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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2009
VOL. 54, ISSUE 8
Concerns aired in SU open forum By norMan J. Dotson Jr. DIGEST INTERIM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Southern University System Presidential Search committee held a public forum Thursday to obtain opinions and concerns of the faculty, staff and students on the Baton Rouge campus. This was the third in a series of open forums held on each campus in SU’s System. The first being held on the Shreveport campus and the second at Southern-New Orleans. The forum is open to everyone with a stake in Southern University, according to committee head Murphy Bell, and was a tool designed to help the committee make a decision that would please everyone in the system (faculty, staff, and students). “The school has to improve in a number of different ways, one which is to go out and raise money other than from the state of Louisiana. Our next president is going to have to take us to the next level which makes this a very critical presidential search process.” Bell said. The floor was then opened to anyone present who wanted to express their feelings or
concerns on this matter to the committee. According to Raymond Lockett, a committee member and Chairperson over the Department of History, there were a lot more students present at this forum than at any of the previous two held on the other campuses. “I can tell you what the average student is looking for in a president,” stated Jerry Jones, senior political science major, he continued “integrity and someone who is honest, not only with his colleagues that sit in this room, but also the students that sit in front of the union and don’t know if their programs will be accredited next year and years afterwards. I can also tell you that students are looking for someone who can come forward and raise money and not raise money for Bayou Classic vendors and things of that nature. Also we need someone who will draw attention to the school in a positive light because it seems easy for the people we select draw attention on issues in a negative light. We need someone to lead this institution away from the river and not to the river.”
Stadium case still open By BIlly washInGton DIGEST CONTRIBUTING WRITER
that a presidential candidate should recognize the overall appearance of the university and do what is necessary to improve Southern’s campuses. Marilyn
Last Thursday, vandals demolished parts of Southern University’s A.W. Mumford Stadium and there has been no information regarding this pending investigation that could lead to any suspects. “The stadium restroom and locker room repairs are complete,” said Southern University Police Chief Michael Morris, “but the vandals are still at large.” Though there were fingerprints left behind, the vandals have never been arrested before to be inducted into the criminal system and there have been no leads communicated to SUPD officials. “We are hoping that students will give us information on this incident because vandals usually talk and brag about their doings,” Morris said. “Once we have a lead, we can check the lead’s suspect for fingerprints and find
See forum page 3
See stadium page 3
fIle photo By norMan J. Dotson Jr./DIGest
Physics professor Diola Bagayoko expresses his thoughts on the quailties needed in a good president at Thursday afternoons Presidential Search Public forum . He also spoke passionately about concerns on other issues facing the university.
Others were also in attendance to express their feelings on the situation such as two-time SU graduate Tia Mims, receiving both her bachelor’s and master’s degree from the College of Arts and Humanities. According to Mims she felt
SU Law Center expansion at work By Mary DaVIs DIGEST STAFF WRITER
photo By aprIl BuffInGton/DIGest
The Southern University Law Center opened its doors to a $4.1 million addition to its students and faculty this semester.
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Over the years, the Southern University Law Center has witnessed an overall steady increase in the number of persons enrolling into the program. Though already one of the nation’s top law centers, A.A. Lenoir Hall has recently undergone some changes, which, may hopefully place it in the first tier of top law schools in the nation. A.A. Lenoir Hall, which was in established in 1947, has been under renovations for the last 360 days. Though recently completed, plans for renovations date back to 1998.
The new additions, which left a $4.1 million hole in the center’s budget, are located in the building’s north wing and include three new classrooms, new faculty offices and lounges, seminar rooms, faculty/ staff restrooms and student restrooms. All classrooms are equipped with the latest technology such as smart boards and drop-down screens, which are manageable via a podium located in front of the classroom. The two classrooms located on the first floor seat up to 64 students, while the one on the top floor seats up to 54 students. There are also hopes of constructing a parking garage behind Lenoir
and Higgins Hall that will allow parking for 600 to 800 cars. Chancellor Freddie Pitcher Jr., who has been chancellor for approximately six years, hopes the garage will provide more safety to students and influence a better flow of traffic. Administration in the law center is hoping to make a proposal to the board in October about the parking garage. All renovations were financed through federal Title III funds accumulated over a period of time. No state funds were used during the renovating process. The additional classrooms See suLC page 3
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