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Volume 70, Issue 9
The Return of John B. Cade
BY LEAH WILLIAMS DIGEST STAFF WRITER
Denella Ri’chard, a Southern University alumna, was recently honored by The Network Journal of Black Professionals and Small Business Magazine. Ri’chard was awarded as one of the 25 Influential Black Women in Business. This award luncheon is one of New York City’s most prestigious events. The award honors black women that not only have large professional achievements, but that also have made large contributions to their community. She received her award for her contributions to the international cruise industry and to her community in southern Florida. Ri’chard serves as the Senior Director of Trade Communications and Engagement for the Holland America Line. She is also an active member of the American Society of Travel Agents and an active member of Cruise Lines International Association. In her spare time, she teaches high school students through The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and volunteers and fundraises for Seafarers’ House. Ri’chard is even a former board member of The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis. Her early life was much different. She grew up near Southern University and her father passed in a car accident near their home on Harding Blvd. After his death, her mother, a secretary at Southern See RI’CHARD page 3
After four months of renovations, following January’s extreme weather conditions causing a pipe to burst, the John B. Cade library will be reopened to students today with the majority of it’s resources resuming normal routine. Library officials will continue to strive towards a fully functional facility in the upcoming months.
BY GABRIELLE HUTCHINSON DIGEST NEWS EDITOR
The John B. Cade Library is scheduled to re-open today at 7:30am. As many know, amid inclement weather in January, the John B. Cade library took a dive for the worst when a pipe burst and flushed every floor with an estimated 2-4 inches of water. Library staff members were appalled, but took no time to begin making accommodations for students. “When I came up here that Saturday and saw all that water coming from the ceiling of this library, I was really devastated,” recalled Southern University Dean of Libraries, Ms. Emma BradfordPerry. “Then I said to myself, ‘I cannot stay in devastation mode. I’ve got to figure out something for these students.’” Within a few days, Guarantee
Restoration Services began removing damaged drywall and carpet, and students were provided temporary services located in the library’s student center on the first floor. New carpeting can be found in the student lounge area, the reference desk lounge area, designated walkways, and highuse areas. The library has been restored not only visually, but also functionally. For four months, students maintained limited access to computers, printers, and copiers in the first floor Student Snack Center. “Even though we have been somewhat impacted, the students as a whole probably have not missed anything,” university Archivist Angela Proctor explained. Eventually, the computer labs on the second floor reopened, but all of those resources are being taken out of their temporary set-up and
returned where they belong. Having served as the Southern University Dean of Libraries since 1992, Dean Perry has developed a passion for the students, and with final exams three weeks away, emphasizes their priority in the restoration process. Even parents have expressed concerns about the condition of the library. “I’ve had parents calling me about when we’d be opening back up because her daughter told her she had a special place on the third floor where she liked to study and she hadn’t been able to go up there,” she spoke lightheartedly. As Dean Perry strolled through the halls of the library, she emphasized that its restoration has been no walk in the park. Ordering new equipment and materials can be difficult between ordering, arrival, and receiving approval from the Purchasing Department and State of Louisiana; and the
work does not stop here. There is still a collection of books awaiting appraisal before replacement, and a great deal of bare flooring, as can be seen in the library’s popular study rooms. “A lot of students use these individual study carrels that they could check out, but we can no longer use them.” They are all restricted with caution tape and lacking some drywall and ceiling tiles. Although some areas are unfinished, the first three floors of the library are safe for student use unless marked otherwise. Students are advised to take heed of restrictions for their safety and comfort. “It’s been long waiting process but I think for the fact that we have dean Perry and the managers that have been so instrumental in trying See CADE RETURNS page 3
SGA Elections: All is Fair in Votes and Scores BY DEBRANDIN BROWN DIGEST STAFF EDITOR
Spring SGA elections took place prior to spring break on Southern University’s Baton Rouge campus this year, and with it came scrutiny towards the election process and the integrity of candidates. Much of the scrutiny received in this year’s race was aimed towards the race for Miss Southern. On the day of the election, there were reports from numerous students that Darby Smith, a candidate running for Miss. Southern had unfairly campaigned when she allowed a local radio host to give her a shoutout on their show. There was a large number of students who believed this action to be grounds for disqualification, but Smith went on to win the election, and those in opposition of her campaign attributed her victory to the radio shout-out. On the other hand, there were those who believed that the election was as fair as it could have been, such as Olajuwon George, a junior Psychology major from New Iberia,
Louisiana. “I don’t think she cheated,” George began. “I like Darby. I think she won fair and square.” In speaking to many voters who participated in the election, a fair amount of them shared George’s view on the issue. On the other hand, there are those who feel as though this year’s elections are a prime example as to why regulations and their enforcement should be made more specific. One individual who is a proponent of such change is DeKendrick Johnson, a senior Business Management major from New Orleans, Louisiana. “There should be stricter regulations. Not to say that someone did [break] protocol, but to ensure that there is no second guessing, [more can be done] to eliminate the thought of tampering,” Johnson suggested. Parents of the candidates felt equally as strongly. “The reason I don’t feel like this election was fair was because another candidate, Darby Smith, advertised on the Rickey Smiley show this morning, which is a nationally
syndicated radio show, and it is a clear violation of the election rules,” the mother of a Miss SU candidate, Jolandra Stevenson began. “We reported it at 8 o’clock and the Elections Committee was already aware of it at 8 o’clock.” The mother and daughter did not receive a response for action until 12 noon, when Ms. Smith was sanctioned for the shout-out. With criticism flooding social media after the Spring 2018 election results were announced, both sides of the debate were justified. There were many like Olajuwon George who believed that the election was as honest and fair as a Southern SGA election could get. Likewise, there was a vast number of voters who believed that Smith only won because of the outside interference. Smith’s mother, Xochi Richardson, too, chimed in on the debacle. “I’m assuming people are referring to the national support from Rickey Smiley. [Darby] met him a long time ago. He was impressed and he’s been working with her,” she defended. “He knows Darby personally and what he said on the air was absolutely
Spring 2018 elections voting receipt. Courtesy: Sean Colby Griffin Jr.
true. Him choosing to support her and do it nationally -- we had no control over that.” Jonas Vanderbilt Jr., Director of Student Life at Southern University, was also able See SGA ELECTIONS page 3
THE OFFICIALTHE STUDENT OF SOUTHERN AND A&M COLLEGE, BATONLOUISIANA ROUGE, LOUISIANA OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERNUNIVERSITY UNIVERSIT Y AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE,