September 27th issue of The Southern Digest

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Tennis gets three-peat; football falls to FAMU see Sports, page 7

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SU could learn from science see Commentary, page 11

SU launches ‘text to give’ effort

Llorens discusses budget Christie Carral

The Southern Digest

Lauren Johnson

The Southern Digest

Ever wanted to give back to the university personally but didn’t have the time nor convenience?

Southern University has launched its “Text to Give Campaign”, which allows any supporters of the Jaguar Nation to donate a one-time amount of $10 by simply texting “SUJAGS” to 80888 from their mobile device.

The idea of “texting to give” is a branch of the Save our S.U. campaign, more commonly known as S.O.S., which is a constant campaign with the priority of providing funding to minor and major activities that are essential to garnering donations for SU from the ”Text to Give” campaign will fund scholarships, tuition and a overall betterment for the students.

Due to the campaign’s recent launch, there isn’t a solid amount of money being raised yet but “the sky is the limit,” said Southern University System of Funding (SUSF) Director of Developments Tracie Abraham.

“We know that our younger alumni are text savvy and we want to give them the opportunity to engage and make

a difference in their university,” said Abraham. “I encourage everyone to give students, parents, staff and alumni. Lets see what the Jag Nation is made of.”

“I bleed Blue and Gold, I’m a two time graduate and I will do everything to save and support my school,” said Abraham.

Other universities such as Howard University, Morehouse University, Florida A&M University and Thurgood Marshall University have all engaged in the “Text to Give” campaign to raise money.

The SUSF is informing the public of the new and innovative way of donating through press release, Facebook, Twitter, football games, marquee on campus and SUBR homepage.

For the betterment of the students SUSF host other profitable events such as other mini campaigns and the radiothon during

homecoming week on Oct. 28.

This year the SUSF are partnering with the Human Jukebox to host the Jag Fest.

The Jag Fest is a celebration of the S.U Marching band that will be held on Oct. 22 at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. The Jag Fest will include a Jambalaya Cook-Off ,an opportunity to enjoy the Human Jukebox, and a special appearance from Cupid, best known for creating the “Cupid Shuffle”.

“We want to move forward and let people forget the past, I feel that people shouldn’t look back because you’re going to fall over while walking ahead,” said Abraham.

“Thinking outside the box is what we need to do and I believe launching the ‘Text to Give’ campaign is doing just that. The faculty, staff and students need to start promoting positive aspects of Southern and not the negative.”

Obama defends push to raise taxes MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Inviting questions, President Barack Obama got one he was happy to answer.

“Would you please raise my taxes?” one man asked the president at a town hall here Monday, hosted by the social networking company LinkedIn. The questioner described himself as unemployed by choice after succeeding at a search-engine startup company that did “quite well” — he was later identified as former Google executive Doug Edwards — and said he wants the nation to spend more on education, infrastructure and

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Friday

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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Associated Press

Thursday

job training. That gave Obama a chance to promote his nearly $450 billion jobs plan that would be paid for by higher taxes opposed by Republicans but not, evidently, by some of Silicon Valley’s wealthiest.

“I appreciate the fact that you recognize that we’re in this thing together. We’re not our own,” Obama said. “Those of who have been successful have always got to remember that.”

In a session dominated by economic concerns, the president plugged his jobs agenda in fielding questions on the employment picture, education, Medicare and Social Security. The president spoke midway through a three-state Western swing built largely

photo by paul sakuma/AP PHOTO

President Obama gestures during a LinkedIn Town Hall Meeting at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif., Monday as he participates in Putting America Back to Work: LinkedIn Presents a Town Hall with President Obama.

around fundraising for himself and other Democrats.

Obama is in a deadlock with congressional Republicans, including House leaders, over raising taxes as part

of a formula for helping a staggering economy. He has put forward a debt-reduction See Jobs Talk page 3

the official student newspaper of southern university and A&m college, baton rouge, louisiana

Last Wednesday Southern University at Baton Rouge chancellor James Llorens met with the Board of Regents to present a prospective budget of $78.3 million, for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, which was deferred for 60 days until preapproval.

According to Llorens, the university has a deadline to meet to report enrollment to the Board of Regents after the first 14 days of class. This deadline aids in setting a budget for the university.

Southern University was the only school budget to be deferred, while two others, Louisiana Agricultural Center and Pinnacle Medical, were approved conditionally Llorens reports.

Llorens reported that the budget was projected for 7,000 students, but the university reported 6,897 during the planning of the budget, although, students were still enrolling after the deadline which made enrollment 6,997 after the planned budget.

Llorens stated that the Board of Regents deferred the budget to see how the university would stand financially.

“The most critical thing for us is to maintain a close analysis of our spending,” says Llorens.

Although the budget was deferred, Llorens stated that the university does not have to make another budget.

Llorens said that a financial exigency only means we are facing declining revenues, declining enrollment, and etc.

“Financial exigency does not imply we are not able to operate,” states Llorens. “It just gives us more flexibility to deal with the budget.”

According to Llorens, if the university had declared financial exigency, the Board of Regents would have probably approved the 2011-2012 budget.

“We are not on the verge of closing,” Llorens said.

Llorens stated that if the university has to make cuts, the first cuts would be targeted to those departments with fewer enrollments and less graduation rates.

Campus Life southerndigest.com

Page 2 - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Classifieds

don’t know how to go about taking a test, whether multiple choice or essay, you won’t score the highest possible mark.

Seminars will be held Sept.

26 from 4-4:50 p.m., Sept.27 from 2-2:50 p.m. and Sept. 28 from 1-1:50 p.m. in Lawless Auditorium of W.W. Stewart Hall.

apartments for rent

Apt. homes available @ The Palisades. 7801 Scenic Hwy., Baton Rouge, La., 70807.

WANT TO BUY

WANTED TO BUY 1973 SU Jazz Band record album.

Also 1950, 1980 45rpm records. Call 225.687.8076.

SEPTEMBER 28

Campus Briefs

SPADES TOURNAMENT

Smith-Brown Memorial Union will be hosting a Spades Tournament. Grab a partner and register. Teams must pay $4 registration fee (per team) and sign up Sept. 26- Oct. 5.

The tournament will be on October 12 from 5-8 p.m. in LaCumba’s Playpen. The top two teams will receive trophies and prizes.

today SU TV AUDIO

SUTV is experiencing technical difficulties. Their audio on SUTV 75 is currently low and distorted. If you have any questions about when the audio will be working properly, etc. please call 225.771.5119 BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL IN SU BARBER SHOP

MADDEN 12 TOURNAMENT

Every Monday beginning Sept. 12th the SU barber shop will offer a “Back to School Special”. Students can receive a $2.00 discount off a student haircut. This special is only during the month of Sept. between the hours of 11a.m.3p.m. Students should bring in this coupon and ask for Rob to redeem the discount. For any questions call 225.771.3693

Smith-Brown Memorial Union will be hosting a Madden 12 Tournament.

The tournament will be on September 28 in LaCumba’s Playpen. Trophies will be presented to the 1st and 2nd place winners.

SENIOR CLASS EXTRAVAGANZA & NAACP VOTER APPROCIATION

The Senior Class and NAACP invites you to the Union Courtyard on September 28 from 12-2p.m. for a celebration. Join them for food, music, prizes, and fun.

MARCH MADNESS: MID-TERM MOTIVATION

Seems like the semester will never end! How many more days until Fall break??

If you are wondering how you are going to keep the energy flowing until the break, then come out to hear how other students stay motivated and get the job done! You will be glad you did! Seminars will be held Sept. 26 from 4-4:50 p.m., Sept.27 from 2-2:50 p.m. and Sept. 28 from 1-1:50 p.m. in Lawless Auditorium of W.W. Stewart Hall.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

The Southern University Center for Social Research, Collegiate 100 Black women, Collegiate 100 Black Men present a HIV/AIDS awareness event, “Setting the record straight” in Higgins Hall Sept.

28 at 7 p.m. Come out and get valuable information, hear speakers, play games, and leave more knowledgeable than you came. october 1

TEST TAKING SKILLS

Studying is only a part of getting good results on your exam. No matter how hard you study as a student if you

SU NURSING APPLICATIONS

Applications for the School of Nursing for the Spring 2012

semester are now available online at www.subr.edu. Click on Academic Affairs and follow the School of Nursing Undergraduate program link. All students must meet the following criteria; have been admitted to Southern University-BR, Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.6, Submit ACT/SAT scores and writing proficiency score, Complete all courses listed in the first three semesters of nursing curriculum with a minimum of C in each course. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2011. october 19-20

The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Who’s Speaking Out? How are you preparing for midterm week?

Shanae Bazile

Gilleon Gillis

New orleans junior nursing

Plaquemine sophomore electrical engineering

“Instead of waiting until midterm week to Bazile begin studying, begin now, avoid craming and use my time wisely.”

“By simply attending all of my classes and putting in long hours of studying.”

Gillis

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ALOCHOL AWARENESS WEEK

The Southern University Counseling Center presents National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week Wednesday, Oct. 19 and Thursday, Oct. 20.

Wednesday’s events include “Drunken Goggles” and “BYOB (Bring Your Own Bananas)” from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the front lawn of the SmithBrown Memorial Union.

Thursday’s events include “Mocktails” from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the union. Can you make an award-winning non-alcoholic beverage? Prove it. Register to participate in Happy Hour with Mocktails.

Contact the UCC for more information at 225.771.2480.

Shaquille Dillon

Tevoy Dyson

Franklinton, la. junior Political science

Franklinton, la. junior Political science

“Devoting more time to studying and not procrastinating when it comes to midterm.”

Dillon

“Practicing good time management Dyson skills, and staying focus in class so when midterms week arrives, i’ll be prepared.”

FALL 2011 WRITING PROFICIENCY EXAM

The Writing Proficiency Examination is scheduled for October 20. Only those students who have officially registered will be allowed to take the test.

The WPE must show up on the student’s class schedule.

Students currently enrolled in Freshman Composition 111 will take the WPE as their final exam. Student need to sign in at appointed sites by 3:45 p.m. NO STUDENT WILL BE ADMITTED AFTER 3:45 P.M. Last names A-L report to School of Nursing Auditorium and M-Z report to Stewart Hall Auditorium.

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News southerndigest.com

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - Page 3

The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926

State Dept. hears from state on pipeline Maria Sudekum Fisher The Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. — Environmentalists told officials from the U.S. State Department on Monday they opposed the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline, claiming it would move a “dirtier” and “environmentally devastating form of energy” from Canada through Kansas and other states to the Texas coast.

Rabbi Moti Rieber, coordinator of the Kansas Interfaith Power & Light, said he and others in his coalition, disagreed with the State Department’s report, which said there are unlikely to be any serious environmental problems with the proposed 1,700-mile pipeline.

Rieber said he strongly opposed the pipeline, which he called a “direct threat” to the Kansas environment.

“Exploring tar sands will keep us hooked on this form of oil for another 50 years,” Rieber said. “The Keystone XL pipeline represents not energy independence but a new dependence on an even dirtier environmentally devastating form of energy.

“An energy policy that moves the nation toward an even dirtier form of oil and involves such devastation of God’s creation represents a profound moral failure,” he said.

Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, kicked off the meeting, attended by about 200 supporters and opponents, said that while he supports exploring alternative energy sources like wind and solar, he also supports building the $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline because “for the foreseeable able future we’re going to need oil.”

photo by jeff mcintosh/ap photo

This Sept. 19, 2011 aerial photo shows a tar sands mine facility near Fort McMurray, in Alberta, Canada. Environmentalists hoping to block a proposed underground oil pipeline that would snake 1,700 miles from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico have pinned their hopes on an unlikely ally — the conservative state of Nebraska where opposition to Keystone XL pipeline has risen steadily since the project was proposed three years ago. Public hearings will start Sept. 27, in Lincoln on the 16-inch steel pipe that if built would carry oil extracted from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma to refineries in Texas.

“I think this is an important security for the United States,” Brownback said.

“I have been at the front end and the back end of this pipeline. I have been where the oil sands are developed and processed in Canada, and I’ve been to oil refineries in Kansas where they use the oil sands,” he said.

“The idea of us being able ... to have that oil source from a friendly nation that’s next door rather than shipping oil in tankers from half way around the world in a many times unstable environment is a good thing for us. It’s a good thing for America, a good thing for Kansas.”

David Barnett, financial secretary for the Pipeliners Union 798, of Tulsa, Okla., said losing the pipeline would cost his members “up in the millions of dollars” in paychecks.

“If common sense prevails it should get approved,” Barnett said before the three-hour meeting began. “We have the world’s best welders, pipefitters ... ready to build this project, and I think this project will start literally the next day once they decide.”

Several other members of labor unions, citing high unemployment figures and tough economy, also said they want to see the project move forward.

The pipeline would move tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, and hook up to Calgary-based TransCanads’s existing pipelines and move oil to Oklahoma and the Gulf of Mexico.

The meetings Monday in Topeka and Port Arthur, Texas, kick off this week’s series of hearings on the Keystone XL pipeline with meetings Monday in Topeka, Kan., and Port Arthur, Texas.

Officials from the State Department said they don’t plan to answer any questions, reserving most of the time for comments from the public.

Other meetings have been scheduled this week in Montana, South Dakota, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Even in that deeply conservative state there is growing concern about the pipeline’s effect on the Ogallala Aquifer, a vast subterranean reservoir that spans a large swath of the Great Plains and provides water to much of Nebraska and seven other states.

making over $250,000.

Obama said he did not want to punish the rich, but rather to return income tax rates to the level of the 1990s that he said were fair.

“During that period, the rich got richer,” the president said. “The middle class expanded. People rose out of poverty.”

Edwards, former director of consumer marketing and brand management for Google, encouraged Obama to “stay strong” in his push for higher taxes on the wealthy.

Obama also made no apologies for Wall Street regulation and environmental rules and doesn’t buy the GOP charge they’re costing jobs.

The event was at the Computer History Museum, near LinkedIn’s Silicon Valley headquarters.

Referring to the countries of Europe, Obama said they have not fully dealt with banking crises, and now the struggles in Greece have compounded the problem.

“So they are going through a financial

crisis that is scaring the world and they’re trying to take responsible actions, but those actions haven’t been quite as quick as they need to be,” he said.

Obama is on the road selling both his jobs plan and his own re-election.

The town hall was the White House’s latest attempt to meld oldschool campaigning with new media capabilities.

It comes midway through a threeday West Coast swing that includes seven fundraisers. Obama is racing to collect cash ahead of a Friday quarterly fundraising deadline that will provide a snapshot of the president’s strength against the gelling GOP field.

Obama has been using the events to try out his newly aggressive tone with supporters who have been disappointed with the president’s compromises with the GOP. The president is mixing frontal attacks on Republicans with words of encouragement intended to buck up the faithful as the 2012 campaign revs up.

Jobs Talk from page 1 plan that would raise $1.5 trillion in new revenue, including about $800 billion over 10 years from repealing the Bushera tax cuts for couples making more than $250,000.

Obama also said the financial crisis rippling through Europe is “scaring the world” and that steps taken by European nations to stem the eurozone debt problem “haven’t been as quick as they need to be.” His reference to the European debt crisis came on the heels of remarks by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who over the weekend urged governments to unite with the European Central Bank to help defuse the “most serious risk now confronting the world economy.”

In the short term, Obama wants Congress to cover the cost of his jobs plan by, among other changes, limiting the itemized deductions for charitable contributions and other deductions that can be taken by individuals making more than $200,000 a year and families

Page 4 - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926

State & Nation southerndigest.com

The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Obama urges blacks to fight Mark S. Smith The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — In a fiery summons to an important voting bloc, President Barack Obama told blacks on Saturday to quit crying and complaining photo by manuel balce ceneta/AP PHOTO and “put on your marching President Barack Obama greets actor Cuba Gooding at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation shoes” to follow him into battle Foundation Annual Phoenix Awards in Washington Saturday. for jobs and opportunity.

But Obama said blacks know in their discontent — especially a Democratic rout that And though he didn’t say it Obama acknowledged as a directly, for a second term, too. all too well from the civil rights over black joblessness.

“If Bill Clinton had been in “shellacking.”

Obama’s speech to the struggle that the fight for what Where blacks had turned out the White House and had failed annual awards dinner of the is right is never easy.

“Take off your bedroom to address this problem, we in droves to help elect him in Congressional Black Caucus was his answer to increasingly slippers. Put on your marching probably would be marching on 2008, there was a sharp dropvocal griping from black leaders shoes,” he said, his voice the White House,” the caucus off two years later.

Some 65 percent of eligible that he’s been giving away too rising as applause and cheers chairman, Rep. Emanuel much in talks with Republicans mounted. “Shake it off. Stop Cleaver of Missouri, recently blacks voted in 2008, compared with a 2010 level that polls -- and not doing enough to fight complainin’. Stop grumblin’. told McClatchy Newspapers.

Like many Democratic estimate at between 37 percent black unemployment, which Stop cryin’. We are going to is nearly double the national press on. We have work to do.” lawmakers, caucus members and 40 percent. Final census Topping the to-do list, he were dismayed by Obama’s figures for 2010 are not yet average at 16.7 percent.

“It gets folks discouraged. said, is getting Congress to the concessions to the GOP during available, and it’s worth noting I know. I listen to some of pass jobs bill he sent to Capitol the summer’s talks on raising off-year elections typically the government’s borrowing draw far fewer voters. y’all,” Obama told an audience Hill two weeks ago.

This year’s caucus speech Obama said the package limit. of some 3,000 in a darkened Cleaver famously called the came as Obama began cranking Washington convention center. of payroll tax cuts, business But he said blacks need to tax breaks and infrastructure compromise deal a “sugar- up grass-roots efforts across the Democratic spectrum. have faith in the future — and spending will benefit 100,000 coated Satan sandwich.”

It also fell on the eve of a But Cleaver said his members understand that the fight won’t be black-owned businesses and won if they don’t rally to his side. 20 million African-American also are keeping their gripes in trip to the West Coast that will “I need your help,” Obama workers. Republicans have check because “nobody wants combine salesmanship for the indicated they’re open to some to do anything that would jobs plan he sent to Congress said.

The president will need black of the tax measures — but empower the people who hate this month and re-election fundraising. turnout to match its historic oppose his means of paying for the president.”

Obama was leaving Sunday Still, Rep. Maxine Waters, 2008 levels if he’s to have a shot it: hiking taxes on top incomeD-Calif., caused a stir last morning for Seattle, where two at winning a second term, and earners and big business.

But at times, Obama also month by complaining that money receptions were planned, Saturday’s speech was a chance to speak directly to inner-city sounded like he was discussing Obama’s Midwest bus tour had with two more to follow in the bypassed black districts. She San Francisco area. his own embattled tenure. concerns.

On Monday, Obama is “The future rewards those told a largely black audience He acknowledged blacks have suffered mightily because who press on,” He said. “I in Detroit that the caucus is holding a town meeting at of the recession, and are don’t have time to feel sorry “supportive of the president, the California headquarters of LinkedIn, the business frustrated that the downturn for myself. I don’t have time to but we’re getting tired.”

Last year, Obama addressed networking website, before is taking so long to reverse. “So complain. I’m going to press the same dinner and implored going on to fundraisers in San many people are still hurting. on.”

Caucus leaders remain blacks to get out the vote in Diego and Los Angeles and a So many people are barely hanging on,” he said, then fiercely protective of the the midterm elections because visit Tuesday to a Denver-area added: “And so many people nation’s first African-American Republicans were preparing to high school to highlight the school renovation component in this city are fighting us every president, but in recent weeks “turn back the clock.”

What followed was of the jobs package. they’ve been increasingly vocal step of the way.”

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - Page 5

Seminar scrapped after bid Melinda Deslatte The Associated Press

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration canceled plans for a training seminar involving one of his little-known opponents within two weeks of the Democratic candidate entering the governor’s race.

Androniki “Niki Bird” Papazoglakis said Monday that she blames the cancellation of a planned January seminar for social workers on her sign-up for the Oct. 22 ballot.

“This is clearly the punitive aspect of this administration,” she said of Jindal, a Republican seeking election to a second term.

Papazoglakis has never before run for office and hasn’t raised enough money to mount a significant challenge to the governor. She is policy director of a nonprofit that advocates for domestic violence and sexual abuse victims, called PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment.

Papazoglakis said PAVE leaders had been talking with the Department of Children and Family Services about a $5,000 speaking contract for the seminar until last week. On Friday, the department notified Papazoglakis and PAVE’s executive director Angela Rose that the seminar was scrapped because of budget woes.

“You and the organization you represent are to be commended for advocating for victims of violence. At this time due to budget issues we will not be able to proceed with the training as discussed. We apologize for any inconveniences that this may have caused,” Patsy Johnson, with DCFS, said in an email to Papazoglakis and Rose provided to The Associated Press.

A spokesman for the department didn’t immediately respond Monday to a request for comment about the canceled seminar.

But the Democratic candidate said she had no doubt that politics was involved.

“When they realized I was in the governor’s race, they said ‘budget cuts, can’t do it, don’t hold the date,’” Papazoglakis said.

PAVE had been involved in a previous training in June with the Louisiana State Police to give information to prosecutors, district attorneys and other law enforcement agents about the “complex issues and perspectives surrounding sexual violence,” according to a news release about the event.

Page 6 - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926

China scales back military ties Jim Kuhnhenn The Associated Press

photo by jacquelyn martin/AP PHOTO

Dan Lemieux, with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, holds a piece of “spalled stone” from the Washington Monument during a news conference by the National Park Service, in Washington, Monday to update the extent of damage sustained to the Washington Monument from the Aug. 23 earthquake.

Inspection next up for monument The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Engineers will begin rappelling down the sides of the Washington Monument on Tuesday to check for cracks and other damage from the surprisingly strong East Coast quake last month.

Numerous cracks and chips were found inside the iconic national landmark after the 5.8-magnitude quake Aug. 23 that rattled the capital and the region from the border with Canada to the Georgia seacoast.

The Washington Monument remains closed indefinitely to visitors because of the damage and the National Park Service said Monday that there’s no timetable for reopening the tourist attraction or for completing repairs.

Dozens of pieces of stone fell in the interior of the monument during and after the quake, and park service officials said they need to make sure the obelisk is safe before the public is allowed back in. Security camera footage made public Monday showed startled tourists scrambling after the quake violently shook the monument’s 500-foot-high observation deck.

“The good news: The monument is structurally sound and is not going anywhere,” said Bob Vogel, superintendent of the National Mall and memorial parks.

Speaking at a news conference, he and other officials said they hoped to provide a timetable for repairs by mid-October.

The exterior inspection is expected to take five days. Once it’s completed, the park service will begin winterizing the monument — essentially plugging any cracks with caulk or other sealants to keep water out.

A helicopter inspection the day of the quake revealed a 4-foot-long, inchwide crack in the pyramidion, the part at the top where the monument begins narrowing to a point. Followup inspections detected several smaller cracks in the pyramidion. From some spots inside, it’s possible to see through to the outside, and the monument took on water in recent storms, officials said.

Stephen Lorenzetti, deputy superintendent for planning for the National Mall and memorial parks, said the park service hopes to avoid erecting a scaffold

around the monument like that required during the last major renovation between 1998 and 2000.

He noted that hard mortar on the exterior was replaced in 2000 with a softer substance. Had the harder mortar remained in place, the monument probably would have sustained more extensive damage, Lorenzetti added.

He also said it was possible that the monument could reopen while repairs to the exterior were ongoing.

Also Monday, the park service released surveillance videos from the observation deck that show the monument shaking violently for more than three minutes.

One video shows more than a dozen visitors scrambling for cover as they are showered with debris and a park ranger hurries them down a staircase.

“I was freaking out — didn’t know what was going on, didn’t know what we were experiencing,” the ranger, Nikolette Williams, told The Associated Press on Monday. “But my first thought was, I had to get the visitors down the stairwell and into the bottom of the monument as fast as possible.”

Williams said it took about 10 minutes to get everyone down the stairs and no one was seriously injured though one woman suffered a cut on a hand from a falling piece of stone.

Neither Williams nor Park Police Officer Matthew Cooney realized at first that an earthquake was shaking the monument.

Cooney was on the ground and saw the top of the obelisk swaying as he, another officer and visitors were pelted with falling mortar. He quickly ran up the staircase to help visitors at the top and told AP that he thought the monument would topple with him inside.

“I absolutely thought it was coming down — 100 percent,” Cooney said.

Engineers assessing the damage are from Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc., of Northbrook, Ill., a firm specializing in earthquake damage. Its work so far has cost about $207,000, officials said.

The 555-foot-tall white marble monument was completed in 1884 and had never been damaged previously by a natural disaster, including a stronger earthquake in 1897.

NEW YORK — China plans to cancel or postpone some U.S.-China military exchanges after Washington last week announced it would upgrade Taiwan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets, a senior U.S. official said.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met Monday with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who urged the U.S. to reconsider the arms sale, warning it would undermine the trust and confidence between the two sides.

China regards self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory and cut military ties with the U.S. for several months after the last major arms sale, including Black Hawk helicopters, announced in early 2010.

China’s response this time has been more restrained, apparently because the U.S. did not agree to sell new F-16 plans that Taiwan also wants.

The U.S. is obligated under legislation passed by Congress in 1979 to supply Taiwan with weapons for its selfdefense. The military balance across the 100-mile (160-kilometer) -wide Taiwan Strait has tipped heavily in the mainland’s favor, as Beijing has ramped up defense spending in the past decade or more.

At Monday’s meeting, Yang did not threaten any specific consequences over the latest $5.85 billion sale. But the senior U.S. official said he was told

by Chinese officials in other meetings that China would suspend, cancel or reschedule some military-to-military exchanges.

The official gave no further details and spoke on condition of anonymity because of diplomatic sensitivities.

The Obama administration has deepened ties with Beijing, and sees the military exchanges as mitigating the risk of U.S. forces tangling with China’s

photo by wally santana/AP PHOTO

A Taiwanese air force pilot enters his F-16 fighter jet during exercises at the Chiayi Air Base, in Chiayi, central Taiwan. China denounced a decision by the United States to upgrade Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jets, summoning the U.S. ambassador and warning that military ties and overall relations will suffer.

in East Asia and the West Pacific. In July, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, traveled to China, the first visit of its kind in four years. That followed a visit to the U.S. in May by his Chinese counterpart, Chen Bingde.

Clinton said Monday that the upcoming weeks and months will be difficult diplomatic times and there is a great need for the U.S. and China to coordinate and cooperate. She defended the arms sale as a U.S. action to maintain peace and security across the Taiwan Strait, and voiced U.S. support the improvement in ties between the mainland and Taiwan.

Last year, Taiwan and China inked a historic trade pact, and tensions are at their lowest since the two sides split amid civil war in 1949.

Both Republican and Democrat lawmakers have criticized President Barack Obama’s decision not to authorize the sales to Taiwan new planes, a deal worth billions to the arms industry. But Democrat senators last week blocked legislation introduced by Republican Sen. John Cornyn aimed at forcing Obama to allow the sales of 66 F-16s.

Former Texas prison cook wants last meal continued The Associated Press

HOUSTON — A former Texas inmate who cooked the final meals for hundreds of condemned prisoners is offering to start doing it again at no cost to the state now that officials have ended the practice of allowing the special last requests.

Brian Price, who wrote a cookbook called “Meals to Die For,” about his former duties and now runs a restaurant on Houston County Lake in East Texas, said Monday the move by prison officials was “cold-hearted.” If it’s tax dollars people are worried about, he said, he’ll make a last meal for free for any condemned inmate in Texas.

“I am offering to prepare, and or pay for, all of the last meal requests from this day forward,” he said. “Taxpayers will be out nothing.”

Officials who oversee the country’s busiest death chamber stopped the

practice of giving special final meals last week after a prominent state senator complained about an extensive request from a man being executed for his role in a notorious hate-crime dragging death. The prison agency quickly said condemned prisoners will now get the same dinner that other inmates eat that day.

Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman Michelle Lyons called Price’s proposal “a kind offer.”

“It’s not the cost but rather the concept we’re moving away from,” she said.

The meal flap erupted after Lawrence Russell Brewer was executed for the hate crime slaying of James Byrd Jr. in Jasper more than a decade ago. Brewer, a white supremacist gang member, was convicted of chaining Byrd, 49, to the back of a pickup truck and dragging him to his death along a bumpy road in a case shocked the nation for its brutality.

Sports southerndigest.com

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - Page 7

Lady Jags get HBCU 3-peat David Clark III

The Southern Digest

photo courtesy of jeff conyers

Lois Alexis teamed up with Carlista Mohammed to win a doubles title during last weekend’s HBCU Tennis Championships. The win helped propel Southern to a third-straight women’s title.

Florida A&M

Southern snakebitten after Classic

The Southern women’s tennis team went into last weekend’s HBCU Tennis Championships as the twotime defending champion, not looking to relinquish its crown.

Mission accomplished.

The Lady Jaguars held off the competition, along with a Thursday rain delay, during the three-day tournament to get the three-peat at the Clayton County Tennis Center in Jonesboro, Ga. Southern won the title with 23 total points, besting Bethune-Cookman (19 points), Alcorn State (17) and XavierNew Orleans (12).

“This was a good chance to see how stiff our conference competition with Alcorn and Prairie View will be and who will be making up their teams for this year,” head coach Jeff Conyers said. “Our additions for this year will be able to handle changes and prepare for them in the spring.

The Lady Jags used a combination of youth and

38 - 33

experience to best the competition. Freshmen Camara Davis and Morgan Taylor ran through Flight C singles play before meeting up in an all-SU final. Taylor defeated Alexandria Young in straight sets (6-0, 6-0) in the round of 32 before knocking off Merlin Tipp 4-2 in the round of 16 and Alix Thomas in straight sets (6-0, 6-1) in the quarterfinals.

Taylor defeated the draw’s topseeded Daria Rud in straight sets (6-4, 6-3) to advance to the finals.

Meanwhile, the secondseeded Davis dispatched Zokiya Provost in straight sets (6-0, 6-0) in the round of 16 before defeating Jordyn Goody (6-2, 6-2) and Erika Bond (6-0, 6-3) to set up the final against Davis.

Taylor bested her teammate 7-5, 7-5 to win her draw. Taylor and Davis then teamed up in Flight B doubles play, reaching the finals before falling 8-5 to the team of BCUs Stacey Speller and Shereen Peterson-Paul.

“Camara Davis and Morgan Taylor did an exceptional job in singles and doubles,” said Conyers about his freshmen,

Southern U.

‘Lackadaisical’ effort dooms Jaguars Morris Dillard III The Southern Digest

Morris Dillard III

a balanced offense, with Page coming off the bench to power through the Jaguars defense. However, Southern’s defense forced two turnovers, both by Rogers who finished with two interceptions which included a 59 yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter for a 33-17 lead.

“Back when I was in high school, I actually played quarterback,” Rogers said.

“I just tried to transfer my quarterback skills to safety. I just read his eyes [FAMU

Dressed in gold and white uniforms, the Southern Jaguars went toe-to-toe with the Florida A&M Rattlers for four quarters in the Bank of America Football Classic last Saturday, but ultimately fell 38-33.

The Jaguars held a 16-point lead in the third quarter with 6:36 left after safety Demetric Rogers returned an interception for a 59-yard touchdown.

Momentum swung back to the Rattlers after they recovered a fumble by linebacker Cory Roy, who inadvertently went to recover the ball at mid-field. The Jaguars miscue lead to a sixyard touchdown run by FAMU running back Lavante Page, who set a school record with five rushing touchdown in a game, cutting the Jaguars lead to 3324.

The killer instinct on both sides of the ball the Jaguars had through three quarters was referred to as “lackadaisical.” So

See Snakebitten page 8

See Lackadaisical page 8

The Southern Digest

Southern coach Stump Mitchell was asked to retell the meeting he had with his team in the visitor’s locker room of the Georgia Dome following the Jaguars first loss to the Florida A&M Rattlers in the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic.

He said that he asked each player with a statistic in the game, “raise your hand if you played a perfect game.”

He then asked his coaching staff “raise your hand if you coached a perfect game.”

Mitchell said he had hopes that his team would leave Atlanta with their second win this season. Unfortunately, the scoreboard was in favor of the Rattlers, who rallied 14 points in the fourth quarter for a 38-33 victory.

Although nobody raised their hand, Mitchell concluded he was at fault.

“We can’t point fingers,” Mitchell said.

“That’s my loss. We win and lose and as a team.”

FAMU running back Lavante Page, who set a school record of five rushing touchdowns in a game, rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a two-yard score for the game’s final points.

“We never know how many plays that we

adding the two would play later this week to determine which one gets to keep the trophy from the tournament.

Meanwhile, Carlista Mohammed fought through the Flight A singles draw — including a three-set battle with Munase Makuni (6-2, 6-7, 10-4), before bowing out to BCUs Katerina Szaboova in three sets in the final (6-1, 2-6, 4-6).

Mohammed paired with Lois Alexis in the Flight A doubles to defeat Xavier’s Nicole DeLoach and Kourtney Howell 8-5 in the Flight A final.

Mohammed paired with Lois Alexis in the Flight A doubles to win 8-5.

Freshman Gabrielle Moore paired with Demetria Woods in the Flight B doubles and reached the semifinals before falling to Speller/PetersonPaul.

“Despite all the rain delays we were able to get it done,” said head coach Jeff Conyers.

Conyers said the team would host an alumni tournament during homecoming and possibly play in the University of Houston’s fall tournament.

photo by trevor james/Digest

Southern kick returner Byron Williams races downfield for a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Atlanta Football Classic.

are going to actually play,” senior strong safety Demetric Rogers said. “Defense wins championships and no matter how many plays we play, we got to stop the other team from scoring and we didn’t do a good job of that.”

The Rattlers gained 358 yards of total offense, 140 rushing yards. Page led the way with 78 rushing yards on 16 attempts.

Southern — playing its 11th game in the Georgia Dome and first since the 1999 Heritage Bowl — has lost five of seven to the Rattlers, including a 52-49 loss in Baton Rouge in 2008.

The Rattlers got past the Jaguars with

Page 8 - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Point For SU

Lackadaisical from page 7

photo by trevor james/digest

Southern’s Marisol Macias (7) slips a spike past Xavier-New Orleans’ defense during Monday’s match at Seymour Gymnasium. The Lady Jaguars swept XULA 3-0 to win the match.

Snakebitten from page 7 sophomore quarterback Austin Trainor], my cornerback got a good jam on the outside receiver and I broke on it.”

The Rattlers rally began when its special teams recovered a fumble at the 50 yard line. Eight plays later, Page scored a six-yard touchdown with 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Mitchell decided to allow sophomore quarterback Dray Joseph back in the game, who

was 8 of 13 for 186 yards one touchdown and an interception. Joseph was replaced in the second quarterback for freshman JP Douglas, who led the offense on a 13 play 64 yard drive capped by a one yard touchdown run by junior running back Sylvester Nzekwe, who scored the offense’s first rushing touchdown on the first scoring drive.

Joseph and Douglas combined for 17 of 32 completions for 242 yards and five sacks.

is Southern’s swagger.

Rogers who finished third in tackles said the defense, which allowed 358 yards of total offense for FAMU, had no excuse for the mental collapse in the second half.

“We the defense and defense wins championships,” Rogers said. “No matter how many plays we play, we got to stop the other team from scoring and we didn’t do a good job of that.”

Southern’s defense had opportunities to tackle Page and slow down a passing attack that featured two quarterbacks but failed to do so as Page muscled across the goaline, capping a four play 33 yard scoring drive.

“I think we started getting lackadaisical and was thinking the game was over,” Rogers said.

“As a result, now the game is over and we’re on the losing end of it.”

For the first time this season, the Jaguars have suffered backto-back losses with the defeat to the Rattlers coming after a 28-24 loss at home against the Jackson State Tigers in Baton Rouge.

The Jaguars had a chance to win, even after Rogers third quarter touchdown run.

Their comeback bid fell short as sophomore quarterback Dray Joseph’s pass to senior receiver LaQuinton Evans was intercepted inside the 20yard line by FAMU cornerback Marvin Ross.

“It wasn’t the best game for us, guys that had been playing big for us didn’t quite have the type of game they normally have,” coach Stump Mitchell said. As a result, we ended up on the short end of the stick.”

The Jaguars came went into Saturday’s game with No. 1 pass offense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, 294 yards per game. However, FAMU’s secondary, which also faced a two-quarterback system, forced three interceptions, each thrown by Joseph, including an ill-advised pass to tight end Mike Berry.

“As a quarterback you always have to keep your head down the field and just try to stay positive,” Joseph said. “I just think that when my lineman went down, of course it was tough. I just think that with time and experience we’re going to be great.”

Joseph was sacked five times, the most in a game this season.

FAMU’s fifth came on Southern’s final drive, when defensive linemen Padric Scott and Jerry Willis sacked quarterback Joseph for a 6-yard loss, forcing thirdand-15 at FAMU’s 22 yard line.

A total of three offensive lineman limped off the field, including starting left tackle Chris Browne, freshman left guard Zach Brown, who made his first college start Saturday, and sophomore Taylon Jones, who switched from right tackle to left tackle.

Culture southerndigest.com

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - Page 9

Marsalis says he and Clapton share blues roots Nekesa Mumbi Moody The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Although Wynton Marsalis comes from the worlds of jazz and classical music, and Eric Clapton is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Marsalis says their recent collaboration wasn’t that unusual because they both have something that unifies them — their love of the blues.

“Eric Clapton, he’s from England, but he’s a part of the blues tradition because that’s what he studied, and that’s what he wanted to learn how to play, much like I’m a part of the tradition of the German trumpet when I play the Haydn trumpet concerto, or the baroque trumpet, because I studied it and I wanted to play it,” the New Orleans native said in a recent interview.

“Most of the musicians I’ve worked with, we come

from the same kind of music, which is the blues, so I don’t really have to do anything,” added Marsalis, who has also performed with Willie Nelson and Norah Jones, among others.

“I don’t have to go outside of myself, I don’t have to play any different kind of way. ...

The music all comes from the same source, Afro-American music, blues, shuffles, basic beats and things that were put in place between the Civil War and the turn of the century.”

Clapton and Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra performed together in April for the center’s annual gala benefit. A CD from that night, “Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton Play the Blues,” was released earlier this month.

Marsalis says he was surprised by how strong Clapton’s work ethic was; the guitar god performed for free and did extensive research to

photo by julie skarratt/ap photo

This Thursday, April 7, 2011 file photo courtesy of Julie Skarratt shows Jazz at Lincoln Center Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, left, and musician Eric Clapton during Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2011 Annual Gala in New York. Although Marsalis comes from the worlds of jazz and classical music, and Clapton is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Marsalis says their recent collaboration wasn’t that unusual because they both have something that unifies them: their love of the blues.

come up with the list of songs, which included “Corrine, Corrina” and “Joe Turner’s Blues.”

“When I looked at the list of the songs that he picked and also listened to the version of the songs that he liked, they

Songwriter, gospel singer Jessy Dixon dies at 73 Herbert G. McCann The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Jessy Dixon, a singer and songwriter who introduced his energetic style of gospel music to wider audiences by serving as pop singer Paul Simon’s opening act, died Monday. He was 73.

Miriam Dixon said her brother died Monday morning at his Chicago home.

She said he had been sick but declined to provide additional details.

During a more than 50-year career, Dixon wrote songs for several popular singers, including jazz and rhythm and blues singer Randy Crawford. He later wrote songs performed by Cher, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole and Amy Grant.

But it was for his gospel singing — religious music that combined the rhythmic beat of blues, jazz and soul — that Dixon first gained attention. It was during an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1972 with his Jessy Dixon Singers that Dixon first came to Simon’s attention. For the next eight years, Dixon toured with the pop icon, collaborating on Simon’s `Live Rhymin’ Simon’ and `Still Crazy’ albums.

Dixon also played keyboard with Earth Wind and Fire and guitarist Phillip Upchurch.

Dixon, who began studying music at age 5, aspired to be classical pianist but told The Associated Press in a 1997 interview that he always knew his talent was destined for use in the church.

Born March 12, 1938, in San Antonio,

Dixon’s professional compass was set by gospel music legend James Cleveland, who heard Dixon’s teen group perform at a theatre in the south Texas city. Dixon said Cleveland liked the group, but he liked Dixon more and persuaded him to move to Chicago to join his group, the Gospel Chimes, as both a singer and pianist.

Chicago’s South Side was the place to be for a gospel musician, especially in the early 1960s.

“Going to church was like going to school,” Dixon said. At church, he heard the likes of Mahalia Jackson and blues pioneer Thomas A. Dorsey, who is credited with creating modern gospel singing.

“Reading his (Dorsey’s) music and studying it, he was the one who wrote for Tennessee Ernie Ford, Elvis Presley and Pat Boone,” Dixon said. “All these people were singing his music and were making it commercial.”

Dixon credited the creativity of artists like percussionist Maurice White and blues singer Willie Dixon, no relation, inspired him to compose. He started with choral music for Chicago’s Thompson Community Singers, for which he sat at the keyboards. Several of his early songs have become classics, sung in churches across America, including: “Sit At His Feet and be Blessed,” “These Old Heavy Burdens” and “I Love to Praise His Name.”

His more recent compositions gained him even wider acceptance. Dixon’s “I Am Redeemed,” released in 1993, lingered on Billboard magazine’s gospel chart for more than five years.

covered such a wide span of regional sounds and different grooves. ... It reflected an even deeper understanding that I had of the regional differences of American music and of blues, at different times, so I just went along with the songs

that he picked,” Marsalis said.

Marsalis said there are no firm plans to work together in the near future, but he knows it will happen.

“It was too much fun playing to not play again,” he said.

The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Page 10 - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

photo by wilfredo lee/ap photo

Tony Jimenez, co-founder of Raices de Esperanza, or Roots of Hope, poses for a portrait at the group’s headquarters in Miami Beach, Fla. Five years ago Raices de Esperanza burst onto the scene as a broad group of Cuban-American students taking up the cause of their exiled grandparents but with a more nuanced vision of how to bring change to the island. A non-partisan group, the organization has worked hard to remain above the political fray when it comes to U.S.-Cuba relations.

Nonprofit plants seed for future US-Cuba relations Laura Wides-Munoz The Associated Press

MIAMI — When Latin pop star Juanes announced plans for a 2009 concert in Havana, the powerful Cuban exile community in the U.S. met his proposal with jeers and anger. But a small group of young Cuban-Americans helped make it happen, publicly supporting Juanes and spreading the word for the “peace” concert” that became the communist island’s largest non-government led event in decades.

That concert put Roots of Hope — Raices de Esperanza — on the map, and the Miami-based nonprofit has since become a symbol of a new generation of Cuban-Americans looking to help shape the future of U.S. relations with the island.

Hundreds of thousands of people turned out for the concert in Havana’s iconic Plaza of the Revolution, where Fidel Castro gave some of his most famous speeches. And although the event was billed as non-political, Juanes called for people on both sides of the Florida Straits to turn hate into love. Organizers thwarted last-minute Cuban government attempts to control entry to the concert, particularly close to the stage and cameras, even as the government heavily promoted the event.

Roots of Hope has maintained it is apolitical since its inception in 2003. It has morphed from a group of idealistic teens into a combination of students and professionals whose alumni have access to some of the nation’s top elected leaders, including Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American from Florida. Earlier this month, co-founder Felice Gorordo, 28, was named one of 15 White House fellows.

Today, Roots of Hope is sending cell phones to teens on the island so they can better communicate through calls, text messages and photos. About 1.1 million land lines and 1.1 million cell phones exist in Cuba for a population of more than 11 million, according to the Cuban government. Internet access is limited, and the government controls most other forms of communication.

Cell phones remain expensive for many Cubans, who on average make a $20 a month. While calls to the U.S. are also

pricey at about $3 a minute, receiving internationals texts are free, said Roots co-chair Tony Jimenez, 29. Some youths use their cell phones more like pagers, checking the caller ID or ring and then calling back from a land line, added Jimenez.

Donated phones are exchanged for refurbished phones, more than 500 of which have been sent to Cuba in the past year, according to Roots.

U.S.-Cuba relations have been icy for decades, and the U.S.-imposed embargo remains in effect. But as the Obama administration relaxes travel restrictions on cultural, educational and other trips, the group also is promoting its guide for responsible travel to the island. And it has created a fund to promote travel there by young Cuban-Americans, an effort modeled after programs encouraging Jewish teens to visit Israel.

The idea is to create meaningful exchanges — more than simply vacations or casual conversations, but dialogue about ways to improve the realities in Cuba, Jimenez said.

Georgetown University sophomore Ben Tyler, whose mother’s family is from Cuba, said that nonpolitical focus is why he got involved.

“I used to think about Cuba as just political issue I couldn’t do anything about,” he said. “Now I see you can work around the politics, and that’s where you can get things done.”

Roots of Hope began at Harvard and Georgetown universities. Many of the founders grew up in Miami’s large Cuban community and didn’t think much about their history beyond the stories they heard from their grandparents. Then they went to college and discovered they knew very little about their origins.

“A lot of friends who were Latino had a tie to where they were from, and I didn’t,” Gorordo said of his freshman year at Georgetown. “I knew Cuba only through my parents and black-and-white photos.”

One of Gorordo’s uncles had been a political prisoner in Cuba immediately following the revolution. The family didn’t talk much about another uncle who remained in Cuba. But Gorordo was eventually able to visit the island and contacted his mother’s family. When he met his young cousins, he was surprised to find them wearing his old clothes.

Commentary southerndigest.com

The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - Page 11

SU could learn from science SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SUITE 1064 T.H. HARRIS HALL POST OFFICE BOX 10180 BATON ROUGE, LA 70813 PHONE: 225.771.2231 FAX: 225.771.5840 ONLINE @ www.southerndigest.com

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The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells us that a system is a regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole, or a group of devices or artificial objects or an organization forming a network especially for distributing something or serving a common purpose.

In biology, the human system functions to maintain homeostasis.

When cells are no longer useful they are replaced to maintain the body working efficiently and effectively.

When waste pollutes the body the digestive system sends it to the endocrine system and it is excreted.

When problems arise the system corrects them to ensure that the body is maintained.

In geography, physical, animal and human systems interact and are interdependent. A human or animal cannot survive without the oxygen trees let out nor can a tree survive without the carbon dioxide humans emit. Mating and pollination cycles are corresponding with survival. As animals and humans eat plants they leave biodegradable waste to ensure the growth of new plants.

In Science the one thing that is constant is change. Humans, animals, and plants adapt to changing circumstances to survive. Whether you believe in evolution or creation people who are born north of the equator have different biological features than those born south of it.

People who live in Alaska would not be used to Louisiana weather. Plants that grow in a tropical environment may not bloom in a grassland.

Southern University could learn something from science. We have to adapt and change as our situations change.

Yes, if you lived in Texas all your life and moved to Chicago it’s going

Evan Taylor to be cold that first winter and you might not have a thick enough coat but, I know the second winter you are there you will be prepared.

You might have to ask a couple of people at Macy’s or JCPenney what kind of coat you need and how much it may cost. But, it is no longer a fashion statement but, a necessity.

You will adapt and change your wardrobe to fit the weather.

This is 2011, Southern University at Baton Rouge cannot be the same Southern University founded in 1880 in New Orleans now. We no longer have 12 students and have relocated to Baton Rouge, La. We cannot use the same systems and processes that we used 20 years ago, We can not let technology evolve as we stand still.

It is time to evolve, change, adapt, and leave the old Southern University behind.

When budget cuts come your way, you have to change the way you spend, make revenue, save/conserve, and your money perspective. It doesn’t hurt to have some outside eyes or some fresh perspective.

When students aren’t even considering your university in their college search, you need to adapt your recruitment plans to recognize and promote what students are looking for

in a school. You have to capitalize on your best assets students who would like to see the university succeed.

When you upgrade to a new system for management, payroll, records, etc. You have to adapt your staff to be able to handle the change.

You can’t just throw someone in the water and expect them to know how to swim. Don’t be afraid to ask for help in training and for those who do not want to adapt it’s survival of the fittest. You are only as strong as your weakest link… (You are the weakest link… Good Bye!) When students, faculty, staff, and the community complain about their issues with the system…

Listen. If you don’t listen to those who are affected the system is ineffective and inefficient. (Where they do that at?)

When the years pass some traditions need to be re-evaluated.

Some traditions are only excuses for stagnation. In order for our students, faculty, staff, and communities to progress, we must set the example.

Progression is the key to moving forward and leaving a legacy for the future.

Ultimately, when we face adversity we need to unite and not point the finger and pass the blame. In the time wasted blaming one another, arguing, and bickering we could have solved the problem and moved on. (I’m on to the next one..)

Southern University must adapt and change in order to survive. Part of Southern University’s mission statement is to produce competent, informed and productive citizens; how can you do that without a competent, informed and productive system?

Page 12 - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926