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Tuesday, January 31, 2012
www.southerndigest.com
Volume 58, Issue 2
SU women remain atop SWAC
Tactics change in Fla. aids Romney see State & Nation, Page 4
see Sports, Page 5
Wake up and pay attention ... see Commentary, page 7
Resolutions for the ‘new Southern’
NOTE: Part of a three-part series, establishing where Southern University should be going from the perspectives of key figures on the SUBR campus Evan Taylor
The Southern Digest photo by trevor james/digest
E.N. Mayberry Dining Hall is one of many buildings on the Southern University campus undergoing some form of construction.
Work progresses at SU Jessica Sarpy
The Southern Digest
Construction sites are present across the Southern University campus from the re-roofing of the library to upgrades to the chilled water system, what’s good for the university can be seen as a problem for students. Adjustments are being made to piping and roofs but, construction workers are not the only ones making adjustments. Students can see construction projects underway on the re-roofing of John B. Cade Library, E. N. Mayberry Dining Hall, and the “Chilled Water Project.” “They’ve completed the top portion, they are about 70 percent complete,” said Endas Vincent, System Director for Facilities Planning. Vincent gave a few details regarding the re-
roofing project of Mayberry Hall stating that the final stages of the work will require that construction processes be brought to the front of the building. “We are asking everyone to be mindful of this situation as they plan to enter and leave the library,” Vincent said. The library access remains unchanged and the project is expected to be completed April 2012. Vincent also discussed whether or not the reroofing of Mayberry will affect student dining stating that he doesn’t expect that the dining hall will have to be closed however if it comes to that students still have Dunn Dining Hall. Facilities and Planning does expect an interior project for Mayberry in the near future Vincent said. See Construction page 3
Malfunctions hobble campus Charles Hawkins II The Southern Digest
The start of Spring semester has been riddled with malfunctions on the Baton Rouge campus that has bewildered many that have affected students and faculty alike. The main buildings that have been affected are T.H. Harris Hall, Rodney G. Higgins Hall, and the John B. Cade Library as well as a campus wide blackout. Also in the first week of school a campus blackout occurred in the first week of school. Dean of Libraries Emma Bradford Pitt described the situations as being surprising, and no date being currently set for it being completed when phone calls were made to the Physical Plant. She later went on to say that there have been many complaints about the
uncomfortable heat inside the library. “Many of the buildings have very old systems,” said HVAC Heating & Ventilation Director Wardell Jones. He also went on to say how each building’s thermostat currently has to be manually changed whenever the weather becomes uncomfortable in a building. “The blackout incident on campus was not connected to what we do here,” said Director of Physical Plant, Henry L. Thurman III. Thurman said, “the Chill Water System has to be finished before it can work.” He also mentioned ongoing construction around campus is installing this system, but it will take sometime to be completed. Jones also went on to say that because of the current budget cuts his staff has been trimmed down to just six
guys to maintain more than 25 buildings. These six men work in three groups of two men to properly work on each issue in a building. The current unpredictable weather is causing them to have to work twice as hard. Jones then said that “money and man power” is needed to truly address these problems. Some systems are also turned off later in the day or when they aren’t in use to save the campus energy and money. Many of these buildings have underground systems that are eroding and leaking because of age. System Director of Office of Facilities Planning, Endas Vincent, said “the Chilled Water System shouldn’t be working fully until the project is completed.” He also went on to say that the energy blackout See Malfunctions page 3
During difficult times at Southern University key figures on campus make resolutions for change towards the new Southern University. Key figures including the Southern University at Baton Rouge Chancellor, SU System President, Board of Supervisors Chairman and the Faculty Senate President made resolutions for their respective offices. “I plan to commit myself personally to have a total commitment to the university and the students. I want to be able to fully commit myself to what I have to do,” SUBR Chancellor James Llorens said. While Chancellor Llorens’ resolution is a personal one SU System President Ronald Mason’s is a collective effort. “My new year’s wish is that the family continues to come together. The Southern Nation is a beautiful thing but has recently gone through some
very trying times both from the inside and the outside,” Mason said. Mason continued discussing the abilities of the Jaguar Nation, “The outside battles I think we can manage as long as we are not fighting inside battles. Nobody can win a two-front war and a house divided can never stand. I wish that the family will continue to come together with a common vision and a common cause,” Mason said. Board of Supervisors Chairman Darren Mire hopes that the Board of Supervisors will create a new, stronger and more competitive Southern University system. “I want to work with the Board of Supervisors together to grow our Southern University system into a system unlike any in the country. We are always classified as the only HBCU system in the country,” Mire said. “And at some point in time we have to take that HBCU brand and make it a global See Resolutions page 3
Tureaud Jr. Gets NAACP Black Citizenship Award
photo by evan taylor/digest
“The son gets the medal of the father,” said A. P Tureaud Jr. as he recieved the 40th A.P. Tureaud Black Citizenship Award at NAACP’s Annual Awards Ceremony at SU Law Center Saturday. Tureaud, Jr. is the son of the award’s namesake. “My father was dedicated to NAACP. NAACP has always been and continues to be a significant part of my life. To receive this award is a highlight and unusual way of celebrating my father’s accomplishments,” Tureaud, Jr. said. SU Law Center Communications Director Rachel Emanuel, rear, also received award recognition for her co-authorship of “A More Noble Cause,” which explains the contributions of A.P. Tureaud Sr.
the official student newspaper of southern university and A&m college, baton rouge, louisiana
Campus Life southerndigest.com
Page 2 - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Campus Briefs today SU Construction
Construction is still underway at SU. Check the Digest and www.southerndigest.com for more information. If you have any safety questions or concerns contact Chris Spurlock at 225.771.7286 or Robert Nissen at 225.771.3101. Intramural Basketball League
Registration for Intramural Basketball league for men and women is underway in F.G. Clark weight room and in Smith Brown Memorial Union. SU men, women, and faculty are encouraged to join. League play starts on February 3. All games will played on Fridays in Seymour Gym. Contact Coach Robinson at 225.771.3212.
paper service. You can have your paper reviewed for clarity, grammatical errors, sentence structure, etc. CSS will also be offering English workshops every Friday at 10 am. CSS will be offering seminars to assist students with topics such as discovering their learning styles, study skills, to stress management. Contact CSS for more information on any of these programs and for tutoring questions at 225.771.4312 or stop by 107 in Stewart Hall.
9 am- 2pm. Contact Andrea Love, Director of Recruitment via e-mail at Alove@sulc.edu.
COB Spring 2012 Orientation
Pinkie Gordon Lane Poetry Contest submissions are due February 3.
The College of Business Leadership council invites all students pursuing a business degree to attend. Come learn about the faculty, advisement, scholarship and intern opportunities, and how to succeed in business programs today at 11 am in room 313 of T.T. Allain. An organizational fair will follow orientation on the 2nd floor of T.T. Allain. For more information contact the College of Business.
MLK Catholic Student Center
The St. Joseph Chapel/ MLK Catholic Student Center offers Sunday mass service at 11 am and daily mass at 12:10 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Confessions are by appointment.
february 1 2012 Unity Celebration
Southern University Wesley Foundation
The 2012 Unity Celebration “Diverse Dialogues” will be at Baton Rouge Community College on February 1 at 6pm in The Magnolia Performing Arts Pavilion. The program will be a panel discussion moderated by John Quinones.
The Southern University Wesley Foundation is accepting donations of non-perishable and canned foods for their food drive. They will be accepting donations until April. Worship services are on Wednesdays at noon.
Union Activity Board
The Union Activity Board presents Mid Day movies in February at noon. Movies will be shown February 1, 15 and 28. Upcoming Market Days in the union will be February 1, 2, 14, 15, 28, and 29. There will be a Super Bowl Party from 5-10pm on February 5 and Apollo Night/Year of Lovers will be on February 13 from 6-9 pm.
Union Fun Fridays
LaCumba’s playpen, Union Bowling Alley and Burger King will be open Fridays. LaCumba’s playpen and the bowling alley will offer half price Fridays. Graduate School Critical Dates
The deadline to receive applications for summer 2012 graduation is February 7. A list of critical dates is in the graduate school office.
february 3 Pre-Law Day
Southern University Law Center will host their annual pre-law day on February 3 from
Center for Student Success
The SU CSS offers a free
Mary Frances Berry at SULC
Mary Frances Berry will be speaking in the Law Center Speaker Series about making a difference where you are the value and challenges of local change agents. The lecture will be February 2 at 6 pm in Room 130 A.A. Lenoir Hall. Pinkie Gordon Lane Poetry Contest
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Who’s Speaking Out? Do you have any New Year’s resolutions? Have you broken any of them yet?
Kayla Chenevert
Willie McCorkle
Opelousas, La. Sophomore Biology
New Orleans junior mass communication
“I hadn’t made a New Year’s resolution. Those are a waste of time and I always break them.”
“I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, it McCorkle shouldn’t take a new year to make a change in my life.”
Chenevert
february 6 Serenity Room
The SU Counseling Center will open it’s UCC Serenity room on February 6. If you are feeling stressed, bogged down by exams, assignments, relationships, or life challenges? Stop by or call in for 15 minutes in Serenity. Enjoy relaxing sounds, a soothing waterfall, and variety of massage options. Contact the UCC for more info at 225.771.2480.
Tierra Williams
Chantal Moon
shreveport sophomore nursing
houston junior nursing
“Yes! I’ve learned not to make them. They say if you wanna make God laugh, tell him your plans.”
Williams
“My resolution was to call home more but, thanks to my crazy schedule it’s not happening.”
Moon
february 7 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Students can get free condoms, door prizes, and hear great speakers and get tested. Take advantage of the opportunity to know your status February 7 from 10am – 2pm in the Cotillion Ballroom of Smith-Brown Memorial Union. For more information contact Darnell Pledger in Center for Social Research at 225.771.3010. february 8 Career Day
Come out and weigh your employment options and career choices at the Career Exploration Day on February 8. For more information concerning Career Fair contact SU Career Services at 225.771.2200.
ISSN: 1540-7276. Copyright 2008 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 & Friday) 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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News southerndigest.com
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - Page 3
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Resolutions from page 1
photo by gerald hebert/ap photo
Jim and Donita Clark play with two of their four Capuchin monkeys in the bedroom inside their RV at an undisclosed location near the Louisiana Border in Texas. Even in their Texas hideout, the Clarks are terrified that wildlife agents from their home state of Louisiana will descend on their motorhome and seize the four Capuchin monkeys they’ve reared for 10 years. Exotic animal owners like them say wildlife agents have been cracking down in Louisiana and around the country after high-profile cases of exotic animals getting loose or attacking people. At least six states have also banned the ownership of wild animals since 2005, and Congress is also mulling tighter restrictions.
Owners flee La. crackdown Cain Burdeau
The Associated Press
NEAR THE TEXAS-LOUISIANA LINE — Even in their Texas hideout, Jim and Donita Clark are terrified that wildlife agents from their home state of Louisiana will descend on their motorhome and seize the four Capuchin monkeys they’ve reared for 10 years. Four months ago, the couple fled before authorities showed up at their house for an inspection, and ever since they’ve been hiding out with their monkeys — all of them cooped up in the recreational vehicle. Exotic animal owners like them say wildlife agents have been cracking down in Louisiana and around the country after high-profile cases of exotic animals getting loose or attacking people. At least six states have also banned the ownership of wild animals since 2005, and Congress is also mulling tighter restrictions. The couple fears the monkeys will be confiscated and sent to a zoo if they return home to DeRidder, La. “It’s not what I fought for ... to be treated like this,” said Jim Clark, a 60-year-old disabled Vietnam veteran, as tears streaked his face. “It’s not right to think they can come into your house and
do this to you with or without a warrant.” As Clark talked on a recent day, the adorable monkeys looked on from their cages. Hands gripping the cage bars, a couple of the hyper, super-inquisitive furry creatures — capable of lightningfast vertical leaps — barely moved and cooed softly. The motorhome is a far cry from the DeRidder house that boasts two monkey playrooms and a large outdoor enclosure. “To take these guys out of their home and throw them in a zoo? It’s like taking a little child out of a mansion and throwing it into the ghetto,” Donita Clark said. “It’s that devastating. It’s destroyed us both emotionally. We’ll never be the same.” Crackdowns in Louisiana and elsewhere have gained momentum since a man in Ohio released his personal zoo of lions, tigers, zebras, bears and monkeys before killing himself. The 2009 face-mauling of a Connecticut woman by a chimpanzee also highlighted the dangers of keeping wild animals in residential neighborhoods. “It was a wakeup call to the nation that we should no longer tolerate the reckless decision-making by a small number of people,” said Wayne Pacelle, the head of the Humane Society of the United States.
brand, we have to stay true to our mission at the same time in order to survive this world of higher education you have to change your frame of mind and change your culture.” Mire proposed a way to re-brand the SU system. “You have to change your brand to compete; online education, technology, diversity, research, all are part of higher education and we need to make sure we stay strong in all of those higher education categories. Our Board needs to work not only to come out of this financial emergency but to grow the system and rebrand it as a new Southern University,” Mire proposed. Faculty Senate President Sudhir Trivedi hope to focus on exigency in his faculty legislative body. “My emphasis will be to do everything to deflect the impact of financial exigency. Termination of tenured faculty members was expected. The way it is being done is unacceptable,” Trivedi said. Trivedi hopes to gain administration support in an effort to understand the exigency sacrifices to be made. “I want the administration if a faculty member has to be terminated what are the reasons for that decision. There needs to be criteria for faculty members to terminated or kept,” Trivedi said. Trivedi further resolves that the Faculty Senate gains input valuable to the re-organization process. “The concept of faculty input is misunderstood. What these administrators are doing needs to be brought to the faculty senate. The faculty
senate needs to discuss it, deliberate on it and make recommendations for action. At least there should be in writing that these are the faculty senate’s recommendations,” Trivedi said. Director of Student Health and Nurse Practitioner Shirley Wade hopes for a sense of community in awareness of health and wellness. “I would like to see to have a comprehensive collaborative campus wide approach to health and wellness. People fail to realize that if you don’t have healthy students you don’t have classes, programs. We intersect every area of campus,” Wade said. Director of Center for Student Success Nadia Gadson aims for a bigger and better approach. “I think if we continue to do what we have been doing bigger and better within the confines of our resources. We continue to plan, prepare, and pursue those things that are going to help retain and graduate students,” Gadson said. Residential Life Director Shandon Neal wants to cater to student clientele. “I want to take the services we provide to another level basically to create a wow factor with our student population. Next school year we plan to have room assignments to your e-mail by early June. We are also moving to an online maintenance format to be able to go to the website and put in your maintenance requests and track it. We think it raises the level of accountability and we want to be accountable to our client base,” said Neal.
Construction from page 1 Robert Nissen, Environmental Safety Health Management Director said students should be aware of construction areas and avoid them during inclement weather especially areas that are barricaded. “If we have inclement weather some of the dirt from those sites tends to gravitate toward roadways and sidewalks so we should watch our step and try to avoid those areas if that happens,” Nissen said. “Also, the areas that are barricaded are open holes which we are trying to keep marked and we are checking constantly.” Vincent agrees and cautions students from walking into construction areas. The “Chilled Water Project” also anticipated to end April 2012, is the source of even temperatures in buildings. “For several years we’ve been working on the hot and chilled water projects. The hot and chilled water subterranean lines are buried underground and they extend from the central plant on campus to various buildings on campus,” said
Vincent about the heating and cooling. Most students say that the construction is a good sign but a hinderance in continuing travel and parking on campus. “Hurry up and finish,” said Keidra Miles, senior mass communications major from Monroe, La. Jade Myers, a junior fine arts major from New Orleans, shared the same concerns with construction effecting students every day schedules on campus. “I feel that it’s a good thing that they are trying to fix the campus, but its kind of hindering to some people who have to park. It’s a good and a bad thing… It’s a good inconvenience,” Myers said. Halls with areas currently under construction include: T.T. Allain, Higgins, J.K. Haynes, Financial Aid, Architecture and Frank Hayden Hall. For more information, questions, or safety concerns contact Mr. Endas Vincent at 225.771.3670 or Mr. Robert Nissen at 225.771.3101.
Malfunctions from page 1 that occurred in the first week of school might have slowed down the work on the new system being built. “Eventually we will be able to monitor the temperature digitally to manually change the temperature,” said Jones. Jones later said that the problem will be entirely eradicated by the time the new system is completed. Southern University’s campus will be undergoing many changes, which will cause some malfunctions, but the final product will be worth it. It is projected to be fully completed by the fall of this year. For more information about the project contact the Facility Services Office or Office of Facilities Planning to see designs or hear about the great innovation taking place.
State & Nation southerndigest.com
Page 4 - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tactics change helps Romney Kasie Hunt
The Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Looking for a convincing win, a confident Mitt Romney said Monday the Florida primary is breaking his way and urged voters to send Newt Gingrich “to the moon.” Gingrich claimed he’s gaining ground and will stay in the race until summer. “You can sense that it’s coming our way,” Romney told reporters. The former Massachusetts governor was already looking ahead, making plans to stop in Minnesota on his way to Nevada on Wednesday, the day after Florida votes. A day before the voting, Romney ridiculed Gingrich, his chief rival here: “Send him to the moon,” Romney said at a rally early Monday, repeating an audience member’s comment and using it to poke fun at Gingrich’s claim to build a moon colony as president. Romney also scoffed at “the idea of the moon as the 51st state” as “not one that’s come to my mind.” Gingrich countered that
Romney is “pretending he’s somebody he’s not” and linked Romney to Obama, calling them the “twins of the establishment.” Gingrich’s allies, meanwhile, urged Rick Santorum to get out of the race to clear the way for conservatives to consolidate support behind the former House speaker. In the final hours before Tuesday’s critical primary, Romney sustained his barrage against Gingrich. He said he believes he bounced back from a tough South Carolina loss by aggressively answering Gingrich’s attacks and hitting him for his ties to the government-backed, mortgage giant Freddie Mac. Gingrich threatened a long slog. “I think he’s going to find this a long campaign,” Gingrich said. “That’s why they’re trying to carpet-bomb us here in Florida,” said former Gingrich aide Rick Tyler, who runs the pro-Gingrich political action committee Winning Our Future. “They’re trying to end this thing. But it’s not going to end.” Tyler visited the first of three
PHOTO BY charles dharapak/ap photo
Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney campaigns at Ring Power Lift Trucks in Jacksonville, Fla., Monday.
rallies Romney had planned Monday to rail against Romney and urge Santorum to leave the race. “I’m here to get as many cameras and microphones so I can talk about Mitt Romney’s incessant failure to tell the truth,” Tyler said, echoing Gingrich’s recent claims about Romney’s
Attorneys seize insurer’s money for policyholders Alan Sayre
The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — Attorneys took aim at bank accounts of Louisiana’s property insurer of last resort Monday and began seizing more than $100 million they won for homeowners who claimed the company dragged its heels in adjusting hurricane claims in 2005. The money includes a $92.8 million judgment for more than 18,500 Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. policyholders — plus $11 million in judicial interest. Each plaintiff stands to receive $5,000. Citizens chief executive Richard Robertson said that although the company has enough to pay the judgment, it had asked a state District Court judge in Jefferson Parish to halt the seizure temporarily. In a long-running court case, the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled earlier that policyholders were entitled to the money because Citizens failed to begin adjusting their claims after hurricanes Katrina and Rita within 30 days as required by law. Citizens provides property coverage to homeowners and businesses unable to obtain insurance from private companies. After the state Supreme Court refused to rehear the case, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who acts as a state overseer of Citizens, said an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court would be
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
filed. On Friday, the state Supreme Court refused to stop plaintiff attorneys from seizing the money. Donelon did not immediately return a call for comment. The governing board of Citizens scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday. One of the lead plaintiff attorneys, Wiley Beevers, said Citizens — before the initial trial — had turned down a proposed mediation that would have “saved tens of millions of dollars” for the insurer. Two other mediation proposals that would have saved Citizens money after the initial judgment also were rejected, Beevers said. “It is bizarre and one of the strangest things I have seen in my nearly 40 years of law practice,” Beevers said. Attorney Fred Herman said sheriff’s costs and commissions for executing the court judgment would add another $5 million to $6 million to Citizens’ bill. Herman said money seized from Citizens’ accounts would go into escrow funds to be distributed to policyholders within several months. The courts have yet to determine attorneys’ fees in the case, he said. Robertson said Citizens would be able to pay the entire judgment without a special assessment of private insurance companies. When Citizens reserves used to pay claims gets low, the company assesses private insurers for each property policy — a cost that is passed on to private insurance customers.
character. Tyler called Romney “despicable” and “disgraceful.” He also called on Santorum to leave the race to clear the way for Gingrich. “I think it would give us Mitt Romney, and I think Rick would hurt himself” by staying in, Tyler said. Speaking to reporters, Romney said Gingrich’s threats indicated
desperation. “That’s usually the case when you think you’re going to lose,” he said. “Everybody has a right to stay in as long as they think” they should, Romney said. Gingrich kept up his attacks, saying Monday that on the big, philosophical issues, Romney “is for all practical purposes a liberal. I am a conservative.”
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the sentinel Of an enlightened student BOdy sinCe 1926
tuesday, January 31, 2012 - Page 5
Southern edges Alcorn State to remain in first PHOTO By wil nOrwOOd/diGesT files
Former Southern head football coach Pete Richardson joins seven other Louisiana greats in this year’s Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class.
Richardson gets La. Hall of Fame nod Digest News Service
NATCHITOCHES — Former Southern head coach Pete Richardson is among eight former Lousiana sports legends who will enter the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as a part of the class of 2012 announced Saturday night by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. LSWA unveiled the 2012 class during a live broadcast on “CST Tonight.” At SU, Richardson had four 11win seasons — including a 12-1 run in 2003. His career record, including five seasons at Division II Winston-Salem State, was 176-76-1. Over a 17-year span, Richardson defined Southern football and, with 134 wins, is second all-time in wins behind only College Football Hall of Fame coach A.W. Mumford. The Dayton, Ohio, native joins four other gridiron legends, head-lined by star NFL running backs Deuce McAllister and Baton Rouge native Warrick Dunn. Another remarkable running back, LSU great Terry Robiskie, joins Louisiana Tech pass catching sensation Roger Carr in the five-man football component going into the Hall this summer. Three-time Grambling basketball All-American Aaron James joins LSU baseball stalwart Eddy Furniss and jockey Mark Guidry in the Hall’s 2012 induction class. The 2012 class will be officially enshrined Saturday, June 23, 2012 in Natchitoches to culminate the June 21-23 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration. A 30-member LSWA committee selected the 2012 inductees. The panel considered a record 142 nominees from 24 different sport categories on a 25page ballot, said Hall of Fame chairman Doug Ireland. Richardson was 12-5 in the Bayou Classic and is the only SWAC coach never to have lost to Eddie Robinson.
aristide PhiLLiPs
The Southern Digest
The battle for the top spot in the SWAC took place Saturday at the F.G. Clark Activity Center where the Jaguars broke Alcorn State’s three-game winning streak defeating them 67-62. Although the Jags came through with the “W,” it was not in the fashion fans are used to. Southern (8-8, 7-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) committed 28 turnovers, 17 of those turnovers came in the first half alone. “The first half we were excited, we were a little erratic we should have protected the ball better made better passes just slow it down basically,” said SU’s Adrian Sanders, who led the team with seven assists. Alcorn State (8-13, 6-3 SWAC) took advantage of the Jags miscues, banking in 31 points from turnovers. “We just have to a better job of processing the game,” said head coach Sandy Pugh after the game.
There were eight total lead changes in the game six of those changes came in the second half of the game. The momentum of the game was on the side of ASU when Kiara Ruffin — the SWAC leader in minutes played at 36 minutes per game — nailed a jumper for two of her game-high 19 points to the game ate 61-61 with 1:59 left to play. Southern’s Kendra Coleman missed a jumper that would have given the Jags the lead with 1:10 remaining, but Alcorn’s Carolinisia Crumbly fouled Jasmine Jefferson with 54 seconds left in regulation. Jefferson made both free throws, giving Southern a 6361 Southern got key fast break buckets from Lechell Rush and Jefferson in the final seconds to seal the game. Four Southern players scored in double figures. Jamie Floyd — the SWAC’s leading rebounder — picked up a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Jessica Thomas came off the bench to score 12
PHOTO By TreVOr james/diGesT
Southern forward Jessica Thomas shoots over Alcorn State’s Sharnika Breedlove (34) and Renelle Richmond during Saturday’s first-place showdown. Thomas’ 12 points off the bench helped the Jaguars outlast the Lady Braves 67-62 at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
points while Coleman and Rush each added 10 points. The Jags improved their winning streak to three games to end the first round of SWAC
play, and will take their show on the road to face rival Grambling State (8-10, 4-4 SWAC) Saturday at 2 p.m.
Jaguars rumble past Braves for 11th win aristide PhiLLiPs
The Southern Digest
The Jaguars handled business containing Alcorn State Saturday, storming out to a big lead on their way to defeating the Braves 65-54. The Braves (4-16, 2-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference) were faced with a hostile and ever-growing crowd, shooting 25 percent for the game and only 11 percent in the first half. “The crowd, is probably the reason we won tonight,” said head coach Roman Banks addressing the Jaguar Nation. “They were able to push through, give us a lot of momentum early and had our energy level pretty high.” The game started with a dunk by 6-foot8 senior Quinton Doggett, who leads the SWAC in rebounds (7.5 per game). The Braves weren’t able to hold the Southern (11-11, 7-2 SWAC) being outscored in the first half 31-13. The second half the SU seemed to relax, allowing Alcorn State to push out 41 points in the second half. At one point SU’s 22-point lead dwindled down to only an 11-point lead. “The thing that I like the most about our team, is that we didn’t allow them to get under double digits,” said Banks. “That’s a teaching moment for this team.” The Jaguars struggled from the field shooting only 41 percent. “We just wasn’t aggressive, they wanted to win the ball game and they knew they had a 20-point lead instead of attacking
PHOTO By TreVOr james/diGesT
Southern guard Thomas Marshall goes in for a layup during Saturday’s SWAC contest against Alcorn State.
they just were playing careful to not lose the lead instead of playing,” said Banks. Xavian Rimmer seemed to be the only productive Brave, leading his team with 14 points and also clocking in 30 minutes. Speaking of minutes played, Fredrick Coleman went the distance playing the roll of the “garbage man,” playing the full 40 minutes. “I embrace that job of being the junk man everyday, because not many people want to
do that job, so somebody had to take that roll,” said Coleman after the game. Coleman played his role like a seasoned veteran, pulling in 14 rebounds and also scoring 12 points giving him his first double-double of the season. “Fred understands the game and has a great maturity level and we needed that out there on the field tonight,” said Banks addressing the play of Coleman. Derick Beltran led the team in scoring with 14 points. Jameel Grace, who leads the SWAC in assists (4.8 per game) tied with four other Jags with two assists (Cameron Monroe, Doggett, Mike Celestine and Neal Webb). The Jaguars get their 11th win of the season, equalling the team’s win total from its last double-digit win season. The Jags finished the 2007-08 season 11-19. The Jags return to action on the road Saturday, opening the second round of conference play at Grambling State (3-15, 3-5 SWAC) at 4 p.m. Southern’s next home game is Feb. 11 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-19, 1-7 SWAC). Phills honored Southern University honored basketball legend Bobby Phills during the halftime of the men’s basketball game against Alcorn State. Phills, a native of Baton Rouge attended Southern Lab High School, and attended Southern University from 1987 to 1991. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard, who holds a number of school records, died in a car crash on January 12, 2000.
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Page 6 - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Ne-Yo shares Motown plans
SAG Awards lively Christy Lemire
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Finally, an awards show with some surprises and spontaneity. The Screen Actors Guild Awards featured some unexpected winners, including “The Help” for best overall cast performance and Jean Dujardin for best actor in “The Artist” alongside some of the longtime favorites in movies and television. But there was a looseness and a playfulness that permeated the Shrine Exposition Center Sunday night — maybe because it was a room full of people who love to perform, without the rigidity of one single host to lead them. Unlike the great expectations that came with the sharptongued Ricky Gervais’ reprisal at the Golden Globes a couple weeks ago or the muchanticipated return of Billy Crystal to the Academy Awards next month, there was no master of ceremonies at the SAG Awards. The presenters and winners seemed to have more room to improvise and put their own spin on the evening — but mercifully, the show itself still managed to wrap up on time after just two hours. And so we had three of the stars of best-cast nominee “Bridesmaids” — Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy — introducing their comedy with a joke about turning the name “Scorsese” into
Mesfin Fekadu
The Associated Press
PHOTO By mark j. terrill/ap photo
The cast of “The Help” accepts the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture at the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles. From left, Sissy Spacek, Ahna O’Reilly, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Cicely Tyson, Jessica Chastain, Mary Steenburgen.
a drinking game, which became a running gag throughout the night. When HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” won the award for best drama series cast, among the first words star Steve Buscemi uttered in accepting the prize were “Martin Scorsese” — he just happens to be one of the show’s executive producers. One of the more exciting moments of the night was the announcement of Dujardin’s name in the best-actor category for his performance in the silent, black-and-white homage “The Artist.” In winning the award for his portrayal of a silent-film star who finds his career in decline with the arrival of talkies, Dujardin definitely boosts his chances at the Oscars on Feb. 26. Little-known in the United States before this, the French comic bested bigger names like George Clooney (“The Descendants”), Brad Pitt (“Moneyball”) and Leonardo DiCaprio (“J. Edgar”).
If he follows this up with an Academy Award, Dujardin would become the first French actor ever to take the prize. Asked backstage how it would feel, Dujardin launched into a jaunty rendition of “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem. “Pressure, big pressure,” Dujardin then added in his halting English. “It’s unbelievable. It’s amazing already. Too early to tell.” Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer continued to cement their front-runner status in the actress and supporting actress categories, respectively, for their formidable work in “The Help.” Both women play black maids in 1960s Mississippi who dare to go public about the bigotry they’ve endured. “I just have to say that the stain of racism and sexism is not just for people of color or women. It’s all of our burden, all of us,” Davis said, accepting the
ensemble prize on behalf of her “The Help” co-stars. Backstage, Davis said of her own victory: “A few more people checked my name in the box for whatever reason. This time I kind of fooled them.” Meanwhile, Christopher Plummer picked up yet another supporting-actor prize for his lovely turn as an elderly widower who finally comes out as gay in “Beginners.” Plummer won at the Golden Globes and is nominated for an Oscar. He would become the oldest actor ever to win an Academy Award at age 82, two years older than Jessica Tandy was when she won best actress for “Driving Miss Daisy.” Backstage, Plummer joked when asked if he would like to win an Oscar, an honor so elusive during his esteemed 60year career that he did not even receive his first Academy Award nomination until two years ago, for “The Last Station.”
Jackson enters fray over Grammy cuts Nekesa Mumbi Moody The Associated Press
NEW YORK — The Rev. Jesse Jackson is entering the fray over The Recording Academy’s cuts to its Grammy categories: He’s asking to meet with the president of the organization and has raised the possibility of protests with the awards less than two weeks away. The civil rights activist sent a letter to Neil Portnow, the president and CEO of the Academy, and expressed his dismay over the Academy’s decision last April to cut its categories from 109 to 78, the biggest overhaul in its then 53-year history. In the letter, Jackson said he had been talking to members of the entertainment community and asked that his organization, the Rainbow Push Coalition, “meet with you urgently to express our concerns
and to see if we might help resolve this conflict ... and allow the Grammys to do what they do best.” In a statement to The Associated Press on Friday, Portnow said he was willing to talk with Jackson. “We are receptive to meeting with the Rev. Jackson to explain how our nomination process works and to show the resulting diverse group of nominees it produced for the 54th Grammys — many in the musical genres he cited in his letter,” Portnow said. “We also agree with the Rev. Jackson that the Grammys are about music, not sales. They have, and always will, stand for excellence in music and celebrating the impact all music has on our culture.” In an interview with the AP on Thursday night, Jackson said he wanted “cooperation, not confrontation” with the
Academy. However, he did raise the possibility of a protest of the Feb. 12 Grammys, to be held in Los Angeles, if his talks with the Academy did not go well. “We are prepared to work with artists and ministers and activists to occupy at the Grammys so our appeal of consideration of mercy really might be heard,” he said. The Academy decided last year to shrink its voluminous categories after a yearlong examination of the awards structure. Among the changes: elimination of some of the instrumental categories in pop, rock and country; traditional gospel; children’s spokenword album; Zydeco or Cajun music album; and best classical crossover album. In addition, men and women compete headto-head in vocal performance categories instead of separate categories for each sex. Some musicians in the Latin
PHOTO By Cliff owen/ AP file Photo
The Rev. Jesse Jackson is entering the fray over The Recording Academy’s cuts to its Grammy categories: He’s asking to meet with the president of the organization and has raised the possibility of protests, with the awards a little less than two weeks away.
jazz community have filed a lawsuit against the Academy, claiming the reductions in categories caused them irreparable harm.
NEW YORK — Ne-Yo has a dream: He believes the record industry is segregated, and has hopes of changing that as the new senior vice president of artists and repertoire for Motown Records. Even though Motown’s legend is rooted in black music, it was music that appealed to everyone, helping to unite a nation in sometimes divisive times. As a top exec at Motown, Ne-Yo wants to unite people musically once again. “I want to get back to a place where everybody’s listening to the same thing no matter what race, color, creed you are,” the Grammy-winning singer said in an interview Wednesday after Universal Music made the announcement. “(Now) there’s music that’s specifically for black people and there’s music that’s specifically for white people, and I feel like the essence of ... music is lost when you do that.” The 32-year-old Grammy winner, who has multiple hits of his own and has also written smashes for others like Rihanna and Beyonce, says he is looking to sign artists that have a drive and a tremendous work ethic, not just one-hit wonders. “I definitely plan on making sure the people I bring to the industry are going to be an asset to the industry as opposed to a liability,” said Ne-Yo, who also has his own label imprint called Compound Entertainment. “It’s more than `She looks good in a short skirt’ or `He looks good with his shirt off’ — it’s about somebody that has a talent.” Ne-Yo, who is planning to release his fifth album this summer, will also move to the Motown Records roster. He has released his four albums on Island Def Jam Music Group; both Motown and Def Jam are subsidiaries of Universal Music. He’s also an actor: Ne-Yo appears in the new George Lucas film “Red Tails” about the Tuskegee Airmen, who were the first black fighter pilots to serve in the U.S. military. It debuted at No. 2 with $19.2 million last weekend, despite some concerns that a blackthemed film would not appeal to a mainstream audience. “It always feels good to beat the odds,” he said.
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - Page 7
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Welcome to the SU Digest Report. Where students are informed on the SU community issues. Where we push the positive and address the negative. Discussing the controversial and digging for deeper perspectives. Looking beyond the surface for the real stories. (Pause for station identification) I’m Evan Taylor and this is The SU Digest Report … Today we will be discussing the issues plaguing the Southern University community. From accreditation concerns to the reorganization of Southern University at Baton Rouge; The Southern University System community is facing inner turmoil. As students: deciding whether to continue and fight for their Southern University degree or to leave and start over. As faculty members: Whether to retire before getting fired, to continue the job as usual, or work to sue the SU Board of Supervisors for inadequate decisions and lack of procedure. As an alumnus: Deciding whether to overlook the reputation or perception of misappropriating funds and give during a time of need or look into alternative methods to boost enrollment and recruitment outside of financial contributions. As a Southern University employee: To continue your job blindly or keep an eye open and a resume ready in case your position is terminated. (Commercial break)
Evan Taylor If you are just joining us, we are back discussing perspectives on Southern University while they are facing Financial exigency, declines in enrollment, unfunded state mandates, a furloughed faculty at SUBR, and faculty/staff receiving termination notices at SUBR. SUBR Chancellor James Llorens says in the organizational structure SUBR plans to take a closer look at the programs offered. Llorens also says I’m looking forward to the next academic year coming out of exigency. Outside the administration, Faculty Senate President and computer science faculty member Sudhir Trivedi looks to engage faculty into this reorganization process and makes claims that financial exigency was not needed to solve Southern’s financial situation. In an effort to address the faculty’s concerns and set precedents for financial exigency policy and procedure, Trivedi
established the Faculty Defense Committee to file for injunctive relief against the Southern University Board of Supervisors. We’ll be right back with perspective from SU System President Ronald Mason and his plans to address SUBR issues systemwide. (Commercial Break) System President Ronald Mason says SU students can expect the system to keep moving forward in 2012 while building the new SU with the traditions from the past. Amidst challenges there is no denying of the power and the need for leadership in the SU system. Now more than ever Southern University needs to unify its message and mission to overcome it’s current challenges and the ones it will face in the future. With the State of Louisiana constantly cutting higher education only the universities willing to adapt and are self-sustaining will survive. Can the Baton Rouge community adjust to the loss of a university founded to serve the underserved? I hope we have dealt with your perceptions and answered your questions. Tune in next time for our continued coverage on the SU system in crisis; choosing between mission and profit. I’m Evan Taylor and this has been the SU Digest Report. (cue Color Blocks)
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Page 8 - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Marine hazing case goes to trial
Answers sought after crash Mike Schneider
Audrey McAvoy
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Just hours before a pileup that killed 10 people, authorities had closed a stretch of highway smothered in smoke and fog due to a three-vehicle crash that left a passenger seriously injured. Why they reopened it just minutes before the second crash — and who made the call — remained murky Monday, with the Florida Highway Patrol refusing to answer questions as national investigators hinted they might join the inquiry. An FHP report noted that police closed Interstate 75 about midnight Saturday following the smashup between two SUVS and after drivers called in reporting low visibility. They reopened the roadway at 3:30 a.m. — 15 minutes before at least a dozen cars, six tractor-trailers and a motorhome collided south of Gainesville, pushing some of the cars under the crushing bellies of big rigs, causing others to burst into flames and sending metal shrapnel flying through the air. Eighteen survivors were hospitalized. FHP spokesmen at the state and local level did not respond to several phone calls and emails Monday from The Associated Press seeking answers to what protocol authorities follow — and whether it had been altered following a similarly deadly crash in 2008 on Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa, about 125 miles south of Sunday’s crash. Four people were killed and 38 injured in that crash. Meanwhile, the National
KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii — A Hawaii-based lance corporal accused of hazing a fellow Marine who committed suicide at their remote outpost in Afghanistan is appearing in court after agreeing to a plea bargain. In October, Lance Cpl. Jacob D. Jacoby was referred to a general court-martial on charges that he assaulted, threatened, and humiliated Lance Cpl. Harry Lew, who killed himself on April 3. Jacoby will instead appear Monday before a special court martial — a venue for less serious crimes than a general court-martial— at a Marine base in Kaneohe Bay after reaching a plea agreement. The Marines didn’t release details of the agreement ahead of the trial. Two other Marines have also been accused of hazing Lew, 21, a nephew of U.S. Rep. Judy Chu of California, before he shot himself with his machine gun in his foxhole. Sgt. Benjamin Johns, the leader of the squad the Marines belonged to, and Lance Cpl. Carlos Orozco III will each have their own separate courtsmartial at later dates. The case involves the actions of Marines at an isolated patrol base the U.S. was establishing to disrupt Taliban drug and weapons trafficking in Helmand province. At an Article 32 hearing — the equivalent of a grand jury hearing in the civilian world — in September, Marines testified Lew had repeatedly fallen asleep while he was on duty. Squad members and officers had tried different methods to get him to stay awake, including referring him up the chain of command for discipline and taking him off patrols so he could get more rest. But on Lew’s last night, those efforts escalated into alleged acts of violence and humiliation, according to charges outlined at the hearing. The Marines were accused of punching and kicking him, making him do push-ups and pouring sand in his face. A significant share of the questions raised at the Article 32 hearing focused on whether the accused intended to humiliate and harm Lew or discipline him so he would stop falling asleep while on watch duty. Before Lew put the muzzle of his machine gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger, he scrawled a note on his arm: “May hate me now, but in the long run this was the right choice I’m sorry my mom deserves the truth.”
PHOTO By phil sandlin/ap photo
Firemen spray foam on a truck that was part of a multi-vehicle accident that killed at least nine people, on Interstate 75 near Gainesville, Fla., Sunday. Authorities were still trying to determine what caused the pileup on the highway, which had been closed for a time because of the mixture of fog and heavy smoke from a brush fire. At least five cars and six tractor-trailers were involved, and some burst into flame.
Transportation Safety Board sent investigators to Gainesville on Monday to determine if it would formally join the inquiry into the crash and its causes. Either way, the highway patrol will remain in charge of the investigation, NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said. “We’ve investigated a number of these pileups and we just want to see if there is any lesson we can learn from this particular series of accidents,” he said. “One of the areas that our investigators will be looking at is the reopening of I-75.” The pileups happened on both sides of the highway. When rescuers first arrived, the smoke and fog were so thick the only way they could locate victims was by following the sound of their screams and moans from the wreckage, which was strewn for nearly a mile. Authorities had not released the names of the victims, but did say that four people died in one of the cars and that a “tour buslike” vehicle also was involved in the pileup. The fog and smoke
had cleared enough Monday to reopen all lanes of the roadway. Steven R. Camps and some friends were driving home hours before dawn Sunday when they were drawn into the massive wreck. “You could hear cars hitting each other. People were crying. People were screaming. It was crazy,” the Gainesville man said hours later. “If I could give you an idea of what it looked like, I would say it looked like the end of the world.” Before Camps hit the fog bank, a friend who was driving ahead of him in a separate vehicle called to warn of the road conditions. The friend said he had just seen an accident and urged Camps to be careful as he approached the Paynes Prairie area, just south of Gainesville. A short time later, Camps said, traffic stopped along the northbound lanes. “You couldn’t see anything. People were pulling off the road,” he said. Camps said he began talking about the road conditions to a man in the car stopped next to him when another vehicle hit
that man’s car. The man’s vehicle was crushed under a semi-truck stopped in front of them. Camps said his car was hit twice, but he and another friend were able to jump out. They took cover in the grass on the shoulder of the road. All around them, cars and trucks were on fire, and they could hear explosions as the vehicles burned. “It was happening on both sides of the road, so there was nowhere to go. It blew my mind,” he said, explaining that the scene “looked like someone was picking up cars and throwing them.” The fire that is believed to have contributed to poor visibility on the highway had destroyed 62 acres and was still burning Monday. Florida Forest Service spokeswoman Ludie Bond said the fire began Saturday and investigators were still trying to determine whether the blaze had been intentionally set. She said there were no controlled burns in the area and no lightning. No home are threatened by the fire.
Indy battens down hatches for Super Bowl security Carrie Schedler & Charles Wilson The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — From pickpockets and prostitutes to dirty bombs and exploding manhole covers, authorities are bracing for whatever threat the first Super Bowl in downtown Indianapolis might bring. Some — nuclear terrorism, for instance — are likely to remain just hypothetical. But others, like thieves and wayward manhole covers, are all too real. Though Indianapolis has ample experience hosting large sporting events — the Indianapolis 500 attracts more than 200,000 fans each year,
and the NCAA’s men’s Final Four basketball tournament has been held here six times since 1980— the city’s first Super Bowl poses some unique challenges. Unlike the Final Four, which is compressed into a weekend, the Super Bowl offers crowd, travel and other logistical challenges over 10 days leading up to the Feb. 5 game. And unlike the 500, where events are largely concentrated at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway about seven miles from Lucas Oil Stadium, the NFL’s showcase event will consume 44 blocks — about a mile square — in the heart of the city, closing off streets and forcing an anticipated 150,000 or more NFL fans to jockey with
PHOTO By mark humphrey/ap photo
Officer David Bryant, right, of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, watches the crowd at the Super Bowl Village in Indianapolis Sunday. From pickpockets and prostitutes to dirty bombs and exploding manhole covers, authorities are bracing for whatever threat Super Bowl XLVI might bring.
downtown workers for space much of the week. “This is clearly bigger in terms of the amount of people who will
be downtown over an extended period of time,” city Public Safety Director Frank Straub said.