Tuesday, October 21, 2014
SU first HBCU in Louisiana to be named a “Tree Campus” Plants a Legacy for the Next Generation of Jaguars BY LAQUENCIA PARKER
NEWS EDITOR
On October 16, Southern University was formally recognized by Tree Campus USA as an official “Tree Campus,” Students, faculty, administration, and representatives from Baton Rouge Green and the United States Department of Agriculture were in attendance at the ceremony, which took place in the Magnolia room of Mayberry Dining Hall. Tree Campus USA is a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota, which recognizes college campuses that manage oncampus trees, engage the student population and community with forestry efforts, and connect with the off-campus community to encourage healthy urban forests. In order for a campus to earn the title “Tree Campus,” they must meet the five requirements set by the organization, which include: a Campus Tree Advisory Committee, a campus tree care plan, a campus tree program with dedicated annual expenditures, an Arbor Day observance, and a service learning project. Southern is now one of five historically black colleges in the nation to have received the title of “Tree Campus,” and the first HBCU in the state of Louisiana to be selected. “The designation is the result of hard work by our Urban Forestry program,” said acting Chancellor Flandus McClinton, “along with our strong collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service to inspire our students to understand the significance of a green environment,” finished McClinton. After the ceremonious induction, an educational panel presented those in attendance
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“A new Era Begins” Haymer officially takes his post as Director of Bands SU Board of Directors drops interim title.
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Board of Supervisors find resolutions to faculty concerns BY LAUREN JOHNSON
MANAGING EDITOR
The Southern University system held its meeting Friday, October 17 at the J.S Clark Administration Building on the Second floor at nine a.m. There were 15 members present and one absent. Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert began the meeting with a prayer, which was followed by attendance. During the meeting there were a total of 6 subjects on the agenda. The first area of discussion was the Southern University Law Center and other different matters to be taken care of, before the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation in February. There was a request for the board to adopt the Associate of Design and Process Technology Program. Majority of the board agreed upon the matter and plan to take it into consideration. Next there was a letter from the SACS office confirming the receipt of the unsolicited information sent in regards to the ongoing compliance with the Principles of Accreditation. The letter informed McClinton and the university for there will be no additional follow up required by the institution. Following item 3, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Brandon K. Dumas, presented a video to the board. The video gave an update on the current
enrollment, recruitment, current positions and the purpose and success of the Spirit Bus. According to Dumas the department recently hired a new recruiter, and are looking to hire two more admission counselors, before the end of the semester. “ I am proud to say that we have done a tremendous job in recruiting,” said Dumas. “ We currently have increased our number of admission applications by 130 percent with 683 applications compared to 200 last semester,” Finished Dumas. Before leaving the stand the board had questions in regards to scheduling, and language of the department. One of the board members questioned if there was a completed schedule, so that the board can be aware of the different events, in hopes of attending them, also it was asked that the events be promoted in a more advance manner. Dumas agreed to have and present the schedule to the board members in a timely fashion. When asked about the language of the department Dumas stressed how the department has changed the language and matter of the acceptance letter. “We have changed the wording so that the students can understand the difference between being accepted, and actually completing the admission process.” Following up on the last board meeting Faculity and Senate President Thomas Miller took the floor with a continued argument in regards to pay
raises for faculty and staff. “ We are asking for a comprehensive plan that has in view, the old members of this community such as staff faculty and administration,” said Miller. Miller went on to say, “ One of the main issues is that the faculty and staff seem to not be of view at all in regards to adequate compensation.” Giving supporting information to the argument Miler mentioned the Reorganizational Chart, created in 2013 by the Board, which was a combination of colleges, and now requires deans to oversee multiple colleges instead of one. “They are being paid the same amount, but doing more work,” finished Miller. He also went on to remind the board that the university workers have not received a raise since 2008. Following Miller, Mr. Brown, from the Physical Plant took the stand, and began by mentioning that he came alone the first time, but this time he had a group, (A Force), in which he referred to other employees, with intentions of “making a point.” “We are at the same status we were before, we want to know where we stand,” said Brown. Brown went on to say “to my knowledge we are the Flagship school, and as the Flagship we are sinking, while our tug boats (referring to SUNO, SUSLA,) are floating,” said Brown. “We don’t have anything good to say, we want to know why is it that no one is doing anything or concerned
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Students Acknowledge Domestic Violence on campus BY MEAGAN L. WILLIAMS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is one of the most overlooked awareness initiatives. In the center of it all is Twahna P. Harris, an advocate and lending ear to women and men around the world. In her most recent project, she jumpstarted a non-profit domestic violence organization called, “The Butterfly Society.” The activist and
Southern alum partnered with Southern University’s Domestic Violence Against Women Program to host its annual “Take Back the Night” march and candle light vigil on Monday afternoon. DVAWP also partnered with the HIV/AIDS Prevention Organization on campus. In tradition, the group, which consisted of students, faculty, and staff marched from the Southern University Museum of Art at 6:30 p.m. to the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union Courtyard.
Among the group was Sharnet Nixon, a junior dietetics major from Baton Rouge who said that although she wasn’t a victim, she believes that it’s important to find someone to confide in. “My mom often tells me stories about my grandmother who was a domestic violence victim and how she had an outlet. I felt the need to come out and support those who have been
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OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA