AUGUST 29 ISSUE

Page 1

Tuesday . August 29, 2017

Volume 69 . Issue 1

The Demolition Debacle

www.southerndigest.com

Students caught off guard by lengthy sidewalk construction BY BRIA GREMILLION

SOUTHERN DIGEST - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The sidewalks along E.C Harrison Street are currently under construction on the Southern University Baton Rouge Campus (SUBR) as the result of a federal lawsuit filed by a former disabled student. After complaints that the University was not handicap accessible, Kayla Williams, sued the University in 2011 and won the case after a federal judge placed the University under a Federal Consent Decree. The decree was a settlement that resolved the dispute between the two parties and its effects are being felt in 2017 as SUBR will now begin to operate under and adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to ada.gov, “the ADA is a civil rights law that See DEMOLITION page 3

BY BRANDON TUCKER

SOUTHERN DIGEST - STAFF WRITER

Debris fills the grassy area between Hayen and Stewart Hall. The university has launched a major overhaul to ensure all sidewalks are ADA compliant. (Bria Gremillion/DIGEST)

New Beginnings on the Yard

Jaguar Lanes, Chick-fil-A are here to stay BY CHRISTINA WHITE

SOUTHERN DIGEST - NEWS EDITOR

The new school year was kicked off by the completion of highly anticipated campus renovations such as Jaguar Lanes and Chick-fil-A, both located in the student union. The Jaguar Lanes bowling alley has been under construction for approximately a year and a half. The student

The Human Jukebox: Now & Beyond

body voted in favor of paying an additional $15 dedicated to repairing Jaguar Lanes. Anthony Jackson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, said the Student Government Association played a big role in wanting to offer more for students. He described the process as a “student driven initiative.” The student approved fee is After months of upgrades, newly renovated Jaguar Lanes is set to open on September 1. (DIGEST FILE)

Students wait in line during the grand opening of Chick-fil-A inside the student union food court on Wednesday, August 23. (Bria Gremillion/DIGEST)

currently in use, as items for the bowling alley are still being purchased. The cost of new bowling lanes were in the range of $400,000 to $500,000. The lanes were resurfaced and certified by the National Bowling Association on April 27, 2017. Until this date, the lanes had not been resurfaced and certified since 1988. New cubicle amf machines suitable for national and professional bowling tournaments have also been installed. The Southern University bowling team will utilize the bowling alley for practices and tournaments as well. The tentative date for the opening of Jaguar Lanes is September

1, 2017. Students are patiently, yet eagerly awaiting the grand opening. Tamirion Reese, a senior Interdisciplinary Studies major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana said, “I think the renovations will contribute to student activity on the campus and motivate students to want to partake in other campus attractions.” Currently, security measures are being finalized to ensure the safety of students. Jackson stated that faculty and students alike are already eager to experience the improved Jaguar Lanes. There is speculation that it may be the

With all of the accolades and notoriety gained, Southern University and the Human Jukebox Marching Band are not exempt from financial effects of Louisiana’s budget cuts to higher institutions of learning. Due to budget cuts, the underfunded Jukebox marching band finds it difficult to outfit its members with enough uniforms and equipment. “Adopt-a-Juke” is a fundraising campaign sponsored by Southern University Alumni that began last year. “The goal is to secure at least 250 Human Jukebox Partners who will “adopt” members of the marching band making the financial commitment to ensure our student musicians have new uniforms for the fall 2017 season and beyond,” as stated on the Southern University System Foundation website. “The goal has been secured thanks to alumni, fans, and just lovers of the Human Jukebox ...” says Director of Bands, Nathan B. Haymer. Last spring semester students voted yes on a referendum that raised the band fee from $10 dollars to $60 dollars in order to assist funding of uniforms, equipment, scholarships and other necessary needs. Along with salary increases for the Director and assistants, the referendum generated over $1 million dollars worth of equipment for The Jukebox marching band this fall. “We’re really excited about it, we really appreciate the students and we’re very thankful. It’s gonna help us out a lot, we already got some things going and we’re looking forward to the future,” says Jukebox percussion instructor. Lorenzo Hart. “The whole Southern University marching band will be equipped with brand new instruments,” boasts Haymer during a State of the Jukebox Address found on the Human Jukebox Media YouTube page. “I’m happy that they got new uniforms,” says senior Mass

See NEW BEGINNINGS page 3

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

See JUKEBOX page 3


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