check www.southerndigest.com for updates
Friday
83/65
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www.southerndigest.com
AD search down to three finalists see Sports, Page 5
Llorens dispels financial exigency rumors see Commentary, page 7
Faculty plans to sue BOS
Students forced to pay to print Christie Carral
The Southern Digest
participated in panel discussions and workshops. Attendees also were able to see “Taking a seat for justice: The 1960 Baton Rouge Sit-in” followed by a panel discussion with participants in the sit-ins.
Students have been forced to pay for their own print jobs in T.T. Allain and John B. Cade Library due to cut staff jobs in Technology and Network Services in Moore Hall. Just a week before classes began at SU the new system, Banner, was not yet implemented with student information to allocate the printing money for the fall 2011 semester. Ramon Forbes, information technologist in John B. Cade’s Library, stated that students were suppose to be receiving $5 on their student identification cards to print in the library weeks after school started. Forbes said that the university was having problems with getting Banner to work properly with the hold ups. According to Huey Lawson, Director of Technology Network Services, students were not going to be able to print from their student ID cards this semester because their money was not going to be loaded this semester. Due to budget constraints two staff members were cut from the College of Engineering’s labs, causing the TNS staff to help in assisting students with computing courses in the labs. According to Lawson, he and his staff had to prioritize what was most important. “In an effort to do more with less, it will take longer,” says Lawson. With two staff members assisting in the College of Engineering, Lawson said that there was not enough manpower to access the student data to load the cards with the print money with a shortened staff. “I do want to apologize for this inconvenience to the students,” says Lawson. Students have been reporting many complaints about the printing money not being on their student ID cards. Dawn Kight, Systems Librarian in John B. Cade Library, reported
See Civil Rights page 3
See Print page 3
Faculty tenure among issues of legal action The battle of declaring financial exigency was a sweet victory for the Board of Supervisors but the war isn’t over according to Faculty Senate President Sudhir Trivedi who met with lawyers last Friday to prepare a lawsuit against the recent status of financial exigency. The basis of the lawsuit circulates around the belief of financial exigency affecting
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Billy Washington
Today
PHOTO BY evan taylor/digest file photo
Southern University Faculty Senate President Sudhir Trivedi said the faculty is preparing to sue the Southern University Board of Supervisors over the board’s recent decision to declare financial exigency. Trivedi said the rights of tenured faculty is one factor in the measure.
the rights of tenured faculty. According to Trivedi, tenure is defined as a property right by federal courts all around the nation. Before the property rights of any one can be affected there must be a due process (procedural requirements must be met). “We are looking forward to reversing financial exigency, stop its implementation, stop faculty furloughs, and refund
the money to the faculty members from whom the money has been wrongfully taken,” declared Trivedi. The Board of Supervisors successfully declared financial exigency on October 28, 2011 with a unanimous 14-0 vote with two members absent. In September, the vote was deadlocked with a 6-6 vote and four members were absent. The status of financial exigency is
supposed to last until June 30, 2012. The declaration item was added late in the evening to the October 28 meeting after the agenda was originally posted earlier that week thereby leaving short notice for the SU community to react and respond. See Lawsuit page 3
Civil Rights-era issues still relevant Evan Taylor
The Southern Digest
Those students who fought in “the struggle” at Southern University were honored at the 2011 Southern University Law Center Civil Rights Commemoration Symposium. Groups such as “The Southern Sitin Sixteen”, “The Southern Nine” and “Change agents” were honored at the 3-day symposium. The symposium started with a kickoff celebration on Wednesday and the symposium continued with two themes in mind. “The Struggle for Freedom and Justice” and “The Struggle for Self Determination.” “In remembering our past, I hope that we are successful in engaging young people in discussions that will motivate and encourage them to engage in the work of determining how they may use their power to make a difference in their lives, the lives of their families and communities, and in the country and the world,” said Sanna Nimtz Towns, co-chair SU Civil Rights Commemoration. The commemoration included luncheon speakers; Dave Dennis, 1961 Freedom Rider
PHOTO BY Trevor james/digest
Freedom Rider David Dennis Sr. asked “was it all in vain” after explaining how times had changed during Southern University Law Center’s Civil Rights commemoration Thursday. He called the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the “Trojan Horse of the Civil Rights Movement.”
& former CORE organizer and Elsie Scott, President and CEO of Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. “This has been an inspiring, renewing, and empowering privilege,” said Bobby Joe Saucer, co-chair, SU Civil Rights Commemoration. Thursday and Friday attendees
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Campus Life southerndigest.com
Page 2 - Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Classifieds
the SU College of Business at 225.771-5640.
Donney Rose. All students are encouraged to attend.
apartments for rent
Freshman Convocation
Ag Stars
Immediate occupancy @ The The SU Business and Industry Palisades Apts. 1.866.936.5544. Cluster presents Dr. Alycia Cyprian-Porter speaking about WANT TO BUY WANTED TO BUY 1973 “Ownership of the Journey” SU Jazz Band record album. Thursday, Nov. 17 from 11 Also 1950, 1980 45rpm a.m.- 12:20 p.m. in Seymour records. Call 225.687.8076. Gym. For more information contact Dr. Dana Carpenter in the University College.
Campus Briefs
November 18
today
SU Opera Workshop presents Amahl and the Night Visitors
Southern Niche
Make sure to stop by Southern Niche, a Southern University student operated retail store during their regular store hours. Tuesdays 1:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m.-2p.m., and Thursdays from 10 a.m.2 p.m. The store is located in Room 155 of Thrift Hall. Come and purchase products made by Louisiana entrepreneurs.
The Southern University Opera Workshop, under the direction of Professor Richard Hobson, will present Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 18 and 20 in the Southern University DeBose Recital Hall. Admission for the performances at Southern will be $10 for adults, $5 for students with a valid ID. Tickets will only be available at the door. The Workshop will also include a performance of the one act opera at 5 p.m. Sunday, November 27 at the Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, 8742 Scenic Highway. Middle school students Devaul Malacon from Westdale Middle and Jamahl Nicholas from McKinley Middle Magnet, will also perform with the Workshop. Other featured performers include Marcella Ratcliff, Joshua States, Corey Stewart, Ronald Smith, Kyron Davis, Timothy White, Thomas Mars, Orrin Newman and Lloyd Downs.
SU Barbershop special
Every Monday beginning Nov. 8 the SU Barber Shop will offer $2 off any haircut. For students only during the month of November between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Students should submit this coupon at time of purchase. Ask for Rob. For more information call 225.771.3693. November 17 Careers in Insurance and Finance Seminar
Southern University’s College of Business will hold a “Careers in Insurance and Finance” seminar at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 17 in Room 313 on the 3rd floor of T.T. Allain Hall. Commissioner of Insurance, Jim Donelon and President and CEO of Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Inc., Theodore R. Daniels will serve as keynote speakers for the seminar. A job fair will also be held at 11 a.m. in the 2nd floor lobby of T. T. Allain Hall. For more information, contact
SU Late Night
The Student Union Activities Board presents “SU Late Night” on Nov. 18 from 8 p.m. to midnight in Smith-Brown Memorial Union. Students must use their S.U. student I.D. to enter. Students will have access to free games, free bowling, a spades tournament, and free food. There will be movies and an open mic from 9 p.m. to 11p.m. hosted by
Calling all Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors … Do you have a 2.5 GPA and no declared major? Pursue an exciting degree in agricultural sciences and become a member of AG stars mentoring program. Ag star participants will earn $1,000 stipend per semester. Apply today in Fisher Hall Room 101. Ronald E. McNair Scholars
Do you have a 3.0 GPA? Lowincome first generation college student? Have a desire to earn a Ph.D. in your discipline? The SU Center for Social Research encourages rising juniors and seniors to apply for the Ronal E. McNair Scholarship. Applicants must have earned at least 60 credit hours. For more information contact Janeal Banks at 225.771.4717. Pinkie G. Lane Poetry Contest
Southern University students can start submitting for the Pinkie G. Lane Poetry Contest. Each entrant may submit no more than three (3) poems of no more than 35 lines for each poem. The poems can be on any subject matter and in any format, provided the content is not vulgar or offensive, does not contain profanity, and is the original, individual work of the entrant. Failure to comply will automatically eliminate the entry. Poems may be rhymed or non-rhymed, lyric, narrative, satire, elegiac, epic, philosophic, or didactic. Entrants retain copyright on his/her own individual work. Poems must be typed and submitted via email to pinkieglane@cox.net or online at the library’s website www.lib.subr.edu. For more information please contact committee chair Angela Proctor at (225) 7712624, angela_proctor@subr. edu or committee co-chair Maya Banks at (225) 771-2776, maya_banks@subr.edu.
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Who’s Speaking Out? Do you have any suggestions for the Board of Supersivors or SU administration regarding financial exigency?
Desmond Ford
Terrence Rubin
Newellton, La. Junior criminal justice
Opelousas, la. senior family & consumer sciences “Now that the university has publicly Rubin recognized the problem they should definitely invest time,research and spirt within a business revolution.”
“To have a positive effect, they need to do Ford more research on how to deal with these cuts they are making to the university.”
Monie Farnell
Jeremy Jason
Edgard, La. senior Mass comm.
New Orleans grad school Mass comm.
“Stop making rules and procedures that doesn’t affect you, but affects everybody else.”
Farnell
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.
“Bring back alumni to work at SU to revitalize the Jaguar Nation and the old Southern spirit.”
Jason
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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Tuesday, November15, 2011 - Page 3
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Jindal stays out of race
Civil Rights from page 1
Kevin McGill
The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — Amid the well-recognized names sprinkled among the campaign finance reports of a candidate for a New Orleans-based seat on the state education board, one is conspicuously absent: Bobby Jindal. Louisiana’s governor hasn’t made an endorsement in the runoff between incumbent Louella Givens and challenger Kira Orange Jones, nor has he made a campaign contribution to either candidate. He also has stayed out of a race in the Baton Rouge area, where newcomers Jimmy Guillory and Carolyn Hill hope to replace incumbent Linda Johnson, who didn’t run again. “Nobody in those races has sought the governor’s endorsement,” Jindal spokesman Kyle Plotkin said in an email. There are runoffs in three Board of Elementary and Secondary Education races on Nov. 19. Jindal has endorsed, and his campaign fund has donated money, in only one. It pits incumbent Chas Roemer, who has supported Jindal initiatives and has his backing, against challenger Donald Songy. But it’s the New Orleans race that’s drawn the most attention. Jones’ high-profile donors include New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, author Walter Isaacson and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Givens is a longtime incumbent and a frequent critic of Jindalbacked policy. Jones, head of the New Orleans Teach for America office, would seem a likely candidate for Jindal’s support. However, the New Orleans area district, with a heavy African-American and Democratic base, is one of the few areas of Louisiana where Jindal’s backing might not help.
Print from page 1 these complaints to Lawson in an email. Many students were urged to load their own money in T.T. Allain Hall or in the library if they wanted to print. These are the most common printing locations on campus. Ebony Holland, sophomore nursing major from Monroe, La., stated that she prints often in the library and she expected her money to be on her card. “It was our money and they didn’t even give us an option, they just took it,” said Holland.
Photo by rick bowmer/AP Photo
Police officers arrests a protester in the Occupy Portland encampment Sunday in, Portland, Ore. In a tense escalation of the Occupy Portland protest, police in riot gear Sunday surrounded demonstrators in the downtown park area after hundreds of people defied the mayor’s order to leave the park by midnight.
Police move in on Portland park Garance Burke & Noaki Schwartz
The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — Several hundred protesters, some wearing goggles and gas masks, marched past authorities in a downtown street Sunday, hours after riot police forced Occupy Portland demonstrators out of a pair of weeks-old encampments in nearby parks. Police moved in shortly before noon and drove protesters into the street after dozens remained in the camp
in defiance city officials. Mayor Sam Adams had ordered that the camp shut down Saturday at midnight, citing unhealthy conditions and the encampment’s attraction of drug users and thieves. More than 50 protesters were arrested in the police action, but officers did not use tear gas, rubber bullets or other so-called non-lethal weapons, police said. After the police raid, the number of demonstrators swelled throughout the afternoon. By early evening, dozens of officers brandishing
nightsticks stood shoulder-toshoulder to hold the protesters back. Authorities retreated and protesters broke the standoff by marching through the streets. Demonstrators regrouped several blocks away, where they broke into small groups to discuss their future. Some advocated occupying foreclosed homes, others wanted to move onto the Portland State University campus or to the shores of the Willamette River. The Oregonian reported that many spent hours trying to figure out where protesters without homes could stay.
department. According a previous quote in a local newspaper Trivedi stated the number of colleges would also decline from 11 to possibly four or six. “It doesn’t do any good for the faculty to instill this unfounded approach to saying all of these terrible things are going to happen. It’s hard for me to understand why faculty would do that,” said Llorens. It has been reported that declaring financial exigency leaves a negative image for prospective students. The University of New Orleans is the only university in the state that has declared financial exigency due to Katrina. According to Llorens, financial exigency for SU is only a one year declaration and the president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Belle S. Wheelan, believes that the SU system will move forward after this one year tenure. Currently there are three lawyers working on the suit
against financial exigency, including attorney Jill Craft and contract law attorney Paul Bell, whose names were released by Trivedi through email. “We have to show the real motive which may include undermining the tenured. For example, getting rid of a particular professor regardless of program changes. They can do program changes without declaring financial exigency,” said Bell. Bell also believes that the urgency could become a contributing basis for the developing lawsuit. “There is also this issue with urgency which is bogus. Maybe they didn’t need that urgency to declare exigency, which was absolutely invalid,” continued Bell. Jill Craft could not be reached for comment. “We are in the process of finalizing who will lead our case and it will be ready in due time for the board meeting,” concluded Trivedi.
Lawsuit from page 1 “The Board and the administration did not follow the process and procedures, as written in the board bylaws, before declaring financial exigency. We also believe that there is no substance to their argument, that is, there is no financial exigency/emergency. That will be the basis of our suit,” informed Trivedi. The lawsuit is currently being constructed and should be ready for the Nov. 25 board meeting. Chancellor James Llorens is also preparing a reorganization proposal outlining the implementation of financial exigency. “I would love to see Trivedi become more of a resource tool in helping us to get through this. I think there is a significant number of faculty members who agree with the direction we are going,” expressed Llorens. Financial exigency will allow administration to cut and consolidate throughout the entire university rather than just one college or
In response to a student inquiry of how do you know there is a need for organization, “If you have a cause …There is a need,” said Janetta Gilliam, a former member of the Southern 9. Gilliam participated on a panel with Joe Louis Smith and Dodie Smith-Simmons discussing “the struggle for freedom and justice 1959-1965.” “This is all about the students taking up the challenge,” said Saucer. During the panel discussion concerning “the struggle for self determination 1966-1972” Fred Prejean a former student activist discussed the need for defining the role of a black university. “What is the role of the black university? Is there an unabridged gap between the different ways it is defined?” said Prejean. Prejean and author Keith Weldon Medley discussed the deaths of Denver Smith and Leonard Brown in 1972 and how the deaths could have been prevented and the context of their protest. Immediately following the documentary screening of “Taking a seat for justice” Sandra Jones Overby and Vernon Jordan (members of the Baton Rouge sit-in Sixteen) spoke on their motivations and experiences. Overby discussed being motivated out of tiredness and frustration with access. Friday workshops were held for attendees to discuss with panelists concerns and solutions for problems at hand, the struggle that is still present. Attendees could choose to attend one of the concurrent sessions; Strategies to obtain civil/human rights and how civil/ human rights are being eroded or denied. “You can’t just step back. It dishonors those who came before us. But inequities make us ask these questions,” said Tracie Washington, CEO of Louisiana Justice Institute. Washington discussed the questions people ask of whether separate was better. She referred to social injustices being connected and affect a common group. “We have to talk about all social injustices together because of how they affect the marginalized,” Washington said. She briefly discussed an ordinance allowing police to stop anyone in New Orleans and ask for ID and how it touched her. “We have to continue to work to pass on what we know, the lessons learned and most importantly create a new generation of human rights fighters,” Washington said. Cleo Fields, Dalton Honore´, Larry Carter, John Pierre, and SULC student Jamaal Chatman also served as panelists.“We need to have more people like the people in the 60’s that is our challenge today. We have a lot to do and little time to do it in,” Fields said.
State & Nation southerndigest.com
Page 4 - Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Obama: Everything on the line in 2012 Ben Feller
The Associated Press
KAPOLEI, Hawaii — Politicking in his boyhood home, President Barack Obama told supporters Monday that everything they worked for and that the country stands for is on the line in his 2012 re-election bid, warning of a bleak America should a Republican win. At ease in Hawaii, where he was born and vacations each year, Obama sprinkled his standard campaign speech with personal memories and called himself the “hometown kid.” But his message turned urgent in trying to get his backers to think of the next election as a choice between a vision of a big country of opportunity or one where regular people lose their voice. “You kept up the fight for change long after the election was over, and that should make you proud,” Obama said inside a lush resort on the western side of Oahu. “It should make you hopeful. But it can’t make you satisfied.” He added: “Everything we
fought for in the last election is now at stake in the next election. The very core of what this country stands for is on the line.” Obama made time for domestic politics and the constant demand for cash amid a nine-day trip otherwise dominated by foreign affairs. He was enjoying a lighter schedule on Monday after hosting an Asia-Pacific economic summit of 21 nations over the weekend, and before heading to Australia Tuesday morning. Obama was also was to visit Indonesia before a Nov. 20 return to Washington. As he raised money for his re-election bid, the president sought to defend his record of change as more than a campaign slogan. Obama reminded his audience that he has presided over the return of the American auto industry, financial help for college students, higher fuel efficiency for cars and more. When it came to noting his signature health care law, Obama spoke of expanded and improved coverage for Americans but made no mention of Monday’s move by
PHOTO BY charles dharapak/ap photo
President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign fundraising event at Aulani Disney Resort, in Kapolei, Hawaii Monday.
the Supreme Court. The high court promised a full review over the constitutionality of the historic health care overhaul, likely in time for a ruling just before the presidential election next November. The president spoke inside the waterfront Disney-themed Aulani Resort to a relaxed crowd of about 250 people at
the fundraising brunch, where tickets started at $1,000 per person. Obama said Republicans want to engage in a “race to the bottom” with other countries, rolling back wage protections and environmental standards. “Their attitude is, ‘Let’s go ahead and pollute,” Obama said. As for his promised change, he
said he still needs time: “It takes more than a single term. It takes more than a single president.” The president promised that his wife, Michelle, and daughters, Sasha and Malia, would be back in Hawaii for the winter holidays as usual. “Let’s see if Washington gets its business done so I can get here as well,” he said.
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TueSDAy, nOvemBer 15, 2011 - PAge 5
Field down to 3 for AD
Jags split first games of season Digest News Service
The Roman Banks era of Southern men’s basketball got off to a good start Friday against Dillard, but ran into a buzzsaw on the road Sunday. The Jaguars defeated Dillard 67-48 at the F.G. Clark Activity Center in Banks’ debut as head coach, but were outgunned by No. 20 Texas A&M and took an 83-58 loss at College Station. The Jaguars (1-1) return to action Thursday, traveling to Houston to take on Rice. Tipoff is 7 p.m.
SU 67, Dillard 48
Mike Celestin and Russell Hill scored 14 points apiece to lead Southern University past its NAIA foe. Quinton Doggett added 13 points and a team-leading six rebounds for the Jaguars in their season-opening win. Celestin added four 3-pointers for Southern. Dillard led 8-4 less than three minutes into the contest, but a pair of Celestin 3s helped spark a 12-1 run from that juncture and Southern never trailed again. The Jaguars led by eight points at the break and outscored the Blue Devils 36-25 in the second half to seal it. The Jaguars won the battle of the boards just 32-31, but forced 16 turnovers and committed just five of their own in the game. Lance Theard scored 11 points and Lawrence Etah added 10 for the Blue Devils.
No. 20 Texas A&M 83, SU 58
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Junior forward Ray Turner scored 20 points in coach Billy Kennedy’s return to the Aggies’ sideline. The 47-year-old Kennedy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease last month and had taken a leave of absence from the program under doctor’s orders. Associate head coach Glynn Cyprien had led the Aggies in practice and in their season-opening victory over Liberty on Wednesday. Banks was an assistant coach to Kennedy at Southeastern Louisiana. Derick Beltran scored 19 points for Southern. A&M raced to a 46-21 halftime lead against the Jaguars, and the contest never was in doubt in the second half. Turner tied his career for the second straight game and the Aggies outrebounded the Jaguars 44-21. The Aggies played their first game without star guard Khris Middleton, who tore the meniscus in his right knee in the opener and is out three to four weeks. A&M outscored the Jaguars 15-0 on second-chance points, and 46-18 in the paint. A&M also outscored Southern 16-8 on fast-break points, and 29-10 off the bench. Forward Kourtney Roberson added 12 points for A&M, while forward David Loubeau and guard Elston Turner had 11 points apiece. A&M, which leads its all-time series with Southern 3-1, shot 56.6 percent (30 of 53) from the floor, compared to 40.7 percent
MORRIS DILLARD
The Southern Digest
fourth quarter with three consecutive scoring drives, limiting the Jaguars to 56 yards of total offense and two fumbles. Freshman quarterback JP Douglas led the offenses’ final possession, completing five passes for 62 yards. Douglas replaced starter Dray Joseph in the first quarter, who was 7 of 16 for 72 yards and sacked once. Saturday marked the fifth win over a conference opponent for Mitchell, whose first victory came last season over Mississippi Valley. “These guys have played extremely hard all year,” Mitchell said. “Unfortunately, we were our own enemy.” Payton said he missed his
The Southern University Athletics Director Search Committee Wednesday identified three candidates qualified for the vacant athletics director position. The athletics director position opened following the April arrest and firing of former athletics director Greg LaFleur, a position he served for six years. The 10-member committee met for five hours in closed session last Wednesday morning to narrow its search of candidates to three applicants. The committee eventually will send the names of the finalist to Chancellor James Llorens, who will make the final decision. “I guess in the next couple of weeks we’ll see what the next step is with the interview process,” said tennis head coach Jeffery Conyers, who represents all head coaches on the committee. He said the committee needed someone who was familiar with APR standards and thought the candidates selected had experience and was knowledgeable in NCAA rules. The university released the names to the Advocate, stating former Southern AD Floyd Kerr is one of three finalists to be the school’s new athletic director, the Advocate released last Friday.The other two candidates are Paula Jackson and John Robinson. Kerr is currently the athletics director at Morgan State. Jackson is the assistant athletics director and senior woman administrator at Alabama State and Robinson is the executive director of student academic enhancement services at Texas Southern. “We have a very diverse bunch,” said Student Government Association President Demetrius Sumner. “We have two candidates who are very familiar with Southern, one who served in the capacity of athletics director before here at Southern University, another who was a student athlete.” Llorens said in a statement released by the school that he hopes to make a decision before the end of the year. The release added that Llorens is pleased with the finalists selected by the search committee formed in August. The committee witheld the identities of finalists from The Digest when asked Wednesday. Kerr, who was replaced by LaFleur, served as Southern’s athletic director from 2000 to
See rAlly page 6
See AD SeArch page 6
PHOTO BY DAVID J. PHILLIP/AP PHOTO
Texas A&M’s David Loubeau (10) shoots over Southern’s Frederick Coleman (31) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday.
(22 of 54) for Southern. Doggett had nine rebounds, while Turner and Keith Davis each grabbed eight for A&M. The Aggies, who led throughout, held a 33-point lead with 4:17 with remaining. A&M, which along with Kansas is picked to win the Big 12, will next play Mississippi State on
Thursday in Madison Square Garden in the 17th Annual 2K Sports Classic. Kennedy said he’s taking things “day by day” right now and isn’t certain if he’ll make the trip to New York City. A&M has won 62 consecutive nonconference home games dating to the start of the 200506 season.
Southern rallies to knock off Hornets MORRIS DILLARD
The Southern Digest
DIGEST FILE PHOTO
J.P. Douglas engineered a gamewinning drive against Alabama State Saturday.
The second half has been heartbreaking, an indicator of improvement in all phases of the game. The Jaguars started off Saturday’s game against Alabama State a little slow on offense, but managed a gamewinning scoring drive to escape the Cramton Bowl 26-23. It marked the first career touchdown run for sophomore fullback Brian McCain, who dove over defenders stretching the ball across the goal-line for the score. “The offensive line got a good push,” McCain said. “We played a good game and as a team.” Jaguars (4-6, 4-4) knew how their season was going and chose not to drop their heads, but finish through.
“It’s not a long ride today,” senior defensive end Dexter James said celebrating the win with senior linebacker Jamie Payton, who returned to the team after serving a two-game suspension. “We’re going to be happy on this ride back.” The Jaguars next game is scheduled Nov. 26 against instate rival Grambling State, who won the last meeting 3817. The Jaguars trailed the Hornets’ 23-19 with 2:59 remaining before the end of regulation. Southern coach Stump Mitchell knew a field goal wasn’t enough for a win. “We were still in it,” Mitchell said. “They weren’t ahead by a whole lot of points. We knew all we needed was a touchdown, a field goal would not work.” The Hornets’ scored 17 unanswered points in the
Page 6 - Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
SWAC Announces 2011 Hall of Fame Class Digest News Service
The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its Hall of Fame class for 2011. The six inductees; Jesse Mason (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), Richard Stebbins (Grambling State), Jessie L. Harris (Mississippi Valley State), Wilbert Ellis (Grambling State), Lonnie Walker (Alcorn State) and Lewis Tillman (Jackson State) will be enshrined in the SWAC Hall of Fame on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. The induction is set to begin at 6 p.m. with a reception. Mason was a standout player for UAPB (A.M. and N. College) in the late 1950’s. As an AllSWAC performer in the 195960 season, Mason captured
the conference scoring crown, averaging 26.7 points per contest. He was an AllConference pick 1958, 1959 and 1960. Mason was inducted into the UAPB Hall of Fame in 2007. Stebbins made his mark at Grambling in track and field and later in professional football. From 1963 to 1967, Stebbins and his teammates vaulted Grambling in the annals of SWAC, NAIA, the United States and International Track and Field. Among his many accomplishments, Stebbins was a 4-time NAIA AllAmerican, 3-time All-SWAC and a Gold Medalist on the World Record U.S. Olympic Men’s 4x100 meter team at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Following a stellar collegiate career, Stebbins drafted by the
New York Giants and played two years with the Giants and Houston Oilers. Later, Stebbins served as Head Track Coach at Grambling before joining the football coaching staff of SWAC Hall of Famer Doug Porter at Howard University. Harris coached the MVSU women’s basketball program for 28 years (1973-2001). During that period, he took the Devilettes to new heights winning three SWAC championships (1988, 1989, 1993). He was named SWAC Coach of the Year three times (1982, 1987, 1988) and BCSIDA National University Coach of the Year in 1988-89. He led two MVSU teams to the Women’s Basketball National Tournament and the AIAW and Black College National
Tournaments. He is a member of the MVSU Athletics Hall of Fame and MVSU National Alumni Hall of Fame. Ellis was an assistant baseball coach at Grambling State for 17 years and the head coach for 26 seasons (19772003). He earned SWAC Coach of the Year honors seven times (1981-Western Division, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1991, 1998, 1999). His teams made three NCAA Tournament appearances. He amassed a record of 737 wins, 463 losses and one tie in his career at GSU. He has been honored by the NCAA as one of the Top 50 coaches with 200 wins. Ellis is a member of the GSU Alumni Hall of Fame as well as the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Rally from page 5 brothers {referring to teammates} and was happy to rejoin the unit after missing the last two games. He was suspended by the SWAC for his role in a brawl Oct 15. His 10 tackles Saturday led for the sixth time this season. “We been through so much adversity, I knew we would pull this one out,” said Payton, who returned an interception 43 yards in the third quarter and recovered a fumble in the second. “We just came out, played fast and played some good football today.” The loss was the Hornets second against conference opponents, who lead the East
Division title race. “It was a game that we started off slow,” Coach Reggie Barlow of ASU said after the game. “Southern played with a lot of confidence. We had our opportunities to score and win but it didn’t happen.” The Jaguars defense prevented Barlow’s offense from gaining momentum after scoring on its opening drive. From there, the Hornets punted four times, fumbled and missed a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter after a Jaguar turnover. The Jaguars erased the deficit in the second quarter. Douglas connected with
receiver Charles Hawkins, who led with seven catches, for an 18-yard touchdown and 9-7 lead. Kicker Manuel Canto added a field goal before halftime. Mitchell’s offense scored on its first possession after halftime. Douglas threw his second touchdown pass to receiver Lee Doss for five yards. “We been practicing all week for this,” James said. “We gone keep playing hard and finish out the season.” “We’re trying to finish 5-6 right now, Mitchell said. “I know that’s going to be a tough game in the Bayou Classic no question about it.”
AD Search from page 5 2005. He has been at Morgan State since 2005. Robinson’s key accomplishments include institutiting a comprehensive student assistance program, which he said contributed to a 115 percent increase in graduation rates. Jackson, a 1986 Southern graduate, serves as assistant director of athletics for compliance at Alabama State University. “Alabama State is prehaps the top athletics department amongst HBCU’s right now,” Sumner said. “Robinson has an outstanding adcademic qualification. We gave the chancellor a bunch of options and he can go any way with it.” Sandy Pugh, the women’s basketball head coach, has guided the school’s athletics department since taking over when LaFleur was fired. Southern became the first school to face postseason bans in two programs — men’s basketball and football — because of academics. “Mostly all the coaches stressed the fact that we needed somebody to come in and help us with the APR problems and help us get back to those glory days,” Conyers said. “That was my main concern in representing the coaches.” In a university release made at the start of the search nearly 80 days ago, Llorens stated he will not be apart of the search committee’s deliberation and “this will be an open process.”
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - Page 7
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As you know Southern University has declared financial exigency. This is a designation that we did not go into lightly. We understand the significance, but we believe this is the best option for reshaping this campus into an institution of higher learning to meet the needs of 2012 and beyond. Our situation arose out of staggering state budget cuts totaling nearly $17 million in three years, a gradual decline in enrollment equaling the loss of significant revenues and millions more needed to pay unfunded mandates. At the same time, we are working with an education delivery system that has not changed significantly for many years. We have to rescue ourselves and change with the times. The only way to effect change, and do it quickly enough to keep pace with competing institutions, was to file for financial exigency. This is not bankruptcy as some have said and this is not the last gasp of a dying institution. Instead, this is a clear signal that Southern is serious about becoming a global institution. At the end of this month we will present a retrenchment and reorganization plan to the Southern University Board of Supervisors and a report to the Board of Regents on the viability of this year’s budget and our projections
James L. Llorens SUBR Chancellor for the next five years. We are soliciting the input of administrators, faculty, staff, students and people who love Southern. As we proceed I feel it is necessary to clear up some inaccuracies that you may have heard. Here are the facts: • Financial exigency will END June 30, 2012. The request submitted and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors says that our status of financial exigency must end June 30, 2012. • Financial exigency will not affect our accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. There is no intent by SACS to question our 10-year accreditation which we received last year. We have informed SACS that we will keep them advised on actions to stabilize our finances over this year and our
plans for the reorganization of our academic and administrative units. • Declaring financial exigency DOES NOT put all faculty members at risk of losing their positions. As we reorganize our academic programs there may be some program mergers, consolidations and possibly termination of a small number of degree programs, and as we seek to create efficiencies in our program delivery there may be some resulting reduction in faculty. However, our primary consideration is providing quality academic programs designed to enhance the graduates of Southern University as they enter the global workforce. If a program is terminated all students currently pursuing that degree will be given the time to complete that degree at Southern University. In the final analysis, Southern University is taking a bold step to rebuild and become a model university. That takes vision, commitment, and some initial sacrifices. It also takes a team effort of students, faculty, staff and alumni. Please support us in this effort by offering your insight, your support and your love for Southern. Thank you. James L. Llorens Chancellor
Letter to the editor
Dear Editor, Setting real estate fees and taxes should definitely be a local matter decided only by local voters, says The League of Women Voters of Louisiana. The League calls on voters across the state to vote “NO” to the single Constitutional Amendment on the Nov. 19 ballot. The League does not support any state imposed limitations on local governments’ tax rates for property, sales, or other taxes. The Constitutional Amendment would limit the opportunity local governments may have to fund their operations.
The ballot item says: “To prohibit the levy of new taxes or fees upon the sale of transfer of immovable property, including documentary transaction taxes or fees, or any other tax or fee, by the state or any of its political subdivisions after Nov. 30, 2011.” A “YES” vote for this proposed Constitutional Amendment would prevent any local government (parish or city) from ever increasing local revenue to serve its residents by charging for real estate transactions on local property. The League of Women Voters of Louisiana believes local voters
must be able to set their own taxes and fees when they need them, and not be told they cannot assess themselves by the State of Louisiana. As the Public Research Council points out in its discussion of the Constitutional Amendment, the City of New Orleans will receive an expected $4.4 million in revenue this year from its transaction tax on all property transfers (go to www.la-par. org). More local revenue means less dependency on state government for funding local needs. Thetis Cusimano, President League of Women Voters of Louisiana
Page 8 - Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926