DU102209_FULL

8
COURTBOUILLON A DILLARD UNIVERSITY student production 22 October 2009 www.ducourtbouillon.com Campus news ............................................ 2-3 Etoufee ............................................ 4-5 Opinion ............................................ 6-7 Sports ................................................ 8 INDEX 5 DU scholar’s days are full with school, Saintsations, DU Diamonds, singing ETOUFEE 8 Loss, win place ladies 2-2 in conference play, 6-6 overall in season SPORTS NEWS New ethics line at Dillard offers confidential means to ‘drop a dime’ if needed 2 EDITORIAL New traffic laws in effect address texting, cell use, slowpokes in fast lane 6 ‘Why do people hate you?’ Photo by Associated Press Tyren Scott, 9, of Paulina, asks President Obama a poignant question at the University of New Orleans last Thursday. Scott asked the president, “Why do people hate you?” The president responded that he had won the election, so not everybody does. Although Dillard unsucessfully sought to have the president visit the campus, at least eight DU students saw the president during his visit to a charter school. For a firsthand account, go to Etoufee on Page 4. Wright to be honored as environmental advocate Dillard’s founder of the Deep South Center for Envi- ronmental Justice will receive $100,000 next week as one of 10 recipients of the 15th An- nual Heinz Award in honor of her work along “Cancer Al- ley.” Dr. Beverly Wright, direc- tor of the center and a pro- fessor of sociology, will be recognized for her work as an “advocate for environmental justice” at an Oct. 28 private ceremony at the National Por- trait Gallery in Washington. Established by Teresa Heinz in 1993 in honor of her late husband, former U.S. Sen. John Heinz, the award usually is given to five recipi- ents in arts and humanities; the environment; the human condition; public policy; and technology, the economy and employment. The number was doubled to 10 in honor of the 15 th anniversary. Wright, who is co-chair of the National Black Environ- mental Justice Network, was recognized specifically for her work in the area along the Mississippi River between Ba- ton Rouge and New Orleans, often called “Cancer Alley.” Nominations are submitted by an anonymous group with expertise in each category and are reviewed by jurors ap- Athletics changes game fee Free-entry policy returns after student complaints The Dillard University Ath- letic Department has back-ped- aled on its plans to charge stu- dents to attend volleyball and basketball games after some students complained, accord- ing to Athletic Director KiKi Barnes. The change means that the Athletic Department must look for other ways to financially support its expanded program, she said. As they have in the past, stu- dents will only have to pay $10 each to attend the school’s two “premier games” of the season, Dillard vs. Xavier and Dillard vs. SUNO, Barnes said. The basketball game against SUNO is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2010, on campus, and the one against Xavier is set for Feb. 20 in the New Orleans Arena. Earlier in the semester, the sports department announced student fees to attend school volleyball and basketball games would be $1 and $2, respec- tively. Students were charged for the first game, Barnes said, but then the decision was rescind- ed. Barnes also noted that fees remain in force for the general public. Tickets for the general public will be $10 for basketball games See Fees on Page 8 See Wright on Page 3 Dr. Beverly Wright

description

INDEX ‘Why do people hate you?’ See Wright on Page 3 See Fees on Page 8 Free-entry policy returns after student complaints Loss, win place ladies 2-2 in conference play, 6-6 overall in season DU scholar’s days are full with school, Saintsations, DU Diamonds, singing New traffic laws in effect address texting, cell use, slowpokes in fast lane 22 October 2009 New ethics line at Dillard offers confidential means to ‘drop a dime’ if needed www.ducourtbouillon.com Dr. Beverly Wright

Transcript of DU102209_FULL

Page 1: DU102209_FULL

COURTBOUILLON A DILLARD UNIVERSITY student production 22 October 2009 www.ducourtbouillon.com

Campus news............................................ 2-3

Etoufee............................................ 4-5

Opinion............................................ 6-7

Sports................................................8

INDEX

5DU scholar’s days are fullwith school, Saintsations,DU Diamonds, singing

ETOUFEE

8Loss, win place ladies2-2 in conference play,6-6 overall in season

SPORTS

NEWSNew ethics line at Dillardoffers confidential meansto ‘drop a dime’ if needed

2

EDITORIALNew traffic laws in effectaddress texting, cell use,slowpokes in fast lane

6

‘Why do people hate you?’

Photo by Associated Press Tyren Scott, 9, of Paulina, asks President Obama a poignant question at the University of New Orleans last

Thursday. Scott asked the president, “Why do people hate you?” The president responded that he had won the election, so not everybody does. Although Dillard unsucessfully sought to have the president visit the campus, at least eight DU students saw the president during his visit to a charter school. For a firsthand account, go to Etoufee on Page 4.

Wright to be honored as environmental advocateDillard’s founder of the

Deep South Center for Envi-ronmental Justice will receive $100,000 next week as one of 10 recipients of the 15th An-nual Heinz Award in honor of her work along “Cancer Al-ley.”

Dr. Beverly Wright, direc-tor of the center and a pro-fessor of sociology, will be recognized for her work as an “advocate for environmental justice” at an Oct. 28 private

ceremony at the National Por-trait Gallery in Washington.

Established by Teresa Heinz in 1993 in honor of her late husband, former U.S. Sen. John Heinz, the award usually is given to five recipi-ents in arts and humanities; the environment; the human condition; public policy; and technology, the economy and employment. The number was doubled to 10 in honor of the 15th anniversary.

Wright, who is co-chair of the National Black Environ-mental Justice Network, was recognized specifically for her work in the area along the Mississippi River between Ba-ton Rouge and New Orleans, often called “Cancer Alley.”

Nominations are submitted by an anonymous group with expertise in each category and are reviewed by jurors ap-

Athleticschangesgame feeFree-entry policy returnsafter student complaints

The Dillard University Ath-letic Department has back-ped-aled on its plans to charge stu-dents to attend volleyball and basketball games after some students complained, accord-ing to Athletic Director KiKi Barnes.

The change means that the Athletic Department must look for other ways to financially support its expanded program, she said.

As they have in the past, stu-dents will only have to pay $10 each to attend the school’s two “premier games” of the season, Dillard vs. Xavier and Dillard vs. SUNO, Barnes said.

The basketball game against SUNO is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2010, on campus, and the one against Xavier is set for Feb. 20 in the New Orleans Arena.

Earlier in the semester, the sports department announced student fees to attend school volleyball and basketball games would be $1 and $2, respec-tively.

Students were charged for the first game, Barnes said, but then the decision was rescind-ed. Barnes also noted that fees remain in force for the general public.

Tickets for the general public will be $10 for basketball games

See Fees on Page 8

See Wright on Page 3 Dr. Beverly Wright

Page 2: DU102209_FULL

2 COURTBOUILLON 22 October 2009

COURTBOUILLONDILLARD UNIVERSITY

EDITORIAL STAFFEditor-in-chief.................. Charley L. Steward

Managing editor.................... Jeannine Cannon

Sports editor............................Mario Martin

Photo editor.................... Stephawn Spears

Faculty adviser..................Cleo Joffrion Allen,

Ph.D., APR

Volume 73, Issue 3

CONTACT [email protected]

Features.......... [email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Photos............ [email protected]

Advertising..... [email protected]

WRITE USDU CourtbouillonDillard University2601 Gentilly Blvd.New Orleans, LA 70122

VISIT USRoom 146 Cook Center

CALL USPhone: (504) 816-4107Fax: (504) 816-4089

E-MAIL USE-mail: [email protected]

ABOUT US The Dillard University Courtbouillon is produced by mass communication students at Dillard Uni-versity. The Courtbouillon publishes six issues per se-mester. Publication dates for fall 2009 are Sept. 24; Oct. 8 and 22; Nov. 5 and 19; and Dec. 10.

If you have a story idea, news tip or calendar event, contact us at the numbers or e-mail addresses pro-vided above.

To advertise, contact our business and staff mem-bers.

BUSINESS STAFFAdvertising manager.................... Kandyce Franklin

UNCF Walk/Run

Stephawn Spears | Courtbouillon

From left, DU students Shantae Walker of Houston and Samaria Friends of Los Angeles smile while making their way to the finish line at the 22nd annual United Negro College Fund Walk/Run for Education in Audubon Park on Sunday, Oct. 11. Both are freshman. Dillard winners include cross-country runner Ebone Pierce, who won in the “overall teen” category with the time of 29:36 and Dillard cross-country track coach Bobby Williams, who won in the “employee” category with the time of 24:30.

Book signing

Stephawn Spears | CourtbouillonDr. Camacia Smith-Ross, director of Upward Bound, signs her book

“Teachers, Students & Natural Disasters” during a book signing Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the Will W. Alexander Library.

Sophomorenamed newMiss UNCF

A Shreveport political sci-ence sophomore has been named Dillard’s new Miss Unit-ed Negro College Fund.

Shaniqua McKinley was selected by a panel of three judges Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Alexander Library to repre-sent Dillard at the national Miss UNCF competition during a conference Feb. 2-7, 2010, in New Orleans. Along with local community service, McKinley is expected to raise a minimum of $1,000 before the pageant, according to Jessica Forest, vice president of the Pre-Alumni Council.

McKinley succeeds Forest, a Houston mass communication junior, as Miss UNCF for Dil-lard.

Forest said applicants for Miss UNCF must have a grade-point average of at least 2.5 and be a sophomore or junior.

The trio of judges included: Brandy Vincent, president of the Pre-Alumni Council and a senior biology major; Forest; Vashti Womack, council histori-an and a political science junior from Greensburg.

Meanwhile, the panel also selected a freshman psychology major as the 2009-10 Miss Pre-Alumni Council. Jakarah Porter of Mobile, Ala., has been se-lected over Jacqueline Opara, a junior elementary education major from Jacksonville, Fla.

(Robyn Murray contributed to this report.)

Distinguished poet, alum to visit

Drop a dime on ethics lineIf you suspect professional

misconduct on campus, Dillard University now has a confiden-tial means of reporting it.

The school has selected Eth-icsPoint as a private contractor hosting a secure Web server and a telephone hot line system as a way to report violations of university policies and any ap-plicable federal or state laws, according to the Web site.

Students, faculty and staff may submit a complaint online at https://secure.ethicspoint.com or use the toll-free number (888) 373-8882. EthicsPoint will forward the information to the university’s Internal Audit Department and Office of Le-gal Affairs.

The Sept. 30 e-mail an-nouncement sent by DU

spokeswoman Mona Duffel-Jones said EthicsPoint was hired “to protect the integrity of our learning community and to ensure the highest standards of operation.”

Dillard has adopted a “whis-tleblower policy,” which can be found on Page 8 of the “Em-ployee Code of Conduct Hand-book” (available at the Ethic-sPoint Web site).

EthicsPoint, founded in 1999 by a group of certified fraud examiners, cautions us-ers that EthicsPoint is not a 911 or emergency service. Urgent matters should still be referred to campus police at (504) 816-4776 or New Orleans police at 911.

(Thelisia Davis contributed to this report.)

Martin Bradford

A Dillard University alum-nus, former political speech-writer and American Book Award winner will return to his alma mater as guest writer for the Creative Writing Program, appearing for a reading at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Will Alexander Library.

Poet Jericho Brown, born Nelson Demery, is a Shreveport native reared in New Orleans who became a speech writer for Mayor Marc Morial. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Dillard in 1998, a master’s of fine arts from the University

of New Orleans and a doctor-ate in creative writing from the University of Houston.

Brown’s biography says he was introduced to the love of poetry through a library day-care program. His first book, “Please,” earned the prestigious American Book Award, which recognizes outstanding literary achievement by contemporary American authors.

While teaching at the Univer-sity of California, San Diego, Brown received a 2009 Bun-ting Fellowship from Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University. The fellowship allows him the opportunity to spend the aca-

demic year focused solely on research and writing.

Brown’s poems have ap-peared in The Iowa Review, Jubilat, the New England Re-view and the Oxford American, among others.

Associate Professor Mona Lisa Saloy said of Brown, “As a student, Nelson’s gifts in writ-ing were clear, but it was at Dil-lard that poetry claimed him, and he became a poet here. In those days even outside of the classroom, we had many con-versations about poetry, poets and making it work…Dillard is proud to welcome back its own alum.”

Page 3: DU102209_FULL

COURTBOUILLONCampus&Local22 October 2009 3

For you and your friends, �u shots are a great defensive strategy. The time to get your seasonal �u shot is now! But this year you need extra coverage, so if you’re at high risk, get your H1N1 �u shot now as well. To Fight The Flu, it’s your best defense.

Listed Here? Get Your H1N1 Flu Shot Now!

• Individuals 6 months to 24 years old

• Pregnant or nursing women

• Caregivers for infants

• Healthcare and EMS personnel

• Individuals with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems

For more information, ask your health care provider or pharmacist, call 2-1-1 or visit www.FightTheFluLA.com.

A message from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

The best protection during football season.

The best protection during flu season.

For you and your friends, �u shots are a great defensive strategy. The time to get your seasonal �u shot is now! But this year you need extra coverage, so if you’re at high risk, get your H1N1 �u shot now as well. To Fight The Flu, it’s your best defense.

Listed Here? Get Your H1N1 Flu Shot Now!Listed Here? Get Your H1N1 Flu Shot Now!

• Individuals 6 months to 24 years old• Individuals 6 months to 24 years old

• Pregnant or nursing women• Pregnant or nursing women

• Caregivers for infants• Caregivers for infants

• Healthcare and EMS personnel• Healthcare and EMS personnel

• Individuals with chronic health disorders • Individuals with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systemsor compromised immune systems

For more information, ask For more information, ask your health care provider or your health care provider or pharmacist, call 2-1-1 or visit pharmacist, call 2-1-1 or visit www.FightTheFluLA.comwww.FightTheFluLA.com..

A message from the Louisiana A message from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.Department of Health and Hospitals.

The best protection during football season.football season.football season.

The best protection during The best protection during flu season.flu season.

pointed by the Heinz family. Recipients are selected by a board ofdirectors.

Wright, who served as a juror two years ago, said in a Sept. 15 Times-Picayune ar-ticle that she didn’t expect the award because “The pro-cess is so stringent, and there are so many deserving people out there, I never thought I’d make it.”

Wright did not respond to the Courtbouillon’s numerous attempts for an interview.

Wright also told reporters she will share the cash award with her family and the center, which she founded at Xavier University before moving it to Dillard post-Katrina.

Wright, who received her undergraduate degree from Grambling, earned a doctoral degree from the State Univer-sity of New York.

(Charley Steward contributed to this report.)

WrightFROM PAGE 1

Power outage

Farah Akbar | CourtbouillonStudents evacuate Williams Hall

in the dark of night in photo at left on Monday, Oct. 12, after a power outage. Above, a sign announces “building closed.” Power was lost to several buildings after a large “boom” around 3 p.m. Freshmen were moved Monday night to bunk in Gentilly Gardens and the DUALS until power in the dorm could be restored. The power outage affected Stern and Cook halls the longest, with the two buildings being closed through mid-day Wednesday. Administrators were mum about the outage. When Dr. M. Denese Short-Bridges, direc-tor of housing, could not be reached, the Courtbouillon was referred to Dr. Gerald Williams, chief fi nancial of-fi cer. The newspaper also sought in-formation from DU spokeswoman Mona Duffel-Jones. No one respond-ed to requests for information despite numerous attempts.Stephawn Spears | Courtbouillon

Page 4: DU102209_FULL

4 22 October 2009EtouffeeCOURTBOUILLON

Angela Harris When I was first offered

the opportunity to tutor at Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School in the Lower Ninth Ward, I thought it was a great opportunity to give back by helping prepare the third-graders for the state’s LEAP test. Little did I know that this tutoring program was going to give me and seven other tutors from Dil-lard the opportunity of a life-time to see President Barack Obama speak during his Oct. 15 visit to New Orleans.

When we arrived at the school, the first thing I no-ticed was the crowd of Se-cret Service agents. I knew President Obama coming to the school was a big deal, but I don’t think the magnitude of the situation hit me until I saw the en-tourage of dark suits and black shades. Se-curity was in full ef-fect: If you didn’t have the proper credentials, you weren’t getting anywhere near the school. Luckily, our group had permission from Princi-pal Doris Hicks to be there, so we made the cut.

Around 9:30, we were al-lowed to wait in the teachers’ lounge. I spoke to an older woman who recalled when the idea of an African-Amer-ican president was a dream; for her, seeing him speak in person was beyond surreal. Around 10:30, we moved to the library to wait while the Secret Service performed a security sweep. The wait was not more than three hours, but the anticipation made it seem like I was waiting for days. Around 11:45, we final-ly were able to pass through the metal detectors and move outside to a breezeway where a podium had been set up for the president.

As students and teachers started filling the breezeway, we were reminded that the president was visiting the school strictly for the chil-dren, so they were supposed to be in front. I think this was

the first time I’ve ever been jealous of an 8-year-old.

Around noon, the sound of a helicopter as it ap-proached the school and hovered over the breezeway raised a cheer of excite-ment from the students who thought President Obama was aboard. He was not; this, apparently, was another security procedure. As we continued the wait, I started to pay attention to sights and sounds around me. The sixth-graders’ signs greeting the president. The little girls with what seemed to be mil-lions of bows and barrettes in their hair. Teachers try-ing to calm excited children while improving their own vantage point.

Finally, after waiting for so long and being so anxious to

see one of the most inf luential men in his-tory, two Secret Ser-vice agents o p e n e d the doors and out walks the President.

My heart actually skipped a couple of beats. He jogged out to a podium and greet-ed the elated schoolchildren and teachers. Even though his speech was the typical “Stay in school, work hard and someday you could be a doctor, lawyer or presi-dent of the United States” speech given by most role models, we heard it from the “Leader of the Free World” – our first African-American president. I’m sure the expe-rience will be something the children never will forget; I know I won’t.

In a flash, his speech was over and he was shaking chil-dren’s hands. He wasn’t there for more than 15 minutes, but judging from the looks on their faces, I knew that those 15 minutes would af-fect these kids for the rest of their lives. The President of the United States had just told them they could be whatever they wanted to be, and I think every child who was there wants to prove him right.

‘A day I won’t forget’One Dillard student recounts seeing President Obama up-close during his New Orleans visit

‘I think this was the first time I’ve ever been

jealous of an 8-year-old.’

Photo by Associated Press

Angela Harris | Courtbouillon

Angela Harris | Courtbouillon

Above, President Obama talks to a thrilled young boy during his visit to the Dr. Martin Luther King Char-ter School in the Lower 9th Ward on Thursday, Oct. 15. In top photo, a security helicopter hovers above the breezeway at the school. At right, DU student Angela Harris poses with other attendees.

Page 5: DU102209_FULL

22 October 2009 5EtouffeeCOURTBOUILLON

David Pittman

A New York mass communication junior isn’t letting the recession stop him from starting his own clothing company.

Gary Ross of Rochester, N.Y., a re-cording arts major, said he wants to make “fashion affordable for every-body” through his mail-order company, Young Black Entrepreneurs, a name he picked from the title of a song by B.G. and Mob Deep.

Ross, whose family is in fashion re-tail, said he got his business license and

opened his business Sept. 2. So far, he said, he’s sold about 60 items, such as shoes, rosaries and purses.

Ross said he sells the latest fashion trends and accessories, including high-end items from Ed Hardy and Coach. He said he’s able to keep prices low by cutting out the middleman. For example, he said, a Polo Ralph Lauren shirt that could cost $98 in a store can be ordered for about $20, depending on shipping costs. A pair of Jimmy Choo shoes might run $90, he said. Ross insisted that the products are the “real thing,”

not knock-offs.The first item he sold (and the best-

selling item so far) has been a $3 rosary, he said.

The student, who said he transferred from Denver University upon the rec-ommendation of a friend already at-tending Dillard, said he is finalizing his logo design and should have his Web site complete by the end of next month. For now, he has a catalog featuring polo shirts, purses and jewelry, but customers also can request what they’d like him to order, Ross said.

Ross said he has been inspired and advised by his uncle, Bobby Archie of Charlotte, N.C., who is also a cloth-ing entrepreneur. Archie owns King of Locks, a clothing store and a unisex sa-lon. Ross said he also has been inspired by hip-hop artists Russell Simmons and Jay Z, who used their fame to launch clothing lines.

For more information, contact Ross via email at [email protected] or call him at (720) 579-3429.

Transfer student takes on Dillard, fledgling business at same time

DU honor student juggles singing, school, SaintsationsKandyce Franklin

DU Diamond team member Deri’Andra Tucker is among 35 New Orleans Saintsations for the 2009-10 football season.

Tucker, a New Orleans mass communication sophomore who appeared in the local musical “Dreamgirls” that became a six-week reality show on BET, beat out hundreds to make the team.

Lisle Fitzmorris, president of St. All-Star LLC, the management company for the Saintsations, said approximately 200 women competed for a spot this season. Fitzmorris said Tucker made the cut the first time she applied.

Tucker became a Saintsation in May and said she plans to reapply next year. Saintsations may reapply and serve up to four seasons, Fitzmorris said.

Tucker is one of at least four people with Dil-lard ties who have served on New Orleans sports dance teams. Dillard business alum Lakia Wilson is a former Saintsation. Jana M. Smith, coach of the DU Diamonds, was a Saints cheerleader from 1984-1992. And DU alum Zandria Pinckney was a member of the Honeybees and Voodoo Dolls.

Tucker, 19, a graduate of McDonough 35 Se-nior High, has some very full days. She carries 16 hours as a fulltime Dillard student majoring in recording arts with a minor in theater. She holds a current grade-point average of 3.3 and is a recipient of a Denzel Washington Scholar-ship worth nearly $13,000. In addition to prac-tices and appearances with the Saintsations and the DU Diamonds, Tucker also is a member of Fashion Lab, founded by Hiram Smith of New Orleans, and of the R&B trio Aprique, which also includes Chrishira Perrier, a New Orleans music performance sophomore, and Tracci Lee, a New Orleans mass communication freshman.

Tucker said a typical day starts at 7:30 am, with classes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. She fits in lunch at 2:15, squeezes in homework afterward and leaves for Saintsations practices or appearances at 5 p.m.

The job of Saintsation is a paid position that includes cheering at New Orleans Saints home games, making appearances at events throughout the city and participating in community service projects. Tucker has two official game uniforms and about 10 appearance uniforms, Fitzmorris said.

Tucker practices three hours a day on Tues-days and Thursdays with the Saintsations. On

home game days, she must report to the Super-dome four hours before kickoff.

Tucker, who is in her second year with the DU Diamonds, practices two hours a day with the Diamonds on Mondays and Wednesdays and performs with the teams at various events held at Dillard, including home basketball games.

The manager said constant auditions keep the members on their toes. “The team mem-bers must audition prior to each game for each performance,” said Fitzmorris.

For the Saintsations audition, Tucker not only had to learn a dance routine to perform before a panel of judges, but the applicants also were judged on speaking skills, their resume and professional demeanor, Fitzmorris said. Addi-tionally, applicants were tested on their knowl-edge of football.

Tucker said the best thing about being a Saintsation is “being an ambassador for the city of New Orleans and representing the New Or-leans Saints.”

The most challenging aspect is that “I have no room for mistakes,” she said. “It is my job to make sure I remember all of our routines…Although the job can be difficult at times, enter-taining an audience of thousands of people has always been a dream of mine, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”

Tucker called her late father, Derrick Mushatt, her guardian angel, and her mother, Shawndrea Tucker (who also is her hair stylist), her confi-dante. She has one brother, Derrick.

Photos courtesy of St. All-Star LLC

Deri’Andra Tucker poses in one of her 12 Saintsations uniforms. Tucker, aNew Orleans mass communication sophomore, is the recipient of a Denzel Washington Scholarship, sings in an R&B trio, and is on the campus and Saints dance teams.

35 on Saintsations roster this year In addition to Dillard sophomore Deri’Andra

Tucker, the other members of this season’s Saint-sations include:

Annie Albert, Macie Brown, Bronwyn Burt, Erin Buxton, Ayesha Callaway, Danielle Daray, Lauren Dodds, Carly Duhe, Ashlyn Falgout, Ai-mee Ferrier and Megan Fromenthal.

Also, Danielle Hall, Brittany and Chrissy Hamilton, Hope Hanley, Jennifer Hanna, Alexis Hughes, Ashley Iserman, Lashelle Johnson, Ariel Landry and Ashley Lewis.

Also, Meagan McDaniel, Jessica McCray, Mi-randa Raiford, Heather Robin, Jacqueline Rowan, Randi Savoie, Amanda Scott, Rachel Selzer, Jas-mine Smith, Zeraleigh Spencer, Amanda Thomp-son, Bethany Tonguis and Victoria Vollentine.

Page 6: DU102209_FULL

Jeannine CannonManaging Editor

I had a conversation with some friends recently, and we came to the conclusion that we were born in the wrong generation.

Think about it. Think about how your parents raised you when you were a child. Then look at how some young mothers and fa-thers (well, the ones who are around) are rearing their chil-dren today.

My parents use to tell me stories all the time about how their parents taught them good manners. They couldn’t talk a certain way in front of their elders, and they even had to dress a certain way.

My parents tried hard to instill some of those same values and etiquette into my sisters and me.

But somewhere along the line, good manners and rais-ing children have become an anachronism. I have heard teenagers use profanity in front of their parents with-out consequence. I even have a problem with most of the music that people listen to now.

Call me old. Tell me that I’m old-fashioned, but I hon-estly feel like many in our

generation love ignorance. I was looking at videos on

Facebook recently and what I saw made me very upset.

This little girl, who looked to be about 5 or 6, was talk-ing and using every profane word in the book. I mean she was using everything from the “b”-word to “f ”-bombs.

The worst thing about the whole thing was her father and one of his friends were just laughing the whole time.

Are you serious? Why

would they think that a little girl cursing is something to laugh about? I am sick of all of these young people hav-ing kids and not raising them right. Does the father of that young girl not know that he is highly ignorant for allow-ing her to use such words, much less actually recording her saying them?

I am extremely sick of rid-ing through New Orleans and seeing 2- and 3-year-old boys wearing sagging pants and “grills” in their mouths.

At this point, you prob-ably think I sound like an old person, but the truth is the odds are against those chil-dren’s parents having a good career because they act and dress the same way.

When those children grow up and have their own chil-dren, they will pass down those same habits.

This has become a cycle that needs to be broken. Per-haps that’s why Morehouse made news recently with its plan to implement a dress-code policy that bans sagging pants, hoodies, grills and cross-dressing.

Our elders say all the time that our generation is a waste. Let’s prove them wrong.

Please: Don’t buy into the ignorance and stupidity.

Our policyThe Courtbouillon is published by the students of Dillard University. Views expressed on the opinion pages are those of the individual writ-ers, and not those of the administration, faculty or student body. The Courtbouillon reserves the right to edit all writings for space and libel.

Opinion&EditorialCOURTBOUILLON

Dad, tot on Web example of poor parenting

Jeannine Cannon

Traffic no-no’s in effect

6 22 October 2009

Questions, comments or concerns? Voice them!! Letters to the editor should be no longer than 250 words. Send your let-ter along with your name/title, address, e-mail address, phone number and classification/major if you are a student to: [email protected] or mail to: Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70122Room 146 Cook Center. Deadlines for fall issues are Sept. 17, Oct. 1, Oct. 15, Oct. 29, Nov. 12 and Dec. 3. Letters must be signed and will not be returned.

Letters to the editor

This little girl, who looked to be about 5 or 6, was using every

profane word in the book.

Oct. 1 marked the end of a warning period for new traffic laws in Louisiana, including new rules on cell phone use, texting and seatbelts. So be prepared: Here are some highlights of what lawmakers passed during the 2009 session of the Louisi-ana Legislature.

Texting and cell phone use: Texting while driving is strictly prohibited by all driv-ers. Novice (beginner) drivers cannot use a cell phone or any other wireless device unless it’s hands-free. For texting, the fine is $175 for the first offense and up to $500 for the second of-fense and thereafter. Fines will be doubled if an accident has occurred. (Act 665)

Anyone age 17 and under may not use any type of wire-less device while driving. Fines are $100 for the first violation and $250 for violations thereaf-ter. Fines are doubled if an ac-cident has occurred. (Act 666)

Anyone holding a license for the first time is prohibited from using any type of wireless de-vice for a full year from the date he or she received the license. Violators will be fined $100 and given 16 hours of community service for the first violation and fined $250 for additional violations. Fines are doubled if an accident occurred. (Act 667)

School bus drivers are pro-hibited from using a cell phone while operating a school bus. (Act 335)

The cell phone laws are sec-ondary, meaning you will only be ticketed if you were pulled over for another violation, such as speeding or running a red light. An exception to the laws are in case of an emergency.

Seat belts for everyone: All passengers in a moving ve-

hicle, including those riding in the back seat, must now wear a seat belt. Previously, only the driver and passengers who oc-cupied the front seat of the car were only required to use them. Tickets cost $25 for the first violation, $50 for the second violation and $50.00 plus court costs for violations thereafter. The seat belt law is “primary,” meaning you can be pulled over and ticketed for this without any other infraction. (Act 166)

Slowpokes in the fast lane: You can’t just drive in the left lane of a multilane roadway anymore. Drivers should use the left lanes to make a left turn, to pass another vehicle or if the right lane is blocked or congest-ed (except when directed other-wise). (Act 190)

DWI testing: Drivers who refuse to submit a chemical test for intoxication will get their li-cense suspended for a year on the first refusal and two years for refusals thereafter. Previ-ously, the price to pay was 180 days of a suspended driver’s li-cense on the first offense and 545 days for offenses thereafter. The law now prohibits granting “hardship” licenses (a license that allows you to drive for special purposes, such as going to work) if a serious injury or fatality occurred in a related ac-cident and intoxication was the sole factor. (Act 288)

Drivers face up to six months’ jail time for driving with a suspended license. Pre-viously, violators were ticketed and released. (Act 236)

Bicycle safety: When pass-ing or overtaking a bicyclist, drivers must leave a safe dis-tance of 3 feet from the bicy-clist traveling in the same direc-tion. (Act 147)

Page 7: DU102209_FULL

22 October 2009 7Opinion&EditorialCOURTBOUILLON

The column “18 Questions” is a popular one with many Dillard students, who may ask questions serious or facetious, insightful or inane. It is named after the year the univer-sity was founded,1869.

The following questions were compiled by writer Jeannine Cannon from the offerings of various students recently.

If you have a question, send it to Cannon at [email protected] .

1. Why is it so easy to procrastinate? 2. Is there such a thing as asking a dumb question in “18 Questions”? 3. Why isn’t the Courtbouillon more appealing to students? 4. Why did the freshmen pack their whole lives like a hurricane was coming when they evacuated to the Gardens and the DUALS? 5. If we go swimming on the Oaks next time it rains, will we get in trouble?

6. Is the food in Kearny and Grill 155 the same? 7. Is there such thing as a “good” man? 8. Why can’t the construction workers ever work on our campus without messing up something? 9. What happened to the Collegiate 100 taking the ladies’ trays during lunch? 10. Why is it still hot in October? 11. Why do professors ask for an excuse when we miss class like we are still in high school? 12. Why do some students like driving their cars everywhere on campus when all the buildings are within walking distance? 13. Do long-distance relationships really work when you are in college? 14. Who else thinks the turnstyle gate was a dumb idea? Can you say “free access…”? 15. Do professors have lives outside of Dillard? 16. Who else feels like the emails to President Obama was a waste of time? 17. Is it really worth going home for Thanksgiving break? 18. Can May 8, 2010, hurry up and get here?

18 QUESTIONS

WORD ON THE AVE: If President Obama had come to DU, what would you have asked?

“I would ask him what his is plan is to help STEM

(Science, Technology, Engineer-ing, and Mathmematics) majors

with financial aid.”

Johne’tra Trotter:Freshman

physics/pre-engineer majorNew Orleans

“I would ask him why is college so unaffordable.”

Joshua Purnell:Freshman

international business majorOakland, Calif.

“I would ask him what he is going to do to help make the

city better.”

Edward Brunt:Junior

public health majorNew Orleans

Page 8: DU102209_FULL

8 22 October 2009SportsCOURTBOUILLON

Saints win

Photo by Associated Press

New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey (88) is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Danny Clark (55) in the end zone after catching a touchdown pass in the first half of their NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 18. The Saints beat the Giants 48-27.

Stephawn Spears | Courtbouillon

From left, Cenquis Rockett prepares to serve as Keisha Smoke looks on during Friday’s game against Judson College. DU won 3-0.

and $5 for volleyball, a reduc-tion from last year.

The fees were intended to support future athletic pro-grams, Barnes said, noting the department’s budget is $959,000 per year. That’s the same as last year despite the addition of five new sports – men’s and wom-en’s cross-country, men’s and

women’s track and field, and women’s softball.

“Monies had to be reallocat-ed for the five additional sports this year, and some coaches were given added responsibili-ties,” she said. Barnes noted that none of the $250 per se-mester each student pays in activity fees ($100 per semes-ter for recreation and $100 per semester for activities) is dedi-cated to athletics.

With the student game fees rescinded and a stretched bud-get, Barnes said the department and the school’s Intercollegiate Athletics Committee will ex-amine athletic funding models at other schools. The commit-tee, which recommends policies pertaining to intercollegiate ath-letics, regulates the number of athletic events scheduled during the academic year and recom-mends the athletics budget.

Its nine members include Barnes; Dr. Gerald Williams, DU’s chief financial officer; Dr. Dewain Lee, dean of Student Affairs; volleyball coach Yolan-da Brown; Cynthia Charles, assistant librarydean; Dr. Eric Buckles, assistant biology pro-fessor; and student representa-tives Brandon Love and Ebony Wooderts.

(Sheba Washington contributed to this report.)

FeesFROM PAGE 1

Lady Bleus win 1, lose 1Mario Martin

Dillard’s volleyball team is back on the winning track af-ter defeating Judson College of Marion, Ala., 3-0 Friday, Oct. 16, in the Dent Gymnasium, following a loss the previous night to the University of Mo-bile.

The match scores were 25-5, 25-16 and 25-7. The Lady Bleu Devils’ current record is now 2-2 in conference play and 6-6 overall after the win on Judson, a non-conference match and the first time Dillard has hosted the Alabama school.

However, Dillard fell short the previous night in a confer-ence loss to Gulf Coast Ath-letic Conference’s No. 1-ranked University of Mobile 0-3.

During the week of Oct. 5, Dillard traveled to Jackson,

Miss., to play Belhaven Oct. 6 and to Selma, Ala., for a match at Concordia Oct. 10.

The Lady Bleu Devils were successful in defeating both schools 3-0. The win against Concordia completed a 2-0 sweep of the Lady Hornets by Dillard.

As the Courtbouillon went to press, Dillard was set to host Southern University-New Or-leans in Dent on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when the team was to pro-mote “Paint Dent Pink Night” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Dillard will face Belhaven College Saturday, Oct. 24, in Dent before a rematch with the University of Mobile away. The next home game will be Oct. 31 against Southern University-Baton Rouge.

Barnesto leadGCAC

Dillard University Athletic Director Kiki Baker Barnes has become the first African-Amer-ican woman to lead the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, or GCAC.

Barnes’ election Oct. 6 comes at a critical time for the conference, which stands to lose five university programs next year, including Loyola Uni-versity – New Orleans, to the Southern States Athletic Con-ference, or SSAC.

Her term begins immedi-ately.

Barnes, who has been ath-letic director and women’s bas-ketball coach at Dillard for four years, was elected unanimously to succeed Steve Knight, head men’s basketball coach at Wil-liam Carey College, at the 2009 fall meeting Oct. 5-6 at Dillard. Knight served in the position for eight years.

William Carey College is among the five schools from GCAC that is joining the SSAC.

The Southern States confer-ence announced Sept. 29 that it was expanding its membership to include five schools from GCAC in the 2010-11 season.

Along with Loyola, New Orleans and William Carey, the other three are Belhaven Col-lege, Spring Hill College and the University of Mobile.

With Truett-McConnell Col-lege also joining SSAC, the six new members will allow the SSAC to restructure its confer-ence into two divisions, Eastern and Western. The SSAC was formed in 1995.

The move will leave GCAC with five member schools: Dillard, Xavier University of Louisiana, Southern University – New Orleans, Tougaloo Col-lege and LSU-Shreveport.

Barnes said in a news release that despite the prospect of losing half the GCAC mem-bership, she is optimistic about the future of the conference, formed in 1981.

However, she said it must “respond quickly to ensure the future of GCAC as a confer-ence to be reckoned with.”

(Mario Martin contributed to this report.)