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Exclusive content
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Inside News campus briefs page 2 Colleges consolidation to support students Stone REpaved, erosion work begins Son of man to discuss enlightenment
Culture Black History Facts word clouds for the movement I’m ready to be mad, smart & determined for a cause
Columns Let’s talk politics: leadership needs followers Serious answers to your sextions: start with understanding then discovery
Commentary after the superbowl: blackout edition Mediocrity... a choice or lifestyle?
Photos of the week
avery johnson, dawn richard, and more...
www.southerndigest.com
Volume 60, Issue 2
Consolidating Colleges looks to be a win-win plan Colleges currently
Agricultural, Family & Consumer Sciences College of Arts & Humanities College of Business College of Education College of Engineering College of Sciences Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs School of Architecture School of Nursing Marcus Green
The Southern Digest Southern looks to enhance the quality of its’ academic programs and student opportunities by restructuring its’ colleges through a proposed six-college model. According to VerJanis A. Peoples, Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the university began an academic reorganization process back in October 2011. “The plan represents the merger and/ or realignment of existing colleges and departments, from nine academic colleges and schools into six new colleges,” Peoples said. If the proposal goes through, the new colleges will be as follows: College of Education, Arts, and Humanities, College of Business, College of Social& Behavioral Sciences, College of Engineering & Computer Science, College of Sciences & Agriculture, and the School of Nursing & Allied Health. “This six-college model was viewed for a couple of years by deans, directors, administrators, and faculty across the campus,” Peoples said.
Colleges proposed
College of Education Arts, and Humanities College of Business College of Social& Behavioral Sciences, College of Engineering & Computer Science College of Sciences & Agriculture School of Nursing & Allied Health
While the model will save money, she also said that the commonalities that exist between these programs are the reason behind the merger. “By collapsing these programs, they can enhance or build upon existing programs, and therefore assist students more,” Peoples said. Although she said that the College of Business was left alone, as she said it could stand alone, other premier programs like Engineering, will only grow from merging with Computer Science. Dean of Engineering, Habb P. Mohamadian, said that he thinks the merger is a win-win scenario for the department. “This will make us a stronger force.” Mohamadian said, that both computer science and electrical engineering are accredited by the same entity ABET, which is a accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. Kendrick Woodard, sophomore, mechanical engineering major from Houston said, “ I think that the merger will be a good thing because computer science and engineering go hand in hand.”
Mohamadian said that between the two departments, grant proposals will be stronger and increase the possibility of getting more funding. Joyce O’Rourke, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, said that the model is very new, and although it raises many questions, the faculty has pledged to work it out. Jason Tate, Junior Mass Communications major from Baton Rouge said, “It sounds like an ok idea. I just hope it makes the academics better.” Appointed to Interim Vice Chancellor back in December, Peoples has assumed many roles. Former dean of the College of Education, she now serves as interim dean and assistant dean of the college. “We think the model will give students more opportunities to select majors and be in colleges where there are an abundance of resources,” Peoples said. She also stressed that while this is the proposed model, the proposal has not yet been presented or approved by the Southern Board of Supervisors, but if approved will take affect starting Fall 2013.
Stone almost complete; erosion stabilization project is underway Evan Taylor
The Southern Digest Facilities improvements continue with the repavement of Jesse Stone repairing sinkholes caused by an old drainage system almost complete, erosion stabilization begins to combat soil erosion. The Stone project will be complete as soon as a special steel catch basin is installed that is currently on order. “We are hoping it will be installed by the middle of next week. There will be no work to the strip (E.C. Harrison), the problem that caused the closure was concerning a underground infrastructure issue pertaining to the storm drainage system installed in the 1940’s,” Eli Guillory, executive director for
facilities services said. Students may recall the strip being closed during the Stone repair project, due to a failure in the drainage system, that has been corrected and
event of a failure; Guillory doesn’t expect that to occur. Amid the last step of the Stone to complete, the Army Corps of Engineers will be executing an
“We are working on a number of projects. Students can look forward to the renovations in Lee Hall. We have installed new fume hoods in Chemistry labs and are finalizing the high tech classroom at Lee Hall.”
Eli Guillory Executive director for facilities services no projects to revitalize or repair E.C. Harrison are underway this semester. The only reason another portion of campus would be closed due to the drainage system would be in the
erosion stabilization project. Guillory estimated the rate at which the land is eroding and rated it a four out of 10, one being the least fast and 10 being the most.
the official student newspaper of southern university and A&m college, baton rouge, louisiana
“The Army Corp of Engineers is working to install storm drain pipes attached to the existing piping, extending the pipe 150 feet to stabilize the soil erosion occurring,” Guillory said. Students, faculty and staff should not expect any street closures with this project as it is estimated to continue for two to three months. Facilities improvements continued over the winter break and will be continuous throughout the semester. “We are working on a number of projects. Students can look forward to the renovations in Lee Hall. We have installed new fume hoods in Chemistry labs and are finalizing the
See Projects page 3
Campus Life southerndigest.com
Page 2 - Tuesday, February 5, 2013
opportunities our fraternity has to offer, the invitational is February 6 at 11a.m. and 5:52 p.m. in T.T. Allain Room 313. Business casual attire. Make Apt. For ReNT Looking for a place to stay? the Best Decision You Haven’t There’s a 1 room for rent avail call Made Yet. For more information, contact 225.771.5883. Ms. Renea @ 2009745 Today!
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S.U. Recruitment Celebration The Jaguar Nation celebrates National College Signing Day. Join the Blue and Gold Century Club, Inc. and The SU Quarterback Club as hosts of the 2013 S.U. Football Recruitment Celebration February 6 at 7 p.m. in The Cotillion Ballroom of SmithBrown Memorial Union. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $20 a reserved table is $300. Come out and share in the fun and excitement as head coach Dawson Odums and the staff introduce the 2013 signing class. Contact Ed Lewis at 225.247.7458, Eddie Braxton at 225.301.7940, Doris Piper at 225.335.5209 or Robert Square at 225.931.4052 or see any club member for tickets. Hope to see you there.
Campus Briefs today Model casting calls 2013 Black 60’s Fashion Photo Shoot in T.H. Harris Hall suite 1064, Today from 2- 5p.m. Light weight t-shirt, lightweight jeans. No jewelry or make-up. Male and female models welcome. It’s NAACP Week The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Southern University chapter presents NAACP week. NAACP week continues today with What’s your label? Tonight at 7pm in Classroom 1 on the 2nd floor of John B. Cade Library. Wear your black on Wednesday to support NAACP and Thursday come join us for Soul Sessions poetry night in Lakefront Room at 7 p.m.
African Americans in Cinema John B. Cade Library is showing some African American classics all month for your view. This week, on February 7 catch “The Color Purple”, it will be showing at no one and 3 p.m. on the 3rd floor in Classroom A. February 14, See Coming to America at noon and 2:15 p.m. and February 19 you can see Imitation of Life at noon and 2:30 p.m. Students are allowed to bring a sack lunch or snacks to the viewing.
Billiards Tournament The Smith-Brown Memorial Union Billiards Tournament is February 6 from 6-9p.m. Awards and prizes will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Sociology Club meetings The Sociology Club will hold weekly meetings from 5-6 pm on Thursdays in Higgins room 218. Stop by the meeting today.
Commemorating African American History and Achievements The SUBR/SUSLA partnership will commemorate African American history and achievements during the month of February and highlight several significant movies and culminate with an “extravaganza of music, dance, and poetry” by and about African Americans. This year’s theme: “Lest We Forget” will bring the SU community events every Thursday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Lakefront Room of the Union. On Feb. 7 “A raisin in the sun” with Sidney Poitier will be shown. For more information contact Professor O. Plummer at olplummer@yahoo.com.
Pi Sigma Epsilon Spring 2013 Informational You are cordially invited to attend the Spring 2013 Pi Sigma Epsilon Professional CoEd Fraternity Informational. Pi Sigma Epsilon is the PREMIER national co-ed, and professional fraternal organization in Sales, Marketing, and Management. Whether you are a business major or not, it is still very essential for you to have business and marketing skills to obtain the career of your dreams. Pi Sigma Epsilon will help you find the leader in you. Should you dare to inquire about what endless
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926 Black National Anthem Sing-a-Long Come out and join in the fun and fellowship as the members of the black history club of Southern University and The Southern University black gospel choir lead you in the words of the black national anthem, “Lift e’vry voice and sing” Thursday at noon at the Union, be there. Teens for Jeans Donate your jeans today for homeless teens. Drop them off a the S.O.L.D. office room 133 in Smith Brown Memorial Union. Donations are to be accepted until February 8. SU Goes Red SU goes Red Luncheonwill be on February 14. For more information and tickets contact studentprograms@subr.edu. Way of Holiness Ministries Bible Class It’s time again! WOHM (Way of Holiness Ministries) Bible Class: Wednesday, February 20 at 7 p.m. in Higgins Hall. Join us & be enlightened. 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 D.r Owusu Bandele at obandale@cox.net or 225.771.2242. Study guides can also be obtained from Sheila Smith in Fisher Hall 102. 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 Smith-Brown 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.
Who’s Speaking Out? How will you honor your ancestors this Black History Month? “I feel as though I honor my ancestors already throughtout the year by attentding school, and when I’m able, by voting. But specifically for this month, I am apart of the SU chapter of the NAACP, and we plan on hosting alot of things about our ancestors.” Imani Robertson History Junior Chicago
“My little sister and I have a high interest in creative art and writing. She will be drawing a picture pf Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as i recite a poem reflective of his “I Have A Dream” speech.” Joshua Syvester Mass Communication Junior Napoleonville, La.
“I plan on honoring by tellng the youth in my family the stories that my grandparents told me. I try to spread their beliefs that knowledge is infinite no mattter what your color.” Joy Sims Plant Soil Science Junior Talulah, La
“As president of the NAACP, it is my duty to honor our ancestors. I plan on informing our youth about people who paved the way for us to be here. Besides, without our past, we wouldn’t be here.” Keyandra Hall Education Junior Shreveport
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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The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Son of Man seeks to enlighten Evan Taylor
The Southern Digest The Son of Man, the leader and teacher of the New Nation of Islam intends to open up the dialogue concerning enlightenment and freedom based in scripture during his visit to Southern University February 7. “One thing absent in government and entertainment. On every level of this world there is a diminishing level of enlightenment,” The Son of Man said. The Son of Man, the leader and teacher of the New Nation of Islam and the messenger of the covenant believes the Islamic faith will open the minds of those in attendance. “It’s much we need to be able to share with you. We give people a chance to refute what we say,” he said.
He anticipates and plans to encourage an interactive and audience driven conversation the mind; both the enlightened one and ignorant. “I don’t plan on speaking. I talk to my audience not at them. I let them have influence, let them stop me and ask questions,” he said. He plans to leave the subject matter open but, will base it in scripture. “I like to leave the subject matter open. It will be based in scripture. Often people ask what is the point of having holy books that are out of touch with reality? They are relevant to us, our children, our children’s children; if we want a bright future,” he said. The New Nation of Islam founded in five pillars including; one god whose proper name is Allah, belief of prophets and scripture (Bible and Quran),
prayer, giving in charity and the belief of fasting (exercising of the will), has evolved as the generations. “We used to think, myself included, we used to think white people were jealous because of their white skin,” he said. He continued citing Elijah Muhammad’s phrase ‘we never looked under the cover’ and said the mind, which dictates actions, is the factor they learned to examine and not just skin color. “The mind in the person is what makes them who they are. The mind was within them when they were made. That is what needs to be judged and curtailed,” he said. He described the history of the world and the presence of blacks before whites and how the Caucasians just acquired control recently, and blacks ran the world ages before. “Black people are the father
and mother of all and it’s time we started acting like it. We have a great deal to share, we have just been looked down upon,” he said. He spoke about keeping his talks open to gage the audience for the willingness to learn and be open. “It’s hard to teach someone that thinks they already know everything. When you ask them, they realize they don’t know or have an answer.” While discussing education he said, our education is inadequate and can be taken away if we cannot prove what we are taught. “You haven’t really been taught if you haven’t been given proof. Just because you can remember doesn’t mean you can prove it. If you don’t teach them how to prove it then someone can take it away from them. If they are taught to prove what they know they will come away with an enlightened mind,” he said.
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Fill out our survey at http://www. surveymonkey.com/s/QJPYR2N Projects from page 1 high tech classroom at Lee Hall,” Guillory said. Facilities has installed new furniture in James Hall rooms 142 and 143 and renovated 106 in Fisher Hall with new fixed seating and flooring. “This semester we are working to complete ADA (American Disability Act) compliant restrooms in T.T. Allain on all three floors,” Guillory said. Most of the facilities projects expected this semester will be maintenance based projects. “We have a lot of maintenance projects underway including continuing the installation of LED (Light emitting diode) lighting across campus,” Guillory said.
BLACK HISTORY & AMERICA: THE LAND OF PROMISE Speaker: The Son of Man Leader & Teacher of the New Nation of Islam Date: Thursday, February 7, 2013 Time: 6:PM Place: Nursing School Auditorium on the Campus of Southern University www.thenewnationofislam.com
culTure southerndigest.com
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The senTInel oF an enlIghTened sTudenT body sInce 1926
Civil Rights cases from 1867-2006
The civil rights movement & civil issues
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - Page 5
The senTInel oF an enlIghTened sTudenT body sInce 1926
I’m ready to be mad, smart and determined for a cause Will we be the generation that brings an equal mix of anger, knowledge and determination to the fight ahead? Often times people in ‘Generation X’ ask why were blacks or African Americans so angry in the civil rights era, and if ‘Generation Y’ and the ‘Millenials’ will come fighting with just the anger. Have you ever considered when discrimination (mainly racism) was so pervasive that it became a part of your every day life? Where it dictated what drinking fountain you used, restroom you could use, what entrance of businesses you could enter, what fee you would pay for access, or even whether you could go where you wanted to at all… In the 50’s and early 60’s anger was a motivator to accomplish what those before you couldn’t, fight for rights not given but, stated, and as Martin Luther King would say- cash a check that was marked insufficient funds. Those who grew up immediately during and after this struggle benefitted from the battles already fought but, still faced the war. They were now allowed but not tolerated, they were invited but not welcome, they were separate but equal. From the Southern sit-in sixteen to the Greensboro nine to the integration of Central High in Little Rock and High schools and colleges nationwide; the battles had just begun. When reading the stories of how they were abused and neglected and intentionally driven away, how could I not be angry at the faces that came from the opposition? When anger and brutality killed Emmett Till, The ‘four’ little girls in 16th street Baptist church, Medgar Evers and numerous others on Black Sunday; how can the anger not be answer to retaliation? In the late 60’s and 70’s the battle became making a way for African Americans professionally; with many industries still segregated. Training and professional experience became a factor of discrimination. Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ enrollments increase and students are involved in black movements creating professional organizations to lift as we climb. Knowledge in the black community became the new power to affect change and create representation and
eVan Taylor response in our lives and leave a lasting legacy. If knowledge was powerful enough to create professional and community movements to advance a race that was once unwelcome in the very country they were brought to, shouldn’t be powerful enough to continue the legacy? Shouldn’t knowledge be a factor in the continued fight? The 80’s, 90’s to the early 2000’s, the country shifts from a paradigm aimed to creating a better world and the spread of democracy and peace, to a focus on economic prominence and the rule of capitalist America over all. Hip Hop culture is now popular and we have to fight the same portrayals of the minstrel, magical negro, mammy, drug dealer, pimp, and sexually promiscuous and sexually objectified women from our own race. Some ignorant and others in pursuit of the mighty dollar without the hindsight of the effects on their community; selling records, albums and videos of black men degrading black women and with no consequence to portrayal of what others think, but are afraid to say. We are creating and perpetuating stereotypes and generalizations. Just as the problem was not created overnight, the solution will not happen in such a short time. Isn’t determination needed to counteract this spread of ignorance and vicious cycle of enslavement by our own? Shouldn’t we be determined to shed a new light on our race, culture and socialization other than drug users and dealers, pimps and whores, poor and poorer, beggers and homeless, buyers not sellers, and thieves not heroes?
2008 to the present- The Barack Obama era, or as some expected ‘let’s elect Black Jesus so he can save the black community,’ the black community is in more trouble than ever. Socio-economic status, educational background, voting records, arrest records, social media presence, religion and sexual orientation have become the new racism. The odds are stacked against the less socially and professionally conscious. With a large percentage of our community living uneducated and incarcerated, who is with their children making sure they don’t fall into the same trap? No one. With a large percentage of our community in debt from cars, clothes and faulty investments, who is educating their next generation so they can be debt free? No one. While more children are being raised in single family households without the presence of one parent, who is fighting for these children when they need help? No one. We are too busy concerning ourselves with what everyone doesn’t do for us, instead of what responsibilities we have to ourselves. We are socializing our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with the idea of an ideal society where someone else will take care of them, instead of rearing them to speak, hear, question and understand for themselves. We are still stuck blaming the ‘white man’ that died off with his sins years ago for the barriers and barricades we put up ourselves. If this was a war we would have retreated before the enemy arrived, and what happens when you retreat? You lose. If we are going to throw in the towel in the ring we should at least have the courage to get knocked down first. The problem is we stepped in the ring , saw the opponent and ran the other way. Whether we fight for ourselves or not, there will be a winner and a loser. After all, if we learn anything from the past shouldn’t it be that the war is not over until we stop fighting? If you want to win, will you bring the equal mix of anger, knowledge and determination to the fight?
Black History Month: Black History Fact W.E.B. Du Bois and Wil iam Monroe Trotter started The Niagara Movement, a black civil rights organization which got its name from the group’s first meeting location, Niagara Falls. This collective later became the N.A.A.C.P.
photos of the weekend Dawn Richard @ SU Dawn Richard, star of “Making the Band” and Danity Kane member stopped by Southern as a special guest at the Pep Rally in the Cotillion before the Jaguars took on Grambling State in F.G. Clark Activity Center. (Kendal Odom/DIGEST)
Honorary Gold ‘N Blue Dawn Richard poses with the dancers of the basketball team dancers Southern University’s Gold ‘N Bluez. Richard stopped by Southern’s pep rally during her visit to the Baton Rouge area. (Kendal Odom/DIGEST)
Greatness walks Avery Johnson walks onto the court waving to the crowd as he was recognized for his contributions to Southern Athletics at the court dedication/tribute. (Talor Kinzy/DIGEST)
The good ol’ days Johnson speaks to the crowd about his days at Southern during the tribute and court dedication ceremony. (Talor Kinzy/DIGEST)
Gold N’ Bluez The Gold ‘N Bluez warm up the crowd before the game, the Jaguars were vistorious in both games against Grambling State. (Talor Kinzy/DIGEST)
Showing Lacumba love Dawn Richard lays one on Southern mascot Lacumba at the Southern vs. Grambling pep rally. (Kendal Odom/DIGEST)
Rallying the fans
Sharing the moment
Chancellor LLorens presents gifts to Avery The Gold ‘N Bluez get ready for the turn during their performance at the Southern vs. Grambling Johnson and his wife, Cassandra Tate, during the court dedication cermony Saturday. (Talor Kinzy/ basketball games. (Talor Kinzy/DIGEST) DIGEST)
Thank you very much Avery Johnson stands alongside former teammates and thanks those who brought him to his current state, at court dedication ceremony during the Men’s basketball game. (Talor Kinzy/DIGEST)
Mr. & Mrs. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were presented a basket from SU Board of Supervisors chairwoman Bridget Dinvaut at the ceremony. (Talor Kinzy/DIGEST)
SU #15
Avery Johnson’s jersey was retired after his term from 1986-88, since Johnson has coached two teams in the NBA; including the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets and spent the majority of his playing career with the San Antonio Spurs. (Talor Kinzy/DIGEST)
February 5, 2013
Southern Great
Southern great Avery Johnson thanks the auidence for their support during the court dedication cermony Saturday at F.G. Clark Activity Center. Johnson was honored Saturday when the Jaguars took on the Grambling State Tigers. (Talor Kinzy/DIGEST)
State & Nation southerndigest.com
Page 8 - Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Obama stands firm despite odds The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — President Barack Obama declared on a campaign-style trip to promote gun control that a consensus is emerging for universal background checks for buyers, though he conceded a tough road lay ahead to pass an assault weapons ban over formidable opposition in Congress. The president unveiled his gun-control plans last month after the shootings at a Newtown, Connecticut, elementary school. But many of the proposals face tough opposition from some in Congress and from the National Rifle Association. “We should restore the ban on military-style assault weapons and a 10-round limit for magazines,” Obama said in a brief speech on Monday, standing firm on his full package on gun-control measures despite long odds. Such a ban “deserves a vote in Congress because weapons of war have no place on our streets or in our schools or threatening our law enforcement officers.” Democratic lawmakers and aides, as well as lobbyists, say an assault weapons ban has the least chance of being approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee that is
working up the legislation. They say a ban on high-capacity magazines is viewed as the next least likely proposal to survive, though some compromise version of it might, allowing more than the 10-round maximum that Obama favors. Likeliest to be included are universal background checks and prohibitions against gun trafficking, they say. One lobbyist said other possible terms include steps to improve record keeping on resales of guns and perhaps provisions that would make it harder for mentally ill people from obtaining firearms. The president spoke from a special police operations center in a city in the American heartland that was once known to some as “Murderapolis” but where gun violence has dropped amid a push to address it from city leaders. Officers stood behind him, dressed in crisp uniforms of blue, white and brown. The site conveyed Obama’s message that a reduction in violence can be achieved nationally, even if Americans have sharp disagreements over gun control. That includes among members of his own party in Washington. Suggesting he won’t get all he’s proposing, he said, “We don’t have to agree on everything to agree it’s time to do something.”
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks about his gun violence proposals Monday at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Special Operations Center in Minneapolis, where he outlined his plan before law enforcement personnel. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he wants to give the bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines a vote. But he will not say whether he will support either, and advocates and opponents alike predict they are unlikely to pass. Putting the controversial measures up for a vote could put some Democratic senators in a tough spot. That includes some from
conservative-leaning states who are up for re-election next year and face the prospect of voting against either fervent gun-rights supporters or Obama and gun-control supporters in the party’s base. The White House says Obama is not writing off any part of his package despite the long odds for the assault weapons ban in particular before votes are scheduled or he takes his arguments on the road.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who has been helping push the gun control package, said he and Obama spoke on the matter Sunday and agreed that Washington in a vacuum is unlikely to move quickly. The White House said Obama made his maiden trip on the gun control package to Minneapolis because the city has taken steps to tackle gun violence, including a push for stricter background checks.
Superdome officials worried about a power outage Kevin McGill & Michael Kunzelman The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — The cause of a 34-minute blackout at the Super Bowl remains under investigation, but public records released Monday show that Superdome officials were worried about a power outage several months before the big game. An Oct. 15 memo released by the Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District, which oversees the Superdome, says tests on the dome’s electrical feeders showed they had “some decay and a chance of failure.” Entergy New Orleans, the company that supplies the stadium with power, and the structure’s engineering staff “had concerns regarding the reliability of the Dome service from Entergy’s connection point to the Dome,” the memo says. Those concerns were due in part to “circumstances that have previously occurred with the electrical service regarding transient spikes and loads.” The memo also cites 2011 blackouts that struck Candlestick Park, where the San Francisco 49ers were playing a nationally televised Monday night football game, as a reason for ordering the tests. The board later authorized spending nearly $1 million on Superdome improvements, including more than $600,000 for upgrading the dome’s electrical feeder cable system.
Gerald Herbert/AP Photo Fans and members of the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers wait for power to return in the Superdome during an outage in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game Sunday in New Orleans. “As discussed in previous board meetings, this enhancement is necessary to maintain both the Superdome and the New Orleans Arena as top tier facilities, and to ensure that we do not experience any electrical issues during the Super Bowl,” says a LSED document dated Dec. 19. An attorney for the state board that oversees the Superdome said the blackout did not appear to be related to the replacement in
December of electrical equipment connecting the stadium to Entergy. Officials with the utility and the Superdome noted that an NFL game, the Sugar Bowl and another bowl game were played there in recent weeks with no apparent problems. The exact cause of Sunday night’s blackout — and who’s to blame — remained unclear late Monday, though a couple of potential culprits had been ruled out.
It wasn’t Beyonce’s electrifying halftime performance, according to Doug Thornton, manager of the state-owned Superdome, since the singer had her own generator. And it apparently wasn’t a case of too much demand for power. Meters showed the 76,000-seat stadium was drawing no more electricity than it does during a typical New Orleans Saints game, Thornton said. The lights-out game Sunday proved an embarrassment for the
Big Easy just when it was hoping to show the rest of the world how far it has come since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. But many fans and residents were forgiving, and officials expressed confidence that the episode wouldn’t hurt the city’s hopes of hosting the championship again. To New Orleans’ great relief, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the city did a “terrific” job hosting its first pro football championship in the post-Hurricane Katrina era, and added: “I fully expect that we will be back here for Super Bowls.” Fans watching from their living rooms weren’t deterred, either. An estimated 108.4 million television viewers saw the Baltimore Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers 3431, making it the third most-viewed program in television history. Both the 2010 and 2011 games hit the 111 million mark. The problem that caused the outage was believed to have happened around the spot where a line that feeds current from Entergy New Orleans connects with the Superdome’s electrical system, officials said. But whether the fault lay with the utility or with the Superdome was not clear. Determining the cause will probably take days, according to Dennis Dawsey, a vice president for distribution and transmission for Entergy. He said the makers of some of the switching gear have been brought in to help figure out what happened.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - Page 9
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
USPS honors Rosa Parks with new stamp Mike Householder The Associated Press
DEARBORN, Mich. — Hundreds of people, including some of Michigan’s political elite, gathered Monday to celebrate the late Rosa Parks on what would have been her 100th birthday by unveiling a postage stamp in her honor steps from the Alabama bus on which she stared down segregation nearly 60 years ago. Parks, who died in 2005, became one of the enduring figures of the Civil Rights movement when she refused to cede her seat in the colored section of the Montgomery, Ala., bus to a white man after the whites-only section filled up. Her defiance and the ensuing black boycott of the city bus system helped the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. rise to national prominence. “This is being done in sight of the bus where future generations can sit in a seat where Rosa Parks sat and refused to budge and in a seat where the world was changed,” U.S. Sen. Carl Levin said before he and U.S. Rep. John Conyers, a fellow Democrat, pulled the curtain to reveal the Rosa Parks Forever Stamp, which bears her 1950’s likeness. The stamp ceremony was part of a 12-hour event at The Henry Ford in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Parks’ birth that also featured speeches and live music. At one point, officials cleared the vehicle and allowed Deputy
Carlos Osorio/AP Photo From left, Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich., Deputy Postmaster Elaine Steele, Gen. Ronald Stroman, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., Carolyn House Stewart, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority International president, and Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford, help unveil the Rosa Parks’ 100th birthday commemorative postage stamp at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Mich., Monday on what would have been the late civil rights icon’s 100th birthday. Postmaster General Ronald Stroman — who as a young lawyer worked on Conyers’ staff while Parks worked at Conyers’ Detroit office — to sit on the bus by himself. Stroman looked around the bus and gathered his thoughts before saying: “It’s such a powerful
experience to be actually in the seat that Rosa Parks sat in. It’s almost emotional — very overwhelming to be here.” The Parks stamp is the second in a set of civil rights stamps being issued this year by the U.S. Postal Service. USPS launched the series
Jan. 1 with the Emancipation Proclamation Forever Stamp, which was issued at The National Archives in Washington. In August, the series will culminate with the dedication of a stamp recognizing the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington.
The value of a Forever Stamp is the domestic First-Class Mail letter price in effect on the day of use. They always are sold at the same price as a regular First-Class Mail stamp. Forever Stamps currently are being sold for 46 cents. The Parks stamp went on sale Monday at post offices nationwide and at The Henry Ford, where dozens of people lined up to buy it, and nearby where collectors gathered to get their new stamps and other collectables stamped — or officially “canceled” — by a postal service employee. Avid collector David Malhalab was one of the first in line to get stamps, pamphlets and other items canceled. “Today is the Super Bowl or the championship game for stamp collectors,” he said, seated at a table surrounded by his various stamped collectibles. President Barack Obama issued a proclamation that was read at Monday’s event by Detroit-area Democratic U.S. Rep. Gary Peters. “As we mark the 100th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ birth, we celebrate the life of a genuine American hero and remind ourselves that although the principle of equality has always been self-evident, it has never been selfexecuting,” the proclamation reads. “I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate service, community and education programs to honor Rosa Parks’ enduring legacy.”
Mixed-race daughter of segregationist senator dies Meg Kinnard
The Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. — Essie Mae Washington-Williams, the mixed-race daughter of onetime segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond who kept her parentage secret for more than 70 years to avoid damaging his political career, died Monday. She was 87. Vann Dozier of Leevy’s Funeral Home in Columbia said Washington-Williams died Sunday. A cause of death was not given. Washington-Williams was the daughter of Thurmond and his family’s black maid. The identity of her famous father was rumored for decades in political circles and the black community. But not until after Thurmond’s death in 2003 at age 100 did Washington-Williams come forward and say her father was the white man who ran for president on a segregationist platform and served in the U.S. Senate for more than 47 years. “I am Essie Mae WashingtonWilliams, and at last I am completely free,” Washington-Williams said at a news conference revealing her secret. She was born in 1925 after Thurmond, then 22, had an affair
with a 16-year-old black maid who worked in his family’s home in Edgefield, South Carolina. She spent years as a school teacher in Los Angeles, keeping in touch with her famous father. While Thurmond never publicly acknowledged his daughter, his family acknowledged her claim after she came forward. She later said Thurmond’s widow, Nancy, was “a very wonderful person,” and called Strom Thurmond Jr. “very caring, and interested in what’s going on with me.” Several members of Thurmond’s family didn’t respond to messages seeking comment Monday. Washington-Williams was raised by Mary and John Washington in Pennsylvania. Her world changed when she was 13 when Mary Washington’s sister, Carrie Butler, told Essie Mae that she was her mother. Washington-Williams met Thurmond for the first time a few years later in a law office in Thurmond’s hometown of Edgefield. “He never called my mother by her name. He didn’t verbally acknowledge that I was his child,” Washington-Williams wrote in her autobiography, “Dear Senator: A Memoir by the Daughter of Strom Thurmond.”
“He didn’t ask when I was leaving and didn’t invite me to come back. It was like an audience with an important man, a job interview, but not a reunion with a father,” she said in the book released January 2005. It was the first of many visits between Washington-Williams and her father. He supported her, paying for her to attend then-South Carolina State College at the same time Thurmond was governor. He also helped her later after she was widowed in the 1960s. “It’s not that Strom Thurmond ever swore me to secrecy. He never swore me to anything,” she wrote. “He trusted me, and I respected him, and we loved each other in our deeply repressed ways, and that was our social contract.” Washington-Williams watched from afar as Thurmond ran for president as a segregationist for the Dixiecrat Party in 1948, saying “all the laws of Washington and all the bayonets of the army cannot force the Negro race into our theaters, our swimming pools, our schools, our churches, our homes.” Washington-Williams recalled once asking her father about race. Thurmond defended his beliefs as part of the “culture and custom
Lawrence Jackson/AP Photo This Jan. 31, 2005 file photo shows Essie Mae Washington-Williams during a book signing in Washington. Washington-Williams, the daughter of one-time segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond who kept her parentage secret for more than 70 years to avoid damaging his political career, died Monday. She was 87. of the South,” she wrote. “I certainly never did like the idea that he was a segregationist, but there was nothing I could do about it,” Washington-Williams said in 2003. “That was his life.” Thurmond later softened his political stance and renounced racism. But he never publicly acknowledged his oldest daughter or the active role he played in her life. Thurmond and his first wife, Jean, were married in 1947; she died in
1960. They had no children. He had four children with his second wife, the former Nancy Moore, whom he married in 1968. Paul Thurmond, a South Carolina state senator and son of Strom Thurmond, said in an email to The Associated Press, “I was sorry to hear of the passing of Ms. Washington-Williams. She was kind and gracious and I have the greatest respect for her, her life and her legacy.”
Commentary southerndigest.com
Page 10 - Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Talking Politics with Caesar Smith Jr.: Leadership needs followers Politics plays a part in our daily lives; whether it is by will or by force, wholly or in part, it involves every individual. Some do not seem to see the point of participation, some are misled by the appearance and others are ignorant. There is nothing wrong with being ignorant, but there is a great education that comes out of ignorance. The latter becomes more involved after experiences and hindsight, they become “king makers,” making one electable for a position. Those who run for an elected office, chosen by the people will make a platform for those with like interests or issues they relate to. This can be seen once the platform has been chosen; then the magic of the campaign and the candidate takes place. Leadership has to have followers. One of the best ways to evaluate if one is truly a leader is the kind of organization they build; how many people they influence to do something. I evaluate leaders by asking, “How many people voted for you?” Another way to vote for a person is to join that person in protest. Change does not come unless there is an aggressive approach. The way to get followers is to run for a particular office and win; or to put your purposes before the public and to have the public come and support you. That is the way to make a leader; people will not come if they don’t believe in that individual. Often time’s leaders have humor, substance and wisdom. Remarkably through research it has been found that Dr. King was wise and funny. I call it, “King’s Magic,” only because he did not forget people. If one knows enough, they take everybody
into the room with them. When they walk out on that stage; they bring the people who have loved them, people who have taught them, people who have supported them, they bring them. Now Dr. King’s magic depended upon his bringing everybody on the stage with him; so when he came out people would say, “he has charisma,” but what they REALLY meant was that there were four-thousand people all around him who were invisible to the audience. When he came, there was so much stuff that the people could not take their eyes off of him. It was simply because he honored those who went before. People live in direct relation with the heroes they have. Indeed some people are born great, others achieve it, and others have it thrust upon them. Martin Luther King was all three. Because it was thrust upon him, he was ready for it. He was a man of his time; a man with energy, intellect and humor. It is important for young people to know that. I want to share this; I had an uncle (Donald C. Wade) who was a great man I adored, he always tried to show me how “livable is the responsibility of being a black man in the United States.” How painful, and yet how livable it is—it is important that we know that, so we may see our heroes; Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Medgar Evers and Barack Obama. One should think, “These are human beings, these are not people too large, so much larger than life that I could never dream to be that.” Otherwise other young men and women, both black and white forget they have already been, “paid for,” then they become cynical.
Serious answers to your SEXtions: with Kate McConnell My name is Kate McConnell. I am a senior majoring in political science. I am from a pretty big town in Massachusetts. I am writing this column to educate students at Southern University about sex. It seems like sex has become something everyone does, but no one wants to talk about it. My goal is to better inform students on all the wonderful benefits sex has to offer without the negative connotations associated with it. Sex. We all crave it. Men, women, young or old, sex is what humans hunger after. It is no surprise considering we think about sex quite often. An experiment by Dr. Terry Fisher and her colleagues at Ohio State University found that on average men think about sex 19 times a day, and women think about it 10 times a day on average. For those of you who do not know, and I know there are some that do not, sex not only involves penetration, but also oral and anal activity. But before we get into all that, it is important to know the body parts of both genders. Now, I know most of you think you know all the sexual parts on a woman or a man, but what about the secret spots no one mentions? This information might seem taboo, but remember it is educational. We as students learn on a daily basis. I am just passing on the information I have been so fortunate to discover over the years. There are many parts on a person’s body
that elicit sexual arousal. These are called erogenous zones. Genitals, of course are the main source of sexual arousal, but there are parts of the body that are not part of the reproductive system that will provide just as much arousal. Our skin is the largest sensory organ we have. Touching the inner thigh, neck, or breast area, can send any man or woman through the roof. Eyes, ears, shoulders, and even feet, for some people, can be an erogenous zone. A good kiss to the lips can send good vibrations to the lips below. Exploring all your partner’s body is the first step you should take when starting a sexual relationship with someone. Spend the time learning what your sexual partner likes because all it takes is one disappointing experience to end a promising relationship. Above all, be safe. It may sound cliché, but knowledge is power. That includes sexual knowledge about your partner. Make sure the both of you get tested before anything. If your partner does not want to get tested, move on. It is not worth the risk. Use a condom no matter how gross they feel or taste. Lastly, be respectable. If a person does not want to jump into bed with you, get over it. Do not spread rumors; do not tell lies, just move on and live your life. We only have one to live, so never be pressured into doing something you will regret.
There is nothing more tragic than to see a cynical young person, because they have gone from knowing nothing, to believing nothing. The passage of Civil Rights legislation in the sixties and so many other movements all over the world came from our movement. Of course, many wonder what Martin Luther King would think of our world today. I think he would probably be on the picket lines right now, dreaming up ways he could influence all young men and women, black and white, Asian, native American, Spanish speaking, Jewish, Arabic—all of the young men and women. His great dream was to turn the march on Washington, the last one, the peace march, the one for the poor and hungry people into a forum where all of the people, all of the “Adams and Eves” as Margaret Walker has said—so that all of the faces could come under his umbrella. Many do not see that it is our president now saying, “Let’s make it a world for all the people—all the time.” He wanted to remove all barriers, and in my honest opinion, he was killed because he did not only protest for black people, he protested for all people. If you only concern yourself with one group, another group can say, “I can leave them alone,” but if one says, “human beings are more alike than we are unalike,” whether you are gay or straight, fat or thin and the statement is, “come under my umbrella, I’m with you here.” Then suddenly all of the barriers have been dismissed so people will join together in an attempt to undo the cruelties, murders and brutalities of the past. That was what Martin Luther King was about. That along with his protest of the Vietnamese
War had him killed. The message is still the same. One voice cannot make a movement alone. In short, the people are the movement. An individual voice together with another is the most powerful instrument to start a movement! For instance, many have reservations regarding to go boxes in the evening here on campus, but there has been no mass movement to stop it. Look at it as paying one dollar to live on campus and get an education. Any time there is a discount or shortage for what has been paid for, it subtracts from the value of that dollar. One dollar given is service for one dollar, NOTHING LESS. Food shortages and long waits should not be tolerated, but there has been no resistance to it. All areas should be properly staffed, hot food should be hot, cold foods should be cold and all beverage fountains should be stocked accordingly. There is no excuse to wait in line for twentyplus minutes to get a plate of food or walk across the facility to dispense the same beverage. Aramark is a food service company; it is their area of expertise. If the result you are getting is not satisfactory there are civil ways to protest and remove them. I personally demand full service for a dollar; there was a time when we had to accept seventyfive, fifty-cents and less, but those days are no more. Aramark should give full value for that dollar or it is up to those (students) who buy those services to ensure their register will NEVER ring again. Politics is more than a voice, a vote or a movement; it is a part of life.
Commentary southerndigest.com
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Tuesday, Febraury 5, 2013 - Page 11
After the SuperBowl: Blackout Edition Now that the Super Bowl ‘New Orleans - Blackout Edition’ is over, all that remains is leftovers and booze. Right now you have nothing but last nights final score stuck in your head and possibly food stains stuck in you favorite jersey. The game is over, and will probably be old news once the self-induced food comas and hurricane hangovers have disappeared. One thing that will remain is the commercials. We can relive them over and over and over again. At least the commercials will have a lot more replay value than that half hour blackout during the game. It is a fact that the Super Bowl advertisements have become almost as important as the game. Before I ever had an interest in the sport I always loved the commercials and halftime show. Over the recent years Youtube has only increased the popularity of Super Bowl commercials. My favorite commercial is tied between the Budweiser’s Clydesdale commercial which was basically a farmer raised pony to a horse, it then grows up to be a Clydesdale, the farmer eventually sells the horse to Budweiser.
Jessica Sarpy The farmer goes into the city to see the horse and readies himself to go, then horse spots his former owner then chases after him… Super Bowl commercials aren’t supposed to make you teary eyed. This commercial kind of tugged at my heart strings a little bit. Call me sappy but if you felt nothing while watching this you’re a monster. This commercial made me want to buy a horse and call my mother. My other favorite commercial is the Tide Joe Montana commercial. This commercial had an image of football player Joe Montana face remarkably appearing in a salsa stain on a 49ers fan’s jersey. In the ad the fan received all kinds of
media attention, fame, and even made his home a tourist attraction. Some time later he enters his home and to his horror his famed stained jersey is gone. He turns to ask his wife what happened to it and she responds while wearing a Baltimore Ravens jersey that she washed it with Tide. I don’t condone domestic violence but I would have choked her. I don’t care what kind of rivalry the teams had, that was free revenue coming into our house! The slogan should have been ‘Tide – Washing away blessings since 2013!’ In all I liked this ad. It made me chuckle a little bit. My least favorite ad was the GoDaddy advertisement. I’m not going to recap what exactly happened in that ad because all I can remember is that disgusting kiss between Bar Refaeli and the super nerd on the side of her. I think one of the reasons I can stand it is the fact that the producer had the audacity to get a extreme close up shot of that horrifying kiss! If I had to describe this ad with just one word it would be “..gross.” The game is over, all of the commercials have aired, now they belong to the ages, and possibly Youtube.
Mediocrity...a choice or a lifestyle? Has mediocrity gone from being a word to a lifestyle? Remember that day when you got your first job and how excited you were because you felt confidant and wanted to do your best. You have the feeling of having some type of responsibility and feeling like an adult. Then as time goes on, you start coming to work later and leaving early, not even carrying about how well you performed that day. You went from being the employee of the month, to the person who’s still there… So I ask you is mediocrity a phase or a lifestyle? How many times do you go to a place of business and look at an employee who looks like they majored in lazyology? You know, like when your in the drivethru of a Rite Aid and you’ve been in line for a good fifteen minutes and once you finally get to the window…you see this out of shape, un-groomed, uncoordinated individual who looks like they sleep as a side hustle…and you say how the heck they got or better yet keep this job? I say that to say this…. We are living in serious times. Times where having a job today, is like having a pot of gold in the 1930’s.
Marcus Green I’m just saying, in a time when even streetwalking harlots are being laid off, can you really afford to suffer from the comfortability of mediocrity? Now let’s be fair, in these harsh economic times, there are many of us who are just working to get a check and nothing else but even if you a garbage man, you could still to a good job at it. It’s always good to make money but it’s a totally different reward when you know you got paid because you excelled at what you did. There are a lot of people out there who get up everyday hating the job there about to go to and even more who hate the next job they have to get. For those of us who are actually getting
paid to do something we actually love, how can being mediocre even be an issue? The only difference between a single mom working three jobs and a teenager working one, is that the mom get’s less sleep. Just because the teenager has only one job, doesn’t mean he shouldn’t work as than the single mom. America is said to be the land of opportunity…but that’s rather funny considering most of the people seizing this so called opportunity aren’t even from here. How many people do you know who claim to be the best in the world at what they do, when the only thing they do is just enough? If watching rocky 3 taught me anything, it’s that there’s always someone out there willing to take your spot who has far less skill with way more ambition. You should be so lucky to be doing something you love and have the decency to master your skills to be the very best at it. The perceptions people have of us are one thing…but our perceptions of ourselves, is something else. You know who you are and what your capable of so, ask yourself “mediocre”. Is it just a word in my head or a way I’m living life?
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VOLume 29, issue 1
SACS Probation No matter how you say it ... Giving a whole new meaning to ‘academic probation’, Southern University and A&M College was put on Probation by its accrediting agency on December 20, 2012. shaWn JOhn & nOrman J. dOTsOn Jr. The Southern Digest
As of December 10, 2012, Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge accreditation has been continued with good cause and placed on six months probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges or SACSCOC. SACSCOC is officially responsible for the accreditation, review, & assessment of the performance of the membered institutions of higher education within the southern region area of the country. According to Chancellor James Llorens, following the most recent accreditation back in 2010 where the university received its accreditation there were some recommendations that came with that decision. “The first report we submitted was unacceptable in 2011, we got it back from SACSCOC and there
were still some of the issues that they wanted documentation on,” said Llorens. The university then put together and submitted another report based on three of the standards that the SACSCOC committee reviewed and accepted on two of the standards but needed more documentation on the final standard which is measuring student outcome. Due to the fact that this was the second report submitted, by necessity SUBR had to be placed on probation until the approval of the next report. Comprehensive standard 3.3.1.1 of the Principles of Accreditation concerns matters of meeting student outcomes and the effectiveness of educational program applies all parts of the respective university, where the related accreditation provides certification for all educational venues of the university, as is inclusive of all programs, branch campuses, off-campus sites, and distance learning programs.
According to the correlating issued report of December 20, 2012 by the SACSCOC, has maintained a good report in all other areas, as is meeting the standards held available for all universities of membership. “Basically what they (SACSCOC) are saying is that we have to demonstrate. We had submitted in out report that showed a sampling of degree programs that we had in our assessments,” Llorens stated. “Now they want us to do it for everyone to show documentation. So we’ll submit another report again March 1.” There will be a special committee coming to SUBR in April after the report and documentation have been reviewed. Chancellor Llorens stated, “we have marched all our forces” and have brought in a consultant that used to work for SACSCOC, Joseph Silvers, who has helped a number of institutions who have gone through this process.
“We know that we are assessing every program but it’s a matter of just documenting what assessment tool you use, how the you then use the results of that assessment,” Llorens said on the administration aspect of student outcomes. “For students its how are we using not only your test results but how are we documenting that you are gaining the program materials and how are you grasping the information that you need in those courses in your degree program.” Joseph Silvers, former vice president of SACSCOC, is scheduled to meet with the university officials next week about the report. Chancellor Llorens displayed confidence in the university obtaining full accreditation by June 2013 with no problems. “Out of everything that is out there they (SACSCOC) are just making sure that we have all the proper documentation needed to support our report,” Llorens said.
‘TOBACCO-FREE’ CAMPUS CLOUDED CLOUDED CLOUDED CLOUDED IN SMOKE “Southern University System has set the following 100% tobacco free campus... BriTTanY PaTTersOn The Southern Digest
After the Southern University Board of Supervisors approved a ‘tobacco-free’ system in October 2011, The university prepared for the policy to be effective January 2, 2012. Now in January 2013, the policy is posted to the Southern University website with a task force of prominent figures on campus in support but, facing a ‘smoky haze’ when it comes to enforcement. Act 815 of Louisiana law states that all Louisiana schools are to be smoke-free. The SU ‘tobacco-free’ policy states; “Consequences of violating the policy represent
a range of sanctions that could include but are not limited to verbal warning, written documentation/warning, and dismissal/ expulsion proceedings for both employees and students. Sanctions for student violators will be addressed by Judicial Affairs and for employees by Human Resources.” The policy has still not been completely implemented and a date is still not been revealed for the implementation and enforcement of both state and campus policy. The Southern University System through the Communities of Color Network, an affiliated program of The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living will utilize educating the students, faculty and community about both the
health benefits of being tobacco free as well as the dangers of smoking for both smokers and non-smokers. When the policy goes in to full effect, Chief Ronald Stevens said that Southern University Police Department’s job will be to issue a misdemeanor summons and the department will be in charge of enforcement. “When the legislature put this law in order, they made the violations punishable,” Ronald Stevens, Chief of SUPD said. According to the Louisiana state law the first offense is $25, the second offense $50, and every offense thereafter $100. Violating this law
We are The Southern Digest Somos el Compendio del Sur Nous sommes le Sud Digest Nou se Digest nan Sid Eta بونج تسجياد نحنو Sisi ni Digest Kusini mwa Nós somos o Digest Sul 我們是南方的精華 我々は南部ダイジェストアール Nos sumus Southern Digest
See TOBaCCO-free page 3
to be implemented within 90 days of the effective date January 2, 2012.” THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA today
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