September 15, 2020 . Volume 75 . Issue 2
Meeting the Officers: SGA Elections
Debrandin Brown The Southern Digest
In a year where everything has been different from what we would normally expect, SGA elections have come and gone again with some notable additions to the Student Government Association. According to some of this year’s victors, as unorthodox as this year’s election experience may have been, it’s still going to be something that they remember for a long time. The freshmen, sophomore, and junior classes all welcomed new members to their class leadership hierarchy, with the freshman class welcoming a new President in Sydney Lafleur, a chemistry major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“It is now our time to learn and thrive together. We have a very important election coming up. I will concentrate my efforts on getting out to vote. Our lives here and beyond depend upon our civic engagement. I expect that this new role will both humble and allow me to grow as a servant leader.,” said LeFleur when asked what she hopes to accomplish during this unusual fall semester. According to LeFleur, she hopes to make a tangible difference on the Bluff as we get closer to the November Presidential Election. One of two new class senators taking office this semester, sophomore psychology major Ballard Mouton from Lake Charles reflected on his experience throughout
Election Results - Courtesy SGA
this election process and what he hopes to accomplish as a class officer. “This election season was a challenge due to the new protocols, but it has inspired me to do phenomenal things this semester.” said Mouton when asked about his experience with the new election regulations and what his expectations are for himself to start his term. When asked what his message would be to
Election Results - Courtesy SGA
his class, he had this to say to the members of his class: “As we move forward Class of SU23, I assure you all that I will provide the proper resources and channels for the Campus to function in a positive light, and protect the bluff from adversity….I will champion this!,” said Mouton. Additionally, the junior class welcomed it’s new class senator in Lealer Sims, a junior mass communications major from
Houston, Texas.
“The election this year was extremely different from the past, all because of COVID-19. I could not campaign on campus at all! It was strictly social media based. When you think of elections you think of tables with treats, and people campaigning on pretty Wednesday. All of
Connected: SU ‘24 Gets Laptops Tiffany Williams The Southern Digest
Outlook email was sent out to me from Zackeus Johnson.”
Of course, many upperclassmen were not aware of the new computers since they are not freshmen, but were curious as to why they were not given the option of getting new laptops. When asked, “Why is the focus Based on their response so far, on freshmen?” Dr. Johnson stated, the faculty at Southern University “They don’t have the resources. and A&M College understands Some of them are first generation the conflicts that many students college students, some of them are going through, especially in are coming from poverty homes, the freshmen class. To help ease so they can’t afford laptops.” their stress, Southern has offered laptops to help accommodate When posed the question of those students in need. “We whether or not she thought thought it was very imperative it was fair that only freshmen that students had something received new laptops, sophomore of their own to actually be mass communications major successful,” said Dr. Zackeus Katrina Anderson said, “I think Johnson, Executive of University that freshmen should have more leeway; we are older. But at the College. same time, since one group is However, there is still a fair share getting new things, it should of freshmen who are unaware apply to everyone.” of their laptop privileges. Dr. Johnson has used Zoom and While this is an amazing Outlook to notify freshmen of opportunity provided by the the availability of the laptops school, it must be said that these through the university. Freshman laptops were not free. Rather, a computer science major, Kenneth fee for the laptops was included in Martin Jr. confirmed their the tuition for the freshmen. They communications saying, “Yes, an will be getting the option of a Dell COVID-19 has created struggles for all parties involved, from the loss of family members and close friends, to transitions from inperson to non-traditional and online classes.
See ELECTIONS page 3
Departmental Spotlight: Admissions & Recruitment Jamien Williams/Jaylnn Jacobs The Southern Digest
With the on-going existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape on how colleges operate has changed drastically over the course of the summer and into this school year. Despite this change in circumstances, staff in the Department of Admissions has proven to be a pillar of consistency in the eyes of many on the Bluff.
DIGEST Illustration
Latitude 3310 or a New Latitude 3310 Laptop. The laptops will be administered in Moore Hall at the help desk within a week and half. Only students that opt in to receive a laptop will get an email on when the laptops will be ready to be picked up.
For upperclassmen that would like to receive a new laptop, they must inform Dr. Zackeus Johnson or someone in the information technology building. A $600 fee will be added to the student’s account and said students will be accommodated.
In speaking with Executive Director of Admissions and Recruitment Mrs. Heather Freeman, she shared her perspective on the student acclimation process and the role that she plays in helping students handle unfinished business in her department. “ I understand the registration process and how it can be long and difficult due See SPOTLIGHT page 3
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA