the february 28 issue of the southern digest

8
Cuts to higher education have made the purpose of each campus in the Southern University system more important in order to save money for the entire system. The redefining of each campus’s role, scope and mission is essential in meeting the Board of Regents’ new standards for higher education around the state. “A statewide research institution,” said Southern University’s System President Ronald Mason on what is the role, scope, and mission of Southern University-Baton Rouge. According to Mason Southern University’s Agricultural Center has led key research initiatives around the state. Each campus has a vital role in making the system whole. Mason said the Southern University in New Orleans is a regional institution because that is primarily where it serves. SUNO is known for assisting nontraditional students graduate that are in that specific region. While SUNO assist students in the southern region of the state, Southern University in Shreveport does the same, but in the northern region. “SUSLA is a community college that serves that region,” said Mason when asked about the campus’s role. Students who wish to attend Southern University and save money, but live in northern Louisiana can attend SUSLA. “SUSLA offers a wide array of courses designed to facilitate admission to four-year institutions, addresses the needs of the work force development community, upgrades the skills in the latest trends in business and industry through credit and non-credit courses,” said SUSLA Chancellor Ray Belton. According to the State of Louisiana’s website, one of the governor’s main priorities in his workforce plan was to strengthen the junior college and technical college system to serve the state’s needs. Belton also stated how the role of the institution is also in accordance with the school’s mission to provide short-term technical training to students who want to move rapidly into the workforce. SUSLA’s Curriculum Com- mittee and Academic Council has intent to establish a Licensed Practical Nursing Program. This program assists students already in the workforce to move forward immediately in earning more money. While SULSA serves its purpose, Southern University’s Law Center has been gaining much more acclaim in its role. Freddie Pitcher Jr., SULC’s chancellor, said that their main role, mission and scope is “Access and Opportunity.” With over 4,500 alumni, 3,000 are African American alumni, displays how SULC has given students opportunities they might not have had elsewhere. Pitcher said the mission is also to make sure to bring in a diverse population and provide a nurturing environment. SULC has one of the most diverse student and faculty populations in the country. Reversing the trend of fewer African American male students attending and graduating from college is the goal of The Southern University System as it initiates The Honoré Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement pilot program this spring. According to the U.S Department of Education, the national college graduation rate for black men is 33.1 percent compared with 44.8 percent for black women. The total graduation rate is 57.3 percent. Black men represent 7.9 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds in America but only 2.8 percent of undergraduates at public flagship universities. The Honoré Center is located on the Southern University at New Orleans campus. The center is named in recognition of a true “servant leader” namely retired Army. Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, a Southern University alum who was widely hailed by the news media for leading Task Force Katrina in the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast in the summer of 2005. “We will recruit 20 to 24 black male high school graduates, all from the class of 2012 and primarily from the metro- New Orleans area for the fall initiative,” HCUSA director Warren A. Bell said. The program allows students who don’t meet the standard requirements of Southern University-New Orleans to enroll as Southern University-Shreveport students while completing the necessary remedial and basic/core courses that are required at SUNO. The goal is that students who finish these courses will be able to apply for transfer into SUNO and eventually complete their bachelors degree with certification as teachers. A student qualified for the program must be Pell grant eligible and precluded from admission to SUNO by the state’s mandated standards. “This is NOT really a “scholarship” program, “The Honoré students are expected to sign a contract with the university acknowledging that all of the extra financial resources provided to them are considered “forgivable loans” that they are liable for repayment unless and until they serve a minimum of two years as classroom teachers in a New Orleans area public school,” said Bell. HCUSA is part of a national demonstration to address the African- American male cradle-to-prison pipeline and its consequences. A pipeline that consists of social and economic factors such as access to health care (including mental health care), underperforming schools, broken child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and a toxic youth culture that praises pimps and glorifies violence, that converge to reduce the odds of poor African- American and Latino children growing up to become productive adults. “Across the nation, the absence of black males among the ranks of teachers has been identified as a critical problem, and that certainly applies in Louisiana. This program aims to address both needs, so that not only will we hopefully enhance the overall number of black college graduates, but also we would increase the ranks of black male school teachers,” said Bell. Exclusive content @ THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA Today Wednesday Thursday Friday 78/66 79/67 79/68 81/60 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012 www.southerndigest.com Obama wants govs. to invest in education see State & Nation, Page 4 Cador wins 800th game; Jags split at Alcorn see Sports, Page 5 Richard talks book process; ‘Valor’ delivers see Culture, Page 6 VOLUME 58, ISSUE 7 MARCUS GREEN The Southern Digest “Students who wish to attend Southern University and save money, but live in northern Louisiana, can attend SUSLA.” Ronald Mason president, SU System CHARLES HAWKINS II The Southern Digest The Southern University is opening the Honoré Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement pilot program in the spring, naming the program designed to combat the black male “cradle-to-prison pipeline” after outspoken Southern alum retired Army. Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré. DIGEST FILE PHOTO SUS initiates Honoré program System redefines individual campus roles

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SU System initiates Honoré program; System redefines individual campus roles; Roger Cador gets win no. 800; and more

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Page 1: The February 28 Issue of The Southern Digest

Cuts to higher education have made the purpose of each campus in the Southern University system more important in order to save money for the entire system. The redefining of each campus’s role, scope and mission is essential in meeting the Board of Regents’ new standards for higher education around the state.

“A statewide research institution,” said Southern University’s System President Ronald Mason on what is the role, scope, and mission of Southern University-Baton Rouge.

According to Mason Southern University’s Agricultural Center has led key research initiatives around the state. Each campus has a vital role in making the system whole.

Mason said the Southern University in New Orleans is a regional institution because that is primarily where it serves.

SUNO is known for assisting nontraditional students graduate that are in that specific region.

While SUNO assist students in the southern region of the state, Southern University in

Shreveport does the same, but in the northern region.

“SUSLA is a community college that serves that region,” said Mason when asked about the campus’s role. Students who wish to attend Southern

University and save money, but live in northern Louisiana can attend SUSLA.

“SUSLA offers a wide array of courses designed to facilitate admission to four-year

institutions, addresses the needs of the work force development community, upgrades the skills in the latest trends in business and industry through credit and non-credit courses,” said SUSLA Chancellor Ray Belton.

According to the State of Louisiana’s website, one of the governor’s main priorities in his workforce plan was to strengthen the junior college and technical college system to serve the state’s

needs. Belton also stated how the

role of the institution is also in accordance with the school’s mission to provide short-term technical training to students who want to move rapidly into

the workforce.SUSLA’s Curriculum Com-

mittee and Academic Council has intent to establish a Licensed Practical Nursing Program. This program assists students already in the workforce to move forward immediately in earning more money.

While SULSA serves its purpose, Southern University’s Law Center has been gaining much more acclaim in its role.

Freddie Pitcher Jr., SULC’s chancellor, said that their main role, mission and scope is “Access and Opportunity.”

With over 4,500 alumni, 3,000 are African American alumni, displays how SULC has given students opportunities they might not have had elsewhere.

Pitcher said the mission is also to make sure to bring in a diverse population and provide a nurturing environment. SULC has one of the most diverse student and faculty populations in the country.

Reversing the trend of fewer African American male students attending and graduating from college is the goal of The Southern University System as it initiates The Honoré Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement pilot program this spring.

According to the U.S Department of Education, the national college graduation rate for black men is 33.1 percent compared with 44.8 percent for black women. The total graduation rate is 57.3 percent. Black men represent 7.9 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds in America but only 2.8 percent of undergraduates at public flagship universities.

The Honoré Center is located on the Southern University at New Orleans campus. The center is named in recognition of a true “servant leader” namely retired Army. Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, a Southern University alum who was widely hailed by the news media for leading Task Force Katrina in the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast in the summer of 2005.

“We will recruit 20 to 24 black male high school graduates, all from the class of 2012 and primarily from the metro-New Orleans area for the fall initiative,” HCUSA director Warren A. Bell said.

The program allows students who don’t meet the standard requirements of Southern University-New Orleans to enroll as Southern University-Shreveport students while completing the necessary remedial and basic/core courses that are required at SUNO.

The goal is that students who finish these courses will be able to apply for transfer into SUNO and eventually complete their bachelors degree with certification as teachers.

A student qualified for the program must be Pell grant eligible and precluded from admission to SUNO by the state’s mandated standards.

“This is NOT really a “scholarship” program, “The Honoré students are expected to sign a contract with the university acknowledging that all of the extra financial resources provided to them are considered “forgivable loans” that they are liable for repayment unless and until they serve a minimum of two years as classroom teachers in a New Orleans area public school,” said Bell.

HCUSA is part of a national demonstration to address the African-American male cradle-to-prison pipeline and its consequences.

A pipeline that consists of social and economic factors such as access to health care (including mental health care), underperforming schools, broken child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and

a toxic youth culture that praises pimps and glorifies violence, that converge to reduce the odds of poor African-American and Latino children growing up to become productive adults.

“Across the nation, the absence of black males among the ranks of teachers has

been identified as a critical problem, and that certainly applies in Louisiana. This program aims to address both needs, so that not only will we hopefully enhance the overall number of black college graduates, but also we would increase the ranks of black male school teachers,” said Bell.

Exclusive content @

thE official studEnt nEwspapEr of southErn univErsity and a&m collEgE, baton rougE, louisiana

today wednesday thursday friday

78/66 79/67 79/68 81/60

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 www.southerndigest.com

Obama wants govs. to invest in educationsee State & Nation, Page 4

Cador wins 800th game; Jags split at Alcornsee Sports, Page 5

Richard talks book process; ‘Valor’ deliverssee Culture, Page 6

Volume 58, Issue 7

Marcus GreenThe Southern Digest

“Students who wish to attend Southern University and save money, but live in northern Louisiana, can attend SUSLA.”

Ronald Masonpresident, SU System

charles hawkins iiThe Southern Digest

The Southern University is opening the Honoré Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement pilot program in the spring, naming the program designed to combat the black male “cradle-to-prison pipeline” after outspoken Southern alum retired Army. Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré.

DIGEST FILE PHOTO

SUS initiates Honoré program

System redefines individual campus roles

Page 2: The February 28 Issue of The Southern Digest

RETOOL yOuR ScHOOLContinue to vote to see

Southern get a facelift. Vote at retoolyourschool.com to help Southern University suc-ceed. Vote everyday because every vote counts. Southern University is currently in 5th place.

camPuS accESSHarding Boulevard will be

the sole entrance/exit between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. Vehicles entering the campus during those hours must stop at the Checkpoint prior to entering the campus. On weekends the Mills Avenue entrance will remain closed from 6 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. the following Monday morning. Please contact Lt. Floyd Williams at 771-2770 for more details.

LIvE TExT cODES FOR FIRST TImE FRESHmEn anD FIRST TImE

TRanSFERSLiveText Subscription Codes

for First-Time Freshmen and First-Time Transfer Students are available until March 1 from 10am-12noon and 2-4p.m. Monday-Thursday in Room 155 of W.W. Stewart Hall.

InTRamuRaL BaSkETBaLL LEaGuELeague Play has begun for

Intramural Basketball. All games are played on Fridays in Seymour Gym. For more information contact Coach Robinson at 225.771.3212.

mLk caTHOLIc STuDEnT cEnTERThe St. Joseph Chapel/ MLK

Catholic Student Center offers Sunday mass service at 11 am and daily mass at 12:10 Monday thru Friday. Confessions are by appointment.

Su WESLEy FOunDaTIOnThe Southern University

Wesley Foundation is accepting donations of non-perishable and canned foods for their food drive. They will be accepting donations until April. Worship services are on Wednesdays at

noon.

caFé LacumBaCome join your colleagues

and faculty for a delicious and healthy lunch! All items are made fresh and can be enjoyed as you dine in or on the go. Café Lacumba will be serving sandwiches, wraps, salads, snacks and beverages every Wednesday from 11 am- 1:30 pm. Café Lacumba is located in 161 Pinkie Thrift Hall. For more information call 225.771.4660.

unIOn Fun FRIDaySLaCumba’s playpen, Union

Bowling Alley and Burger King will be open Fridays until 3pm. LaCumba’s playpen and the bowling alley will offer half price Fridays.

GRaDuaTE ScHOOL cRITIcaL DaTESA list of critical dates is in the

graduate school office.

cEnTER FOR STuDEnT SuccESSThe SU CSS offers a free

paper service. You can have your paper reviewed for clarity, grammatical errors, sentence structure, etc. CSS will also be offering English workshops every Friday at 10 am. CSS will be offering seminars to assist students with topics such as discovering their learning styles, study skills, to stress management. Contact CSS for more information on any of these programs and for tutoring questions at 225.771.4312 or stop by 107 in Stewart Hall.

unIOn acTIvITy BOaRDA Mid-day Movie will be

shown today at noon in the Lakefront room of the Union. Upcoming Market Days in the union will be today and tomorrow.

caTS REFORm mEETInGThere will be a discussion

and meeting concerning CATS reform for Baton Rouge in the SGA Conference Room on the 2nd floor of Smith Brown Memorial union today at 3:30 pm.

BLuES FOR aLaBama SkyThe theatre department

presents “Blues for an Alabama Sky” Feb 29 & Mar 1-3 at 7:30 pm in Hayden Hall. Admission is $3 for Students and $5 for general admission. The play was written by Pearl Cleage and set in 1930’s Harlem.

BLack HISTORy QuIz BOWLBEEP will host a Black

History Quiz Bowl at 7:00 PM in T. T. Allain Hall in Room 313 tomorrow. For more information contact SU BEEP at 225.771.5883 or [email protected].

cHancELLOR maSTER cLaSS SERIES

A.P. Tureaud, the first black student at LSU will speak in the Chancellor’s master class series tomorrow at 6 pm in the Cotillion Ballroom of Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

TaBLE TEnnIS TOuRnamEnT Smith Brown Memorial

Union presents a table tennis tournament on March 14 from 6-9pm in Lacumba’s Playpen. Register for the tournament between February 28-March 9 for only $5. Awards and Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place. Come out and show off your skills.

aaRP InTERnSHIP OPPORTunITIESAARP Baton Rouge is looking

for advocacy interns. Seeking part-time interns to work 20 hours a week for 14 weeks as a part of the advocacy team. This internship is paid with flexible hours. Applicants are required to be currently enrolled senior or pursuing a Masters in political science, law, business administration with the ability to commit to AARP goals, priority issues, communication skills, and MS office suite and online tool proficiency. Qualified candidates send a letter of interest and resume to [email protected].

Page 2 - Tuesday, February 28, 2012

CamPus lIFeThe senTInel oF an enlIghTened sTudenT body sInCe 1926

classifiEdthe southern digEst is not responsible for the contents, promises, nor statements made in any classified and reserve the right to reject any ad request with explanation. No classified ads will be accepted or processed over the telephone and must accept the type font sizes of the digEst.

all classifiEd must bE paid in advancE by cashiErs chEcK or monEy ordEr. no pErsonal chEcKs accEptEd. students must have proper id and phone numbers to get student advertising rates.

rates do not apply to students who are representatives & employees of the com-pany. in the event an error is made in a classified ad, immediate claims and notice must be given within 15 days. the digEst is only responsible for onE replacement or run in the next publication. Classified are due ONE wEEK prior to run date.

paid classified can be ordered by contacting the student media advertising manager at 225.771.5833.

pagE 2 / campus briEfsall submissions must be received by 3 p.m. each friday prior to tuesday’s issue and by 3 p.m. each monday prior to thursday’s issue.

PAGE 2 is only available to officially registered campus organizations, southern university departments. all briefs should include a date, time, contact name & number.

submit announcements to:the southern digEst - suite 1064 harris

hall, attn: pagE 2

corrEctionsFact and accuracy is our goal and our job. As the voice of the southern university student body we are committed to ensuring to most fair, truthful and accurate accounts of our work. in the event of an error we will make all corrections on page 2.

bring corrections to the southern digEst office located in Suite 1064, Harris Hall.

ISSN: 1540-7276. Copyright 2008 by The Southern University Office of Student Media Services. The Southern DIGEST is written, edited and published by members of the student body at Southern University and A&M College.

All articles, photographs and graphics are property of The Southern DIGEST and its contents may not be reproduced or republished without the written permission from the Editor in Chief and Director of Student Media Services. The Southern DIGEST is published twice-weekly (Tuesday & Thursday) with a run count of 5,000 copies per issue during the Southern University - Baton Rouge campus fall, spring semesters.

The paper is free to students, staff, faculty and general public every Tuesday & Friday morning on the SUBR campus. The Southern DIGEST student offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. The offices are located on the first floor of T.H. Harris Hall, Suite 1064.

The Southern DIGEST is the official student newspaper of Southern University and A&M College located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Articles, features, opinions, speak out and editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the administration and its policies. Signed articles, feedback, commentaries and features do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, staff or student body.

Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone (404) 679-4500, Website: www.sacscoc.org.

MISSION STATEMENTThe mission of Southern University and A&M College, an Historically Black, 1890 land-grant institution, is to provide opportunities for a diverse student population to achieve a high-quality, global educational experience, to engage in scholarly, research, and creative activities, and to give meaningful public service to the community, the state, the nation, and the world so that Southern University graduates are competent, informed, and productive citizens. Website: www.subr.edu.

PAGE 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS & PAID CLASSIFIED INFO

For more information call 225.771.5833 or mail your subscription payment of $40 to: The Southern Digest Subscriptions, PO Box 10180, Baton Rouge, LA 70813. Business, cashiers checks and money orders accepted only. No personal checks or credit card orders accepted. Make all payments to The Southern Digest.

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southerndigest.com

who’s speaking out?

“My favorite Black History event is that BET and other channels have began playing all of the good, old black history movies.”

“My favorite event was the African-American Read-In that was held at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library.”

“My favorite event was the candlelight vigil held at the union for MLK Day hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha.”

“My favorite black history event was the MLK Annual Commemoration Service in Atlanta, Georgia.”

ZaChery dIamond

CallIerPrenTIss

DarianPrentiss

MARINGOUIN, LA.JUNIORMASS

COMMUNICATION

MeaganCallier

MOBILE, ALA.SENIORMASS

COMMUNICATION

laQuishaZaChery

OPELOUSAS, LA.SENIOR

BUSINESS

DoMiniQueDiaMonD

KENTWOOD, LA.SOPHOMORE

MASS COMMUNICATION

Have you learned anything new during Black History Month?

campus briefsTODAy

FEBRUARy 29

Page 3: The February 28 Issue of The Southern Digest

Students were able to establish a better understanding of the financial aid process with the help of financial aid advisors in Reed Hall Thursday night.

The financial aid counselors were able to help address students’ problems and assist them in preparing their financial aid.

Counselors were in attendance to present information on the new financial aid changes as well as the debacle myths of money.

While discussing the purpose of the event, financial aid counselor, Danielle Johnson, the office of financial aid, said she wanted to make the students more aware of the financial aid process.

“With more information there would be less errors and less long lines with the correct information being known,” said Johnson.

The activities included trivia games and prizes, which students were tested on the facts presented during Johnson’s lecture about financial aid.

Johnson explained how the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined by the students’ legal guardian’s income as well as their personal income.

The direct cost of financial aid is tuition and fees while the indirect costs include transportation, books and other collegiate requirements.

Johnson introduced new changes to

the financial aid process. There will be no more pell grants offered in the summer. Loans will be the only financial aid offered for summer school if the students can not provide money.

According to Johnson subsidized loans will not be offered for graduate nor professional schools.

A new process called Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data retrieval is being implemented. It will allow the financial aid office to get information directly from the IRS; therefore, it would not be necessary to turn in physical tax information.

Johnson said, “This should make this process much smoother.”

The last item discussed at this event was getting the financial aid process completed early in order to qualify for the grants.

“Once the money is gone its gone, the earlier you apply the more likely you are to get the money,” said Johnson.

According to Johnson the federal government only disperses a certain amount of money to each university for disbursement.

A crowd of about 20 students were attendance for the event.

“Thought I needed info on being more financially secure in the future” said Marcus Taylor senior, criminal justice major and New Orleans native.

Taylor later stated that he has never had a bad financial aid experience, but a his friend had a refund repossessed because of

parking tickets.Jason Haynes, financial aid counselor

from the office of Financial Aid, said that the event was a success, and that he hopes the students will spread the word so the process can run smoother.

The idea for the event was initiated by the director, Ursula Shorty and assistant director, Raymond Claarke, from the office of Financial Aid. There will be other events today and tomorrow at the Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

The office of Financial Aid also plans to visit high schools in the Baton Rouge area to prepare students enrolling into college.

Junior, criminal justice major, and Baton Rouge native, Julius McCray mentioned that he had already began his financial aid process for the upcoming year and that the even definitely will assist him in being more prepared in the future.

McCray later stated that he has not had a bad experience with financial aid because he usually gets his information completed as early as possible.

For more information about financial aid, students are urged to contact the office at 225.771.2790. Counseling hours are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Front desk hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Financial aid advisors can also be emailed for assistance at their SUBR email addresses or mailed at P.O. Box 9961 at building 122 on Southern University’s campus.

Ronald Mason, the Southern University system’s president, said the ‘Southern Strategy’ is a strategy designed to build a new Southern on the traditions of the past.

“Its main components deal with becoming efficient and centralizing back office operations, synergizing academic programs recreating a positive image for Southern University Baton Rouge as a whole.”

According to Mason higher education has been cut over $300 million over the last three years. State cuts are due to loss of enrollment, which means loss of tuition and more cuts in state funding.

“So it’s a challenge that made us have to recommend this financial emergency,” stated Mason.

“Southern University at Shreveport offers a wide selection of courses designed to facilitate admission to four-year senior institutions, address the needs of the work force development community, upgrade your skills in the latest trends in business and industry through credit and non-credit courses,” said SUSLA Chancellor Ray Belton

In accordance with the school’s mission to provide short-term technical training to students who want to move rapidly into the

workface, SUSLA’s Curriculum Committee and Academic Council has endorsed intent to establish a Licensed Practical Nursing Program.

SUSLA received approval for the program from the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners last summer.

“The proposal has been submitted but has yet to go through to the Board of Regents,” said Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Orella Brazile.

Chancellor James L. Llorens and Professor Osman Kandara recently returned from a fact-finding and recruiting mission to Turkey where they met with education officials from several cities to discuss the possibilities

of undergraduate and graduate students attending Southern.

“There is a good possibility that we will be able to make this work,” said Llorens. “We’re excited about the opportunities and the Turkish education officials are very interested in what we have to offer.

Llorens said they also agreed in principal with Marnara University to study the possibilities of a student exchange program for dual degree diploma between SU’s computer science programs and that schools school’s computer engineering program as a pilot project.

“The importance in all of this is that we will continue talking with Turkish education officials about the mutual benefits of us working together,” Llorens said. “This could be a major, long term educational partnership.

Southern University bookstore recently donated 10,000 to the university.

“The funds are directed toward textbook scholarships for students.” said Bookstore Manager John Dyar.

The bookstore is part of 700 bookstores across the country operated by the Oak Brook, Follett Higher Education Group.

“The donation will be a great boost to the university’s continuing effort to provide students with the educational assistance they need to be successful.” said Llorens.

newsTuesday, February 28, 2012 - Page 3

southerndigest.com

The senTInel oF an enlIghTened sTudenT body sInCe 1926

Jessica sarpyThe Southern Digest

www.southerndigest.comget online @

1704 — Elias Neau, a Frenchman, opened school for black in New York City.

1708 — Slaves revolt on Long Island. Seven whites killed. Two black male slaves and an Indian slaved were hanged and a black woman was burned alive.

1778 — Rhode Island General Assembly authorized enlistment of slaves.

1859 — Arkansas Legislature required free blacks to choose between exile and enslavement.

1871 — Second Enforcement Act gave federal officers and courts control of registration and voting in congressional elections.

1879 — Southern blacks fled political and economic exploitation in “Exodus of 1879.” One of the major leaders of the Exodus movement was a former slave, Benjamin “Pap” Singleton.

1932 — Richard Spikes invented/patented the automatic gear shift.

1940 — United States population is 131,669,275. Black population is 12,865,518, or 9.8 percent of total population. Richard Wright’s “Native Son” published.

1942 — Race riot in Detroit’s Sojourner Truth Homes.

1943 — “Porgy and Bess” opened on Broadway with Anne Brown and Todd Duncan in starring roles.

1948 — Sgt. Cornelius F. Adjetey becomes the first martyr for national independence of Ghana.

1977 — Comedian Eddie “Rochester” Anderson died. He was 71.

1984 — Michael Jackson won eight Grammy Awards for his “Thriller” album.

1990 — Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Cornelius Gunter, lead singer of the Coasters, was shot to death in Las Vegas. Gunter joined the group in 1957 and was around for such hits as “Poison Ivy” and “Charlie Brown.”

Today in History

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

SUS develops ‘Southern Strategy’

Financial Aid answers aid questionscharles hawkins ii

The Southern Digest

Page 4: The February 28 Issue of The Southern Digest

NEW ORLEANS — Nearly two years after his brother Gordon was killed in the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, Chris Jones had planned to drive in from Baton Rouge with other relatives to attend the start of the federal trial over the nation’s worst offshore oil disaster.

But Jones learned Sunday that a judge had delayed the start of the trial from Monday to March 5 because oil giant BP PLC was making progress in settlement talks with a committee overseeing scores of lawsuits. Jones said he has mixed feelings about the prospect of a settlement, adding that he would be disappointed if BP manages to “write a check to solve their problems.”

“I was ready to go to trial and see their feet held close to the fire,” he said Sunday. “It seems like the easy way out to pay whatever the plaintiffs are willing to take.”

Two people close to the case told The Associated Press the decision to postpone was made Sunday during a conference call between parties in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill case and U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier. They spoke

on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the call.

They said the judge told those on the call that BP and the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee were “making some progress” in their settlement talks. The steering committee is overseeing lawsuits filed by individuals and businesses following the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig on April 20, 2010. The blast killed Gordon Jones and 10 other workers and led to 206 million gallons of oil spewing from the blown-out well, soiling miles of coastline.

However, the judge did not mention the status of settlement talks between other parties, nor did he mention any figures being discussed, according to the people close to the case.

The brief order issued by Barbier on Sunday said only that the delay was granted “for reasons of judicial efficiency and to allow the parties to make further progress in their settlement discussions.”

Among other things, the trial that is now set to begin March 5 is meant to determine the penalties that need to be paid by BP and other companies involved in the oil spill. Billions of dollars are at stake.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama Monday urged the nation’s governors to invest more state resources in education, saying a highly skilled workforce is crucial for the U.S. to remain competitive with other countries.

Obama made his pitch at a White House meeting with governors in Washington as part of the annual winter meeting of the National Governors Association. The president and first lady Michelle Obama hosted a black tie dinner with the governors Sunday night.

Obama said at Monday’s session that he sympathized with governors whose state budgets have been badly squeezed during the economic downturn. But he said that was no reason to trim resources from schools.

“The fact is that too many states are making cuts in education that I think are simply too big,” Obama said. “Nothing more clearly signals what you value as a state than the decisions you make about where to invest. Budgets are about choices.”

He reaffirmed his view that decisions about education should be left to states and not the federal government. “I believe education is an issue that is best addressed at the state level,” the president said, “and governors are in the best position to have the biggest impact.”

It was a message directed largely to Republican governors, many of whom have complained of too much federal intrusion in state matters including education. Several prominent GOP governors were in the room as the president spoke, including Chris Christie of New Jersey and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.

Obama earlier this month granted waivers to 11 states, freeing them from some of the toughest requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, as long as they measure student progress with their own standards.

He called on governors to assist that effort toward a more state-centered approach to education by spending more on education.

“That does not mean we have to invest in things that aren’t working,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that it doesn’t make sense to break some china and move aggressively on reforms. But the fact of the matter is we don’t have to choose between resources and reforms, we need resources and reform.”

Specifically he called for more teachers in the classroom. He also noted that 21 states require students to stay in high school until they graduate or turn 18.

“I urge others to follow suit of those 21 states,” Obama said.

On higher education, Obama said more than 40 states have cut financing of public colleges and universities over the past year. “This is just the peak of what has been a long term trend of reduced state support for higher education,” he said.

The president said more than 40 states have cut funding for public colleges, universities and community colleges over the past year.

Obama said his administration, Congress and the institutions themselves need to do more to make higher education more affordable. And he warned that other countries have been “doubling down” on education funding while the U.S. has cut back.

“The countries who out-educate us today will out-compete us tomorrow,” Obama said. “If we want America to continue to be number one and stay number one, we’ve got some work to do.”

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican who has clashed with Obama on immigration and other issues, said she supported his message on education.

“In Arizona, we’re going to implement basically the things he talked about. That is one area we agree on,” Brewer told reporters.

Jindal said that while he shared many of Obama’s views on education, his differences with the president on taxes, spending and energy policies were unbridgeable.

“I walked into the meetings today believing we need a conservative in the White House and I left the meetings continuing to believe that,” Jindal said.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, left, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal wait for President Barack Obama to speak to the members of the National Governors Association Monday in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington.

PHOTO By SuSan WaLSH/aP PHOTO

Page 4 - Tuesday, February 28, 2012

sTaTe & naTIonThe senTInel oF an enlIghTened sTudenT body sInCe 1926

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harry r. weber &Michael kunzelMan

The Associated Press

beth FouhyThe Associated Press

Obama urges governors to boost education funding

BP, plaintiffs focus on Gulf oil spill settlement

Page 5: The February 28 Issue of The Southern Digest

The Southern men’s basketball team could not manage to get the “W” Saturday and were bested by Alcorn State 60-40.

None of the Jaguars (15-14, 11-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference) could manage to get into double digits, Derick Beltran led the team only scoring nine points.

Quinton Doggett was only able to muster up seven rebounds and scored eight points.

“I think Alcorn did a good job of preparing to play us, I just think that we wasn’t as equal to the task of being ready to play as they were,” said head coach Roman Banks who surprised everyone getting the Jaguars to second place in the SWAC.

Twann Oakley scored 17 points to lead Alcorn State (9-19, 6-10). Anthony Nieves led the Braves with six rebounds.

In January the Jaguars defeated the Braves 65-54 at the F. G. Clark Activity center, and it is safe to say they wanted to avenge that loss.

The Braves held SU to shoot only 34 percent from the fi eld and out rebound the Jaguars 25-21 in their victory.

“We are in a learning process, this team is learning, we’ve been fortunate to win a few ball games they have to understand that you have to learn how to play at the top,” said Banks “your not always shooting at the top people are shooting at you and it’s a different type of focus and mind set you have to have and I Just don’t know if we are ready for that level yet.”

The Jaguars go on to face Texas Southern (12-16, 11-5) Thursday and Prairie View A&M (13-16, 9-7) Saturday at the F.G. Clark Activity Center, but in order for SU to come on top, someone will have to step up and become a solid shooter.

Although the Jaguars are tied for second in the SWAC standings, they are not eligible for the SWAC Tournament in Garland, Texas, due to APR violations.

At times during the Jaguars run we seen sparks from players like Micheal Celestin who was hot during the beginning of the season but has since then cooled off and player other players like Doggett and Beltran but there isn’t anyone who is a constant threat to shoot the ball.

“We are still a work in progress we have a long way to go we been able to fortunately win some basketball games but we still have a lot of weaknesses,” Said Banks.

Southern won the better half of the weekend series against Northwestern State, falling to the Demons 3-5 on Saturday but defeating NSU 5-3 on Friday and 7-4 on Sunday.

“I thought the team did well,” said head coach Roger Cador who is in his 28th season as head coach of the Jaguars.

The Jaguars gave up a total of 24 hits in the weekend series against the Demons.

“We pitch well in all three games, and that’s what’s really been caring us thus far as well as the defense, now we just have to get our timing and hitting together,” said Cador.

The Jaguars’ Brain Rowry had a good game getting two RBIs in against NSU.

In the bottom of the seventh the Jaguars scored four runs thanks to three errors by the Demon defense that sealed the deal for the Jaguars.

With that win on Sunday the Jaguars gave coach Cador is 800th win of his career.

The coach total career record sits at 800-452-1 in 1,253 games in all, Cador ranks 25th among active Division I coaches in total wins and ranks 28th in his career winning percentage among active D-I coaches (.638).

Cador, a former student-athlete at Southern, received a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education in 1975, and earned a masters degree in

guidance and counseling in 1979. In Cador’s 28 years as head coach for the Jaguars he has sent over 40 players to the professional ranks.

Cador likely won’t surpass Robert Henry Lee, who was the head coach at Southern from 1949-60 and has the highest winning percentage of all time by any coach (.831). However, Cador has transformed the Southern baseball program into one of premier HBCU programs in the country and one of the most successful baseball programs period.

“I’ve been coaching a while, and I got good players, and we’ve been extremely fortunate on top of that,” said Cador.

Cador said that one of his his most memorable experiences was in 1987 when his fi rst team defeated Cal-State Fullerton then the No. 2-ranked team in the country in the NCAA regionals.

Cador also mention another memorable experience when in 2003 Rickie Weeks collegiate baseball player of the year and Golden Spikes winner at the time and current Milwaukee Brewers second baseman played for the Jaguars and they went to a hostile environment to play Southern Miss and came away with the victory.

If there is any sport on campus that should draw a crowd every game is baseball. The last time the Jaguars were sub-.500 was 24 years ago in 1988-89, where the Jaguars went 18-26 in Cador’s fi fth season as head coach.

tuesday, Febraury 28, 2012 - Page 5the sentinel OF an enlightened student bOdy sinCe 1926

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arisTide phillipsThe Southern Digest

arisTide phillipsThe Southern Digest

Southern’s 7-4 win over Northwestern State Sunday gave Jaguars head coach Roger Cador his 800th career win. Cador’s Jaguars have won nearly 64 percent of their games during his 28 years at the helm.

PHOTO By TrevOr james/digesT

Cador notches career win no. 800

Southern’s Kendra Coleman guards Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Corredur Vaden during SWAC play earlier in the season. The Jaguars escaped Alcorn State Saturday with a 35-32 victory.

PHOTO By TrevOr james/digesT File PHOTO

LORMAN, Miss. — The Southern women’s basketball team is known for playing defense and controlling the boards.

The Jaguars (12-11, 11-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference) did just that producing enough offense to defeat Alcorn State 35-32 Saturday at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.

The Jaguars shot 35 percent from the fi eld and only scored 17 points in the fi rst half. In the second half, Southern scored 18 points and shot 26 percent from the fi eld.

Defensively, the Jaguars handled business allowing the Lady Braves (10-18, 8-8) to shoot only 29 percent from the entire game.

“We came out defensively really solid especially in the second half down the stretch we didn’t give them any open looks,” said assistant coach Carlos Funchess.

No one on the court manage to make it into double digits but Jamie Floyd, Jasmine Jefferson, and Kendra Coleman all manage to come close scoring eight points a piece.

“Jamie Floyd did a real good job she was getting double-team the whole time,” said Funchess. Floyd led the team in rebounds

grabbing 11 boards.The Jaguars defense stiffened

in the second half allowing the Braves to only shoot 23 percent from the fi eld.

Although Southern defense was great ASU defense was just as good, or the Jaguars just couldn’t make any buckets.

“I thought we got some good looks teams making us take jumpers clogging lanes because we so big down in the paint so that’s one thing we got to work on we got to knock down some shots and make them come out and get the ball inside,” said Funchess addressing the Jaguars struggles shooting.

The Jaguars are tied for second place in the SWAC with Alabama A&M (16-10, 11-5) and know that in order for them to get back on top they will need to win out and then some. Mississippi Valley State (16-12, 13-4) clinched the top seed in the SWAC Tournament and at least a share of the regular season title by holding off

Jackson State 72-62 in double overtime Monday.

“We are trying to make sure we hold our position because it’s tournament time and that’s going to play a big part in the seeding,” said Funchess.

The Jaguars are at home to face Prairie View A&M Thursday and if Southern plans on being successful against the panthers they will need to be successful putting points on the board.

“We battle hard if we don’t score many points you better make sure the other team doesn’t score any points,” said Funchess.

“We are going to come in and play hard and try to get in tournament mode because after these two games its one and done so everybody is going to have to step up and play their best.”

Southern ends the regular season this week at the F.G. Clark Activity Center, hosting Texas Southern Thursday and Prairie View A&M Saturday.

Jaguars grind out win over Alcorn

Southern stumbles at Alcorn St.arisTide phillipsThe Southern Digest

Page 6: The February 28 Issue of The Southern Digest

According to Webster’s Dictionary, valor means “Strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery.”

For filmmakers to title a movie with such a powerful word, with such a powerful phrase “Act of Valor,” I’d expect to be blown away with not only action scenes, but something more, something to make me leave the theatre with a thought provoking mindset and with a brand-new respect for the military in general.

“Act of Valor” did just that.We watch plain men transform into

warriors as they say their goodbyes to their wives and children. Simply leaving their civilian lives at home, we watch men run to the front lines to protect and serve their own.

The movie starts with a brutal act of terror, which transforms into an intricate scheme to smuggle suicide bombers into the United States through Mexico. It’s a basic, but reasonable, plot that is designed to put forth one riveting event after another. Interrogation, infiltration, espionage and more, but the film barely develops the main characters.

The acting, of course, was a little shoddy. The reason being that the director used real Navy SEALs as actors, not actors playing Navy SEALs. The movie has real everything, real AK rifles, real hollow-point ammunition, real SEALs, and — most importantly —real emotion. If you don’t like

the acting, don’t worry; there is still plenty of action.

Much of the cinematography is even shot like a first-person shooter game (through the eyes of the shooter), with a few cutaways to the SEALs personal points of view. It’s clear that the film has a “Call of Duty” kind of feel to it which some people might not like, but to gamers it cinematic genius.

In the words of Agent Morales, “When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.”

Despite it’s criticism, there’s no doubt that you will be touched by this movie in one way or another.

Jessica sarpyThe Southern Digest

evan TaylorThe Southern Digest

Southern University alum, SULC student and author Gavin Richard talks about the conspiracies he believes were at work in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Richard’s book “Katrina: Eyes Have not Seen, Ears Have not Heard” is a story composed of other witness’ perspectives and his own perspective.

PHOTO By evan TaylOr/digesT

CulturePage 6 - tuesday, February 28, 2012 the sentinel OF an enlightened student bOdy sinCe 1926

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In this image released by Relativity Media, a scene is shown from the film “Act of Valor,” starring real, active-duty Navy SEALs.

PHOTO By relaTiviTy media/aP PHOTO

‘Act of Valor’ delivers

Gavin Richard reflected on the ‘truthful’ inspiration behind his book about Hurricane Katrina and shared his reactions concerning the recovery efforts or lack thereof.

Richard, a Southern alum and current Southern University Law Center first-year law student, discussed his experience as an author and New Orleans resident in the aftermath of Katrina.

Richard offered advice to those who are going through the same situation and still coping.

“You are not alone. We’ve gone through hell and back, despite the pain and suffering we are still here. The fact that we have not done something to harm others and ourselves says something about our character. In the future we have to keep our head up and keep pushing and moving,” he said.

Richard was 19 when writing the story chronicling before, during and after the storm from his and other perspectives.

“I was 19 at the time when the flood and the destruction happened. I talked to a great friend of mine; I was frustrated at the response and mad at the stereotypes portrayed. The public didn’t get the whole picture. I felt some of the truth was hidden,” he said.

Richard addressed his present concerns and challenges he still faces.

“Even seven years later there is still a lot of foot tracking as far as rebuilding. It has opened my eyes to evils of this world. We are still fighting to get back into my house.”

He is burdened most with coming to reality and coming to terms with the situation of being uprooted and disconnected to his previous world.

“Go back there and still see what was left of a blooming area. Coming to grips with reality has been my biggest problem. It was a life changing experience that people will have to live with for the rest of their lives,” Richard said.

In his discussion he addressed the way he approached certain sections of the book and his purpose.

“I was motivated and compelled to write this book, for one thing only to find the truth. Things that are larger are at work, not just involving the elite that run New Orleans,” he said.

In one chapter Richard acted as a reporter and allowed people who were affected by Katrina speak from their perspective.

“I had the perspective of those people. SI sourced from Associated Press and CNN. My sources came from where you watch and read your news. Let the subjects talk. I didn’t approach like I was Don Lemon, Anderson Cooper or Oprah. I was just talking and asked general questions,” Richard said.

Richard discussed one particular subject who survived in her attic for 10 days on canned food until she could be rescued through her roof.

“Clotheide Mack lived in her attic for 10 nights and 11 days on canned food and what was available within her reach. She called emergency services and they said just hold on that there was nothing they could do for her at the moment. She was

rescued and pulled out of her attic window,” Richard said.

Richard reflected on emotions he felt during and after the writing process.

“When I heard the stories I felt heartbroken. The notion that there was no previous knowledge can be

denounced. Out of our pain comes our greatest art,” Richard said.

Reflecting on his faith Richard concluded his discussion with an inspirational message.

“I believe trouble don’t last always and I pray that the truth will come out,” Richard said.

Richard reflects on experience writing book

Page 7: The February 28 Issue of The Southern Digest

Amidst financial exigency, the university and outside community faces scrutiny. However, what about the Baton Rouge area concerns or even the state of Louisiana’s position as a whole?

In the greater economic downturn, the jury is still out on whether it can be called a recession. The state of Louisiana is fighting for economic resources. Whether it’s money for education (pre-K through 12th grade), money for roads and highways, money for higher education or for social services.

It’s time we stood up for our state and the communities within it.

No matter whether you like Gov. Bobby Jindal or not, he does not have all the power.

You do!As taxpayers and voters, you set the

stage for your environment and you set the terms.

You can protest, demand, write letters, make phone calls, conduct meetings, attend sessions, share public comments and start campaigns for change.

Within the university, there are students from all backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, life experiences and even religions and beginnings.

These are the issues as I see it. We can look in the Southern University

community first. Southern University is facing financial exigency, faculty and staff cuts, minor access to wealth and lack of economic favor in the state.

In the state of Louisiana, a lack of respect for higher education and disparities in healthcare and higher education are major issues.

In the country, Baton Rouge rates among some of the highest in homicide rates and HIV/STD contraction rates just to name a few.

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s time for a change.

These issues contribute to the reasons for us to come together with common causes with different perspectives.

Students in mass communications can address media concerns and perspective.

Students in art can address aesthetics,

visual presentation and format.Students in business and

economics can address business and economic issues and work to solve and cater to that perspective.

Students in law can deal with the legal language and understanding how the laws should change and what will be the effects of such change.

Your political science students can address politics, how we make choices and decisions and who benefits or suffers from what decisions. Creating policy and movements for the common good.

Your criminal justice students are your organizers of movements and initiatives they can discuss the ins and outs of the justice system.

With the foundation of these key players and those passionate about your cause your power is in numbers.

We’ve seen numbers in action and action in numbers, but the most important aspect is one accord and one message.

Whether it is CATS reform or the need for tutoring services in other subjects.

It’s time to make a change and come together for the causes that affect us directly and dictate our, our children, our grandchildren and our community’s future.

Know your rights, your power and choose your battles wisely.

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tuesday, February 28, 2012 - Page 7

COmmentarythe sentinel OF an enlightened student bOdy sinCe 1926

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evan taylOr

You have the power

Page 8: The February 28 Issue of The Southern Digest

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A key prosecution witness in the trial of a former Rutgers University student accused of watching his roommate’s intimate encounter via webcam testified Monday that she agreed to keep it a secret because it was so shocking to see the images — but that it wasn’t under wraps for long.

“First of all, it was shocking. It felt wrong. We didn’t expect to see that. And now that what we did, it was like we shouldn’t have seen it,” Molly Wei said told jurors. “We didn’t want people to know what had happened.”

But within minutes, she testified, she and defendant Dharun Ravi were online chatting with friends about seeing two men kissing. And within the hour, Wei said, she agreed to show a few seconds of the video stream to four other women who visited her dorm room.

Still, she said, Ravi did not intend to humiliate his

roommate.Ravi’s roommate, 18-year-

old Tyler Clementi, jumped to his death from New York’s George Washington Bridge in September 2010, days after the spying and the gossip about it online and in their dorm.

Ravi, who turns 20 on Tuesday, faces 15 criminal counts, including invasion of privacy and bias intimidation. To convict him of bias intimidation, the most serious charge he faces, prosecutors would have to persuade jurors that Ravi acted out of bias toward gays.

Wei, 19, was charged initially but entered a program that will allow her to keep her record clean if she meets a list of conditions, including doing community service, working or attending school full-time. She also agreed to cooperate with authorities and testify truthfully in Ravi’s trial.

She said she has completed about 250 of the 300 hours of community service required.

There is one requirement that was changed for her. She was to go through a program

on cyberbullying or dealing with people with “alternative lifestyles.” Since no program like that was offered in Middlesex County, she instead saw a psychologist.

Unlike other more casually dressed college students who have testified so far in the trial,

Wei wore a black business suit. And unlike the others, she kept her voice audible even during the most uncomfortable moments.

She said that she invited Ravi, whom she had known since middle school, to her dorm room for a snack a few minutes after 9 p.m. on Sept. 19, 2010.

CHARDON, Ohio — A teenager described as an outcast at his suburban Cleveland high school opened fire in the cafeteria Monday, killing one student and wounding four others before being caught a short distance away, authorities said.

A student who saw the attack close-up said it appeared the gunman targeted a group of students sitting at a cafeteria table and that the one who was killed was trying to duck under the table.

Panicked students screamed and ran through the halls after gunfire broke out at the start of the school day at 1,100-student Chardon High, about 30 miles from Cleveland. Teachers locked down their classrooms as they had been trained to do during drills, and students took cover as they waited for the all-clear.

One teacher said to have dragged a wounded student into his classroom for protection.

The suspect, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile, was arrested near his car a half-mile away, the FBI said. He was not immediately charged.

FBI officials would not comment on a motive. But 15-year-old Danny Komertz, who witnessed the shooting, said the gunman was known as an outcast who had apparently been

bullied.“I looked up and this kid was

pointing a gun about 10 feet away from me to a group of four kids sitting at a table,” Komertz said. He said the gunman fired two shots quickly, and students scrambled for safety. One of them “was kind of like hiding, trying to get underneath the table, trying to hide, protecting his face.”

A Cleveland hospital identified the slain student as Daniel Parmertor, an aspiring computer repairman who was shot while waiting for the bus for his daily 15-minute ride to a vocational center.

“We are shocked by this senseless tragedy,” his family said in a statement. “Danny was a bright young boy who had a bright future ahead of him.”

Parmertor’s teacher at Auburn Career School had no idea why Parmertor, “a very good young man, very quiet,” had been targeted, said Auburn superintendent Maggie Lynch.

At least one other victim was reported in critical condition.

Parents thronged the streets around the school as they heard from students via text message and cellphone long before official word came of the attack.

Officers investigating the shooting later blocked off a road in a heavily wooded area several miles from the school. Federal agents patrolled the muddy driveway leading to several spacious homes and ponds, while other officers walked a snowy hillside. A police dog was brought in.

the sentinel OF an enlightened student bOdy sinCe 1926Page 8 - tuesday, February 28, 2012

Chardon police check student bookbags before allowing students to enter Maple Elementary School following a shooting in Chardon, Ohio on Monday. A teenager described as a bullied outcast at Chardon High School opened fire in the cafeteria Monday morning, killing one student and wounding four others before being caught a short distance away, authorities said. The suspect, whose name was not released, was arrested near his car a half-mile away, the FBI said. He was not immediately charged.

PHOTO By THOmas Ondrey/THe Plain dealer/aP PHOTO

JACKSON, Tenn. — Police gathered clues from surveillance video, social media websites and witnesses Monday as they sought to identify those responsible for a weekend shooting at a Tennessee nightclub that left a college student dead and 20 other partygoers hurt.

Investigators believe at least three people fired handguns early Sunday at the Karma Lounge in Jackson.

The shooting followed several fights at the club, the venue for a party that followed a basketball game Saturday night between two private colleges in Tennessee, said Lt. Tyreece Miller, a Jackson Police Department spokesman.

The shooting killed 19-year-old LeCarlos Todd of Memphis. Miller said Todd was a student, but police didn’t identify the college he attended. Eighteen other people were shot and two more were trampled as club patrons frantically scrambled to get away.

About 20 Jackson police officers went to the club afterward and Miller described the scene as chaotic. One officer even drove an ambulance because emergency personnel were too busy treating the wounded, the spokesman added. Police recovered 48 shoes, mostly women’s high heels, which were left behind as people ran.

“It was pretty overwhelming,” Miller said.

The party followed a basketball game Saturday night between Lane College and LeMoyne-Owen College, both historically black institutions.

Lane College, in Jackson, has about 2,200 students; LeMoyne-Owen has about 850 students and is located in Memphis. The event was not sponsored or sanctioned by either school. Those who were hurt included students from both schools.

After the shooting, 30-year-old Travis Steed, of Jackson, was airlifted to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis. A nursing supervisor said Steed’s condition had improved from critical to serious Monday.

Police said they expected to interview Steed once his condition improves. “Certainly he has information that can break everything open,” Miller said.

Authorities were seeking witnesses and anyone who took photos as they worked to identify the shooter or shooters. Miller said investigators don’t have a good description of suspects, partly because surveillance video footage was poor.

Molly Wei testifies during the trial of Dharun Ravi at the Middlesex County Courthouse on Monday in New Brunswick, N.J. Ravi is accused of using a webcam to spy on his roommate, Tyler Clementi, intimate encounter with another man. Days later Clementi committed suicide. Ravi, 19, faces 15 criminal charges, including invasion of privacy and bias intimidation, a hate crime punishable by up to 10 years in state prison.

PHOTO By jOHn O’BOyle/THe sTar-ledger/aP PHOTO

1 dead in Ohio shooting

Thomas J. sheeranThe Associated Press

Witness: Other students viewed Rutgers webcamGeoff mulvihill

The Associated Press

Police seek answers in Tenn. incident

adrian sainzThe Associated Press