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Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Inside almost 2,000 miles from home by choice
News campus briefs page 2 board holds to oversight in campus matters Oversized classes: budget cut effects or something else? nse provides opportunity
Culture Black History Facts
Columns Let’s talk politics: black males & homicide
Commentary college choices you owe sallie mae regardless are you the hammer or the nail?
Photos of the week
protesters on valentine’s day, conflict at SU BOS meeting, su goes red, and just in the nick of time... no campus atm services
www.southerndigest.com
Volume 60, Issue 4
Board holds to duties, obligations Evan Taylor
The Southern Digest A dark cloud of distrust, concern and controversy hung over the Southern University Board of Supervisors, Friday at the February board meeting. Language, power, law and policy remained themes of address from line item to line item among the board agendas. Board members debated the language and law for Southern University System individuals’ car and housing policies, reaffirmation of authority, SUNO food contract negotiations and mid-year cuts. The discussion began in the Finance and Audit committee as Calvin Braxton, Sr., SUS board member wanted a report from board counsel regarding housing/ automobile allowances for SU system president and chancellors. Braxton showed concerns of whether the policy was being followed and whether the counsel was aware of any laws being broken in the state. “This arose when Mr. Braxton asked me some background questions, I explained some university heads receive courtesy cars… those who receive courtesy cars would not be issued a vehicle allowance,” Winston Decuir, general counsel said. Braxton questioned if any campus got both with campus budget reduction in mind. “The reason why I asked this question, was because I own a business, you’re not going to ever stop spending money… I’m just trying to figure out a way to stop spending money,” Braxton said. The conversation continued on until they reached the decision to consider the numbers and policies and look for the weaknesses and places to save funds. Chancellor Victor Ukpolo
Evan Taylor/DIGEST Endas Vincent, Director of Facilities Planning for Southern University system brought good news to the SU Board of Supervisors announcing the projects underway without delay, Friday. engaged in a debate as well concerning the language of a “delegation of authority” and the approval of the board for a debt consolidation for Southern University at New Orleans. Ukpolo requested the board vote on the language according to documentation submitted to the board, “The Chancellor shall have the authority to execute grant related agreements.” The vote passed to accept the delegation for the purposes of grant agreements with the National Science Foundation. Ukpolo also presented a resolution to authorize the Southern University of New Orleans Student and Faculty and housing loan modification agreement.
“This is an item that I am seeking approval from the board to allow the chair of the board, the president of the system and myself to execute loan documentation that may be coming to us in an amount of days from Washington that will allow us to modify the 44 million dollar loan used for Southern University New Orleans housing,” Ukpolo said. He was quickly met with questions and concerns of how the loan would be paid off and speculation on the net savings. SU System President Ronald Mason stepped in to give more insight, criticized by Tony Clayton; asking for the terms of the proposed agreement. “Are we giving him the authority in a vacuum to sign this agreement? If he gets a lower interest rate I’m
all for it. But if that document has a lot of backend cost on it… I want to know what is the bottom line savings. I want to know just like Mr. Braxton wants to know what will be the terms of this new agreement,” Clayton said. Clayton continued saying it was the board’s obligation to consider before signing off. “I believe we have the fiduciary obligation before we vote to give him an authority in a vacuum to go sign off on a document,” Clayton said. The decision was made to follow the intent of the modification in which the documentation must be brought to the chair and system president before the agreement is signed. The motion passed, and SUNO’s agreement with Sodexo was the next concern addressed by Braxton. He questioned the lack of a bidding process for the six-month extension of Sodexo’s food service contract at SUNO. The confusion arose as it was revealed two campuses food service contracts expire in six months (June) while Aramark’s contract with SUBR expires in six years. The System office is working on a contract for food service for the system to be ready in June. In the interest of time, the bid discussion was tabled until the board’s March 22 meeting. In less controversy and in positive manner, Endas Vincent updated the board on the projects underway. According to Vincent, Demolition of four dorms to start construction in April, the baseball support facility bidding will happen at the end of February and the intramural complex is scheduled for completion in July.
See Board Executes page 3
Oversized classes cause issues, concerns Jessica Sarpy
The Southern Digest Students are faced with larger class sizes and see the difference in learning with a larger student to faculty ratio in the English department and other classes. This semester the large class sizes have created issues for students in their learning environments. The recent ‘overloaded’ classrooms have caused students to borrow seats from other classrooms and set their class routine off for weeks. Jah’Narri Ramsey, a freshman nursing student from Pearlriver La. said, “The first couple of weeks were crazy because we were all in one composition class.”
Ramsey described the class. “It was like 100 of us and half of us couldn’t come to class because there wasn’t anyplace to sit. We’d have to interrupt other classes to borrow desks,” Ramsey said. The English department currently has 22 English 110 classes and 25 English 111 freshman composition classes. “Once we finally got our new instructor like two weeks after school started, she came to three classes then stopped,” Ramsey said. She was informed the university had not paid the professor. “We were told it was because the university didn’t pay her yet,” Ramsey said. Freshman composition wasn’t the only class, that is faced with one
teacher to more than one hundred students. Introduction to Logic and Introduction to Philosophy has 150 registered students in each class. Jeremy Perry, a senior mass communications major is a student in one of the classes, said, “Sometimes I wish it were smaller. At first I felt a little overwhelmed with the number of students in that class.” Perry said the ration has become a problem and has changed his way of preparing for the class and retaining information. “The number of students makes it hard to hear the professor so I depend heavily on the book,” Perry said. When asked about the recent class increase situation Brandon Dumas
the official student newspaper of southern university and A&m college, baton rouge, louisiana
Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, refused to comment and deferred to Albert Tezeno Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Success. Tezeno said he would refer students with concerns to Ella Kelly, Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and VerJanis Peoples, Provost. Kelly deferred to Peoples who was unavailable for comment in lieu of deadline for this article. This article is the first in a series to pinpoint the causes of oversized classes, a possible shortage in professors, economic issues in teacher compensation and the proper protocol in which the offices on campus coincide to address these concerns of students and student outcomes.
Campus Life southerndigest.com
Page 2 - Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
School of Nursing accepting Applications The School of Nursing applications for Fall 2013 are now available Apt. For ReNT Looking for a place to stay? online at http://www.subr.edu/ There’s a 1 room for rent avail call assets/Colleges-SchoolOfNursing/ pdf/APPLICATIONMs. Renea @ 2009745 Today! SUSONSPRING2013.pdf The deadline to apply is March 1. Students who are interested in applying need to meet the following criteria; been today admitted to Southern University Baton Rouge, cumulative GPA of 2.6 Naismith Student or above, submit writing proficiency, Section of the Year The contest continues with the SAT and ACT scores and completed support of Jaguar Fans. Southern all courses listed in first three University Jaguars M-9 reaches the semesters of nursing curriculum with semi finals. You have until February “C” or better. 22 to vote to set the Jaguars ahead Way of Holiness in the top eight of the finals. To Ministries Bible Class vote visit www.facebook.com/ It’s time again! WOHM (Way of Ilovecollegehoops. Holiness Ministries) Bible Class: Wednesday, February 20 at 7 OPEN MIC NIGHT ATTENTION all poets, rappers, p.m. in Higgins Hall. Join us & be singers, comedians, spoken word enlightened.
Auditorium. For more information contact O. Plummer at olplummer@ yahoo.com. Hope to see you there.
Talent Search for Extravaganza Do you have a talent (singing, playing an instrument, poetry, spoken word or dancing)? Would you like to participate in “Extravaganza: By and About African Americans”? Audition Tuesday on February 19 and 21 from 11-12:15 in 229 T.H. Harris Hall or contact O. Plummer via e-mail olplummer@yahoo.com.
Half Price Fridays While there is no class on Fridays, Smith-Brown Memorial Union is open. Burger Klng, The Bowling Alley and Lacumba’s playpen are open. If that’s not enough to bring you out of your room Lacumba’s playpen and bowling are half price on Fridays.
Classifieds
Campus Briefs
artists and others!!! The T.J. Jemison Baptist Student Center (located on Harding Blvd. across from Southern University tennis courts) will be hosting an “Open Mic Nite” for Southern University students. If you are interested in participating in this event, or know someone who would like to participate please email: mtillis3@gmail.com or call 225-7748924 for more information.
Sociology Club meetings The Sociology Club will hold weekly meetings from 5-6 pm on Thursdays (twice a month) in Higgins room 218.
Black History Quiz Bowl The SU Ag Center will host the 19th Annual Black History Quiz Bowl on Feb. 21 at 3:00 pm at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center Studio (Auditorium). Teams who would like to participate must register by February 13. Every team must have four members and the competition will include questions on current events, politics, history, sports and entertainment. For a copy of the study guide and more details contact Dr Owusu Bandele at obandele@cox. net or 225.771.2242. Study guides can also be obtained from Sheila Smith in Fisher Hall 102.
Bookstore hours The Campus Bookstore is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about specials and updates like the bookstore on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ southernuniversitybookstore New services at John B. Cade Want to try out a tablet? Check out a Kindle Fire from the library. Need a quiet place to study and use the computer? Individual and group study rooms are available for 3 hour checkout. Faxing and printing services are now available in the 1st floor copy center. Need to do an job interview via skype, there’s a room for that. For more information in these new services visit the Ask Here desk at John B. Cade. All you have to do is show your valid SU ID.
Black History Month Events SU English and music departments along with the SUBR/ SUSLA partnership will be showing “Gifted Hands, the story of Dr. Ben Carson in the Lakefront Room of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on February 21. Extravaganza: By and About African Americans will be February 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall
Kandi Burris to speak at su Southern University Office of Student Programs presents The Lyceum Series featuring award winning singer, producer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur Kandi Burris. The event will be in the Cotillion Ballroom of Smith-Brown Memorial Union at 6 p.m. February 22. Stop the Violence March The Black History club of Southern University, The Criminal Justice Club, NAACP, and SGA is sponsoring the “Stop the Violence March” on February 26; starting at SmithBrown Memorial Union; the march starts at 5 p.m. and students are encouraged to meet at the Union at 4:30 and wear comfortable clothing.
Attention Prospective Spring 2013 graduates If you think you may graduate this semester, Make sure you don’t miss grad prep days at the bookstore. You can order invitations, announcements, class rings, caps and gowns on March 26 and 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information contact the bookstore at 225.771.4330. Wesley Foundation Come join us at The Wesley Foundation at Southern University and A&M College for Sunday worship on 1st and 3rd Sundays at 5 p.m. Looking for a place to study the word? Join us for Bible Study Wednesdays at 6:30p.m. The Wesley Foundation is located at 748 Harding Blvd. Next to Villa Apartments and across Harding from the football practice field. For more information contact us at 225.778.0076. John Singleton next in Lyceum Series Save the date: SU Office of Student Programs hosts John Singleton next in the Lyceum Series on March 3.
ISSN: 1540-7276. Copyright 2013 by The Southern University Office of Student Media Services. The Southern DIGEST is written, edited and published by members of the student body at Southern University and A&M College. All articles, photographs and graphics are property of The Southern DIGEST and its contents may not be reproduced or republished without the written permission from the Editor in Chief and Director of Student Media Services. The Southern DIGEST is published twice-weekly (Tuesday & Thursday) with a run count of 5,000 copies per issue during the Southern University - Baton Rouge campus fall, spring semesters. The paper is free to students, staff, faculty and general public every Tuesday & Friday morning on the SUBR campus. The Southern DIGEST student offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. The offices are located on the first floor of T.H. Harris Hall, Suite 1064. The Southern DIGEST is the official student newspaper of Southern University and A&M College located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Articles, features, opinions, speak out and editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the administration and its policies. Signed articles, feedback, commentaries and features do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, staff or student body. Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone (404) 679-4500, Website: www.sacscoc.org. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Southern University and A&M College, an Historically Black, 1890 landgrant institution, is to provide opportunities for a diverse student population to achieve a high-quality, global educational experience, to engage in scholarly, research, and creative activities, and to give meaningful public service to the community, the state, the nation, and the world so that Southern University graduates are competent, informed, and productive citizens. Website: www.subr.edu.
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southerndigest.com
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 - Page 3
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Student Exchange brings student to Southern Lauren Johnson The Southern Digest
Almost two thousand miles away and countless institutions, over state lines and through desert and swamp land Alexi Stuckey experiences a Historically Black College and University through the National Student Exchange program. Alexis Stuckey a 20-year-old resident of Oakland, Calif. is a participant of NSE. Stuckey attended California State University for her freshman and sophomore year, and is now obtaining her studies as a junior in nursing, at Southern University, as an exchange student. “Coming to an HBCU has been a great experience,” said Stuckey. Stuckey committed to an experience where she could encounter faces like hers and get to know people with like minds and goals. “I wanted to take advantage of this experience, because I wanted to go through this phase of life amongst people who are on the same page and look like me,” Stuckey said. Being an African American, born in Oakland, Stuckey mentioned that majority of the students are Caucasian or Hispanic, and that California and Louisiana are complete
polar opposites. “Yes, they all look like me,” Stuckey said when asked of her first reaction when arriving to SU. Stuckey mentioned her experiences of student life at Southern. Contrary to her home university, Southern puts a greater
“ It has been a great culture enriching experience.”
Alexis Stuckey National Student Exchange
amount of importance and emphasis on Homecoming, Sororities, and Fraternities. “I feel there is a better approach here at an HBCU than where I came from. I also like that the campus is smaller and more close knit,” Stuckey said. Stuckey experienced culture shock when she first came
to SU, but has since nurtured a fondness to the Southern environment. After overcoming her shock, she cultivated professor and student relationships, adjusted to the academic environment and transitioned from a highly technological university to a less technological one. Stuckey plans to graduate from Southern University Nursing School. There are many universities of the United States that participate in the NSE program including; Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and The Virgin Islands. Students who engage in the program will not forfeit their financial aid and the program will not delay graduation dates. Funding can be applied to the university in which you choose to attend in the program. Students interested must have at least a 2.5 GPA, be in good academic standing and pay a non refundable fee of $135. Southern University NSE Coordinator Carmen Del Rio is currently accepting applications. The deadline to turn in your application is Friday March 1. For more information go to www.NSE.org or contact Carmen Del Rio at 225-771-2431
Board Executes from page 1 Kevin Appleton was commended along with the staff for a clean audit. “It is an extraordinary achievement,” Eamon Kelly, board member said. Appleton also reported the numbers of the financial status report stating due to the advanced planning according to projections for the Spring semester, the system “was able to absorb the mid year cut.” Among the issues presented on the agenda Myron Lawson proposed a request to consider a recruitment incentive; “Offering no-cost tuition for classroom and online courses for first returning semester to former students with 60 or more earned credit hours and a 2.5 GPA or higher,” according to the board agenda. The request was quickly passed as members hoped to address retention rates with incentive. The next board meeting will be held March 22. A dark cloud of distrust, concern and controversy hung over the Southern University Board of Supervisors, Friday at the February board meeting. Language, power, law and policy remained themes of address from line item to line item among the board agendas. Board members debated the language and law for Southern University System individuals’ car and housing policies, reaffirmation of authority, SUNO food contract negotiations and mid-year cuts. The discussion began in the Finance and Audit committee as Calvin Braxton, Sr., SUS board member wanted a report from board counsel regarding housing/automobile allowances for SU system president and chancellors.
Braxton showed concerns of whether the policy was being followed and whether the counsel was aware of any laws being broken in the state. “This arose when Mr. Braxton asked me some background questions, I explained some university heads receive courtesy cars… those who receive courtesy cars would not be issued a vehicle allowance,” Winston Decuir, general counsel said. Braxton questioned if any campus got both with campus budget reduction in mind. “The reason why I asked this question, was because I own a business, you’re not going to ever stop spending money… I’m just trying to figure out a way to stop spending money,” Braxton said. The conversation continued on until they reached the decision to consider the numbers and policies and look for the weaknesses and places to save funds. Chancellor Victor Ukpolo engaged in a debate as well concerning the language of a “delegation of authority” and the approval of the board for a debt consolidation for Southern University at New Orleans. Ukpolo requested the board vote on the language according to documentation submitted to the board, “The Chancellor shall have the authority to execute grant related agreements.” The vote passed to accept the delegation for the purposes of grant agreements with the National Science Foundation. Ukpolo also presented a resolution to authorize the Southern University of New Orleans Student and Faculty and housing loan modification agreement. “This is an item that I am seeking approval from the board to allow the chair
of the board, the president of the system and myself to execute loan documentation that may be coming to us in an amount of days from Washington that will allow us to modify the 44 million dollar loan used for Southern University New Orleans housing,” Ukpolo said. He was quickly met with questions and concerns of how the loan would be paid off and speculation on the net savings. SU System President Ronald Mason stepped in to give more insight, criticized by Tony Clayton; asking for the terms of the proposed agreement. “Are we giving him the authority in a vacuum to sign this agreement? If he gets a lower interest rate I’m all for it. But if that document has a lot of backend cost on it… I want to know what is the bottom line savings. I want to know just like Mr. Braxton wants to know what will be the terms of this new agreement,” Clayton said. Clayton continued saying it was the board’s obligation to consider before signing off. “I believe we have the fiduciary obligation before we vote to give him an authority in a vacuum to go sign off on a document,” Clayton said. The decision was made to follow the intent of the modification in which the documentation must be brought to the chair and system president before the agreement is signed. The motion passed, and SUNO’s agreement with Sodexo was the next concern addressed by Braxton. He questioned the lack of a bidding process for the six-month extension of Sodexo’s food service contract at SUNO.
The confusion arose as it was revealed two campuses food service contracts expire in six months (June) while Aramark’s contract with SUBR expires in six years. The System office is working on a contract for food service for the system to be ready in June. In the interest of time, the bid discussion was tabled until the board’s March 22 meeting. In less controversy and in positive manner, Endas Vincent updated the board on the projects underway. According to Vincent, Demolition of four dorms to start construction in April, the baseball support facility bidding will happen at the end of February and the intramural complex is scheduled for completion in July. Kevin Appleton was commended along with the staff for a clean audit. “It is an extraordinary achievement,” Eamon Kelly, board member said. Appleton also reported the numbers of the financial status report stating due to the advanced planning according to projections for the Spring semester, the system “was able to absorb the mid year cut.” Among the issues presented on the agenda Myron Lawson proposed a request to consider a recruitment incentive; “Offering no-cost tuition for classroom and online courses for first returning semester to former students with 60 or more earned credit hours and a 2.5 GPA or higher,” according to the board agenda. The request was quickly passed as members hoped to address retention rates with incentive. The next board meeting will be held March 22.
Black History Month: Black History Fact 42 mil ion
The number of people who identified as black, either alone or in combination with one or more other races, in the 2010 Census. They made up 13.6 percent of the total U.S. population. The black population grew by 15.4 percent from 2000 to 2010.
culTure southerndigest.com
Page 4 - Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The senTInel oF an enlIghTened sTudenT body sInce 1926
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Would you risk going to these places anyway? labels.
race.
discrimination. rules. liberation.
freedom.
rights. civil
Tell us your answer and why on
labels.
race.
discrimination. rules. liberation.
freedom.
rights. civil
disobedience. Facebook or on Twitter @SouthernDigestbeyond color.
disobedience. beyond color.
beyond boundaries
beyond boundaries
Get involved in the conversation & Put in your 2 cents
Reach out and touch someone...Lift as you climb... Look back and move forward... Choose to overcome...Don’t forget on whose shoulders you stand...Be aware of the journey ahead... The struggle is not over... The battle is not over, it is just transformed...Look to your past to learn and to your future to win... It is your time to ďŹ ght...
Is Black History Month still needed or relevant?
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 - Page 5
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Baton Rouge book club goes on the road Catherine Threlkeld The Associated Press
BATON ROUGE, La. — Members of the Ramblin’ Readers book club combine their study of books with their interests in food, art and travel. These retired, or almost retired, educators devote every six months to books with a designated theme or location, reading one such book a month. At the end of the six months, they take a trip together to experience the culture described in the books they have studied. In the five years since the club was founded, members have visited places such as Chicago; Asheville, N.C.; New Orleans; Fairhope, Ala.; San Antonio; Natchez, Miss.; Santa Fe., N.M.; and Savannah, Ga. “We try to find a location interesting to all of us,” said Annette Mire, associate superintendent of schools in West Baton Rouge Parish. The club alternates between a location members can get to by car and a more distant destination that requires air travel. “One near and one far,” said retired principal Sondra Pilgreen. “When we started the club, we wanted something stimulating. We wanted learning and travel,” Mire said. She’s one of the few members of the club who is still working. “We said we wanted to make connections with other people in our stage in life,” Pilgreen said. Retired principal Linda Green, Mire and Pilgreen started the club in 2007. “It’s so much more than a book club,” Green said. “We are friends.” The membership of no more than 12 meets once a month in a member’s home. Another member serves as facilitator to lead the book discussion and introduce the group to the life and work of the author whose book is being studied. The facilitator develops thought-provoking questions and moderates a discussion. The club chooses its destinations about a year and a half in advance. Members are designated as travel agents or coordinators to make all arrangements for the trips. As soon as the designated coordinators are selected, they get to work researching the location. The books are selected around the destinations. “We try to do books that have to do with history or art. We sometimes choose cookbooks,” Mire said. The books include both fiction and nonfiction. Members never shy away from social issues. “We have had some of the most thought-provoking discussions that have come out of a book,” Mire said. Whenever possible, the group stays in bed and breakfasts, inns or significant hotels such as the Drake in Chicago, the Grove Park Inn in Asheville and a Spanish hacienda in Santa Fe. When possible, the group arranges its
Evan Taylor/DIGEST Owner of Dooky Chase, Leah Chase was engaged in the discussion concerning New Orleans food and the regional cuisine. tours around local events and celebrations. Club members have attended the Audubon Pilgrimage in St. Francisville, the Art Walk and Christmas celebration in Fairhope, the Garden District Preservation Tour in New Orleans, the Gingerbread House Contest in Asheville, Spring Fiesta in San Antonio and the Festival of Lights in Natchitoches. The club visited Natchez during the Christmas season and had a special dinner in the dining room of Monmouth Plantation with drinks with best-selling author Greg Iles. One of the club’s favorite entertainments is having dinner in restaurants mentioned in books they have read. They had dinner in New Orleans in the 1840 Room at Antoine’s, featured in “Dinner at Antoine’s,” and in Savannah at Elizabeth on 37th and Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House from “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Often the group will meet with an author. Michael Harvey, author of “The Chicago Way,” owns an Irish bar in Chicago and asked the members to meet him there. “He brought us a bag of hardback books,” Pilgreen said. “He treated us to drinks,” said Becky Patterson, a retired teacher. Suzanne Hudson, author of “In a Temple of Trees,” and Joe Formichella, author of “The Unfortunate Incident,” invited them to their home in Fairhope. “We sat on their deck and talked about writing,” Mire said. “He likes to get
up at 4 and write. She starts with an outline and fills in the story.” Author Sara Roahen met them at Dooky Chase restaurant in New Orleans and led a discussion about New Orleans food. Chef Leah Chase joined part of the discussion. Food writer Marcelle Bienvenu met the members at Clementine in New Iberia and discussed Louisiana regional food and customs related to food. “She told us all about the different gumbos,”Green said. “One of the things we do when we meet the authors is to ask them about their different styles and the different ways they work,” Pilgreen said. Club members feel that it is very important to support local independent, family-owned bookstores. “These stores are also wonderful resources for local books and authors,” Mire said. “We often contact or visit these stores and ask for suggestions for books that are relevant to that locale.” The club’s guidelines specify that members make every effort to be a part of each trip and to attend monthly meetings. Members make a commitment to make one trip a year. That means a significant commitment of money, too. Each member can count on spending at least $3,000 a year including books, travel, hotels and the expense of hosting a meeting.
african americans by the numbers
13.6 percent Black population in the U.S.
3.3 million Blacks in New York, leading all states 2.4 million black military veterans 82 percent blacks with high school diploma or higher 18 percent with bachelor’s degree or higher 11.1 million blacks that voted in 2010 congressional election135.7 billion amount of black owned business receipts in 20071.9 million number of black owned businesses in 2007 information from the 2010 census, american community survey & 2007 survey of business owners
short week, lasting impact Kevin Appleton (blue suit) answers questions regarding the budgets of the SU System before the SU Board of Supervisors, Friday. (Evan Taylor/DIGEST)
Diola Bagayoko points to the Southern University Board of Supervisors for emphasis addressing the faculty’s concerns regarding the new online contract for SUBR (Evan Taylor/DIGEST)
Unidentified protestors stood with signs, pamphlets and words in the courtyard of Smith-Brown Memorial Union, Wednesday. The protestors were escorted off campus after SUPD was called. (Evan Taylor/DIGEST)
refund check withdrawals stalled... along with atm service
(From above left, clockwise) Students gather in the Union near the two ATMs that remain “ out of order” due to an attempted theft. The sign reads, “The only ATM that is operable today is the Capital One. Higher One and Chase are currently Out of Order. Thanks, Management.” (Ariana Triggs/DIGEST) The attempted theft left one ATM machine to serve the SU student body, faculty, staff and administration on campus. (Ariana Triggs/DIGEST) The Higher One Account ATM located in the entry of Smith-Brown Memorial Union was broken into over the weekend before Valentine’s Day, the first date of disbursement for refund checks. (Ariana Triggs/DIGEST) “Out of service, (Button issue) Do not remove/lift this sign! please.” This is the last ATM on campus to be rendered unavailable after the attempted theft and vandalism to the Higher One and Chase ATMs. (Norman Dotson Jr./DIGEST)
SU Goes RED
Southern University Goes Red in honor of heart awareness. The events included a luncheon with Cupid, fashion show featuring Melanie Fiona and Poetry night including SU talent. All events raised money to benefit American Heart Association.
State & Nation southerndigest.com
Page 8 - Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Jindal’s stumping for Romney cost La. taxpayers Melinda Deslatte The Associated Press
Steve Helber/AP Photo Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, right, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, left, gestures as they address the press during a news conference in Richmond, Va. The two governors discussed K-12 education reforms.
While Gov. Bobby Jindal crisscrossed the country stumping for Mitt Romney’s unsuccessful White House bid, Louisiana taxpayers picked up the tab for the governor’s security detail, with a price tag topping $18,000. The Republican governor’s trip on an Iowa bus tour aimed at ousting an Iowa Supreme Court justice cost Louisiana nearly $1,200. A September speech by Jindal to the New Hampshire Republican Party added another $2,500 to the tally. Taxpayers in Jindal’s home state have shelled out thousands as the governor travels the country for political events, fundraisers and campaign speeches that have little to do with official state business. Jindal’s campaign, other GOP campaigns or event hosts pay for the governor’s flights, meals and hotels when he travels for non-state business, but the Louisiana State Police reaches into its own budget to cover similar costs for the governor’s bodyguards. An Associated Press review of the expense statements filed by troopers shows at least $226,500 has been paid for out-of-state travel with Jindal since he took office in 2008. Sixty-two percent of the money
spent on flights, hotel rooms, meals and taxis for the security guards involved trips that had more to do with Jindal’s political ambitions and his prominence within the Republican Party than his role as Louisiana’s chief executive. A spokesman for the governor, Sean Lansing, didn’t directly answer a question about whether Jindal has considered reimbursing the security detail’s travel costs from the $3.7 million in his own campaign account, rather than from tax dollars in a state struggling with repeated budget shortfalls. “The state does not pay for the governor’s unofficial travel out of state. As far as State Police, they have a legal duty to provide protection. As far as how, when, and where they do that — that’s up to them,” Lansing said in a statement. “The governor trusts them to do their job, and he is grateful for their service. We wouldn’t want anyone else interfering with their security determinations,” Lansing said. Considered a possible 2016 presidential contender, Jindal has traveled to dozens of states to collect campaign dollars, meet voters and help other Republican candidates. He has built a network of fundraising and political relationships that position him well for a future national campaign. The governor has visited 37 states on almost 170 trips, according to an
AP tally of the travel announced by Jindal’s office since 2008. In 2012, Jindal campaigned with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. He talked at the Oklahoma Republican Party’s state convention. He helped fundraise for the GOP in Alabama, New Mexico and Colorado. He traveled across 10 states to pitch Romney for president. Col. Mike Edmonson, the superintendent of state police and a Jindal appointee, said he has never asked — and the governor has never offered — to reimburse the trooper travel costs. “When is he not the governor? They’re always governor no matter what they’re doing, so you have to protect them,” Edmonson said. State police protection for the governor and his family is written into law, whether it’s state business, a political event or a campaign fundraiser. The state police determine how many troopers are in Jindal’s security detail depending on the location and event. Edmonson said the out-of-state expenses haven’t been a hindrance to his budget. He said he has worked with other states to have their local police help with security to reduce Louisiana’s costs, and he said Jindal keeps the trips short, which shrinks expenses.
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Talking Politics with Caesar Smith Jr.: Black Males & Homicide Being a black male and living past the age of 19 is a hurdle, according to one study by the Centers for Disease Control. National studies have found that young black males in Louisiana are 20 times more likely to be homicide victims by age 24 than any other race in the state. But like the rest of the population, the primary cause of death for black males under age 15 is accidents. After age 35, the causes of death for black men mostly align with the rest of the population, with heart attacks being the primary culprit. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and other sources show homicide far exceeds any other causes of death for black men aged 15 to 35. One report shows homicide rates more than twice as high as accidental deaths for black males age 15-19. A 2009 national report shows Louisiana ranked fourth in the nation in the per capita homicide rate for black males. The national average was 898.22 per 100,000 residents, but Louisiana’s rate was 1,044.35 per 100,000 — more than 1 of every 100. Oklahoma was highest with 1,093.96, followed by Mississippi with 1,065.46 and Arkansas with 1,045.06 per 100,000. For all races, Louisiana ranked sixth in the nation with 903.75 homicides per 100,000 residents. “The reasons for the high homicide rate among young black men vary”, said Jimmy McJamerson, Grambling State University retired history professor, and Sen. Sharon Weston Broome, D-Baton Rouge. Broome
chairs the Louisiana Commission on Marriage and Family, which received a report on deaths. “It is very alarming,” Broome said, “The high mortality rate among African-American men could be attributed to several reasons.” McJamerson agrees but says the reasons boil down to a few basic causes. Topping the list is that too many young black men imitate the “gangster lifestyle,” idolizing rappers who portray themselves as tough thugs who carry guns. “As for Tupac and Biggie, young, gifted and visionary African-American males who preferred the gangster lifestyle, now they are silent in their graves,” McJamerson said. “They lived the thug life. They believed they would die early in life.” But there are deeper reasons, too, he says. Many young African-Americans waste their lives because they’re not aware of the struggles that those before them went through. “If they knew more about our great history, they would know the type of things they’re involved in would only lead to negative results,” he said, “If they knew their history, they would know of the great African-American men and women who knew who they were and their mission in life.” Over the years, especially after integration, black communities changed, he said. Parents took two or three jobs “trying to keep up with the Joneses, and they forgot to pay attention to the fundamental things in the black community.”
For example, neighbors once would discipline children who misbehaved, “and the child was chastised again when the parents came home.” “With integration, all that went away,” McJamerson said. “Teachers in the school system don’t live in the black community, and they don’t have context with the black community,” he said. At one time, teachers would see parents at a store or in church and tell them how their child was performing and behaving in school, “but with integration, we lost that.” Broome said she believes “there are so many parts of the equation. There’s family environment, lack of education and other elements in society” that influence young men. The Commission on Marriage and Family is looking at policies that might improve the situation, she said, and it could assemble some suggestions for the governor. “Do we have policies that strengthen the family?” she said. “We need to support strong fatherhood. That’s a key to strengthening families.” Communities can take steps to combat the problem. Broome cites a Baton Rouge church that’s having one-on-one interaction with families of young people who are in or close to entering the juvenile justice system. In Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Shreveport, groups called 100 Black Men work with young people to try to steer them from crime. A report shows that homicide rates for
persons aged 10 to 24 were fairly negligible for other races and genders. There were 4.8 deaths per 100,000 for non-Hispanic white males (68 deaths), and 2.9 per 100,000 (39 deaths) for non-Hispanic white females. Only seven Hispanic males in that age grouping and no Hispanic females were reported as homicide victims and for “other races,” 11 males and one female were homicides. For blacks, though, the homicide rate was 82.2 per 100,000 (802 deaths) for males age 10 to 24 and 8.2 per 100,000 (80) for females. To conclude this article, the question is how many have realized the majority of “gangsters” and “thugs” often end up, dead or in prison. Some say society makes them do the things they do; I can’t totally buy that, it comes down to choices. This summer I lost my youngest brother to gun violence. He was called “Gangsta Wayne” by his ‘so-called friends.’ His name was David, my little brother. He chose the life of a thug. Why would a kid, who didn’t grow up in the ghetto want to live as if he did? His best friend passed away in his arms one year and a month prior to our mother’s death. That changed him, but how? Now he has a son who will grow up without a father. These are the politics of living as a black male in the United States of America and so much for being a “gangster.”
Budget debate begins with Jindal plan The legislative session doesn’t begin until April, but the state’s annual budget debate kicks off this week as Gov. Bobby Jindal unveils his multibillion-dollar spending proposals for next year. The presentation of the executive budget will show Jindal’s cards on what he recommends to cut, what facilities he wants to privatize or close and just how much patchwork financing he suggests to piece it all together. Jindal’s top budget adviser, Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols, will outline the plans Friday to lawmakers, and from there, the legislative negotiating begins over how to close a $1.3 billion budget gap in the 2013-14 fiscal year that starts July 1. While haggling over how and where to cut has become commonplace over the last five years, this budget deliberation comes with a new complication. State lawmakers also will be debating the governor’s proposal to rewrite much of Louisiana’s tax code. Jindal’s seeking to get rid of state income taxes in favor of higher sales tax rates, possibly higher tobacco taxes and a widening
list of services to be taxed by the state. The governor wants the whole exercise to be “revenue neutral,” meaning the state wouldn’t lose money or gain money from the tax code rewrite. But there will be a lot of moving parts — and a budget dependent on the numbers panning out like the estimates suggest, adding further wrinkles to an already complex set of budget negotiations. This year’s budget stands at $25 billion. Jindal’s financial analysts have estimated the state’s projected income next year is nearly $1.3 billion less than the costs to continue all existing programs and services and account for inflationary growth. The shortfall is on par with previous years since Jindal’s been in office. But that’s probably little consolation to lawmakers looking at what they can cut in a povertyridden state where large numbers of people rely on government programs for assistance. The most vulnerable areas to slashing are health care services for the poor, uninsured and disabled and public colleges. Both sectors have taken deep hits to funding in previous
rounds of cuts, leaving few easy choices left for making budget reduction decisions. At least some of the budget gap can be closed if lawmakers and the governor refuse to pay for inflationary increases, merit raises and education funding boosts that they haven’t covered in recent years. Those are estimated to be about $164 million. Few details have leaked about where Jindal might consider the latest budget slashing, but he’s made it clear he won’t seek to tap into federal funding available to expand Louisiana’s Medicaid program to help cover health care costs. Jindal said last week that he won’t reconsider his refusal to widen the government-run health insurance program to cover as many as 400,000 additional lowincome residents who would be eligible, even though the federal government would pick up most of the tab. The Republican governor said Medicaid is an outdated, inefficient program and states should instead be free to design health programs that suit their individual needs. He’s sure to face opposition from
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Democrats and advocacy groups who’ll seek to add the dollars into the budget and lessen some health care slashing. Meanwhile, if Jindal’s budget proposal is similar to his recommendations from past years, he’ll run into strong opposition from a group of conservative House members who call themselves the “fiscal hawks.” The lawmakers argue that Jindal’s method of cobbling together funding for programs only continues the state’s cycle of financial problems, by using one-time dollars to pay for ongoing services. The fiscal hawks want to put limits on the use of piecemeal funding, which could force even deeper cuts to next year’s budget. Legislative budget hearings will begin shortly after the governor unveils his multibillion dollar proposal. Wrangling over the plans likely will continue until the final days — or hours — of the legislative session, which must end June 6.
——— Melinda Deslatte covers the Louisiana Capitol for The Associated Press.
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Tuesday, Febraury 19, 2013 - Page 11
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Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail…. I know you’ve heard that life is just one big journey and we’re constantly seeking different destinations. Well on this “journey” we as individuals have good days as well as bad days. You know those days where things in our lives couldn’t be better as we’re achieving our goals and getting stuff done consistently. Then there’s those days when it seems like life is like a hammer and you’re the nail that is constantly being hit on. Some of us go through the day struggling to pay the bills, others to get to school, take care of the kids, get food on the table, and some just to find a place to rest our head. Well that just makes me imagine how individuals like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks felt during a time when the biggest obstacle they had to overcome was there skin tone. That feeling of being a nail that’s being hammered had to be how Rosa Parks felt the day she got on that bus, only to be treated like crap. But the minute she told that bus driver
Marcus Green that she wasn’t moving out of her seat was the moment when she stopped being the nail and started being the hammer. Rosa Parks actions on that Montgomery bus, the civil rights movement, which changed history for African Americans, was started. How could the great Martin Luther King Jr. not feel the same way on those fateful days when he led non-violent protests and marches for the equal rights for black people? The man woke up everyday knowing that he and those with him would be hosed with water, attacked by dogs, suffocated with gas canisters, beaten with batons and even possibly shot to death.
Despite all of this protesting and marching knowing that every step was one towards freedom and equality and even though he was killed, his dream lives on. The fact is that we almost can’t complain about our battles today because people like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. had to battle for their lives. We all have issues and problems that we have to deal with. Think about the college student who can barely stay awake in his/her classes because they’re working two or three jobs to pay for school. Or how about the teacher that shows up to class everyday even though they’re underpaid and also have to teach a class of kindergarteners posing as college students? These individuals may not be fighting battles as hard as some civil rights leaders back then but they have the same determination. We like those that came before us must wake up everyday with the goal of making it better than the day before. Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail.
School is serious business, Sallie Mae is real... Since I was a kid, I have always had an idea of what I wanted to do with my life, but only an idea. I wanted to be an archeologist because I was a history buff and thought that it would really work out for me. Once I became a high school student, my focus shifted from archeology to forensic science because I was interested in what the law had to offer and I loved being in the action. When I arrived at college, I first majored in Criminal Justice but realized it wasn’t for me, next thing you know I’m trying to join the Navy. It’s safe to say I jumped around a bit. I was confused for a while and didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I had to make a choice soon, and I knew I had to think long term. I made a transition to a new university and found a new major. Some people can easily make that decision, but it took me a while. It takes many people a long time to really decide what they want to do with their lives while some people have known
Ariana Triggs their entire lives. Picking and sticking to a major can be hard, especially if you try to wait until you get to college and do it. There are many problems that someone can run into while trying to choose and stay with a major. I think I’ve probably ran into then all. First, it’s just choosing a major. Why are you going to declare political science as your major when you don’t want to work in politics? You can take your time to choose during your first year.
I know most of you freshman students probably have already chosen your major as your time is running out, but make sure that it’s something you want to stick with or something that you can easily transition into another major if you want to. Try to envision your life within 30 years or so. What do you see yourself doing in 30 years? As a college student, it should be your goal to start chasing that career you’ll have in 30 years. It is sometimes a shame that people waste money while in school, just to get out and do something totally different than what their degree is in, but there’s nothing wrong with that because you might find a career that fulfills your goals or just pay more than a job that you have your degree in. The point is, take this school business seriously because it is a business because you do have to pay Ms. Mae back. My choices set me back two years and it can happen to you.
Page 12 - Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926