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Thursday, September 12, 2013
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Volume 61, Issue 4
Intramural complex on its way Justin Broussard The Southern Digest
The Southern University $6.5 construction of the Horace Westley Moody Sr. Intramural Complex is near its completion, awaiting the arrival of furniture and exercise equipment. With more than 33,000 squarefeet in dimensions, the complex will include three aerobic rooms, locker rooms, a volleyball court, three full basketball courts, a health studio and a rock-climbing wall. Endas Vincent director of Facilities Planning said the complex should be open by next month in October. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Vincent. Vincent said the plan to build the complex has been longer than ten years. He said that there was a full set of plans that were abandoned. “I think they didn’t have the funding for the other set of plans because they had to cut back on it,” said Vincent. Vincent said that the university had to create new plans for the project that caused for a smaller project. “It’s a nice size building for what we had to work with,” said Vincent. According to Vincent the construction of the building has been complete since April. Although the construction was completed, Vincent said the building still has more work to be
DIGESTFILE The new edition to southern unversity is the brand new Horace Wesley Moody Intramural Sports Complex. The Intramural is a project that southern has been planning for over 10 years. The complex cost Southern University 6.2 million dollars. The complex is nearly done, just need to be refurbish with brand new equipment and furniture. The Intramural Complex is supposed to be opening up sometime in october of the fall 2013 semester. done. “There’s a lot of little details they have to work out,” said Vincent. Even though the intramural complex’s completion is underway, Vincent said the university has over 80 projects lined up. “We have a lot of Gustav projects that’s still in planning and progress,” said Vincent. Vincent reported that there are
over 60 renovations to be done from Hurricane Gustav. “We do have some new projects that we’re looking at,” said Vincent. He said the University is looking forward to a new cultural center to be added next to the Southern University Museum of Art near the Mississippi River. According to Vincent some projects to take place have more
than one fund going towards them. “The President’s House has two sources of funds,” said Vincent. As of now Vincent reported that there is no set budget for new projects due to the fact there are no designs drawn up for them. “We’re not going to put a cost to them until an architect designs those projects,” said Vincent.
FYE seeks to retain new students Christie Carral
The Southern Digest The First Year Experience has launched its new program at Southern University to help new students succeed academically and improve retention. Through the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, the program assists students in getting acclimated with the SU atmosphere as they transition from high school to college. Jil Massucco, coordinator for FYE, said that the program demonstrates concerted efforts and a commitment to make the experience at SU successful, memorable and rewarding. “We want to reach out not only to students who live on campus but freshmen commuters and transfer students so that they are given the opportunity to participate in FYE,” said Massucco. The FYE program is seeking an experience that students can positively and purposefully
interact with other students, faculty and campus programs and organizations. “We must learn to pass the torch and motive and inspire our students to be at the helm of campus programs and activities while striving for excellence,” said Massucco. Massucco said one of the critical factors for their program to ensure is to broaden student success and deepen their commitment to learning by getting freshmen involved in programs, activities and events. “Students are in a much better position to thrive by involving themselves in programs such as Freshmen Convocation,” said Massucco. As the organizer at this year’s convocation ceremony, Massucco said she was thrilled to work with the campus youth leaders who took the stage to participate in the program. “Teaching youth to value public
speaking has always been on the forefront for me and it will definitely continue,” Massucco said. The program is under development and in its beginning stages according to Massucco. “We’re still trying to get it off the ground and make sure that we have our students in the right direction,” said Massacco. Although the FYE program is not an extension of the Center for Student Success, FYE program will be working closely with that program. “Center for Student Success will be one of the catalyst and main resources that will keep students connected to success,” said Massacco. According to Massacco’s reports, SU has nearly first time freshmen on campus. She also said because of so many students, there are over 15 freshmen seminar classes and 10 instructors.
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Massacco said that the launching of FYE introduced new learning outcomes and the replacement of learning materials that had been used for more than a decade. Brandon Parker, assistant project director of CTLE, said his students learn time management skills, themselves, library visits and different resources on campus. “We are retention, retention, retention,” said Parker. “We are trying to retain students and increase the retention rates.” Alberta Robertson, instructor of FYE, said she teaches her students about the many resources on campus. “To me, that’s what we’re suppose to do,” said Robertson. “They are our customers and we’re suppose to take care of them.”