In what the university is calling a ‘change in the class model’ due to ‘dwindling resources’, may be a hinderance to students and faculty with the anticipation of a interpersonal professor relationship.

Class sizes have increased significantly this semester due to the attrition of faculty and limited university resources.

Ella Kelley, Associate vice chancellor of academic affairs said, “What’s happening at Southern is we are moving to larger sized classes. In some institutions a class of 75-100 students is considered small. The university is moving toward that model of larger classes at the general education level.”

Southern University has traditionally had class sizes of 30-45 students maximum, with the exception of general biology courses.

By combining general education classes Academic Affairs is hoping to better utilize dwindling resourses.

With two classes this semester with an enrollment of 120-150 per class, John

Hainly, professor of English has had negative experiences with large classes.

“I’ve done it before, then resigned. About 10 years ago, I taught a class of about 120. I need a more suitable classroom, and technical support,” Hainly said.

Hainly explained how larger classes can sometimes be undesirable to a professor.

“From the standpoint of education, there is no benefit to larger classes. All research has pointed to smaller classes for better education. Smaller classes can offer better interaction, personalized feedback and academic direction,” Hainly said.

Hainly said the university standards and quality assurance is based on the smaller faculty to student ratio, proving a better academic performance.

“All Universities are academically evaluated by how small their classes are, how small the student to faculty ratio is. Academics are about a quality education, not the quantity of degree production. We are not running a factory stamping out plastic cups. We are a state run academic institute of higher learning,” Hainly said.

Kelley said that the cause for the change in the model was ‘dwindling resources’ with the assumption that larger classes could be just as effective.

“Dwindling resources is the primary reason. We felt that we could be just as effective with larger sized classes given the resources that we had. Its not that we’re just trying to dump everybody in one or two classes, but this is a model that is used in a number of universities throughout the country,” Kelley said.

Kelley and Academic Affairs are confident in the procedure in which biology is successful at executing larger learning environments.

“We were confident in the fact that biology has been successful in doing that. Resources primarily equal money. We don’t have the funds to have perhaps 10 teachers in a given unit,” Kelley said.

Hainly discussed the hardships he faces teaching philosophy, where writing assignments and critical thinking with class discussion is most effective.

According to Southern University Police Lt. Floyd Williams, the investigation is on going concerning the vandalism of the ATMs in Smith-Brown Memorial Union entryway that occurred on February 10.

The perpetrators could face anywhere from six months to 20 years depending on the conviction and severity of the crime they are charged with.

Although Detective Zoe Collier is leading the investigation, Williams said that everyone in the department up to police chief Ronald Stevens are actively involved in solving the crime.

“Detective Zoe Collier is the lead investigator, she has contacted the ATM representatives and she’s working in collaboration with them,” Williams said.

He said the length of the investigation will be determined on how much information is gathered and the amount of cooperation from ATM investigators that are located outside of Louisiana.

SUPD is cooperating with the ATM investigators over the phone as the banks or vendors of the ATMs have their own investigators who work for them that handle issues dealing with their ATMs.

“Right now the SUPD is the only police entity working along with them,” Williams said.

Williams said that they are currently trying to gather footage from the ATM cameras in order to identify the potential suspects responsible for the damages caused.

“We do have footage of individuals and are still looking, so yes the investigation is ongoing,” Williams said.

SUPD has video of people leaving and entering the union and even people at the ATM and are using those images to identify the perpetrators.

As students can see by now, the ATMs in the union are seriously damaged, but according to Williams, that is all that seems to be the case as he said it seems nobody was able to actually get any money from them.

Williams said the removal of the Chase ATM was not at the hands of SUPD, but Chase, as they are concerned about their unit being in an unsecure location and are encouraging the university to make upgrades before they consider returning the unit.

Williams broke down the procedure for this type of crime, saying that once they receive an original complaint from the person who first called and after they tell police what they’ve seen, SUPD will proceed to the “crime scene” and survey the area to gather

further information like prints, blood, any tools used, etc. and then they backtrack.

“At this point, we’re doing a lot of viewing of all our cameras around the campus because we believe that the individuals had to have been on one of our cameras at some point and that’s time consuming,” Williams said.

He explained that the process is going to take some time, as there are over 500 cameras on campus.

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thE official studEnt nEwspapEr of southErn univErsity and a&m collEgE, baton rougE, louisiana

today friday saturday sunday

70/59 70/50 70/47 68/53

Thursday, February 21, 2013 Volume 60, Issue 5

Marcus GreenThe Southern Digest

Jessica sarpyThe Southern Digest

See large Classes page 3

See aTm CrIme page 3

www.southerndigest.com

campus briefspage 2

destroyed atms concern banks

oversized classes: a hinderance to learning

insidE

sporTs

CommenTary

Columns

news

baseball going to houston for urban invitational

softball update

track clinches titles & sustains injuries

men’s hoops lead by grace

hoops prep for home finales

let’s talk politics:increase taxes, isn’t that what the gop doesn’t like?

serious answers to your sextions:how to properly trim the bush

what can you do by yourself (completely by yourself)

did you know it’s black history month?

they don’t want music... they don’t know how to use it

phoTos oFThe weekstudents go out for jobs at career fair, m-9 support breast cancer awareness & more...

Students wait in line at the only working ATM on campus. Capital One’s ATM was the only one functioning last week after the machines were destroyed. Due to a button malfunction, there are currently no ATMs on campus for students’ use.

Evan Taylor/DIGEST

ATMs may not return

Class sizes create teaching issues

Community ServiCeExtra! Extra! Extra! Read all

about it! The office of S.O.L.D. is sponsoring a museum cleanup today from 1- 5pm at the African American museum located at 538 South Blvd. For more information about how you can get involved, stop by Room 133 in Smith-Brown Memorial Union or call 225.771.4480

naiSmith Student SeCtion of the yearThe contest continues with the

support of Jaguar Fans. Southern University Jaguars M-9 reaches the semi finals. You have until tomorrow to vote to set the Jaguars ahead in the top eight of the finals. To vote visit www.facebook.com/Ilovecollegehoops.

oPen miC niGhtATTENTION all poets, rappers,

singers, comedians, spoken word artists and others!!! The T.J. Jemison Baptist Student Center (located on Harding Blvd. across from Southern University tennis courts) will be hosting an “Open Mic Nite” for Southern University students. If you are interested in participating in this event, or know someone who would like to participate please email: mtillis3@gmail.com or call 225-774-8924 for more information.

SoCioloGy Club meetinGS

The Sociology Club will hold weekly meetings from 5-6 pm on Thursdays (twice a month) in Higgins room 218.

bookStore hourSThe Campus Bookstore is open

Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about specials and updates like the bookstore on Facebook at www.facebook.com/southernuniversitybookstore

new ServiCeS at John b. Cade

Want to try out a tablet? Check out a Kindle Fire from the library. Need a quiet place to study and use the computer? Individual and group

study rooms are available for 3 hour checkout. Faxing and printing services are now available in the 1st floor copy center. Need to do an job interview via skype, there’s a room for that. For more information in these new services visit the Ask Here desk at John B. Cade. All you have to do is show your valid SU ID.

SChool of nurSinG aCCePtinG

aPPliCationSThe School of Nursing applications

for Fall 2013 are now available online at http://www.subr.edu/assets/Colleges-SchoolOfNursing/p d f / A P P L I C A T I O N -SUSONSPRING2013.pdf The deadline to apply is March 1. Students who are interested in applying need to meet the following criteria; been admitted to Southern University Baton Rouge, cumulative GPA of 2.6 or above, submit writing proficiency, SAT and ACT scores and completed all courses listed in first three semesters of nursing curriculum with “C” or better.

talent SearCh for extravaGanza

Do you have a talent (singing, playing an instrument, poetry, spoken word or dancing)? Would you like to participate in “Extravaganza: By and About African Americans”? Audition Tuesday on February today from 11-12:15 in 229 T.H. Harris Hall or contact O. Plummer via e-mail olplummer@yahoo.com.

blaCk hiStory Quiz bowl

The SU Ag Center will host the 19th Annual Black History Quiz Bowl on today at 3:00 pm at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center Studio (Auditorium).

blaCk hiStory month eventS

SU English and music departments along with the SUBR/SUSLA partnership will be showing “Gifted Hands, the story of Dr. Ben Carson in the Lakefront Room of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union from today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Extravaganza: By and About African Americans will be February 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall Auditorium. For more information

contact O. Plummer at olplummer@yahoo.com. Hope to see you there.

kandi burriS to SPeak at Su

Southern University Office of Student Programs presents The Lyceum Series featuring award winning singer, producer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur Kandi Burris. The event will be in the Cotillion Ballroom of Smith-Brown Memorial Union at 6 p.m. February 22.

StoP the violenCe marCh

The Black History club of Southern University, The Criminal Justice Club, NAACP, and SGA is sponsoring the “Stop the Violence March” on February 26; starting at Smith-Brown Memorial Union; the march starts at 5 p.m. and students are encouraged to meet at the Union at 4:30 and wear comfortable clothing.

half PriCe fridaySWhile there is no class on Fridays,

Smith-Brown Memorial Union is open. Burger Klng, The Bowling Alley and Lacumba’s playpen are open. If that’s not enough to bring you out of your room Lacumba’s playpen and bowling are half price on Fridays.

attention ProSPeCtive SPrinG

2013 GraduateSIf you think you may graduate

this semester, Make sure you don’t miss grad prep days at the bookstore. You can order invitations, announcements, class rings, caps and gowns on March 26 and 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information contact the bookstore at 225.771.4330.

weSley foundationCome join us at The Wesley

Foundation at Southern University and A&M College for Sunday worship on 1st and 3rd Sundays at 5 p.m. Looking for a place to study the word? Join us for Bible Study Wednesdays at 6:30p.m. The Wesley Foundation is located at 748 Harding Blvd. Next to Villa Apartments and across Harding from the football practice field. For more information contact us at 225.778.0076.

page 2 - Thursday, February 21, 2013

Campus lIFeThe senTInel oF an enlIghTened sTudenT body sInCe 1926

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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.

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campus briefsTODAy

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.

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submit announcements to:the southern digEst - suite 1064 harris

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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 2013 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

who’s speaking out?

“Barack Obama, he is a motivation not only to the black youth but also anyone aspiring to reach the heights of success through hard work and determination.”

pedro fargasaccounting sophmore carolina, puerto rico

Who inspires you in black culture, politics, or in the black community?

“My parents most definitely inspire me. They make sure that i am well educated on my culture and give back to the community.”

april stewart nursing

freshmanfranklin, la.

“Obama cause he was the first black president. “

johnathan mattiremass communicationfreshmanzachary, la.

“Jennifer Hudson inspires me. After being eliminated on American Idol & the death of family members she still continued to go after her goals. She also showed that you can make it no matter the circumstance.”

charissa elisa nursing

freshmanontario, calif.

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he accepted more than $200,000 in bribes plus free trips and other gratuities in exchange for helping contractors secure millions of dollars in work for the city.

U.S. Magistrate Sally Shushan set Nagin’s bond at $100,000 during his arraignment on charges that include bribery, wire fraud and filing false tax returns. She also set a preliminary trial date of April 29.

The charges against Nagin are the product of a City Hall corruption investigation that already has resulted in guilty pleas by two former city officials and two businessmen and a prison sentence for a former city vendor.

His arraignment marked a rare public appearance for Nagin, who now lives in Frisco, Texas, and has kept a low-profile since he left office in 2010.

Nagin didn’t answer reporters’ questions as he entered and left the courthouse, trailed by a gaggle of television cameras and news photographers. He didn’t say much in court, either, except for responding to a series of routine yes-or-no questions from Shushan and uttering the words “not guilty” 21 times — once for each count he faces.

Nagin has to surrender his passport and needs permission from court officials to travel outside Louisiana and Texas while the case is pending.

Nagin was a political novice before he was first elected mayor in 2002, but Hurricane Katrina turned him into a national figure with a reputation for cringe-inducing rhetoric. His popularity steadily waned in the aftermath of the 2005 storm, as the city struggled to recover from

the epic flooding unleashed by broken levees.An indictment last month accuses Nagin, 56, of

accepting more than $160,000 in bribes and truckloads of free granite for his family business in exchange for promoting the interests of Frank Fradella, a local businessman. Fradella pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to commit bribery and has been cooperating with federal authorities.

Nagin also is charged with accepting at least $60,000 in payoffs from another businessman, Rodney Williams, for his help in securing city contracts for architectural, engineering and management services work. Williams pleaded guilty in December to a conspiracy charge.

The indictment also accuses Nagin of getting free private jet and limousine services to New York from an unidentified businessman who owned a New Orleans movie theater. Nagin is accused of agreeing to waive tax penalties that the businessman owed to the city on a delinquent tax bill in 2006.

From several city contractors, Nagin is accused of accepting free travel and vacation expenses for trips to Hawaii, Chicago, Las Vegas and Jamaica while in office.

Greg Meffert, a former technology official and deputy mayor under Nagin, pleaded guilty in 2010 to taking bribes and kickbacks in exchange for steering city contracts to businessman Mark St. Pierre. Anthony Jones, who served as the city’s chief technology officer in Nagin’s administration, also pleaded guilty to taking payoffs.

St. Pierre was convicted in May 2011 of charges that include conspiracy, bribery and money laundering. Nagin’s indictment accuses him of accepting bribes from St. Pierre.

Nagin served two terms as mayor. Term limits prevented him from seeking a third.

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin arrives at the Hale Boggs Federal Building and U.S. District Courthouse to appear in federal court for an arraignment on public corruption charges in New Orleans, Wednesday.

Matthew Hinton/ AP Photo

aTm CrIme from page 1

newsThursday, February 21, 2013 - page 3

southerndigest.com

The senTInel oF an enlIghTened sTudenT body sInCe 1926

large Classes from page 1

Michael KunzelManThe Associated Press

Williams said that he was not a liberty to tell any particulars of the case at this point like the time of the incident or anything of that nature, as the persons responsible will have that information once they’ve been apprehended.

Students who may have information concerning the incident can go to the police department part of the Southern University website and/or call (225) 771-3784 to give an anonymous tip.

“That way, you don’t have to give your name anything, all you do is give us information as to who it is. That’s something that we really would like the general campus population to know that there is a way that you can help us resolve issues without even putting yourself in harms way,” Williams said.

He said that the tip line works just like Crime Stoppers in terms of the results with the exception of the financial benefits.

“I’m not saying that’s not something that’s going to be put in place but at this time I don’t think that there’s a reward,” Williams said.

If the perpetrators are caught, Williams said that the charges could range from aggravated burglary because of the tools they had to use, burglary of an inhabited building because nobody is sleeping in the union, and attempted burglary of ATM machines, which is a felony.

He said that the sentence that could be received is dependent on the how the state and federal guidelines vary in severity and individual’s criminal past could also increase the time of sentence they receive.

“I can’t tell you right off hand what the statutes would be for the number of years. It could be from six months minimal, to twenty years,” Williams said.

As far as replacing the ATMs, he said that is apart of the prosecution phase and if the

individuals are found guilty, they will go through what is called a restitution phase where they will be responsible for making restitutions to the vendors for them having to replace or fix the damaged property.

Williams explained that even once the individuals have been identified, a warrant will have to be drawn up for their arrests, after which they lay out the crimes committed and go downtown to a 19th Judicial court Judge who will determine if the individuals will be apprehended.

Afterwards, even if SUPD is unable to locate the individual, they will put the warrant in a National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which goes out to police agencies worldwide.

“A lot of people don’t understand that SUPD has the power to go anywhere in the United States when pursuing one of their warrants. We’re not limited to just the boundaries of the Southern University

campus,” Williams said.Although SUPD is doing all they can on

the issue, Williams commented on how the students can also help in the matter.

“We know that there’s always conversation among persons that commit these things, whether they want to brag about it or someone overhears them talking about it.

Sometimes it’s more that they know than what we know and all it can do is help everyone for them to tell us so that we can eradicate that problem off our campus,” Williams said.

Williams said when by students leave these kinds of issues alone, they can become the victims and that’s what SUPD is trying to stop.

“Students need to realize that it’s not the police’s job to see crime and to solve crime, it’s everybody’s job. If everybody takes part in the crime process, we will minimize crime on campus,” Williams said.

“Large classes restrict student interaction. I cannot hear students, and they cannot hear any other student’s questions,” Hainly said.

He said that with the high quantity of students writing assignments are hard to assign.

“There are also too many students to offer many, if any, writing assignments. In philosophy, this is extremely challenging,” Hainly said.

He hopes the larger class model will be a temporary solution to a complex problem.

“I hope this is only a temporary hardship, dependent on the financial climate,” Hainly said.

Kelley explained the larger classes are expected in arts and history classes but, a larger freshman English class is not likely to have close to 100 students.

“We expect increased enrollment probably in a like a history class and some of the arts classes but we would not expect that number in English 100 because those are very intense writing classes so we would not expect to have 100 students or anything close to that in freshman English classes,” Kelley said.

Jah’Narri Ramsey a freshman nursing student form Pearlriver, La. said, “The first couple of weeks were crazy because we were all in one class. It was like 100 of us and half of us couldn’t come to class because there wasn’t anyplace to sit. We’d have to interrupt other classes to borrow desk,” Ramsey said.

“We started working in one class and they ended up switching us to another class, so basically the work we did in the first class was a waste of time. Once we finally got our new instructor, like two weeks after school started

she came to three classes then stopped. We were told it was because the university didn’t pay her yet,” Ramsey said.

Kelley verified Ramsey’s statements and explained the search for faculty was done with a list of standards in which teachers would have to qualify to teach in the department.

“Most of that is true and that’s because we have had a dwindling supply of faculty in that area. One thing the university and the department had to do was locate faculty members who could teach those classes. Even though there were people interested in teaching, faculty members have to meet certain standards in order to be able to teach in that area,” Kelley said.

A lot of the demand regarding increased enrollment in freshman composition classes have been a result of the Southern University

Shreveport Louisiana partnership program.The SUSLA partnership program is a two-

year program for students who didn’t meet all of the requirements to come directly to a four-year institution, but would like to attend SUBR following their two years in SUSLA courses.

“Once SUSLA students get enough hours they can then transition into our four-year regular undergraduate program. SUSLA students also need general education courses, which is the reason why we are seeing an increase in the number of composition classes,” Kelley said

The Baton Rouge campus has had a number of students who are enrolled in the SUSLA program.

Vonsha Henderson Interim Chair of English refused to comment on the subject and deferred to Academic Affairs.

Nagin pleads not guilty to bribery

The Southern Jaguar baseball team will be traveling to Houston to participate in the seventh annual MLB Urban Invitational at Minute Maid Park Friday through Sunday.

All games are set to be played in the home of the Houston Astros while Saturday’s games will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com, beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST.

The Urban Invitational is returning to Houston for the second consecutive year, and will exclusively feature four Historically Black Colleges and Universities for the first time in the event’s history.

The four participating collegiate baseball programs are Alabama State University, Southern University, Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University.

The purpose of the Urban Invitational is to give HBCUs and other baseball programs national exposure and to compete against other Division I programs.

“The goals and the objectives for the Urban Invitational are to provide educational support for our kids opportunities for the future and to also develop baseball in America and give everyone a chance to play at the highest possible level,” said Darrell Miller, Vice President of Youth and Facility Development of Major League Baseball.

Southern has participated in all six Urban Invitationals, while this is

the second time for Alabama State, Prairie View and Texas Southern.

Along with Southern head baseball coach Roger Cador, current Alabama State head baseball coach, Mervyl Melendez has coached teams in all six, five years with Bethune-Cookman and one with Alabama State.

In last years, the Jaguars came away with victories over Prairie View and Alabama State but lost to UC Irvine, a team that was ranked 24 in the nation at that time.

The Urban Invitational has special meaning for Cador, who proposed an idea similar six years before in a Richmond, Va. symposium. When the opportunity was available, Cador wanted in, and since feels it has been a hit ever since its creation.

“Going into California and having the experience to play against UCLA, USC, Cal-State Irvine, San Diego State and University of San Diego; all those kind of schools really opened up an opportunity for our kids,” Cador said. “Some of these kids hear about these schools and we were able to play them and some of the kids played them on TV.”

Not only did Southern have the opportunity to play those schools, they were able to win out some of the games.

In 2009, the Jaguars defeated San Diego State (ranked 42) in front of a crowd of 2,200 people and in 2010 SU defeated Cal-State Northridge 12-9 on national TV.

With the national exposure, the Urban Invitational gives to the schools it enhances recruitment.

“Kids want to be on TV and national TV, I know one place it has helped us was in Puerto Rico,” Cador said. “There’s a proud tradition, amongst parents, and to be able to see their kids on TV is huge and that helped us a great deal in getting some of those kids in Puerto Rico.

Cador believes that the impact playing in the Urban Invitational has global reach for the Southern baseball program and in it’s seventh year of existence from playing in Los Angeles to Houston the Invitational will continue its run.

Growing up as a young boy in the rural town of Woolwine, Va., senior Southern University baseball shortstop Derrick Hopkins always had visions of one day competing as collegiate student athlete, before seeking an opportunity to play on the professional level.

“My goal in high school was to get the opportunity to play at the Division 1 level and then play professionally,” Hopkins said.

Coming out of high school, Hopkins had several scholarship offers to play Division I baseball, choosing University of North Carolina-Asheville as his four year destination.

Just two years into his collegiate career however, there was a major coaching change at UNC-Asheville, which left him seeking a change in scenery, transferring to Southern.

“Both me and one of my teammates at UNC-Asheville were looking to transfer. We both came down for a visit, I decided to stay and he went somewhere else. I came here because of the winning tradition and the amount of players Southern has sent on to the professional level,” Hopkins said. “It was the best decision I could have made.”

His decision to play for SU baseball head coach Roger Cador and the

Jaguars proved to be beneficial for both parties involved.

As a junior in 2012, Hopkins contributed to the team tremendously, especially hitting at the plate.

Leading an explosive offensive lineup with a batting average at .344, which proved to be the third best batting percentage in Southwestern Athletic Conference last season.

Now, Hopkins has emerged as one of the veteran leaders for the 2013 Jaguars baseball team.

Before becoming a great leader, one must learn to follow.

A couple of years playing under the tutelage of a legendary coach has paid dividends into the development of Hopkins as a student-athlete.

“Coach Cador has helped me so much in just the few years that I’ve been here. It’s a different perspective. He has been around this game for so long and is incredibly knowledgeable. Anytime you get to play for a coach who has won as many championships as he has, as well as coached players that are in the Major Leagues today; it is a great pleasure to play under Coach Cador,” Hopkins said.

Leaving home for college can be difficult for any student, but abruptly moving to a place that is well over 15 hours away from your family poses its own unique challenge.

Hopkins credits his teammates for a smooth transition leaving the

convenience of home to becoming a student-athlete in Baton Rouge.

“All the teammates I’ve ever had have just been absolutely incredible. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Being around my teammates are most of the lasting memories that I’ll be able to take from my time as a college baseball player. We’re around each other so much that it truly is like a family,” Hopkins said.

Like Coach Cador, Hopkins understands the importance of team chemistry and its significant impact on the team’s overall success.

Winning conference championships and advancing to postseason play has been a tradition here at Southern for almost 30 years, this year’s expectations will be no different.

Having not won the elusive SWAC championship in the conference tournament since 2009, he has sights on making that dream a reality in his final season at SU.

“I’ll achieve one of my longtime goals on the field if we win a conference championship and make a regional this year.” Hopkins said.

Hopkins provided six hits, three runs, and two RBI’s (runs batted in) for SU as the Jaguars started the year off with a 2-1 record in last weekend’s

See hopkIns page 5

Southern’s Dennis Colon rounds third base in the top of the ninth inning against Alabama State in the 2012 MLB Urban Invitational. This year all the games will be played in Houston’s Minute Maid park and Southern will play Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Trevor James/DIGEST FILE

aristide phillipsThe Southern Digest

sporTspage 4 - Thursday, February 21, 2013 The senTInel oF an enlIghTened sTudenT body sInCe 1926

southerndigest.com

(All games at Houston’s Minute Maid Park)

Friday’s Games3 pm: Southern vs. Texas Southern

6:30 pm: Prairie View vs. Alabama St.

Saturday’s Games(games televised live on MLB Network

and MLB.com)4 pm: Alabama State vs. Southern

8 pm: Texas Southern vs. Prairie View

Sunday’s Gamesnoon: Alabama St. vs. Texas Southern

3:30 pm: Southern vs. Prairie View

Derrick Hopkins from Woolwine, Va., seeks to make it to the majors. Roger Cador, SU head baseball coach saw Hopkins as a mutually beneficial choice for SU. Hopkins looks to help the Jaguars garner the 2013 SWAC Championship at the SWAC Tournament.

Trevor James/DIGEST

Jags head to Houston for Invitational

aristide phillipsThe Southern Digest

Hopkins determined to get to Major Leagues

It was a bitter sweet moment, Saturday and Sunday for the Jaguar track teams.

On one hand the Women’s track team clinched third place but on the other hand, men’s side of the track sustained injuries and sixth place.

Day one, the men’s track team seemed to be on the right track finishing tied for third with Mississippi Valley State with 28 points only two points behind the second place Texas Southern Tigers.

Southern’s D’Wayne Houston took the field in the Shot Put, winning the title with a throw of 16.36m (53-08.25ft) and Reginald Redding came in third with a throw of 14.95m (49-0.75ft).

Akil Bennett took fourth in the long jump with a distance of 6.98m (22.900ft) along with Micah McCullough who finished fifth with a distance of 6.83m (22.408).

Harold Fluellen who finished third in the preliminaries of the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.25 seconds.

It fell apart for the men’s team on day two when Erich Seals suffered a knee injury that will result in his absence from competition the rest of the season.

Along with Seals, DeAndre Woodland was battling abdominal strains, McCullough who also garnered fifth in the finals in long jump had a knee problem in the process.

“We weren’t at their best all the way around with the guys,” said track and field head coach, Brian Johnson. “We had some key injuries in the jumps.”

On a bright note for men’s moving forward, young athletes are stepping up like freshman Devin Jenkins who earned the third finish in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.39 seconds along without prior experience running the 200-meter in college.

Along with Jenkins is Harold

Fluellen who finished third in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.16 seconds.

“The boys are just going to rest up and we’ll put on a really good show on for outdoor and try back at it again,” Johnson said.

On the women’s side, coach Johnson’s expectations were met.

When asked earlier about where he felt his girls would finish, Johnson said that he felt that his girls were good enough to take third place in Indoor.

The Lady Jaguars did just that. It was a field coach’s dream

when you claim MVP awards for both men’s and women’s categories.

In addition to Houston’s accomplishment, came Kashmia Weary who took second in the Weight Throw and third in the Shot Put to receive SWAC Indoor Field MVP.

Weary wasn’t alone in the top three-finish category either.

Two more Lady Jaguars finished in the top three of their categories including; Reyna

Anderson who took second place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 56.44.

Tershauna Broadnaz finished second in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.67.

“On the girls’ side we did fabulous, to finish third place and to come from eighth place last year, this was a tremendous jump that means we are moving in the right direction,” Johnson said. “We’re on the up and up and the cycle is coming back around where it’s our time to be back on top.”

Moving into the outdoor season, Johnson said he is looking forward to seeing both the Men’s and Women’s teams compete in the relay events.

“I’m ready to see the relays, I am ready to see what my men’s 4X400 and 4X100 can do and the same with my ladies,” Johnson said. “I think my ladies 4X4 team ran exceptionally well this past weekend and I ready to see how they do on the open track where its 90 degrees and hot to see how they can really run.”

The Lady Jaguar softball team’s growing pains continue as they suffered another loss to Belhaven 6-0.

The game was relatively close throughout the first five innings, the first run wasn’t scored until the top of the third when pitcher Katy Adair hit an RBI single, allowing Lizzy Hess to score the first run of the game.

In the top of the fifth inning Belhaven scored four runs, outfielder Dominique Corona hit a double RBI bringing in catcher Denee’ Crawford.

Ashlee Hitt knocked out to center field getting Corona in for a score.

First baseman Haley Yasses single RBI to right field brought in short stop Courtney Fairley, and back to back walks scored in the Lady Blazers fifth run of the game.

Offensively, the Lady Jaguars could not hit the ball, in seven innings Southern only recorded two hits.

“We have to hit the ball,” Lady Jaguars softball coach Nancy Marshall said. “We go from one point of hitting the ball and then we go from one point of making errors and not hitting the ball, they just got timely hits and it seemed like we just gave up the ball game.”

Southern (0-11) as a team is batting an average of .163 and in yesterday’s game against Belhaven the Lady Jaguars had a team batting average of .090.

Senior outfielder Gailyn Thibeaux feels that the team isn’t bad but feels that hitting and communicating more will lead to a more successful Lady Jaguar

softball team.And with starting shortstop

Shawntall Steamer out with an injured foot is caused young players to have to play out of position.

“With the younger kids not realizing what this is all about, on this level it’s tough for them but they are getting their lessons right now and hopefully they are

going to get stronger down the road,” Marshall said.

And the road is going to have some growing pains for the young Lady Jaguars team.

“Its tough having the new people on the team and everybody is not used to playing with each other,” Thibeaux said. “I feel like over time we will warm up to each

other and start to jell and really start to play hard because we are not a bad team we just need to play together.”

On the other side of the diamond, the Lady Blazers had a team batting average of .333.

“We were out in front and once we sat back and started waiting on the ball a little bit we were able to

drive some balls in the gaps and I think that was the difference in the game for us,” Belhaven head coach Kevin Griffin said.

The Lady Jaguars will try to adjust and adjust as quickly as possible the Lady Jaguars will be competing in the Islander Classic Tournament in Corpus Christi, Texas Friday.

Thursday, Febraury 21, 2013- page 5The senTInel oF an enlIghTened sTudenT body sInCe 1926

Southern’s Alicia Barajas attempts to put Belhaven’s Jessica Paris out as she slides safely into second base, Wednesday as the Lady Jaguars were defeated by the Belhaven Blazers. The Lady Jaguars start a series in the Islander Classic Friday in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Lady Jaguars are 0-11 with a . 163 batting average as a team.

Courtesy of John Oubre/SU Media Relations

series win against Stillman College. Hard work, making the appropriate

sacrifices, an extremely supportive family, and surrounding himself with great people has been the primary keys to success for Hopkins thus far in his baseball career.

With success of the team top on the priority list for the veteran senior infielder, As this season continues to progress and graduation vastly approaches; career goals spring to the forefront of every student-athlete’s thoughts.

Hopkins however, has no fears or apprehension about what he intends to do next, after his eligibility at SU is complete.

“My career plan is to do what I’ve been doing. Play baseball. I have one goal and that’s to get to the professional level and eventually the big leagues. I want to play until I’m about 40, retire, and be with my family. It has always been my ultimate career goal and it still is,” Hopkins said.

hopkIns from page 4

aristide phillipsThe Southern Digest

aristide phillipsThe Southern Digest

Track clinches titles, sustains injuries

Softball experiencing growing pains

Read moRe spoRts online: sdJaguaR nation

photos of the WEEK

Students aim to acquire experience at Career Fair, Wednesday (photos by Ariana Triggs/DIGEST)Basketball goes pink for breast cancer awareness at F.G. Clark Activity Center (photos by Aristide Phillips)

Students aim for jobs at Fair

Jags & M-9 go for PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness

Four years ago, a six-foot guard who was running low on options decided to come all the way from Newark, N.J., to play basketball for Southern.

His first two years almost made him transfer, but now he is enjoying the results of his patience.

He wears the No. 5 jersey and his name is Jameel Grace, the quiet guard who was thrown into the fire as a freshman and was asked to produce. Nowadays, he is the engine of a team that will head to the 2013 SWAC Tournament in Dallas as the No. 1 seed.

Grace, along with three others, will play his final home game as a Jaguar Saturday against Alcorn State. Tip-off is 4p.m.

“Everyone knows the transition from high school basketball to college basketball is a big difference as far as being stronger faster and just being able to play a long time,” Grace said. “It was hard but being a competitive person, I thought I’ll be able to do it as soon as possible.”

Grace played in 30 games as a freshman, averaging just under four points a game.

That year, the Jaguars were last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with a 5-25 record.

And the next season wasn’t any better for Grace and the Jaguars despite getting some starts, playing

in 25 games, averaging 7.8 points per game, and 1.3 steals per game he witnessed the worst record in the Jaguars men’s basketball program’s storied history ending the season with a 4-26 record.

For Grace, it was hard for him to find anyone to look up to and he was on the verge of transferring.

“During my freshman year, I had a junior in front of me and I was coming off the bench and was playing a little and it was rough because it’s hard to look up to someone when you are losing. You feel as though that’s not what you want to be because at the end of the day no one wants to be a loser,” Grace said.

That changed in 2011 when Southern brought in Roman Banks as head basketball coach to replace Rob Spivery.

“Coach Banks had a lot to do with the change, it was to the point that I wasn’t sure if I was going to come back because nobody likes losing the way we lost my freshman and sophomore year,” Grace said. “But knowing that coach Banks was coming to the program and I heard a few things about him since he was a local guy and his brother coaching at Scotlandville High School and I got a lot of better input about him.”

Coach Banks did not forget about Grace either.

“When I first took the job I knew who he was, when I was at Southeastern (Louisiana) we played

them and I saw, in his freshman year, that he was a very talented basketball player,” Banks said. “I knew coming into the job that he was the only guy on the team that played some, so it was very important to build around him.”

Grace wasn’t the leading scorer or rebounder for the Jaguars, but Banks felt that the foundation of the program had to be built around the experienced Grace.

“He’s a good kid with good character and works hard,” said Banks. “He does a good job in the classroom and he’s a guy that I don’t have to be concerned with as it relates to outside the lines.”

With those characteristics, Banks saw that Grace had talent but had to find a way to get that talent to come out.

Going into his junior year, he had to develop into a leader and work with his teammates.

Banks said Grace showed his leadership quietly through his work ethic.

“Being a point guard, you have to take that leadership role because you suppose be the coach on the court,” Grace said. “The head coach and assistant coach can’t be the coach on the court so, they always say the point guard is the coach on the court.”

Grace and the Jaguars went 17-14 his junior year and finished second in the SWAC and Grace credit the team’s success to the relationship they have on and off the court.

“My freshman and sophomore year we were more isolated as far as off the court I feel as though however you act with each other off the court that’s how you’ll be on the court,” Grace said. “Compared to

my junior year and now, the way we deal with each other off the court is the same way on the court, they’re my brothers on and off the court, we win together, we lose together and it’s a bond together off the court.”

Aristide PhilliPsThe Southern Digest

The SenTinel Of An enlighTened STudenT BOdy Since 1926PAge 8 - ThurSdAy, feBruAry 21, 2013

Southern point guard Jameel Grace looks to pass around BYU’s Brandon Davies during a 2009 NCAA college basketball game. Grace finds himself going from wanting to transfer midway through his career to piloting the SWAC’s top-seeded team into the conference tournament as a senior.

Mark Johnston/Daily Herald/AP File Photo

Patience rewards Grace

Looking to finish off their three-game homestand, Southern will look to the last home game of the season with a win the Jaguars as they will host Alcorn State this Saturday at 2 p.m.

In their previous two home games the Jaguars defeated Alabama State 55-44 Saturday and were beaten by Alabama A&M 64-47 Monday.

The loss to the Lady Bulldogs was the Jags first conference loss at home. AAMU had three players score at least 15 points.

The Jaguars struggled miserably from the field shooting 32 percent going 18-for-55 from the field.

“We didn’t manage the game took, Took to many jump shots, we got killed on the block, our bigs didn’t do a good job at all of containing their post players ” head coach Sandy Pugh said to some up the loss Saturday.

Lechell Rush led the Jaguars with 13 points. Adrian Sanders finished with 12.

The shooting woes of leading scoring Kendra Coleman continued in this game. The sharpshooter has struggled the last three games going 9-for-29 from the field.

Coach Pugh feels the play of the post players is an issue that needs to be addressed.

“One of the things I think we got to do is reassess what we are doing in practice with are bigs because right now their hurting us … they’re banging us on their offensive end and on our end we seem like we’re really passive,” said Pugh.

The loss comes as a surprise the Jaguars beat the Lady bulldogs by 13 earlier in the season at Normal, Ala.

The Jags currently second in the SWAC standings behind Texas Southern (16-9, 13-1 SWAC). The top two teams at the end of regular season earn byes at the 2013 SWAC

Tournament March 12-16 in Dallas.However, the Jaguars’ swoon has allowed

Mississippi Valley State (13-13, 10-5 SWAC) to gain ground and put pressure on Southern to right itself and hold on to the No. 2 seed.

Southern lost three of their four games and people are wondering will they be able to turn it around with the SWAC tournament getting closer.

“It’s about effort, point guards control the game and everybody else buying in and the effort we get that we’ll be fine if we don’t we’ll be coming home early from the tournament,” said Pugh.

Saturday the Jags incoming opponent the Alcorn State Braves (1-19, 1-10 SWAC) have struggled mightily this season, and a loss to the Braves could be a sign of bad things to

come for the Jags.The Lady Braves are a team that struggles

on the offensive end. They are last in the SWAC in scoring

offense, field goal percentage, and 3-point field goal percentage.

Jags defeated the Lady Braves 64-53 in Lorman, Miss., and Junior guard Yazmin Fuller led the Jags with a team high of 17 points.

Carolinsia Crumbly of Alcorn led all scorers with a game high 18 points.

Crumbly is the eighth leading scorer in the SWAC averaging 11.4 points per game and teammate Tierro Frost is right behind at ninth averaging 11.2 points per game.

After the Southern men’s basketball team put away Alabama State and Alabama A&M Saturday and Monday, the Jaguars will be looking to get even against an Alcorn State team that handed the Jaguars their first lost in conference play.

Tip off for the game is at 4 p.m. at the F.G. Clark Activity Center Saturday.

In the Jags game against the Hornets, guard Jameel Grace had to step up and become the scorer as he lifted the Jaguars with 24 points to give SU a 58-49 win over Alabama State.

And in the Jaguars win over Alabama A&M both Derick Beltran and Malcolm Miller got out of a slump to produce 21 points a piece to get the Jags a win over the Bulldogs.

“When those two guys are really on their game they can be really hard to handle,” said head coach Roman Banks. “And the interesting part is when you throw Javan (Mitchell) in there in the post they are really hard to stop.”

And the Jaguars will need those players to step as well.

Of the Jaguars two losses in conference play the Jaguars did

not shoot over 34 percent and both Beltran and Miller combined for less that 25 points.

The last time the Jaguars played Alcorn State Southern shot 33.3 percent from the field, and missed 16 free throws and because of that loss it allowed every other team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference film to look at and coach Banks and the Jaguars haven’t forgot about that loss.

“I know we didn’t shoot the basketball well, and I thought we had some opportunities, and they had a lot of energy,” said Banks. “They have a lot of good athletes and we have to look at the match ups and see where we can attack them from.”

Beltran and Miller combined for only 25 points in their game against Alcorn State, when they have been averaging over 32 points pregame combined.

“We need to pick it up more defensively and try to stay more consistent on offense and make free throws and I feel that if we can stay focus we’ll be able to pull it off,” said Miller.

Alcorn State (9-21, 7-8 SWAC) is currently on a four game loosing streak.

And Southern (19-8, 13-2 SWAC) is currently riding a three-game

winning streak and are on the verge of going undefeated at home for the first time since the 2005-06 season — the Jaguars’ last SWAC championship season and NCAA Tournament appearance.

“We are ready for them to come in here we know what we are working hard for its going to be a statement game because we didn’t forget that loss,” said Beltran.

ThurSdAy,feBrAury 21, 2013 - PAge 9The SenTinel Of An enlighTened STudenT BOdy Since 1926

Aristide PhilliPsThe Southern Digest

SWAC Overall W L W LSouthern 12 2 19 8Tex. Southern* 12 2 13 14Ark.-Pine Bluff* 12 3 13 14Alabama State 7 6 9 18Alcorn State 7 8 9 18Prairie View 6 8 11 16Jackson State 6 8 7 16Alabama A&M 5 9 9 16Miss. Valley St.* 4 11 4 21Grambling State 0 14 0 23———NOTE: Texas Southern, Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff are ineligible for postseason play

Saturday’s Games Alcorn State at Southern, 4 pm Jackson St. at Miss. Valley St., 5 pm Prairie View at Alabama St., 5:30 pm Tex. Southern at Alabama A&M, 6 pm Grambling at Ark.-PB, 7:30 pm

Monday’s Games Jackson St. at Ark.-PB, 7:30 pm Grambling at Miss. Valley St., 7:30 pm Tex. Southern at Alabama St., 7:30 pm Prairie View at AAMU, 7:30 pm

SWAC Men

SWAC Overall W L W LTex. Southern 13 1 16 9Southern 11 4 12 14Miss. Valley St. 10 5 13 13Alabama A&M 8 6 9 15Jackson State 7 7 10 13Prairie View 7 7 10 14Alabama State 7 7 9 16Ark.-Pine Bluff 5 10 9 16Grambling State 3 11 5 21Alcorn State 1 14 1 23———Saturday’s Games

Alcorn State at Southern, 2 pm Jackson St. at Miss. Valley St., 3 pm Prairie View at Alabama St., 3 pm Tex. Southern at Alabama A&M, 3 pm Grambling at Ark.-PB, 5 pm

Monday’s Games Jackson St. at Ark.-PB, 5:30 pm Grambling at Miss. Valley St., 5:30 pm Tex. Southern at Alabama St., 5:30 pm Prairie View at AAMU, 5:30 pm

SWAC WoMen

Southern’s Brandon Moore stuffs Alabama A&M swingman Demarquelle Tabb’s jumper during Monday’s win. The Jags already clinched the SWAC Tournament’s top seed, and look to finish off the home slate undefeated Saturday against Alcorn State.

Aristide Phillips/DIGEST

Southern’s Britney Washington shoots over Alabama A&M’s Ebony Johnson during Monday’s SWAC game. The Jaguars seek to finish the regular season strong, starting with Saturday’s home finale against Alcorn State.

Aristide Phillips/DIGEST

Southern readies for stretch run

deldrick huntThe Southern Digest

Jags look to regain momentum against Alcorn St.

According to several news sources, Governor Bobby Jindal says he has yet to finalize a proposal that would eliminate state income taxes, while raising sales taxes, and taxing services and goods that are not currently taxed.

Jindal said he will present a revenue neutral tax plan to lawmakers before the legislative session.

The governor is meeting with legislators to get their ideas. “We’re going to continue with those meetings,” said Jindal.

“We won’t have a plan to present until after we’re done with those meetings, and we get ideas and suggestions.”

Jindal said he has already taken ideas from others before the scheduled meetings to come.

“We’ve already gotten many great ideas from the different groups and different legislators we’re meeting with,” Jindal said.

But, in the end, he wants legislation passed that eliminates income taxes, without reducing the amount of dollars that go into the state’s coffers.

One way to quickly put money into the state’s coffers would be to repeal homestead exemption; but it will be a cold, rainy day before that would come to fruition.

“We want to do it in a way that results in a tax code that protects low income, middle income families,” Jindal said.

“We want to do it in a way that leaves simpler, lower, flatter tax codes. But, there are a lot of different ways to do that, and we’re open to ideas and suggestions.”

Surely a flat tax would call for exemption of certain people, but that would not be really considered a “flat tax.” Do you notice the shorter phrase ‘flatter tax codes?’

Do you see where that is going? Some groups are concerned that raising sales taxes will create

a greater tax burden on low and middle-income families.Jindal said part of their discussions with lawmakers is

focusing on how they can protect vulnerable populations under the tax reform plan.

“You can do it as a tax credit, you can do it as a rebate. And, again, there are a lot of different ideas. As we meet with legislators, one of the things we’re soliciting from them is...who are they worried about, in terms of any potential tax changes, and what are the best, most efficient ways to help those folks?”

Governor Jindal said whatever passes; he wants it to be revenue neutral.

The spring legislative session begins April 8th.

I can’t understand that crazy (Bobby) Jindal and criticize the current governor’s plan to eliminate the income tax and increase state sales taxes.

Let’s be like Texas and Florida. Instead of the state paying for people to go to colleges and

schools, instead of the state maintaining a hospital system, let the local people pay for it.

He doesn’t talk about it. But that’s the way it is. Most don’t see under his administration that we have been

impeded in our progress. Tax cuts, lower revenue and the budget cuts resulting in

revenue losses have made cuts in social services and higher education bleed.

Many of his policies as well as those set in place by the Republican party have failed us, yet there are those who continually support him while others support the governor to protest benefits of a certain group of people not realizing they are not only denying others, but themselves as well.

He’s too inconsistent, and his plans for being president (if he has any), should be vacated.

The tea party people are on the way out. You can’t have a person running for president who performed

an exorcism. He was running around telling people Mitt Romney was great

and then he changes his mind after the election. Jindal’s gubernatorial conduct has clearly left an impression. The “exorcism” commentary refers to an oft-cited 1994

article Jindal wrote about the “Physical Dimensions of Spiritual

Warfare.”Bobby Jindal has not been the solution to our problems, but

has only created a bigger vacuum of what has already existed. He always changes the rules and never finishes a task leaving

many questions and no solution(s) to the problem he has created.

He has rejected federally declared healthcare ‘Obamacare’ as many call it only to let the state and the people who live here and can benefit from it pay through the nose when it is something that is entitled to them.

He has yet to offer the solution, but he continually privatizes state services and in the end, they are going to be more costly than they previously were with a poorer quality of service, if in time the service still exists.

That is a change in a rule.When one talks about changing rules it is easy to think of a

personal experience as a child.This goes to what my mama taught me. My mama always taught me to play by the rules and to

respect those rules. My mother also taught me, as I’m sure your mother taught

you because the people of this state voted for Bobby Jindal, they also consider him a fine human being and a public servant that I have admired for years; when you decide to change the rules, especially in the middle of the game, at the end of the game that can be referred to as cheating.

There are people who have written these rules since the beginning of time, I’m sure Jindal will change it before the end.

It was Lyndon Johnson who said, “Voting is the life blood of our democracy.”

He put his pen, on a document that came about because people marched and died for the right to vote.

So as we talk about fairness, what’s flawed, what’s principle and what will reflect the true intention of the voters.

Those who vote get to have their voice counted, those who don’t are excluded.

There is one way to bring about change in this state and it is with poor to middle class Caucasians, African Americans and the Latinos voting together under one umbrella to build a coalition to make it work.

That would be called progress. Try to remember to think first.

Some have a landing strip; some have a full on carpet, while others have hardwood floors.

Whichever you prefer, grooming the hair down there is a weekly routine for many.

Most men and women today participate in grooming down below.

Let’s face it, we don’t live in the 70s anymore, it is not socially appeasing to have a full-grown bush.

Shaving first became popular because people were embarrassed to have their hair peek out of their bathing suits. Since then, it has become a social fad.

If you like to be bald below, be extremely careful.

A study done in the journal of Urology shows that genital injuries have increased five times over the past decade due to grooming-related reasons.

In 2009, two women in New Jersey became infected after getting Brazilian waxes and were hospitalized.

The state even considered a proposal that would have banned bikini waxing.

Now, we all have heard many people talk about why pubic hair is bad.

I have heard that keeping pubic hair is unsanitary because you produce sweat that can get trapped in the hairs, causing infections and a bad odor.

Regardless of what people may say, there is no medical reason why you should shave your

pubic hair.Pubic hair has a purpose, it can provide

cushion against friction. How you style your hair down there is

completely your choice. If you like to trim, make sure your scissors

are clean. You should also make sure you could see what you are doing to avoid any cuts.

If you like to shave, make sure your razor is clean. Remember razors rust and that can lead to infections.

Use a new razor monthly if not every two weeks to avoid the chance of infections.

Take your time and be gentle. Your skin is sensitive and shaving at a fast

pace can cause painful razor bumps.Lastly, if you are brave enough to wax your

pubic hair, get it done by a professional. This is not an area to experiment with, or a

‘do it yourself’ project. Avoid the third degree burn and go see a

professional.If you want to get creative, talk to your

partner about shaving one another. This can be a fun experience that can bring

the two of you closer. Just make sure you trust your partner with a

sharp object next to your genitals.Remember to always use protection when

having sex. Be safe and smart about the sexual decisions

you make. You only have one life to live, so never

be pressured into doing something you will regret.

cOmmenTAryPAge 10 - ThurSdAy, feBrAury 21, 2013 The SenTinel Of An enlighTened STudenT BOdy Since 1926

southerndigest.com

JAde smithThe Southern Digest

cAeSAr SmiTh Jr.

Talking Politics with Caesar Smith Jr.: Is a flatter tax rate the same as a flat tax?

Serious Answers to your SEXtions:Which do you prefer?

Are the current popular artists keeping real music alive?

In order to answer this question one has to define what real music literally means. People probably have different opinions of what this means so there is not right or wrong answer, but here is mine.

Music that exposes life experiences, dreams, feelings, problems and whatever the artist is going through or has gone through is real music.

It tells stories and contains meaningful lyrics that people can actually understand and relate to.

Also, a studio or auto tune isn’t necessary for the artist to sound good.

Many of artists today do not incorporate lyrical storytelling into their music.

When I hear artists such as 2Chainz, Chief Keef, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Wiz Khalifa, I wonder what happened to the hip-hop and R&B music industry.

Popular songs by 2Chainz are “Birthday Song” and “I’m Different.” He is featured in “Mercy”, with rapper Kanye West just to name a few.

Most of the lyrics in these songs are just a bunch of foolishness.

He talks about his jewelry and having sexual relations with people’s girlfriends.

Part of the lyrics to the first verse of “I’m different” are, “When I leave the scene, bet

ya boo gone…tell shawty bust it open uncle Luke on.”

There is nothing wrong with having a song or two about cars, jewelry and sex if that’s what you have experienced; but that is all many rappers talk about.

That is what sells, because that’s what people entertain; but is that all you really want to hear?

Honestly, how many of us can even relate to that, anyway?

If we want to hear artists talk about something other than money, cars, sex and getting high, we have to stop entertaining that type of music.

They are going to produce it if it continues to make a profit.

Rihanna on the other hand actually has some good songs, but can she really sing?

I remember songs such as “Keep ya Head Up” by Tupac, “Are You That Somebody” by Aaliyah, and “Doo Wop (That Thing)” by Lauryn Hill.

Both of these females had beautiful voices and Tupac had a flow like no other.

Those are just a few examples of what real music sounds like to me.

Now there could never be another Tupac, Aaliyah or Lauryn Hill, but not many artists are producing songs that have messages like they did.

There are artists that still produce what I call real music, but how many people actually listen to them?

Not many.

Real Music, Do they still make it and do we actually buy it?

kAte mcconnellThe Southern Digest

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.

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ThurSdAy, feBrAury 21, 2013 - PAge 11

cOmmenTAryThe SenTinel Of An enlighTened STudenT BOdy Since 1926

southerndigest.com

What have you done for yourself lately? Really

Have a Grievance?

LeT YOUr vOice Be HearD!SUBmiT a LeTTer TO THe eDiTOr

lAuren JOhnSOn

One definition, it is a group of people with a full set of complementary skills required to complete a task, job, or project.

Imagine that.People with different or similar skills

or assets working together for a common cause or goal.

This seems like a perfect concept in this never ending play we call our lives, but what happens when something known as selfishness comes in to steal the show?

I was watching a movie called Mr. 3000, about this Major League Baseball player named Stan Ross who finds out that his selfish ways will not get him the true success that he longs for.

Gradually throughout the movie, he realizes that achieving success through teamwork can be just as rewarding as doing it individually.

But there was another character in the movie named Rex “T-Rex” Pennebaker and in the movie he was asked if he was disappointed because his team lost even though he played well.

He replied by saying that it wasn’t his team because if it were, they would be performing just as good, as he was.

That got me to thinking, is that how people see or think of people in life and is that where we are going as human beings…

Nowadays, society seems focused around selfish individuals that only

care about themselves and not the one’s around them.

I mean think about it, we see it all the time in sports, music, business, and even our own personal lives.

For example, when a Kobe Bryant plays in a game and he takes forty shots, makes twenty-five of them but doesn’t have any assists.

Is he selfish because he didn’t have enough faith in his teammates to make shots or did he just want to be a “ball hog”?

Or how bout when a popular music groups like Xscape or Backstreet Boys etc., broke up because one or two people in the group wanted to go solo.

Aren’t these individuals selfish for putting themselves before the group that’s the reason for their success in the first place?

The funny part about those situations is that when people leave to pursue solo careers, they tend to fail and blame the group for it.

The point I’m trying to make, no matter how great we think we are, as individuals, we have to realize that the most successful people in the world achieved their success because of collaborative efforts.

When you really think about it, every aspect of our daily lives comes down to some type of teamwork.

Isn’t it teamwork when a student asks a teacher a question about something they don’t know and the teacher proceeds to answer the students question and thus improving his knowledge?

Or even when you go to a gas station and the clerk has to turn on the pump after you’ve paid in order to get the gas.

The way I see it, no matter what we do we’re always relying on others everyday.

That’s why actors or music artists have people to thank in their acceptance speeches once they’ve won Oscars, Emmys or Grammys.

They know they owe their success to the people that gave them the opportunities to do what they do.

I heard Tyrese Gibson say during an interview, “It isn’t lonely at the top if you help someone else get there.”

Life is a constant flow of teamwork and without it we wouldn’t be where we are today or be able to progress tomorrow.

mArcuS green

Can anyone tell it’s Black History Month at SU?Although this is the shortest month

of year, it holds many events. Holidays like Valentine’s Day,

Groundhog day and Presidents day but most of all this is Black History Month.

The only month that is set aside for African Americans to celebrate our long journey to freedom and overall equality.

With that being said, as a historically black college are we doing so?

In my opinion no! What happened to Black History

seminars or special events to educate the student body of those who fought for their and our rights to become an equally and educated race?

Has the university as a whole gotten so caught up in class overloads, renovations and registration that we forgot to take a moment and pay respect to those who paved the way for us?

Of course as an individual, it can be a personal responsibility to educate one’s self on their African American legend, but being at an HBCU one should have this kind of information thrown at them constantly, which I think we all can agree.

Since not, I’ve decided to enlighten my readers on others than just Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X.

I would first like to start with the obvious.

The building located in the middle, or should I say the heart of campus, which is usually blessed with many events occurring on campus, known as Smith-Brown Memorial Union, was named after two students that were killed in 1972, during a student demonstration.

The two, along with others, planned to question administration about the immediate release of four students.

Wow! A student body that stood up for

their rights and rights of their fellow classmates!

Now we can’t even support each other and stand up to our professors or administration. We just go with the flow!

I’m wondering how Brown and Smith appreciate that?

Speaking of flow, SU is filled with flowing hair and females referring to

their style and or appearance as “bags of money” (thanks to Rick Ross)

In my opinion, without Madame C. J. Walker, this generation wouldn’t be able to imagine what it is to have flawless hair and be a self-made millionaire.

Last, but not least, Robert L. Johnson was the first African American Billionaire.

Johnson gave blacks their own network.

He went on to title it as Black Entertainment Television or better known as BET.

Once again a wonderful opportunity for equality by way of showing black programming.

But I must say it does bother me that now our network is owned by a Caucasian.

I understand that money makes the world go round, but was it the money or the lack of effort or fight to keep ‘our network’ ours?

Like I said, February is our month! What are we doing to show

gratitude? We should take out the time to show

respect and appreciation to our Heros. I mean we have time to “double tap”

on instagram or “retweet” on twitter, why not take the time to research and educate ourselves?

This month only comes once a year, embrace it to the fullest.

The SenTinel Of An enlighTened STudenT BOdy Since 1926PAge 12 - ThurSdAy, feBrAury 21, 2013

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