The January 25 Issue of the Southern Digest

Page 1

STATE & NATION

jobs main point for obama

SPORTS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SU women move into 1st place. pg. 5

Also: Digest reviews Sake Cafe. pg. 6

Banner’s new effort different

su men split games

Economy focus of State of Nation. pg. 4

estABLished in 1928

WWW.SOUTHERNDIGEST.COM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

VOL. 57, ISSUE 2

SUBR council discusses merger By samantha smith diGest staFF writer

Brandon Dumas expressed concern to the university council regarding the logistics of the SUNO/UNO merger and its impact on Southern. Dumas, Deputy Chief of Staff for the SU System, addressed the council about the proposed merger of Southern University at New Orleans and the University of New Orleans, and the possible implications for the respective campuses. Governor Bobby Jindal announced January 18, his call for a study to be done by the Board of Regents that would consider the merging of SUNO and UNO. Low enrollment coupled with low graduation rates from both institutions are cited as possible reasons for such a merger. The SU system president Ronald Mason released a statement saying that he was “shocked” by Jindal’s announcement and that SUNO will continue to work to meet the urban educational needs of the New Orleans area. SUNO faculty senate and New Orleans city council members have already voiced opposition to the merger. “This is not the first time that this has happened, similar proposal has been announced before now. This is something that we have been fighting against for quite some time now,” said Dumas. “This is a historical problem. SUNO has been in existence since 1956, the first time a merger was mentioned was in 1979.” said Dumas. The findings of the study are to be released March 1, 2011. If the merger is approved, SUNO and UNO will become a new institution under the leadership of the University of Louisiana System and would serve as See subr talk page 3

AM RAIN HIGH

photo By david clark iii/digest

sGa president demetrius sumner speaks during thursday’s student senate meeting. the student senate discussed proper protocol concerning filling vacancies in the senate and student judiciary branches.

Sumner, Student Senate clash

Debate over Student Government vacancies heats up during meeting By evan taylor diGest ManaGinG editor

The Student Government Association senate debated over proper protocol regarding senate and judicial vacancies during their first senate meeting of the semester in the Henton Room of SmithBrown Memorial Union. Senators discussed the procedure of seeking and appointing students to replace ineligible parties in the student senate and judiciary. New and old business included executive, treasurer, and committee reports and a petition for organizational funds by Phi Mu Alpha. “Nothing and no one will get in the way of the progress of the Student Government Association,” said Demetrius Sumner, SGA President. Sumner was responding to release of his appointment for SGA judiciary Chief Justice in his executive report. Sumner withdrew his appointment at the end of his statement and in his letter to the editor. Controversy arose as Nykeshia Bryer, SGA judicial justice spoke during the public input section of the meeting. “The student judiciary submitted a recommendation to president Sumner of

54° | 36° LOW

a candidate for Chief Justice,” said Bryer. She stated that if the senate were to confirm the president’s appointment without the consideration of other candidates, the student judiciary would collectively resign from their positions. Bryer said, “Think independently” as she left the podium. According to the SGA Bylaws Article 5, section K, “This same process shall be necessary when appointing an official in the event of a vacancy in an office that is under the direct jurisdiction of the Student Government Association President. The President shall be bound to make the vacancy public to the undergraduate Student Body via the University newspaper at least two (2) weeks before filling it.” This is referring to rules for general election in which the procedure is the same as the appointment of positions that fall vacant. After discussion the issue was tabled for the next meeting. Kye Lewis, Senate president and SGA vice-president prompted conversation about community service and grievances. “I want to make sure the legislative body does what they need to do as far as community service,” said Lewis. Mervin Allen, Jr, SGA Director of Finance presented the Treasurer’s Report

INSIDE

for the student senate. According to the final budget review for fall 2010, the senate had $5,000 and now has $4,700 after a $300 expenditure for ten homecoming game tickets. This report did not include unpaid obligations of last semester. There are no current expenditures. A representative from Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia came to petition for $500 from the student senate to aid in paying for expenses for an organizational event. The event is to recruit and entertain current and prospective students along with the community. The concert would include University of Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana State University, Southeastern, and the local community. There are eight positions left vacant after students were ineligible for this semester. The following positions are open; SGA Chief Justice, Senior Class Senator, two Sophomore Class Senators, two Freshman Class Senators, Freshman Justice, and Freshman class Vice-President. If the president does choose to appoint another person to chief justice it will be up to the senate to confirm that candidate. If there is no appointment or the confirmation is denied; the position will remain vacant until campaign season.

CAMPUS BRIEFS...............2 STATE & NATION................4  A&E............................6 NEWS.............................3  SPORTS....................5 VIEWPOINTS......................7

S O U T H E R N

U N I V E R S I T Y ,

B A T O N

R O U G E ,

L A .


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.