Southern University School of Nursing is ranked number one among the best nursing schools in Louisiana after being awarded the Nightingale Award for the second time.

“I’m delighted,” said Cheryl Taylor, dean of the nursing school. “I feel that Southern University is getting the recognition that it deserves.”

Taylor went on to say that the school of nursing has always been an outstanding program and has a lot of fantastic features that many people would not be aware of if it had not won the award.

The School of Nursing currently has three programs and starting Fall 2012 there will be a fourth degree program, a Doctorate in Nursing Practice.

“Primarily we have one goal for our students; that they develop themselves, become excellent practitioners, outstanding scholars, and that they contribute to improving the health care of the nation,” Taylor said.

The 26-year-old nursing school offers bachelors and masters degrees, along with also being the state’s only nursing school currently offering Ph.Ds.

Shatara Hafford a current nursing student discussed the lessons she learned in

her program.“The most important thing that I’ve

learned while attending the school of nursing is that if things will not be given to you, you have to earn it and strive to be the best,” Hafford said.

The school of nursing gets approximately 200-250 applications a semester and of those applications 80-85 are accepted into the program.

“I chose to come to Southern because it is a family tradition. I come from a line of nurses, I have an aunt who graduated from the nursing school and she is very successful,” nursing student, Cidnae Ballet said. “Our nursing school is the top nursing school in Louisiana. I want to learn from the best.”

The School of Nursing offers the opportunity for nursing students to get mentored in their future profession. Taylor refl ected on her training from her mentored experience.

“Being mentored had a greater impact on me than my formal educational experiences,” Taylor said. “My mentors helped me face and overcome obstacles, learn organizational and individual behavioral dynamics, discover my gifts and talents, learn and grow from my mistakes and most of all realize the power of loving and being loved.”

In addition to the classes, the nursing building has a clinic on the third fl oor. The clinic serves women, infants and children including low-income women and their newborns; working to promote their nutrition and overall health.

“We want to improve the health care of the country but we’re starting right here by producing the best nurses, conducting

Exclusive content @

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

Today Friday Saturday Sunday

83/62 82/62 80/63 81/62

Thursday, March 15, 2012 www.southerndigest.com

The Digest will return March 22check www.southerndigest.com for updates

Broussard emerges as SU AD candidatesee Sports, Page 5

‘Project X’ high in shock, laughssee Culture, Page 6

VOLuMe 58, issue 10

JessiCa sarPYThe Southern Digest

raees MalikThe Southern Digest

Curtis Allen Jr., a senior nursing major from Monroe, La., pratice checking the heart rate on a Human Patient Simulator in the human stimulation lab located in School of Nursing. The HPSs are full sized manikins that are capable of producing like like physiological replications of health/disease states and will respond to medicial treatment.

photo By keldRIc nash/dIgest

The Southern University College of Business is one of three schools at Southern University labled as premier schools based on their success rates and effectiveness.

photo By tRevoR james/dIgest

See cOLL. Of Business page 3

State of Southern University programsState of Southern University programsState of Southern University programsState of Southern University programsThe Southern University Board of Supervisors challenged SUBR officials to develop a plan to execute during financial

exigency. According to the original retrenchment & reorganization plan, three programs were designated as “premier” programs and five were labeled as “programs for enhancement.” Pending future evaluations and reviews, the list of programs for enhancement is likely to increase.

SU Nursing offers ‘premier’ curriculum

The College of Business is currently considered to be one of the premier schools at Southern University, and is also one of the top graduate producing colleges.

Southern University College of Business is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or AACSB international which is the premier accrediting body for colleges of business around the world.

“The quality of our instruction, the instructors that we have, and the staff that supports the

instructors, the students, all of these is important elements in developing our programs as a college,” said Donald Andrews, Dean of the College of Business.

Courses have been added to the College of Business in terms of analysis and information technology. The college has also added equipment such as title III. Dean Andrews stated that it is a major benefactor to the College of Business.

The College of Business consists of four majors, management, marketing, accountant, and fi nance. They also have a concentration in economics. In addition to these

programs the College of Business also has the MBA program and is currently working on concentrations in that area. This includes supply change management and resource development.

“We always make sure that the curriculum is well developed and it’s relevant as far as what the corporations are looking for in majors,” Andrews said.

Located in T.T. Allain the college of business has three computer labs and a global communications center. In the

COB: a top graduate producer

See nursing schOOL page 3

Retool youR schoolContinue to vote to see

Southern get a facelift. Vote at retoolyourschool.com to help Southern University succeed. Vote everyday because every vote counts. Southern University is currently in 5th place.

campus accessHarding Boulevard will be

the sole entrance/exit between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. Vehicles entering the campus during those hours must stop at the Checkpoint prior to entering the campus. On weekends the Mills Avenue entrance will remain closed from 6 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. the following Monday morning. Please contact Lt. Floyd Williams at 771-2770 for more details.

IntRamuRal BasketBall leagueLeague Play has begun for

Intramural Basketball. All games are played on Fridays in Seymour Gym. For more information contact Coach Robinson at 225.771.3212.

mlk catholIc student centeRThe St. Joseph Chapel/ MLK

Catholic Student Center offers Sunday mass service at 11 am and daily mass at 12:10 Monday thru Friday. Confessions are by appointment. MLK Center will host a Lenten Bible Study at 5p.m. on Fridays; March 16, 23 and 30.

su Wesley FoundatIonThe Southern University

Wesley Foundation is accepting donations of non-perishable and canned foods for their food drive. They will be accepting donations until April. Worship services are on Wednesdays at noon. The foundation will also be hosting Throwdown Thursdays at 7p.m. with competitions on Wii Sports, Karaoke, Dance. Spoken word and open mic. Compeition winner s will receive $20 gift cards. Refreshments will be sold to support the foundation’s efforts. Call 225.778.0076 for more information.

caFé lacumBaCome join your colleagues

and faculty for a delicious and healthy lunch! All items are made fresh and can be enjoyed as you dine in or on the go. Café Lacumba will be serving sandwiches, wraps, salads, snacks and beverages every Wednesday from 11 am- 1:30 pm. Café Lacumba is located in 161 Pinkie Thrift Hall. For more information call 225.771.4660.

unIon Fun FRIdaysLaCumba’s playpen, Union

Bowling Alley and Burger King will be open Fridays until 3pm. LaCumba’s playpen and the bowling alley will offer half price Fridays.

sulc chancelloR honoRedSULC Chancellor Freddie

Pitcher was named to On Being a Black Lawyer’s “100 Most influential black attorneys in the U.S.” Pitcher was featured in the dean’s section of the list inside the magazine. You can view the special edition at www.obabl.com/special-editions/

gRaduate school cRItIcal datesA list of critical dates is in the

graduate school office.

centeR FoR student successThe SU CSS offers a free

paper service. You can have your paper reviewed for clarity, grammatical errors, sentence

structure, etc. CSS will also be offering English workshops every Friday at 10 am. CSS will be offering seminars to assist students with topics such as discovering their learning styles, study skills, to stress management. Contact CSS for more information on any of these programs and for tutoring questions at 225.771.4312 or stop by 107 in Stewart Hall.

ResIdentIal lIFe applIcatIons avaIlaBle

The department of Residence Life and Housing announces Summer and Fall 2012 housing applications are available. Go to www.housing.subr.edu; type it, print it, and bring it in by May 1.

caReeR seRvIces cds and dvdsSouthern University office of

Career Services invites you to come pick up “What can I do with this degree” or “Suit up for Success” DVDs. Both discs will be available while supplies last. Contact Career Services at 225.771.2200 for more information.

su late nIghtSouthern University

Activities board hosts SU Late Night tonight from 8 p.m-midnight. Students can come enjoy movies, music, bowling, spades and dominos. There will be free food. Students must have their SU ID to enter.

campus dInIng suRveyWe would like you to

complete an online survey so that we may gain a better understanding of your campus lifestyle and the role Dining Services plays in it. This will take about 10-12 minutes of your time and gives you the opportunity to have your voice heard. The survey is available now through tomorrow. Every person who completes the survey may choose to enter into a drawing to win the following; Grand Prize: $150 virtual Gift Card and three First Prize: $50 virtual gift card. Access the survey at http://www.college-survey.com/subr.

Page 2 - Thursday, March 15, 2012

caMPus LifeThe senTineL Of an enLighTened sTudenT BOdy since 1926

CLASSIFIEDThe Southern DIGEST is not responsible for the contents, promises, nor statements made in any classified and reserve the right to reject any ad request with explanation. No classified ads will be accepted or processed over the telephone and must accept the type font sizes of The DIGEST.

ALL CLASSIFIED MUST BE PAID IN ADVANCE BY CASHIERS CHECK OR MONEY ORDER. NO PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED. Students must have proper ID and phone numbers to get student advertising rates.

Rates do not apply to students who are representatives & employees of the com-pany. In the event an error is made in a classified ad, immediate claims and notice must be given within 15 days. The DIGEST is only responsible for ONE replacement or run in the next publication. Classified are due ONE WEEK prior to run date.

Paid Classified can be ordered by contacting the Student Media Advertising Manager at 225.771.5833.

PAGE 2 / CAMPUS BRIEFSAll submissions must be received by 3 p.m. each Friday prior to Tuesday’s Issue and by 3 p.m. each Monday prior to Thursday’s Issue.

PAGE 2 is only available to officially registered campus organizations, Southern University Departments. All briefs should include a date, time, contact name & number.

Submit announcements to:The Southern DIGEST - Suite 1064 Harris

Hall, Attn: PAGE 2

CORRECTIONSFact and accuracy is our goal and our job. As the voice of the Southern University student body we are committed to ensuring to most fair, truthful and accurate accounts of our work. In the event of an error we will make all corrections on Page 2.

Bring corrections to The Southern DIGEST office located in Suite 1064, Harris Hall.

ISSN: 1540-7276. Copyright 2008 by The Southern University Office of Student Media Services. The Southern DIGEST is written, edited and published by members of the student body at Southern University and A&M College.

All articles, photographs and graphics are property of The Southern DIGEST and its contents may not be reproduced or republished without the written permission from the Editor in Chief and Director of Student Media Services. The Southern DIGEST is published twice-weekly (Tuesday & Thursday) with a run count of 5,000 copies per issue during the Southern University - Baton Rouge campus fall, spring semesters.

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.

The Southern DIGEST is the official student newspaper of Southern University and A&M College located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Articles, features, opinions, speak out and editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the administration and its policies. Signed articles, feedback, commentaries and features do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, staff or student body.

Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone (404) 679-4500, Website: www.sacscoc.org.

MISSION STATEMENTThe mission of Southern University and A&M College, an Historically Black, 1890 land-grant institution, is to provide opportunities for a diverse student population to achieve a high-quality, global educational experience, to engage in scholarly, research, and creative activities, and to give meaningful public service to the community, the state, the nation, and the world so that Southern University graduates are competent, informed, and productive citizens. Website: www.subr.edu.

PAGE 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS & PAID CLASSIFIED INFO

For more information call 225.771.5833 or mail your subscription payment of $40 to: The Southern Digest Subscriptions, PO Box 10180, Baton Rouge, LA 70813. Business, cashiers checks and money orders accepted only. No personal checks or credit card orders accepted. Make all payments to The Southern Digest.

GET 36 ISSUES FOR JUST $40Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Daytime Phone: ( )

southerndigest.com

Who’s Speaking Out?

“SU could have mroe police patroling during the day time. Nights aren’t the only times problems occur.”

“Student body needs more unity. If that happens, crime would subsequently reduce community wide.”

“Getting cameras that actually work and not letting just anyone on campus.”

“Patrolling the campus more and setting up new cameras could help.”

ransOM harris

gaBLeBarnes

AvABArnes

HAMMOND, LA.FRESHMANNURSING

KrystellGABle

NEW ORLEANSFRESHMANNURSING

KeithonrAnsom

NATHCEz, MISS.SENIOR

THERAPEUTICRECREATION

ieshA hArris

zACHARy, LA.FRESHMANNURSING

What do you think SU can do to help improve campus safety?house FoR sale

House for sale in Melrose Subdivision. 3 Bedroom, 2 full baths. Call Mr. Jackson 225.288.5187.

photogRaphywww.a13wil.weebly.com

petsTwo American Kennel Club

registered male and female English Bulldog puppies for a single family home. Contact victor at victorpotter58@yahoo.com.

Classifieds

Campus BriefsTODAy

Urban Forestry is a program set to be enhanced in accordance to the criteria in the Southern University Retrenchment and Reorganization Plan presented to the Board of Supervisors by Southern University at Baton Rouge Chancellor James Llorens.

Yadong Qi, professor in urban forestry, said that the program is very comprehensive.

The urban forestry curric-ulum prepares students to address important urban and community forestry such as urban forestry management, forest health management, ecosystem analysis, arbori-culture, urban hydrology and ecology.

“I hope everyone understands Southern University has a lot of jewels,” stated Qi. “Southern has a lot of great things to offer and Southern needs to know that.”

Urban Forestry’s program was designated by the State of Louisiana Board of Regents as a Department of Excellence through faculty excellence.

“This positions Southern University in a very unique position,” said Qi.

According to Qi, the program is the only program in the country that offers bachelors, masters and doctorates in urban forestry.

The program was established in 1992 with the aid of a five-year grant from the USDA Forest Service.

According to the SUBR website, “Urban Forestry

program is one of the first degree-granting programs in the urban forestry in the United States.”

The Faculty Annual Accomplishment report of 2008-09 stated, Qi maintains the urban forestry microscope lab, ecology lab and the urban tree farm. These labs have hosted numerous laboratory activities and are fully utilized by the faculty, staff and students in the urban forestry program for teaching, research and extension.

Urban forestry is one of the degree granting programs a part of the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

“We need to be supported by the university,” said Qi.

Urban Forestry would be considered for merger

or consolidation if it fit the criteria in the plan: low student enrollment, low number of program majors, low number of graduates, low production of student credit hours, limited ability to attract external funds, limited capacity to meet workforce needs of state and limited possibilities for future growth.

The urban forestry program recently graduated five students that received doctoral degrees according to Qi.

Urban Forestry is one of five programs originally designated for enhancement in the plan presented in December.

The major goal of the plan is to raise the level of efficiency, effectiveness and accountability through restructuring and reorganizing.

The College of Education program at Southern Univer-sity of Baton Rouge was one of the chosen few programs that was chosen to be put into the Retrenchment and Reorganization Plan for enhancement at the SUBR campus.

In the Retrenchment and Reorganization Plan, the college of education was chosen because of the following factors: low student enrollment, low number of program majors, low number of graduates, low production of student credit hours, limited ability to attract external funds, limited capacity to meet workforce needs of state and limited possibilities for future growth.

The Retrenchment and Reorganization Plan was implemented due to the struggles with persistent and ongoing budget challenges that have been the main result of the continued state mandated budget reductions, unfunded state mandates and the declining number in enrollment according to the information in the Southern University and A&M College Retrenchment and Reorganization Plan.

According to the plan, immediately after the declar-ation of financial exigency, which was Oct. 28 of last year, the university began a process for the development of a retrenchment plan that would involve restructuring/reorganizing the entire univer-sity to move it to a new level of efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.

With the department of education being a part of the enhancements of the

Retrenchment and Reorgani-zation of SU, recruiting new students has taken a new height.

Roy Jacobs, chair of the department of educational leadership in the education program, said that his depart-ment attends many meetings at various schools, which is for faculty development days, hold sessions at SU, contact school systems inquiring to set up recruitments for the entire parish and go back and create contact with students who were once a part of the program.

“We always expect more students,” said Jacobs.

According to Jacobs, the department of educational leadership currently has approximately 30-40 students enrolled in the program.

Originally, the department of educational leadership was

known as the administration and supervision and was a part of the behavioral studies program but since the department wanted to be accredited, the Board of Regents asked that the program be reformed according to Jacobs.

Jacobs also stated that the primary purpose of the department of educational leadership is to help students prepare that are in education and has a determination to be education leaders in K-12.

“We offer the program in the curriculum so that those people can become principals and at the same time acquire certification,” said Jacobs.

In the college of education’s mission statement, it states, “The College of Education develops professionals who think critically and use best practices in diverse educational

and clinical environments.”According to the statements

made by Donnie Byrd, graduate student enrolled in the department of behavioral studies, from Monroe, La., the department has reached the goals mentioned in its mission statement.

“The main goal is that we learn our material,” said Byrd. “They teach us flexibility, we learn many theories and they tell us we shouldn’t just stick to one.”

According to Byrd the program is very good and intense more than any other university.

Byrd also stated that their department encourages them to visit different events with different culture events.

“We are encouraged not only to learn in the classroom, but outside the classroom also,” said Byrd.

nursing schOOL from page 1

newsThursday, March 15, 2012 - Page 3

southerndigest.com

The senTineL Of an enLighTened sTudenT BOdy since 1926

Christie CarralThe Southern Digest

The graduate students within the Department of Education are getting prepared for their presentations in behavioral studies.

photo By keldRIc nash/dIgest

research, and doing innovative things to improve the quality of health care,” Taylor said.

They aim to improve patient care access and delivery while reducing the cost of health care.

The nursing program has a lot of diversity attracting students from places across the country.

“People come to Southern University School of Nursing not just from Louisiana, but from all over,” Taylor said. “A lot of our students are from Louisiana but some of our students come from all across the country.”

Taylor addressed the need for healthy nurses due to the responsibilities of the profession of nursing.

“Part of our responsibility as nurses is to take care of ourselves. We have to take care of our physical and mental health. Taking care of others all the time while not taking care of ourselves is not healthy, we strive to promote health and that starts with us,” Taylor said.

finance area there is a finance room markets trading lab, an accounting lab, and a lab for management and marketing.

“We have a lot to offer a student who wants a career in business,” stated Andrews.

With the college of business moving in a positive direction, it also consists of a small business development center, in which helps small businesses to start or expand their business.

Andrews said “In order to be accredited our faculty have to be active in terms of research as well as teaching.”

College of Business partici-pates in a business plan com-petition program each year called the Opportunity Funding Corporation (OFC) which is held in Atlanta. Marketing students also work with the Tabasco Company, serving as consultants in terms of developing marketing strategies for Tabasco.

In preparing students for their careers the College of Business has a wide variety of interns available for its students to choose from.

“Most of the hiring today is done from internships, it’s very seldom that a corporation comes in and looks at a student and hires them on the spot,” said Andrews.

Normally there is a pro-gression that you go to a series of interviews, then if you are selected to participate in an internship program or co-op program, they want to see more less what your work skills are like, what your behavioral person skills are like, and how do you conduct your financial options, so once they understand you from a whole person point of view that’s when they normally make the hiring decision Andrews explained.

cOLL. Of Business from page 1

Education navigates uncharted waters

Urban Forestry seeks more university supportChristie Carral

The Southern Digest

Although Criminal Justice has a high enrollment the Board of Supervisors listed the department as one in need of enhancement in the Retrenchment plan. Students in this particular program can expect to see some help soon.

Administration, faculty, and students had different views as well as different understandings of how the term enhancements apply to their department.

“Well, I think it’s a good idea because we have so few teachers and sometimes some people can not take classes,” said Darrius Davis, a senior criminal justice major from Lafayette, La.

He also spoke about how he recently could not get into a certain class because the teacher could not teach the class be of other schedule conflicts.

Other students compared the program to other in terms of why it needed to be enhanced.

“I think our program being labeled as an ‘enhancement’ program would be correct in that many of the newer courses are geared toward giving a clear picture of the current status of the criminal justice system here in Baton Rouge and United States wide” said Meiko Robinson, senior criminal justice major from Atlanta.

He continued stating how the professors he had were real actors in the system who just happened to teach.

This announcement was brought with

reactions on each side of the spectrum. “We appreciate the university and

board recognizes the criminal justice program they could enhance, and I am also happy our program has been contributing to the goals as well as mission of the university,” said chair of criminal justice Allison Anadi.

He also mentioned how the enrollment has been continuously high in undergrad and graduate programs with numbers over 500 students.

While the term enhancement can be defined differently, faculty and staff both had a few positive sentiments.

“Well, not really mixed feelings, expected during this financial crisis we will have a chance to identify certain programs and right now that program one our dynamic fast growing programs” said Dean of the Nelson Mandela School William Arp III. Lastly, he mentioned how it services a lot of students as well as having a strong masters program

attached to it and how it soon will be launching an online program to service students nationwide.

The criminal justice program while tagged as a program for enhancement students and faculty did speak about how it stands out.

“We fill the role in the Southern University system by having a quality program that compares with others in Louisiana,” said Anadi.

Anadi also mentioned how they are the only programs with a concentration in criminal investigation presently.

Students and faculty shared beliefs on improvements that would make the program stronger.

Davis vehemently spoke about the lack of known information by staff.

“I have questions about a class I must go to this person, and then get sent to another person which feels similar to the financial aid process,” said Davis.

The echoes of more full time faculty were common words throughout the interviews.

“In terms of need I would like us to hire more faculty. Over 500 students and only five full time professors which is a one to one hundred ratio” said Anadi.

He then spoke on how they should be responding to the needs of students and current competitors by developing more online courses and an online executive masters’ criminal justice administration degree in which a proposal has already been submitted.

The Southern University Board of Supervisors tagged the engineering department as a premier program in the retrenchment plan. As one of the flagship departments of Southern University this department will has won many grants, scholarships, and internships.

Students of the engineering program spoke positively of their program, which reflected the premier program label.

New Orleans Junior Electrical Engineering major Mannie Canto said, “The engineering program here have a lot of people that go to a lot of bigger companies.” Canto later mentioned that he attended LSU and how he likes it better here because the teachers are able to better interact with students on a smaller scale.

Other students spoke highly of the engineering department’s premier program selection.

Baton Rouge Senior Mechan-ical Engineering major Derrick Flowers said, “I feel like I’m apart of greatness and a privilege to be of an HBCU with a great Engineering department. “

Dean of Engineering, Habb

P. Mohamadian, discussed his beliefs of why the engineering department is a premier program.

“Engineering is one of the fields that meets our national needs, so engineering programs that we are offering are very much in demand,” said Mohamadian.

Students and administration believe the program stands out from the other programs at Southern University because of faculty and their camaraderie.

“The teachers know a lot of the material, have real world experience, and able to relate it to us a lot better,” said Canto.

“I think everyone here bonds as a family and works as a family, and the environment is real laid back,” said Flowers.

Mohamadaian believes the national needs helps the department be one of the more successful departments.

“ It really is a national need, the clientele we serve are really low to the population of African Americans is twelve percent, and high level of under-representation” said Mohamadaian.

While students, and adminis-tration agreed on most of the good aspects there ideas on improvement differed.

“The Computer labs staying up to date, its kind of hard to keep all the technology that you need” said Canto.

Other students’ improvement ideas reflected these problems as well.

Mohamadian however had different views on what improve-ments are needed for the engineering department.

“Improve is always needed, but our main areas is recruitment and retention” said Mohamadian. He also stated how they also focus on doing more than just teaching by mentoring their students as well.

While discussing the improve-ment areas Mohamadian also brought up how the computer science department is going to be combined with the engineering department.

“Computer Engineering not offered yet, but will be soon be offered because of it being in high demand,” said Mohamadian.

Past grants and donations by IBM, and other computer companies display the students’ hard work in engineering.

“High number of students get hired by fortune 500 companies and industrial partners while many attend graduate school,” said Mohamadian.

The students whom were interviewed earlier mentioned how the faculty was a great, and Dean Mohamadian agreed with the same sentiments.

“Faculty takes ownership of not only teaching, but mentoring as well as spending extra time with students,” said Mohamadian.

As a premier program the students are proud of their college and plan on continuing their hard work.

“I think our program speaks for itself, mainly we may be along

with the nursing majors as the most bonded group of students,” said Flowers.

Mohamadian concluded with the positives of the engineering program.

“Engineering is a field in demand, any who has an interest can succeed because it is a matter of will,” said Mohamadian.

Students interested in the engineering program can visit P.B.S. Pinchback Hall for a full view of the building, and students at work.

Senior criminal justice major Cameron Booker turns in his paperwork for Fall 2012 graduation. Computer science, rehabilitation counseling, urban forestry, criminal justice and education have all beem listed as programs to be enhanced within Southern University’s retrenchtment plan.

FIle photo By tRevoR james/dIgest

A student relaxes in the lobby of the PBS Pinchback Hall. photo By keldRIc nash/dIgest

Page 4 - Thursday, March 15, 2012

sTaTe Of su PrOgraMsThe senTineL Of an enLighTened sTudenT BOdy since 1926

southerndigest.com

Charles hawkins iiThe Southern Digest

Southern Engineering lauded for its success

Criminal Justice looks to offer students more Charles hawkins ii

The Southern Digest

The Southern Board of Supervisor Athletics Committee will hold a 3:30 p.m. meeting today to possibly name former Centenary College athletic director William Broussard, a Northwestern State University graduate, who has strong experience in fund raising which is a big need for the athletic department, but the search process for the new Athletic Director was not a smooth one.

The process started in April 2011 when former AD Greg LaFleur was arrested for allegedly soliciting prostitution in downtown Houston, and fi red weeks after the arrest. LaFleur was subsequently exonerated and is currently suing the university for breach of contract.

LaFleur has been AD at Southern for six years, replacing Floyd Kerr in 2005.

With LaFleur’s fi ring, someone had to hold that position. Former Chancellor Kofi Lomotey recommended head women’s basketball coach and current Interim Athletic Director Sandy Pugh hold that position in May 2011.

Pugh, whose team has won four regular season Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships, been to four NCAA tournaments and made two Women’s National Invitational Tournament appear-ances, was praised by Lomotey when he appointed her to the position.

Pugh had to take over an athletic department that has suffered the loss of two sports since 2009, women’s golf and men’s tennis.

During that time Southern’s football program also had an APR of 847, below the NCAA requirement of 925 which can result

in penalty to the department. Pugh’s basketball team took a fall last

season, fi nishing third in the SWAC with an even 13-13 record.

“To fi nish a season at .500 some coaches are happy with that, we’re not,” said Pugh in an interview addressing this past season.

Since then, some changes were made though the athletic department. Former men’s basketball head coach Rob Spivery was fi red last March and was replaced by fi rst-year head coach Roman Banks. Banks led the men’s team to a second-place fi nish in the SWAC and a 17-14 record this season.

The creation of the new athletics website promoting SU athletics and the resurfacing of the tennis court are all improvements that were needed.

The search for a new athletic director came down to three people in November, but the search committee could not come to an agreement on approving anyone.

Candidates for the position at the time were former AD Floyd Kerr, Paula Jackson and John Robinson.

Jackson was a 1986 Southern graduate, and serves as assistant director of athletics for compliance at Alabama State. One of Robinson’s key accomplishments that put him up for the position included instituting a comprehensive student assistance program, which contributed to a 115 percent increase in graduation rates.

“We are looking for someone that understands NCAA rules and compliance and gender equity also understands the critical importance of academic performance of our athletes, and will have a strong motto in the process of increasing our academic performance rate,” said current Chancellor James Llorens.

Nearly one year after the arrest of former Athletic Director Greg LaFleur and a focused search for a full-time replacement, the Southern University Board of Supervisors Athletic Committee today seek to appoint an athletics director for Southern University at Baton Rouge.

Former Centenary College AD William Broussard is up for the appointment on the agenda of the Athletic Committee meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room at the J.S. Clark Administration Building.

“He brings a strong academic record and solid record of fundraising. He is young and energetic. He is committed to athletics and academics,” SUBR Chancellor James Llorens said.

Former candidates in the search included former Southern AD Floyd Kerr, Paula Jackson, assistant director of athletics for compliance at Alabama State and John Robinson, executive director of student enhancement services at Texas Southern.

“The board will be looking at Broussard’s academic qualifi cations and his potential in the position, “ Llorens said.

The athletic committee must recommend Broussard’s appointment and review his resume and letter of intent for the athletic director position.

“I am expecting a strong fundraising effort, for him to be proactive in raising funds. A strong emphasis on academics to work towards improving APR and for a structural analysis to increase our academic structure for our student athletes,” Llorens said.

SU Student Government Association President and BOS student member Demetrius Sumner is the vice-chairman of the committee that will deliberate the appointment.

“He seems like he’s young and experienced and competent for the leadership in the athletic department. I think he is exactly what we at Southern University athletics at this time,” Sumner said.

Llorens submitted a letter to SU System President Ronald Mason concerning his recommendation of Broussard as a candidate.

“During this process I focused on identifying a candidate

that, through experience and training, would come to Southern University prepared to address critical areas of student-athlete academic support, external fundraising and NCAA compliance,” Llorens said, in his recommendation to Mason.

Broussard’s letter of intent presented to the board, reiterated the concerns of Llorens in his pursuit for the position.

According to Broussard’s letter, “critical times seek capable leadership in order to convert crises into opportunities, and I am determined to do so at your prestigious institution.”

In the letter Broussard described his tenure at Centenary and Northwestern State University — his alma mater — and his experiences cutting budgets and his involvement in NCAA processes.

“During my tenure at NSU, my staff and I focused on creating a culture of not only asking for support, but demonstrating the need, value, and pride donors can feel in giving through a comprehensive public relations campaign,” Broussard said in his letter of intent.

Broussard included his

contributions to prepare and manage “deliverables” with proposals for corporate, foundation and government grants.

“I will bring these abilities to bear for Southern University Athletics, ensuring that private, corporate,

and community supporters have opportunities to interact with and show support,” Broussard cited in his letter of intent.

Broussard declined to comment until after the decision by the board is made.

The Southern Board of Supervisors’ athletics committee is scheduled to interview former Centenary College athletic director William Broussard today. If vetted by the athletics committe, the full board will decide on hiring him during its March 30 meeting in Shreveport.

image cOurTesy Of cenTenary cOllege

thursday, MarCh 15, 2012 - Page 5the sentinel Of an enlightened student BOdy sinCe 1926

sPOrtssoutherndigest.com

evan TaylorThe Southern Digest

arisTide PhilliPsThe Southern Digest

New AD candidate emerges

Finding new AD not easy

AUSTIN, Texas — Members of the ascendant rock band Alabama Shakes can tell you all about buzz in the 21st century.

They first read about themselves on the Internet about nine months ago. They began playing in packed houses for enthusiastic fans after putting out a hastily released EP just six months ago. And this week the Athens, Ala., foursome will reach the pinnacle of their exposure — so far — with a jam-packed schedule over five days at the South By Southwest Music Conference and Festival.

With thousands of reporters, bloggers, fans and members of the music industry jostling to see them and with the immediate “thumbs up, thumbs down” nature of the Internet culture, they’ll be judged and judged often, and they haven’t even released their first official album yet (that comes next month).

Still, drummer Steve Johnson thinks the band is ready for their moment in the spotlight.

“I think we play well under pressure,” Johnson said. “Sometimes, if we feel a little pressure, the heat is on, and sometimes it pushes us to play in ways we haven’t before, maybe a little bit tighter or something. So I don’t mind that

pressure.”Justin Gage, a blogger for

the music website Aquarium Drunkard, which is hosting a showcase this year featuring the band, says the Shakes are the sort of band the conference has touted since its start.

“South By Southwest is kind of the ultimate public showcase/coming-out party for a band, especially a band like Alabama Shakes, which has had so much attention over the last six months,” said Gage, a 15-year attendee. “Anyone that has anything to do with the music industry as it is, they’re pretty much going to be at South By Southwest. It’s a prime opportunity for a band like them that are already superbuzzed about. This is a great time for all these people who have been hearing about the buzz for the past year to see it in the flesh.”

They’re not the only act tagged with the “one to watch” label. Austin bluesman Gary Clark Jr., British soul singer Michael Kiwanuka, Brooklyn punk rockers The Men and Philadelphia psych rockers The War on Drugs are all generating attention.

But even buzzworthy acts are having a harder time standing out with more and more chart-toppers and musical icons descending on what used to be primarily a venue for emerging acts.

LOS ANGELES — More Hollywood heavyweights are joining the call for a lower rating on the teen-focused documentary “Bully.”

The Weinstein Co, which is releasing the film March 30, said Tuesday that Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees have signed on to support the film.

Lee Hirsch’s documentary on bullying in American schools has been rated R, which restricts children under 17 from seeing it without an adult. The Motion Picture Association of America, which oversees movie ratings, cited language as the reason for the R rating.

Distributors appealed the decision, but it was upheld by the MPAA.

That prompted a Michigan teenager who was bullied in middle school to start an online petition calling for a lower rating for the film so more young people can see it. She met with MPAA officials last week and delivered the

200,000 signatures she collected, but the group declined to change the rating.

Katy Butler, a 17-year-old high school junior from Ann Arbor, now has nearly 300,000 signatures on her petition on Change.org. Among them is that of New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who tweeted Monday that she supports the teen’s effort to lower the film’s R rating to PG-13. Gerry Lopez, chief of AMC Theaters, also added his name to the petition, the Weinstein Co. said.

MPAA spokesman Howard Gantman did not address the possibility of a PG-13 for “Bully” in his response Tuesday to the growing call for a revision of its rating.

“We respect the viewpoints of members of Congress and the public and Hollywood celebrities who care deeply about an issue that is troubling our nation,” he said in an email. “The MPAA shares the goal of shining a light on the problems caused by bullying, and we hope that this new film and the national discussion about it among educators, parents and students will help lead to ways to better ensure that kids feel safe and protected when they come to school.”———

Online:Bully: http://thebullyproject.com/MPAA: http://mpaa.org/

Everybody has, at least one time in their life, dreamed about being involved in a big, fun and epic party. Todd Phillips, the producer who directed “The Hangover”, brings forth moviegoers a new comedy entitled, “Project X.”

In this movie, it depicts every teenager’s fantasy of being involved in an epic, wild house party. It follows three high school seniors Thomas, Costa, and JB, whom are all anonymous at their high school. They made a plan to throw an infamous epic house party for Thomas’ birthday, in order to make a name for themselves.

The plan was to simply invite a small crowd of people and have a cameraman film and document their moment in history. But they weren’t ready for the amounts of

damage they was about do their neighborhood, as word got back around quickly about the party and all hell broke loose for those guys.

Project X just happens to be one of those movies where it has that type of “shock value” that makes moviegoers go “what the hell.” There was never a moment where the moviegoer doesn’t go “what the hell.”

Each scene throughout the movie was outrageous; from Thomas fathers’ Mercedes ending up in the pool, an angry midget ending up in the oven, the house plus some parts of the entire neighborhood getting flamed up by a pyro-maniac with a flame thrower, and the party ending up on Jimmy Kimmel’s live TV show.

One of the things that I notice about the movie was that there was an entire casts of new faces such as Thomas Mann, Oliver Copper, Jonathan Brown, Dax Flame, Kirby Blanton, etc. The

other interesting thing is the actors have kept their first names for the characters in the movie. That’s something that’s never really seen in too many movies.

Probably one of the only negatives that can be seen in Project X is that the whole movie theme is dedicated mostly to the

younger crowd of high school and college students. Some adults might either turn they nose on this movie or they won’t understand the concept of how the movie goes.

Overall, Project X is definitely a comedy that is worth every dollar of your

pocket. It is guaranteed to keep you laughing all throughout as well as keep you up on your toes and anxious about the next antic that occur. It look like it’s going to be one of those movies where you can watch it 10 years later & still get a lot of laughter from it.

James TeagueThe Southern Digest

CulturePage 6 - thursday, MarCh 15, 2012 the sentinel Of an enlightened student BOdy sinCe 1926

southerndigest.com

sandy CohenThe Associated Press

In this film image released by Warner Bros., from left, Oliver Cooper, Thomas Mann, and Jonathan Daniel Brown are shown in a scene from “Project X.”

PHOTO By BeTH duBBer/warner BrOs./aP PHOTO

Katy Butler, 17, a high school student, from Ann Arbor, Mich., poses by the petitions she delivered to the Motion Picture Association of Americain Los Angeles. Butler is urging the MPAA to change the “R” rating to a “PG” for the “Bully” film. With her petition, Butler said that she was speaking out for all students who suffer every day from bullying.

PHOTO By damian dOvarganes/aP PHOTO

‘Project X’ high in shock, laughs

Depp, Streep join call to lower ‘Bully’ rating

Buzz bands seek to cut through SXSW chaos

Chris TalboTTThe Associated Press

Social problems are issues that require social attention and action to solve. Some social problems are considered major while other slide in under the radar.

According to The Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology, “For a problem to be social it must involve social systems and people’s participation in them in some way. This would include problems that are caused by underlying social conditions or that produce consequences that affect social systems.”

Everyone watches when a politician steals money, declarations of bankruptcy, public figures’ arrested or public judgment of society’s progress.

But, who is watching as the unemployed become underemployed?

Who is paying attention while women are not given equal compensation as men?

Who is following children being labeled as sex offenders and forced to publicly register for 25 years to life?

Who is writing their congressmen/women about the issues of equal opportunity employment, gender inequality and urban/social development?

Who is concerned about social problems that face the people we call Americans and American Society as a whole?

Society is made up of individuals just as kidneys function because of nephrons.

Going back to biology, nephrons are the building blocks of kidneys. They process anything and everything that goes through the kidneys.

Any decision made by a politician from a corner office or desk in session affects individuals. Individuals make up family units, the nephrons of society.

Every social problem affects individuals and their family units.

The biggest social problem in the country is debated day-by-day and controversial. In my opinion the biggest social problem is the destruction of the

functioning units of society, families.When we make a parent choose

between getting married and qualifying for public assistance.

We are destroying the family unit.When we make a mother choose

between her medication and feeding her child.

We are destroying the family unit.When we force a parent to choose

whether or not they can send their child off to college or make them work to support the home.

We are destroying the family unit.And when we make a child choose

between education and keeping food on the table.

We are destroying the family unit.We have taken human out of human

services, humans serving other humans out of gratitude not obligation.

What is happening in pop culture, politicians’ everyday lives and random thoughts trend on Google and Twitter before we consider human issues.

As we turn on the television, there are more “reality” shows than programs discussing reality.

We have been distracted by entertainment and historical separations from the one thing that connects us all humanity.

Just like the kidney cannot operate without the nephrons, America cannot operate without individual and family unit contributions.

The monetary contributions of individuals make up our economy.

The contributions of labor, skill and time make up our infrastructure.

The contributions of education and service make up our future and protection.

Without recognizing the contributions of individuals and family units this country would cease to exist in its current and future position.

No matter what side you are on when it comes to change, hope or reform. Whether you want to alter, modify, revise, transform, convert or revamp consider the building blocks of this country when you do so.

Government exists to govern the people not to hurt, deprive, take advantage, profit off of, capitalize, or conquer the people.

It serves them and enables them to be better as a whole for the common good.

We have lost sight of that.I value the dollar just as much as the

next person. No one wants to throw their hard earned money in a garbage disposal or shredder.

But, it’s time to aid our family units and not destroy them for the sake of our country.

This is not about us. It’s about our future. It’s about our abilities. It’s about our possibilities.

This is not about party affiliations.It’s about innovation. It’s about our children.It’s about leaving less problems for

the next generation.This is not about interest groups or

corporations. It’s about the common good.It’s about America prospering with

the world. It’s about recognizing and addressing

humanity.We need to be solving America’s and

the world’s problems and not bickering back and forth about whom gets credit for the decisions and actions.

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-mailed 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.

PUBLICATION ASSOCIATIONSThe Southern DIGEST is a member of the Black College Communications Association (BCCA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), University - Wire Network (U-Wire), Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), College Media Advisers Association (CMA), Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Full member of the Associated Press (AP) and the Louisiana Press Association (LPA).

ADVERTISER MEMBERSHIPSThe Southern DIGEST subscribes to the American Passage, Alloy M+M, 360 Youth, Zim2Papers, All Campus Media, Ruxton Group and College Publishers On-Line services.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITYSUITE 1064 T.H. HARRIS HALL

POST OFFICE BOX 10180BATON ROUGE, LA 70813

PHONE: 225.771.2231FAX: 225.771.5840

ONLINE @ www.southerndigest.com

STUDENT MEDIA OFFICEDirector ...................................................... TBAPublications Asst..................Fredrick BatisteBusiness Manager .............Camelia Jackson

CONTACTS (area code 225)Student Media Newsroom............771.2231Advertising Office ......................... 771.5833Student Media Services ................771.5812

SPRING 2012 STAFFEditor-in-Chief ............................. Evan TaylorManaging Editor ...................................... TBACopy Editor ..................Norman J. Doston Jr.Photo Editor .............................. Trevor JamesStaff Writer .............................. Christie CarralStaff Writer ...............................Tyrone CarterStaff Writer ..............................Marcus GreenStaff Writer ........................... Lauren JohnsonStaff Writer ................................. Raees MalikStaff Writer ........................... Aristide PhillipsStaff Writer ................................ Jessica SarpyStaff Writer .......................... Samantha SmithStaff Writer .............................. James TeagueStaff Writer ......................... Billy WashingtonStaff Photographer ...................Arielle BurksStaff Photographer ......................Talor KinzyStaff Photographer ...................Keldric NashStaff Photographer ..................Ariana Triggs

The Office of Student Media is a division of the Office of

Student Affairs.

thursday, MarCh 15, 2012 - Page 7

COMMentarythe sentinel Of an enlightened student BOdy sinCe 1926

southerndigest.com

Billy WashingtOn

evan taylOr

Addressing, recognizing humanity

HB 927: And the fight continuesAnd the fight continues...The Southern University System is

faced again with legislators trying to eliminate the only HBCU System in the nation by merging the institution with the University of Louisiana System.

House Bill 927, authored by House Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Napoleonville, of District 51, has a proposed law that will add “Southern University, Southern University at New Orleans, and Southern University at Shreveport to the University of Louisiana System” and “remove them from the Southern University System.”

What does this mean to the SU community?

Before we write letters and protest at the Capitol, we must analyze this situation thoroughly. It’s obvious we take pride in OUR institution, hence we generally say, “Once a Jaguar, always a Jaguar” or “I’m proud to be part of the Jaguar Nation.” But we must also understand the Board of Supervisors for SUS has its fair share of problems.

If this bill passes, the SUS becomes a part of the University of Louisiana System (ULS) — currently consisting

of Grambling State, Louisiana Tech, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe and the University of New Orleans — and their board of supervisors will govern SU.

This is where the problem comes in. The ULS Board of Supervisors is not equally diverse and not representative of the state’s population; therefore, the overall mission of SU serving the underprivileged as a HBCU will eventually become tainted.

The ULS Board of Supervisors has

two “so-called” minorities representing, one male (David Guidry) and one female (Renee Lapeyrolerie).

How can two persons of color help uphold the mission of educating the underprivileged if 14 of the 16 members of the board are white?

I don’t think that is fair. In my view, I would like to see the

Southern University System Board of Supervisors continue to operate with full autonomy, especially when it comes to serving the underprivileged.

In other words, I would settle with dealing with SU Board member Tony Clayton’s arrogance displayed amongst an all black board rather than operate under a board that doesn’t fully understand the African-American experience in America.

I, a proud student of SU, will continue to love the SUS Board of Supervisors, no matter what differences I may have against some of their policies and procedures.

I just hope they continue the overall mission and that is to educate and serve those who are positioned at the bottom of society’s totem pole.

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s fast-track push for his education overhaul bills is ill-advised and wrong, giving even supporters of the proposals too little time to review the details, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu said Wednesday, creating a new divide between the state’s top two political figures.

“If this is such a great reform package, it should be able to stand the test of review. This is a democracy. This isn’t a dictatorship,” Landrieu said in an interview.

Jindal-backed bills to create a statewide voucher program that uses tax dollars for private school tuition and to revamp teacher pay and job protections were up for debate in the House

Education Committee.Landrieu, a Democrat,

supports many of the Republican governor’s proposals and has praised his willingness to tackle such a tough subject in a state where one-third of students are performing below grade level.

But Landrieu said the debate is moving too quickly, before lawmakers and citizens have a chance to evaluate the specific details of the complex bills, which were filed March 2.

“The governor’s unwise, ill-advised push to ram this package through before the citizens of our state have a chance to really understand, it is wrong. There’s no other way to say it, and this effort needs to slow down,” the senator said.

Jindal said the ideas contained in the bills have

been debated and discussed for months, since the governor outlined his recommendations in a January speech. He said lawmakers will have several weeks to debate the proposals over the three-month regular

session that started this week.“There’s every opportunity

for people to offer their ideas, their reviews, their comments,” he said. “We just wanted to make sure there was plenty of time to deliberate these bills.”

Gov. Bobby Jindal assured members of a House panel that his plan to expand public funding of some students’ private school tuition is constitutional, as lawmakers opened hearings Wednesday on his proposals.

The Republican governor — in a rare appearance before a legislative committee — disagreed with Rep. John Bel Edwards, D-Amite, who asserted that the voucher program, which would provide state-funded tuition for children in low-performing public schools, violates the state constitution’s requirements for funding public school systems. And he said the legislation is critical to the future of the state.

“This is not about the next poll. This is not about the next election. This is about the next generation,” said Jindal.

The governor’s plan also makes it easier for private groups to run public charter schools while reducing teacher job security protections.

The political nature of the issue was evident before the hearing began, as hundreds of teachers and school employees crowded into the Capitol, many wearing red in a show of solidarity against Jindal’s proposals. And it was evident as the hearing opened when Rep. Nancy Landry, R-Lafayette, moved to require that witnesses

be asked whether they were taking sick leave to attend the hearing.

Some school systems in the state announced that schools would be closed Wednesday or Thursday, when a Senate committee takes up companion legislation, because of expected teacher absences. While some teachers made it clear they were taking personal leave days, Landry wondered if some were abusing sick time.

Rep. Patricia Smith, D-Baton Rouge, was among committee members who opposed Landry’s motion, labeling it as a punitive and unnecessary. Landry’s motion was approved 10-8, but it was unclear whether anyone who refused to answer would be denied a chance to testify.

The hearing was expected to last for several hours and it was unclear how soon votes would come.

The major piece of legislation being debated Wednesday morning was the complex measure combining the expansion

of the voucher program, already operating on a limited basis in New Orleans, with the charter school expansion.

Jindal’s overall plan has a broad array of support. Administration figures and political allies who lined up to testify for it included state Superintendent of Education John White, Economic Develop-ment Secretary Stephen Moret and members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, whom Jindal cam-paigned for last fall.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry backed the package, as did the nonpartisan Council for a Better Louisiana and parents of students representing the Black Alliance for Educational Options.

Criticism came from two other nonpartisan watchdog groups. The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana and the New Orleans-based Bureau of Governmental Research both said the proposal needs to beef up accountability standards for

any private school taking the vouchers.

And U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, a Democrat, who supports many of the governor’s proposals, said in an interview Wednesday that the debate is moving too quickly, before lawmakers and citizens have a chance to review the proposals.

Landrieu said, “If this is such a great reform package, it should be able to stand the test of review. This is a democracy. This isn’t a dictatorship.”

Teacher unions and various school administrators at the local level around the state have been among the plan’s most persistent critics. They accuse Jindal of unfairly blaming teachers for education ills and question whether the changes will be effective or will simply strip dollars from public education in favor of private schools.———

Online:House Bills 974 and 976 can be

found at www.legis.state.la.us

the sentinel Of an enlightened student BOdy sinCe 1926Page 8 - thursday, MarCh 15, 2012

melinda deslaTTeThe Associated Press

Stafford Palmieri, Policy Director for the Governor’s Office, left, listens as State Education Superintendent John White goes over specifics concerning the school reform package being taken up in the House Education Committee Wednesday. Gov. Bobby Jindal assured members of the panel that his plan to expand public funding of some students’ private school tuition is constitutional, as lawmakers opened hearings on his proposals.

PHOTO By Bill feig/THe advOcaTe/aP PHOTO

Kevin mCgillThe Associated Press

Teacher Cindy Cart from Jefferson Davis Parish displays her feelings in the crowd protesting on the State Capitol Building steps the school reform package being taken up in the House Education Committee Wednesday in Baton Rouge.

PHOTO By Bill feig/THe advOcaTe/aP PHOTO

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s plan to let more students go to private schools at government expense needs work to make sure taxpayers don’t end up funding private schools that are worse than the state’s low-performing public institutions, a government watchdog group said Wednesday.

“A student could move from an average school to a failing school,” Janet Howard, president of the New Orleans-based Bureau of Governmental Research, testified during a day-long hearing of the House Education Committee.

Hers was one of three groups looking for changes in the Republican governor’s voucher proposal. Also joining in were the Council for a Better Louisiana, which has been supportive of much of the governor’s education agenda; and The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana.

That group issued report that says the governor’s bill appears to allow private schools to promote students regardless of their performance. That compares to public schools where students in certain grades must pass standardized tests for promotion.

Lawmakers approved a limited voucher program allowing low-to-moderate income students in New Orleans’ failing schools to get taxpayer-funded private school tuition during Jindal’s first term, but they refused to expand it beyond the city.

Now, Jindal is back with a much more ambitious agenda. It comes after an easy re-election last fall when Jindal devoted time and campaign money to help elect lawmakers and state school board members who would support his far-reaching education overhaul proposals.

Those proposals include expanding the voucher program statewide, greater use of “charter” public schools run by private organizations, and changes to public school teacher job security that would weaken tenure and seniority.

Teacher unions strongly opposed the measures. Red-clad teachers and school employees unhappy with the proposed legislation flooded the Capitol early Wednesday, many complaining that they were denied access to the main committee hearing and forced to wait outdoors if they couldn’t get into several other rooms where the hearing could be seen on television. That prompted a complaint from Rep. Patricia Smith, D-Baton Rouge, that opponents of the Jindal plan were being “herded like cattle.”

Tenure, voucher debate begins

Watchdogs call for tweaks

Kevin mCgillThe Associated Press

Landrieu: Jindal going too fast on education bills