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Volume 70, Issue 10
SACS ACCREDITATION UPDATE Young steps down, Ammons Steps in BY DEBRANDIN BROWN DIGEST STAFF WRITER
AMMONS
Career Services honored in Black Enterprise Magazine BY GABRIELLE HUTCHINSON/ DEJOHN RICHARDSON DIGEST STAFF WRITERS
Since 1970, Black Enterprise Magazine has curated content for those in business and entrepreneurship, or simply anyone with a drive for success. Dedicated to serving as large an audience as possible, it publishes business and, ultimately, “wealth-building” resources via Black Enterprise Magazine, digital content, and nationally syndicated broadcasts. “Every issue of Black Enterprise Magazine connects on a personal level with African Americans who are serious about success,” the website pledges. With that, it’s a no brainer that the magazine approached Director of Career Services, Tamara Montgomery, after catching wind of the admirable work she has been doing for her HBCU. The Director of Career Services names her department as her safe See CAREER SERVICES page 3
Southern University was hit with a warning that threatened to strip the historically black university of its accreditation during June of last year. The university needs its accreditation in order to issue degrees or accept any federal funds. The cause of these sanctions originate from faculty standards and student complaints, amongst other things. During the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Board of Trustees meeting that takes place every June, Southern University was issued a warning; and was told to prepare a report that would address the issues the university was being cited for. “With the warning, we were required to submit a monitoring report that would address the four issues that SACS cited us for. And those issues were based
around faculty, how we access and evaluate our academic programs, student issues, student satisfactory progress, and student complaints. That report was due
although there was reason to believe that she would stay with the university, Young retired before any real progress could begin, and was succeeded by Dr. Ammons.
“The one thing about Southern University is that it is a resilient institution, and we have been able to hire a new director of accreditation, who has a number of years of experience . . .” Dr. James Ammons - Executive Vice President/Executive Vice Chancellor
on April 3rd, and we submitted it to SACS,” said Executive ViceChancellor of Southern University of Baton Rouge campus, Dr. James Ammons, when asked about our current status of the warning. The Board of Trustees of SACS is set to meet in June, and whether or not the university has adhered to its standards will determine if any further sanctions will be issued. The Interim Executive Vice Chancellor before Dr. Ammons, Dr. Luria Young, played a pivotal role in the initial push to improve our standings with SACS, and
“Let me tell you, Dr. Young was a key member of the university community and had been a member of the faculty administration for over twenty years. When someone reaches that milestone in one setting, they are missed — sorely missed,” said Dr. Ammons when asked how his predecessor’s retirement impacted the university’s current mission of being taken off of the SACS accreditation warning list. As far as Dr. Young’s retirement is concerned, *Ammons continued on to say that despite Young’s retirement, the university has
remained strong in her absence. “The one thing about Southern University is that it is a resilient institution, and we have been able to hire a new director of accreditation, who has a number of years of experience in higher education and executive positions, and who has served as a consultant on the accreditation process at the university for nearly two years. And the new director worked very closely with Dr. Young, so we were able to pick right up from the work that she did by bringing him in.” As to whether or not there is any serious possibility of Southern losing its accreditation at the conclusion of the Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Ammons seemed very confident that there was no genuine danger. “We have demonstrated, I think, compliance with the core requirements of SACS, as well as the comprehensive standards. The See SACS page 3
The Touch Up: Housing upgrades Child care on the Bluff: in spite of upset students One big bluff
BY BRIA GREMILLION DIGEST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Upgrades and renovations to eight residence halls on campus along with the university apartments have been in progress for several semesters now, according to the Department of Residence Life and Housing. Boley, Reed, Grandison, Jones, Totty, Shade, Bethune and White Residence Halls have all been upgraded within the past year. Boley Hall and the university apartments can expect new
mattresses this summer. In addition, the apartments will be adorned with new suite furniture. “Southern living made easy” is the theme of the department, shares Director of Residence Life and Housing, Tracie Abraham. “We try to stick to that,” she goes on to say. This semester, female occupied Reed Hall underwent bathroom upgrades. The community bathrooms were re-tiled, including shower doors and stalls. Freshman Mass Communications major from Galveston, TX, Dazya Mitchell shares that although
Bathroom and shower upgrades completed in all male dormitory, White Hall in 2016. Courtesy: Tracie Abraham
the renovations have not been completed, they are a welcomed change. “I feel as though the gentlemen did a great job with the renovation of bathrooms, however I think the addition of lowering the shower heads and redoing the showers would have been even more beneficial,” stated Mitchell. With limited resources and funding, renovations tend to take a longer time than average. Co-ed dormitory, Boley Hall has
See UPGRADES page 3
Wood laminate hallways that were renovated in Boley Hall in fall 2017. Courtesy: Tracie Abraham
BY GABRIELLE HUTCHINSON DIGEST NEWS EDITOR
One of Southern University’s most important goals is retention. It has established for students a variety of departments and services that work to provide students the best conditions and accommodations as possible -- including students with children. In keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the university is specifically prohibited from discriminating against expecting mothers. When the student is no longer able to travel to classes, there are recording and note taking services available. There is also a Full-Time Father Program under the Department of Social Work, which offers a Responsible Fathers curriculum and teaches student dads to be nurturing parents. Even further, Southern U offers a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development. Often referred to as simply Child Development, FCS is a college that teaches not only childhood curriculum and instruction, but also every element of family life. See CHILD CARE page 3
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Spring 2018 Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bria Gremillion MANAGING EDITOR Jacqueline Morgan COPY EDITORS -------------NEWS EDITOR Gabrielle Hutchinson MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Devin Hadrick A&E EDITOR Najeri Evans SPORTS EDITOR James Eaglin, Jr. PHOTO EDITOR Caleb Penn (Interim)
DIGEST STAFF WRITERS Araina Akins Chelsea Beardon Devon Fedrick James Eaglin, Jr. Rocelyn Hamilton Vincent Honey Leah Williams Debrandin Brown Keith Lewis Taylor Jean-Lewis Contara Mayfield Stephanie Mbaya Caleb Penn Yasmere Rashada DeJohn Richardson Ace Wheeler Kerry Wilson DIGEST PHOTOGRAPHERS Olivia Brock Camryn Hawkins Shomari Moore Julian Alvarez Kyndall Jones
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CAMPUS BRIEFS CLIMATE SURVEY All Southern University students are enrolled in the Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing Education Course. The purpose of the survey is to access students’ perception of safety on campus, and it takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Please check Moodle to complete the survey if you have not already done so. ACADEMIC HONORS DAY AWARDS PROGRAM Save the date! The annual Academic Honors Day Awards Program for the Baton Rouge campus will be held on Friday, April 20 in Seymour Gymnasium at 10:15AM. The theme is “A Tradition of Academic Excellence.” Students, parents, faculty and administrators are encouraged to attend this premier recognition ceremony. Honorees range from honor roll designees, to memorial award recipients, to winners of the Faculty Senior Award for Academic Excellence and the Chancellor’s Award. DEPARTMENT OF SPEECH AND THEATRE The department of Speech and Theatre would like to announce the Spring production of An Evening of Scenes and Monologues featuring members of the SU Drama Club. Performance dates are April 20 and 21. All performances will be at 7:30PM in Hayden Hall. JAGUAR BASEBALL The Jaguars return home this weekend to Lees-Hines Field to face Grambling State in a three-game weekend series. First game starts on Friday, April 20 at 6PM, Game 2: Saturday at 4PM, and Game 3: Sunday at 1PM. JAGUAR SOFTBALL The Lady Jaguars will be heading to Texas this week, to take on the Texas Southern Lady Tigers at 3PM on Friday, April 20, 2018. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT SUPD is hosting ‘Kickin It With Cops’ on Today in the residential circle. Come out and mingle with SUPD while enjoying food, games, and a live DJ. DEPARTMENT OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS The department of Visual and Performing Arts presents the Spring Invitational Student Art Exhibition. The exhibit will be open until April 19. Gallery hours are Mon. - Thurs. from 10AM - 4PM. JOHN B. CADE LIBRARY Save the date! The annual Academic Join the Dean of Libraries and Faculty/ Staff of the John B. Cade Library in honoring the winners of the Pinkie Gordon Lane Poetry Contest Friday, April 20, 2018 at 11AM in the student center on the first floor of the library. The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
LATE NIGHT STUDY SESSION Tutoring Services is having a Late Night Study Session on Tues., April 24. Come get free tutoring and study assistance in Math, Chemistry, Biology, and more from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. It will be held at the MLK Student Center (across from Bethune Dormitory). Pizza and scantrons will be provided. Prof. T. Johnson will also be there to tutor in Biology CUSA TUTORING SERVICES The Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement Tutoring Center offers free and friendly academic tutoring to SU students in Math, Chemistry, Biology and Nursing classes Monday – Friday from 8:30AM to 5:30PM. The Tutoring Center is located in Stewart Hall, Room 155. SCHOOL OF NURSING Call for Standardized Patients. The pay will be $30/hr in the form of a gift card. For more information, call Shena Williams 225-771-5000. AFRICAN STUDENTS ORGANIZATION The African Students Organizarion presents African Night: “A Night In Wakanda,” featuring music, culture, dance and comedy on April 21 at 6PM. Admission is free. Location is TBA. NATIONAL ACADEMIC SIGNING DAY The Southern University System and Southern University Alumni Federation Chapters across the country invite high school students accepted into the SUS to its National Academic Signing Day on Saturday, April 21. Location and time are forthcoming. ROBOTICS AND SENSORS SUMMER CAMP SU Department of Computer Science will be hostinga Summer Robotics Camp in June. Students participate in hands-on robotics and sensorsactivities, designed to prepare them to conduct quality research in their studies and in their careers. Students are also involved in many fun activities, including guided tours of our scientific labs and offcampus field trips. High School Sessions timeline: Session 1: June 4 - June 15, 9am 3:30pm Session 2: June 18 - June 29, 9am - 3:30pm. For more information: http://www.cmps.subr.edu/index.php/ summer-camp
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Tuesday, April 17, 2018 - Page 3 UPGRADES from page 1
after
before
Before and after photos of bathroom renovations completed in all male residence hall, Bethune Cookman in 2015.
received repurposed furniture and ceiling tiles in the lobby area. Sophomore Nursing major, Jasmine Hartke from Beloit, WI, shares her thoughts on the upgrades in the residence hall. “Boley is definitely in need of an update. I love the air conditioning though. It will be nice to not be sleeping on a mat. One thing that should be a priority is not having mold on the floor and having more trash cans so the elevator isn’t always trashy,” Hartke shared. Last spring, all washrooms were upgraded with new, coinless washers and dryers featuring wash cards that can be reloaded every month at no immediate cost to students. Additionally, wood laminate floors were placed in all hallways. Over 200 air conditioning units have been replaced in Boley, allowing students to control heating and cooling on an individual basis. “The biggest challenge is accomodating the needs of all 2,200 students because you not only have to accommodate the students but you have to deal with the parents,” Abraham shared. “If it weren’t for the students we wouldn’t be here … without the students we have haven, where she serves and empowers students for post-graduation success. “We assist students and alumni in executing this plan by providing workshops on various career-related topics such as resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills, internship exploration, proper dining etiquette, job search techniques, and appropriate attire for interviews and job-related events,” expressed Montgomery via subr.edu/careerservices. Black Enterprise Magazine was not the only entity impressed by Montgomery’s initiative from miles away. Facebook member and Associate Provost at Texas Southern University, Robert Ford, gleams, “These attributes are reflected in the outcomes you produce and the quality of Southern graduates moving into the workplace,” in regards to her national recognition. There are certainly options for pregnant women and fathers on campus, but none for parents who need temporary childcare. In fact, due to liability risks, parents are not allowed to bring their young children on campus. Many college-aged parents are single and without some sort of governmental or familial support, their funds reflect their status. “Especially if you’re in high school or college because that thing is broke,” junior English major, Kelly Bazile of Rayne, Louisiana agreed. In Louisiana, the average cost for infant day care is $5,754, as reported by Jennifer Larino with the Times Picayune. Bazile, a mother of three, had her first child in high school, where she was only allowed to bring her baby
It is an honor for Southern University to be featured in such a prestigious magazine in the African American community. Black Enterprise events are national headlines with thousands of attendees -- the perfect combination of industry leaders and business owners in the black community. With heavy emphasis on post-graduate careers and wealth advancement, the magazine works with a variety of HBCUs in more ways than one -- namely, its Women in Power and Entrepreneurs Summit conferences. Southern University Jaguars are groomed for networking and professional experiences, especially at the annual career fair hosted each semester, beginning their freshman year. “About 85 percent of the companies that consistently attend the career fairs have hired
to her home economics class. “I took a parenting class, so I was able to bring her to that one class.They gave me a fake baby but I had a real baby, so I opted out of the fake baby thing,” Bazile laughed. For those without a good support system, balancing parenthood with student life is no laughing matter. Southern University at Baton Rouge houses a fully furnished child care facility which can be found abandoned on E Street, just past Pinkie E. Thrift Hall. In 2015, the building had plans to be among the area’s only child care facilities to offer full wraparound services -- those are health, family, food, psychological or mental deficiencies, and especially emergencies. What’s more is that the facility
nothing,” she finished. To further comfort students, freshman dorms Totty, Shade, Jones and Grandison received new mattresses last summer. Both female dorms, Totty and Shade Halls received new common area lounge furniture along with new lobby furniture. In Grandison Hall, ceiling tile grids were changed on the first, second and third floor hallways along with those in the lobby. The dorm also received new furniture. The bathroom stalls and showers in male dormitories Bethune Cookman and White Halls were completely redone. Students are reminded to keep littering at a minimum and to maintain clean living conditions at all times. Abraham urges student to visit her office located in building 300 of the university apartments or send her an email at tracie_ abraham@subr.edu with any concerns or complaints. She reminds students that there is no issue the department cannot work to resolve but staff members must first be aware. In preparation of fall 2018, Bradford Hall, which has been closed for ten years is being completely remodeled and is scheduled for re-open.
Southern students and graduates over the past five years,” Montgomery said. However, while the SU Career Fair and Professional Development and Leadership Institute have been proven invaluable, students are encouraged to continue their professional endeavors beyond the Jaguar nation. “Behind the numbers is an audience of affluent men and women that no other financial publication is reaching,” Black Enterprise states, and for as little as $175, an SU student can be in those numbers at the June 2018 Entrepreneur’s Summit. Stop by the Office of Career Services located on the first floor of T.H. Harris Hall in suite 1100 to schedule an appointment with Mrs. Montgomery and her team of dedicated individuals. There, students may
is actually a laboratory that was designed to be utilized for the practicum requirements of Family and Consumer Sciences, Social Work, Speech and Language Pathology, and Psychology students. The plan was spearheaded by then Child Development Program Leader, Dr. Cheria Lane, who gained the full support and funding from Community Initiatives Foundation of Baton Rouge. “The CIF was willing to award us $500,000 for five years and they were going to make all the required renovations to make the center up to code, as well as fund the director,” Dr. Lane recalled. The university was only expected to provide a small amount of money to sustain from year-to-year.
SACS from page 1 one core requirement we had was the one regarding adequacy of faculty, and I think that in the monitoring report, we [have] demonstrated that we do have adequate faculty to deliver the academic programs here at the university,” said Dr. Ammons. While a lack of trust among students towards administration has played its own role in the accreditation process, members of the student body have let it be known that they trust their administration to correct the miscues of the past. Garon Williams, a freshman Computer Science major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana shares the Vice-Chancellor’s sentiments in this regard, “I have faith in Southern. They’re going to get it done,” said Williams when asked about his personal belief in his university to make things right. As far as Southern University’s overall status is concerned, the SACS Board of Trustees meeting in June will determine whether or not Southern University’s name is removed from the accreditation warning list. In the opinions of both the administration and the student body however, there is nothing to
IT’S SPRINGFEST WEEK! HAVE FUN, BE SAFE!
CAREER SERVICES from page 1 obtain information and guidance to reach their career goals. Montgomery also coaches students on business-professional attire in preparation for the annual career fair and how to conduct themselves for a formal event or job interview. She and her team also provide information about upcoming externships, internships, and co-ops. The Career Services department not only serves students but is also around to aid the career development needs of corporate sponsors, and alumni members as well. For those of you who are ambitious and goal-oriented, the Office of Career Services is the place on campus that can help you all achieve that success.
Later that year, Dr. Lane took an extended medical leave, and upon returning in the Spring, the plans were off the table. She is unclear on the disconnect. With on-campus daycare out of the question, student parents are left with online and hybrid class alternatives, which are not available for all courses. Even so, young parents are encouraged to persevere and pursue their degrees relentlessly. However, “For my student parents, your children come first,” Dr. Lane reminds. “You started in school because you wanted to make a life for yourself, and now you have another person to consider.” Having been a single mother in her final year at Southern University, herself, Dr. Lane has had to bring
CHILD CARE from page 1 her child to school. Between classes, she and her mother, who was also an undergraduate student at the time, often took turns babysitting in the lobby of her college with her mother. Her advice to her student parents comes from experience. The family life specialist strongly advises finding a balance between work, school, and family time. “You’re going to need the establishment of that early relationship so when you get those coins in your pocket, you don’t have a nice bank account and a nice home with a child that despises you,” she warns. “You’d be surprised what those little ones remember.”
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Warm welcome for Woods on the Bluff BY DEBRANDIN BROWN DIGEST SPORTS WRITER
Since the conclusion of the 2017-2018 basketball season, there has been an increased sense of anticipation from the Jaguar faithful concerning the future of the men’s basketball program. With the hiring of Sean Woods on April 11, however, all doubt was put to rest as to who would lead the Southern University men’s basketball team. Woods, an alumni of the University of Kentucky, played at the Division I level for four years and coached at a Division I level for five years at Morehead State University, where he amassed a record of 77-70 from 2012 to 2016. After leaving Morehead two months into the 2016-2017 season amidst legal troubles, Woods spent the 2017-2018 season as assistant coach at Stetson University. Prior to coaching at Morehead, Woods also spent four years at Mississippi Valley State University from 2008 to 2012. Having only won seven games prior to the arrival of Woods in 2008, Woods led the Delta Devils to 21 wins and an NCAA Tournament berth in his final year with the team in 2012. The decision to hire Woods came after Interim Head Coach, Morris Scott, led the Jaguars to a 15-18 season in which led to a berth in the SWAC tournament. Director of Athletics, Roman Banks, spoke to the media prior to Coach Wood’s introductory press conference in order to share insight as to how the decision to hire Coach Woods ultimately came about. “It had to be a person that could relate to the pride of our fans; someone who knows what it means to be special, because Jaguar fans are proud and [they] expect results,” said Athletics
DIGEST MANAGING EDITOR
Standing the home field of the Southern Jaguars baseball team since 1992, the Lee Hines baseball field has hosted hundreds of SU baseball games and tournaments, including the 2008 and 2012 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournaments. This season , however, the Jaguars (7-22, 4-9 SWAC) have struggled to make an appearance, playing just three games on their home field thus far. With the schedule reflecting at least sixteen home games this season, students are disappointed that they have not been able to support the team on campus. Junior Mechanical Engineering major Johnathon Banks, is a baseball enthusiast who plays for fun in his hometown, Sacramento, California. “As a student who is a fan of baseball, I was really disappointed with the overall number of home games that we had this year because I feel like baseball is already a sport that doesn’t get much attention in comparison to other sports. In addition to that, the lack of home
Cheerleading: Sport or spectacle? BY JACQUELINE MORGAN DIGEST MANAGING EDITOR
New Men’s Basketball head coach, Sean Woods solidifies his place on the team by wearing a SU hat during the press conference held Friday, April 13 in the F.G. Clark Activity Cemter. (Devin Hadrick/DIGEST) Director, Roman Banks. “Ultimately, a person that can take this team right now and can continue to build what we have in place right now with our student athletes and to become a consummate winner, competing for championships day-in and dayout; one that I feel like our fans deserve,” said Banks in regards to what the university ultimately needed as head coach. As can be imagined, many members of the student body have had strong feelings about
such a drastic change in their basketball program. One such student is Devin Raby, a freshman civil engineering major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is an example of someone who doesn’t agree with the decision to move on from Coach Scott. “If something isn’t broke, then don’t fix it,” See WARM WELCOME page 5
There’s no place like Stoppage Time: home: SU baseball Soccer uses spring returns to Lee Hines field to regroup after BY JACQUELINE MORGAN
SPORTS COMMENTARY
games this year is detrimental to the success of the team as they are operating under the new system of their head coach Mr. Kerrick Jackson,” said Banks. Newly hired Head Coach, Kerrick Jackson addressed the issue head on, but maintained that the team is responsible for the outcome regardless of the conditions. “We have a problem in our outfield where the water sits in there and floods a bit, so we’ve actually only had 3 home games...anytime it rains, it floods and sits in the outfield,” said Jackson. Obviously it does affect us a little bit, but at the same time my whole motto with our guys is ‘adapt and overcome’ ... so it’s a factor in what we do, but it shouldn’t be the reason why we’re not successful.” Although the team has not been playing on the Lee Hines field, home games have still taken place in the community and the team practices regularly. “We went over and played at [Baton Rouge Community College]. We did a lot of practice at Zachary High School because
See NO PLACE page 5
tough season
BY JAMES EAGLIN, JR. DIGEST SPORTS EDITOR
Jeremy Fontenot enters his third season as the Head Coach of the Southern University women’s soccer program with a record of 3-14-1. Southern suffered 13 losses last season alone. Fontentot was available last Friday after practice at Jaguar Field to comment on his plans to turn the program around. “We came into this spring knowing we won’t have the numbers,” he stated, referring to the roster turnaround the team is facing. With six seniors graduating, including goalkeeper Kendra Lewis, the team is left with 15 players from last season. To put in perspective, eleven players are typically on the field at one time. The limited numbers place some strain on the ability to have proper rotations. The team was only able to participate in one spring scrimmage thus far. Help is on the way, though. Nine student-athletes were
signed by the programs during the 2018 National Signing Day period. Fontenot also plans on adding junior college transfers to the roster, bringing the anticipated 2018 roster to roughly 26-28 student-athletes, the most in program history. The larger roster brings the opportunity for more fast-paced game movement. When asked about the possible differences between recruiting for soccer comparing to football and baskeball, Coach replied, “I don’t think its much of a difference. Everybody come in for two things: to play the sport they love, and to get an education.” Fontenot outlined the spring training with March being used to help individual players improve their mental and physical conditioning, and April focusing on honing summer plans. “We’re in the weight room See SOCCER page 5
Is cheerleading a sport? In highschool, the cheerleaders were exactly what their name presented them to be: girls who led the cheers. That is all they did. We showed up to assemblies, basketball games, football games, pep rallies, and everything else knowing the crowd was the unofficial cheerleading team. They would prance out onto the floor or field and yell at us using their inside voices. How pathetic, right? Then, at the end of the game, after we’ve lost of course, they’re all running to get water. For what, ladies? Are you winded? Have you perspired? I didn’t think so. I broke more of a sweat than you cheering from the bleachers. They made us look bad. Fast forward four miserable, unexciting years and I was introduced to the REAL. Do you hear me? Hands down, real-life, tumbling, flipping, dipping, and everything else you can imagine a collegiate cheerleader doing. I remember my first Jaguar football game. I was there because it was the thing to do at the time. I mean, it was always the move on the weekend. Me and my friends sat in the student section, and pretended to care that football was happening on the field. Two quarters later, I’m about ready to quit pretending and blow the popsicle stand. Then all of a sudden, Tevin (and don’t pretend you don’t know who he is) flips about twenty times down the track around the perimeter of the field. I was sold. Two more quarters later, and I’m finding myself at the edge of the bleachers, watching the cheerleading team do their thing. A sport. They were doing all kinds of stunts, flipping every time we scored a touchdown, and still full of energy. By the end, their faces were still beat, linings still in tact, and diaphragms stronger than ever. No one even searched for a drop of water. They were doing what they loved. So, I guess it depends on when you ask me. In high school, cheerleading was not a sport. It was an extracurricular activity that came with a cute uniform and popularity. At my HBCU, cheerleading is a way of life. The cheerleaders show up and show out every time, and it might be one of the greatest shows of skill I’ve ever witnessed. Pure skill combined with Jaguar spirit. Now that’s a sport.
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Tuesday, April 17, 2018 - Page 5
Softball Team Luncheon Honors Seniors BY JAMES EAGLINS, JR. DIGEST SPORTS EDITOR
Despite a dreary Saturday forecast, bright smiles were all around the Club Suite inside the A.W. Mumford Field House as the Southern University softball team took time out to celebrate its three senior student-athletes. Catcher Kiara Suttles, outfielder Sydney Andrews, and infielder Jamani Greer were all honored at the event, hosted by head coach John Garris, in front of their teammates, coaches, family, and friends. Other members of the athletics department were present as well, including Executive Associate Athletics Director, Trayveon Scott. Suttles, a native of Chattanooga, TN, has enjoyed a career filled with accolades while at Southern. She was an All-SWAC First Team selection in 2015, while also being named to the All-SWAC Second Team in 2016. As of April 14, Suttles has a .386 career batting average, coupled with 37 career home runs. She has been the leader in slugging percentage for the Lady Jags all four seasons. Andrews has had a knack for being an aggressive base runner throughout her career. A 2016 AllSWAC Second Team selection in 2016, the Missouri City, TX product has stolen 35 bases over
her tenure. Her .401 career onbase percentage is a testament of her ability to get on base. “Thank [you] for everything [you all] have done for me. I am glad I could end my softball career with this group of people,” Andrews remarked. Greer, also from Chattanooga, TN, has played alongside Suttles since the age of seven. This season, she is third on the team in hits. She also leads the team in fielding percentage. “It’s been an experience; you have to take the good with the bad. But it was great, she remarked.” Out of 115 games over a fouryear career, the three studentathletes have only missed five games, combined. The legacy the three players leave behind is rooted in resilience. Despite not having the ability to play their home games on campus, Garris implored their impact would be felt on the Bluff for years to come. “The girls are our ‘unforgettables,’” commented Garris, referencing new head men’s basketball coach Sean Woods, a member of the 1992 University of Kentucky “Unforgettables” team that made the East Regional finals. Assistant coach Ed Monroe added the seniors would be legacy builders for the softball program. “Future kids that play this sport
DIGEST Illustration will hopefully look at and play like you, he expressed. Trayveon Scott agreed. “Anyone that comes behind these three has big shoes to fill.” Each senior was presented a poster bearing their name and likeness, along with an autographed jersey signed by their teammates, among other gifts. “Wherever you go whatever you do, that blue and gold [will always be] engrained in you,” said Scott.
The luncheon took place a day after Southern picked up two dominant wins versus Jackson State to close out their home schedule. Picked to finish fourth in the west division during the preseason, the Lady Jaguars are seeking a postseason push to bring home the first softball championship since 2003 The Lady Jaguars will travel to Houston, TX this weekend to face off against Texas Southern.
said Raby. Unlike most teams that Woods has coached, the Jaguars have an experienced cluster of talent that already has a winning pedigree, a fact that Coach Woods expounded on greatly during his introductory press conference. “It’s not like my other schools I worked for where there was nothing there. The cupboard was bare. The cupboard isn’t bare here. I’ve just got to get these guys to understand my way of doing things,” said Coach Woods. With players such as guard Eddie Reese and forward Sidney Umunde returning next season, along with a relatively promising recruiting class, Wood’s winning mentality will only serve to complement the abundance of talent that will touch the hardwood for the Jaguars next season. “I’m very optimistic. I look at numbers; I haven’t looked at one game tape. So I’m coming in knowing that there’s enough here,” said Woods in relation to the talent level on the team right now. Woods continued on to speak about his own plans and expectations for the offseason and looking into next season, “We have to go out and recruit a few more to add to the equation. But my goal is to win right way, and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
NO PLACE from page 4 they were pretty gracious to let us come and let us use their facilities … we practice on the football field, and we make due with whatever we can,” concluded Jackson. Just next door, the softball team (13-17) is facing similar barriers after playing an entire season off of their home field. Despite being a season-long obstacle, softball players admitted that field conditions failed to throw any curveballs at their plans on overcoming. “Our field is not playable due to NCAA requirements. We need a couple of things like nets on our dugout and our backstop needs to be fixed, but we’re getting there,” Shauna Knighten, a junior Psychology major from Quitman, Louisiana, said. “I don’t think it’s impacted our season much, though. We’re
upset because it is our home field, but as a team we give everything we’ve got … win or lose, we win as a team and lose as a team.” Without going into detail, Executive Associate Athletic Director Trayvean D. Scott shed light on the home field conditions as well. “Right now we’re not playing on field because it’s not safe … I don’t think there are any odds against them. They’re not playing any road games, and they’re still playing at home, no more than seven minutes from campus. Our expectations are to win, regardless if we play at home or not. And that’s what they’ve been able to do. It’ll be my hope that these young ladies will finish out the rest of the year strong and bring a softball championship to Southern University,” Scott concluded. SOCCER from page 4
almost every day, we’re on the field almost every day,” added junior defender Desirae George-McCool. Despite leaving the 2017 season without a win, Fontenot was able to draw some takeaways from his team. Close conference losses proved that the team could perform better than their record suggested. Five overtime games took a toll on team, and a bad case of the injury bug did not make things any better. “We knew we had the stamina, we just need to work on finishing,” said sophomore forward Sophia Zavala In terms of players to watch, Fontenot gave praise to Sha’tyra Barnes, a sophomore defender/forward from Baton Rouge, LA. He credited the product of Scotlandville High for her determination to rebound from her injury sustained last season. Soccer fans should also be on alert for two freshman goalies who will compete to fill the void left by goalie Kendra Lewis. Zavala has also ascended up the ranks,
being promoted to co-captain this spring. “Sophia already comes in with leadership of the team,” said Coach. “We believe that her having that role right now over the summer she will push herself.” Last season, the Phelan, CA native led the team in points, was tied for first on the team in goals and assists, and was second on the team in shots. As the interview ended, Fontenot was optimistic about his team heading into 2018, and is seeking the Jaguar Nation to get behind them. “I do believe we have the support from the faculty and staff of the athletics department but we are looking for more support from the school itself” The 2018 Southern Lady Jaguars women’s soccer schedule has yet to be released, but fans can support the program and Southern University athletics as a whole by contributing in Jag-A-Thon, which will be held April 2022, 2018. Refer to gojagsports.com for more information.
Photos of the Week THE
SOUTHERN DIGEST
The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926
(Keith Lewis/DIGEST)
(Rocelyn Hamilton/DIGEST)
Page 6 - Tuesday, April 17, 2018
The Beta Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. revealed new initiates at their probate on Sunday, April 15 at 7:08pm in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
(Leah Williams/DIGEST)
(Adedeji Ogunba/DIGEST)
Actors Devon Fedrick and Christopher Cruell performs a scence during the Drama Club Student showcase in Hayden Hall on April 14.
Students circle around members of the Beta Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Alpha Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as they stroll in front of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union on Wednesday, April 11.
(Keith Lewis/DIGEST)
(Rocelyn Hamilton/DIGEST)
Students sit and listen to a speech at the SULC One Health Synposium on Thursday, April 10 in the SU Law Center.
The Beta Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. revealed seven new members at their new member presentation on Saturday, April 14 in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
(Keith Lewis/DIGEST)
(Bria Gremillion/DIGEST)
Alysha Guss gives her vibrant rendention of Maxine Waters at the Drama Club Student Showcase in Hayden Hall on April 14.
Sgt. Riley Harbor and Cpl. Terrance Nolan of Baton Rouge police department, demonstating self defense tactics at Delta Sigma Theta kickboxing event on April 10.
Students enjoy rounds of bowling during the Resident Appreciation Party sponsored by the University Staff Apartments at Jaguar Lanes in the Student Union on April 12.
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Tuesday, April 17, 2018 - Page 7
(Keith Lewis/DIGEST)
(Rocelyn Hamilton/DIGEST)
The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Photos of the Week
Seven new members of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. were revealed on Saturday, April 14 at 6:20 P.M. in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
(Julian Alvarez/DIGEST)
(Rocelyn Hamilton/DIGEST)
Sgt. Riley Harbor demonstrates defense tactics with Victoria Williams at the Delta Sigma Theta Kickboxing event on April 10.
Students make introductory statements at the start of the domestic violence forum with guest speaker Eryka Green, hosted by the Alpha Tau chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorortiy, Inc. inside the event center on Thursday, April 12.
(Leah Williams/DIGEST)
(Keith Lewis/DIGEST)
New initiaties of the Beta Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. were revealed at their probate on Sunday, April 15 at 7:08 P.M. in the F.G. Activity Center.
Members of the Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. strolling in front of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union during Pretty Wednesday.
(Keith Lewis/DIGEST)
(Keith Lewis/DIGEST)
Ayla Goodson cuts the ribbon at her the grand opening of her new studio, Gemini Fitness, on Saturday, April 14.
Kayla Guidry and Tynisha Crushfield at their Sigma Alpha Iota initiation presentation on Thursday, April 12 in Debose Music Hall.
Students listen to the keynote speakers during the the ‘Procter and Gamble’ Leadership forum at PBS Pinchback on Thursday, April 12.
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BY JACQUELINE MORGAN
The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926
For SU, by SU: Art Gallery hosts Invitational Student Art Exhibition
DIGEST MANAGING EDITOR
Every year, the Southern University Art Gallery hosts an array of exhibitions that display the artistic talents of artists from all over Louisiana. This semester, on display is a collection of works created by present and former students of the university. Gallery Director and Associate Professor of Visual Arts, Robert Cox curated this year’s exhibition with a joyful, but heavy heart, as he expressed that none of the students have an art degree program to partake in. Nonetheless, several students across campus submitted work to be considered for the show. Of those students, seven were chosen and judged based on technique, creativity, and medium by a former student, Quaja Bell. Bell began her journey in the art program at Southern, but later transferred to Southeastern Louisiana University to continue her studies, and now teaches art at McKinley Middle School. “When the judge comes in, I always virtually lock them [in the gallery], and let them at it so there’s no kind of
20” x 16” acrylic on canvas piece titled ‘Peep’, created by junior Computer Science major, Amber Johnese. (Jacqueline Morgan/DIGEST)
influence whatsoever. And judging is always difficult because you have to consider all of the work and determine what’s going to be best of show,” Cox said.
1st Place in the show, 24” x 18” computer graphics ensemble, created by junior Mechanical Engineering major, Paris Edwards. (Jacqueline Morgan/DIGEST)
The pieces in the show were comprised of various mediums such as ceramics, computer graphics, acrylic on canvas, mixed media on board, amongst others, and all came from the artists’ personal
collections. Although each of the students were given the opportunity to partake in the exhibition, only four were able to leave the gallery with a prize. Students were able to place at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, in addition to honorable mention. The prizes were $150, $100, $50, and $25 respectively. Taking first place was junior Mechanical Engineering major, Paris Edwards from Opelousas, Louisiana with ‘Creativity’, created with computer graphics. “I wanted to express and exhibit my creative talents while helping to keep the creative elements alive in the art department,” Edwards explains as his motivation to submit work for the exhibition. Providing a unique twist to the norm of the exhibition, Amir Garrett, a junior Electronic Engineering major from Lafayette, Louisiana, was chosen to showcase his photography on the show’s invitation, virtually taking home a personal prize. See ART EXHIBIT page 10
Making fitness fun: SU alumna
opens fitness studio
1 Diabetes and says because of this, exercise and health play a Southern University alumna, major role in her everyday life. Ayla Goodson, opened her “That’s like a major key for me second location of Gemini as far as keeping my health in Studioz in Baton Rouge on order,” she states. Goodson opened her first Saturday, April 14. fitness studio in January 2015 in Fitness is defined as the Mobile, Alabama. “ I just kind condition of being physically fit and healthy. It can also be of got the idea when I was living defined as a set of attributes in Houston. I was working as that people have or achieve that an accountant at an oil and gas relates to the ability to perform company. I started taking pole classes as a different way to physical activity. SU Alumna, Ayla Goodson, opens the doors of her Gemini Studio for the first time on April 14,2018 (Keith Ayla Goodson wears many workout, and so I just got this different hats; author, mentor, random idea one day. I was Along with family and Fitness, Dance Cardio Fitness, outlet for women to come out and motivational speaker are going to move back to Mobile, friends, there were many people Tumbling, and Yoga. The studio and be themselves, but more open a studio, and just do that,” just a few to name. in attendance to welcome the can also host private classes and importantly love who they are. Ayla was diagnosed with Type says Goodson. Fitness is an important new business to the Baton parties. Along with being fit, factor that should be apart of Rouge community. Gemini Studioz’s Baton Goodson is all about women everyone’s everyday life, and Rouge team includes Ayla empowerment, self confidence, Ayla offers a fun environment to do so. Goodson, Meagan Callier, and loving who you are. In closing, Goodson expressed At the opening of her studio, Crystal Parker, Chassity Crittenden, and Courtney Goodson also incorporated a her gratitude for everyone that “CJay” Harness. Each of these few of her close friends and has been helping and supporting ladies has a history of dance their businesses into her grand her along the way by saying, “I and health backgrounds. Most opening. These businesses just have a bunch of amazing importantly, they are all also include pastry making, fitness people. I have been so blessed attire, henna tattoos, and healing to have these people in my life Southern University alum. that have been there from day “We all met in college,” Ayla body beads. There were also a few one.” answers after being asked if she giveaways for those who knew her staff in college. Gemini Studioz offers attended. SU Alumna, Ayla Goodson, cuts the ribbon at her Gemini Fitness studio grand opening on April 14, 2018.(Keith Lewis/ DIGEST) Gemini Studioz is also an See MAKING FITNESS page 10 many classes including Pole
BY CONTARA MAYFIELD DIGEST STAFF WRITER
Arts & Entertainment southerndigest.com
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The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926
SOUTHERN DIGEST
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 - Page 9
Center Stage: Drama Club’s Student Showcase
BY KEITH LEWIS DIGEST A&E WRITER
The Southern University Drama Club opened their doors April 14 in Hayden Hall Theatre for their Student Showcase. The production consisted of a series of monologues and scenes based on powerful and vibrant speeches from the Black Theatre Cannon. The purpose of the event was to present the heartache, joy, angst, and egotistic mindset we experience in life. Director, Antoinette McDonald-Ellis synthesized a show displaying the students’s characters with diligence and enthusiasm. Freshman Mass Communications major, Alysha Guss, from New Orleans Louisiana, reiterated that her passion for the arts stemmed from her as a three-year-old watching her mom, who was a Theatre Arts major actress and performer. One of Guss’ characters was the illustrious Maxine Waters, currently the U.S. Representative for California’s
Morgan Clay performs a theatrical piece during at the Drama Club student showcase in Hayden Hall on April 14. (Keith Lewis/DIGEST)
43rd congressional district. Guss explained that, “the Maxine Waters excerpt’s purpose was to use vigorous diction.” She embodied the character capturing the intellect and what she stood for through her performance. When asked what was his reason to begin acting, senior Mass Communications major, Christopher Cruell, explained, “When I got back in school I just knew I wanted to be in
“It’s like a marriage in that it has to
be trust there. I’m asking these kids to escape their comfort zone. . . .” Antionette McDonald-Ellis - Associate Professor of Speech and Theatre
front of the camera … I went Antoinette Ellis convinced me inside of Hayden, and joined to pass that fear to call myself Drama Club. Originally I wasn’t an actor.” Cruell is scheduled to going to be on stage but Mrs.
Drake “Nice For What” BY NAJERI EVANS DIGEST A&E EDITOR
“Nice for what” floods captions of social media posts, as Drake climbs to Billboard’s number one spot on Hot 100. Drake’s “God’s Plan” currently occupies the top spot, but within weeks of highly anticipated music releasing, his latest single has the potential to reign number one. Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy was available on April 6th, followed by Drake’s single “Nice For What” on April 7th. Shortly after, Nicki Minaj released singles “Barbie Tingz” and “Chun-Li” from her awaited fourth album. With female empowerment in the atmosphere, Drake provides a pleasant male perspective on his respect for great women with “Nice For What”. Following suit, Karena Evans, director behind the video for “God’s Plan” was also behind the rapper’s latest visual. Featured in the “Nice For What” music video are portrayals of strong women- Issa Rae, Tiffany Haddish, Misty Copeland, Olivia Wilde, Rashida Jones, Jourdan Dunn, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Zoe Saldana, Elizabeth and Victoria
Lejonhjärta, Letitia Wright, Bria Vinaite, Emma Roberts, Syd and Michelle Rodriguez. “Nice For What” samples Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor” with a New Orleans bounce sound. Musician Big Freedia is on the intro, and Drake later shouts out Louisiana’s role in the song. “I understand, you got a hunnid bands/You got a baby Benz, you got some bad friends,” Drake raps. Genius annotates, “Drake knows this woman is self made, and also understands women sometimes do not receive as much merit for their accomplishments.” Drake’s lyrics are dedicated to hard working, successful women. He continues in the song, “I’ve been peepin’ what you bringin’ to the table/ Workin’ hard, girl, everything paid for/First-last, phone bill, car note, cable/With your phone out, gotta hit them angles.” As the spring semester ends, “Nice For What” is sure to be played all summer long. Freshman Criminal Justice major, Khadijah Al-Uqdah from Inglewood, California agrees, “I do see myself listening to it [“Nice For What”] this summer, See DRAKE page 10
DIGEST ILLUSTRATION
graduate Fall of 2018 and will be the first student to Graduate with the Theatre minor. It is clear that the importance of drama is important in student’s lives. Students gain important life skills as they learn the value of critical feedback, both positive and constructive. The students were overly prepared and that stems from not only See CENTER STAGE page 10
SU Poet Publishes Second Book BY GABRIELLE HUTCHINSON DIGEST NEWS EDITOR
He’s back! Southern University author and Mass Communications major, T. G. C. Binx, has returned with his sophomore publication -- a book of poetry titled Black Birds Can’t Sing. As readers may recall, Binx released his debut collection P.T.S.D. last October. While P.T.S.D. was strictly free-form poetry, BBCS is full of rhythm, rhyme, and strategic attention to detail. BBCS takes on a whole new approach. Binx is no singer, but has found a knack for songwriting. “I feel like if you can’t sing, it’s almost like you can’t express yourself directly. You either do it artistically or you have to paint. It’s interpretive,” he began. Since October, Binx combined his newfound rhythm with the massive collection of poetry he had been writing. “I can’t sing, but I’m still going to tell you how I feel anyway.” Binx says he draws influence from artists like The Weeknd, Brian McKnight, and Drake. Who doesn’t relate to Drake? “I treat these like mixtapes. The first one was a collection and I put my name on it. I didn’t put my name on this one at all. I used my author name. It’s
published under T.G.C. Binx,” he explained. As readers move through BBCS, they are sure to find themselves bobbing their heads in enjoyment and relation to the words. Much like P.T.S.D., Binx presents raw, emotional content, but from a much more optimistic outlook. “I can’t live my life running from stuff, so I’m okay with just sitting in my room like, ‘This sucks but it won’t suck for too long,’” Binx reasons. His writings serve as a selfreflection -- an observation of the past. The topics may not be current, but are all spoken from a place of experience. Throughout the book, Binx faces real problems head on and asks hard-hitting questions that others tend to run from. He is very intent on remaining honest to not only himself, but especially his readers. As soon as a poem gets a bit too real or deep, the darkness is combated with a voice of reason or positivity. He sends a message to readers that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but he, too, is in the tunnel finding ways out. The book includes things that every reader can relate to or find solace in. The Broward County, See BOOK page 10
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SOUTHERN DIGEST
The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926 ART EXHIBIT from page 8
CENTER STAGE from page 9
practice, but perfect practice. Junior Psychology major, Yasmine Scott-McKinley jumped at the idea of the Southern Drama club. Her thoughts of presenting a flawless performance is, “Be that character, from the time you step on the stage to when you leave that character is you.” She stated that she reads, writes, and rewrites her monologue to adhere to the writing format. Once she studies the person and who they are, understanding the concept presents the words easier. Director Antoinette McDonald-Ellis prepared students for this production with her overall goal when she took over the Theatre Department three years ago to “get it up and running.” “I expressed to Dr. Heinz that I wanted to get this back up and running. I started a drama club my first semester to draw interest and the students helped me move and clean out everything.” She explained the detrimental shape she inherited the department and shared the journey of how she brought it to the fabulous shape it is in today. Through her dedication and assertiveness, Hayden Hall looks better than ever and is performance ready at any given time. Mrs. Antoinette Ellis is obviously seen as a mother figure around the department. Her students look to her for guidance, help and that “home away from home” care. Ellis exclaims that the director to student relationship, “It’s like a marriage in that it has to be trust there. I’m asking these kids to escape their comfort zone. And I let them come to me with pure love so they can talk to me about anything but they know if they mess up I’m on them.” The Drama Club has goals of creating a major for students to graduate in. Until then, there is a minor in Theatre Art students can take. They also have plans for, at minimum, two productions every fall and one
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In second place was ‘Rage’, an acrylic pastel paper piece created by senior Interdisciplinary Studies major, Kirsten Bell. As a Baton Rouge native, Bell has aspirations to become an artist and serve the Baton Rouge community. “I submitted my work because I wanted to leave my mark on campus. I wanted to continue building my legacy as a student of Southern. I also want to be a well know artist someday, and I was not going to pass up the opportunity for more people to know who I am,” Bell said. ‘Peep’, an acrylic on canvas piece received the honorable mention of the show. Painted by junior Computer Science major, Amber Johnese, it was a standout piece in the show. When asked what inspired her to show this piece she responded, “I was inspired to submit my work in the student show this year because I was present for the art exhibition last year. Being a young artist I’m always look my for ways to show off my work and share my creativity with others.” While it is the last exhibition of the academic year, the show will be on display in the SU Art Gallery in Hayden Hall until April 19. BOOK from page 9
DRAKE from page 9
MAKING FITNESS from page 8
it’s something I can listen to when I’m getting ready to go out with my homegirls.” Cameron Freeze, freshman Biology major from Bastrop, Louisiana echoed, “I like the song a lot actually… it really shows that he is one of the best to ever do it. He makes hits.” Not only is this song perfect for a pre-game playlist, but it also is an upbeat song that is sure to instill confidence in all women. Following popular artists of previous years like Migos, and Cardi B, Drake is bringing a refreshing new sound in 2018. His music is no stranger to the charts, and with his newest song, he uses cultural influences to both demonstrate his versatility as an artist and to pay tribute to proud, independent women.
Students at Southern University can also be on the lookout for a few of the Gemini Studioz classes and experience on campus in the near future. Gemini Studioz also offers student discounts, and they are currently in the works on having a college night once a month. Gemini Studioz is open seven days a week and located at 2834 S Sherwood Forest Blvd. F1. You can also call 225773-3857 for more information.
Florida native even pays tribute to the Parkland High School shooting. Now a twice-published author, Binx embraces the freedom and justice poetry allows him. He uses a variety of structures and word-play. “I don’t really write to any form. I do ignorant stuff in the book on purpose,” Binx says, noting that constant perfection is unrealistic. This provides something fresh and interesting with each turn of a page, so be advised not to open this book and expect something your English professors would write. He plans to self-publish one more book, and have his fourth sent to a formal publishing company. He anticipates one more opportunity to do things his way, and explains, “While I’m free, I might as well do what I want to do and have fun with it.” Although he tends to release his works unannounced, readers should be on the lookout for more work from Binx, including upcoming visual projects. BBCS is available for purchase on Amazon.com for only $3.99.
IT’S SPRINGFEST WEEK! HAVE FUN, BE SAFE!
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SU Financial Aid: What can they do to get better? BY ROCELYN HAMILTON DIGEST STAFF WRITER
Over the course of the past few weeks, Howard University, also known as the ‘Mecca’ of HBCUs, has been in the news because of a recent scandal involving several officials of their financial department. At the center of this scandal was Tyrone Hankerson Jr., a thirdyear law student at Howard, who was accused by an anonymous blog post of embezzling $429,000. Hankerson quickly became the
face of the scandal being that he previously worked in the financial aid office for Howard, but was also seen wearing expensive clothes and going on expensive trips making it seem like he was actually benefiting from it. Six additional employees were also fired from Howard for misappropriation of funds that comes out to roughly $1,000,000. Hankerson is now suing the university for $10,000,000 for releasing his financial aid records to the public. On top of all that, protests have stemmed from this scandal where students just ended a nine-day sit-inside of their administration building demanding for changes to not only be made about the transparency of the university and it’s students, but also for issues that they felt have been ignored for too long. What if something like this happened here at Southern? For starters, let me just say that I hope and pray nothing like that would happen because if it did, one can only imagine what would happen. Not only would there be a sit-in
SOUTHERN DIGEST but there would also probably be a riot. Or several. That being said, I do think that our own financial aid could use some changes and be a little more up to date with its processes. With the recent addition of the QLess app, dealing with financial aid has been slightly easier. The QLess app allows you to be able to make an appointment with your advisor and then it sends you a notification when it is time for your appointment. This easily frees up time from having to wait in long lines and gives you time to take care of other things. However that’s only a small fix. While I can’t give exact resolutions, I do think there should be improvements when trying to register at the very beginning of the semester. Whether you’re trying to get a deferred payment plan, or fixing an issue with your aid, that entire process is just way too long, and Stewart Hall is way too small for how long those lines are. I feel that it can be very inconvenient to have to wait in line just to to have them print out
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 - Page 11
an entire new copy of your billing statement even though it is the exact same one that they email you; just to go sit in a room, fill out another form, and then go back to wait in line for them to sign off on it all before you can even move into your dorm. Our financial aid should also make deadlines more visible. Yes, we are grown and need to be on top of all things that involve our aid for school, but making those deadlines more visible could be a really big help. For example, the Housing Department just held an application party for people to fill out their applications and get them turned in before the May 1 deadline. I’m not saying that they have to host an entire party, but by making those deadlines more visible, it would prompt more people to get on it, which would ultimately mean more things getting turned in on time, and less time worrying about if your financial aid is right. But for now, whatever information and forms you may need are on the SUBR website at www.subr.edu/financialaid.
JAGUAR SPEAKOUT
What are you looking forward to the most during Spring Fest? BY: JULIAN ALVAREZ DIGEST STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/WRITER
KE’JON MOORE COMPUTER SCIENCE SOPHOMORE RESERVE, LA
“I [am] looking most forward to the comedy night.”
MOORE TEIONCLREIA KELLY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT JUNIOR HOUSTON,TX
“The free crawfish and picnic at Mayberry.”
KELLY KENRIC BAPTISTE, JR.
Worthy cause or wasted funding? BY KYNDALL JONES DIGEST STAFF WRITER
The groundbreaking for the Tony Clayton Championship Plaza was this past Tuesday, April 10 and it is currently being built in front of the A.W. Mumford Fieldhouse. But in all honesty, y’all do we really need this? Like is it really necessary? This plaza costs around $1 million which could’ve went towards plenty of other things. Now with that being said, I am not trying to disrespect or downplay the accomplishments and legacy of Mr. Clayton, but Southern has other issues that have yet to be addressed. Our campus needs a full scale modernization and renovation, point blank. And other HBCU’s across the country have similar issues, so we should set the standard instead of being looked at and taken as a joke. I love SU hard and it’s because of my love for SU that I even care to speak up. What is
the reason that we are building this plaza when other parts of the campus are falling apart piece by piece? How about the library y’all? Pipes bursting and flooding because of outdated plumbing. Explain to me how any university is supposed to survive without a library? Is this plaza a symbol to show off? We can’t show off with the rest of campus looking busted. I need some answers because this is ridiculous. Now back to Tony Clayton. For those who do not know he is an Plaquemine, Louisiana native, alumnus of SU Law School class of 1991 and a long time Southern University System board member. Mr. Clayton gifted the money to SU himself. He is also an Athletic Committee chairman and attorney. Come on y’all we need more alum like Tony Clayton cause how many alum y’all know that’s willing to donate money, let alone $1 million! We, as a University, need to do more giving back so the next generations don’t have the same struggles we are having, as we speak.
There’s entirely way too many of y’all that scream “F*%k SU” when y’all graduate (or not) and are all over and in Homecoming events for anyone not to throw any change our way. While y’all are here, you can throw a check or something our way; it won’t kill you I promise. Any and all support matters and that’s what many of us fail to realize! We can’t sit and complain about issues and not take any initiative to change things, and if y’all really feel the same way I do about this plaza then speak up! Work your way up the chain of command to get things handled in a professional manner. To reiterate and further elucidate my point, we need to put our foot down as a student body when we have a problem and we need more alumni support nationwide. Don’t throw dirt on our name and then consistently come to our events at your leisure when we need assistance. Use Mr. Clayton as an example to give back to SU, however you can.
Misogyny in the hip-hop culture BY DEBRANDIN BROWN DIGEST STAFF WRITER
For decades, the story of hiphop has been told from, generally speaking, the male rapper’s perspective. Whether intentional or not, the foundations of the culture has been shaped in such a way by this trend that our women, who share just as big of a stake in the hip-hop culture as their male counterparts, have effectively and efficiently been censored by the culture that they have played their part in building and establishing. When you think of women in hip hop, you think of the Lil Kim’s and Nicki Minaj’s of the world before you would think of the Lauryn Hill’s and Rhapsody’s, and it seems to me that this has been an intentional strategy orchestrated by labels in order to have the most commercially successful artists and albums as possible. When you look at rap in a
vacuum, you’ll see how the culture has been separated into numerous subgenres that serve as divisions of different sounds and artists. For example, artists such as J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar represent the conscious mind of rap today, while other artists like Lil Uzi Vert and 21 Savage represent the party and drug culture that hip-hop is generally thought of by the masses. This distinction between male hip-hop artists has made it so there’s a type of music for everyone, regardless of your personal views of the world and of the culture. With our female counterparts, however, the variety that we see in male rap music simply doesn’t exist. Hip-hop, generally speaking, has built a reputation of disrespecting and abusing the black women. This disrespectful mentality has become the status quo in the
eyes of many members of the hiphop community, and has left a permanent, subliminal imprint in the minds of many young female rappers. So when you have artists like Rhapsody and Lauryn Hill, who both make empowering and positive hip-hop music, music meant to uplift the minds of our young, black individuals and inspire young women with hip hop dreams to continue chasing those dreams, it behooves us to listen to what they have to say. Hip-hop is an entity that was born out of the need to express the pain and sufferings of the people. It was meant to be something new that could inspire young, black artists to take their creativity and experiences and turn them into something beautiful for all to see and enjoy. As of right now, this has not been the case. Black women have been the backbone of not just the hip-hop
culture, but the black culture for decades, holding down the fort while while their male counterparts have, for all intents and purposes, ran the ship known as hip-hop into the ground. So in a world that is changing at a more rapid pace than ever before, it is my humble opinion that it is time for the hip-hop culture to change with it. While labels can control the music we buy, they cannot censor our minds and our ability to create and understand. Noname, Rhapsody, Lauryn Hill, and even Nicki Minaj to a certain extent are verified wordsmiths whom I believe truly have things to say and causes for which they want to share with the world, if only the world was to open its mind and listen. So to the people, all we must do is open our minds, and just maybe, we can be inspired as well.
NURSING FRESHMAN NEW ORLEANS
“Seeing 2Chainz perform Blue Cheese.”
BAPTISTE, JR. DESMOND HOPKINS ACCOUNTING SENIOR ST. FRANCISVILLE
HOPKINS
“I’m looking forward to having crawfish outside Mayberry for the picnic next Saturday with my friends.”
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