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Volume 57, Issue 16
The Southern Digest will return Nov. 29
Women fall to Lamar; football readies for Classic see Sports, Page 5
It’s like a jungle sometimes... see Commentary, page 7
80s crisis similar to exigency situation
SU aids joint effort Service Learning food drive donates to EBR Housing Authority
Billy Washington The Southern Digest
that it was a good idea for the students to have this event while some, on the other hand, felt that it could have been much better for the students then how it was that
Circulating rumors of Southern University functioning in the state of financial exigency in the 1980s are true, according to DIGEST archives. In July 1988, the Southern University Board of Supervisors declared financial emergency due to $5.2 million dollars being cut from the budget. A retrenchment plan was put forth in December 1988 and a 2.5 percent cut was taken from all employees who earned $20,000 or more a year. A total of 70 employees were terminated and 560 paychecks were cut. Mr. Joffre Whisenton was serving as SU System President at the time of declaring financial emergency. Mrs. Dolores Spikes followed by serving as the SU System President and interim chancellor later that year. Gov. Buddy Roemer proposed to cut $9.5 million from SU’s budget while SU was operating on a $5.2 million budget in 1988. According to DIGEST archives, Ms. Spikes was against the budgets cuts and the declaration because she felt “there will be a negative impact because of the timeliness of the entire process” and “we are being hit unfairly on all sides.” Chancellor James Llorens firmly believes that a negative image will not be placed on SU and aggressive recruiting may be the key to enrollment problems. The board also approved to close the university early in the spring semester of 1989 to save money which is similar to the scheduled four-day week, approved by Llorens and academic deans, which will be implemented for the upcoming spring 2012 semester. According to the 1989 Board of Supervisors’ figures showed that an estimated total of $909,000 was saved due to cuts and layoffs. It is currently unknown how much will be saved during this current status of financial exigency. The estimated
See Late Night page 3
See 80s Crisis page 3
Evan Taylor
The Southern Digest
After the efforts of 500 students and sorting, checking, PHOTO BY Trevor james/digest grouping and boxing up over 1,500 nonperishable food Students (from left to right) Tiana Pate, Deon Ramsey and Kimberly Jones pack boxes for Turner Plaza items, The Southern University residents for Service Learning food drive. This year was the 16th annual food drive and 500 students Center for Service Learning participated donating over 1500 non-perishable food items. donated essentials for a “For the last eight years “Not all schools have service traditional Thanksgiving meal further proves that Southern University Center for Service learning programs so, this was it’s always satisfying to see to elderly and disabled adults. In a joint effort between the Learning is doing its part in a great opportunity for me to students be blessed enough to SU Center for Service Learning the community. We thank see a food drive where students be a blessing to others. They and the East Baton Rouge the students for doing their give so tremendously and give unselfishly and many times Parish Housing Authority, part,” said Kristan Gordon, generously. I was truly amazed they go above and beyond. For elderly and disabled residents Coordinator, Center for Service by the spirit of giving displayed that we are grateful,” Kristan by the students and even some Gordon said. of Turner Plaza will have a Learning. Gordon and students assisted Thyrag Lewis a graduate staff members here at Southern traditional Thanksgiving meal. in the process of collecting, “The ability for the students assistant in the office was University,” said Lewis. Essentials donated included; consolidating, and turning to give back to the very amazed for more than one community that many of reason at the ability of flour, oil, rice, beans, and them are products of speaks students to contribute to their canned goods from corn to pie See Food Drive page 3 filling. volumes of their character and community.
SU Late Night leaves some wanting more James Teague
The Southern Digest
Good times were being had at the Annual SU Late Night hosted by the Student Union Activities Board Friday in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union with a variety of games and other activities to help students relax with finals just around the corner. This event was for students on campus who were always on campus on those bored Friday nights. It gives them an opportunity to get involve in some fun activities while being up in the union. Activities that were going on throughout this event ranged from favorite pastimes such as free bowling, shooting pool to playing games like table tennis. It even offers time for friends to just hang out and listen to music all throughout the game room. Snacks and refreshments were also served to the students in attendance as well. There were also movies played throughout the night as well with movies such as The Hangover and Friday after Next for students to enjoy in the midst of all the excitement. “It’s a good way to interact for the
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PHOTO BY trevor james/digest
Students line up for snacks during SU Late Night Friday in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union.
students,” said Da’vine Johnson, junior criminal justice major from New Orleans. “It is something fun and positive where it can get people to steer away from going to the club.” There were mixed views on the SU late night. Some of those in attendance thought
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