The Sept. 18 Issue of the Southern Digest

Page 1

STATE & NATION

SPORTS

VIEWPOINTS

Feds fear involvement in plot. pG. 4

Homestand continues vs. Tigers. pG. 5

Also: I’m Just Asking returns! pG. 7

suspect meets feds again

From sGa president’s desk

Jaguars prepare for tsU

estABLished in 1928

WWW.SOUTHERNDIGEST.COM

Students urged to use insurance

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

Vandals strike at Mumford

by CandaCe edwards

VOL. 54, ISSUE 6

CSS seeks to help students

DIGesT sTAFF WrITer

by Mary daVis

There are some facts that many students at Southern do not know about the university. Facts like Southern being one of the only HBCUs to have a live mascot until Lacumba II died in December 2004 or the SU System is the only HBCU system. Another key fact—health insurance is included in student fees and tuition ever semester and many do not use the in-surance. Terricka Fields, office manager and Coordinator at Baranco-Hill Student Health Center said that the insurance is available to all students that are actively enrolled in the university for the semester. The insurance can only be used at the Student Health Center, meaning that all visits made at the clinic are paid for by the insurance. “You can make an appointment to be seen at the center. If needed to be seen by another physician, we will refer you to another physician,” Fields said. “Students are not to visit other doctors and expect to claim the students’ health insurance without getting a bill. It does not operate like that.” The insurance, like many health insurances, has various policies, limitations and stipu-lations that the individual must follow. One stipulation is that the insurance will only cover students at the clinic unless it is an emergency or after hours. If this is the case, students may present their insurance ID card and will have to pay a $50 outpatient deductible. The university recently switched over to a new insurance provider, Bollinger Insurance Company. The insurance be-came effective in mid-August. The insurance ID cards are available at the Health Center. “I am not too familiar with the insurance,” said LaShonda Freeman, a senior mass communications major from

The Center for Student Success offers many programs to assist students with academic issues on their journey through college. CSS offers programs such as peer tutoring and mentoring, learning assistance program/services, academic excellence programs/ services, college transition programs/services and student employment op-portunities. CSS also coordinates the Jaguar Preview Program, which is offered during the summer to introduce incoming freshman to college life. Peer tutoring, which began in August and ends Nov. 25 for the fall semester, allows students to assist other students who are having trouble in a particular subject area. Tutorial services are mostly provided for general education and introductory level courses. Tutoring services are offered Monday thru Thursday 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No appointment is needed to receive this service and it is opened to all students enrolled in the university.not just freshman. Persons interested in becoming a peer tutor or in receiving tutoring should stop by room 107 in Stewart Hall. Applications for employment are also available in the CSS office. CSS Director Nadia C. Gadson said though there are hopes of implementing new programs. There weren’t any added for this semester. Gadson, who was employed officially as director during Summer 2009, says that CSS hopes to make tutoring available via satellite locations in collaboration with John B. Cade Library, the College of Engineering, and Living Learning Communities. There are also hopes to adapt new

DIGesT sTAFF WrITer

See CAREER page 3

southern University police Department officers spent Thursday morning assessing the damage caused by vandals at A.W. Mumford stadium. Above, officers process the women’s restroom on the stadium’s east side near gates 12 and 13. At left, an officer dusts a pipe for fingerprints. sUpD officials said they found uncontaminated fingerprints at the crime scene and are looking through video surveillance footage from areas surrounding Mumford to determine suspects. The investigation is ongoing. The vandal attack comes days before the Jaguars are scheduled to host Tenneessee state in nonconference play. photos by kenyetta M. CoLLins/diGest

by darriUs harrison eGo MAGAZINe eDITor-IN-cHIeF

Mayhem struck Southern University’s A.W. Mumford Stadium Thursday as vandals destroyed a women’s restroom while damaging one of the stadium’s old locker rooms and another adjacent restroom. The vandals’ handiwork is present on both sides of the stadium, just past some of the stadium’s main entrances. “The number one thing is we are investigating this,” said Southern University Police Chief Michael Morris. “We have virgin fingerprints, which means they haven’t been contaminated.” SUPD officials estimate

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damage to be in the thousands. Surveillance videos of the stadium and in the general vicinity are under review. “It might give us a lead of who went into the (specific) area of the stadium.” Morris said. Due to the pending investigation, much has yet to be explained but it is clear that the destruction has effected more than Southern University’s football team, students, faculty and staff. “It hurts the workers out here more than anybody because we worked the past year to make this a nice place for the Southern University football team,” said Chris Kelehan, an electrician for Ernest P. Breaux Electrical

Inc., “and it’s a shame that somebody came in overnight and took it away, for the fans and everybody who plays.” Kelehan expressed his remorse for the football program. “You know, these kids worked hard their whole life to be able to come to college and to be able to play football, for somebody to come in and destroy it overnight, it’s a shame,” he said. “It really is.” As the Jaguars home game against Tennessee State Saturday approaches, it is unclear if the vandalized areas will be open to the public. If anyone has important information regarding the case, contact the SUPD at 771.2770.

See CSS page 3

CAMPUS BRIEFS...............2 STATE & NATION................4  A&E..........................6 NEWS.............................3  SPORTS......................5 VIEWPOINTS......................7 U N I V E R S I T Y ,

B A T O N

R O U G E ,

L A .


CAMPUS BRIEFS Page 2 - Friday, September 18, 2009

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THE SOUTHERN DIGEST 4 - DAY WEATHER OUTLOOK SATURDAY, SEPT. 19

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SUNDAY, SEPT. 20

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Classifieds

about The Bluff, stop by the weekly meetings Thursdays at 3 p.m. in Room 154 Stewart Hall or visit the website at http:// www.subr.edu/thebluff.

eMpLoyMent

Airport Texaco hiring cashiers for evening, weekdays and weekends shifts full-time. Excellent customer service skills beep MeetinGs req’d. Very competitive pay. Apply in person The Southern Univto Baton Rouge Metro ersity chapter of the Airport Texaco. Black Executive Exchange Program meets Tuesdays 11 a.m. in Room 222 Campus Briefs atof T.T. Allain Hall. BEEP TODAY is open to all majors campuswide. day oF beaUty

Representatives from Prestige cosmetics will be at the SU Bookstore today from noon-4 p.m. giving free makeovers. they will be showcasing the new line of cosmetics available at the bookstore and application techniques. There are a limited number of appointments. Sign up today to participate and be eligible for door prizes. “the bLUFF” onLine radio station

Would you like to enhance your radio skills either on or behind the scenes? The Mass Communications Department is providing the opportunity to all students, regardless of major, to apply to work at their online radio station called “The Bluff.” Some of the positions available include station manager, program director, disc jockey, news reporter and sports reporter. The Bluff will only be accessible on Southern’s campus. Students interested in applying should pick up an application in W.W. Stewart Hall, room 135. For more information

Center For stUdent sUCCess

Students peer tutoring is available at the Center for Student Success in Room 107 of W.W. Stewart Hall. Follow the Center for Student Success on twitter to see exciting upcoming events at twitter.com/ Jaguar_Nation. insUranCe LiCensinG CoUrses

SU’s Division of Continuing Education and College of Business will sponsor insurance licensing courses on the Baton Rouge campus. The courses, which are open to anyone interested in becoming a licensed insurance agent, will include continuing learning classes for those who are already licensed. Registration is ongoing for the classes. The starting date for the class will be determined at the end of registration. For more information about the courses or registration, call 225.771.2613. SEPT. 21 spades toUrnaMent

The Smith-Brown Me-

MONDAY, SEPT. 21

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morial Union’s Recrea- for identification purposes. tion Area will hold a spades SEPT. 25 tournament Sept. 23 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Registration is underway until Sept. CaMpUs QUeens 21. The registration is The 2009 Homecoming for teams only, with a $4 Committee announces the registration fee. registering of all campus organizational queens for Homecoming pregame sU presidentiaL searCh festivities. These forms can CoMMittee MeetinG Southern University’s be picked up in Suite 203 in Presidential Search Com- the Smith-Brown Memorial mittee, charged with con- Union. The deadline for ducting a search for the these applications is Friday, university’s next system Sept. 25. president, will hold several SEPT. 28 open meetings over the next few weeks/months honda CaMpUs aLL-star to receive input from the ChaLLenGe campus communities. Student applications for The second meeting is the 2009 Honda Campus scheduled for Thursday, All-Star Challenge’s camSept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. in pus competition are the Board of Supervisors’ being accepted now until Meeting Room, located Monday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. on the second floor of the The campus tournament J.S. Clark Administration will be held Wednesday, Building on the SUBR Sept. 30 at the Smithcampus. The open forum Brown Memorial Union. will allow SUBR, SULC Participants in the campus and SUAREC admini- competition are eligible to strators, faculty, staff, be selected to represent SU students and/or alumni as in the 2010 Honda Campus well as interested mem- All-Star Challenge National bers of the Baton Rouge Championship Tournament. community an opportunity For more information, to voice concerns and/ contact the Honors College or offer the committee at 771.4845 or go to www. comments, suggestions hcasc.com. and recommendations reSEPT. 30 lating to the presidential search. Speakers will be allowed stUdent orGaniZations three to five minutes, The Office of Student with maximum time al- Programs announces that the located depending on the due date for organizations to number of persons who register for the academic year want to address the body 2009-2010 is Wednesday, prior to the meeting. Sept. 30. Please come by Persons desiring to speak the office, located in Suite should send an e-mail to 203 of the Smith-Brown henrietta_vessel@sus.edu Memorial Union to pick up with “SU Presidential and complete forms. Search Open Forum at OCT. 9 SUBR” as the subject line soCiaL and behaVioraL sCienCes UnderGradUate researCh ConFerenCe

GET 36 ISSUES FOR JUST $40 Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Daytime Phone: (

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For more information call 225.771.2230 or mail your subscription payment of $40 to: The Southern Digest Subscriptions, PO Box 10180, Baton Rouge, LA 70813. Business, cashiers checks and money orders accepted only. No personal checks or credit card orders accepted. Make all payments to The Southern Digest.

The Department of Psychology is sponsoring the 11th Annual Social and Behavioral Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference Friday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Smith-Brown Memorial Union. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Oct. 9. For more information, contact Dr. Reginald Rackley at 225.771.2990 or e-mail cozetrichard@yahoo. com.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

sUITe 1064 – T.H.HArrIs HALL p.o. BoX 10180 – BAToN roUGe, LA 70813 225.771.2231 pHoNe / 225.771.3253 FAX WWW.soUTHerNDIGesT.coM 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 bi-weekly (Tuesday & Friday) with a run count of 6,000 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. PUBLICATION ASSOCIATIONS The southern DIGesT is a member of the Black college communications Association (BccA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), University - Wire Network (U-Wire), Associated collegiate press (Acp), college Media Advisers Association (cMA), society of professional Journalist (spJ), Full member of the Associated press (Ap) and the Louisiana press Association (LpA).

ADVERTISER MEMBERSHIPS The southern DIGesT subscribes to the American passage, Alloy M+M, 360 Youth, Zim2papers, All campus Media, ruxton Group and college publishers on-Line services. STUDENT MEDIA OFFICE www.subr.edu/studentmedia Director - TBA Assistant Director - TBA publications Asst. - Fredrick Batiste Advertising Mgr. - camelia Gardner CONTACTS (Area code 225) Advertising office - 771.2230 DIGesT Newsroom - 771.2231 student Media services- 771.3004 The Jaguar Yearbook - 771.2464 YeArBooK Newsroom - 771.4614 eGo Magazine Newsroom - 771.4614 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 land-grant 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.

The Office of Student Media is a Division of Student Affairs.

2009 FALL DIGEST STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Norman J. Dotson Jr. COPY EDITORS Kenyetta M. collins erica s. Johnson SPORTS EDITOR Larry Young Jr. PHOTO EDITOR Wil Norwood LAYOUT EDITOR Darrius Harrison

DIGEST CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mary Davis Morris Dillard rosalinda clay candace edwards DIGEST PHOTOGRAPHERS Norman J.Dotson Wil Norwood April Buffington Trevor James Justin Wooten CARTOONIST Wil Norwood

PAGE 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS & PAID CLASSIFIED INFO CLASSIFIED The southern DIGesT is not responsible for the contents, promises, nor statements made in any classified and reserve the right to reject any ad request with explanation. No classified ads will be accepted or processed over the telephone and must accept the type font sizes of The DIGesT. ALL cLAssIFIeD MUsT Be pAID IN ADVANce BY cAsHIers cHecK or MoNeY orDer. No persoNAL cHecKs AccepTeD. students must have proper ID and phone numbers to get student advertising rates. rates do not apply to students who are representatives & employees of the company. In the event an error is made in a classified ad, immediate claims and notice must be given within 15 days. The DIGesT is only responsible for oNe replacement or run in the next publication. classified are due oNe WeeK prior to run date. paid classified can be ordered by contacting the student Media Advertising Manager at 225.771.2230.

PAGE 2 / CAMPUS BRIEFS All submissions must be received by 3 p.m. each Friday for Tuesday’s Issue and by 3 p.m. each Wednesday for Friday’s Issue. pAGe 2 is only available to officially registered campus organizations, southern University Departments. All briefs should include a date, time, contact name & number. submit announcements to: The southern DIGesT - suite 1064 Harris Hall, Attn: pAGe 2 CORRECTIONS Fact and accuracy is our goal and our job. As the voice of the southern University student body we are committed to ensuring to most fair, truthful and accurate accounts of our work. In the event of an error we will make all corrections on page 2. Bring corrections to The southern DIGesT office located in suite 1064, Harris Hall.


NEWS

Friday, September 18, 2009 - Page 3

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BRIEFS

LEARNING ABOUT THE FUTURE

DIGesT NeWs serVIce

Students do not need parking tickets at SU home football games

All students, resident and commuter with a current decal will not have to pay for a parking ticket at Southern University’s home football games. Faculty and staff will have to purchase a ticket if they do not have reserved game parking for the season. Parking tickets can be purchased at the Ticket Office at 7722 Scenic Highway and on game day at the three checkpoints (Harding, Swan Street and Mills Avenue). The checkpoints will only accept cash.

BDPA to discuss social networking sites

The Black Data Processing Associates’ Baton Rouge chapter is holding a “Meet and Greet” on Sept. 29 from 6:45pm to 8:30pm in Room 218 of Moore Hall. The topic of the meeting is “Social Networking—Pros and Cons,” and will investigate the advantages and disadvantages of using social networking internet sites. Refreshments will be served. A membership meeting will take place before the session. For more information, please visit BDPA at www.bdpa.org or call 225.268.9926.

CSS to host education excellence seminar

The Center for Student Success is hosting an educational excellence seminar called “Discovering Your Learning Style” Wednesday at 1 p.m. and Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Lawless Auditorium of Stewart Hall. The seminar is designed to help students find their individual learning style and use that style to help maximize the educational process.

Student Affairs stress importance of accreditation

The Office of Student Affairs would like to stress the importance of accreditation for the upcoming visit from the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Accreditation is a quality assurance process that ensures the proper rendering of services and operations of an educational institution. Southern’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is “Writing Across the Curriculum.” The university’s mission statement is “Preparing students to compete globally in their respective professions, to engage in high quality advanced study in graduate and professional schools, and to give meaningful public service to the community, state, nation and globe.”

photo by robert FLorida/diGest

Joseph Netter (center) two-year Kraft Foods representative and sU Alumnus, instructs (from left) Danielle Dillard, Jamie Batiste (both Junior Accounting majors), Dave Matthews (senior Mechanical engineering major) and Fate Whiten (senior electrical engineering) in how to apply for prominent positions in Kraft Foods Inc.

Panel OK’s $45M in spending Improvements to Lee-Hines Field among items approved by lawmakers BY THe AssocIATeD press

Nearly $45 million in new state construction spending, ranging from drainage projects and road work to golf facilities and an animal shelter, moved ahead Thursday with approval from the State Bond Commission. One project — a children’s golf training facility at a Shreveport golf course — was approved despite questions about whether the course was struggling financially and might shut down. State Treasurer John Kennedy, chairman of the Bond Commission, asked whether the listed projects really were state priorities, but he didn’t object to their approval. The list was submitted by Gov. Bobby Jindal’s

administration, but it contained projects largely sought by state lawmakers or left over from former Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s administration, which left a backlog of commitments. The projects were approved by lawmakers in the most recent legislative session. “Are these the priorities for the state? These are the priorities for the Legislature,” said Jerry Jones, whose office supervises state-funded construction projects for the Jindal administration. The spending includes money for a bus facility in Jefferson Parish, a YMCA project in Bogalusa, an emergency operations center in St. Charles Parish, equipment for the Port of South Louisiana, an animal shelter in Washington

Parish, improvements to Southern University’s baseball stadium in Baton Rouge and a children’s playground in Caldwell Parish. Questions were raised about plans to construct “junior golf training facilities” at a golf course in Shreveport that at least two members of the Bond Commission said they had heard was shut down or might be shutting down. The Jerry Tim Brooks Golf Course was open Thursday when contacted by The Associated Press. Jones said no money will be spent on the golf course plans if the course is closed or plans to close. He said the project, slated to receive $100,000 from Thursday’s vote, was designed to teach children golf “and get them off the streets.”

Financing deal for Benson aproved BY THe AssocIATeD press

A $60 million borrowing plan to help New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson finance his purchase of several downtown New Orleans properties is nearing completion after receiving preliminary approval Thursday from the state Bond Commission. The properties — an office complex, former mall and parking garage — are a central piece of a complex deal between Gov. Bobby Jindal’s

administration and the Saints to keep the NFL team in Louisiana through 2025. The New Orleans Industrial Development Board intends to issue $60 million in bonds to help finance Benson’s purchase and redevelopment of the properties, which are next to the Superdome where the Saints play. The Bond Commission must sign off on the arrangement before the bonds can be issued. The commission approved the preliminary request

without discussion Thursday. A second vote of approval from the commission — expected as early as next month — will be needed before the decision is final. Benson is buying the former New Orleans Centre Mall, its parking garage and the Dominion Tower office building, which has been renamed Benson Tower. The team owner and his family, working under the name Zelia LLC, agreed to pay $75 million for the properties.

INSURANCE from page 1 Baton Rouge. “I have never used it before.” As opposed to LaShondra, Jimmy Mitchell, a senior therapeutic recreation and leisure studies major from Plaquemine, said that he was well aware of the insurance and has used the insurance plenty of times at the Baranco-Hill Health Center. “I have done everything to help the students be aware of the insurance that they are entitled to. It is time that the students utilize their services that we have available for them. The services are here to be used, not wasted,” Fields said. Fields also stated that once you have basic symptoms, you should go to the Student Health Center to be treated before things can get worse. “Minor things such as coughs, headaches, stomachaches do not require you to be seen by the doctor,” she said. “The majority of the time, students in those situations can walk in and get medication from our on-duty pharmacist. We offer a variety of services here at the Student Health Center. Students have the opportunity to receive some vaccinations and STD testing as well as birth control. However, these services are chargeable,” Fields said. For more information, on the insurance and its policies, visit the web site at www.bollingercollege. com/sus or visit the Student Health Center where a variety of brochures elaborating on the policies are available. You can also call Fields at the Health Center at 225.771.4770 or email her terricka_fields@subr.edu. The center is open weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. while the Women’s Clinic is open Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

CSS from page 1 programs such as the Absentee Professor Program, Guided Study Groups, and the Graduate Record Examination test and the Graduate Management Admissions Test prep. Though budget cuts are effecting everyone campuswide, Gadson, a graduate, said CSS will continue to offer superior programs and services that are inline with their mission to provide students with support that will strengthen their academic to performance and promote student success and retention. To relay more information about CSS, to students, information has become available to students via Twitter.com (jaguar_nation) as well as Facebook. “My philosophy extends from my own educational career at SUBR and beyond,” Gadson said. “Proactive and preventative versus reactive and remedial. My hope is that The Center for Student Success will follow this model.”


STATE & NATION Page 4 - Friday, September 18, 2009

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Suspect meets with FBI

Jindal bans ACORN contracts

By kristin wyatt associated press WRITER

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER—A man identified by law enforcement as having a possible link to al-Qaida met with the FBI for a second day Thursday as part of a terrorism investigation in New York and Colorado. Najibullah Zazi didn’t speak to reporters, but defense attorney Arthur Folsom said he did not expect his client to be arrested. If agents intended to jail Zazi, they probably would have done so already, he said. An official familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that Zazi had contact with a known al-Qaida associate, but would not provide details on the location or nature of the encounter. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. But the defense lawyer said Zazi has never met with alQaida operatives and isn’t

photo by ed andrieski/AP PHOTO

Attorney Arthur Folsom, wearing his tie, and his client Najibullah Zazi, behind him, are surrounded by members of the media as they arrive at the offices of the FBI in Denver where Zazi was being question for the second day on Thursday. Zazi, identified by law enforcement as having a possible link to alQaida, was questioned by agents for hours on Wednesday and returned Thursday afternoon for further questioning. The FBI searched Zazi’s apartment and the home of his aunt and uncle, both in the east Denver suburb of Aurora.

involved in terrorism. Agents questioned Zazi for hours on Wednesday and searched his apartment and the home of his aunt and uncle in the Denver suburb of Aurora. The official said agents have been monitoring Zazi and four others in Colorado as part of a terrorism investigation. The case took a strange turn when Zazi rented a car and made a cross-country trip from Denver to New York, crossing into Manhattan last week, on

the day before the Sept. 11 anniversary. He was stopped in what was described as a routine stop at the George Washington Bridge before he was allowed to go free. A relative says Zazi chose to drive to New York because he wanted to see the American countryside. Zazi says he went to New York to resolve some issues with a coffee cart that he owns in Manhattan, but officials suspected that something more sinister might have been in the works.

FBI agents and police officers armed with search warrants seeking bomb materials searched three apartments and questioned residents in the neighborhood in Queens where he was staying. A joint FBI-New York Police Department task force feared Zazi may be involved in a potential plot involving homemade hydrogen peroxidebased explosives like those cited in an intelligence warning issued Monday.

Gov. Bobby Jindal banned state offices Thursday from entering into contracts with ACORN, the community organizing group accused of wrongdoing in several states, following votes from Congress to bar federal funding to the organization. The governor also has called for a state investigation of ACORN’s activities in Louisiana. Jindal administration officials acknowledged they didn’t know of any planned spending for ACORN, didn’t locate any money for the organization in the state budget and couldn’t find any current contracts with the group or its affiliates. The only contracts that could be found with ACORN, which stands for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, expired two years ago.


SPORTS

Friday, September 18, 2009 - Page 5

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Jaguars prepare for familiar foe Things were different for Pete Richardson on Wednesday as he spoke of hat his Jaguars will have to do to defeat out-of-conference rival Tennessee State. For starters, Richardson addressed the media from the A.W. Mumford Field House for the first time—a facility he has wanted for years. Second, this is the first time Richardson hasn’t had to game plan against the swift feet and rocket arm of Antonio Heffner. Smooth sailing, right? Not so fast. In just two games TSU (1-1) has played musical chairs at the quarterback position. So far three QBs have had turns leading the offense (Jeremy Perry, Calvin McNairl and Dominic Grooms). And there is no word who will start Saturday. Although that is not necessarily bad news for the Jaguar (1-1) secondary who may be without Gary Chatman and Anthony Wells, it’s not good news either. “I don’t really know which quarterback they will play in this game, but it all starts up front,” Richardson said. “Our goal is to confuse the man throwing the ball regardless of who it is.” However, with inexperienced signal callers and a huge offensive line, Richardson expects the Tigers to establish the run first. And TSUs stats

support his theory. In their previous two games the Tigers have run the ball 69 times while passing 49. If this holds true Saturday, it could help the Jaguar secondary a great deal. “We’re dealing with individuals that are learning on the fly, especially in the secondary,” Richardson said. “If we don’t get a rush and have to blitz, and leave them strung out then they’re in trouble.” With all the unce rtainty wrapped around this game, Richardson knows things could be different. And he’s hopeful his team is up to the challenge. “A game like Central State, I think we needed that,” Richardson said. “To go through that adversity is what you have to deal with.”

Strides of Improvement

Richardson said he wants to see improvement in the offenses ability to finish off scoring drives. He wasn’t happy with the Jaguars’ execution inside of the red zone against Central State. “We cannot go down the field and blow opportunities as far as getting it in the end zone,” Richardson said. He also wants to see improvement on special teams. Without Curry Allen, who’s the usual long snapper, the Jaguar special team unit is somewhat

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photo by WIL NorWooD/DIGeSt

Southern running back Brandon Rice darts through the Central State defense during last weekend’s game. Rice and the Jaguars entertain a Tennessee State team Saturday that is coming off a hard-fought win over rival Jackson State a week ago.

S at UrDay

handicapped. Saturday three Josh Duran PAT attempts were blocked and he missed two field goals. “Our PATs and field goals have to be addressed if we’re going to be successful. We have some improving to do,” Richardson said.

Players of Week

Brian Threat (124 yards, 2 TDs) Marcus Clark (safety) Demetric Rogers (interception)

Keys to Victory

vs. 6 p.m. a.W. Mumford Stadium

SoUtherN (1-1) Control line Protect football Separate and get off blocks defensively

tennessee St. (1-1) Injuries

Gary Chatman (ankle) Warren Matthews (thigh bruise)

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Arts & ENTERTAINMent Page 6 - Friday, September 18, 2009

New Univision head embodies future MIAMI (AP) — When Cesar Conde walks into a room, his youthful looks and earnest countenance have at times led people to confuse the trim executive with an intern. But such confusion is increasingly rare. The 35-yearold was tapped last month to head Univision Networks, the most prominent holding of Univision Communications Inc. — the nation’s largest Spanishlanguage media empire. Its signature network regularly ranks fifth among all broadcast and cable networks, English or Spanish. Conde, who takes over Oct. 1, is the Miami-born son of Peruvian and Cuban immigrants who came to the U.S. “with absolutely nothing except for the spare change and the clothes they had on their back,” according to their son. He is also a Harvard graduate with an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania, embodying not only the immigrant dream but also the network’s future — including second- and thirdgeneration Hispanics drawn to the network because of cultural, as well as language ties. It is his Gen X ability to move from talk of political empowerment to market statistics to the company’s latest reality TV offerings that makes Conde such a force in shaping the future of one of the nation’s fastest growing networks. Former Secretary of State Gen. Colin L. Powell, whom Conde served as a White House Fellow from 2002 to 2003, said he quickly noticed something special about the young businessman. “It was clear to me that he had great potential,” Powell said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “I believe a person’s early accomplishments are an important signal of their future success, and Cesar has had many of them. His sense of purpose and maturity allow him to lead by bringing out the best in those around him despite his young age.” Univision, and Spanishlanguage media in general, have long embraced advocacy journalism providing a “we’re on your side” ethos for its audience, but Conde is part of a new leadership looking to expand the tradition. “Our goal is to inform, entertain and empower the Hispanic community,” Conde recently told the AP from his new Miami offices. “But it’s that third one, of empowerment, that I feel can really solidify our unique connection with our

photo by j. pat carter/ap photo

Cesar Conde, the new head of Univision Networks, talks to the media Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 at the company headquarters in Doral, Fla. about the future of the network.

audience.” With the support of Univision CEO Joe Uva, Conde pushed for the first Sunday morning news talk show, “Al Punto” or “To the Point.” He also backed the nation’s first Spanish-media presidential candidate debate. “We wanted to ensure that the Hispanic electorate was able to hear their voices on Election Day,” explained Conde. “Both Democrat and Republican candidates spoke directly to the Hispanic community about issues of importance to the Hispanic community. They weren’t speaking about the Hispanic community. It’s a subtle but important difference.” Conde was also instrumental in Univision’s “Ya es hora (Now is the time)” citizenship campaign along with National Association of Hispanic Elected and Appointed Officials and other groups. He is now helping to coordinate the second phase of the campaign to ensure Hispanics are counted in the 2010 census. Besides the signature Univision network, Conde also oversees the company’s cable channel Galavision, and its smaller network, TeleFutura. Uva, who has been a mentor to Conde, said it was his leadership abilities, his analytical skills and that uncanny maturity that made him ideal for the job. There is another benefit Conde brings. With the recent retirement of Univision President Ray Rodriguez, the company lacked a Hispanic in

its most senior corporate offices. Neither Uva, nor Univision’s majority investor Haim Saban, is Latino, nor for that matter is the CEO of rival Telemundo, Don Browne. NALEO Executive Director Arturo Vargas says Conde’s unassuming manner can fool those who have yet to hear him speak. “He walks in and you think he must be someone’s intern, and then he blows you away,” Vargas said. Vargas recalled complaining to Conde after learning Univision did not plan to air one of the last presidential debates between Barack Obama and John McCain. After the conversation, the debate aired live. Conde has also helped push Univision to innovate on the entertainment side. An avid fan of reality shows, he has encouraged tweaks for the Hispanic market, such as more background on the contestants’ life stories — important for a large immigrant audience that so easily identifies with the struggle against adversity. He championed an edgy Web-only telenovela or Spanish-language soap opera about a Los Angeles magazine editor, frustrated with the pool of eligible men, who opts for artificial insemination. Conde hopes the Web will become a petri dish for network experimentation but he insists the one thing that remains timeless, even with younger generations, are telenovelas. According to Nielsen Media

Research, during prime-time, when telenovelas rule, Univision came in second in the ratings for July, after FOX, among U.S. networks for the coveted 18-34 year-old demographic. Yet there lies Univision’s greatest challenge, demonstrating the company’s massive influence in the Hispanic community is about more than language and nostalgia and that it won’t be diminished by the assimilation of second and third generations. That growing influence is becoming more visible. More than a dozen members of Congress and the Obama administration have appeared on “Al Punto” since it first aired in 2007. And corporate sponsors, including big names like General Mills, have been pouring money into Spanishlanguage advertising at a time when they are cutting back elsewhere. General Mills has ramped up its spending in the sector so much over the last five years that it is now the top food company advertiser in Spanishlanguage media. “A significant portion of that is Univision,” said Rodolfo Rodriguez, director of Multicultural Marketing at General Mills, adding that the company has seen a double digit increase in sales as a result. And Univision is now producing many of their ads. “Univision delivers an audience that we’re not already reaching today,” he said.

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NBC scores with football, ‘Talent’ NEW YORK (AP) — Football scored a touchdown in the ratings last week and, as usual, “America’s Got Talent” showed its talent for attracting an audience, according to Nielsen Media Research. A pair of NFL games claimed the top spots in the prime-time ratings roster, with four other football-related shows also landing in the Top 10. Meanwhile, editions of “America’s Got Talent” took fifth and 10th place as the NBC competition series neared its finale. Among the early fall series premieres, Fox’s “Glee” ranked 19th place with a robust 7.44 million viewers. The CW’s “Vampire Diaries” ranked 40th, with 4.91 million viewers. And that network’s revived “Melrose Place” ranked 92nd, with 2.31 million. Ratings and average audience figures for each network were not available from Nielsen by Wednesday afternoon. Among the evening newscasts, ABC’s “World News” was on top with 7.24 million viewers (4.9 household rating, 10 share). NBC’s “Nightly News,” the frontrunner for nearly a year, was right behind with an average of 7.15 million viewers (4.9 rating, 10 share). During this irregular holiday week, all three newscasts were measured head-to-head just two nights, both of which NBC won. The “CBS Evening News” had 5.16 million viewers (3.6 rating, 7 share). A ratings point represents 1,149,000 households, or 1 percent of the nation’s estimated 114.9 million TV homes. The share is the percentage of inuse televisions tuned to a given show. For the week of Sept. 7-13, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships were: NFL Football (Sunday): Chicago at Green Bay, NBC, 21.10 million; NFL Football (Thursday): Tennessee at Pittsburgh, NBC, 20.91 million; Sunday Night NFL Pre-kick, NBC, 17.00 million; Thursday Night NFL Pre-kick, 15.53 million; “America’s Got Talent” (Tuesday), NBC, 12.03 million; “Football Night in America” (Sunday), NBC, 11.99 million; “The OT,” Fox, 11.34 million; “NCIS,” CBS, 11.22 million; “60 Minutes,” CBS, 10.52 million; “America’s Got Talent” (Wednesday), NBC, 10.06 million.

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Friday, September 18, 2009 - Page 7

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20 Questions I’M JUST ASKING STATEMENT

I’M JUST ASKING is for entertainment purposes only. These remarks do not represent the opinions of the DIGEST staff, Southern University or the Office of Student Media Services.

1. What idiot thought it would be a good idea to beat up the bathroom in Mumford? 2. Was it The Juggernaut? 3. Is the career fair ever for more than just engineers and nurses? 4. Did everyone get their refund check? 5. Did anyone’s refund check bounce? 6. Who thought the football score was a misprint? 7. Did Central State come back and trash our stadium after we trashed their team? 8. Did the Jaguar football team score more points than the men’s basketball team will? 9. Who is the kid selling pecan candy in the computer lab? 10. Is he part of the administration’s relief team for the budget cuts? 11. Are you still crying about the Digest? Have you applied yet? 12. Looking for your yearbook? Us too! 13. Does LiveText cost more than most of your books? 14. Where have “The Questions” been? 15. Is it too early to make jokes about the Crabs? 16. Does anyone else feel like their playing a game of “Where’s Lomotey”? 17. Are you afraid your seat in Mumford is going to be taken next? 18. Will the Athletic Department have a car wash? 19. Will B-Lee and J-Stew sell tickets to the car wash? 20. Is Kanye doing bad when even the President calls him names? —BONUS QUESTION— 21. Are you kind of wishing Kanye will try to interrupt the President from speaking and say Clinton had better press conferences?

From the SGA President’s desk SPEAK OUT For many years, Southern University has been a school of excellence and success. Most of all, it has been a school of tradition. Tradition holds that the students of Southern University always sit at the fifty yard line of A.W. Mumford Stadium, otherwise known as Section Nine. This year, however, the administration has decided to sell all 1,100 seats in Section Nine to the alumni, leaving the students to sit in Sections Eleven through Thirteen. Not only did the administration not come to the students for input before they made their decision, they didn’t even make an effort to inform the students of the change. So when the students who normally sat in Section Nine entered the stadium at the first home game this past Saturday, they were in for a shock when they were told they had to sit in a new section, and if they attempted to sit in Section Nine they would be “removed by force under order of the Fire Marshall”. As students at Southern University, we have a right to sit in these seats. We even pay for the seats in our tuition, nearly $300 a semester. In 2005, the athletics department came to the students and said they

STANLEY WHITE JR. SG A PRESIDENT

were in a deficit and gave the students an ultimatum. The students could either go up $25 on their athletic fees or lose their fifty yard line seats. The students agreed to up the money and were able to keep their seats. This time around, the athletics department kept the deficit problem to themselves and, without the students, made the decision to sell the fifty yard line seats to the alumni, leaving the students “seatless”. It is our job as students to voice our concern about this seating issue to the administration. If we don’t stand up to them now, they will continue to walk all over us, just like they did with the refund checks. We must stand together as a student body and be “One Accord on the Yard”. The Freshman Class President, Myeisha Webb, is working through the Student

Government Association to rally the students as one to get our seats back. Until the administration is willing to work out a deal with the students, the students will be demonstrating from Section Eleven at every home game and wearing red because they are “bleeding for their seats”. It is vital to the cause that all students participate in student events, such this demonstrating because if we aren’t all standing for one thing, we will fall for anything. The administration will continue to walk over us if we don’t put a stop to it now. We students must continue to keep our heads up in these trying times. Don’t let the few negative people influence the views of the positive individuals. Remember that one bad apple spoils the bunch; don’t be that apple. We must take pride in our school, from the little things like keeping the campus clean, all the way to the current seating issue. Let’s all work together for the greater good and remain “One Accord on the Yard”.

Did you get your refund check? If so, how did you use the money? BY wil norwood

Digest Photographer

andrea frank seattle senior psychology

“Yes, I got my refund check in a timely manner. I frank have not spent it yet because I’m saving it to use for a down payment for a car! ‘Beep! Beep!’”

ashleish ike baker junior social studies education

“Yes, I have recieved my refund check but ike I am saving my money, being that we are in a recession.”

lacresha haton

Peace and Blessings,

new orleans senior elementary education

Stanley White Jr. SGA President

“Yes. I paid an overdue balance at my apartment complex and bought some clothes.” haton

taresha williams new orleans freshman nursing

“Yeah, I got my refund. I bought the rest of my books, williams supplies, paid bills and added funds to my meal card. I saved the rest. ” SUBMISSIONS POLICY

The Southern DIGEST welcomes letters from readers commenting on current issues and other matters of general interest to the SU family and public. We set aside this space to publish these letters for others to enjoy. This newspaper is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on its editorial and opinion pages. The Southern DIGEST reserves the right to edit any contributions and or reject them without notification. Authors are encouraged to limit the length of submissions to 300 words. Letters should not include libelous statements. Offensive and personal attacks will not be permitted. The DIGEST will not print “open letters” addressed to someone else. All contributions must be type written, signed and must include the author’s address and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Southern University students should include their majors, hometowns and year in school. When referring to specific DIGEST articles, please include the date and title. All materials should be directed to the editor in chief of The Southern DIGEST, P.O. Box 10180, Baton Rouge, La. 70813. Materials may be delivered by hand to the DIGEST office located in Suite 1064 Harris Hall or can be e-mail to digest@ subr.com.

Editorial policy

Staff editorials represent the opinions of the author and the majority opinion of the Southern DIGEST Student Editorial Board, which is comprised of the student staff of editors and columnists. The Southern DIGEST provides an open forum to educate, inform and enlighten the students, faculty and staff at Southern University, Baton Rouge, La.


Page 8 - Friday, September 18, 2009

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