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Exclusive content @
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
www.southerndigest.com
Volume 59, Issue 17
House Republicans challenge Jindal see News, Page 3
Today
Football readies for classic; hoop updates see Sports, Page 4
Managing your stress see Commentary, page 7
Senate, Men’s Fed discuss budget Charles Hawkins II The Southern Digest
The Student Government Association Student Senate clashed with Men’s Federation after their failure to present an itemized budget of expenditures for the organization after four opportunities. Leading the meeting in the absence of SGA Vice President Bryson Alexander, Sara Martin, Senate President pro-tempore threatened to freeze the organization’s budget. After a unanimous vote tabling the budget, the federation will be allowed one more opportunity to present a detailed balanced budget. “They have irresponsibly missed meetings,” Martin said, the federation was notified their attendance at meetings was necessary. The Senate will allow Men’s Federation representatives to speak at the next senate meeting before making the final decision on the funds, the senate finance committee will have to consider the decision as well. Martin said they (Men’s Federation) have not been professional in missing second and third opportunities to
present information during meetings. Vance Mitchell, senior senator managed to locate the budget for Men’s federation, however the document how money was allocated. The document disclosed $8,801.58 budgeted for Men’s Federation.
officers, Smith was able to explain some of the costs spent. Smith referred all questions to clarify the expenditures to Jonas Vanderbilt, director of student programs. “Men’s Federation spent roughly around $4,500 not including scholarships. For further details get in touch
be tabled until sufficient information could be provided. Travante Johnson, sophomore senator and other senators, did not agree with this motion, the finance committee would have to hear and approve the freeze of the budget. Johnson disagreed on the decision to table the budget
“They (Men’s Federation) have irresponsibly missed meetings ... we can table it, but it still will be frozen.”
Sara Martin Student Senate President Pro-tempore
Willie Smith, a senior computer science major from New Orleans, was in attendance as a representative from Men’s Federation to rectify the budgetary communication. Smith initially did not have the physical budget, which led to questioning by Martin and other senators. After contacting fellow
with Jonas Vanderbilt who has a full list of the expenditures that has never been received by President or Vice President until this day,” Smith said. Martin said it was unacceptable for President and Vice President not to have prior knowledge of the federation’s budget. She motioned the budget
without the receipt trail of expenditures presented. “We can table it, but it still will be frozen,” Martin said. Smith, said the meeting was productive in addressing the continuing issue. “I believe the meeting was productive, and I admire the Senate’s passion about the school’s money,” Smith said.
However, he said he still believes miscommunication has been a key issue between the senate and other organizations. “I feel as if the budget amount stated is accurate and it actually may be less,” Smith said. Smith mentioned events the federation was involved including; ‘Dusk ‘til Dawn Haunted House’ to raise money for St. Jude’s Research Hospital and partnering with Student Government Association and local organizations in mentoring program at Baker Middle School. Next semester, Men’s Federation plans on hosting a resume and interview tips program, a Super Bowl Watch party, a refund management program, Dancing with the Stars, Men’s Fed Pageant, and a organizational step show. Martin said the Student Senate will continue to make effort to communicate activities through social media outlets, posters, and by word of mouth. “We are definitely moving forward with the success of the Veterans Day program, and effort put into the Thanksgiving program with Big Buddy to present baskets from 11am to 2pm,” Martin said.
Llorens denies tenure to Architecture professors Charles Hawkins II The Southern Digest
After completing the criteria to gain promotion or tenure, Jin Lee, Kim Ross and Jason Lockhart of Southern University School of Architecture were denied tenure and promotion by SUBR Chancellor James Llorens. “Because of the recommendation to terminate the architecture degree, granting tenure at this point would create barriers that would not allow us to phase out the program in an expeditious manner,” Llorens said. Llorens explained earning tenure is defined with guidelines in the faculty handbook including teaching, scholarship, and community service. Ross questioned the process in which tenure and promotion is given. “What is the premise for getting promotion and tenure, past work completed or future of work,” Ross asked.
“ ... Granting tenure at this point would create barries that would not allow us to phase out the program in an expeditious manner.”
James Llorens SUBR Chancellor
Ross predicts with the recent admittance of new students that the program will take up to seven years to phase out. According to the 2005-2007 Southern University faculty handbook, promotion & tenure is clearly outlined. The handbook states in section 4.7 section C page 35, “Assistant Professor--At this level the faculty member must serve a probationary period of five years, the evaluation for tenure will take place during the sixth year (the critical
year). At the end of the sixth year, if tenure is to be denied, written notice of termination, to be effective at the end of the subsequent academic year, will be given.” Lonnie Wilkinson, Dean of Architecture said the professors passed through each level of the evaluation process of gaining tenure, and promotion to earn their status until the proposal was received by the chancellor. “The faculty handbook states tenure and promotion is judged by the work of a professor and
not what is going to happen to the school,” Lee said. The faculty handbook lists the seven levels of review. First the Department Retention, Tenure and Promotion Committee Evaluation in which the retention, tenure and promotion committee evaluates chosen professors. The second level involves the department chairperson’s review and evaluation of applicants for tenure. The third level in the
the official student newspaper of southern university and A&m college, baton rouge, louisiana
process entitled the College or Division Retention, Tenure, and promotion committee evaluation in which five members selected from the ranks of the tenured faculty within the college or school will evaluate applicants. The fourth level of evaluation is the Dean’s Review followed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Review serving as the fifth level. The sixth level is the Chancellor’s Review, and the final level is the President’s Review and evaluation. The handbook also lists the criteria for tenure in section 4.7 under area F including; teaching excellence, personal and professional development, research, publications, and creative activities, university service, professional activities, and student mentoring which included advisement. Peace Scott, senior See Tenure Denied page 3