Third Issue of The TSU Herald

THE HERALD | December 1, 2011

www.tsuherald.com

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The official student newspaper of Texas Southern University THE TSU HERALD | September 27, 2012

Vol 65 | Number 03

CAMPUS NEWS

TIGERS

The clash of the

HSA HEATS THINGS UP WITH LATIN NIGHT

LIFE & STYLE

STUDENT SIDE HUSTLES

MIGUEL, FRENCH MONTANA SHOW TSU LOVE

An inside look at our football team

SPORTS

FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN TIGER ATHLETICS

Photo credit: Dominique Monday

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2 THE HERALD | December 1, 2011

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Campus News

Latin Night: A celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month

BY SIJOURNEY PORTER Campus News Editor

On Sunday, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Hispanic Student Association hosted its annual “Latin Night” event.

Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized each year from Sept. 15th to Oct. 15th.

This year’s “Latin Night” was filled with popular 20th century Latin tunes from Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” to Mark Anthony’s “Escandalo.”

There were also folkloric dancers of all ages there to join in on the momentous night.

“We created the event to not only get to know more Hispanics on campus, but other cultures as well,” said HSA secretary Ivanna Gonzalez.

The TSU Chamber Orchestra was the opening act. The orchestra came in playing tunes from composers, such as Manuel De Falla and Victor Lopez, much to the delight of the audience.

“This is my first year at an HBCU and I’m just really glad to see all the diversity,”

said freshman physical education major Steven Carpenter Jr.. “My music teacher told me about the event and I’m really excited about it.”

“Picture being in Spain enjoying the beautiful scenery as the orchestra plays,” said conductor Anne Lundy.

The TSU Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Marvin R. Sparks Jr., assured the audience that it was perfectly fine to get out of their seats and dance. The musicians had the audience bobbing their heads and tapping their feet.

“The Jazz Ensemble had a lot of Afro-Latin beats in their music. The sound is similar to ‘Bachata’ and ‘Merengeu’ styles of music,” said junior pre-pharmacy major Amanda Briscoe.

Later on, folkloric dancers named “Zapata” performed. The dancers were split into two different groups.

The two groups of ladies ranged from ages 8 to 65. The small girl’s group wore

bright colored dresses and black boots as they swayed and stomped to the beat. The older women wore white dresses and large head bows. Both groups danced to the beat as the audience cheered them on.

“I think it was a very successful event compared to last years’,” said HSA President Alfonso Arteaga.

“We had a little bit more time for planning this year. The performers did a fantastic job. We couldn’t have done it without the help of our sponsors.”

The mariachi band ended the night with Arteaga singing “Se Mi Hizo Facil.”

Did you know?

The Hispanic Student Association meets every Thursday at 4 p.m. in room 239 of the Student Center.

EDITORIAL STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AMEENA RASHEED Managing Editor MECOLE HAYES Copy Editor DWAYNE ADAMS Campus News Editor SIJOURNEY PORTER Life & Style Editor KENNETH WARE, JR.

The TSU Herald is published by the students of Texas Southern University. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration. The newspaper is printed biweekly, except during holidays and examination periods.

For additional information, call (713) 313-1976.

The TSU Chamber Orchestra opens up the event by playing music from various composers. (Photo credit: Kurston Brinson)

Sports Editor BUCK BEDIA Publications Manager TIYOSHA TURNER Advisors SERBINO SANDIFER-WALKER MICHAEL BERRYHILL

All Rights Reserved 2012 Office of Student Publications

One of the several performance groups at Latin Night dazzle the crowd with their dance moves. (Photo credit: Kurston Brinson)

www.tsuherald.com THE HERALD | December 1, 2011

Campus News

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KTSU 90.9FM introduces new public affairs program, “A Closer Look” Courtesy of KTSU

Texas Southern University’s campus radio station, KTSU 90.9FM, recently announced the airing of its new public affairs program entitled, A Closer Look. The program will air every Saturday beginning September 29, 2012 from 8 to 9 a.m..

A Closer Look is hosted by George Thomas, the General Manager of KTSU, and Donte Newman a senior student at Texas Southern

University, the pair will serve as moderators as they speak with experts from various fields on issues and topics of interest giving KTSU listeners a traditionalist and millennial perspective.

This show is designed to educate, inform, empower, entertain, and engage by examining issues and topics of interest that directly affect listener’s daily lives.

A Closer Look will explore important matters such as social issues, education, politics, consumer information, and much more.

Particularly, the different generational viewpoints of the moderators makes the show remarkably unique and undoubtedly worth tuning into each Saturday.

Other contributors include Marcus Johnson, a student at Texas Southern University who will cover “Live at 85,” which highlights and honors former Texas Southern University graduates. Samantha Vallejo, another student at Texas Southern University, will cover the local news and weather segments.

Listeners can send their questions and comments to ktsuacloserlook@gmail.com, or mention @ktsuacloserlook on Twitter. For more information about A Closer Look call (713) 313-7291.

Get published in The TSU Herald.

Share your thoughts, views and opinions.

4 THE HERALD | December 1, 2011

Life & Style

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Miguel, French Montana show TSU love

BY KENNTH WARE JR. Life & Style Editor

Texas Southern University music lovers did not miss a beat at a recent show in the heart of Houston. The free concert was awarded to TSU students by The Fader magazine and Vitamin Water.

Students racked in a colossal amount of votes over the summer in an Uncapped online contest.

Internal Vice President of the Student Government Association, Chris Cutkelvin, 24, was proud of his fellow students.

“To see TSU come together as a community to win this contest shows just how far we have progressed as a student body,” Cutkelvin said.

The surprise concert at Venue Houston, 719 Main, was an end-of-thesummer treat for 18-year-old freshman student Jessika Sumpter.

“This will be my first concert,” Sumpter said. “I am going regardless who is performing.”

Sumpter did not remain clueless for long. Word spread around campus like wildfire that “Adorn” singer Miguel and “Shot Caller” rapper French Montana would blaze the stage. Social media websites played a major role in dispersing the news.

“I found out about the concert on my Twitter newsfeed,” Sumpter said.

“I also saw a link on Facebook and I shared it with my friends.”

The concert was free for all TSU students who completed a RSVP and showed their student ID at the door.

Oliver Smith-Perrin, 19, was surprised when he found out the concert was free. He is a sophomore and has never attended a free concert with artists of this caliber.

“It is rare to see two really talented artists perform for free,” SmithPerrin said. “Miguel did an excellent job.”

Miguel kicked off the show.

From beginning to end he remained engaged with the crowd. “TSU are you having a good time,” Miguel said.

His small band complimented the singer’s smooth voice. “I do not know what songs we are going to play,” Miguel confessed before the show. “My band and I will get together right before show time and make a set list.”

He did not disappoint and sometimes his content was racy. “Tell me that the [expletive] is mine,” Miguel said.

The temperature skyrocketed and fans tossed their hands to the ceiling. Miguel performed “All I Want Is You,” “Lotus Flower Bomb” and “Adorn.” The crowd lit up when the infectious hook for “Sure Thing” blared through the speakers. Graduating senior Darinice Hawkins, 23, echoed the lyrics from beginning to end.

“If I was getting married, I would walk down the aisle to that song,” Hawkins said.

Miguel even danced onstage to 2Pac’s “I Get Around” which cleverly transitioned into his own solidified hit, “Quickie.”

After a brief music break from 97.9 The Box’s DJ J-Que, rapper French Montana commanded the stage. He is no stranger to the humid Houston weather or “down South” women. Earlier this year, Montana joined Drake on his highly-successful Club Paradise Tour which stopped in the Bayou City.

“I love Houston,” Montana said.

Besides performing his verses from “Shot Caller” and “Stay Schemin’,” Montana brought out three special Texas natives.

“I jumped up and down when Bun B, Paul Wall and Trae The Truth came on stage,” Sumpter said. Each artist performed several songs alongside Montana with help from the crowd.

“Thank you Texas Southern University,” Montana said.

Both artists will release new albums at the end of the year. Miguel’s Kaleidoscope Dream will be released on October 2 while French Montana is looking forward to a December release.

Miguel serenades the crowd with a few of his chart-topping hits. (Photo credit: Dominique Monday)

During his performance, French Montana brought out rap legend Bun B. (Photo credit: Dominique Monday)

Students mingle with each other before the concert. (Photo credit: Jerry Webb)

www.tsuherald.com THE HERALD | December 1, 2011

Life & Style

THE HEART OF CAMPUS HOUSING The perks and pitfalls of being a residential assistant at Texas Southern University

BY MECOLE HAYES Managing Editor

Juggling school, work and play may seem like the life of an ordinary college student, but what about dealing with a floor filled with anxious residents who have never-ending requests?

Welcome to the life of being a residential assistant.

With school entering its sixth week of the fall semester, residents begin to settle into their dormitories and become familiar with neighbors and floor assistants.

“It’s funny because my residents are so close,” said first-year RA for Lanier East, Kayla Porter. “Sometimes they’ll have their own floor meetings and I have to go by to make sure that it’s only a floor meeting and not a big fight.”

Assistants host activities, such as movie nights or study sessions that make student housing enjoyable for everyone.

“College is new to freshmen and there are a lot of things they don’t know,

like where the library is or where they go to get their Tiger One card so as an RA, it’s my job to help them out,” Porter said.

Once a week, they are assigned six-hour desk duty shifts.

During desk duty they monitor who comes and goes from the building.

In addition, he or she must give up weekends whenever duty calls. The job of an RA job is never done.

RA’s don’t enjoy the luxury of visiting friends and family during holiday breaks.

They are, most times, at the university for training sessions or obligated to return early to prepare for the return of residents.

“You’re basically on duty 24-7,” said three-year Lanier East RA, Jake Lambert IV.

Residents have unlimited access to both their dormitories and RA’s, which can be chaotic.

If one is not properly prepared, being on call all the time can get overwhelming. “The most difficult part of being an RA is having to be accessible throughout twenty-four hours of the day,” said three-year RA, Camellia Parham, who is over Tierwester building two.

If an RA isn’t in his or her room when residents need assistance, residents can either call, text or send an email for emergency situations.

They don’t receive a stipend for their services, but RA’s enjoy the convenience of free campus housing and meal plans as compensation.

“We don’t receive any tangible perks, however we do acquire progression perks that teach us how to network and produce effective programs,” said Parham.

“Whether it is opening a door, or being coherent in times of trouble, the impact is definitely forthcoming.”

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THROUGH TH

Photos by: Dominique Monday, Durelle Jacob, Jerry Webb and Kurston Brinson.

www.tsuherald.com THE HERALD | December 1, 2011

HE EYES OF OUR TIGERS

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Life & Style

College side hustles benefit students

BY KENNETH WARE, JR. Life & Style Editor

Photo by Amanda Roper

Photo by Jerry Webb

In today’s weak economy, TSU students are becoming creative when it comes to the old adage, “trying to make a dollar from 15 cents.”

Balancing a handful of college courses does not allot much time for a student to maintain a job.

Scheduling conflicts can usually be the breaking point.

The constant rise of tuition and cost of books do not help add money to students’ pockets either.

Two years ago, Kurston Brinson, 23, became enthralled with picture-taking while attending the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas.

“My friend let me use his camera while we were down there and it was a wrap,” Brinson said. “I invested in my own camera a few months later.”

He immediately began setting up photo shoots with various people around TSU’s campus. Over the years, he has become a dexterous photographer.

“Whenever I look at a scene,” Brinson added, “I view it as a potential photograph.”

While being an active member in the University Program Council, Student Psychological Association, Photography Club, Collegiate 100 Black Men and Yearbook, he has become an expert at “good time man-

agement.”

“My early school schedule allows for me to do a lot of photo shoots during the day,” Brinson said.

Typically, his Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes are all completed before noon.

“Sometimes there are some late nights involved,” Brinson said.

His prices vary. For graduation shoots he starts at $80. On average, he charges $25/hour to capture photographs for events.

“I love it,” Brinson said.

Two young savvy businesswomen have made a name for themselves within the Urban Academic Village.

Nefertiti Wright, 18, and Brittany Walker, 19, found a gold mine in an uncommon guilty pleasure.

Wright was first introduced to the money-maker back home in Vallejo, Calif..

“Fried Oreos were sold during basketball games and everyone liked them,” Wright said.

“Over the summer I told my mother I would start making them while at TSU.”

Both roommates have capitalized on the popularity of this sinful treat by utilizing social media.

“She [Wright] started cooking them and I posted advertisements on Twitter,” Walker said.

“The response was huge.”

They sell the fried Oreos at affordable prices every other Friday.

A dozen costs less than ten dollars.

“We keep all the receipts for the ingredients and calculate the profits monthly,” Wright said.

Business is booming and they expect to expand in the near future.

“We have a website coming soon,” Walker said.

“My friend let me use his camera while we were down there and it was a wrap,” Brinson said. “I invested in my own camera a few months later.”

- Kurston Brinson, photographer

www.tsuherald.com THE HERALD | December 1, 2011

BBVA Compass: Students react to new stadium

BY BUCK BEDIA Sports Editor

As Texas Southern begins to host more home games at BBVA Compass Stadium, attendees are getting to form better opinions on their new home.

Most opinions about the 95 million dollar facility that the Tiger football team calls home are positive. The state of the art building seats 22,000 people, and boasts a 25 x 45 ft. high definition LED screen on the main scoreboard.

Although attendance declined considerably since the first game, BBVA Compass does not fail to accommodate. Coach Asberry had a little bit to say about the fan situation.

“Winning games is important for us, when we start to come around as a team, our fans and alumni will come around,” said Asberry.

Senior Linebacker Samuel Gordy has seen the changes with the football program from playing at Delmar and now at BBVA Compass and is impressed with the new venue.

“One of the best things for the players is the locker rooms are so big, we don’t have to share lockers anymore, said Gordy. “All of it,

it’s really nice, even the grass, you can tell that a lot of money went into this place.”

One of the biggest tasks for the football team will be facing this year is filling up the stadium.

TSU senior Sedric Cupit has been attending Tiger games at Delmar Stadium since his freshman year and is pleased with BBVA’s close proximity.

“I think it’s a dope stadium, when I first came here (to TSU), the stadium was so far, now it’s right down the street,” said Cupit. “with the shuttles from school, they should be able to get a lot more people to attend.”

Even though the stadium is state of the art, not everyone is impressed by the new stadium, but most fans are very pleased the team finally got a permanent home.

Sharay Edwards, a junior at TSU, is not too excited about the new seating arrangement. “I liked it when we could sit anywhere, now we have a designated area we have to sit in,” said Edwards.

BBVA is an open-air stadium that provides three canopies, running down the sidelines and at the south end-zone, to protect

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Sports

the fans from the sun.

Markievy Johnson, a junior, also likes the atmosphere at the new stadium.

“It’s really big and beautiful, we have seats not bleachers, there is shade from the sun and it’s roomy, hopefully we can get more people to attend the games now.”

Come show your Tiger pride at the next football game at BBVA Compass Stadium Thursday September 27th at 7:00 PM against the Sam Houston State Bearkats.

Don’t have a ride? Want to save money on parking and gas? TSU provides a shuttle service to and from the games. The shuttle service will be pick up students curb side at the entrance to parking lot S1 on Blodgett Street.

This week in Tiger athletics

BY BUCK BEDIA Sports Editor

The Lady Tigers are looking to pounce back after dropping three of their last four matches. The Lady Tigers are just 1-7 on the road, and are looking forward the upcoming home matches against UT-Pan Am on 9/27 and Prairie View on 10/10. Come show your support, games are at 7 pm at the HP&E Arena.

The Lady Tiger soccer team is looking to get in the right groove playing their next five games on the road. They are still struggling to find themselves losing 3 straight by multiple goals. They play at Houston Baptist University on Friday, then the Lady Tigers play five conference games in a row. Next home game for the Lady Tigers is on Friday Oct. 19th at 7 pm

The Tiger football team fell to a record of 1-3 on Saturday, losing to Alabama A &M 42-13. With Riko Smalls out for the season and Dantavious Parker not 100%, Coach Asberry is relying on his young quarterback from San Diego Rudy Parker.

Parker will need the help of offensive standouts Edward Perkins-Love and Fred Plummer on Thursday against Sam Houston State.

Help the Tigers roar on Thursday, 7pm Sept. 27th at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Adrian Bennet gains a few yards during the team’s game against Alabama A&M. (Photo credit: Kurston Brinson)

10 THE HERALD | December 1, 2011

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The clash of the tigers

BY JASMINE OLIVER Contributing Writer

Many dream of college game day, but only a select few get to experience playing on the turf of a college football field.

Competition is stiff and playing time is earned. This may be a game to some, but they aren’t playing around here. This is the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and we are at Texas Southern University.

At the home of the maroon and grey these select men play every game like it is their last, so be mindful of the claws that may come out.

As the Tigers get ready for their prey, they get in the zone to get mentally prepared for the game.

In one corner of the locker room there is quarterback Riko Smalls* with headphones in his ears as he bangs out to his favorite rap artists -- one being himself. “They say how can I rap when I’m playing sports and/I tell em’ it increases my chances for more endorsements/ 1% of football 1% of rap gon’ make it/ that adds up to 2% I like those odds so I’m gonna take the chance.”

In another corner is quarterback Dontavious Parker with headphones in his ears; but be careful, Parker may not be listening to music. He is known to crack a few jokes to ease his mind before the game.

Both are in their senior year and starring as the quarterbacks this season, Smalls and Parker are prepared to lead the team to victory.

“Me and DP (a nickname the team calls Dontavious) are going on a 3-year tenure,” said Smalls. “We’ve been through a lot. We bounce ideas off of each other, we hold no grudges. We push each other.”

Head coach Darrell Asberry feels the two young men are a perfect duo this season.

“I think they complement each other well,” Asberry said.

“As quarterbacks they’ve made good decisions more than they have bad ones.”

It is clear these two men have different personalities, but one thing is certain; they share a common goal.

“Winning,” said Parker. “I feel we can be very successful this season. The talent is there, the preparation is there. As long as we stay disciplined we shouldn’t have any issues.”

With a brand new stadium and a new head coach, the expectations are high for the Tigers this season.

“The football team has high expectations,” said Asberry.

“We are going to try to take every opponent on like a championship game.”

Smalls, a transfer from the University of Virginia, took the quarterback role in a very pivotal game against Alabama State in 2010 to help bring the SWAC Football Championship to TSU.

“It was a good feeling,” said Smalls. “I stepped up and played my role. I feel I can lead this team to another championship.”

TSU competed against Prairie View A&M in the annual Labor Day Classic on Sept. 1 and came out with a 44-41 win. The trophy had not been at TSU since 2006; this year the team was determined to bring it home in a hard fought game.

“Five years since our last win against them was unacceptable,” said Smalls. “It felt good to get that monkey off of our backs.”

Parker added by saying, “We played a hard fought game.

I’m relieved we won. We really came together as a team.”

These two are not only leaders on the field, but they also display a great deal of leadership off of the field.

Parker holds a 3.2 GPA and will be graduating in December with a computer science degree.

“Excellence off the field is key,” Parker said. “If you take care of your business the fun times will come.” (continued on page 12)

Photo credit: Kurston Brinson

www.tsuherald.com THE HERALD | December 1, 2011 11

Financial Literacy Pell Lifetime Eligibility Have you thought about Money Management? Are you trying to create a budget for the fall semester?

The excess financial aid forwarded to in the form of a “refund” after your financial aid has been applied to your student account may have resulted from federal loans. If your excess aid was generated as a result of a federal loan, remember the loans must be repaid with interest which may be accumulating while you continue your studies.

Borrowing should be limited to educational expenses that merit an investment in your future. Everyone has common components such as shelter, food and clothing.

Money management is one of the financial literacy sessions designed to assist you in saving money as you pay for NECESSITIES, buy what you NEED and decide what you WANT. Making wise choices in spending your excess aid will create large pay-offs at graduation by limiting your overall debt and potentially reducing the number and amount of total payments. You can avoid financial hardships, such as using credit cards for non-emergencies, borrowing money from friends and family, and damaging your credit and credit score.

Financial literacy sessions are available online at: http://buttonwood.everfi.net/tsu/login.

Exit Loan Counseling Attention All Fall December 2012 Graduates All graduating students who have borrowed a Federal Direct Loan, while attending TSU are REQUIRED to complete an exit loan counseling session prior to exiting the university.* Register for an Exit Counseling session at https://app.timetrade.com/tc/login.do?url=tsu. After registering, select the Exit Counseling activity session.

Dates and times for the presentations are provided below: DATE

TIMES

LOCATION

Aug 27 - Aug 30

9am-10am 2pm-3pm

E.O. Bell Bldg E.O. Bell Bldg

Sept 3 - Sept 6

9am-10 am 2pm-3pm

E.O. Bell Bldg E.O. Bell Bldg

Sept 7

9am-10am 2pm- 3pm

E.O. Bell Bldg E.O. Bell Bldg

Failure to attend these federally mandated sessions may result in a hold on the student’s diploma and ability to request an official transcript until the requirement has been fulfilled. Students failing to complete exit loan counseling are also at a higher risk of defaulting on their student loans due to a lack of information and knowledge about the student loan program. *Mandatory for All Fall December Graduates Only!

Information Provided by the Office of Student Financial Assistance A recent change in the law affects the Federal Pell Grant Program beginning with the 2012-2013 award year. This change limits the total number of years a student may receive a Federal Pell Grant to the “equivalent of six years” or 600% of the total annual scheduled award amount.

The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited by a new federal law to be the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding. Since the maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six-year equivalent is 600%. A student attending full-time for both a fall and spring semester will normally receive the equivalent of 100% of the scheduled award for the year.

If a student’s Lifetime Eligibility Usage (LEU) equals or exceeds 600%, the student may no longer receive Pell Grant funding. Similarly, a student whose LEU is greater than 500% but less than 600%, while eligible for a Pell Grant for the next award year, will not be able to receive a full scheduled award. Note that you still may be eligible for other federal, state, and scholarships and are encouraged to continue the normal application process by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as well as the University Scholarship Application.

The U.S. Department of Education keeps track of your LEU by adding together the percentages of your Pell Grant scheduled awards that you received for each award year. A synopsis of the lifetime eligibility calculation may be found at the following link: www.studentaid.ed.gov/pell-limit. A sample chart are included below. The table below shows examples of the LEUs of three students who received differing amounts of their scheduled awards over a four year period.

Examples of Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used

Student A

Student B

Student C

Pell Grant Scheduled Award

$5,550

$5,000

$4,000

Pell Grant Amount Received

$2,775

$3,750

$4,000

Percent Used

50%

75%

100%

Pell Grant Scheduled Award

$5,200

$5,000

$5,500

Pell Grant Amount Received

$5,200

$5,000

$5,550

Percent Used

100%

100%

100%

Pell Grant Scheduled Award

$4,700

$5,000

$5,550

Pell Grant Amount Received

$4,700

$1,250

$5,550

Percent Used

100%

25%

100%

Pell Grant Scheduled Award

$4,700

$5,000

$5,550

Pell Grant Amount Received

$4,700

$5,000

$5,550

Percent Used

100%

100%

100%

Note: From 2009-­‐10 through 2010-­‐11, it was possible for a student to receive up to two scheduled awards in a year. So 350% some students will have a “percent used” of up to 200% for one or more of those years.

300%

400%

Award Year 1

Award Year 2

Award Year 3

Award Year 4

Default Prevention Understanding the rights and privileges associated with your Federal Loans provides you with valuable information that helps prevent a lapse in repayment and negative credit reporting. We have help. Texas Southern University has two new default prevention officers on staff to assist you in understanding; • the difference between a deferment and a forbearance, • whether consolidating your loans is the best financial strategy to lower your payments, • the difference in income-based repayment and income-contingent repayment, and • the options for the loan forgiveness programs.

Available daily by appointment, walk-in or telephone, contact Latisha Marion, Default Prevention Coordinator, at 713-313-4856 or Dischunara Brown, Default Prevention Officer, at 713-313-4419.

12 THE HERALD | December 1, 2011

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What’s Happening on campus & around town

Monday - 9/24 Monday - 9/24

Tuesday - 9/25 Tuesday - 9/25

Wednesday 9/26 Wednesday - -9/26

Thursday - 9/27 Thursday - 9/27

The Weekend 9/29 & 9/30

Friday - 9/28 Friday - 9/28

TLEC Professional Development Seminar Walter McCoy Auditorium BJ-ML School of Public Affairs FB vs. Sam Houston State 8-9 a.m.

7 p.m.

BBVA Compass Stadium

2012 Tiger Career Fair* Recreation Center 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. *Business attire required

Monday - 10/1 Monday - 10/1

Tuesday - 10/2 Tuesday - 10/2

Wednesday - 10/3

Thursday 10/4 Thursday - -10/4

The TheWeekend Weekend 10/6 & 10/7 10/6 & 10/7

Friday- 10/5 - 10/5 Friday

FB at Alabama State 1 p.m.

Our calendar is reserved for the advertisement of on and off campus events. If you are interested in having your event placed on our calendar, then please stop by room 221 of the Student Center or call us at (713) 313-6710. continued from page 10

Smalls, on the other hand, earned his degree this past May and is currently working on a Master’s degree in human performance.

“No matter what, I try to stay consistent,” said Smalls. “No matter the ups, downs, tribulations or accomplishments, I try to be the same Riko.”

Smalls and Parker have been through more than one staff change together, but they both feel new head coach Asberry is a perfect addition to the team.

“Coach Asberry is a tremendous asset to the football program and University as a whole,” said Smalls. “The discipline that he has instilled in us is much needed and evident. I feel under his leadership we can only go to the top.”

The feeling seems mutual with Coach Asberry, as he feels Smalls and Parker make a great team.

“I haven’t had any problems on or off the field with those young men,” said Coach Asberry. “The team responds well to them.

They are where they are supposed to be.”

The passion for the game was evident in their voices. It was now time to see how they thought their team would describe them.

“They would probably say I’m a serious guy,” said Parker. “I have an old soul. I’m really chill and laid back.”

Smalls erupted with laughter before he said his team would describe him as ‘crazy.’

“If you didn’t know me you would probably think I was different,” said Smalls. “But once you get to know me, you would just accept me for who I am.”

Coach Asberry says resilient, tough, and aggressive are three words that describe his football team overall.

With this being their last season playing collegiate football, the young men are ambitious and have much hope for the future.

“It’s really up to the Lord,” said Smalls. “I would love to continue to play football if that’s God’s plan for me. With or without football I see myself being successful. It’s more what don’t I want to do.”

“I’ll go as far as football allows me to go,” Parker said.

“Once football has taken its course, I plan to use my degree and knowledge to become wealthy. My life after college, I’ll be successful regardless.”

While rap artists Drake has made it clear that his motto is “You Only Live Once” (Y.O.L.O), Smalls and Parker have mottos they live by.

“The grind don’t stop,” said Smalls.

“Make your first impression your best impression,” Parker said.

The football team is working hard to make their first impression their best for all of the fans. And Tiger fans can only wait to see if this is the start of something new.

Welcome to the Tigers Den, its feeding time! *Riko Smalls suffered a season ending injury in the game against North Texas.