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Exclusive content @
Thursday, September 6, 2012
www.southerndigest.com
Volume 59, Issue 3
Clinton boosts Obama at DNC see News, Page 3
Student Groups share info at Org. fair
SU seeks win in Hammond
see Culture, Page 6
see Sports, Page 5
SUBR adjusts post exigency Charles Hawkins II The Southern Digest
A cleared financial status, new personnel, and new positions greeted the Southern University community this fall in the pursuit of a new Southern University. One of the major changes discussed by the Chancellor at Southern University post exigency status. “The hardest part of financial exigency was reducing the workforce at the faculty and staff level,” Southern University Baton Rouge Chancellor James Llorens said. Recognizing that staff members had families, and noticing the administrative problems exigency presented in customer service and service to the students, Llorens had to make the final decisions. Student Government Association President Willie McCorkle III talked about SUBR’s exigency trial period. “Southern University is truly moving forward, accepting the challenges, and making a difference,” McCorkle said. While finally alleviating exigency was important, implementing new programs and new initiatives was on Llorens’ to-do list. “Implementing the Interdisciplinary studies program, it will be at the advantage of students who don’t know what they want to major in right away,” Llorens said. Llorens looks to academic reorganization because of the next few
years are critical years in planning and organization. Llorens discussed the changes in admissions and the possible adaptations the university may make to address the GRAD act and new state mandates. “Our bigger challenge is the cost of education because of increases in tuition, changes in financial aid guidelines, and changes in pell grant guidelines it is becoming harder for our students to identify the resources necessary to continue their education,” Llorens said. New goals for the university according to Llorens include, “ grow enrollment, increase retention, and placing graduates.” New changes are not only present in admissions, but also in personnel according to Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Brandon Dumas. “There is no longer a director of Smith Brown Memorial union or a scheduling planner,” Dumas said. Dumas said, Mrs. Angold Askew now serves as Program Advisor, in order to help streamline operations and re-align the focus of Southern. Two more officials were brought in to assist in improving the student experience. “Ja’el Gordon is now the Coordinator of Student Organizations, and Heather Freeman as Director of Student Media,” Dumas said. Although personnel changes were important McCorkle said, mentioned the
Digest file photo
Chancellor Llorens discussed in an interview with the Digest about Exigency decisions and the future of the New Southern University adn we rebuild and reorganize. The Chancellor’s office plans to focus on restructuring and reorganizing the academic structure carefully this fiscal year.
long anticipated new physical changes to Southern University. “Further construction of intramural complex is to be complete in 2013, a complete face-lift to the basketball courts in residential area, major remodeling to housing facilities on campus, state of the art renovations to the academic facilities,
the beautification of Lake Kernan and last, but not least the re-pavement of mini-dome parking lot,” McCorkle said. Transparency of information from administrators to students is one of the main focuses that the Chancellor and SGA are making the extra effort to get communicated as it is available.
Revisions to the Fall 2012 Academic Calendar
Code of Conduct violations decrease, officials notice Charles Hawkins II The Southern Digest
Southern officials and the Southern University Police Department have noticed a major decrease in code of conduct violations across campus by students. Officials believe students should be congratulated for their improvement in behavior from past years filled with an influx of violations. “I mentioned in a previous interview that students should have been commended because of the way they have been conducting themselves,” SUPD Chief of Police Ronald Stevens said.
Stevens encourages students to continue their improved behavior. Stevens discussed the better behavior while Kelwin Williams, Judicial officer for student affairs on the numbers of the situation. “The spring 2012, was tremendously better than 2011,” Williams said. The incidents of code 1 and code 2 violations were down in the spring 60-65% according to Williams. Willie McCorkle, Student Government Association President emphasized the high priority placed on addressing issues on campus. “My job as president is to make
sure students are treated fairly and in a respectable manner,” McCorkle said. However, he believes the rules in the code of conduct were put in place to protect the general wellbeing of the student body. Officials both in student governance and administrative roles agree that the policies are fair to the students. “Rights of everyday citizens in due process are pretty much standard as what you would expect as a student,” Stevens said concerning the fairness of the Student Code of Conduct. Although both Southern officials agreed on the rules being fair, Williams believed there are three major topics that
students should be aware of. “The big three; drugs, weapons, and hazing,” Williams said. “The Big Three” can be identified as important because of major incidents that occurred such as the Florida A&M band hazing death, Southern University band investigations and even fraternity and sorority allegations. Although the three Williams mentioned are important, Stevens brought up the importance of the appeals process for those who may find themselves on the other side of the code. “It kind of lines itself to appeal process as with issues,” Stevens
the official student newspaper of southern university and A&m college, baton rouge, louisiana
said. It is similar to laws and statutes that apply to everyday citizens. Williams discussed how the code of conduct hasn’t changed within in the last three years. “It has not been changed since the old edition, however when those changes are made we will be sure every member of student body will informed,” Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Brandon Dumas said. Students interested in learning more about the rules in the Code of Conduct can purchase a student handbook in the bookstore or view the information on Southern University website.