October 28 Issue - Volume 63, Issue 10

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Southern Jaguars

42

Volume 63 Issue 10

FINAL SCORE:

28

www.southerndigest.com

Jackson State Tigers

Kayla Foster/DIGEST Junior Wide-Receiver Willie Quinn breaks away from a relentless Jackson State Defender. The Jaguars showed all muscle as they rolled past the Tigers at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 25.

DEFENDERS OF THE GOLD & BLUE Tigers simply no match for a fueled Southern Jaguars

BY FELIX CUNNINGHAM III

SPOrtS eDitOr

Upon entering the Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, there was a melodious aura alleviating the air mainly the band, the Southern University Human Jukebox and the Jackson State Sonicboom of the South.

Each side claimed their titles of music excellence and left no room for error.

While the sea of fans gave their loyalty to each football team, the arena polluted the air with cheer or taunts depending on their respected colors of choice.

Though in the tunnels that ascended to the gridiron, there was no room for the endearment of the fans as the remnants of

the war between the Southern University Jaguars and the Jackson State Tigers at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship rages on from last season’s conquest.

Although the Jaguars came out with a victory in Houston, TX and won with the coveted title of being the 2013 SWAC Champions, the Tigers at their base waited in hiding on their next moment to strike their coursing revenge and taste the ambrosia called victory.

After coming from their bye-week hibernation of conditioning and core discipline training, the reigning champs encroached onto the grassy field and on

State workers face Insurance overhaul: SU faculty and staff ponder final decisions

BY LAQUENCIA PARKER

Staff Writer

Louisiana state governor Bobby Jindal and his administration have developed a plan to keep the state’s insurance program from financial ruin. The changes include, but are not limited to: increasing deductibles for all health plan options, removing all vision coverage, and increasing co-pays 100 percent for all plans with co-pays.

Employees can also only apply for benefits during open enrollment.

The plan comes in the wake of a major

healthcare centralization, in which the Office of Group Benefits provides more than 230,000 public employees with health care coverage. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana manage the plans that cover most of these workers. With the new insurance policy, Gov. Jindal plans to save 1 billion dollars over the next five years.

Not all state employees agree with his methods however.

The changes require state employees to sign up for new policies, or risk being

4see Overhaul on P. 3

Saturday October 25, what ensued was what a rivalry truly is, a brawl between two common teams for a common goal, to be once again called SWAC Kings.

Down the stretch of the season, SWAC teams become unpredictable as teams from the limelight start to stretch their potential and for Southern’s team, this is bar none, with playmakers.

This game executed nothing but the best of such, the heavy artillery of Southern’s offense.

With Southern leading the wins 30-29 and regaining their running backs, in their first possession alone redshirt freshman quarterback, Deonte Shorts, returning

from suffering an injury due to a blood clot in the lower abdomen, scored the first touchdown when he executed the quarterback keep for five yards which put the Jags in lead (7-0).

When Southern once again touched the ball during the punt return, junior specialist runner, Willie Quinn drifted, juked, and flew down field for an 81yard touchdown and Southern flew ahead of the game (14-0).

Surprised during the season and on 3rd and 3, redshirt sophomore Lenard Tillery was not looking forward to the

4see Defenders on P. 4

On Target: Battle of the Businesses

SU students pitch ideas to industry retailers

BY KAYLA FOSTER

Staff Writer

On Wednesday October 22, Southern University held it’s 2nd annual Battle of the Businesses in TT Allian, a case event sponsored by Target. The event consisted of three groups of students from the college of Business Department of Management and Marketing pitching ideas to Target representatives on how to increase the stores’ employee intake and retention. The event gave students the opportunity to experience what real life business situations are to be faced after

graduation.

Each team was given twelve minutes to present their proposal and ten minutes for a question and answer portion from each of the three judges. The three teams named The Archers, Future Business Leaders and Powerhouse Consulting presented one by one their own SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis is a well structured planning technique used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in which a person and/or company may face.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

4see Battle on P. 3

Campus Briefs southerndigest.com

Page 2 - Tuesday, October 28, 2014

2014 CENTENNIAL JAGUAR YEARBOOK Yearbooks are now available in The Office of Student Media. Stop by 1064 T.H. Harris Hall.

NATURAL VS. PERM Southern University’s natural hair club presents natural vs perm hair.

Held in the Mocha room of the Smith-Brown Memorial union this evening at 7p.m.

SU ANNUAL HAUNTED EXPERIENCE: THE CRAZY HOUSE Miss SU, COPS and Residential Life presents the Annual SU Haunted House October 29. The SU crazy house will be held at the old Jones Hall from 7p.m. -11p.m.

Participants must be 13 or older and tickets are $5 in advance and $7 dollars at the door. Participants must sign a waiver before entrance.

SU CONTEST Students can enter a contest for the chance of winning a $25 Subway gift card weekly.

Participants are asked to download the PicFuture App on their cell phones and upload a picture. The app is simple and makes your friends wait a day to see your pic.

Go to picfuture.com.college for more details.

SU GEAUX PINK WEEK will kick off Monday, October 27 with the Association for Women Students, Men’s Federation and Jaguar Ambassadors presenting “What You Should Know” Health Forum in the Cotillion Ballroom at 7 p.m. Speakers from Mary Bird

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Perkins - Our Lady of the Lake will be present as well as several breast cancer survivors.

Beta Sigma and Alpha Tau and Mary Bird Perkins will host an informational in the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union Lobby.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

SU PINK WEEK Southern University is collaborating with Mary Bird Perkins - Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month during “SU Geaux Pink Week,” October.

27 - November 1.

BOO AT SU SU invites all children to the Annual Boo at SU on Friday October 31 from 5p.m. to 7:30 p.m., between Fisher and Hayden Hall. There is free admission for students 10 and under and there will be available parking at the stadium.

PRETTY PINK WEDNESDAY Student Government Association along with Alpha Sigma and Beta Psi AKA will host “Pretty Pink Wednesday” in front of the union from 11a.m. - 2 p.m Wednesday, October 29. Facts regarding breast cancer will be given out as well as information and screening by Mary Bird Perkins - Our Lady of the Lake. There will also be a balloon release in honor of those affected by breast cancer.

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCE The Department of Psychology is pleased to sponsor the 16th Annual Social and Behavioral Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on November 13 in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union Cotillion Ballroom.

The conference will feature oral presentations of students’ empirical and theoretical research papers For more information contact Dr. Reginald Rackley (771-2990) or (771-2313) @subr.edu or (771-4676) SPADE TOURNAMENT The Spade tournament will be held in the Smith-Brown Memorial union on October 29 from 5 p.m.8 p.m. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place teams.

FYI: SU IS THE “SCHOOL OF THE MONTH” IN NOVEMBER FOR THE TOM JOYNER FOUNDATION

What does this mean? All donations made to the Tom Joyner Foundation for HBCUs during the month of November will be donated to Southern University! We encourage all SU alumni, supporters and Tom Joyner Morning Show listeners to donate to the foundation, which helps HBCUs all over. - SU Media Relations

Southern University Jaguar Ambassadors seeking more faces

BY MEAGAN L. WILLIAMS

than I had ever been. ” Holland, a three-

Mission: The Southern University Jag Ambassador Program holds great responsibility to the university. Not only to the faculty staff and students, but to the university as a whole. At all times, ambassadors are being the best that they can be through representing the university, whether good or bad, and everything in between.

Since the Southern University Jaguar Ambassador Program was moved to the Division of Student Affairs under the direction of Ja’el Gordon, the group has begun to reach new heights. The 28-member student body works with the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, conducts campus tours, volunteers for 365 Jag orientations, participates in community service initiatives, and takes on mentorship roles. Ambassador Lexi Holland, a junior criminal justice major from Lake Charles said, “I chose this program because it not only gave me a chance at leadership but it also has made me more sociable and more adaptable

working with the program because she is passionate about being able to help incoming freshmen and because of her genuine love for the program and her university. “The ambassadors are the face of the university. They are students who have a devout love for Southern University,” said Gordon who is also the Coordinator for Student Organizations and Campus Involvement. “You don’t have to be in SGA to be leader, or even in a Greek organization to be leader.

You’re a leader in your own right,” she ended.

Students must have a minimum of 24-hour college credit hours, and a 2.5 GPA. Jag Ambassadors are not elected SGA officials but must undergo a 30-day probationary period for consideration.

If you or someone you know is interested in being a university ambassador, see Ja’el Gordon on the second floor of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union office number 206. For flyer info, see page 10.

eDitOr-iN-CHief year member said that she continued

KEEP OUR CAMPUS CLEAN Buildings and Facilities is asking all students and professors to please remove all trash from classrooms before exiting. Any and all remaining paper, food, and trash should be thrown in the nearest trash receptacle in an effort to keep our institution clean and beauitful.

JAGUARS SPEAKOUT Do you feel crosswalks should be more visible on campus?

Why?

JAYLIN MYLES NURSING SOPHOMORE JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI “I do feel that the crosswalks around campus should be more visible because with them being more noticable maybe then more drivers will obey them and yield to pedestrians.”

Got Briefs? Email them to digest@subr.edu

PROFESSIONAL STAFF OFFICE OF STUDENT MEDIA Director .......................................Heather Freeman Director of Advertising ........... Camelia Jackson Publications Manager ............ Jermaine Proshee

OFFICE CONTACTS (area code 225)

Student Media Front Desk ....................771.2231 Student Media Newsroom....................771.5829 Advertising Office ..................................771.5833 Student Media Services ........................ 771.5819

PRESTON CASTILLE BUSINESS/MASS COMMUNICATIONS SOPHOMORE BATON ROUGE “Yes, because the school must keep up a certain standard, if we were to see this it would look bad upon the university.

So fixing or highlighting them (possibly with paw prints) would help. Not to mention the obvious possiblity of people getting hurt.”

FALL 2014 STUDENT MEDIA STAFF Editor-in-Chief ....................... Meagan L. WIliams Managing Editor ..........................Lauren Johnson News Editor ............................... Laquencia Parker Layout Editor ................................. Marcus Tomlin Photo Editor ..................................Joshua Mckight Sports Editor ........................ Felix Cunningham III Copy Editor ............................. Samantha Johnson Multimedia Editor ...........................Alliyah Moore Staff Writer ........................... Aisiriuwa Egharevba Staff Writer ......................................... Kayla Foster Staff Writer ............................ Marchandrea Seals Staff Writer ...................................Lavarius Cotton Staff Writer ....................................... Orriel Moore Staff Writer .........................................Sharita Sims Staff Writer ................................ Laquencia Parker Staff Writer .................................... Sage Edgerson Staff Writer ................................... Keyaira Franklin Staff Writer .................................Torrance Latham Staff Writer ................................. Joshua Slyvester Staff Photographer ....................... Alliyah Moore Staff Photographer ...................Astavven Cotton Staff Photographer ..............................Nia Becnel Staff Photographer ........................Tyra Brownlee Staff Photographer ....................Courtney Jacobs Staff Photographer .......................... Charles Paul

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

BRIANA RADFORD BIOLOGY SOPHOMORE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS “Yes, I believe they should be more visible. Especially the crosswalks on the strip where James Hall and Seymour Hall are located. Cars rarely slow down and the paint on the crosswalks are faded.

WILBERT ROSETTE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SOPHOMORE OPELOUSAS “Yes, because it would make it safer for students crossing the street and also make it easier for drivers to be able to see where the crosswalks are so that drivers can yield.”

News

southerndigest.com

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - Page 3

All for Votes: Congressman Lewis speaks out on voting rights

BY LAVARIUS COTTON

NeWS Writer

On October 22 Southern University was graced with the presence of man of high stature. Congressman John Robert Lewis, an American politician and civil rights leader. Lewis has been Georgia’s 5th congressional district Representative, since 1987, and is the dean of the Georgia congressional delegation. Congressman Lewis along with many others discussed the responsibilities of voting and the reasons students should vote.

Associate Professor of political science.

Dr. Albert Sameuls, was the key floor opener for the issues presented by Congressman Lewis. Sameuls specializes in American politics, black politics, public law, and educational policy. Samuels brought to attention, broad topics that weren’t taken into account by the younger generation of voters. “The government is counting on the younger generation of African Americans to not vote in the upcoming election,” said Sameuls. Samuels went on to say, “being that they believe that most younger individuals in college don’t actually care about politics. An important topic that was discussed were the roles that many of our predecessors, such as Martin Luther King and Lewis, played in acquiring our rights to vote.

Sameuls stated, “People have fought and died for us, as African Americans, to have the privilege of having a say so

Astavven Cotton/DIGEST Congressman/Civil Right Activist John Lewis delivers a captivating speech in Rodney G Higgins hall on Wednesday, October 22. Lewis encouraged attendees to value importance of voting and placed a called to action on early voting in the upcoming elections.

in who governs us and we should take advantage of it.”

After hearing the riveting presentation of Dr. Sameuls, Lewis was motivated and eager to add his thoughts and interpretation of voting among the African American society. Lewis discussed his many accounts of being in the field as a civil rights activist. He expressed his emotional and shocking account of his march on

“There is no time to give up, no time to give in. Vote is Power, This is a time to be hopeful and have faith and make a change - John Lewis Congressman/Civil Right Activist

Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965. Lewis along with Hosea Williams lead over six hundred marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. They were demonstrating for African American voting rights and to commemorate the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson. On the outskirts of Selma, after they crossed the bridge, the marchers were brutally assaulted by heavily armed state troopers and deputies.

“To this day I don’t know how I got out of that particular predicament,” said Lewis.

“All I remember is blacking out and somehow waking up inside a church,” finished Lewis.

Lewis explained to the audience that voting is form of power that students have in governmental decision making.

“This is no time to give up, this is

4Overhaul From P.1

4Battle From P.1 After providing their analysis the next subject was how to better the company like areas of recruitment and retention.

Creative ideas were displayed, such as the “Target You” app idea from the Future Business Leaders.

“One thing I learned and I liked about it that we actually got to implement what we learned in the classroom hands on,” said Jamal Thomas, Senior, Business Management major from New Orleans, “we learned the workings of Target, and were able to throw our own ideas out there, to show us the stuff we learned is actually relevant.”

After a private discussion among the judges the winners were the Archers, winning a grand total prize of $3,000 and more opportunities to come.

“The students did a phenomenal job,” said Cephas Williams, store team leader

get online @

of the Target in Metairie, Louisiana. “For digging into our current gaps when it comes to retention and recruitment then providing us this a bunch of solutions and ideas that can help with staff and our stores as well as recruit some of the best talent that they have to offer.” Williams also stated to get some of the other students that participated in the competition involved in the case study.

Monica Russ, senior business major from Woodville, Mississippi said, “This event benefited me because where I’m from there aren’t a lot of Targets locations.

I gained and learned a lot of knowledge just about Target, and a lot of research was done with this project not just the outside of Target and retail, but also the locations and other things. That was quite interesting.”

www.southerndigest.com

no time to give in, this is a time to be hopeful and have faith and make a change by voting in the upcoming elections,” finished Lewis.

Students were moved by the motivation that Lewis presented and wanted to do their part to ensure that their voices were heard.

“Im very honored to be in the audience of such a historic figure,” said Hillary Pierce, a 26 year old senior political science major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

“I believe his dynamic speech will help encourage students to get out and hopefully encourage their friends to vote also,” finished Pierce.

assigned a policy that, while inexpensive, may not cover all their needs. To raise awareness for Southern University faculty and staff, the Department of Human Relations put on a Health and Benefits Fair in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Student Union on Wednesday, October 22.

Insurance agencies such as Aflac, Allstate and Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) were represented at the fair. Representatives assisted employees in finding an insurance plan that best suited them, and explained what the statewide changes would mean for their customers.

“I think this is going to be tough on a lot of folks. It’s not necessarily in the best interest of the employees.” Said Valencia Jones. Jones is a financial services professional with New York Life.

System Vice-President of Human Relations, Lester Pourciau, supervised the event. “(The employee response) has not been positive,” said Pourciau. “They’re happy

with the way we’re handling it, but they know we have no control over it.” Finished Pourciau.

While the sudden changes may be a frustrating ordeal for some, others are taking it in stride. “With the changing times and economy, you’re going to have to expect changes,” said Marcus A. Coleman, Dean of Students.

The original deadline for open enrollment was October 30, but it has been extended a month to November 30. This means the changes that were scheduled to take effect on the first of January 2015 won’t take place until the first of March. For employees who were unable to attend the Health and Benefits Fair, the HR Department will be having seminars every Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Nursing Building until open enrollment ends. Pourciau encourages staff and faculty alike to attend, ask questions, and sign up for their new insurance policies.

JAGUAr sPOrts southerndigest.com

Page 4 - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 4Defenders From P.1

77-yard run that would ensue into a touchdown. He bombarded through JSU defense and Southern left JSU scoreless as they heckled the Tigers on the scoreboard in the first quarter (21-0).

“I was worried about getting those three yards and Reggie came and made a fantastic block and placed the guy out of bounds. My tight end did a great job as well as my o-line and it was a perfect play,” said Tillery.

In the second quarter the tight end Bradley Coleman ran for eight yards for Southern, but the blocked kick only left JSU in a deeper grave for (27-0).

The first touchdown was when quarterback, La Montinez Ivy tossed the ball to his wide receiver Danny Williams. They finally gained points on the board and with a successful kick (27-7).

Special teams carved a stake in the grass as redshirt senior defensive back, Jaleel Richardson, ran for a 97-yard kick return and he sped past the defenders and left flames in their wake for a score of (33-7).

At the near minute mark of the end of the second quarter, wide receiver Tobias Singleton, caught a 64 yard pass to give JSU a fighting chance (33-14).

The third quarter was a scoreless quarter in which the defense erupted into a war of bashing helmets, penalties being thrown, and punt return after punt return. Both teams took a backseat to encroach into each other’s weaknesses.

True freshman, Austin Howard unleashed his dastardly dual threat option when he ran two yards into the end zone for a score of (39-14). He ended his quarterback streak for throwing 14-24-0 and gained 250 yards attributing a single touchdown pass.

Kicker, Kyle Yonke, waltzed upon the field and didn’t let the complicated yet grassy plain ruin his kick as he kicked the 29 yard field goal for the last points Southern would receive for the game (42-14).

On JSU’s side, they revived some spirit after their running back Robert Johnson ran for 5 yards and wide receiver, Tobias Singleton back to back didn’t watch the clock as they ended the game (42-28).

To ascend to the end of the season Coach Odums cannot celebrate enough about his win but as he said, “We should take the momentum and win next week’s game.”

Southern (4-1, 5-3) takes no days off this week as they come to battle Alabama State University (3-3, 4-4) on Saturday, November 1 at home in A.W. Mumford Stadium. The two second seed teams from each division will square off in a battle of wits and ware to ascend higher than they are.

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Remnants of a Clean Sweep Marisol plays her last home game on Senior night

BY FELIX CUNNING HAM III

SPOrtS eDitOr

Head Coach of the women’s volleyball team, Coach Venessa Jacobs, said that senior outside hitter Marisol Macias is a kind, quiet, and tame soul. Contrary to belief, when she places her hand on the volleyball she becomes a prototype to carry her team to a winning season.

For the El Paso, Texas native, Macias was riveted by the sport of a spherical object that swooshes into a net for a configuration of two or three points. She called basketball her fist love and in her eighth grade year she became a primitive as she moved into her soon NCAA collegiate career, volleyball after completing high school at Riverside High School. She transferred herself approximately 1,015 miles to the university at the bluff of the Mississippi and she enjoys every bit of the culture that goes on.

For the young team that entered the program, the other Southwestern Athletic Conference teams saw them as weak and unorganized but with Macias as team captain for two consecutive years and she spiraled them to seeing the SWAC Championship goal.

Without hesitation, Macias responded with, “Even though we are a young team, we are better than the rest of the teams in the conference. We show our talents in spurts and we need to just go out and take care of business, but we still have a chance to be in first place because we are hosting SWAC.” On senior night against known rivals, Grambling on October 22 with the crowd of her fans and two important people in the spotlight which is her parents in the stands with a number seven balloon. In

remembrance of her last home game within the Clifford Seymour Gym, she played the entire game without being switched out once.

In this game alone she lit up the court with the Southern insignia engraved into it like the pride she has for the university. She accumulated four kills, sixteen total assists, five digs, and 9.5 points for the clean sweep (3-0) on Grambling.

This year alone, Macias played in 69 sets with 169 kills, 541 total assists, 136 digs, 183.5 points, and twenty strong-felt blocks. In her overall career she has been on the court for over 100 games and have seen the volleyball program grow and matriculate her wisdom into her teammates on how to improve and do better.

Sophomore setter, Phalen Clark expresses on the offset of her senior teammate when she said, “She always giving us words of encouragement when we are slacking to make us better.”

With taking a sly breath at the fact that this was Macias’s last home game she said, “It sucks that this is her last game and we get emotional that she’s leaving but she’s leaving a legacy. I’m really proud of her and gracious of her future moving forward.”

Coach Jacobs chimed in on the greatness of her player when she said, “Marisol is a rock and such an amazing person, she’s quiet, low key, and it’s weird how four years went by. She’s a great student, person, and teammate. She helped create a winning culture for the team and helped build the program and she is one of my best recruits.”

Macias will forever be remembered as she leaves Clifford Seymour Gym, a winner.

One Size Fits All: Undersized Willie Quinn Proving to be immeasurable for SU

BY TORRANCE LATHAM

SPOrtS Writer

He is miniscule in physical stature, colossal in playmaking ability, and lightning quick on the battlefield. That is the best way to describe Southern University’s wide receiver Willie Quinn. The native of Miami, Florida has been electrifying all season. He set the tone in the opening game, catching a slant from true freshmen quarterback Austin Howard (his first career pass completion) over the middle of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette’s defense and sprinted downfield for 56-yards.

With SU’s other top returning wide receiver, sophomore Randall Menard, out after suffering a season-ending toe injury in the first offensive series of the 2014 campaign, Quinn became Howard’s most reliable weapon against Louisiana-Lafayette, finishing the night with 105 yards on eight receptions.

The following week in SU’s home opener against Central Methodist, he returned the opening kickoff 56-yards deep into CMU territory, a 56-14 thrashing soon followed.

After registering a 79-yard touchdown reception against Northwestern State a week later, Quinn continued his streak of big plays on the road against Prairie View with a debilitating 98-yard kickoff return for a score just before halftime.

If you’re paying attention, that was four straight games in the month of September with at least one game-altering play of 50 yards or more.

“Willie’s probably the best player I’ve

played with or against in my entire life.

When I first got here and saw him (standing at 5’5), I thought he was somebody’s little brother. Every game (this year) I think that he has made a fantastic play, now we’ve come to expect it out of him,” said running back Lenard Tillery.

Quinn is leading the team in several gamehigh categories: receptions (8), longest reception (87-yards), longest punt return (81-yards), and longest kickoff return (98-yards). He’s not just leading in team statistics. Quinn is tops among the SWAC as well: He is third in the conference’s all-purpose yardage group with 1,263 yards (597 receiving, 139 punt returns, and 536 kick-off returns). He currently has 37 receptions, averaging 74 receiving yards per game, both top five among the SWAC in their respective slots. Quinn is yielding an impressive 25-yards per kickoff return, placing him third in the conference.

“He’s a threat any time he touches the ball. You guys saw it when he was at wide receiver and again on punt returns. He wants the ball in his hands. Willie does a good job of making guys miss,” said special teams coach Biagi.

During Saturday night’s win against fierce rival Jackson State, Quinn showcased his versatility in both special teams and offensively. His first was an 81-yard punt return in which he sped past several JSU defenders for a touchdown that increased Southern’s lead to 14-0 early in the first quarter.

“He’s the only guy on our football team

that believes every time he touches the football, he’s going to score. He’s a special football player. He has a big heart and a little body. But he gives everything that he’s got,” said coach Dawson Odums.

The second came early in the fourth quarter, with the SU offense operating from their own two yard-line and JSU desperately trying to gain some momentum. Southern shocked everyone in Veteran’s Memorial Stadium when Howard stepped back to pass and found a wide-open Quinn sprinting downfield, he raced down field for 87-yards.

That huge play set up a field goal, which gave SU a 42-14 lead, effectively crushing any hopes of a comeback.

“I thought we would run at first but coach thought that we could get an extra play in.

We’ve been completing that pass since spring.

Coach just called my name and I saw a one-on-one matchup. I know that I can beat one-on-one coverage. Austin threw a great ball and I did the rest,” said wide receiver Willie Quinn Coaches and players alike lament the following statement when describing Quinn’s energy and smile, “That’s just Willie.” Over the course of this season, opponents across the SWAC have learned just how “dangerous” that Willie can be. Four games remain and Southern will need more grandiose plays from their smallest offensive weapon. Meanwhile, Quinn anxiously awaits like lightning in a bottle for his next opportunity to strike, because as we have learned, he’s always one play away from a touchdown.

JAGUAr sPOrts southerndigest.com

THE

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Jaguars 0-2 in Texas Plagued with injuries

BY KAYLEN SCOTT allowing a single goal on six proved to be that fatigue was an

SPOrtS Writer

In the afternoon of Friday, October 24, in Prairie View, TX, the Lady Jaguars soccer team struggled. They suffered their second consecutive conference loss to the Lady Panthers 0-2.

As conference play progresses, the Jags can contribute this loss to one thing; injuries. Injuries to junior midfielder, Jamie Blackston, and senior midfielder, Fabiola Parra, made an already thin roster scarce. The team had to endure a host of injuries and lingering eligibility issues as well.

With those additional two spots that needed to be filled, the team needed other players to come in and take on other roles. Due to that, the Lady Jags’ substitution options were gone. Credit this loss to a team that was simply burnt out and exhausted. The starting lineup consisted of five freshmen, all of which played the entire 90 minutes of the match.

Southern’s women’s soccer head coach, Courtnie Prather, attributes to the roster with having said, “Their legs do get tired and we have to condition them well so we can have players on the field.

Even though most of the players are young, they held their own.”

Indeed they held their own in the first half of the match not

shots. However, fatigue was an important issue as the Lady Jags ran out of gas in the second half allowing two goals on three shots.

Both of Prairie View’s goals came within the last ten minutes of the game.

Both of the goals came right behind each other, one in the 79th minute and one in the 81st minute.

The Lady Jags were outshot for the first time in a long time six to nine by the Lady Panthers.

Capturing wins this late in conference play is certainly a challenge, but with the lack of depth, attaining a win was something extremely hard to do.

The Lady Jags just didn’t have enough firepower to hang with Prairie View.

In nearby Houston on Sunday October 26, the Lady Jags dropped another match against Texas Southern 2-0. They were outshot again 14-1 by the Lady Tigers. Again, the team held Texas Southern scoreless in the first half. However, it was the second half that proved to be challenging. They allowed 8 shots in the first half, but did not surrender a goal. It was a different story in the second half. They allowed six shots, but surrendered two goals. Both goals came late in the match, as they did in the match against Prairie View. That

issue for the second day in a row.

For the second straight match the Lady Jags could not make a single substitution. They were undoubtedly worn thin. With the matches getting tougher in the latter part of the conference schedule, a deep roster certainly bolsters your chances in winning games and the conference.

However, being plagued by injuries and eligibility issues is certainly an unwanted commodity this late in the season for the Lady Jags.

We will look for the Lady Jags to get healthy, add players back to the rotation, and to get rid of any eligibility issues before Friday’s match against conference foe Jackson State. The match is the season finale of the regular season for the Lady Jaguars; who have played really well in the conference schedule.

After Friday’s game against, the SWAC conference, championship begins, but most importantly the Jags must get healthy.

Southern (4-2-2) is still in the hunt to capture the SWAC title but the Howard Bison took the regular season title after their win against Alabama A&M. This season really barrels down to endurance.

UP NEXT: OLOL WHITE CASTLE HIGH DAY / “PINK GAME” SUPPORT YOUR JAGUARS THIS SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2014 A.W. MUMFORD STADIUM @6:00PM

vs.

Southern University Jaguars

Alabama State University Hornets

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - Page 5

Arts & EntErtAinmEnt southerndigest.com

THE

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Page 8 - Tuesday, October 28, 2014

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Yacht Club: The Luxurious Lifestyle SU students have high hopes of their expanding brand

BY COURTNEY JACOBS

Staff Writer

Many Southern University students are living two lives—one as a student and one as a business owner. One of these students is Bryan Garner, a 22 year old senior fashion merchandise major from New Orleans.

Garner, along with his brother Jarett Shorts, operate and own their own brand titled Yacht Club. Under Yacht Club, there are three subsidiaries—Yacht Club Films, Yacht Club Records, and Yacht Club Apparel.

“I’ve had the idea in my head since I was 16 but I didn’t really get started with it until I was 21,” said Garner.

“I was just brainstorming on it, plotting, and watching other people make their mistakes so that when I started, I wouldn’t make those same mistakes.”

As the world knows, yachts are known for being extremely luxurious, and that the more fortunate wealthy people are the ones that own them—this was part of why Garner decided to call his brand Yacht Club.

“I called it Yacht Club because I like the luxurious lifestyle. I’m going to make

it one day and live on yachts while eating steak and shrimp. That’s why it’s called Yacht Club,’ said Garner.

Garner has always been interested in fashion, and has been a fashion merchandising major since he has first attended Southern in 2011.

So far Yacht Club Apparel, has t-shirts, pullovers, long sleeve shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks. According to Garner, the person in charge of making the bottoms is sick, but there will be bottoms available soon.

“We just dropped a second classic tee— the previous tees were sold out within a week,” said Garner.

Garner is also a part of the designing of the tops available in Yacht Club Apparel.

“I’ll do some of the graphic designing while someone else would sew, and actually make the shirts come to life,” said Garner.

Garner mentioned that this clothing line is geared toward our generation, and that he wants to make an impact by all that he does while balancing life as a student.

“I do my schoolwork first, and then get to grinding with Yacht Club after all that is done,” said Garner.

Garner stated that while he was putting Yacht Club in action, he appointed his own sort of cabinet to help him make

things happen for the brand.

The above mentioned Jarett Shorts, a 21 year old senior mass communications major from New Orleans, is the President and Creative Director of Yacht Club. Shorts is also the CEO of Yacht Club Films.

Shorts also manages the social media websites, including Instagram and Tumblr—a website where users can create and manage their own blogs.

“We are in the middle of creating our fan page on Facebook, and we also have our own website,” said Shorts.

“The website is www.yachtclubapparel. org.”

As a side note, Shorts is an actor, and was in the movie “12 Years of Slave” that was filmed here in Louisiana.

Garner stated that he and Shorts plan on making a movie—yes, an actual on screen, hour long film—and Shorts will be writing the script.

“It’s really just about growing up in

Phi Beta Lambda and student organizations hold breast cancer awareness program

BY MELINDA DUPAS

a&e Writer

On October 21, on the second floor of T.T. Allain, Phi Beta Lambda hosted their annual program “Pink with a Purpose”, which brings awareness about breast cancer, and testing. They partnered with the Collegiate 100 Black Women and the Collegiate 100 Black Men to help with this event. The program opened with a prayer and it featured two speakers, Mrs. Janifer Peters, a longtime math professor who is also a breast cancer survivor and Mrs. Ramona Boatner, from the Young Women’s Christian Association.

The speakers gave good advice to not only female students but to male students as well. Mrs. Peters let the students know how important it is to listen to good doctors, and to take care of your bodies.

“It is so important to take care of your bodies and to pay attention to your body,” urged Peters. Mrs. Boatner told students that males should also be aware of their bodies, and that early detection saves lives.

“Males should also get checked, breast

New

Orleans, the plot is still in the works,” said Garner.

“Some of it might be filmed on Southern’s campus, but most of it will definitely be filmed in New Orleans.”

So far the duo makes promo videos, and plans to make music videos as well.

Garner is a true entrepreneur, operating

4see Yacht Club on P. 9

Baton Rouge,

cancer today is not what it was 20 years ago,” said Boatner. After the speakers sat down the student organizations played a video highlighting breast cancer survivors and victims. The students also participated in a moment of silence for loved ones that they may have been lost due to breast cancer.

Once the program was over, attendee’s and the organizations headed outside to participate in the balloon launch in celebration of breast cancer survivors.

Mikel Marish a junior political science major from Dallas, TX said that she really enjoyed the program. “It was very informative, I learned a lot that I didn’t know about breast cancer, and the speakers did a really great job,” Breante Moore, a senior English major from Baton Rouge, La said the program opened her eyes as well, “I loved the program, I learned of celebrities and people who had breast cancer and survived it.” Mrs. Ramona Boatner shared that she enjoyed being at Southern University and sharing

As a coach, I work with student-athletes who train their bodies for peak performance. But you may not know that African-American men are at high risk of developing diabetes due to lack of activity. The ARTIIS study provides an opportunity for African-American men to address this health risk head on, and we are very fortunate to have Pennington Biomedical, the YMCA, and the Mayor's Healthy Cities Initiative supporting this effort. A healthy Jaguar Nation is important for a strong Baton Rouge!

- Dawson Odums

Southern University Head Football Coach

4see Pink on P. 10 If you are an African American male, age 35-70, with a family history of diabetes, and are interested in participating in this 6 month research study please contact the Pennington Biomedical Research Center Recruitment Department at (225) 763-3000. Ask about the ARTIIS study or visit pbrc.edu/artiis and complete our web

@southern digest

screener. You can earn up to $250.00 and a 5-month membership at the Y.

Arts & EntErtAinmEnt southerndigest.com

THE

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

LET’S

SOUTHERN DIGEST

TALK

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - Page 9

FORUMS

4Yacht Club From P.8

HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse Prevention Program host interactive series

BY ORRIEL MOORE

a&e Writer

The HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse Prevention Program hosted an interactive series of seminars: Lets Talk, from October 15 through 28, in the student dorms. The speaker provided information on HIV/AIDS, STDs, and Alcohol Prevention. In a great disappointment not enough students took the opportunity to learn about something that effects young people aged 15-24. The talk started off with an ice-breaker called “This or That”, which created a relaxed atmosphere, a tactic used to make the students more receptive to the future topics and activities.

The discussion was led by the Prevention Program’s Peer Educator. The starting topic was alcohol prevention. In which she discussed the effects of excessive alcohol use such as suicide, disease, depression and addiction.

Binge drinking which is when more than one mixed drink is consumed within the first thirty minutes of a party. Also discussed was the number of drinks that can be consumed for both genders, which is one for females and two for males. The following topic was on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

The educator discussed how virus can be contracted through vaginal fluids, semen, blood, and from a mother giving birth who is infected. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Computer Science major Admeika Estem volunteered to share her visual encounter with HIV. “The individual I knew eventually looked dead compared to her healthier state.

Their eyes appeared sunk in and very skinny” said Admeika. The peer leader described this as being the body breaking down. The best way to not contract HIV is to be abstinent, be monogamous, and/or practice safe sex. The ending topic was a demonstration on how to properly use all forms condoms such as male condom, female condoms, dental dams, and etc. The talk ended with telling the students about the STD Hepatitis. This has three forms A, B, and C which all can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. Condoms and additional information was offered to stidents upon exiting. The program coordinator Natalie Cooley stated “We try to do as many session as possible to reach as many students as we can” along with the dorm sessions the Prevention Programs also has sessions on Wednesday in the student union from 1pm

To contain Ebola, states create a patchwork of quarantine rules

BY MICHAEL DOYLE AND LINDSAY WISE

MCCLatCHY WaSHiNGtON BUreaU

States are improvising to confront the Ebola crisis, raising questions about uniformity, effectiveness and legality.

Quarantine policies are established, and then softened. A nurse is detained, and then freed.

Lawsuits seem likely, and a 19th century law seems relevant once more. Confusion, so far, is the constant.

“We don’t really have a public health system in this country,” Deborah Burger, the Oakland, Calif.-based president of National Nurses United, said in an interview Monday.

“We have a state-by-state system, and we all know what happens when states get to decide.”

Meanwhile, in an effort to exercise some control over the sudden patchwork development of Ebola quarantines, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced revamped guidelines Monday, based on risk, for monitoring people who might have been exposed. The guidelines don’t carry the force of law, however.

CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said in a call with reporters that he was concerned about some states’ policies, which “might have the effect of increasing stigma or creating false impressions.”

Ebola, he said, “is not nearly as contagious as the flu, the common cold, measles or any other infectious diseases.”

But the piece-by-piece rollout of Ebolacontainment policies continued Monday, with

officials from Maryland, Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina among the states announcing their game plans. New Jersey officials, however, relented and loosened the reins on a nurse who’d been forced into quarantine after returning from Sierra Leone.

The release of Kaci Hickox to her home in Maine came the day after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie defended his state’s initial plan to quarantine her for three weeks, despite her displaying no symptoms of the disease.

Decisive action was needed, Christie declared on Fox News, because federal guidelines have been a “moving target.”

A New Jersey law, dating to the worldwide influenza epidemic of 1918, authorizes state officials to impose quarantines. Other states have similar laws.

“There has been a long-standing recognition that states, under their police powers, can protect the public health through things like quarantines,” Alexander Shalom, senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, said in an interview Monday, “but those powers are not unlimited.”

Shalom said “we’re certainly looking at” a potential legal challenge to the New Jersey quarantine actions, citing requirements that the public health measures follow due process and impose the least restrictive limitations on personal liberty.

Other states, on their own or under behindthe-scenes pressure from Obama administration officials, have settled on policies that are strict but less draconian than the Garden State’s.

For all the latest health information regarding EBOLA visit the Center for Disease Controls’ website :

www.cdc.gov

- 3pm. “The key is to reach students soon as they attended college” expressed NCooley.

College students make up a vase amount of STD cases reported. There are plenty ways to get information and treatments. The Branco-Hill Student Health Center offers a number of health care services. The SUSHC offers allergy injections, health education, in house laboratory services, confidential HIV testing, reproductive consultation including contraception, specialty consultation referral, emergency contraception, treatment and screening for STDs, and women’s and men’s health care. The pre-paid student fee includes visits to campus physicians, nurse practitioners, mental health counselors and nutritionist. The student fee does not cover immunizations, injections, and contraceptives.

NCooley is also has opened her office door located in Higgins Hall room 208A for any additional information or private counseling.

For any additional information students and can see Natalie Cooley or visit Branco-Hill Student Health Center open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5pm.

three subsidiaries while maintaining his social life and his academic life. On top of that, Garner is the first artist currently under Yacht Club Records.

“I rap, and I also played trombone in the band during 2011 and 2012,” said Garner.

“I write raps during my free time, or while I’m walking to class.”

Financial wise, Garner states that the clothing line supports itself. The record label and the film label, however, he supports with his own money.

“I work 40 hours a week. With the 12 hours of class as well, I somehow manage,” Garner stated with a grin.

Both Garner and Shorts are representing Southern University well, and they hope that their brand will not only be known in Louisiana, but across the world.

“I just want everyone to know that you can make it. Peace, love, and happiness—that is what Yacht Club is really about,” finished Garner.

Ebola containment confidence

A Reuters poll asks Americans how confident they are that an Ebola outbreak in the U.S. could be contained

41.7%

Somewhat confident

24.1%

Very confident

21.4%

Not very confident

6.1%

Not at all confident Source: Reuters Graphic: Erik Rodriguez

6.7%

Don’t know © 2014 MCT

Arts & Entertainment southerndigest.com

THE

Page 10 - Tuesday, October 28, 2014

SOUTHERN DIGEST

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

Y E S W E ’ R E S O C I A L ! F O L L O W T H E D I G E S T O N I N S TA G R A M @ S O U T H E R N D I G E S T

4Pink From P.8 information with the students. “I really enjoyed coming here today, Southern has been a supporter of YWCA for years, we love to come back and say thank you,” said Boatner.

After the balloon launch, Mrs. Peters shared how the program and the organization will change lives. “I’ve been a part of each of program, it’s well thought out, and it really brings awareness to breast cancer, the student organizations have a positive attitude with helping those who have lost someone to breast cancer and those who may have loved ones fighting the battle,” said Peters. She also mentioned that the organization Phi Beta Lambda has partnered with the sisterhood ministry at her church to raise funds for the cause. “Phi Beta Lambda and my sisterhood ministry at Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church have partnered in order to raise funds with the selling of lapel pins, it takes advocacy but it also takes funds to fight to this battle,” said Peters.

The organization had refreshments after the program and the students and speakers were invited to share and enjoy.

Credutzfeldt-Jakobs Disease

BY LAVARIUS COTTON

of a normal brain protein. The normal

Creutzfeldt-Jakobs disease is a transmissible, rapidly progressing, neuro degenerative disorder which is called a spongiform degeneration related to “mad cow disease.”

Before 1995, CJD was not well known outside the medical profession.

The most obvious feature of CJD is the formation of numerous fluidfilled spaces in the brain resulting in a sponge like appearance. CJD is one of the several human “spongiform encephalopathies” diseases that produce this characteristic change in brain tissue.

Causes for CJD have been grouped into three types: familial, latrogenic, and sporadic. Familial CJD is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, meaning that either parent may pass along the disease to a child, who then may develop CJD later in life. Latrogenic CJD occurs when a person is infected during a medical procedure, such as organ donation, blood transfusion, or brain surgery. Sporadic CJD cases have no identifiable source of infection. Death usually follows first symptoms within eight months.

Originally assumed to be a virus, instead, CJD is caused by a protein called a prion transmitted for victim to victim. A prion is an altered form

while a prion has a sheet structure that replaces the helix.

“Prions lack nucleic acid which means it requires a host to survive,” said Deadra James Mackie, a professor of microbiology at Southern University.

The most characteristic symptoms of CJD is rapidly progressing dementia, or loss of mental function. Dementia is marked by: memory loss, impaired abstraction and planning, language and comprehension disturbances, poor judgment, disorientation, and hallucinations. Muscle spasms and jerking movements, called myoclonus, are also a prominent symptom of CJD. “Dementia is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly,” said Ladaja Haree, a 19 year old junior nursing major from Winnsfield, Louisiana.

“My uncle had it and it started off as something simple but when it takes hold it can be extremely aggravating,” finished Haree.

Despite the generally grim prognosis of death, a few CJD patients progress more slowly and live longer than the average. Research is occurring daily in foreign labs to identify cures and more treatments for this aggressive neuro degenerative disease. With support from people this disease can be controlled or even eradicated from the human body.

Staff Writer brain protein has a helical shape,

SAVE THE DATE GRAD PREP DAYS at the

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS BOOKSTORE

OCTOBER 29 - 30 • 10:00AM - 4:00PM • ATTENTION GRADUATING STUDENTS! • Now is the time to order your Custom Cap & Gown.

• Class ring specials • Order announcements and invitations • FREE Graduation Photos with Candid Campus Photography • Meet with Alumni Federation to discuss benefits of joining

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS BOOKSTORE FB/southernuniversitybookstore | www.subrshop.com

COmmEntArY southerndigest.com

THE

The Sentinel of an Enlightened Student Body since 1926

SOUTHERN DIGEST

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - Page 11

Moment of clarity: Don’t believe the foolery

BY JALEYAH DAVIS

Staff Writer

I’ve come to find some truth in the Huffington Post’s article, Stacey Dash: Minorities Feel ‘Worthless,’ ‘Uneducated’ Under Obama. Stacey Dash, an actress well known for her roles in the movie Clueless, the TV show spin off Clueless, and the TV show Single Ladies, has become a political conversationalist. Since 2012 tweeting, “Vote for Romney. The only choice for your future. @mittromney @teamromney #mittromney #VOTE #voteromney,” Dash has taken her political views to Twitter stirring up debates and controversy taking the nation by storm. Dash is known for tweets such as, “If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing. Shame on you @Oprah”, “God does everything for a reason @Paula_Deen Only God can judge your heart BTW my daughter loves your show (only way she can get me to cook)”, and “President Obama shouldn’t be on Fox News every day.” Dash’s controversial tweets landed her a job at Fox News as their newest contributor offering cultural analysis and commentary across a variety of the network’s daytime and primetime shows.

The Huffington Post’s article speaks on Dash appearing on Fox News’ Hannity Show. The article references this dialogue between Sean Hannity and Dash: Hannity: “Has voting with Obama 95% of the time and Obamacare, has that helped the minority community in Louisiana?”

Dash: “No, Not at all. It still keeps them stuck.

They’re getting money for free. They feel worthless.

They’re uneducated. I mean, as long as you are that way, they can keep you under their control…”

Dash: “They have a plantation mentality. As long as they give you this much money, you’ll stay right there. You don’t need to know too much because if you do, you might start thinking for yourself.”

From my perspective, it is obvious that Dash is not referencing African-Americans as a whole in Louisiana, but the AfricanAmerican population that is indefinitely unaware of what to politically savvy Dash may be basic political concepts that can help improve their today as well as their tomorrow. As AfricanAmericans, in politics we tend to lean toward the more liberal representatives of our cities, states, and nation because generally speaking liberal values are the values that represent us, the majority black, lower class to upper middle class, college student aged population. Republicans have always believed, in essence, that regardless of your circumstance it is your responsibility to make something of yourself. In opposition, Democrats guide Americans

through their circumstance with various federal programs.

It is imperative to understand that although there are programs to help you maneuver through your circumstance provided by the government, there is a fine line between using federal money for assistance and abusing the system.

There is a crutch provided by these programs and some by nature become comfortable and stay within the realm of if I stay where I’m at, the government will help me.

There is no room for growth or self-efficiency when there is no true understanding of the basis of politics and the programs provided by the government. By acknowledging this crutch, Dash has initiated a nation-wide conversation.

Do Americans intend on progressing past society’s notion of who they are, what they’re capable of, and what they will achieve or will they leave behind as Dash calls it “the plantation mentality” and flourish into independent, hard-working, self-efficient Americans that not only think for themselves, but have an understanding as to how to navigate through varying politics and policies.

I am not Republican nor am I a Democrat, but allow the controversial ranting of Dash to influence you to start a conversation. Interact with your peers, professors, politicians, and fellow constituents and create an understanding. Go out of your way to research and stay abreast with current events so that you can make an informed decision as to how politics effects you and those around you. Allow voting to take precedence in your life not as a crutch, but as a way to develop into self-efficacy.

A Tragedy: Alumni support Southern University is home to students who want to further their career and thrive off of the rich history that this university has to offer. They are here to learn their mantra and unearth their arduous journey, which requires the three p’s, Prayer, Patience, and more Patience.

I’ve traveled to

BY FELIX CUNNINGHAM III different universities and Staff Writer have seen departments rise from the woodworks and instill the best education they can in the students. Wonder why? The answer to that question is that money is being given to these universities and I wonder who gives back most of the money; the alumni of course. Because unlike Southern, other schools have alumni support and they give back large amounts of money to their alma mater.

I know that many alumni have transformed their lives at this proud establishment, so why does our “proud” alumnus house look like it can only house 10 people if

that. It looks like the first house you receive after you graduate college. This baffles me.

After the alumni graduate, like they crossed through the burning sands barefooted, they cut off their ties with the university. If you work and are trying to hold a professional career, my hat is off to you, but don’t expect me to respect what you’ve done and where you came from if you complain about it only through homecoming with a shot of Jack Daniels and fraternity juice in your hand. If I see you like that quite frankly and personally, I will ignore you.

Instead of complaining about our “lost” generation and how things can get better, do us a favor and give some money back so that things can be acquired for us. Technically you are our big brothers and big sisters, since you’ve treaded the same strip that we’ve treaded.

Give the future generation a chance instead of instilling the slave mentality: you’re all on your own, so take care of yourself. If you want to know why Southern cannot move forward it is because of simple-minded alumni who cannot get rid of their roots from the olden days and speak for the now. We don’t care, that is the past, this is the present, you want something done, make it happen and money talks. A few cannot do a lot.

There is a campaign called the TRUE BLUE campaign that lets alumni give money back in a safe and procured way and they allow you to know what your money is

going toward. On their website http://foundation.sus.edu/ give/ there are five ways to give back to our university, meaning there is a way now, so there’s no excuses.

If you are financially conservative and money doesn’t fall from the sky then teach me and teach us how to move forward. You don’t have to show your face but send a positive Facebook message, Group-Me post, Twitter follows, or anything inspiring that could help us move forward instead of backwards.

I want to know your story and your past and how you made it so that we can move forward because we pay more than you ever did to go to school here, because I’m sick of the crab mentality and I’m sick of black people complaining. This is why the PWI’s are ahead of us because they take care of their own. We have shoddy buildings, unresponsive financial aid, poor customer service, terrible and otherwise dead departments, but instead of shrugging your shoulders and saying this is our problem, stand up and say this is your university and you will defend it and the students that come through after you.

But if you don’t take heed to what I’m saying then take your shoddy ideals and keep doing what you’re doing, I’ll see you next homecoming.

Don’t worry there’s more to come.

* Disclaimer: The views expressed in these commentaries are solely the writers opinion and in no way reflect the views or thoughts of the Southern DIGEST.

Voter Registration tips Voting can be a difficult and daunting task, especially if you’ve just moved to a new state. These are some tips that can help expedite the process, and make voting an easier, and perhaps enjoyable event.

•

•

Most states require voters to be 18 years or older, and some have specific residency requirements. You can obtain specific requirements for your state by getting in contact with your state’s election office.

Most states allow a 60-day grace period to use your previous or out-of-state

•

• • •

address to vote.

You can register to vote at your local Department of Motor Vehicles, Armed Services Recruitment Centers, and some states even allow online voter registration.

Know your registration deadlines! If you haven’t been registered by the deadline, you won’t be able to vote at all in the upcoming election.

Discover your nearest polling location. It can be found on your voting card.

Bring valid identification (i.e. state ID, passport, driver’s license)