Southern University Student Government Association campaigners are hoping to get out the vote Monday in the Fall 2012 Elections. With thirteen positions open and campaign week almost over, hopefuls anticipate voter turnout and selection at ballot time. Miss Freshman contender, JaMya Magee a freshman nursing major from Bogalusa, La. explained her campaign sprouted from courage. “I wanted to do something out of character,” Magee said. Magee seeks to get the freshman class involved in community service. While Magee spoke of assisting community, Mar’Lesha Hollins, a freshman biology major from Jackson, La. prioritizes serving as a role model and leaving a legacy with new programs. “I want to be a role model, initiate new programs,” Hollins said. Riquita Jackson, a freshman nursing major from Baton Rouge
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aims to be role model, commit to service and serve as the liaison for freshman class concerns. “My platform includes being a recruiter, positive role model for university, a advocate for community service projects around campus, the advocate for community service projects around campus, the liaison between SGA and the freshmen class as well as Southern University’s surrounding community,” Jackson said. Hollins’ platform contained similar plans. “First creating networks for freshman class, assisting Miss Southern in activities, becoming role model, taking initiative in creating programs, and civic duties as well,” Hollins said. In a position open to all classes, Men’s Federation vice president contestant Joshua Freeman, a junior mass communication major from Baton Rouge’s platform is focused on brotherhood. “It’s simple: make Men’s Federation is a brotherhood and not just an organization,” Freeman said.
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JaMya Magee’s campaign team reaches out to a prospective voter trying to get out the vote for the Fall 2012 Elections. JaMya Magee joins Riquita Jackson and Mar’Lesha Hollins in the race for Miss Freshman. Elections will take place Monday, September 17 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the Cotillion Ballroom.
Freeman plans to make Men’s Federation active in the greater Baton Rouge area and believes voters should vote for him because of his track record. “Students should vote for me because I have proven myself. I have proven myself as a leader and an advocate for change while involved,” Freeman said. Freeman serves as the Alpha Eta chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. vice president, SGA communication director and in various positions around campus. Freeman will be running against Dmitrius McGruder and Di’Shun
Melbert who were unavailable for comment. Kayla Peterson and Olivia McCann, a freshman English major from New Orleans, are in competition for freshman vice president. McCann’s platform focuses on the academic performance of the class. “To work on academics by working on helping each other with homework and projects,” McCann said. Jacque Harvey is the new freshman class president due to his run without opposition. Beyond the freshman class,
the sophomores of 2015 and the juniors of 2014 have positions to be filled as well. Travante Johnson, a sophomore political science major from Bogalusa, La. who is competitor for a sophomore senator position. “I’m running basically to assist the senate and class president and just helping my class,” Johnson said. Johnson said his determination, as a person is a major reason why students should vote for him. Jasmine White is the Association for Women Students vice president elect after qualifying without a running mate.
SUMA fights for legacy, funding Jessica Sarpy
The Southern Digest
Due to budget cuts at Southern University Baton Rouge last year, The Southern University Museum of Art was almost closed and was faced with the fight to remain relevant. With student fees increasing by at least 40 dollars due to an approved special events fee gain; SUMA is left seeking funds from other sources. Vivian Kerr, SUMA executive director said, “We’re always fighting to survive. We have to generate money to ensure that we SUMA will remain a presence in the SU community.” SUMA operates with a staff of two, with one returning as a volunteer after retirement.
“It’s kind of touch and go with volunteering and fund raising to keep the museum open. Krystal Hills retired but she volunteered to help keep the museum open,” Kerr said. The museum operates with eight galleries featuring African art and Southern University special collections. “It’s very difficult to run an operation like this without an income or staff. It’s a challenge to operate the museum with just one person but I have been able to maintain with Krystal’s help,” Kerr said. Addie Dawson-Euba, professor and chairperson of visual arts said there is a sense of urgency to address the concerns at SUMA. “As our educational intuitions
are faltering due to a weak economy, there has never been a more urgent need for museums to speak about their potential as hands-on learning environments that can support the well-being and intellectual empowerment of students, faculty, and communities,” Dawson-Euba said. To address the lack of income, staff and volunteer attrition and the fight to save the legacy, Kerr has decided to start a “Save Our SUMA” campaign. “We will be conducting the ‘Save Our SUMA’ campaign to generate money and funds to go into the foundation,” Kerr said. The campaign will aim to fundraise the needed funding and a possible petition for a SUMA fee of $5 to be added in
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African Art in the Southern University Museum of Art. The “Save Our SUMA” campaign aims to address staff attrition, lack of income for maintenance and preserve the legacy on the Baton Rouge campus.
student tuition and fees. “We have had donations from a family who have left the museum some money and those funds have kept us going for a little while. Students can always help, if every student gave $5 that would be enough to keep us functioning,” Kerr said. Kerr is open to suggestions
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for fundraising efforts and encourages students to volunteer if they can’t donate out of their pockets. If you don’t have the funds to donate you can volunteer. “Any ideas that students have See SUMA Fights page 3