ISSUE 8, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018
The Southern DIGEST www.southerndigest.com ● The sentinel of the enlightened student body at Southern University and A&M College ● Since 1926
Congressional Elections NEWS, PAGE 3
The Second ‘Coming SPORTS, PAGE 4
Alpha Week 2018 A&E, PAGE 8
“Financial Aid: Wyd?” COMMENTARY, PAGE 11
Slight Delays:
Registration now open for Spring 2019
Southern University School of Nursing: What’s Really Spooky? Gabrielle Hutchinson ● DIGEST News Editor
Students wait to meet with their academic advisors to register for 2019 Spring Semester. (Adriana Trosclair/DIGEST)
Leah Williams ● DIGEST Staff Writer
After a week of confusion, registration is finally open for all students. This past week, some students were able to schedule classes, but not all of them. Many students thought that registration was pushed back a week because the Academic Calendar said that registration for the Spring
2019 Semester opened October 22. This was actually the priority registration period, according to Diana Depron, Southern University Registrar. “Registration was not pushed back a week. Open registration starts October 29. October 22 was priority registration for like athletes and students that are have under 36 hours and are still being advised by CUSA,” says Depron.
Some students, like Johnna Johnson, a 21 year old senior mass communication major from Port Allen, Louisiana, were confused and angry to check banner and not be able to register, but classes they needed were almost full. “I’ve been at Southern since 2015 and have never seen registration like this. I’ve never seen it not open see REGISTRATION on page 3
On the assist: SU Office of Financial Aid more in tune with FAFSA Debrandin Brown ● DIGEST Staff Editor
school seniors looking to graduate and receive their diploma.
Partnered with Louisiana Education Loan Authority (LELA), the Office of Financial Aid has been able to assist high school seniors with the completion of their FAFSA during this school year. The emphasis on getting help for students in the completion of their FAFSA became ever more important when the Louisiana Board of Regents made FAFSA completion mandatory for all high
Similarly, LELA has organized a FAFSA completion guide to give to the high schoolers tips and details on how to keep up with their FSA I.D., as well as their Save Key. Once the FAFSA is completed, LELA also offers scholarship opportunities to the students where they can win up to $1,000 in scholarship money through a monthly drawing where two students DIGEST ART www.southerndigest.com
see FASFA on page 3
The month of October is full of creepy Halloween themes and costumes, but the Southern University Student Nurses’ Association is calling attention to what is really spooky: breast cancer and domestic violence. October is not only a month full of free candy. It is a month where women and supporters come together to raise awareness for breast cancer and domestic violence. Last Monday, the SNA held its annual walk to commemorate those who have fought, died, or survived the hardships that many women in the area face. A couple of those include the late Assistant Professor, Kimberly Vincent-McCoy and the late Gabrielle Bessix. “Of course we began the walk by praying,” SNA shared with supporters on it’s Instagram platform. “Mrs. McCoy’s family held the banner and their shirts read, ‘Let’s walk with Kym.’ They come to the Breast Cancer Walk every year and we definitely appreciate them.” Affectionately named “The Cardiac Queen,” McCoy studied on The Yard, earning a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nursing. She went on the return the gift of knowledge to her university by assuming the role of Assistant Professor until her battle with breast cancer ended in the summer of 2015. “In the fall of 2015, I stepped into this role as faculty advisor to the Student Nurses’ Association,” Assistant Professor Juanita Garner explains. “Since then, we’ve really wanted to bring awareness to breast cancer and we’ve wanted to honor Ms. McCoy.” Garner also see SUSON on page 3