JAGUARS
40
Final Score
21
TIGERS
@southerndigest.com
October 27, 2015
Volume 65 - Issue 9
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Southern University System Board of Supervisors discuss prevalent issues BY LAUREN JOHNSON DIGEST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Southern University System Board meeting was held on Friday October 23, 2015 in the J.S. Clark Administration building at 9 a.m. The meeting began with a prayer and a roll call. The first matter on the agenda was the finance committee, at this time with 10 members of the board present. The floor was opened for public comments in regards to the Finance committee, but there were none. SUSLA Faculty Senate President Sonya D. Hester responded to an invitation for public comments. “I have some information that I would like to give to the board, in regards to the promotion and tenure process,” said Hester. “To my knowledge ten faculty members applied for promotion and tenure and ten faculty members were denied,” mentioned Hester. “This process was to be done according to a time line that was not at all followed. This is a clear signal that our promotion and tenure process needs strong re-evaluation,” said Hester. In response to Hester’s comment Board of Supervisors Chairman, Dr. Leon R. Tarver ll said, “After looking at this lengthy packet that you gave us, I think we should be considering a policy for any material that is coming to the board.” Agreeing with Tarver Board Member Rev. Joe R. Grant Jr. spoke for clarification. “Well I just want to make sure we are on the same page, with this, because it is often times people bring information or matters to the board meeting and expect us to vote on it right then and there,” said Grant. “My question to you, is, are you in support of this lady getting tenure or are you not in support?” asked board member Attorney Tony M. Clayton. “Absolutely we are in support as I indicated in the packet,” said Hester. “So are
Lauren Johnson/DIGEST Members of the Southern University Board of Supervisors during the board meeting held on Friday October 23. you saying that the rules were not followed?” asked Clayton. As Hester began to answer she was interrupted by Clayton, “My question is really simple. Were the rules not followed? Yes or no? Hester Responded by saying will you allow me to explain?” Refusing to give the simple yes or no answer before her explanation Clayton said “Don’t worry about it I will cast my vote.” Further explaining his stance on this matter Clayton went on to say “Once we start granting these tenures It appears to me that professors are not showing up to class and they get this tenure and think
they can hide behind it, finished Clayton. “I’m sorry if I offended you Clayton, but I wanted to answer your question correctly. After ten faculty members were denied, and there was no reason, evaluation or rubric shown then that is when the questions arose for why is it that all were denied,then all of sudden just this one member be approved for tenure,” defended Hester. I have no idea what she is talking about those nine people are not here,” said Clayton. Keeping order during the meeting Tarver commented saying, ”Clayton you do not have. the floor, Mr. Clayton you do not have the
floor.” This matter was tabled until a later date. After another roll call and the board moving on to another matter the topic of a SU law student appealing to return to the Southern University Law Center. Shaboyd Cannon of Gray Georgia surrendered himself to the Southern University Police Department back in January, after having a warrant for his arrest on December 18, 2014 for being accused of forcible rape. According to the investigation Cannon forced himself on
See BOARD MEETING page 3
SU Engineering goes global
Students develop new-age shelters for disaster relief BY LAQUENCIA PARKER DIGEST MANAGING EDITOR
Despite the promised assistance from multiple sources, the people of Haiti are still suffering in less than adequate living conditions after the 2010 earthquake that measured 7.0 magnitude on the Richter scale and killed more than 230,000 people. Here at Southern University, a group of engineering and architectural students are collaborating to create the Solar Research Cottage, a standalone living structure that will allow victims of any natural disaster to live comfortably, without relying on major power sources or disturbing the environment. The structure, once completed, will be self-sustaining, generating
its power through solar panels, with the capability to even purify water. Assembly will also take approximately four hours, greatly assisting in sheltering as many as possible in very minimal time. Currently, the students are in the process of researching the materials that will allow the building to weather all conditions, specifically the soil types found in Haiti, in order to determine maximum weight the building can be. “A lot of people don’t understand the underlying motive behind sustainability,” said Kristen Hypolite, a Mechanical Engineering major on the team. “It’s not meant to overpower the ecosystem around it.” When asked what kept the
struggles of the residents of Haiti in the forefront of their minds, the group had a plethora of responses: “I would say, it’s because anything can happen,” explained Jeffery Latin, Mechanical Engineering major. “A hurricane or earthquake could hit Haiti, or anywhere, at any point. Preparedness is key.” “Climate changes are going to have a significant impact on the weather, and this sort of thing is going to be necessary,” added Dr. Samuel Washington of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Washington serves as council for the group, as well as providing funding and contacts for their endeavors. “A lot of the funding that was promised to Haiti, if you do some
Courtesy: Kristen Hypolite From Left to right- Chair of Mechanical Engineering Dr. H. Dwayne Jerro, Isaac Chimeka, Project Manager Kristen Hypolite, Jeff Latin, Juwan Sims, Kevin Purnell, Dean of Engineering and Computer Science Dr. Habib Mohamadian, Zolile T. Ntombela, Rodney Smith, Leonard Washington, Jr., Professor Archie Tiner, Jr., Florence Estem (not pictured) background checks, was never actually provided.” Washington explained. The group expects to have their project completed by November
17, and sees these Solar Research Cottages benefiting not only the residents of Haiti, but globally in the case of any disaster.
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA