September 10th issue

Page 1

NEWS

spill victims face dilemma

SPORTS

VIEWPOINTS

SU takes on Ark.-Monticello. pG. 6

DIGEST staff sounds off. pG. 7

Where’s the money?

jags gear up for home opener

Accept money from BP or sue? pG. 3

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WWW.SOUTHERNDIGEST.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

VOL. 56, ISSUE 5

Goodbye kitty

SU sees slight drop

Lacumba Fund money now going toward SGA initiatives

BY tHe assoCiateD press

By Breanna paul

diGest File photo

Digest opiNioNs eDitor

While Southern’s live mascot Lacumba died in 2004, each student has been paying a $2 fee per semester for the upkeep of the mascot. Roughly $321,000 has been collected in the six years since the jaguar’s death. Students voted Tuesday in favor of releasing the money from the Lacumba Fund to the Student Government Association. SGA President

students approved a referendum tuesday to release approximately $321 thousand from the lacumba fund to the student government association for what is being called “presidential initiviates.”

Demetrius Sumner already has plans for the money if approved by the Board of Supervisors. Due to legal complications, Sumner was not able to allocate the funds without a referendum and the student’s vote. “My hope was to obtain the funds without having to the students to vote,” Sumner said. “I wanted to already have the funds and start the projects before the fall

semester. Sumner has identified the “Presidential Initiatives” in which he will address immediately. His first focus is health and fitness. Sumner has plans of constructing new volleyball courts, renovating current workout facilities and basketball courts. He also wants to increase lighting in some areas on campus.

The budgets for Homecoming and SpringFest concerts and comedy shows have been heavily affected with the passing of the referendum. The Homecoming budget has been raised to approximately $85 thousand while the SpringFest budget has yet to be determined. See lacumba page 3

Cade Awards grants students access By eVan taylor

Digest oNliNe MaNager

Southern University students enjoyed a red carpet experience at The Cade Awards All Access Granted; The Fourth Annual freshman orientation program at John B. Cade Library. The program included a welcome by Emma Bradford Perry, Dean of Libraries; refreshments, raffles, tours, and give-a-ways. Freshmen had the opportunity to enter in a raffle for a laptop computer provided by Commercial Design Interiors, Bayou Classic tickets provided by the SU System Foundation, and SU paraphernalia provided to the SU Bookstore. Perry; Rose Hunte, Executive Associate & Budget Manager, Title III; Deloris Brown, Director Aramark SU; and Matthew Edmonds, Commercial Design Interiors, LLC discussed the process of renovating the library’s first floor. “The library is for you. We want you to tell us what you

PARTLY CLOUDY HIGH

april BuFFinGton/diGest File photo

the new coffee stand “Java City” in John B. Cade library was formally introduced during thursday’s freshman orientation.

want and need. The current survey will help us when we improve the library further,” said Perry. Following the welcome students were ushered into the lobby where pizza, jambalaya, and drinks awaited. Students

93° | 73° LOW

also had the opportunity to choose from the free give-aways and start a self guided tours throughout the library. “Students should gain a wonderful experience from renovations. All of the renovations are geared in that

INSIDE S O U T H E R N

direction,” continued Perry. “I hope students will think of the library as not just a place to study but, to have social and recreational needs met,” said Maya Banks, Reference Librarian/Chairperson of Freshman Orientation. The design plans for the second, third and fourth floor of the library were revealed at the orientation. Keeping the flow going with bright colors including: red and lime green on the second floor, green and red on the third, and blue and green on the fourth. According to Edmonds, “Simple design with inspiration from the ITC Lab on the second floor is bringing life back to the library.” Everything is functional and creates a universal academic and social environment. Perry shared, “We have to thank Rose Hunte for her unwavering support for the library. Thank you Deloris See cade page 3

Southern University’s student enrollment is down another 4 percent this fall while Baton Rouge Community College continues to steadily grow, according to college data released Wednesday. Southern reported a total enrollment this fall of 7,313 students compared with 7,619 last year. BRCC jumped about 3 percent to 8,340 students, up from 8,104 enrolled last fall. While BRCC may now exceed Southern by 1,000 students, Southern still enrolls a higher percentage of full-time students. Southern Chancellor Kofi Lomotey credited the 300-student dip primarily to state budget cuts to colleges and concerns from potential students about toughened admission standards. “It’s basically what we predicted,” Lomotey said. “But that’s not to say we’re happy.” Southern decided against tightening admission standards this fall at the last minute. Lomotey said those increases will go into effect next fall instead to give high school students and their parents more time to prepare. Fewer employees in financial aid, admissions and recruiting offices also have hurt, he said. “We have less money to recruit,” Lomotey said. “We have fewer courses being offered. We have the threat of (academic) degree program eliminations.” On top of that, Lomotey argued, state funding for colleges is weighted against Southern. Despite budget cuts, he said Southern now plans to “redouble” its student recruiting efforts. Enrollment figures become official after the 14th day of classes. Southern and BRCC started the semester before most other colleges, such as LSU. The information from most other campuses is not yet available.

CAMPUS BRIEFS...............2  A & E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 VIEWPOINTS......................7 NEWS.............................3  SPORTS......................6 U N I V E R S I T Y ,

B A T O N

R O U G E ,

L A .


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