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Thursday, OcTOber 17, 2013
www.southerndigest.com
VOLume 61, issue 10
SU board discuss old dorm demolition Christie Carral
The Southern Digest Southern University’s Board of Supervisors deliberated the demolition of the four vacant dorms in the back of the Baton Rouge campus located near the new Intramural Athletic Complex. According to the SU BOS, the dorms are obsolete, unsafe and unsanitary to the student life zone. The four dorms, which are approximately 33,000 square feet each and nearly 60 years old, considered for demolition include: Morris Henry Carroll Hall, Mildred McKinley Satterwhite Hall, Ollie Butler Moore Hall and Octavia Head Clark Hall and Octavia Dining Hall. According to Endas Vincent system director of facilities planning said the contractors were given 180 days to complete the demolition of the four buildings. “If they get their full 180 days, we are looking at April, but we are pushing for January,” Vincent said. Darren Mire, representative of the second congressional district, voiced his concerns of the delay of the dorms’ demolition at the board meeting. “Those four buildings back there creates crime problems,” Mire said. Mire said with the fencing around the buildings are attracting students to go beyond the fencing, committing crimes in other words. “We want to make sure that they’re still on this project,” Mire said.
According to Vincent the delays of the demolition of the four dorms are because of environmental abatement to remove asbestos from the buildings. “It’s not really a delay, it’s just that we have abatement,” Vincent said. Vincent said in a prior meeting with the contractors to tear down the dorms, he said he told the contractors that the dorms had to come down sooner than 180 days. “I told them we had to have them down by January,” Vincent said. As of now Vincent said the contractors are currently removing lead paint, mastic and asbestos. “All of that is going to take about 90 days and I’m trying to push them,” Vincent said. According to Vincent, the total cost to demolish the four buildings totaled less than $800,000. Another discussion the board discussed was completion of the university place, located on the bluff. Vincent said that there was a meeting held to discuss the date of completion of the University Place. “The last report I received was Dec. 13,” Vincent said. According to Calvin Braxton, representative of the sixth Congressional District, if the University Place was finished by now, the system can save approximately $35,000 a year. “Someone could move in there and save some money,” Vincent said. Braxton also questioned the completion of
Ariana Triggs/DIGEST Old matresses, beds, and dressers lay out in the open in preparations of the demolition of the old Southern dorms in the SU residential area, next to the new intramural complex. the house. He made the point that the system purchased a hotel for $3 million and it was completed within six weeks of purchase, according to Braxton. “So you can’t get a house fixed for $237,000,” Braxton asked.
According to Vincent because the project used to sources of funding and using the same contract, it took away time from the project. “We have FEMA funds and we also have the Disaster Grant Relief funds,” Vincent said.
Organizations host ballon launch for cause MeaGan l. WilliaMs The Southern Digest
Wednesday at noon Southern University students celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness month in front of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union. The celebration consisted of a balloon launch as well as snacks and ribbons that were provided to students and faculty. The event, sponsored by the Sophomore Class and Men’s Federation, received a numerous amount of support from students. All month long, the Southern University community incorporates events to bring awareness to breast cancer. Whether students have had personal experiences or just want to be apart of something meaningful, many students can find a reason to celebrate those who have survived breast cancer, remember those who have passed, and encourage women with useful information and helpful tips to stay healthy and recognize warning signs. The sophomore class provided factual handouts and pamphlets encouraging women to learn information on self-examination, getting health screenings, and knowing your potential risks. Other handouts provided information on how to talk to others about breast
cancer. While no woman or man is exempt, spreading helpful information can help with prevention and the empowerment to fight back. Chelsea Augustine junior nursing native of Baton Rouge stated her stance on Breast Cancer Awareness. “I’ve been an advocate for Breast Cancer awareness since tenth grade,” said Augstine. “My mom is a breast cancer survivor and it was tough seeing what she went through. It was pretty difficult but I realize how blessed I am,” Augstine continued, “Throughout each day this month I plan to wear some form of pink to show support because I’m surprised at how little some people know about it.” The releasing of pink balloons Wednesday was a monumental way for the Southern University community to advocate awareness for the Baton Rouge community. Stephan Loston, president of Men’s Federation, senior criminal justice major from New Iberia gave the reason for the event. “Today the Men’s Federation is partnering with the sophomore class because we want to bring as much awareness as possible. As a result, we are simultaneously incorporating “Real Men Wear Pink”,” Loston said. “As an organization on campus, we
Meagan L. Williams/DIGEST Students particpated in a balloon realease Wednesday at noon to celebrate breast cancer awareness month in front Smith-Brown Memorial Union. are geared toward creating events that serve to better the male population on campus,” Loston continued. Other supportive student males like Loston have sentimental values for spreading breast cancer awareness. Michael Sensley freshman agriculture major native of Baton Rouge gave his reason for attending the Breast Cancer Awareness event. “My grandmother passed of breast cancer before I got a chance to meet her,” said Sensley. Having male support can be a dominating force to get the word out.
“It’s a topic for conversation and an issue that must be pushed on campus. Something as simple as wearing pink is very easy to do,” Sensley continued. Sophomore Class President Chase Evans, a nursing major from Slidell, La. understands the importance of communication amongst students is beneficial for any cause. “My job is to make sure that all the voices of the students are being heard. Today’s balloon release was intended to show that breast cancer could be relatable to anyone on campus,” said Evans.
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA
OUR MISTAKE
RETRACTION & CORRECTION The Southern Digest Staff would like to apologize for an error that appeared in the Tuesday, October 1, 2013 front page edition of the publication. The story titled “Crime stats rise in latest arrest,” was published incorrectly a few points that were written in the story were inaccurate in regards to the drug arrest that took place the morning on Friday, September 27, 2013. The current University policy for drugs states, “Any student in possession of drugs on the Southern University and A&M college campus shall be expelled immediately. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and/or the Dean of Students will advise students on individual rights and will ensure that due process is afforded by the University.” The 6 students that were arrested that morning have NOT been expelled from the University, they are currently on emergency administrative suspension, meaning that they are banned from campus until further notice. The article also stated that the students are on immediate academic suspension, which was inaccurate. All students involved are on emergency administrative suspension. The Southern Digest tries to the best of its ability to publish truthful and accurate accounts in its works. Thank you again for reading the Southern Digest.