SPORTS
NEWS
SU enters tech pact
VIEWPOINTS
Brown didn’t help himself
A change of scenery
Partnership to help community. PG. 3
Jags set to move into complex. PG. 5
Chris Breezy: Twitter mascot? PG. 7
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WWW.SOUTHERNDIGEST.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
VOL. 54, ISSUE 4
Martin urges action at SU BY BRIANA BROWNLEE DIGEST CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Syndicated columnist and journalist Roland Martin jumpstarted the 2009-10 Chancellor’s Lecture Series with three words Wednesday. “Playtime is over,” Martin said to a packed audience of students, faculty, staff, and community members at the Smith-Brown Memorial Union’s Royal Cotillion Ballroom. The comment was directed toward African-Americans who relaxed after President Barack Obama was elected in November and took office in January. “Ever since Obama won the presidency, the black community has been on a seven-month Mardi Gras picnic,” he said. Yadeal Tamaru, a freshman political science major from Dallas, said he loved the fact that a black person spoke
up about the post-election hangover. “It’s about time we came off our high horse and acknowledge that there is still a lot of work to be done. I also believe he made a good point, saying Black people need to be more accountable for their actions and not just depend on the Black president in office.” Martin, describing his preference to speak how real people speak in real life, told the audience that the community must use their collective voices to help make changes at Southern or in America. “Our silence gives the impression that we do not care,” he said. “Black advancement does not mean we stop fighting, it means we fight harder.” Khyelle Anthony, a senior mass communications and business marketing major from Los Angeles, agreed with Martin’s comments. “Whatever we want to
Student, Academic Affairs merging BY DARRIUS HARRISON EGO MAGAZINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PHOTO BY APRIL BUFFINGTON/DIGEST
Syndicated columnist and journalist Roland Martin speaks to the Southern University community Wednesday as the first speaker of the 2009- 2010 Chancellor’s Lecture Series.
funding for the university to raise a hand during his speech. He counted 19 raised hands. “Nineteen people out of the
accomplish or change in the world starts with us and we work out from there, instead of starting on a larger scale and working down.” Martin asked for anyone that went to the Capitol to ask about
See MARTIN page 3
Vacant SGA spots filled after fall elections Rogers wins Miss Freshman race; Wallace earns Student Senate seat while Taylor falls short BY MARY DAVIS DIGEST STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY WIL NORWOOD/DIGEST
Newly-elected Miss Freshman Erin Rogers gives two thumbs up to a friend taking her picture as she celebrates her victory over Breshatta Davis during Wednesday’s fall Student Government Association elections.
SCATTERED T-STORMS HIGH
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On Wednesday, students set aside time to cast their vote for the five vacant SGA senator seats and their favorite candidate for Miss Freshman. For some, Wednesday brought about excitement and enthusiasm, for others devastation. As the Fall 2009 election came to a close, many students, candidates and their supporters anticipated the final tally of votes. Students gathered around Miss Southern Sabrina Whitley as she read the final results. The results came back announcing Erin Rogers Miss Freshman. Rogers garnered 132 votes, 50 votes more than Breshatta Davis’ 82.
Davis may still get a feel of the Miss Freshman experience, as Rogers wishes to work with her and get her input. “The other girl [Davis] ran a great campaign and I would still like to get her input on things,” Rogers said. Rogers said she gives all thanks to God, as she left the turnout of the election in his hands. “I am so, so thankful, I’m so thankful to God, I knew he would allow me to gain this experience,” said Rogers immediately after the results were read. The race to fill the five vacant senior class seats in the See ELECTION page 3
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In an effort to retain students until graduation while offering a more productive university experience, Southern University’s Division of Academic Affairs has been merged with the Division of Student Affairs to provide a complete service to students while at college. “Academics and Student Affairs go hand-and-hand,” Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Mwalimu J. Shujaa said. “Students are here to complete an academic program and you don’t separate learning between the two. Learning is not limited to what takes place in the classroom,” The merger is designed to give the students what officials call a “better learning environment”. It is set to enhance personal experiences at the university by catering to students’ academic interest and private affairs concerns. Many student concerns that might otherwise be considered student affair issues affect their academic life. “For example, a student comes here and says they have a problem with their meal plan, is that just a student affairs problem, or is that a problem with that student’s life?” Shujaa explains, “(Their problem) is going to affect their studying; if they can’t get this problem resolved, it’s going to impact how well they do in the classroom as well,” Shujaa said. One program the Division of Academic and Student Affairs has already implemented, “Living Learning Communities,” has been endowed to assist in learning outside of the classroom. The program builds teacher-student relationships, provides peer mentoring, and offers an opportunity for students to interact and foster See MERGE page 3