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Exclusive content @
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
www.southerndigest.com
Volume 58, Issue 4
The Southern Digest will return Feb. 16 check southerndigest.com for updates
Grace leads SU past Jackson St., Grambling see Sports, Page 5
Students cheer on Dolls during SB party see Culture, page 6
SULC prepares potential students
New chances for SU Evan Taylor
The Southern Digest
Evan Taylor
The Southern Digest
Students interested in law got a sample law session and some exposure to law curriculum at the 19th Annual Pre-Law Day at Southern University Law Center. The law day featured a mock law class, an organizational expo, sessions on money management, ‘trailway trivia’ and a law school tour. Following a session on the history of the Law Center participants were thrown into a simulated first day of law school class. “Something beneficial to you when coming to law school is to have an idea of what’s happening around you. Read your local and national newspapers,” said Alfreda Sellers Diamond, Professor SULC. The class was challenged by one hypothetical situation concerning the constitutional powers granted to the president and congress in declaring war. Participants were charged with deciding whether the hypothetical was constitu-
“I would like to add a biofeedback machine,” said Irvin, “but that’s just a budgetary issue.”
Key figures discuss the advantages and disadvantages to Southern and how offices are going to move forward to the new Southern. Chancellor Llorens discussed the progress of the reorganization and retrenchment plan. “This is the first semester and (interim provost) Dr. (Janet) Rami and I are working with the deans to collapse and consolidate schools and they will be aligned with the new organizational structure,” Llorens said. Llorens is striving to protect the core mission of the university and deal with budgetary shortfalls. “We plan to protect out core academic mission. The reality of the fiscal situation is we cannot continue as we are facing the challenges of a severely reduced budget,” Llorens said. Llorens understood some of the decisions he will face during exigency. “I realize I’m in a position where this is not going to be positive for everyone. If there were other options I’m all for it. We realize it’s all about creating a better SU,” Llorens said. Southern University System President Ronald Mason hopes that The Southern Strategy Plan will help build academic excellence and prominence. “Students should focus on the positive and the policies and possibilities,” Mason said. Mason said politics and lack of monetary resources leave Southern disadvantaged. “We reflect the people we serve. We don’t have access to wealth,” Mason said. Although monetarily we have less wealth Mason mentioned we tend to do more with less. “Southern University at Shreveport has the second highest graduation rate in Louisiana, Southern University at New Orleans graduates more students than it takes in,” Mason said. Southern University Board of Supervisors Chairman Darren Mire felt the university
See Serenity page 3
See Resolutions page 3
photo by Arielle N. Burks/digest
Southern University Law Center professor Alfreda Diamond (in red) and admissions coordinator Velma Wilkerson greets prospective law students during the SULC’s 19th Annual Pre-Law Day.
tionally sound. “We are discussing the dueling constitutional contexts, in Article I Section 8 Clause II and Article II Section 2 of the United States Constitution,” Diamond said. Following class, participants engaged in “Trailway Trivia,” the Law Center’s version of Family Feud. The topic was most important things to consider when going to law school. The top answer was financial value with employment post graduation and academic offerings coming close. According to U.S. News
and World Report, SULC was ranked number one in financial value at graduation out of 190 law schools. The law center offers multiple programs; full time day, parttime evening and part time day. Roederick White, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs discussed character and fitness for future lawyers. You can have a great personality but we can be concerned with their character. Getting a traffic ticket does not prevent you from getting into law school but, lying about it does,” White said. In the session “Destination
Law School” panelists described their SULC experience and what should be deciding factors for choosing law school. The panel consisted of current students and SULC graduates including state Rep. Edward ‘Ted’ James. “Relationships through the bonds of the SULC ... prepared to perform well in the legislature because of SULC. This is the place that will give you the preparation for law,” James said. When asked about the See Pre-Law Day page 3
UCC ‘Serenity Room’ creates relaxation Christie Carral
The Southern Digest
The Southern University Counseling Center has added an extra service to their office for this semester to better help students cope with stress related issues. The ‘Serenity Room,’ which was once the counseling center’s reading room, has been transformed into a relaxing, therapeutic setting for students to relax and unwind from a long day. ValaRay Irvin, director of the counseling center, also the creator of this project, says she wanted to transform the room into something useful so that students will utilize their services fully. “We created the ‘Serenity’ room to give students another option to address stress,” said Irvin.
The Serenity Room includes a fully reclined massaging chair that massages from neck to calves, soothing sounds of relaxing music, a soothing aroma of a lavender candle burning and a soothing waterfall. Students will be able to enjoy a full back and leg massage of 15 preset minutes in the massaging chair while relaxing to calm waters trickling down over rocks. Once students enter the room, the lights are dimmed, the candle is lit and the water begins to flow to help calm the mood of the room. Only requirements students will have is to show their student IDs upon arriving to their appointments. “We are going to be trying to be as flexible so as many students can be able to utilize it as possible,” said Irvin. Irvin stated that the items
photo by trevor james/digest
The University Counseling Center’s Serenity Room will serve as a student spa through out the semester.
that were selected were to set the décor and the feeling of relief and environment. Irvin says there are still some things she would like to add such as a rug and more calming colors, such as blues and etc.
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