aphla. The assembly officers gathered for a weekend retreat this past June and we have come up with some wonderful ideas and programs to take the Aphla student assembly to the next level! This year promises to be an exciting year. A year full of change and new beginnings. I want to be the kind of president that you feel you can trust. One you feel who you can trust to defend you with the administration and the board of trustees. For the past 3 years, Ahpla has been my home away from home. I've made connections at Ahpla with faculty, staff, and students alike. I have found a family here and I want to make Ahpla the kind of place where you can, too. Remember to value each other in this upcoming year. We are here to learn not only from our academics, but from each other as well. Enjoy the year! Study hard! Work Hard! Play Hard! Join a club or activity! Help to keep that fighting Ahpla spirit alive! Go Aphla!
The audience begins to cheer (Ahpla! Ahpla! Ahpla!)
Sydney: Now I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce to you my officers for this year. Officers, when I call your name, please stand to be recognized. Vice President: Demetrius McCoy!
The Audience claps and the Alpha's can be heard as Demetrius stands and waves.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-Phi! 0000000000000000000-6!
Sydney: Secretary, Guadalupe Cortez.
The Audience Claps as Guadalupe stands.
Sydney: And your treasurer, Laray Evans.
Laray stands nervously and waves and quickly takes her seat as the Zeta's can be heard.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ-Phi!
Sydney: Please give all of our assembly officers another round of applause. Especially our treasurer, Laray. Laray worked so diligently to prepare today's opening financial statement but due to the new format set in place by our President, Laray won't actually be presenting that today. She will be presenting the statement at our first senate meeting next Tuesday. But thank you Laray for so enthusiastically preparing that information today for our meeting.
The audience claps again.
Sydney walks back towards her seat and President Ferguson takes the podium again.
President Ferguson: Thank you, Sydney. Now that we've introduced to your the assembly officers, I would like to ask Ms Mona Ferguson, the new director of greek life to come back up to the podium and greet you in her own way. Mona......
Outside the auditorium, Laci, Taylor, and Kashawn are conversing nearby.
Laci: Well what? We're both single adults so what's the big deal. Well at least I know I'm single. Are you seeing somebody now?
Taylor: Good question! So, Kashawn, are you seeing anybody?
Kashawn: Well uh.......
Taylor: Well uh what?
Kashawn: Well uh, yeah, Laci, if you must know I am seeing someone.
Laci: Oh.....
Taylor smiles to herself.
Laci: Well I hope she knows how lucky she is, whoever it might be.....
Taylor: Oh I'm sure she does.
Laci gives Taylor a strange look.
Laci: So Kashawn, is it anyone I know?
Kashawn: Um......
Kashawn looks over at Taylor who is waiting for his response.
Kashawn: Naw, I don't think you know her. She goes to Amgis.
Taylor looks angry.
Kashawn thinks: Oh man you are so dumb. Why did you just say that? Taylor looks really hurt. I really like that girl. I shouldn't have said that.
Laci: Oh okay well uh.........let me know if anything in your situation changes.
Kashawn: Oh alright.
Laci: Bye Taylor. See you later, Shawn......
Laci walks off and seductively brushes up against Kashawn as she's leaving.
Taylor begins to march away in the other direction and Kashawn runs behind her.
Kashawn: Eh Taylor, wait up! Where you going?
Taylor: What does it matter to you, Kashawn?
Kashawn: Taylor, don't do this. You know I love you.
Taylor: Really? Really, Kashawn? Cause if you loved me, you wouldn't be so embarrassed to tell people you're with me!
Kashawn: I ain't embarrassed of you, girl, and you know that. We spent all summer together! I even took you to meet my boys!
Taylor: Yeah but as soon as we get back on campus, you actin' like you don't know me!
Kashawn: Baby, I just need a little bit more time, that's all.......
Taylor stands in silence.
Kashawn: Baby, you forgive me? You know you my girl.
Taylor (sighing heavily): I guess so..........but I'm gettin' really tired of this crap, K. I love you and I want everyone to know it!
Kashawn: I know, baby, I know. Come over here....
Taylor goes over and falls into Kashawn's arms.
Back inside the auditorium, Mona makes her way over to the podium.
Mona: Greetings to the faculty and staff of this illustrious University. To all of the little students assembled here today ......I once was in your shoes......a new student at Ahpla feeling lost and trying to find my way. And then, I saw the pink and green light of Alllllpha Kappa Alllpha and I found my way. You too, my children can find your way,too. I encourage you to get involved on campus as I did. Explore the different clubs and organizations until you find your niche. To all of my greek organizations.....I have worked hard over the summer on the new rules and regulations for the office of greek life. Although these rules may seem a bit rigid at first, I think you will find that they are useful and that they are being put into place to make the campus run a lot smoother and to promote unity amongst the greeks on campus. I will not go into great detail today, as each organization will be receiving a full packet of the new rules, however, I will just touch on a few of them. I've found that in past years, the "calls" of each organization tend to be disruptive on campus and disturbing to the classroom environments. Therefore, starting this year, greek calls will only be permitted on campus between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Natalie yells out: WHAT?!
Mona continues: Any fraternity or sorority calls heard before or after this time will be considered a violation of policy and this year, policies will be enforced. I am now requiring that all fraternities request that all of their paraphernalia be made with the colors of black and gold to represent the Ahpla University colors. This is so there will be no division among the fraternities and each organization will only wear the colors of Aphla. I know this seems unfair because black and gold are already the colors for Phi Beta Sigma, this is purely coincidental. Kappa Alpha Psi and Phi Beta Sigma are no longer allowed to use, carry, or own canes. Each member of these organizations will have random room searches throughout the year to ensure that there are no canes are on the premises. Canes are dangerous and can be used as weapons and we are striving to cut down on the violence here at Aphla. Omega Psi Phi will no longer be allowed to wear spray painted gold boots. I have done research on this and the spray that is being used contains harmful chemicals that releases toxins into the air. For the safety of the campus, this will no longer be permitted. Delta Sigma Theta, until the fraternities have all received their new black and gold paraphernalia, you will be required to wear black and white to cut down on the confusion with Kappa Alpha Psi's colors being so similar. Zeta Phi Beta, there is also confusion because your colors are currently the same as Alpha Phi Alpha, so we ask that you too wear black and white until the fraternities have received their new jackets and shirts.
Demetrius: Is she for real?
Mona: Now additionally, you will only be able to wear your organizations paraphernalia on one day per week. The office of greek affairs has come up with a schedule that will assign each organization a different day for each week and that will be the only day you are permitted to wear your greek letters on campus. Because there are only 7 days and 10, wait, I mean 9 organizations......Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta will have to share a day with one of the other organizations but only on a rotating basis- when the primary organization for that day wants to take a break, they have the authority to grant you permission to wear your colors on that day. Otherwise, you just have to hope for the next week. Now...last but certainly not least... to my lovely sorors of Alpha K. Alpha... what can I say about yall...