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CHICKEN FINGERS ON THE RUN
March 2022
Black and white Old Dominion University students are united in their opposition to the closing of a beloved chicken restaurant, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, a mainstay on campus since 2016.
On April 21, the only Raising Cane’s in Hampton Roads - that’s open to the public - will be replaced with a Chick-fil-A on ODU’s campus. Raising Cane’s and all of its locations are moving towards being fully company owned and operated, according to an announcement made on ODU Dining’s social media pages.
“The Raising Canes on campus was doing better than the regular stores (brand owned locations) financially and popularly, which caught the attention of the CEO of Raising Canes,” said Vice President of Auxiliary Services at ODU Todd Johnson.
The corporate branch of Raising Canes sent a letter two years ago saying that they wouldn’t renew their franchise license unless ODU let them buy back their store and split the revenue 90% to 10%.
This led to ODU replacing Raising Cane’s with a Chick-fil-A that will open in August, even though there is already a Chik-fil-A in ODU’s dining hall. Once this location closes, the closest Raising Cane’s, open to the public, will be in Richmond on Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus.
The only other Raising Cane’s location in the Hampton Roads area will be on a Navy Base in Norfolk and is only available to Navy employees.
This decision has received a lot of back-lash from the general public with some people asking why not replace the location with a business that’s not already on campus.
“This is so pointless, [SIC] we don’t need another chic-fil-a. [SIC] if we’re replacing canes then put something new on campus,” said an Instagram commenter, under ODU Dining’s post, which gained 120 likes.
A second Chik-fil-A on campus will give students better and faster access to the restaurant.
“That Chick-fil-A (in ODU’s dining hall) is always so crowded, so I think it will help to have
two separate locations, but I am disappointed because I do go to that Chick-fil-A; it’s not far,”
said Physical Therapy Grad student Emily Duvall.
ODU’s Physical Therapy building is down the street from Raising Cane’s so Duvall and her
classmates frequently go to the location.
ODU alumni and locals are also upset over the change.
“I drive out here all the time after graduating since 2015,” said another Facebook commenter under the post. “So many great food places came and went at ODU [SIC] such a shame for real.”
There were even comments from Great Bridge, Chesapeake, from customers who drove thirty minutes to get Raising Cane’s.
Despite public outcry, Chick-fil-A is the second most popular brand on ODU’s campus, after Raising Canes, according to Johnson.
“I’ve been at five colleges and in the food service industry for 40 years and at every school I’ve been to, Chick-fil-A is the most popular brand.
However, in a virtual ODU town hall meeting that took place on Feb. 15, many students had other suggestions.
The staff at ODU’s Raising Canes have received few complaints, but once the location closes the employees will have to be moved to other ODU dining operations, according to Resident District Manager Janet Mclaughlin.
Due to the pandemic, ODU’s dining facilities, which usually had 600 employees, is now operating at 50% capacity, according to Mclaughlin.
Since operating hours at many of ODU’s dining facilities have been cut short, Raising Cane’s gives an alternative option by staying open until midnight from Thursday to Saturday and until 10 pm from Sunday to Wednesday.
“Raising Canes is the only late-night option on campus, so I do see a lot of students in the chat that are concerned,” said Myles Nixon, ODU’s SGA (Student Government Association) President who helped organize the town hall.
Mclaughlin hopes that once the pandemic subsides, ODU’s dining service can expand their hours.
To speed that process up, ODU has raised the hourly wage of entry level dining positions to $14 - $15 per hour and added signing bonuses.
“It’s always been fast, always been great,” said Mechanical Engineering student Tyler Brenner.
“Sad it’s closing because I think everybody really likes it.”
This hot button issue has caused students to start a poll demanding that Raising Canes stay,
according to Computer Science student Drake Treyshaun.
“I’ve heard a couple people talking about it,” added Brenner’s friend, Michael Guye, a
Biomedical Sciences major.
The manager and employees of the Raising Cane’s on campus said they would not comment, due to ODU’s solicitation policy.
While Johnson agrees that the decision to shut down Raising Canes was complicated, and overall, a financial issue, he wanted to make it clear that the new Chick-fil-A wasn’t necessarily permanent and that they’re willing to look at other options.
“Almost every national brand on campus is there because of student feedback,” said Johnson. “Future dining is a blank slate where we’re looking for student feedback before making a decision.”
However, it’s not as easy as some students believe, according to Janet Mclaughlin, ODU’s Resident District Manager.
“We get a lot of requests (from students) for brands who don’t license to colleges and universities, said Mclaughlin.
For ODU students who have questions about these new changes to the dining facilities or would like to make a suggestion, they can send an email to dining@odu.edu.
PEOPLE OF THE CLOTH
"Poor Man's Napkin"
FADE IN:
INT. HALLWAY WALL - NIGHT
A wall filled posters of musicians and artists. Slow pan across the wall and
CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE ROOM – CONTINOUS ACTION - NIGHT
There’s a hefty security guard sitting awkwardly at a makeshift desk in a makeshift chair. He wears an ill-fitting uniform with equally ill-fitting glasses. He’s scribbling on some paper. He’s focused. He sweats profusely. His name is GEORGE. Another man slouches in his make-shift seat in the corner. His feet are propped up on a make-shift shelf. He’s holding a cold beer to the side of his face. He looks young, about 18. He wears a scuffed up Pink Floyd t-shirt with a couple of drops of blood on it. He sits and quietly glares at the ground. His name is GREGORY DANIELS.
GEORGE
(to Gregory, labored breath, heavy cockney accent)
Ay, your information still the same?
GREGORY
(mutters with cockney accent)
I’m still here aren’t I?
GEORGE
You’ll be outta here soon enough. Besides I thought you were going cross the pond in the Fall to give the Yanks hell
(laughs)
GREGORY
How am I gonna get there with no funds? I haven’t got shit, and you know that!
GEORGE
I told you we were goin through a change of …. management. Things are changing Ace, you know that better than any lad. And I told you bout the new kid but you didn’t listen.
GREGORY
When you said kid I didn’t know you meant the elf. Maybe if you’d hire me when I was that size, I wouldn’t be here right now.
GEORGE
Don’t give me any of that shit Ace. I did hire you, I just put your talents elsewhere.
(mutters)
It’s not my fault the elf’s got a candy cane shoved up his arse.
GREGORY
(exasperated)
I gotta get back before dawn, Lily’s got school.
GEORGE
You’ll be back soon enough. Just as son as elf gets the rest of the merchandise.
(laughs and coughs)
GREGORY
I’ll cut you in like last time Georgie, let’s say 25 percent.
GEORGE
(visibly angry)
Of what?! Don’t go around shittn’ me boy, you only sold 3 shirts.
GREGORY
It’s not like I can sell anything when your new elf is taking the piss outta everyone tryna make a living. Besides, good business for me, means good business for you, and you know I’m good for it.
(A beat)
Door slams open. A leg is holding it open barely. A small guy in stature is struggling to drag multiple boxes in. Gregory and George sit there and watch. The guy’s name is MARTIN.
MARTIN (os)
(breathing heavily regular British accent)
And you’re not getting it back!! Damn delinquents.
(He pops his head back into view and looks over to Martin)
It would be nice…
(panting, while struggling through the door)
if I
(panting and struggling continues)
could get some help Mr. Whirley.
Martin finally gets himself and the boxes through the door. He takes a beat to catch his breath and stretch. He glares at Gregory. Martin grabs a bottle of water from off of the shelf that Gregory had his feet propped up on, all the while glaring at him with squared shoulders. He awkwardly looks around for somewhere to sit and ends up sitting on some old newspaper.
GEORGE
(chuckling)
I thought I might have to send some of the bobbies to find you.
MARTIN
No thanks to their lot!!!
(pointing at Gregory)
GREGORY
(visibly annoyed)
I’m sorry officer, next time I’ll run faster, and don’t worry I’ll take the merchandise with me.
MARTIN
(abruptly stands up in anger)
Now you listen here you little vagrant
GREGORY
(Gregory calmly stands up looking down at Martin. The height difference is glaringly obvious.)
Little?
Fury splashes across Martin’s face. Gregory smiles calmly back. George slowly stands up due to his girth and walks over to the two.
GEORGE
Now look you two, I don’t wanna have to have to report both of you. Hell, it’s already enough paperwork for you lot, and Martin, I know how hard you’ve been working. It’d be a shame if I had to report you, when you’re so close to becoming a night shift manager.
MARTIN
(becomes flustered)
Well, it’s been hours. Where are the police? I thought you called them
Gregory sits back down with an annoyed expression. Martin marches over to George’s makeshift desk.
GEORGE
(starts off calmly but grows angrier and angrier)
Well I haven’t had a chance to because someone insisted that I report all of the criminals and vagrants. Then, as I’m on my last reports, one of my coworkers starts to berate someone placed in my care. Now, where in all this do I got time to phone the damn bobbies, Martin???!!!
MARTIN
(begins to stutter)
I – I… I
GEORGE
(Calms back down and places a hand on Martin’s shoulder.)
I know, I know. You’ve been working so hard and you’re tired.
MARTIN
Nnn-nn… no…. I.. I
GEORGE
(leading Martin to the door)
Look it’s been a long shift. Why don’t I let you off early and I’ll close up everything around here.
MARTIN
B-b-b …but I
GEORGE
(ushers Martin out of the door and closes it in his face.)
Good day, Martin.
(turns to Gregory)
Now you. I’m tired of looking at your ugly mug. Wait a few minutes for officer elf to leave and I’ll let you out. That’s enough justice for one day.
GREGORY
(releases a sigh of relief)
Yes!!! You’re a good lad George.
GEORGE
So I’ve been told. And here take your merchandise.
George kicks a medium size box filled with pink Pink Floyd t-shirts with a picture of their first album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Gregory hops up and firmly plants his hands on the box.
CUT TO:
FADE IN:
MUSIC: ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER BY JIMI HENDRIX AND THE EXPERIENCE FADES IN AND FADES OUT RIGHT BEFORE DIALOGUE STARTS.
EXT. EVERETT HIGH SCHOOL – DAY
Slow pan over the top of Everett High School as multiple kids and teens come off of buses and go to school on a sub-par sunny day.
CUT TO:
FADE IN:
INT. HALLWAY – EVERETT HIGH SCHOOL – MORNING - DAY
In the busy morning hallway of Everett High School an average and skinny dirty blonde teen named ZACHARY FITZ begrudgingly walks down the hallway 8 minutes before class starts. His head tucked low as he slowly walks in the middle of the hall to his chipped green locker. He goes to unlock his locker when an even smaller boy with thick dark curls around his head andwearing a white shirt that’s too big for him, tucked in to pants that are also too big for him all tied together with a belt around his waist, pounces into frame surprising ZACHARY. This boy’s name is EZEKIAL TILLER, best friend to ZACHARY and crazy Jewish kid to everyone else.
EZEKIEL
Zack Attack!!!
Zeke leaps onto Zac, hugs him, and holds on trying to drag him down to his level. Zac is obviously struggling under his weight.
EZEKIEL
Oh Zacky!! Buddy I’ve missed you so much!!! How are Leah and David!?!? Oh God how is Buddy and the family camping trip? Man I missed you over Summer Break.
ZACHARY
(Struggling to not fall down)
Jesus Zeke, we saw each other two days ago relax!!
EZEKIEL
(Dramatically)
And it already feels like a lifetime.
Zeke lets go of Zac. Zac regains his balance and stands up to finish unlocking his locker. Zeke leans against the locker.
EZEKIEL
So, how’s it feel? Being back to the ole’ grind? Kick’n the ole’ bucket. Dragging the ole’ ball n’ chain.
ZACHARY
Stop talking like that. I feel just as miserable as last year.
EZEKIEL
Well, I know just the thing that will cheer you right back up ole buddy, ole pal o’ mine.
ZACHARY
(Unenthusiastically)
Yeah, and what’s that?
EZEKIEL
(Nonchalantly)
One, by the name Madeline Foreman, broke-up with her
(Sarcastically)
“Knight in Shining Armor” Kurt Meyers last night at the town Bowling Alley.
Zachary grabs Ezekiel with great force, pinning him up against the lockers.
ZACHARY
You’re shitting me!! You better not be shittn’ me Zeke.
EZEKIEL
(very seriously)
I’m not shittin’ you Zac. In fact, I’m McCullen serious.
Zachary lets go of Ezekiel with a display of emotions crossing his face (disbelief, shock, joy, etc.)
EZEKIEL
So, you know how my cousin Leo works down at the Alley?
ZACHARY
Yeah
EZEKIEL
Well, he said Maddi and the Lollipop Guild got there to roll a few down the lane. All’s goin well and all of a sudden he hears arguing coming down from the far left lane. Kurt’s furious, Maddi’s crying –
ZACHARY
(worried)
She was crying?
EZEKIEL
Yeah, serious crying.
ZACHARY
(Even more worried)
Serious Crying!?!?
EZEKIEL
(Deadly serious)
McCullen serious.
ZACHARY
(In disbelief)
Shit
EZEKIEL
Shit’s right. Anyway, Kurt’s yelling and Maddi’s crying. Then Maddi runs out and calls for her dad to come pick her up.
ZACHARY
Oh Shit. Is she ok?
Ezekiel slaps Zac hard across the face.
EZEKIEL
You’re missing the point man!!!
ZACHARY
(hitting Zeke back)
Then what?! What’s the point?
EZEKIEL
Zac!!! Maddi’s single!!!
The look of slight annoyance on Zachary’s face is replaced with one of a sudden epiphany. Recognizing this look, Ezekiel gives a look of mischief and impish glee. Ezekiel grabs Zachary by his shoulders and ushers him down the hall nonchalantly.
EZEKIEL
I’m telling you, Sophomore year is going to be our year. It’s set on stone man -
ZACHARY
In stone
EZEKIEL
What?
ZACHARY
In stone. It’s set in stone.
EZEKIEL
Whatever man, it’s all the same thing.
BROADCAST NEWS PACKAGE (SCRIPT)
Windsor Press Conference-PKG
VO:
FSG
SOT: Windsor Police Department Press Conference
VO:
SOT: Police chief/ press conference
VO:
FSG
VO:
FSG
SOT: Traffic Stop footage
VO:
FSG
SOT: Traffic Stop Footage
VO:
FSG
SOT: Police Chief/press conference
Stand-up:
At the first press conference, since the now viral traffic stop, Windsor's Chief of Police insists that 2nd Lt. Nazario's actions are what led to the violent incident.
On Wednesday, police chief Rodney Riddle told reporters that even though more de-escalation tactics could have been used, Lt. Nazario should have been more compliant.
In a now viral video of the traffic stop, which happened in early December of last year, Nazario, while in uniform, is pulled over for not having a permanent license plate.
After pulling into the gas station, officers Joe Gutierrez and Daniel Crocker drew their handguns, demanding Nazario step out of the vehicle, even though he had a temporary license plate taped to his window.
In the video, Gutierrez can be heard telling Nazario that he is going to “ride the lightning,” a phrase referring to being tasered or executed by electric chair.
On Monday, Governor Ralph Northam ordered a Virginia State Police Investigation into the incident and Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring launched a civil rights probe into the police officers and...
However, following Wednesday’s press conference, the president of Isle of Wight’s NAACP chapter is calling for Riddle’s resignation over statements he made at the press conference.
In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, Lt. Nazario alleges that he was the subject of racial profiling and excessive force. He also alleges that his constitutional rights were violated and that police threatened to...
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY PARADE 2019
Hampton University Homecoming Parade Procession
Photo Credit: Samantha Sawyer
Spreading unity, pride, and culture throughout the city, Hampton University kicked off its annual Homecoming Parade.
HURRICANE DORIAN BRINGS BAHAMIAN STUDENTS TO HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
December 2019
Hampton University volunteers to accept 100 displaced bahamian students victimized by hurricane Dorian, surprising many Hampton University students.
On September 1, 2019 Hurricane Dorian made landfall over the Bahamas as a Category 5 hurricane. About 2 - 3 hours into the destruction Dr. William Harvey, President of Hampton University, calls Dr. Rodney Smith, President of University of the Bahamas, to check on him and his university, says Jessica Zimmerman, Assistant Director of Hampton University Relations.
Smith informed Harvey that the North campus, based out of Freeport, Bahamas, and designed to accommodate 500 - 600 students, was completely destroyed. The main campus in Nassau, Bahamas was not harmed and is still functioning. Harvey offered to take in the displaced students and Smith accepted.
Out of the 500 - 600 students who were displaced, approximately 100 students applied for a free semester at Hampton even though all were eligible. On Tuesday, the students, mostly business and engineering majors, were ceremonially welcomed to Hampton's Fall 2019 Semester. Their Freshman and Sophomore schedules from University of the Bahamas was cross matched with the general courses from Hampton University. To make things go smoother, the process will mostly treat the students as if they are late registration or transfer students.
Hampton University created a task force to handle donations and meet the needs of the Bahamian students. Approximately $150,000 has been raised and they’ve ensured no money from Hampton University would have to be allocated.
Officials within the task force anticipated how challenging the transition might be. The U.S. embassy in the Bahamas and Hampton University’s Office of Admissions scheduled meetings and appointments to expedite students who needed visas.
Hampton University has turned Moton Hall into co-ed dorms for the new students.
The Student Success Center and professors will have to set aside office hours specifically for the students and they will have an expedited orientation.
There are many Hampton University students who empathize with the new students.
“It’s different coming to a bigger campus and having more people in my class than normal,” says Daria Gibson. “Transitioning was difficult at first because it was a different culture.” Gibson is a permanent student at Hampton University who majors in Pharmaceuticals and comes from the Bahamas.
Hampton University has made it clear that they’re only accepting these students for one semester.
“One thing to understand is that Hampton University is not trying to poach students from the University of the Bahamas,” says Matthew White, Director of Hampton University Relations. “This is a humanitarian effort. It’s really like a stopgap to give the University of the Bahamas an opportunity to kind of circle the wagon, if you will, and figure out what their situation is.”
CHADWICK BOSEMAN’S CAREER WAS SO POWERFUL BECAUSE HE CHOSE ROLES THAT EMPOWERED THE BLACK COMMUNITY. THROUGHOUT HIS ACTING JOURNEY HE RECEIVED SIX AWARDS, FIVE OF WHICH WERE FOR BLACK PANTHER, AND ACQUIRED FIFTEEN NOMINATIONS. HIS SIGNIFICANT LEGACY WAS NOT BY CHANCE. IN AN INTERVIEW, HE STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIM TO ACCEPT ROLES THAT REINFORCED
STEREOTYPES; HE DECLINED THEM IN EXCHANGE FOR ROLES THAT ILLUMINATED A MORE VALUABLE PORTRAYAL OF BLACK HISTORY, CULTURE, AND TRUTH. BLACK PANTHER, 42, AND GET ON UP WERE EXACTLY THAT. HE SPOKE OF HIS MOTIVATIONS FOR TAKING THESE ROLES STATING, “DO NOT SEEK APPROVAL FROM THE AUDIENCE...YOU
HAVE TO LIVE IN THE TRUTH.” CHADWICK IS A LEGEND THAT INSPIRES CREATIVES TO USE ART WISELY AND HONESTLY. CREATORS ARE DESTINED TO CREATE, AND CHADWICK BOSEMAN CREATED A PATH FOR BLACK STORIES TO BE TOLD VISUALLY.
QUOTE: “I'M AN ARTIST. ARTISTS DON'T NEED PERMISSION TO WORK.” - CHADWICK BOSEMAN DESPITE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 3 COLON CANCER IN 2016, CHADWICK USED HIS ART TO INSPIRE OTHERS. BOSEMAN CHOSE TO FIGHT AND GIVE HIS REMAINING YEARS TO THE FANS HE ADORED. WHILE ENDURING CHEMOTHERAPY, MULTIPLE SURGERIES, AND THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC, HE DELIVERED AND STARRED IN SEVEN FILMS OVER THE COURSE OF FOUR YEARS. HE POSSESSED AND MAINTAINED A REGALITY ON AND OFF SCREEN THAT LEFT MILLIONS IN AWE, INCLUDING HIS PEERS. “HE SET THE BAR HIGH BY WORKING WITH A GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT, CREATING AN EGO FREE ENVIRONMENT BY SHEER EXAMPLE,” SAID LUPITA NYONG’O, BOSEMAN’S FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE. NOW THAT HE HAS PASSED, THE WORLD REMEMBERS HIM FOR THE HEROES HE’S PLAYED ON THE SCREEN AND THE HERO HE WAS IN REAL LIFE.
QUOTE: “YOU HAVE TO CHERISH THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY WHEN YOU KNOW THE CLOCK IS TICKING...” - CHADWICK BOSEMAN
December 2020