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Tuesday, May 1, 2012 www.southerndigest.com

The Digest gives year-end ratingssee Approval Ratings, page 4

Baseball crushes J-State, wins 13th straightsee Sports, page 9

The White House is ‘winning’see Commentary, page 11

VoluMe 58, Issue 18

Digest News Service

2011-12 Year In revIew

During the last year Southern University has faced some

challenges and celebrated some triumphs. The Southern Digest has been there along for the ride. From the changes in administrations to the current state of financial exigency, Southern University looks to rebuild and progress, 132 years after establishment Southern seeks to thrive for the underserved and it’s community.

These are the top ten recurring themes of the 2011-2012 academic year.

10. ImprovementsSouthern University at Baton

Rouge, Southern University at New Orleans, Southern University Shreveport, Southern University Ag Center and Southern University Law Center have moved to make improvements to campus infrastructure physically this year. Between the Fall 2011 and the Spring 2012, Southern University at Baton Rouge has continued the theme of building a new Southern. From the re-roofing of established buildings to the extension of Harris hall and the student health services building. In 2011, the school began renovating a five-mile, building-to-building central heating ventilation and air

conditioning piping system that should be complete by May 2012. John B. Cade library and E.N. Mayberry dining hall are being re-roofed. While these improvements have been good, there have been some malfunctions around campus. In January, T.H. Harris Hall, Rodney G. Higgins Hall, and the John B. Cade Library experienced a campus wide blackout in the first week of school.

At the Baton Rouge campus, The campus has seen an influx in projects thanks to Capital Outlay and acquired funding; from the re-roofing of established locations (John B. Cade and Mayberry) to the development of new buildings. (Intramural Complex, T.H. Harris extension and Student Health extension)

9. system Updates SUSLA has been busy

acquiring new resources to offer its students. Amidst the budgetary cuts, they have had to terminate some programs but, have offered students more in the meantime. SUSLA seeks to offer a new nursing program in the Fall of 2012. Southern University’s Baton Rouge campus, isn’t the only one in the system that been updating its campus. Last February SUNO and SUSLA initiated the Honoré Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement pilot program.

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 for their admission into SUNO.SUNO and SUSLA’s partnership to create the Honoré center looks to offer more options for students interested in SUNO without the ability to meet the admission standards while keeping them in the SU system.

SULC picked up awards and accolades this year, Chancellor Pitcher was named in the Dean’s section of “On Being a Black Lawyer” and SULC is among the top law schools for a multi-cultural student body and financial value.

8. sU CommUnIty It’s sometimes said that

Southern University has lost that “Ole Southern Spirit,” because of the recent problem build-ups like the declaration of financial exigency and the rising cost of tuition and on top of all of these issues the football team hasn’t defeated it’s arch rival in the Bayou Classic since 2006. Southern has long been a premiere university that provides students a high quality global educational experience to engage students in scholarly, research and creative activities.

Improvements have been

made to further improve the mission that SU believes in like improving the light fixtures on campus, the fountain removal project, and the upgrades to the art department. The SU community has had it’s ups and downs among financial exigency, SUNO merger, House Bill 927 and more with Louisiana’s education reform.

The SU community has banded together to fight against the forces that look to dismantle and hinder Southern University.

7. sU admInIstratIon addresses IssUes

Llorens was appointed to the position of Chancellor at the SUBR campus after a search following the resignation of former Chancellor Kofi Lomotey. In transition as well was the staff that was brought in with Chancellor Lomotey. Dr. Shujaa former provost was moved to the position of Dean of SU Graduate School. Dr. Janet Rami from the Nursing school was brought in to replace Shujaa in the Spring 2012.

As the administration transitioned out of one transition period of new appointment it transitioned into another one of exigency. Over the past year administrators and students differ on beliefs of the current

See year-In-reVIew page 3

The Southern Digest Staff

John S. Wilson, Jr., the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historical Black Colleges and Universities, will be the commencement speaker at Southern University’s spring 2012 graduation ceremony May 18 in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

The event begins at 10:30 a.m. As executive director, Wilson

partners the White House, 32 federal agencies, private and philanthropic entities to work to assist 105 HBCUs across the country.

Wilson received his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, a master’s of Theological Studies from Harvard University and both a master’s and doctoral in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University.

Prior to working with the White House Initiative on HBCUs, Wilson was an associate professor of higher education in the graduate school of education at the George Washington University. He also served as the executive dean of GWU’s Virginia Campus and helped to develop a strategic plan for the university.

He joined the staff at George Washington in 2001 to help develop a strategic plan for the university. Previously he spent 16 years at MIT, where he served as director of foundation relations and assistant provost. As director, Wilson helped to lead two major capital campaigns that raised a combined total of nearly $3 billion. In that context, he more than doubled the productivity of the office he managed and reached a record annual revenue stream of more than $50 million.

Wilson also held several teaching positions during more than a decade in Harvard University’s Afro-American Studies Department, as well as in their Graduate School of Education. His primary research and teaching interests include advancement and finance in higher education, and the transformation of aspiring college and universities, especially HBCUs.

Wilson has served as a board member for Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga., and for the Independent Federal Savings Bank in Washington, D.C.

Wilson to speak at graduation

Residential life applications available

The department of Residence Life and Housing announces Summer and Fall 2012 housing applications are available. Go to www.housing.subr.edu; type it, print it, and bring it in by May 1.

campus accessHarding Boulevard will be

the sole entrance/exit between the hours of 10 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 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. the following Monday morning. Please contact Lt. Floyd Williams at 771-2770 for more details.

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. The foundation will also be hosting Throwdown Thursdays at 7p.m. with competitions on Wii Sports, Karaoke, Dance. Spoken word and open mic. Compeition winners will receive $20 gift cards. Refreshments will be sold to support the foundation’s efforts. Call 225.778.0076 for more information.

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.

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.

bookstoRe neW houRsThe SU Bookstore has new

hours. The bookstore will be open from 8a.m. until 5p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 9a.m. until 2p.m. on Fridays.

southeRn aRtistsThe Frank Hayden Hall

Visual Arts Gallery will exhibit the works of Nathaniel Landry, Antoine “Ghost” Mitchell and Heather Holliday until May 2. Gallery hours will be Mon-Thurs. 10a.m.-4p.m. For more information contact Robert Cox at 225.771.4103.

the national society of leadeRship and success

Membership is open to all majors and classifications. Executive board and leadership positions are available. Member benefits include scholarships and awards, graduation honor cords, leadership certificate, personalized letter of recommendation, resume enhancement, online job bank with access to employers seeking to hire society members and more. Contact Cosette Richard, President of the Southern chapter Sigma Alpha Pi at subr_nsls@yahoo.com.

Ronald mcnaiR scholaRsThe Ronald E. McNair

scholars program invites students with an interest in a Ph. D, 3.0 or higher GPA, first generation college students and students who will have at least 60 hours at the completion of Spring 2012; to apply for the scholar program. Contact Janeal Banks, coordinator in Higgins Hall room 208D.

ag staRsAg STARS (Shaping

Tomorrow’s Agricultural Research Scientists) participants Delane Ross, Adria Smith, Lillian Profit, Patience Muse, Karl Harnsberry, William Lavergne, and Andrea Bridgewater won first and second place in the oral research competitions at the 27th annual MANRRS conference in Atlanta.

Calling all Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors with a 2.5 GPA and no declared major. Want to pursue an exciting degree in agricultural sciences? Want to be an Ag Star mentor? Ag Star participants can earn

$1,000 stipend per semester. Apply in Fisher Room 113.

spRing 2012 move out pRoceduRes

All residents should plan to move out at the completion of their final exams. Exams end on Thursday, May 10th. Graduating Seniors should immediately see their Hall Director. All residents are required to schedule an appointment for checkout with their Hall Director before leaving. Keys/key cards should be returned at checkout. (Charges will apply if not returned) Resident rooms should be “squeaky” clean and returned to original order. All Trash should be removed. This includes Suite areas, common areas, bathrooms, fridges, chest of drawers, etc. A final assessment of all rooms and living areas will be conducted by Maintenance and your Hall Director about identifying responsible parties for damages in common areas to avoid group charges.

Page 2 - Tuesday, May 1, 2012

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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.

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who’s speaking out?

“Being selected for an award in my department at the end of the semester.”

“The end of it!! This was a long semester,hard work and lots of school work.”

“Being selected for awards in my department, the Black College Communication Association and the Louisiana Press Association.”

green

doTsonTaylor

EvanTaylor

HOUSTONSENIOR

MASS COMM/POLITICAL SCIENCE

norman DoTson

DALLASGRADUATE STUDENT

MASSCOMMUNICATION

marcusGrEEn

BATON ROUGEJUNIORMASS

COMMUNICATION

“The best part of my semester was my trip to Virginia with the Digest for the National HBCU Student News Media Conference.”

Carral

chrisTiE carral

AMITE, LA.SENIORMASS

COMMUNICATION

What was your favorite part of the Spring 2012 semester?

campus briefsTODAy

newsTuesday, May 1, 2012 - Page 3

southerndigest.com

The senTInel of an enlIghTened sTudenT Body sInCe 1926

year-In-reVIew from page 1

state of the Southern University administration. Despite declaring financial exigency in 2011, many changes have been made with administration including James Llorens’ appointment as the new chancellor, but students still don’t feel that administration are focusing on the right problems on campus.

After Llorens declaration of financial exigency he was amidst another fight, one that would involve the faculty, students, and SU community; the fight to save SU. The administration has received criticism for decisions to fire and lay off faculty with and without tenure during the exigency process.

The administration among financial issues has found itself in academic ones as well; from, the decisions to cut and consolidate programs to the plans to enhance and renew others. Among these, decisions there is still a decline in enrollment, retention and graduation.

6. sU athletICs brIngIng baCk spIrIt Men’s basketball head coach Roman Banks, hired last Thursday, says he’ll begin to move into his new office next week. While Banks moved into office in the Spring, his new era officially began with a speech at the Hall of Fame festival.

The Hall of Fame enshrinement festival last Saturday at Northwestern State, which included speeches by the inductees, turned out to be something special. One speech, presented by first-year Southern head coach Roman Banks, was misplaced.

Although Banks begin with a misplaced speech, head coach Stump Mitchell’s future was in disarray as rumors were rampant about coaching status.

Southern started spring drills Wednesday with several questions – most of them pointed in the direction of head coach Stump Mitchell. With head coach Stump Mitchell’s future uncertain, a replacement of Athletic Director Greg Lafleur is soon to be named.

Nearly one year after the arrest of former Athletic Director Greg LaFleur and a focused search for a full-time replacement, the Southern University Board of Supervisors Athletic Committee today seek to appoint an athletics director for Southern University at Baton Rouge.

Southern University’s Board of Supervisors Athletic Committee named former Centenary College athletic director William Broussard, a Northwestern State University graduate, who has strong experience in fund raising which is a big need for the athletic department, but the search process for the new Athletic Director was not a smooth one.

While the Southern Board of Supervisor Athletics Committee filled the gap of Athletic Director, basketball coach banks looks to fill in gaps on the team. Around this time last year the Southern University Board of Supervisors approved Roman Banks to become the new head coach of a basketball program that needed to be revived. Jaguar fans, the coaching staff and even some of the players probably didn’t expect to have the season they had, finishing second in the SWAC and earning their first wining season since 2005.

As coach Banks and the basketball program continue to fight the APR issues the Women’s Tennis program is being rewarded with new courts. With all the APR issues looming Southern University Athletics programs, the program that isn’t being punished but instead is being rightfully rewarded is Women’s Tennis. The SU Athletic Department held a dedication opening the newly resurfaced University Courts.

Women’s Tennis was rewarded with upgraded courts and the entire program is finally rewarded with a new Athletic Director William Broussard. With the Southern University Board of Supervisors approval of William Broussard as the new Athletics Director, Broussard has high hopes to bring Southern University back to prominence.

5. Building a new SUDuring difficult times at

Southern University key figures on campus make resolutions for change towards the new Southern University.

Key figures including the Southern University at Baton Rouge Chancellor, SU System President, Board of Supervisors Chairman and the Faculty Senate President made resolutions for their respective offices.

“I plan to commit myself personally to have a total commitment to the university and the students. I want to be able to fully commit myself to what I have to do,” SUBR Chancellor James Llorens said.

While Chancellor Llorens’ resolution is a personal one SU System President Ronald Mason’s is a collective effort.”My new year’s wish is that the family continues to come together. The Southern Nation is a beautiful thing but has recently gone through some very trying times both from the inside and the outside,” Mason said.

Mason continued discussing the abilities of the Jaguar Nation, “The outside battles I think we can manage as long as we are not fighting inside battles. Nobody can win a two-front war and a house divided can never stand. I wish that the family will continue to come together with a common vision and a common cause,” Mason said.

Board of Supervisors

Chairman Darren Mire hopes that the Board of Supervisors will create a new, stronger and more competitive Southern University system.

“I want to work with the Board of Supervisors together to grow our Southern University system into a system unlike any in the country. We are always classified as the only HBCU system in the country,” Mire said.”And at some point in time we have to take that HBCU brand and make it a global brand, we have to stay true to our mission at the same time in order to survive this world of higher education you have to change your frame of mind and change your culture.”

Resolutions proposed to improve student services, university effectiveness, enrollment and recruitment, and promote financial growth are achievable and measurable. James Llorens, SUBR Chancellor understands the challenges and is willing to get the ball rolling to address them.

Llorens placed and emphasis on student educational attainment and satisfaction.

“The bottom line will be a student’s ability to enjoy their experience, realize their learning and education, and graduates who are satisfied with the education they have received,” Llorens said.

Southern University System President Ronald Mason hoped to see a stronger and closer Jaguar Nation.

Key figures discuss the advantages and disadvantages to Southern and how offices are going to move forward to the new Southern. Chancellor Llorens discussed the progress of the reorganization and retrenchment plan. “This is the first semester and (interim provost) Dr. (Janet) Rami and I are working with the deans to collapse and consolidate schools and they will be aligned with the new organizational structure,” Llorens said. Llorens is striving to protect the core mission of the university and deal with budgetary shortfalls.

Southern University System President Ronald Mason hopes that The Southern Strategy Plan will help build academic excellence and prominence.

Southern University Board of Supervisors Chairman Darren Mire felt the university was disadvantaged because of legislative decisions made by the state.

“Our mission was to allow every individual gain a 4 year degree. Our mission is not the same as LSU,” Mire said. Mire saw having the only Historically Black College and University system as a advantage by itself.

“With the only HBCU system we have something to sell. Our alumni are everywhere. Because we are in the capitol we stay abreast of what’s going on politically.”

Mire discussed the progress we have made with financial exigency.

4. SU makes Program cuts SU looks to cut low completers

and consolidate or terminate programs with low enrollment or low funding. Departments look to do more with less and seek outside funding to continue to offer quality of education. The faculty senate is an elected body of faculty representing the senate. It gives representation to every college within the university. Every college should have at least one senate member.

“We have meetings on a monthly basis throughout the semester. We always have an invited guest and/or a set agenda of issues that we feel we need to address based on the input that we are getting from our constituents,” said faculty senate Vice President Thomas Miller.

SU Invited two members of the national organization American Association of University Professors (AAUP) to speak to the faculty about re-initiating an AAUP chapter on campus. The AAUP’s purpose is to advance academic freedom and shared governance, to define fundamental professional values and standards for higher education, and to ensure higher education’s contribution to the common good. “There is a recommendation from the administration that we go from 44 departments on campus to 15 departments, we’re not talking about closing departments at all, we’re talking about putting multiple programs together under one department head,” said Miller. The administration as of yet has not given real clarity as to what the details of a university re organization will look like.

The administration plays one role on campus and the faculty a somewhat different role. The faculty is by definition largely self-governing and it should be. The faculty are the ones who should be making decisions regarding reorganizing,” said Miller.

There are some conflicts among the faculty regarding the merging of departments.

“When reorganizing the academic unit you want faculty who are trained specifically in those areas to be making those decisions. The administration is certainly welcomed to make suggestions or maybe even urge faculty to move in certain directions but the faculty should ultimately have the say-so in weather or not these things would work,” said Miller.

3. Budget cuts in Higher Education get to SU

Chancellor Llorens met with the Board of Regents to present a prospective budget of $78.3 million, for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, which was deferred for 60 days until preapproval. Plans

for institutional restructuring to help balance SU’s abysmal budget are in the works as of the SUS Board of Supervisors’ unanimous vote for financial exigency. Throughout the budget downfall at SU, little is known about the rest of system’s involvement in alleviating this problem. Downgrades to faculty causes conflicts with courses due to devastating budget cuts at SU. The SU Board of Supervisors met to discuss many key issues to help SU as a whole progress. Many of these issues would affect every part of SU. Nearly two decades have passed since SU declared financial exigency in 1988, but former SUS President, Delores Spikes, recalls it like it happened yesterday.

2. State of SU programs in Exigency

One of Southern University’s most prestigious programs, the College of Business has proven to be a top graduate program. The College is accredited by the accrediting body for colleges of business around the world, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or AACSB international. Southern University School of Nursing is ranked number one among the best nursing schools in Louisiana after being awarded the Nightingale Award for the second time. The School of Nursing currently has three programs and starting Fall 2012 there will be a fourth degree program, a Doctorate in Nursing Practice.

1. State of SU 2012From a Mexican standoff

between faculty and administration to CATS tax passes and rebuilding a new SU. Southern has seen it’s share of challenges this academic year. In the State of SU 2012, focus is turned towards programs that were labeled for enhancement and premier and things happening in the community affecting SU. During exigency, improvements have been in the works, the budget has been adjusted and adjusted, and students were attending classes four days a week. The College of Business, Engineering program and nursing programs were labeled premier and top producers in their fields. Education, Urban Forestry, Criminal Justice, Computer Science and Rehabilitation Counseling looked to a brighter future as they expand and are enhanced. Conflicts have arisen as mergers, cuts and consolidations have begun to take shape. Mass Communications looks to the loss of their graduate program and as the students adjust they look to more changes in the Fall of 2012. In the community CATS tax passed, students get involved in service and alumni try to unite the Jaguar Nation.

SUBR ADMINISTRATION

ApprovAl rAtingspAge 4 - tuesdAy, MAy 1, 2012 the sentinel of An enlightened student Body since 1926

southerndigest.com

Effectiveness: The administration requested a declaration of financial exigency and has adjusted the budget.Accountability:There has not been an accountability process established other than grievances.Communication: Information is still not properly communicated to students and faculty.Initiative: Initiatives such as the 4 day week have yet to prove their success.Financial Savvy: A balanced budget but, cost savings have yet to be realized.

The SUBR administration has made strides to “build a new SU” but, has made some tough decisions that raise questions to whether they are considerate of the faculty and student body.

SU BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

6STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOC.

FACULTY STUDENT BODY

5SU ALUMNI

SUBR ATHLETICS

7SU AT NEW ORLEANS

9SU AT SHREVEPORT

8SU AGRICULTURAL CENTER

8SU LAW CENTER

9SU COMMUNITY

7

From Fall 2011 through Spring 2012, the staff at The Southern Digest has been paying close attention to the actions of entities that make up Southern University. We have observed, documented and tracked the good, bad and the ugly. Although some things have yet to be evaluated, below are the approval ratings according to the Digest staff with the information that has been collected over the last academic year: (Scores 1-10, 10 best and 1 worst)

The Board of Supervisors have declared exigency, terminated programs, appointed an athletic director for SUBR but, have failed to evaluate the exigency process and address concerns.

Effectiveness: The board has passed and evaluated some of the toughest decisions facing Southern now.Accountability:Some still question the relevance of the board and the system and some meetings have not proven remarks wrong.Communication: Board video and packets still needs to be communicated to at least students and faculty.Initiative: The board has gotten involved in outside ventures to push the SU message and purpose.Financial Savvy: The board’s ability to crunch numbers is commendable but, their transparency needs work.

6The Student Government Association had changes in leadership, canceled programs, elections, and it’s share of controversy. SGA biggest flaw was it’s ability to communicate and execute it’s initiatives.

Effectiveness: Between ineligibility and contoversy, SGA has been fairly effective at putting the students before bureaucracy.Accountability:Without an active judiciary, students were left to a grievance form to vent to their representation.Communication: The failure of programs were due to lack of publicity and miscommunication to students.Initiative: This administration took risks to help the students but, stayed within the limits of Twitter and Facebook to reach out.Financial Savvy: The administration was capable of making smart financial decisions but, the lacumba funds/expenditures may have been overshot.

5

Effectiveness: The faculty have done more with less over the last year with the number of faculty decrease along with their pay.Accountability:There has been no way for students to hold faculty accountable in the classroom but an outlet for faculty.Communication: With the faculty senate vocal, voices of other faculty members have been heard less.Initiative: The faculty defense fund was established as an effort to represent faculty in legal defense of academic freedom.Financial Savvy: The faculty has been able to create a fund of over $10,000 during furloughs and layoffs.

The faculty have made strides to stand up against the administration and outside forces to consolidate and change Southern University. They have seen a decline in morale since the beginning of exigency.7

The student body has adjusted to a decline in enrollment, increase in tuition, four day week, longer class period, changes in administration budget cuts and stuck it out through it all.

Effectiveness: The student body has remained focused on graduation as the state focuses outside of higher education.Accountability: Students have tried to hold the administration accountable but, have failed to encourage their peers.Communication: Communication between the student body has been gossip instead of useful information.Initiative: Students accepted the challenge of transit reform and SGA representation along with classes and work.Financial Savvy: Hopefully those refund checks were spent wisely.

Effectiveness: Alumni have taken on the challenge of saving our Southern any way they can.Accountability:They have yet to engage most younger and fresh graduates into the alumni association and active giving.Communication: The alumni have yet to communicate directly with current students the benefits of alumni association membership.Initiative: The radiothon and alumni dinner recognized and raised money for schoalrships and programs.

SU alumni have taken this year by storm from funding raised by the alumni association, strides made by alums and alumni engagement with students in this past year. 6

SUBR athletics have made strides forward in this year. From the first season of Roman Banks, appointment of Chris Jones to Sports Information to the appointment of Dr. William Broussard as AD after a uncertain year.

SUNO is bouncing back after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. With an increase in grad rates, new infrastructure and new programs to keep students in the system. SUNO fought merger to come back a force.

SUSLA has made updates to infrastructure, added programs and seeks to innovate among the student body it serves. SUSLA will offer a nursing program in the Fall of 2012.

The Southern Universitycommunity has faced some struggles as budget cuts continue, financial exigency looms, enrollment, retention and graduation rates dwindle and SU faces outside scrutiny.

The SU Law Center has been recognized many times in the past year. Chancellor pitcher was named by On Being a Black Lawyer and the school garnered honors for multicultural students and financial value.

The SU Agricultural and Research Extension has continued it’s efforts to expose outreach to the community for development professionally, financially and economically.

Effectiveness: SUBR athletics has looked to be more effective and handle the issues plaguing the SU athletic standing.Accountability: Through accountability from NCAA and SWAC, athletics have stepped up to solve problems.Communication: Sports information communicates and encourages involvement in athletic events and ceremonies.Initiative: Participation in the Pack the House competition, SU garnered lead the competition in basketball support in SWAC.Financial Savvy: Athletics will face some major budgetary woes as the administration considers the extent to subsidize athletics.

Effectiveness: SUNO serves non-traditional students and works to graduate them among their schedules between work and family.Accountability: Held accountable by the La. Dept of Higher Education, SUNO has rebounded when expected to struggle.Communication: SUNO has neglected to communicate the initiatives they have with potential students from New Orleans.Initiative:Honore’ program and other initiatives have progressed the options available to SUNO students and potential students.Financial Savvy: SUNO has effectively utilized funding to rebuild and establish a new infrastructure in New Orleans.

Effectiveness: SUSLA offers associates and certificate programs to students.Accountability: held accountable to the system and LA. Dept. of Higher Education, SUSLA consistently graduates.Communication: SUSLA has not communicated with other campuses about the possibilities or options for students across the system involving SUSLA.Initiative: Working alongside SUNO, the Honore’ program allows students to study basics at SUSLA and transfer to SUNO.Financial Savvy: SUSLA has made wise investments to create a model infrastructure for a 2-year institution.

Effectiveness: The SU Law Center continues to offer a one of a kind environment among budget cuts and offering financial value.Accountability: They prepare students for the bar along with providing experience in preparation of practice.Communication: SULC utilizes The Public Defender and press releases to communicate events and information.Initiative: SULC has taken on some issues to lawyers across the state and nation through seminars, programs and practice.Financial Savvy: Providing financial value has left some tough decisions for academic progression at the hands of administration.

Effectiveness: The majority of the community has rallied around the concerns and chipped in where they can.Accountability: The community has held the institution acccountable for uncontrollable factors and pulled some support.Communication: There is a disconnect with those who support SU but are not alumni, who have just as much influence/power.Initiative: The community have been a force behind Save our Southern and legislative battles.Financial Savvy: More ways to acquire funds need to be considered and utilized.

Effectiveness: The Ag Center has been effective in hosting programs and initiatives to spread awareness and information.Accountability: The agricultural center has been accountable to the community by the hours of programming and opportunities created.Communication: They have to reach out more to current students and allow them the opportunity to get involved.Initiative: They have accepted the challenges facing the financial climate in the U.S. and the Baton Rouge area.Financial Savvy: They have worked with grants and done more.

McLEAN, Va. — There were no bear hugs on display, but President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton looked relaxed and friendly as they began a summer fundraising blitz that demonstrates their shared hopes for Democratic victory despite past differences.

Although Clinton had dismissed Obama in 2008 as undeserving of the presidency his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton was then seeking, on Sunday evening Clinton warmly declared “Barack Obama deserves to be re-elected president of the United States.”

Obama is “beating the clock” to restore the nation’s economy to health, Clinton told about 500 cheering supporters who had paid as little at $1,000 and as much as $20,000 apiece to see, as Obama put it, “two presidents for one.”

Digging out of similar financial holes has historically taken five to 10 years, Clinton said.

Longtime Clinton backer and strategist Terry McAuliffe hosted the event, the first of three planned joint appearances for Clinton and Obama.

Once a tense rivalry, the relationship between Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton has evolved into a genuine political and policy partnership. Suspicions remain in both camps, but both sides have a strong incentive for making the alliance workable and lucrative.

For Obama, Bill Clinton is a fundraising

juggernaut, a powerful reminder to voters that a Democrat ran the White House the last time the economy was thriving. For the spotlight-loving former president, stronger ties with the White House and campaign headquarters mean he gets a hand in shaping the future of the party he led for nearly a decade.

Obama’s re-election campaign has put Bill Clinton on notice that he will be used as a top surrogate, further evidence of how far the two camps have come since the bitter days of the 2008 Democratic primary battle between Obama and Hillary Clinton, now his secretary of state.

Neither Clinton nor Obama mentioned presumed Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney by name, but both Democrats zinged Romney for his economic plan and foreign policy credentials.

Obama’s likely GOP opponent “basically wants to do what they did before, on steroids,” Clinton said, “which will get you the same consequences you got before, on steroids.”

Obama said he and Hillary Clinton have “spent the past three-and-a-half years cleaning up after other folks’ messes.”

He ridiculed “the presumptive nominee on the other side” for “suddenly saying our No. 1 enemy isn’t al-Qaida, it’s Russia.”

“I didn’t make that up,” Obama said to loud laughter. “I suddenly thought maybe I didn’t check the calendar, and we’re back in 1975.”

Anne GeArAnThe Associated Press

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Obama, Clintons deepen political and policy ties

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In what was billed as a two-day, two-state battle for true Southwestern Athletic Confer-ence supremacy before the SWAC Tournament, Southern flexed its muscle and drubbed East leader Jackson State 14-4 Saturday in Jackson, Miss., and 8-2 Sunday at Lee-Hines Field.

The wins — not counting in SWAC standings — increased the Jaguars’ winning streak to 13 games heading into their final conference series this weekend against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Jags (28-14, 14-7) wrap up the regular season May 10-12 with a home series against LSU-Eunice before hosting the SWAC Tournament May 16-20.

“They were, obviously for the kids, two big wins,” head coach Roger Cador said. “But, we realized that we have to keep improving and getting better as we go down the road for conference play its going to be a lot different.”

In Saturday’s matchup the Jaguars the game started out with a bang when Taylor Roy hit a home run in the third inning.

The SU ran away with the game in the fifth inning when Brain Rowry’s three RBI home

run help the Jaguars score five runs, the Jags added on four more runs in the seventh.

In game two SU continued to have the success that currently has them on a 13 game winning streak, which is good pitching and good hitting.

Jose DeLeon was tested in both the fifth and seventh innings when DeLeon had two outs with bases were loaded and was able to be clutch and not give up any runs.

“That’s just how we do it in Puerto Rico, you see the game in a different way, I was just doing what I knew to do, throw strikes and get the guy out, the teammates and the fans were pumped up and I was just following them,” said DeLeon.

DeLeon retired in seven innings and only gave up five hits and did not allow any runners to score while at the mound.

Also shortstop Jeremy Lopez also made a significant contribution in Sunday game getting three RBI’s that help the team succeed.

“He’s definitely a guy that gets up fired up emotionally because he’s always talking, it means a lot to have a kid saying that to his teammates,” said Cador.

Lopez is returning from an injury he suffered earlier in the

season and has help the Jaguars get back to form.

“I knew when he got hurt that we were loosing a fiery and you can see that we went into a funk and when he came back we gradually got better and we really playing good ball,” said Cador.

SWAC Tournament pictureThe top four teams from each

division advance to the tournament.In the Western Division,

Southern currently has a half-game lead over Prairie View (22-20, 13-7) and are tied in the loss

column with seven SWAC losses each. The Jaguars also hold the tiebreaker over PV.

According to the SWAC, Southern can clinch the West’s top seed with a sweep over UAPB (8-34-1, 6-15) next weekend. If the Jaguars and Panthers finished tied, Southern takes the No. 1 seed by virtue of holding the tiebreaker.

Meanwhile, Grambling State — Prairie View’s opponent next weekend — has an outside chance at claiming the West’s top seed. GSU (20-21, 12-9) has

to take at least two out of three from the Panthers and then hope UAPB can play spoiler against Southern.

In the Eastern Division, things are a bit more settled. Jackson State (29-13, 18-3) clinched the East’s No. 1 seed while Mississippi Valley State (14-32, 10-14) will enter the tournament as the East’s No. 4 seed.

Alcorn State (15-30, 12-9) and Alabama State (19-28, 13-8) will tangle this weekend in Lorman, Miss., to determine the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds.

Two former Southern University football players look to continue their dreams of professional football after inking free agent deals with NFL teams.

Wide receivers LaQuinton “Smoke” Evans and Jared Green agreed to terms with teams days after the NFL Draft. Evans will return to Nashville, Tenn., — where the Jaguars opened last season against Tennessee State — as one of the Tennessee Titans’ 15 undrafted rookie free agents.

Green, a transfer from the University of Virginia, is one of 12 undrafted free agents the Carolina Panthers signed.

Rookie minicamps for all NFL teams are expected to begin in the upcoming days.

Evans, a Mansfield, La., native, finished his senior season leading the Jaguars in receptions (45) and receiving yards (696) while ending the season second on the team in touchdown receptions (six) and all-purpose yards (733). Evans’ 72-yard touchdown reception

against Alabama A&M was Southern’s longest scoring play of the season.

Green, an Ashburn, Va., native, finished his one season at SU with 17 catches for 307 yards and two TD catches. His seven-catch, 141-yard performance against Arkansas-Pine Bluff set a career-best for the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame member Darrell Green, along with set a team-high in receiving yards.

Despite the loss of Evans and Green, Southern will return four players that caught more than 20 passes last season — wide receiver Mike Berry (39 receptions, 508 yards, 7 TDs), wide receiver Lee Doss (34-410-4), running back Sylvester Nzekwe (27-246-1) and wide receiver Charles Hawkins (23-406-2).

The Jaguars will open the 2012 football season on the road, taking on the University of New Mexico Sept. 1. For more information regarding season ticket applications and renewals, fans are encouraged to contact the SU ticket office at 225.771.3171.

Digest News Service

Southern catcher Clint Ourso slides safely at home past Jackson State catcher Sergio Parra during the Jaguars’ 8-2 win over the Tigers Sunday. The win increased the Jags’ win streak to 13 straight games.

photo by trevor james/digest

Aristide PhilliPsThe Southern Digest

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Evans, Green sign NFL free agent deals

Jags win streak now at 13 games

The Southern softball team had a shot at clinching a spot in the upcoming SWAC Tournament in Irondale, Ala., but Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State had other ideas.

The Golden Lions responded to Southern’s 7-3 win in the series opener, but recovered to spoil the Lady Jaguars’ Senior Day festivities Saturday. UAPB closed out the series, shutting out Southern 1-0 and 11-0 to clinch third place in the West Division.

Too add insult to injury, rival Grambling State shut out Alabama A&M 2-0 Sunday to claim the West’s final spot in the tournament — marking the first time in Southern (8-33) softball history the team did not reach the SWAC Tournament.

With Grambling’s victory, Southern’s hopes were dashed

as the Lady Tigers joined Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M and Arkansas-Pine Bluff as West Division representatives. Mississippi Valley State, Jackson State, Alabama A&M and Alabama State will be the teams from the East.

The only issue left to be decided is the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the East. Those will be decided when Bama State squares off against UAPB in a makeup game from the SWAC Softball Round-up on May 6. The Hornets can claim the third seed with a win, but a UAPB victory would give the No. 3 seed to A&M. The Bulldogs took 2-of-3 from ASU earlier this season to earn the tiebreaker.

In other news, the Lady Jaguars’ planned make-up home game against Southern Miss today has been canceled. Southern was originally

scheduled to face Southern Miss in a two-day tournament which

was postponed due to severe weather in Hattiesburg, Miss.

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Digest News Service

Southern athletics director William Broussard, left, is currently awaiting word from the NCAA regarding the school’s Academic Progress Rate issues. The governing body has announced an APR policy change that could have an impact on HBCUs.

photo by trevor james/digest

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Aristide PhilliPsThe Southern Digest

Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Nene Sample is tagged out a first by Kiah Williams during their Game 1 victory against the Jagars 1 -0 over the weekend during Senior Day.

photo by Keldric Nash/digest

The NCAA has officially announced an amendment to the Academic Progress Rate policy, but Southern University has not been directly contacted by the NCAA specifying if there will be any changes to the sanctions of football and men’s basketball.

Southern men’s basketball program were given their penalty in 2008-2009 season, and the penalty consisted of scholarship reductions and practice reduction for a because of a low APR score of 847 and the APR standard is 925, and the next year the program didn’t show much improvement and was also given a championship ban.

SU football program was given was given a practice ban, scholarship reductions and championship ban for the 2009-2010 season because they had a low APR score of 899.

According to the NCAA 46

percent of programs that are under some form of penalty competed in men’s basketball, football and baseball.

Although these programs have shown improvement these sports continue to post the lowest multi-year APRs of all sports, football in particular saw a slight decline in its single-year rate due to struggles with eligibility.

Southern programs on the other hand have made significant progress with the NCAA to get on the right track.

“People are varying opinions about how the APR policy as it currently is constituted in some since has made it in some since much more difficult for low resource intuitions which in many cases are historically black universities were able to comply,” said Athletic Director William Broussard who was approved by the board in April.

When asked about what the department is going to do to prevent programs from getting into trouble Broussard said, “I think that this move by the

NCAA is basically an admission that could have been more research or an approach that was more accommodative of particular types of struggles that low resource institutions face to meet compliance in the first place.”

“We are going to continue to work hard we are going

to continue to review our process and even put in new ways to assess our success and whatever the new policy director recommends as our targets we are going to work to meet those targets and if we don’t make them we are going to consider it a failure and if we do we’ll celebrate the success,” said

Broussard. The department is currently

awaiting word from the NCAA about further word on penalties and if the programs will have reductions in penalty also the department and the Jaguar Nation will be looking forward to the release of APR scores for the 2011-2012 year.

Southern awaits word on APR

The 2012 SWAC Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships are set to begin Friday and will continue through Sunday. The three-day event will be held at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans.

Fans can follow the action via the SWAC Twitter page (@theswac). Live results will be available throughout the event on the outdoor track and field championship page via swac.org. Competition begins Friday at 8 a.m. with the men’s javelin throw and women’s 10,000 meters events. The first day of competition will conclude with the men’s hammer throw set for 2:30 p.m.

The Grambling State men are the defending champions, while the Alabama State Hornets won last year for the women. Both teams, who also won the 2012 Indoor Track and Field Championships, will look to repeat as the SWAC’s 2012 outdoor champions.

Fans can purchases daily passes for $5 or a weekend pass for $12, while kids over five and students with ID are just $3. Children under the age of five receive free admission.

For more information on the 2012 SWAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, including a full schedule, head to http://bit.ly/outdoorchampionship.

SWAC Outdoor Meet set for N.O.

Digest News Service

UAPB, Grambling dash SU’s hopes

Jennifer Jones dances with the Treme Brass band at a sunrise concert marking International Jazz Day in New Orleans Monday. The performance, at Congo Square near the French Quarter, is one of two in the United States that day; the other is in the evening in New York. Thousands of people across the globe are expected to participate in International Jazz Day, including events in Belgium, France, Brazil, Algeria and Russia.

photo by gerald hebert/ap photo

stAcey PlAisAnceThe Associated Press

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chevel JohnsonThe Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — Most of those listening to Erika Flowers at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival hadn’t heard of her, but by the end of her set they were asking where they could hear more.

Flowers and her band, The Foundation — first-time performers at the festival — opened Sunday at the Congo Square stage where the closing day’s headliner, Al Green, performed.

Flowers’ jazzy, R&B and soulful sound, reminiscent of artists like Lizz Wright and Cassandra Wilson, drew fans to the open field fronting the stage. Travis Grogan, of Laguna Beach, Calif., said her singing and the band backing her up were the reasons he and his friend Jeri McManus stopped to listen.

“She’s a very talented singer,” Grogan said. “We heard her from a distance and wandered over. She’s also got a great ensemble backing her up.”

McManus, a Jazz Fest newbie, said if everyone she hears is up to Flowers’ standard, she’s definitely returning.

“I love that you get so many great performers and they’re not even the headliners,” said McManus. “And they’re all quality musicians. That’s really special for a festival.”

Flowers, 21, is scheduled to graduate in May from Loyola University in New Orleans, where she’s studying vocal performance and music industry. In September 2010, she formed the band that includes a few other Loyola graduates including bassist Samuel Phillips.

“I’ve been writing songs for a few years and thought it was the best time to finally get my music out there,” she said in an interview with The Associated Press before her show. Most of the songs they performed were hers, she said.

Phillips said he’s been amazed by the fan interest and growth they’ve achieved since first starting.

“To see the way we’ve evolved since starting in a small practice room at Loyola to various gigs around the city and now we’re here. It’s like a pinnacle that can be the catapult to the next level,” he said. “Jazz Fest is a pretty phenomenal opportunity.”

Others in the band are Chris Guccione on drums, Merell Burkett on keyboards, Ross Carlson on guitar, trumpeter Carson Wahl, Leland Baker on saxophone and Sean Gray-Julian on trombone.

Flowers plays N.O. Jazz Fest

NEW ORLEANS — As the morning sun spilled over the New Orleans’ skyline Monday, jazz musicians Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis and others kicked off International Jazz Day with a sunrise concert that included ritual drumming and a string of performances.

Trumpeters Terence Blanch-ard and Kermit Ruffins, singer Stephanie Jordan and others performed “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and “Afro Blue” as the sun rose on Congo Square, an area near the French Quarter neighborhood where slaves once gathered on Sundays to play music.

Hundreds crowded the stage, some dancing and waving white handkerchiefs to the music.

The New Orleans concert was one of two to be held in the U.S. on Monday. The other was set for Monday at 7:30 p.m. EDT in New York with performances by Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Candido, Robert Cray, Sheila E., Chaka Khan, Bobby Sanabria and others.

International Jazz Day was launched in Paris on Friday by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in partnership with the Thelonious

Monk Institute of Jazz, of which Hancock is chairman. The Paris event included roundtable discussions, improvisational workshops and performances by artists from various countries.

“Jazz is something very special, and it belongs to the world,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, who traveled from Paris to New Orleans for Monday’s sunrise concert. “Jazz music is an expression of freedom, of human rights and of human dignity.”

Still, the genre’s roots cannot be denied, Hancock said. Jazz was born out of slavery, “the positive and creative response to slavery to elevate and lift the hearts of the slaves,” he said.

“It really touches people’s

hearts because they can identify and feel the sense of hope and voice of freedom that really comes from jazz,” Hancock said. “This is what makes it truly international.”

In all, thousands across the globe were expected to participate in International Jazz Day at events in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Japan, Algeria, New Guinea, Russia and elsewhere.

“This is the international celebration of jazz, which in a sense, is a loss for America because UNESCO is proclaiming that jazz is not just American,” Hancock said.

“But it’s been international from the very beginning,” he said, citing Africa and Europe as influences for jazz music.

Jordan, who replaced Dianne Reeves in Monday’s lineup after Reeves had a family emergency, said she was honored to be asked to join the celebration.

“Jazz is the most inclusive music we have,” the New Orleans-born singer said. “It crosses all barriers. It transcends race and economics. ... I’m so glad that the world recognizes how great this music is, the tradition, and keeping it alive.”

Ruffins said it was fitting that the U.S. launched its celebration of jazz in Congo Square.

“It’s almost like we’re standing in the heart, the birthplace of jazz, where the slaves used to come and celebrate on Sundays and create this beautiful culture that we have in the city today,” he said.

Legends honor Jazz music

NEW ORLEANS — A new book captures the quirks and talent of one of New Orleans’ most celebrated and eccentric entertainers, as well as his ups and downs and the era that shaped him.

The title of the book, published by the Historic New Orleans Collection, is “Ernie K-Doe: The R&B Emperor of New Orleans.” Later in life, K-Doe proclaimed himself the “Emperor of the World,” and few fans would disagree with him.

K-Doe emerged in the early 1960s rock and R&B scene, and until his death at age 65 in 2001 was one of the most unforgettable figures in New Orleans music.

The book is the second for

the Historic New Orleans Collection — a private collection of Louisiana materials and a museum — which plans a series on the shapers of regional music. The first — “Unfinished Blues: Memories of a New Orleans Music Man” — focused on jazz composer-producer Harold Battiste Jr. and was published in 2010.

Author Ben Sandmel, who lives and plays music in New Orleans and knows the city’s quirky music community, tells K-Doe’s story in lively detail and colorful anecdotes.

He opens the book with an incident that took place at K-Doe’s Mother-in-Law Lounge, named after the song that took him to national fame in 1961.

K-Doe, whose birth name was Ernest Kador Jr., called the police during a performance in

2000 to report a robbery. When the cops showed up, guns drawn, K-Doe said the robbery was a man taping his performance. Not only could police do little

about the alleged intellectual theft, the man turned out to be a New York Times critic planning an article “to let people know about Mr. K-Doe.”

A new book published by the Historic New Orleans Collection, “Enie K-Doe: The R&B Emperor of New Orleans,” by Ben Sandmel, captures the quirks and talent of one of New Orleans’ most celebrated and eccentric entertainers, his ups and downs and the era that shaped him.

photo by pat jolly/ap photo

Biography of Ernie K-Doe captures quirks, talent

MAry FosterThe Associated Press

In the eternal struggle for power also known as politics, the press is constantly at odds with those who they cover. The press’ relationship with the White House is no different. Every quote, sound byte, and commentary is skillfully written to shine or illuminate a person, their actions, their personality, their credibility and the White House is the ultimate target.

Not only do those who serve in the White House serve the people but, they make the decisions. In this constant struggle for power the media is loosing due to lack of resources, knowledge, human capital, and time.

The power shifts with every White House, every president has their way of doing things. President Obama and his administration have a way with words in the form of press releases and painting the image that you are giving something when you are clearly disseminating spin. For example, The Obama administration’s major source for the media is press releases. According to the White House website, the administration releases publicly at least three press releases a day on particular initiatives to the public and when you are a member of the press you can receive a flooded inbox of White House releases. This flooding of the minds and meetings of news outlets leaves editors, producers, and directors contemplating what are the most important and with all of this information what still holds true to news values. Now facing the dilemma of limited knowledge, time, resources, and human capital to cover each story and leaving some stories that are not well documented and not presented to the public.

From a journalist’s perspective, According to University of North Carolina mass communications professor, Anthony Curtis, every story is considered by its impact,

timeliness, prominence, proximity, bizarreness or novelty, conflict, and currency before it is chosen to be reported. Keeping true to this method a paper covering the White House will consider these values before assigning and pursuing a story. With the flood of press releases a media outlet is at risk for printing a story that is not what’s trending or considered relevant to current economic, political, and national/local circumstances. For example in the current economic position with conversation and debate about the debt ceiling dominating the news, we see the consistent stories about campaigning for the next election while the election is still far out. The media is running with the loaded words and spin press releases and strategic speeches are revealing.

Beyond press releases, President Obama tends to be in hiding when debt, war, and economic situations arise. According to the White House website, Press Secretary Jay Carney has dominated the press briefings. President Obama’s comments are found on television shows, brief statements interjected into your regular programming, and in e-mails released to the press before his public appearances. This current situation requires for journalists to be faster, more precise, and work with less resources while facing an economic

crisis of their own. According to the Project for

Excellence in Journalism’s 8th annual State of the News media survey, there was an increase by 17 percent of those reading their news online in comparison to subscribers. The percentage of people who say they get news online at least three times a week surpassed newspapers for the first time, Huffington Post noted in a story covering the shift. With newspapers facing the problem of human capital the fact that they are being flooded with information that requires a journalists due diligence leads to less of a story, not fully developed or misleading stories, and important stories being covered in brief format.

Lastly, every journalist’s worst enemy is deadline. Depending on your news room you could have a “dragon lady” editor breathing fire on your back as deadline approaches or a busy editor who just refuses to run your stuff when the time is up. Time is a scarce limited resource, so if your story is no longer going to be timely if you hit a wall two days before deadline those stories are more likely to fall by the wayside. These stories lost in translation can determine the fate of the media outlet they are being produced for.

The consistent battle between the press and the White House impacts the people’s feelings and insight on the White House’s effectiveness, productivity, intelligence, and work ethic. So, for the press that covers the White House a lot is at stake. The ultimate decision goes towards the ethics of the journalists and their media outlet; To seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable will determine the choices they make. In the words of Charlie Sheen The White House is, “winning…winning.”

SUBMISSIONS POLICYThe Southern DIGEST welcomes letters from readers commenting on current issues and other matters of general interest to the SU family and public. We set aside this space to publish these letters for others to enjoy. This newspaper is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on its editorial and opinion pages. The Southern DIGEST reserves the right to edit any contributions and or reject them without notification. Authors are encouraged to limit the length of submissions to 300 words. Letters should not include libelous statements. Offensive and personal attacks will not be permitted. The DIGEST will not print “open letters” addressed to someone else. All contributions must be type written, signed and must include the author’s address and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Southern University students should include their majors, hometowns and year in school. When referring to specific DIGEST articles, please include the date and title. All materials should be directed to the editor in chief of The Southern DIGEST, P.O. Box 10180, Baton Rouge, La. 70813. Materials may be delivered by hand to the DIGEST office located in Suite 1064 Harris Hall or can be e-mailed to digest@subr.edu.

EDITORIAL POLIcyStaff editorials represent the opinions of the author and the majority opinion of the Southern DIGEST Student Editorial Board, which is comprised of the student staff of editors and columnists. The Southern DIGEST provides an open forum to educate, inform and enlighten the students, faculty and staff at Southern University, Baton Rouge, La.

PUBLIcATION ASSOcIATIONSThe Southern DIGEST is a member of the Black College communications Association (BccA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), University - Wire Network (U-Wire), Associated collegiate Press (AcP), college Media Advisers Association (cMA), Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Full member of the Associated Press (AP) and the Louisiana Press Association (LPA).

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SPRING 2012 STAFFEditor-in-Chief ............................. Evan TaylorManaging Editor ...................................... TBACopy Editor ..................Norman J. Doston Jr.Photo Editor .............................. Trevor JamesStaff Writer .............................. Christie CarralStaff Writer ..............................Marcus GreenStaff Writer ...................... Charles Hawkins IIStaff Writer ........................... Lauren JohnsonStaff Writer ........................... Aristide PhillipsStaff Writer ................................ Jessica SarpyStaff Photographer ...................Arielle BurksStaff Photographer ......................Talor KinzyStaff Photographer ...................Keldric NashStaff Photographer ..................Ariana Triggs

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The White House is ‘winning’

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