“We must do better,” according to Board of Supervisors board member Tony Clayton at Friday’s Southern University System Board meeting in regards to Southern-New Orleans.

During the public comment portion of the meeting Clayton spoke about his meeting with Gov. Bobby Jindal in recent weeks. Without apologizing for his actions, he gave little insight on what he and the governor met about. The major issue was the study involving SUNO.

“First of all I offer up no apologies for meeting with the governor of Louisiana, he’s a friend of mine. If he calls me tomorrow I would meet with him again; as I expect any of you would,” said Clayton. “Now inside that meeting there was never a conversation between the governor and myself that said close SUNO, not one time. The governor spoke of his study of SUNO.”

Clayton went on to say that he

spoke in defense of SUNO and always will. He also gave out a few statistics on graduation rates at other institutions as well to show that many other campuses have low graduation rates across the state and not just SUNO.

“I tell you that SUNO is a part of my family and I continue to fi ght for SUNO. I say that to say this SUNO has to do better Dr. Ukpolo, SUNO has to increase its graduation rates,” Clayton said to Ukpolo. “I say that and I know SUNO will do better.”

Clayton also stated that during his talk with Jindal he proposed a few things such as an ROTC program ran by Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré at SUNO or offering night classes from Baton Rouge on the campus. He also warned that when “you point the fi nger at SUNO you have three more pointing back at you” and that there has to be some changes at SUNO.

“SUNO should be here today, it should be here tomorrow, and I know that we will make the necessary changes at SUNO,”

Clayton said, he went on to challenge the board to run their own study at SUNO and show how SUNO impacts the area.

Also during the public comment section Jason Hughes gave his input on the situation surrounding SUNO and what

the leadership of the university must do in these dire times.

“My love for Southern runs deep in my heart, but Mr. Chairman my heart troubles

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estABLished in 1928

STATE & NATION

protests continue in Wis.Gov. urges Dems to return to work. pg. 4

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a dose of realityKnowing what’s going on. pg. 7

See campus guns page 3

southern University board of supervisors member tony clayton gave few details about his meeting with Louisiana Gov. bobby Jindal during Friday’s board meeting.

photo By norman J. dotson Jr./digest

By norman J. dotson Jr.diGest editor-iN-chieF

See clayton page 3

Clayton mum on Jindal meeting

Goodwin discusses education with students

Forum featuring speaker Dr. Susan Goodwin focused on creating a learner centered environment and campus accountability. The forum was sponsored and hosted by Southern University’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.

The CTLE is Southern University’s hub of retention services. Its key purpose is to increase the percentage of students who are retained and ultimately complete their program of study on time. Dr. Susan Goodwin’s presentation is the fi rst to be sponsored by CTLE.

Dr. Goodwin facilitated a group discussion with students about their role as African American students at a Historically Black College/University. She opened the discussion by posing the question: What is education and what is the purpose of education?

After several students had given their interpretations of education and its purpose, Goodwin said, “To establish your place in your own mind and to remain connected to your best self is the purpose of education.”

Goodwin provided her own purpose to education.

She continued, “Education is our ancestors and elders having

conversations with the current generation”

In our tradition teachers are elders, family, and community builders. In order to create a learner centered environment teachers should use question driven practices for acquiring new knowledge and making meaning of new material. She emphasized that becoming educated is acquiring cultural knowledge; information, skills, attitudes, conceptions, beliefs, values, and other mental components of culture that people socially learn, as it relates to our education. She stressed that in order for students to think and act in the best interest of themselves and their community they must

learn how to think critically to produce knowledge that counteracts the socio-historical patterns of race, class, and gender restrictions.

“Culture is learned. In this atmosphere we have to learn to counteract what is being taught to us by being able to out think it, in order to keep our spirit intact and whole,” said Goodwin

Dr. Goodwin also discussed the relationship between professionalism and moral leadership.

“When we talk about, how I got over in our tradition, it meant how I got over morally

Debate continues for guns

In the wake of highly publicized college murders, handguns on campuses are being considered for legalization. For now though, Southern University is not one of those campuses. As far as Southern is concerned that’s not even in consideration.

Utah’s state House of Representatives has already passed House Bill 75 in mid-February, and many other states such as Texas are looking into passing it as well.

Students and teachers have responded with mixed reactions on this issue; no matter the decision it will have a serious impact on college campuses this fall.

This could have a serious impact on college campuses this fall. However, the last “guns on campus” bill in Louisiana failed to pass the state House in 2008.

“The law is what matters,” said Interim Southern University Police Chief Terry Landry.

Referring to the current law on Southern University’s campus that is considered a gun free zone.

He continued, “ Education, tolerance, and respect is key; not guns.”

Under the current weapons policy, guns are prohibited by state law and departmental regulation. Southern University’s crime statistics display that in the last three years there have been zero homicides on the campus.

“We are here to learn, not shoot at cows,” says Don Batiste, a junior marketing major from Baton Rouge.

He also went onto say that stricter gun laws would not change much because if people are willing to kill than they obviously do not care about the

campaign Filing WeekStudents who are

interested in filing for a position in Student Government Association, Association of Women’s Students, and Men’s Federation can file an application for campaign season from March 14-18.

al sharptonThe Chancellor’s

Lecture Series continues with Rev. Al Sharpton on March 16 at 6 p.m. in F.G. Clark Activity Center.

a Journal oF raceThe Southern Law

Center presents a SULC symposium, Journal of Race, Gender and Poverty “We Are Taking Your Property: Eminent Domain and Property Rights,” March 17th in 130 A.A. Lenoir Hall of Southern University Law Center.

12th annual greek variety shoW

The Greater Baton Rouge Pan Hellenic Council presents the 12th annual greek variety show on Friday, March 25. The show will be in F. G. Clark Activity Center at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in the Student Programs office located in Smith-Brown Memorial Union, Second Floor, Suite 203.

Women in media scholarship

Women in Media, Inc.is providing applications for the Jean Wheeler Memorial Scholarship to be granted to an outstanding full-time senior female

student during the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters. Applicants must have 3.0 overall and in their major and must be a major in Journalism, Mass Communications, Theater, or media related field. Applications and details can be found on the women in media website. www.womeninmedia.net.

ronald e. mcnair scholars program

Students are encouraged to submit an application to become a Ronald McNair scholar. Students will gain a stipend, mentored research experience, graduate school visit assistance, and GRE preparation assistance. Students must have a 3.0 GPA, be a first generation college student, have earned 60 hours of college credit, and have the desire for a Ph.D. Applications are due March 31. Contact Veronica Freeman at 225.771.4717 or come by Higgins Hall room 208D to pick up an application.

the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, March 3-5.

Founder’s day eventsSouthern University

and A&M College Founder’s day is March 9. The events are as follows; Community worship and prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. Cotillion Ballroom of Smith-Brown Memorial Union, SU Laboratory school pilgrimage and ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the Clark gravesite by the bluff, and the founder’s day convocation cere-mony at 10:30 a.m. in F.G. Clark Activity Center. Founder’s day display will be in John B. Cade Library lobby.

grassroots documentation proJectThe SU Civil Rights

Commemoration Project will kickoff during the 2011 SU Founders’ Day with the first in a series of video recording sessions to collect civil rights stories from former students/faculty/administrators and the public. The sessions will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, March 10, in the SU Field house. A volunteer team will capture the oral histories of individuals who were participants in the protest movement emanating from the Southern University campuses during the historic civil rights period of the 1960s and early 1970s. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact SU Alumni Outreach Committee co-chairs, Carolyn Collins, E-mail: ccolli1@lsu.edu or Marjorie Green, 225.356.3059.

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the paper is free to students, staff, faculty and general public every tuesday & Friday morning on the sUbr campus. the southern diGest student offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. the offices are located on the first floor of t.h. harris hall, suite 1064.

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donna BraZile The Chancellor’s Lecture

Series continues with Political Commentator Donna Brazile. Brazile will speak on March 3 at 6 p.m. in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

suag 68th annual livestock shoW

The Southern University Agricultural and Research Extension Center presents their 68th Annual Livestock Show. Young farmers and ranchers from across the state are coming to Baton Rouge for the 68th Annual State Livestock Show hosted by

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clayton from page 1

campus guns from page 1

by the associated press

By sarah eddingtonthe associated press

in this image provided by the arkansas Geological survey near Greenbrier, ark., thursday, a seismic chart illustrating earthquake activity at Woolly hollow state park from noon to midnight on Feb. 16, is shown.

photo By arkansas geological survey/ap photo

me,” Hughes said addressing Board Chairman Darren Mire. “There is just no way that we can continue to publicly defend the God-awful graduation rate at SUNO, it is God-awful.”

Hughes continued by stating that even at its peak the graduation rates were 14 percent and that Hurricane Katrina cannot continue to be blamed for things that it simply did not do. With proper resources he stated that the students could meet the bar and that it must be realize that this is an institution of higher learning with bright and intelligent students in it.

He pleads that the board starts making hard-lined decisions and become more consistent with its message.

“It’s going to take this board to step and be leaders, its going to take this board to show some guts,” Hughes said. “It takes more than just a fancy resume, Mr. Chairman, it takes more than just an Ivy League education to lead. It takes guts, and unfortunately some of us have more than others.”

Hughes ended by stating that he hopes that SU must do more than just fight for the moment, not just win a battle and go back to business as usual. He said that Louisiana is changing and Southern has to change as well or get left behind.

Many others spoke out against the proposed merger of SUNO and UNO and many resolutions sent in by constituents of SU stood firmly against any merger ideas. The next board meeting will be held March 25 at the Baton Rouge campus.

and ethically now how I got over has come to mean by any means, but that idea is not a part of our culture,” explained Goodwin.

She encouraged everyone in attendance to do the research that it takes to gain a greater understanding of our culture.

“I don’t know much about my culture but I will do the research. It is something that I need to know, because I plan to become a teacher. I will not only teach African American students but student of other cultures.” Rachel Jackson, Psychology

major.At the close of the discussion the floor

was open to students to discuss what they learned and how the forum affected them.

Colby Simmons English major said “Basically I learned more about teaching and more about where you begin when you teach someone.”

One attendee expressed the knowledge he acquired about different ways to learn.

“Today I learned more about different learning methods,” said Luke St. John Mc

Knight, English major.Dr. Goodwin, Director of the Teacher

Center in Rochester, New York, has extensive experience modeling secondary and undergraduate instructional practices. She has worked with college students and their professors to affect student outcomes. Supporting educators in developing strategies understanding the relationship between theory and practice is central to her work to change the culture around teaching and learning.

consequence of their crime. Evan Hutchins, an architecture major

from Natchez, Miss., said, “You shouldn’t have to have them, but people resort to gun battle more than fist fights.”

Easy access to guns has greatly increased, but this gun law would only allow licensed concealed gun holders to bring their weapon on campus. Also Louisiana law states in RS 40: 1379.3 that a resident of the state, 21-years-old and older, not be ineligible to possess a firearm by virtue of having been convicted of a felony, not chronically ad habitually use alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal

faculties are impaired, and other specific requirements. Many suggest the best way to fight shooters on college campuses is to be able to fight back with the same amount of force.

“Stricter security might help, and more law enforcement, but current gun laws are good enough if enforced properly,” says Khrystina London, a senior architecture major from Baton Rouge.

Federal, state, and campus law prohibits carrying guns in most states in school zone, and also has stiff penalties such as fines of up to five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

The HB 1668/SB 1768 is already on the table in Tennessee as HB 1668/SB1768, Oklahoma as HB 1652, New Mexico as SB 40, Nebraska as LB 430, Mississippi as HB 1502 Michigan as HB 4009/ SB 0057, Florida as SB 234, and Arizona as HB 2014/ SB 1467. This urgency for better protection of college students on college premises is mainly coming from shootings such as the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois shootings.

For more information contact the State Representative Michael Jackson of district 61, Senator Yvonne Dorsey of district 14, or Baton Rouge’s police department.

goodwin from page 1

The due date for a study of the possible consolidation of Southern University at New Orleans and the University of New Orleans has been pushed back to March 15.

The Board of Regents, which hired the consultant doing the review, says a pending lawsuit that had temporarily stalled the study forced the delay. The merger study had been requested by Gov. Bobby Jindal to be completed by Tuesday.

A spokesman for the governor says Jindal has no problem with the study due date being pushed back by two weeks.

A judge had issued a temporary restraining order stopping the study last month after a lawsuit was filed by a group of Southern students against the review and the merger. A second judge lifted the restraining order and refused to block the study while the lawsuit continues.

Any merger would require approval from state lawmakers.

Merger study pushed back to March 15

GREENBRIER, Ark. — The central Arkansas town of Greenbrier has been plagued for months by hundreds of small earthquakes, and after being woken up by the largest quake to hit the state in 35 years, residents said Monday they’re unsettled by the increasing severity and lack of warning.

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at 11 p.m. Sunday, centered just northeast of Greenbrier, about 40 miles north of Little Rock. It was the largest of more than 800 quakes to strike the area since September in what is now being called the Guy-Greenbrier earthquake swarm.

The activity has garnered national attention and researchers are studying whether there’s a possible connection to the region’s natural gas drilling industry. The earthquake activity varies each week, though as many as nearly two dozen small quakes have occurred in a day.

“You don’t know what to expect. It’s unnerving,” said Corinne Tarkington, an employee at a local flower and gift shop. “I woke up last night to the sound of my house shaking.”

What woke Tarkington was

a magnitude 4.7 earthquake that was also felt in Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee and Mississippi. No injuries or major damage have been reported, but the escalation in the severity of quakes in and around the small north-central Arkansas town has many residents on edge. Some said they’re seeing gradual damage to their homes, such as cracks in walls and driveways.

“We probably had 40 to 50 calls last night,” Greenbrier police Sgt. Rick Woody said, noting that the tone of the calls had changed. After pervious quakes, most callers simply wanted to find out if a loud noise they’d heard was an

earthquake, he said.“The fear had calmed down

until last night,” Woody said Monday. “People’s biggest concerns (now) are whether or not these earthquakes are going to get any bigger.”

Scott Ausbrooks, seismologist for the Arkansas Geological Survey, said Sunday’s record quake was at the “max end” of what scientists expect to happen, basing that judgment on this swarm and others in the past. It’s possible that a quake ranging from magnitude 5.0 to 5.5 could occur, but anything greater than that is highly unlikely, he said.

Ausbrooks said he plans to hold a town hall meeting

in Greenbrier next month to address people’s concerns.

“This quake actually scared folks,” he said. “It lasted longer than a lot of the others did.”

Ausbrooks said scientists continue to study whether there may be a connection between the earthquakes and local injection wells, where the natural gas industry pumps waste water that can no longer be used by drillers for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing, or “fracking,” involves injecting pressurized water to create fractures deep in the ground to help free the gas.

Geologists don’t believe the fracturing is the problem, but possibly the injection wells.

Largest earthquake in 35 years hits Ark.

NEW ORLEANS — The vice chairman of a task force set up by President Barack Obama to restore the Gulf Coast criticized BP PLC on Monday for what he described as the oil company’s increasing reluctance to repair the damage inflicted by last year’s enormous oil spill.

Garret Graves, the vice chairman of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, said that BP has become harder to work with on a restoration plan to be completed by October.

“BP appears to be pulling the drawbridges up a bit and it’s not a phase we really support,” Graves said. He did not elaborate on his comments made during a break in a task force meeting in New Orleans.

The panel, made up of Gulf Coast and federal officials, is developing a plan to repair the damage to the Gulf Coast following last year’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP faces huge fines for the damage caused by the spill that began with the April 20, 2010, explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf. The explosion killed 11 workers and federal authorities estimate more than 200 million barrels of oil spewed from the busted rig before it was capped July 15.

Louisiana officials have been critical of BP for allegedly reneging on promises the company made in November to help the state set up quick restoration projects. The state had hoped BP would pay to restore oyster grounds and wetlands damaged by the spill and build a fish hatchery to help replenish fish stocks.

“It’s amazing to me to see the active,

ongoing loss that’s occurring and no remedial actions taking place to try to stop the bleeding under emergency restoration,” Graves said.

Graves also serves as the head of Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, an agency under Gov. Bobby Jindal working to restore coastal Louisiana.

Louisiana officials say they will try to fund the projects with state funds and bill BP later.

BP did not immediately comment Monday.

Since last summer, the company has been running an advertising campaign claiming that it would “make it right” and help the Gulf Coast recover.

The spill is the latest hit to a fragile coastline already suffering from decades of severe ecological damage. Louisiana has lost about 2,300 square miles of coast since the 1930s due to levee building, oil and gas drilling, timber harvests, shipping and development.

The White House restoration panel — which is overseen by Lisa Jackson, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency — will recommend how to use the heavy fines BP will likely have to pay for the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history.

The plan is to use the fines — which could potentially run to the billions of dollars — on projects to restore beaches, marshes, water quality and wildlife in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Under the Clean Water Act, BP faces fines of up to $1,100 for each barrel of oil spilled. If BP were found to have committed gross negligence or willful misconduct, the fine could be up to $4,300 per barrel.

By cain Burdeauthe associated press

Page 4 - Tuesday, March 1, 2011

STATE & NATIONwww.southerndigest.com

By david a. lieB & dinesh ramdeassociated press Writers

Jordan peterson celebrates after it was announced protesters could spend another night at the state capitol in Madison, Wis., sunday on the 13th day of protests over the governor’s proposed budget.

photo By andy manis/ap photo

Wis. governor urges Dems to return

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker called for runaway Democratic lawmakers to return to the state by Tuesday and vote on his bill that would end most collective bargaining rights for public employees or else the state stood to lose out on a refinancing plan that would save 1,500 employees their jobs.

Speaking in La Crosse on Monday, Walker said the state faced “dire consequences” unless the 14 state senators return from their nearly two weeks away. His comments came as he planned to deliver his two-year budget plan in the state Assembly chamber Tuesday afternoon. He has said that plan will help make clear why the collective bargaining concessions he is seeking from public employees are necessary to help plug a $3.6 billion shortfall.

Walker has said his budget will include about a $1 billion cut in state aids to schools and local governments. He is also expected to propose dramatic changes to how the University

of Wisconsin is organized, make cuts to Medicaid and possibly increase fees to help raise money.

The budget repair bill pending before the Senate calls for refinancing state debt to save $165 million by July 1, but in order to meet a March 16 deadline to get the work done the bill has to pass by Tuesday. Walker’s office issued a statement Monday saying “more painful and aggressive spending cuts” will be needed if it doesn’t pass.

Walker has also warned that he will start issuing layoff notices to state workers as soon as this week if the bill isn’t passed, but he hasn’t said who would be targeted. Schools started putting teachers on notice last week that they could be laid off given the uncertainty over the budget.

Also Monday, police said that cleaning of the Capitol was proceeding despite the continued presence of protesters in the building, as were security preparations for Walker’s budget speech. But they also denied Capitol access to more protesters and other members of the public because of a dispute with protesters

inside over which floor they could occupy.

Police decided not to forcibly remove protesters after thousands ignored a 4 p.m. Sunday deadline to leave so the normally immaculate building could get a thorough cleaning. Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs said no demonstrators will be arrested as long as they continue to obey the law.

“People here have acted lawfully and responsibly,” Tubbs said. “There’s no reason to consider arrests.”

The floors where several hundred protesters had slept previous nights looked unusually bare late Sunday as the smaller crowd of people walked around in socks, lounged on blankets and curled up under jackets.

But organizers said they were confident that demonstrators who were persuaded to leave Sunday would return to keep fighting Walker’s efforts to strip nearly all public workers of their collective bargaining rights except over wages. Protesters have staged a sit-in that began Feb. 15 and hit its peak Saturday, when more than 70,000 people descended on the Capitol grounds for a rally.

Official: BP reluctant to fix spill damage

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 - Page 5

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Alcorn snaps SU streak

They lost the fi rst meeting then realized there was a rematch in Baton Rouge. Surprising enough, it was marked “Senior Day”.

The Alcorn State Braves scored a measure of revenge for their disappointment Jan 29 by defeating Southern 54-52 in overtime and ended their winning streak at 12.

The victory was secured by Kiara Ruffi n, who made two free-throws with nine seconds remaining. The Jaguars were left with one more attempt before the end of regulation. They rallied from a seven-point defi cit in the second half, plus, they had no answer for Ruffi n, who got 13 of her 18 points in the second period.

“I’m disappointed that on senior night we let the fans down,” 11-year coach Sandy

Pugh said after the game. “They came ready to go and wanted it more than us.”

The Braves (12-13, 11-5) entered the F.G. Clark Center third in the conference at 11-3, helped by a 6-2 start in Feb.

Pugh acknowledged that she hadn’t seen her team play this erratic since their 48-43 loss to Grambling Jan 8.

“I saw lack of team effort, lack of team play, poor execution, Pugh said. “I’m disappointed we didn’t do the mental things we needed to do to win the game.”

On the other end of the fl oor, coach Tonya Edwards of Alcorn said her team understands the prize of defeating championship caliber teams.

“It’s not over,” she said. “We still have some more games to play and still have a tournament to go.”

She concedes that the team’s greatest challenge was playing

hard and together for win.“It’s a huge boost especially

when you can get a win against Southern, a team you’ve haven’t beaten. Hopefully it puts in better position seeding wise.”

Southern (17-9, 14-2) was in good shape when senior forward Freda Allen made a 3-pointer to tie the game 46-46 with 18 seconds remaining in the second. Allen had 10 points with eight rebounds for Southern, who fi nished 12-0 at home last season. Hannah Kador led with 16 points and seven rebounds. Jamie Floyd added 13 points and 10 rebounds.

“We’re probably more athletic with Carneta Henderson, who is out for the season with a torn ACL,” Pugh said. “With her hands on the basketball we’re able to relax and do what we do.”

Southern is one game ahead of second-place Prairie View.

By MoRRIS DILLaRDdiGest sPorts editor

By MoRRIS DILLaRDdiGest sPorts editor

Jamie Floyd sinks a basket while being guarded by two Alcorn state defenders. Floyd’s double-double wasn’t enough as the Jaguars fell 54-52 in overtime.

pHoTo By noRMan j. DoTSon jR./DIGEST

Lady Braves stun first-place Jags in overtime

southern’s Frederick Coleman goes up for a shot as Alcorn state’s ian Francis tries to block it during saturday’s game.

pHoTo By noRMan j. DoTSon jR./DIGEST

The Jaguars have played 28 games so far this season.

As a result, there’re in last place with two games remaining before the end of the regular season Saturday.

Therefore, to make the 2011 Farmers Insurance SWAC Basketball Tournament beginning March 9-12, they must upset Texas Southern (16-10, 14-1), and win the season fi nale against Prairie View (8-20, 5-10).

They’ll stop at the H&P Arena in Houston Thursday where the top seeded Tigers are undefeated. The Tigers started their season 2-9, with wins at Oregon State and Texas State. They clinched top seed in the tournament last week, defeating Alabama A&M 83-78 in overtime.

In their fi rst meeting, the Jaguars sent the game into overtime when senior guard Brandon White’s jumper tied the game as time expired prior to trailing by as many as 16 points after halftime. Then it became the fi rst lost in conference play.

White was one of three seniors honored Saturday.

Their season fi nale against the Panthers maybe vital depending on what happens in Houston.

Although the Jaguars missed

the tournament last year, fi nishing 3-15, they’ve suffered an even deeper disappointment last weekend. They lost on senior day tied for last place with Alcorn.

“We’re just not making enough good plays to give ourselves a chance,” fi fth year coach Rob Spivery said after Saturday’s 83-74 loss. “Defensively we’re good at times. Offensively, you have to be able to pass, catch, and make good decisions and we just haven’t been able to do that.”

In fact, the Jaguars (4-24, 3-13) trail eighth–place Prairie View and ninth-place Alcorn (4-22, 4-12). They won 51-48 over PV Jan. 6.

Even though they trailed the entire second half, they dominated nearly every statistical category as they grabbed more rebounds (42-37), scored more points in the paint (38-30), and turned the ball over fewer times (12-17). They’ve gone 3-13 since the start of conference, dropping nine straight prior to their home fi nale.

Senior forward and the leading scorer, Julius Ingram said inconsistency has been the rap for this year’s turnout and that the team regrets allowing the streak to happen.

“We started off (the season) playing pretty strong,” said Ingram, whom redshirted his

freshmen year. “It seemed like we wouldn’t be this type of team.”

Marquiz Baker scored 27 points to lead Alcorn. Baker hit four 3-pointers and went 9 of 12 from the free-throw line to help snap a fi ve-game losing streak.

“When you win a game on the road it’s always positive,” said coach Larry Smith of Alcorn. “We just held on and got the win down the stretch. Every game

for us is a big win. They believe they can win games and that’s important to us right now.”

Blake Sanford scored 16 points to lead the Jaguars.

Julius Ingram hit two free throws to cut Alcorn State’s lead to 70-66 with 2:09 remaining, but Willis Brownlee converted a three-point play and Baker hit a free throw for a 74-66 advantage with 1:15 left.

SU facing long odds for SWAC Tourney

Tennis undefeated in league play

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Alcorn State (3-1) and Southern (4-0) lead their respective divisions as league play commenced at the SWAC East/West Roundup in Little Rock, Ark.

Jackson State (2-1) and Alabama A&M (2-2) are second and third, respectively, in the SWAC East. Mississippi Valley State (1-3) and Alabama State (1-3) round out the fi nal spots in the Eastern Division.

Prairie View A&M (4-1) is second in the Western Division followed by (Grambling State 1-4) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-4).

The 2011 West Tennis Roundup is set for March 19-20 in Prairie View, Texas while the East Roundup takes place on March 25-27 in Decatur, Ala. Only the top three teams in each division qualify for the championship tournament.

Mumford gets W. Va. Sports HOF nod

WHEELING, W.Va. — A college Football Hall of Famer will be inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

Arnett “Ace” Mumford, who coached six Black College National Championship teams, will be feted by the W. Va. Sports Writers Association at the 65th annual Victory Awards Dinner on May 1 at the Village Square Conference Center in Clarksburg.

LOS ANGELES — These were supposed to be the younger, hipper Academy Awards, the ones that shook up the ceremony’s conventions with popular, great-looking emcees in actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway, who were unlike the middle-aged comedians and TV talk-show hosts of years past.

But the results couldn’t have been more traditional, with “The King’s Speech” — a prestigious, impeccably made historical film that cries out “Oscar” with every fiber in its being — winning best picture and three other prizes over more daring, contemporary contenders like “The Social Network” and “Black Swan.”

They also couldn’t have been more predictable. Front-runners in other major categories throughout this long and repetitive awards season also took home trophies from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre Sunday night: best-actor Colin Firth for “The King’s Speech,” best-actress Natalie Portman for “Black Swan,” and supporting actors Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, both for “The Fighter.” “King’s Speech” director Tom Hooper, who’d already won the Directors Guild Award — an excellent predictor of Oscar success.

Despite multiple attempts to make the Oscars seem current — including an opening montage that inserted Franco and Hathaway in the best-picture nominees, “Inception”—style, and an

auto-tune “Harry Potter” spoof — some of the biggest applause and longest standing ovations were for a couple of Academy Awards stalwarts.

Kirk Douglas delighted the crowd as he jokingly tormented the supporting-actress nomi-nees before announcing Leo as the winner. Once she took the stage, the 94-year-old Douglas remarked to her, “You’re much more beautiful than you were in ‘The Fighter’” — but then Leo went on to drop an F-bomb during her acceptance speech. It was a rare unexpected moment — but the censors bleeped it in time.

Later, upon the appearance of Billy Crystal — who hosted the ceremony several times in the 1990s — the audience erupted as one, as if willing him to take over immediately.

Hathaway worked hard to keep the proceedings fun and light, playfully twisting in a fringy gown and joking that everyone at home should take a drink when she flubbed her introduction of last year’s best-actress winner, Sandra Bullock. Franco, who was also a best-actor nominee for the real-life survival story “127 Hours,” had

a more laid-back stage presence, as if he’s been working on a sequel to the stoner comedy “Pineapple Express.”

They were even self-deprecating enough to acknowledge early on why they were chosen to lead the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

“Anne, I must say you look so beautiful and so hip,” Franco greeted her.

“Thank you, James,” Hathaway replied, “you look very appealing to a younger demographic, as well.”

Still, despite their best efforts, the show was short on surprises.

Besides the four Oscars for “The King’s Speech” — picture, director, actor and original screenplay for David Seidler — “Inception” also won four, all in technical categories, as expected: visual effects, cinematography, sound editing and sound mixing. The great Roger Deakins, who was also up for the cinematography prize for the Coen brothers’ “True Grit,” went home empty-handed once again. He’s now 0-for-9.

Among the front-runners in other categories that were

winners Sunday night were the latest Pixar blockbuster, “Toy Story 3,” for animated feature and “Inside Job,” about the 2008 economic collapse, for documentary feature.

At least there were some lively, candid moments backstage.

Portman, who’s pregnant with her first child with “Black Swan” choreographer Benjamin Millepied, said she doesn’t know whether she’s having a boy or a girl, but the baby was dancing inside her during the musical numbers.

Firth expressed some frustration over a new cut of “The King’s Speech,” which is being re-released with a PG-13 rating instead of an R. The retooled version softens the cursing from his character, the stuttering King George VI, and makes it accessible to a wider audience.

“I don’t take this stuff lightly, but in the context of this film, it could not be more edifying, more appropriate,” Firth told reporters while holding his trophy backstage. “It’s not vicious, it’s not an insult or it’s not in any of the contexts which might offend people.”

Page 6 - Tuesday, March 1, 2011

arts & entertainmentwww.southerndigest.com

By CHRISTy LEMIRE AP Movie CritiC

by the AssoCiAted Press

Oscars go hip, young

show hosts Anne hathaway, left, and James Franco are seen during the 83rd Academy Awards on sunday in the hollywood section of Los Angeles.

pHoTo By MaRk j. TERRILL/ap pHoTo

Rapper Juvenile posts bond

STERLINGTON, La. — New Orleans rapper Juvenile was arrested on a drug charge and released from a northern Louisiana jail after posting bond, police said Sunday.

Sterlington Police Sgt. Jacob Greer said that Juvenile, whose real name is Terius Gray, was charged with simple possession of marijuana and driving on a suspended license.

Greer said he pulled over Gray’s car about 10:55 p.m. Saturday after clocking it at 75 mph in a 65 mph zone and for passing in the right lane, which is illegal in Louisiana. He was released a short time later after posting a $750 cash bond.

Greer said after he stopped the 35-year-old rapper, he smelled marijuana and Gray handed over small bag of it when asked.

Greer said the suspended license appeared when police checked his name with law enforcement records. Both charges are misdemeanors.

“He was very courteous and respectful as he could be. He asked me if I recognized him, and I said ‘No. Now if you were George Strait I’ll probably have recognized you,’” Greer said.

There was no phone listing for Gray in New Orleans. Greer said he did not know whether Gray had an attorney.

The rapper has an April 1 court date in Sterlington, located north of Monroe in northern Louisiana.

Juvenile, best known for the song “Back That Thing Up,” has been arrested at least five times on charges ranging from failure to pay child support to resisting an officer at a Florida mall in 1999. Most of the charges have been dismissed. In 2003, he was sentenced to community service for hitting a man on the head with a champagne bottle.

In an ideal society, every citizen would accomplish all of his or her goals. There would be no such thing as social class or status. No need for law enforcement and military defense. In that utopia, every person wouldn’t be judged or summed up. No competition would exist; everyone would be equal and their obligations and accomplishments would provide for all the society’s wants and needs.

In reality, 13.2 percent of the American population is below the poverty line. The leading causes of death in Americans are heart disease, cancer, brain disease, lung disease, and diabetes. While only 25.9 percent of Americans have a college education, discrimination and racism have evolved and we don’t live in a post-racial society. Class and social status is a

driving factor in our decision making, and we choose our lives according to what propaganda and advertisements tell us to.

If we are not educating ourselves and others who will represent us; and make those crucial decisions on our behalf? The answer is someone who we don’t know and we wouldn’t know if they care about or lives, our jobs, our families, our business, our morals, our goals, and aspirations for the future.

We live in a quick-fast society but don’t be so quick to make a decision without

thinking about it critically.The government is

making important decisions that will affect the lives of every citizen’s future. Whether its cutting Pell grants, redistricting a state, representation, human rights, and ways of life. Are we going to stand idly by because; our cousin or best friend told us our vote doesn’t count or the government doesn’t care about us?

Who put those representatives there?

Those who vote are ruling over those who are disenfranchised because, they are not voicing their opinion. Every grandmother, aunt, or mother would echo, how do you know if you never tried? And I don’t know is not an excuse.

You are only disenfranchised if you let yourself be. You can’t complain about a decision someone else made on your

behalf if they asked for your input and you didn’t contribute it.

If you don’t advocate for yourself who will?

If the leaders and representatives represent their communities shouldn’t the communities know and stand with them?

If these relationships aren’t present a politician is just on a soapbox fighting for their own agenda. Don’t you want someone with power to have your interests in mind? Don’t you feel that the people’s voice is important?

Leaders without a community aren’t representing anyone but a select few. Is that really representative?

Consider your choices not only how they will affect you but also how they will affect others.

Remember the power of choice.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 - Page 7

viewpointswww.southerndigest.com

Evan Taylor

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-mail 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.

How Did you feel about the black history events of this month?

DEDRICk DunBaR

bAton roUGesoPhMore

eLeCtroniCs enGineerinG

“The events are awesome, but students don’t take the time to attend them as it was before.”

dUnbAr

aMBER SHELBy

bAton roUGeFreshMAn APPAreL

MerChAndisinG

“They gave new information to those who have never really been introduced to their

heritage.”

sheLby

jaSHLEy joHnSonChALMetteFreshMAn

enGLish edUCAtion

“There aren’t many Black History Month events on

campus. However; if there were more it would be awesome.”

aSHLy pSaLMS

FLint, MiCh.FreshMAn

CiviL enGineerinG

“I really haven’t heard much about Black History Month. It’s really sad that we as an HBCU do not have or promote

many events.”

SpEak ouTpoLITE D. STEwaRT, jR..diGest PhotoGrAPher

Johnson

PsALMs

A Dose of Reality

diGest neWs serviCe

www.southerndigest.comPage 8 - Tuesday, March 1, 2011

FrIdaY, MarCh 4Baton rouge southdowns 7 p.m.New Orleans hermes 6 p.m. Le Krewe d’etat 6:30 p.m. Morpheus 7 p.m.Church Point Courir de Mardi Gras all dayhammond omega 6:30 p.m.houma Aphrodite 6:30 p.m.Lafayette Friday night Parade 6:30 p.m.Mandeville orpheus 7 p.m.Metairie Centurions 7 p.m.Morgan City Adonis 7 p.m.Slidell selene 6:30 p.m.

SaTUrdaY, MarCh 5Baton rouge spanish town Parade noon Poseidon 4 p.m.New Orleans noMtoC 10:45 a.m. iris 11 a.m. tucks noon endymion 4:15 p.m.Baldwin baldwin Mardi Gras noonBayou Vista dionysus 2 p.m.Carencro Carencro Mardi Gras 11 a.m.Church Point Courir de Mardi Gras all dayCypremort Cypremort Point Parade 1 p.m.Golden Meadow Atlantis 1 p.m.houma Krewe of Mardi Gras 6:30 pm.Jennings Mardi Gras Festival 10:30 a.m.Lafayette Children’s Parade 12:30 p.m. bonaparte 6:30 p.m.Lake Charles Carlyss trail ride 8:30 p.m. omega 2 p.m. illusions 7:30 p.m.Larose du bon temps 6 p.m.Lockport Apollo noonMetairie isis 6:30 p.m.Northshore bush 9 a.m. salt bayou (slidell) 2 p.m.St. Martinville La Grande boucherie 10 a.m. Lake Fausse Mardi Gras 2 p.m.Youngsville youngsville Mardi Gras 1 p.m.

SUNdaY, MarCh 6new Orleans okeanos 11 a.m. Mid-City 11:45 a.m. thoth noon bacchus 5:14 p.m.Metairie napoleon 5:30 p.m.Church Point Courir de Mardi Gras all daydes allemands des Allemands 1 p.m.Eunice Children’s run 9 a.m. ‘Lil’ Mardi Gras run 3 p.m.

Golden Meadow nereids 6 p.m.Grand Isle independent 1 p.m.houma terreanians 12:30 p.m. tut follows terreanians Montegut 2 p.m.LaPlace du Monde noonLivonia LCA Parade 1 p.m.Morgan City Galatea 2 p.m.Port allen Good Friends 1 p.m.St. Martinville newcomer’s Mardi Gras 1p.m.Thibodaux Cleophas 12:30 p.m. Chronos 2 p.m.

MarCh 6-8Crowley Carnival d’Acadie

MONdaY, MarCh 7New Orleans Proteus 5:15 p.m. orpheus 6 p.m.Metairie Zeus 6:30 p.m.Eunice street dance 2-5 p.m.houma Cleopatra 6:30 p.m.Lafayette Queen’s Parade 6 p.m.Patterson Amani 2 p.m.

TUESdaY, MarCh 8New Orleans Zulu 8 a.m. rex 10 a.m. Grela 11 a.m.Metairie Argus 10 a.m.addis Addis 11 a.m.Chakaby Choupic 2 p.m.Coteau Krewe of Coteau 1 p.m.Eunice truck Parade 2:45 p.m.Franklin All-Krewes Parade 1 p.m.Galliano neptune noonGheens Gheens 11 a.m.houma houmas 11 a.m. Kajuns follows houmas bonne terre 4 p.m.Iota tee Mamou-iota 8:30 a.m.Jeanerette Grand Marais 11 a.m.Kaplan Chic-a-la-pie 2 p.m.Lafayette King’s Parade 10 a.m. independent 2 p.m.Lake Charles Motorcycles & hot rods 1 p.m. Krewe of Krewes 5:30 p.m.Loreauville Family Affair Parade 2 p.m.Mamou Mamou Mardi Gras 8 a.m.New roads Community Ctr. 10 a.m. Lions Parade 1 p.m.Morgan City hephaestus 2 p.m.Thibodaux Ghana 11 a.m.

2011 mardi gras parades

Once Lupercalia, a circuslike festival now Mardi Gras; the holiday before the Catholic penance of lent.

Mardi Gras was formed when Romans tried to adapt to Christianity by incorporating some pagan traditions into the new Christian rituals. Carnival or Mardi Gras was a time of fun and joy before the beginning of forty days and nights for lent.

King cakes fill stores, beads are thrown from floats, krewes host balls and parades to get people in the Mardi Gras spirit.

Sometimes called “The Greatest Free Show on Earth,” Mardi Gras draws in singles, couples, families, and tourists from all over the country and the world.

Mardi Gras began with the first documented parade in 1837, with masked people on horses and in carriages.

The first krewe debuted in 1857, The Comus krewe hosting a parade with a ball afterwards engaging in a secret carnival society.

The custom was neglected when the people became out of control. The parades went through a drought during

prohibition, the great depression and both World Wars.

When they returned Zulu was on the rise, Louis Armstrong was the head of the parade, which made the cover of Time magazine.

The 1970ss were a rough time with the loss and gain of several krewes as the parades transitioned.

The parishes that hosted parades made a constant income and Mardi Gras season became a major source of revenue.

To this day Mardi Gras find it’s roots in a pagan holiday but, has become a celebration recognized all over the world.

However, New Orleans and south Louisiana is not alone in the celebration in the United States — and in the world. Mobile, Ala., once part of Louisiana during colonial days, celebrates the holiday. In Canada, cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal host festivals and parties during Mardi Gras.

Internationally, cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sydney, Australia are famous for Mardi Gras celebrations. Mardi Gras is observed in nations such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Italy.

Mardi Gras season in full swing