I NSI DE T HI S

I SSUE :
Where Do They
Stand
2


BAW 2008 1



R A DF OR D
U N I V E R SI T Y
B L A C K A L U M N I
C HA P T E R
RUBAC News
3 R D Q U A R T E R 2 0 0 8 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1
Recently, change has
been a word that has
been very prevalent in
our world. It has
infiltrated every aspect of
our lives from politics, to
economics to even our
families.
And in like fashion, our
alma mater has been
greatly influenced by this
word. So in recognition
of all the changes that
have been made in our
society and on our
campus, the theme for
this years Black Alumni
Weekend is Campaigning for Change.
One very noticeable change on Radfords campus occurred in the office of the Dean of
Students. Trae Cotton, the new Vice President and Dean of Students and Michael Marion, the
new Associate Dean of Students, are both African Americans. Cotton has held the position
for nearly a year while Marion is a newcomer. Both gentlemen are invited guests to our
Welcome and Networking Reception that will be held on Friday. Please come and meet them
and find out what they have planned for RU.
On Friday evening, you have the opportunity to discover some other changes that have
occurred on campus during a campus tour. What do Wendys, Salsaritas, Starbucks, and Ben
& Jerrys all have in common? They all made it to RU after most of you graduated. So grab a
slice of pizza from Sbarro or a cinnamon scone from Au Bon Pain for your stroll around
campus and be sure to drop in to the Museum of Earth Sciences located in Curie Hall. After
your tour, join us back in the Bonnie (Hurlburt Hall) for RU Back Up Late?. Bring a partner
and join us for some Spades, Bid Whist, Tonk or whatever your game is. Well also have
plenty of board games for lots of family fun.
BAW(Continued on page 4)
Black Alumni Weekend 2008
P A G E 2
There is no negro problem.
The problemis whether the
American people have
loyalty enough, honor
enough, patriotismenough,
to live up to their own
contstitiution . . .
Frederick Douglass (1818
1895)..
R U B A C N E W S
Barack Obama (Democrat)

IRAQ Obamas plan on ending the war in Iraq:
Remove one to two combat brigades monthly, all combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months; some troops
would be kept in Iraq to protect the American embassy and diplomats, and to carry out targeted strikes on al
Qaeda if the group attempts to build a base within Iraq.
Engage representatives from all levels of Iraqi society to seek a new accord on Iraqs constitution and
governance; the United Nations would play a central role in this convention.
Launch aggressive diplomatic effort to reach a new compact on the stability of Iraq and the Middle East that
would include all of Iraqs neighbors, such as Iran and Syria.
Provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries and ensuring that Iraqis
inside their own country can find a safe haven.
HEALTHCARE Obamas new national healthcare plan available to all Americans:
Guaranteed eligibilityillness or pre-existing conditions dont disqualify and subsidies would allow low-income
to participate.
Comprehensive benefitsthe benefit package would cover all essential medical services, including preventive,
maternity and mental-health care.
Simplified paperwork and reined-in health-care costs.
Portability and choiceparticipants in the new public plan would be able to move from job to job without
changing or jeopardizing their health-care coverage.
ENVIRONMENT Obama to address the issues of global warming and Americas dependence on foreign oil:
Implement a market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions by the amount scientists say is
necessary: 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Develop domestic incentives that reward forest owners, farmers and ranchers when they plant trees, restore
grasslands or undertake farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance new energy technologies that are more gentle to the
environment.
Double science and research funding for
clean-energy projects.
Provide retooling tax credits and loan guarantees for domestic auto plants and parts manufacturers, so that
they can
build new fuel-efficient cars.
EDUCATION - Obama to enhance American education:
Reform No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Work to ensure that all children have access to a strong science curriculum at all grade levels.
Support outreach programs like GEAR UP, TRIO and Upward Bound to encourage more young people from
low-income families to consider and prepare for college.
Make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit; credit would
ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans.
HOMELAND SECURITY - Obama to establish stronger homeland security and national emergency
measures:
Better protection of U.S. chemical plants from potential terrorist attacks.
Better guidelines for keeping track of spent nuclear fuel.
Mandatory planning for the evacuation of people with special needs during emergencies.
ECONOMY Obama to tackle Americas economic crisis:
Create a new Making Work Pay tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family; this tax
credit would eliminate income taxes for lowest-earning Americans.
Fight for a trade policy that opens up foreign markets to support good American jobs.
Help all workers adapt to a changing economy by updating the Trade Adjustment Assistance system.
Double federal funding for basic research and making the research and development tax credit permanent to
help create high-paying, secure jobs.
Raise the minimum wage, index it to inflation and increase the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Not privatize Social Security, and work to maintain solvency of the program.
Simplify IRS tax filings for middle class, including making a universal home mortgage credit available to those
who do not itemize their tax returns.
Protect consumers with a Credit Card Bill of Rights.
CIVIL / SOCIAL Obama to ensure rights of individuals are maintained and empower individuals:
Preserve womens rights under Roe vs. Wade. Oppose a constitutional amendment that makes abortions
illegal. Original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception.
Strengthen domestic violence and hate crimes laws.
Candidates (Continued on page 3)
Where Do They Stand?
P A G E 3
V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1
End Dont Ask, Dont Tell in the military. Pass federal non-discrimination law in employment that includes sexuality. Extend federal benefits to
same-sex couples who have a state-supported civil-union (not marriage); believes allowing civil-unions is state issue.
Equalize pay for all Americans working the same jobs; women and minorities continue to make less doing the same work.
Eliminate sentencing disparities for similar crimes (e.g. crack and powder-based cocaine) and ban racial profiling in federal law enforcement.
Information summarized from www.barackobama.com

John McCain (Republican)

IRAQ McCains strategy for victory in Iraq:
More U.S. troops in order to clear and hold insurgent strongholds, provide security for rebuilding local institutions and economies, halt
sectarian violence in Baghdad, disarm Sunni and Shia militias, dismantle al Qaeda, train the Iraqi Army and embed American personnel in Iraqi
police units.
Iraqi and American forces use force to clear areas occupied by insurgents. Hold these areas to deny them as a base for insurgent forces and
allow economic and political development to occur.
U.S. accelerates the training and equipping of Iraqi armed forces and police to enable them to play a key role in securing Iraq.
The international community applying pressure to Syria and Iran in order to stop them from aiding and abetting the violence in Iraq.
HEALTHCARE McCains vision for healthcare reform:
Use competition to improve the quality of health insurance so that there is greater variety to match peoples needs, lower prices and portability.
Allow families the option of receiving a tax credit of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance; families would
be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the provider.
Establish a Guaranteed Access Plan (GAP) with each state to ensure that Americans living below a certain income level or have previously been
denied health insurance can be insured.
Lower healthcare costs by providing cheaper drugs, providing cheaper care for chronic diseases, promoting coordinated care, having greater use
of information technology, reforming Medicaid and Medicare, and passing medical liability reform.
Ensure those with pre-existing conditions would not be denied health-care coverage.
ENVIRONMENT - McCain to limit carbon emissions:
Harness market forces that will bring advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy, to the market faster.
Reduce Americas dependence on foreign supplies of energy.
EDUCATION - McCain to implement educational plan:
Schools competing for the most effective, character-building teachers, hiring them and rewarding them.
Provide federal financial support so that parents can take their children out of failing schools and send them to better ones.
HOMELAND SECURITY - McCain to enhance homeland security:
Develop and deploying theater and national missile defenses.
Increase the size of the American military.
Modernize American armed forces, procure advanced weapons systems and address force protection.
Reform the defense budgeting process.
Fight for improved military pay and benefits, and an improved quality of life for military families. Ensuring that retired service personnel enjoy full
health care and benefits comparable to that received by retired federal employees.
ECONOMY - McCain to address Americas economic crisis:
End policies that contribute to higher transportation and food costs.
Give all deserving American families and/or homeowners the opportunity to trade burdensome mortgages for manageable loans that reflect
their homes market value.
Permanently repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) in order to save middle-class families nearly $60 billion in a single year.
Freeze discretionary spending, except for military and veterans, for one year to evaluate all programs. Consolidate redundant federal programs,
as well as strengthening community colleges and technical training for displaced workers to find similar or better jobs.
Reduce the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 25%.
Call on Congress to suspend the 18.4-cent federal gas tax and 24.4-cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Create two income tax systems where Americans can choose the new simplified version, or stay with the existing IRS system.
CIVIL / SOCIAL McCain to protect all human life as well as an individuals constitutional rights. Let legislators decide important social issues,
not the judicial branch of government:
Overturn Roe vs. Wade as a flawed decision; states should decide abortion issue locally.
Protect children by utilizing technology to restrict access to sexually explicit material on the web via federally-supported libraries and schools.
Support some types of stem cell research, but opposes the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes.
Reaffirm the institution of marriage is between one man and one woman.
Recognize the importance of assimilation of our immigrant population, which includes learning English, American history and civics, and
respecting the values of a democratic society.
Protect Second Amendment gun rights for law-abiding citizens. Oppose ban on assault rifles. Cosponsored legislation to lift gun ban in
Washington DC. Opposes waiting periods for gun sales.
Information summarized from www.johnmccain.com


(Continued from page 2)

Contacts:
info@radfordblackalumni.com
Website: http://www.radfordblackalumni.com
Radford University
Black Alumni Chapter
If you have photos or information that you would
like included in the RUBAC News, please e-mail
Teri Wheaton at teri@radfordblackalumni.com.
The newsletter will be posted each quarter.

The RUBAC News can be sent via U.S. mail if you
wish to receive a hardcopy. Please send an e-
mail making your wishes known.
When was
the last time
you had a
piece of
R&R fried
chicken with
a fried honey
biscuit?
A filling continental brunch will be held in the Office of Multicultural and International Services on Saturday
morning. Following brunch we will hold a discussion titled Are You Politically Correct?. We will discuss the
upcoming election and this historical election season overall. Does racism, sexism or ageism have any place in this
election? Come have your say.
After youve had your fill of politics, come have your fill your belly at our traditional BAW Alumni Barbecue at
Bissett Park. When was the last time you had a piece of R & R fried chicken with a fried honey biscuit? Please
meet us at the park for good times and good food. Following the barbecue, RUBAC will hold its annual business
meeting. If you want to find out what we have planned for the year or if you want to get involved, please do not
miss this meeting.
For the first time ever, this years step show will be an invitational! Groups and alumni groups from all over have
been invited to compete for the grand prize of $500. Check the RUBAC website often for a list of confirmed step
teams. If youre a member of an organization, please be sure to let your sorors or frat know that we need them
there to represent. And if you want to step, please be sure to sign your group up by Friday, September 12 by
visiting www.radfordblackalumni.com/stepshow.html. After the step show, meet us at Macados for more food
and fun!
BAW 2008 will wrap with a Farewell Brunch on Sunday in the Hurlburt Combo Room. Enjoy a meal and bid
friends farewell, until the next RUBAC event.
Please make your plans to attend BAW 2008 today! Each year our attendance has increased and we want this
year to be just as special. Our presence on Radfords campus can only aid us as were Campaigning for Change.
We look forward to seeing you in September.
BAW(Continued from page 1)
Were on the web!
www.radfordblackalumni.com
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Make sure
youre registered and dont forget to VOTE!