The number of borrowers defaulting on federal student loans has jumped sharply, the latest indication that rising college tuition costs, low graduation rates and poor job prospects are getting more and more students over their heads in debt.

The national two-year cohort default rate rose to 8.8 percent last year, from 7 percent in fiscal 2008, according to figures released Monday by the Department of Education.

Driving the overall increase was an especially sharp increase

among students who borrow from the government to attend for-profit colleges.

Of the approximately 1 million student borrowers at for-profit schools whose first payments came due in the year starting Oct. 1, 2008 — at the peak of the financial crisis — 15 percent were already at least 270 days behind in their payments two years later. That was an increase from 11.6 percent among those whose first payments came due the previous year.

At public institutions, the default rate increased from 6 percent to 7.2 percent and from 4 percent to 4.6 percent among students at private not-for-

profit colleges.“I think the jump over

the last year has been pretty astonishing,” said Debbi Cochrane, program director for the California-based Institute for College Access & Success.

Overall, 3.6 million borrowers entered repayment in fiscal 2009; more than 320,000 had already defaulted last fall, an increase of 80,000 over the previous year.

The federal default rate remains substantially below its peak of more than 20 percent in the early 1990s, before a series of reforms in government lending. But after years of steady declines it has now risen

four straight years to its highest rate since 1997, and is nearly double its trough of 4.6 percent in 2005.

Troubling as the new figures are, they understate how many students will eventually default. Last year’s two-year default rate increased to more than 12 percent when the government made preliminary calculations of how many defaulted within three years. Beginning next year, the department will begin using the figure for how many default within three years to determine which institutions will lose eligibility to enroll students receiving government financial aid.

The figures come as a stalled economy is hitting student borrowers from two sides — forcing cash-strapped state institutions to raise tuition, and making it harder for graduates to find jobs. The unemployment rate of 4.3 percent for college graduates remains substantially lower than for those without a degree. But many student borrowers don’t finish the degree they borrow to pay for.

The Department of Education has begun an income-based repayment plan that caps federal loan payments at 15

Many students walk the campus daily, but only a few notice the ravine located at the back of campus leading to the dormitories. The ravine has been a historical landmark for Southern University for many years.

Funding a project to restore the erosion of the ravine has been an overlooked issue for the past couple of years, due to other issues that required the immediate attention of the university and demanded much of the school’s funding.

Current plans to renovate the ravine consists of adding 150 feet of piping and a protective stone facing to help secure the adjustments, funded by the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies in the state.

Although this is the recommended plan there were several options given. The first was doing nothing and leaving the ravine as it is. The second option was to use sheet pilling, but was ruled out due to pricing, misalignment, high surcharge and vibrations interrupting embankments, soils, and nearby structures.

The third option was to realign the ravine’s slope of 150 feet and fill it with earthen fill and rip-rap along the sloped area. This option was ruled out do to high cost of additional rip-rap. The final option was to replace the old drain with a

new drain, and slightly widen the exit of the channel but that too was ruled out due to having an overall better option.

Five years of run-off later — including run-off caused by Hurricane Gustav and annual backwash from the Mississippi — the action of nature’s course was first noticed by Endas Vincent, the SU System’s director of facilities planning. “I noticed the ravine’s erosion by simply walking out there myself,’ Said Vincent.

Vincent soon wrote a request for capitol funds estimated around $650 thousand and received it along with the aid from the Corps and the state, which totaled in approximately 35 percent of the balance needed to pay for these renovations.

The ABMB engineers, a private engineering corporation that services Louisiana and Mississippi hired by the state, did a brief study revolving the erosion and later injected grout to stall the erosion, but now the erosion is getting worse. The ABMB engineers have worked on other major projects, such as the new Woman’s Hospital and many continuous flow intersections around the state.

“I see the ravine having a constant problem with erosion, by the Mississippi River backing up,” Vincent said. “By later creating a lake, it will take care of future erosion to the ravine.”

See Student LoanS page 3

Exclusive content @

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

today wednesday thursday friday

93/74 92/71 91/69 88/67

tueSday, September 13, 2011 www.southerndigest.com

SU’s Joseph earns LSWA honorsee Sports, page 5

Fall student election capsulessee State & Nation, page 6

SGA president discusses issuessee Commentary, page 7

VoLume 57, ISSue 4

Lauren JohnsonThe Southern Digest

Justin popeThe Associated Press

Southern University officials said high-water events, such as the recent flooding of the Mississippi River (above), along with regular passage of water, has caused significant amounts of erosion in the ravine system that cuts through the campus. Officials are preparing to work on one stretch of the ravine — which forms the unofficial boundary between the “front” and “back” of the SUBR campus — hoping to mitigate years of erosion that could eventually damage Jessie N. Stone Avenue (left).The ravine system drains portions of northern Baton Rouge, and empties water into the Mississippi River near the university’s ROTC buildings. Heavy rains, along with backwash from the Mississippi, increases the amount of water flowing through the ravine.

Above PHoTo bY dAvid clArk iii/digesTlefT PHoTo courTesY of ArmY corPs of

engineers

Officials seek to repair ravine

Student loan default rates increase sharply

“I expect to see more fundraisers that will benefit the university.”

“Whatever they say, they will do. They’ll accomplish it as effectively as possible.”

“I expect the student government officials to keep their word and nothing less than that.”

“I expect the student government officials to be responsible, reasonable and dependable.”

mAnAging Your cAreerSouthern University’s Busi-

ness and Industry Cluster will host the development workshop, “Managing Your Career,” from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. in room 313 of T. T. Allain Hall.

Southern alumni and Business Analyst for Texas Instruments, LaQuitta Thomas will be the workshop’s presenter.

Thomas also serves as TI’s Executive Sponsor for SU. The workshop is free and open to all SU students.

For more information, contact the 225.771.5621.

Peer TuToringCenter for Student Success

is offering Peer Tutoring in Stewart Hall Room 107 Monday through Fridays from 8:00 am to 5:00pm. Any tutoring sessions after 5pm Monday through Thursday will be held in John B. Cade Library until 9:00pm.

bAck To scHool sPeciAl in su bArber sHoP

Every Monday beginning Sept. 12th the SU barber shop will offer a “Back to School Special”. Students can receive a $2.00 discount off a student haircut. This special is only during the month of Sept. between the hours of 11a.m.-3p.m. Students should bring in this coupon and ask for Rob to redeem the discount. For any questions call 225.771.3693

sgA cAmPAign WeekYour candidates for SGA

elections will be looking to snag vote in Fall 2011 Campaign Week. All students should come to Smith-Brown Memorial Union on Monday, Sept. 19 to cast their ballot for

the candidate to best do the job. Let your voice be heard. Campaign week will be Sept. 12-16. All students must have valid SU ID to vote and will vote based on classification.

reAding comPreHensionLearn the techniques to

actually understand and apply the readings from a textbook. The Center for Student Success will be hosting a seminar called Reading Comprehension in Stewart Hall Auditorium. The seminars will be held on Sept. 13 from 2-2:50p.m. and Sept. 14 from 1-1:50 p.m.

criTicAl THinking skillsCome learn how to use what

you got to get to what you want. The Center for Student Success will be hosting a seminar called Critical Thinking Skills in Stewart Hall Auditorium. The seminars will be held on Sept. 13 from 2-2:50p.m., and Sept. 14 from 1-1:50 p.m.

oPen AudiTionsAuditions, open to the

community, for a multiracial cast in Alice Childress’ “Wedding Band; A Love/Hate Story in Black and White” will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 14 and 15 from 3-6 p.m. in the Frank Hayden Hall theatre on the SUBR campus. An 8 year-old Caucasian female and a 10 year-old African American female are included in the cast of 11 characters. For more information, contact Dr. Aileen Hendricks at 225-771-3190 or 771-5847.

oPerA creoleSouthern University’s

Department of Music will present the New Orleans vocal group “Opera Creole” at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 23 in the Recital Hall of the DeBose Music Building.

The event is part of the University’s year-long celebration of the black composer and the concert series, “The Black Composer Speaks: The African American Classical Music Tradition.”

Opera Creole is an ensemble of professional artists who live in or are natives of New Orleans. The ensemble is dedicated to educating students, sharing the contributions of Louisiana Creole composers with the community, and preserving the Creole culture through h i s t o r i c a l l y / g enea l o g i c a l research, education programs and celebrations.

The concert will consist of a standard operatic repertoire, musical works by composers of color, and New Orleans 19th Century free Creoles.

Admission to the event is $15 for adults, $5 for students with a valid university ID. Admission will be accepted at the door. There will be no advance sell of tickets for the concert.

For more information, contact the SU Department of Music at 225.771.3440 or 225.771.5984.

nATionAl collegiATe AlocHol AWAreness Week

The Southern University Counseling Center presents National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week Wednesday, Oct. 19 and Thursday, Oct. 20.

Wednesday’s events include “Drunken Goggles” and “BYOB (Bring Your Own Bananas)” from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the front lawn of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

Thursday’s events include “Mocktails” from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the union. Can you make an award-winning non-alcoholic beverage? Prove it. Register to participate in Happy Hour with Mocktails.

Contact the UCC for more information at 225.771.2480.

page 2 - tueSday, September 13, 2011

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 company. 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 wednesday prior to friday’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 & Friday) 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?

CIro ford

bankSConner

DemetriusConner

FERRIDAy, LA.FRESHMANBIOLOGy

FreDDieBanks

NEW ORLEANSFRESHMAN

ACCOUNTING

shaniCeCiro

NEW IBERIASOpHOMOREELEMENTARyEDUCATION

tiaForD

SAN DIEGOJUNIOR

CRIMINALJUSTICE

What do you expect to see from your student government elected officials?

APArTmenTs for renTApt. homes available @ The

Palisades. 7801 Scenic Hwy., Baton Rouge, La., 70807

Classifieds

campus briefsTODAy

SEPTEMBER 13

OCTOBER 19

SEPTEMBER 14

SEPTEMBER 23

TAMPA, Fla. — Attacked from all sides by fellow Republicans, Texas Gov. Rick Perry softened his rhetoric if not his position on Social Security in a crackling presidential campaign debate Monday night. He fended off assaults on his record creating jobs and requiring the vaccination of schoolgirls against a cancer-causing sexually transmitted virus.

Across a fractious two-hour debate before a boisterous tea party crowd, the front-runner in opinion polls gave little ground and frequently jabbed back, particularly at his chief rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

But the criticism of Perry kept coming — from Romney on Social Security, from Texas Rep. Ron Paul saying the governor had raised taxes, from Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Sen. Rick Santorum assailing his executive order to require Texas schoolgirls to get a STD vaccine and more.

Perry bristled only once, when Bachmann seemed to suggest a connection between his executive order on the vaccinations and campaign contributions he received in Texas. “I’m offended,” he said, if she had questioned his integrity.

Monday night’s faceoff marked the first time in a season of debates that internal Republican differences dominated rather than a common eagerness to unseat Democratic President Barack Obama.

Social Security was a key issue.“A program that’s been there 70 or 80

years, obviously we’re not going to take that away,” Perry said in the debate’s opening moments as Romney pressed him on his earlier statements questioning the constitutionality of Social Security

and calling it a Ponzi scheme.The Texas governor counter-attacked

quickly, accusing Romney of “trying to scare seniors” with his own comments on a program that tens of millions of Americans — including millions in the debate state of Florida alone — rely on for part or all of their retirement income.

The eight rivals shared a debate stage for the second time in less than a week, a pace that marked a quickening in the campaign to choose a challenger to President Barack Obama in 2012. The encounter was sponsored by tea party groups — the conservative voters who propelled the GOP to victory in the 2010 congressional elections, and by CNN.

In the debate’s opening moments, Perry and Bachmann courted the support of tea party activists. Bachmann said she had “brought the voice of the tea party to the United States Congress as a founder of the tea party caucus.”

Perry said he was glad to be at the debate with the Tea Party Express.

But it soon became clear that the presidential hopefuls were not only eager to court support from the most conservative voters but were anxious not to offend seniors and others who depend on Social Security and Medicare.

None of the three who have gotten the most support so far this year — Perry, Romney and Bachmann — said they favored repealing the prescription drug benefit in Medicare, which has a large unfunded liability. Paul, asked the same question, turned his answer to a call for ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as ways to save money.

There was little time for niceties.Within minutes of the debate’s beginning,

Romney moved aggressively to press Perry on Social Security, saying the front-runner had previously called it a Ponzi Scheme, an absolute failure and unconstitutional.

Student LoanS from page 1

newStueSday, September 13, 2011 - page 3

southerndigest.com

the SentIneL of an enLIghtened Student body SInCe 1926

CharLes BaBingtonThe Associated Press

percent of discretionary income. And new regulations the Obama administration has imposed on the for-profit sector have prompted those so-called proprietary colleges to close failing programs and tighten enrollment. Both developments could help lower default rates in the future.

Administration officials took pains to praise the for-profit sector for recent reforms, but also said flatly that those schools — along with the weak economy — are largely to blame for the current increases. Among some of the largest and better-known operators, the default rate at the University of Phoenix chain rose from 12.8 to 18.8 percent and at ITT Technical Institute it jumped from 10.9 percent to 22.6 percent.

“We are disappointed to see increases in the cohort default rates for our students, as well as students in other sectors of higher education,” said Brian Moran, interim president and CEO of APSCU, the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities, which represents the for-profit sector. He said for-profit schools were taking remedial steps, including debt counseling for students, to bring down the rates.

“We believe that the default rates will go down when the economy improves and

the unemployment rate drops,” he said.ITT, owned by ITT Educational

Services, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Chad Christian, a spokesman for Phoenix, owned by Apollo Group, Inc., said colleges throughout the country are seeing increased default rates due to the economy.

“We are committed to helping our students understand and manage financial aid debt levels,” Christian said.

The department emphasized that it eventually manages to collect most of the money it’s owed, even from defaulters. But that’s part of the reason federal student loan defaults are so hard on borrowers — they can’t be discharged in bankruptcy. Defaulting can also wreck students’ credit and keep them from being able to return to school later with federal aid.

“There are very few avenues for escaping that,” Cochrane said. Also, “many employers these days are starting to check credit so it can hurt your job prospects.”

According to calculations by TICAS and using the latest available figures, in 2008 average debt for graduating seniors with student loans was $20,200 at public universities, $27,650 at private non-profits and $33,050 at private for-profits.

Perry assailed by rivals

the SentIneL of an enLIghtened Student body SInCe 1926page 4 - tueSday, September 13, 2011

The Southern football team has a secret: 2010 was not about postseason bans and a losing record. And, if things go according to plan, 2011 won’t be either.

For starters, Southern (1-1, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) ended its losing streak of seven games against Alabama A&M (0-2, 0-1 SWAC) in the Jaguars home opener last weekend behind the arm of quarterback Dray Joseph.

The true sophomore from Edgard, La., notched the second 300-plus yard passing game of his young career, shredding the Bulldogs defense for 308 yards and three scoring tosses on 18-of-27 passing. His other 300-plus yard outing was a 394-yard effort against Alcorn State last season.

Joseph’s performance earned him the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s offensive player of the week honors.

Joseph, the SWAC’s leader in passer efficiency, threw three touchdown passes in the first half, including a

72-yarder to senior receiver LaQuinton Evans on the game’s first play from scrimmage.

“It was a big confidence builder,” Joseph said. “When I seen LaQuinton running down the field, I just knew that I was going to have a good game.”

Joseph followed up that big play

minutes later in the first quarter, hooking up with Charles Hawkins down the AAMU sideline for a 57-yard scoring strike. A 21-yard touchdown toss to converted tight end Mike Berry

Evans and teammate Charles Hawkins benefitted from Joseph’s confidence boost. The duo enters this

week as the SWAC’s top two receivers, with Evans leading the conference with 176 yards and Hawkins with 172.

SU head coach Stump Mitchell said he wasn’t surprised with Joseph’s performance.

“This week wasn’t shocking,” Mitchell said. “I think the best I’ve seen him was the Alcorn game last year.”

Joseph put on a steady performance in Saturday’s 21-6 win over the Bulldogs. He was 4-for-6 on third down passes for 78 yards, conversions of seven yards or more.

“I’m more comfortable with the playbook this year,” Joseph said. “I feel that I’m able to do more things. I’m able to just read better and see things before it happens and able to do things outside of the playbook that’s successful.”

Joseph said the Jaguars could have scored more points in their home opener than their first outing, a 33-7 loss in the John Merritt Classic.

“As a team I knew we had the talent to be better,” Joseph said. “I think we still got things that we need to work on to get better. For the most part I think we did pretty good.”

Mitchell said he expects 300 passing yards a goal every week considering the wide receivers from a year ago.

“Now he has receivers that are talented enough,” If he get them the ball they can make some things happen.”

Joseph and the Jaguars return to action Saturday with a home contest against archrival Jackson State (2-0, 0-0 SWAC). Kickoff is 6 p.m. and SU fans are encouraged to wear Columbia blue.

tuEsday, sEPtEmbEr 13, 2011 - PagE 5thE sEntinEl oF an EnlightEnEd studEnt body sincE 1926

sPortssoutherndigest.com

southern quarterback dray joseph escapes alabama a&m’s corey hart during saturday’s game. joseph was named the lwsa offensive player of the week for his performance in the jaguars’ 21-6 win over the bulldogs.

PhOtO BY NORMAN j. DOtSON/DiGESt

MORRIS DILLARDThe Southern Digest

Joseph earns state honors

Fall ElEctionsPagE 6 - tuEsday, sEPtEmbEr 13, 2011 thE sEntinEl oF an EnlightEnEd studEnt body sincE 1926

southerndigest.com

MONDAYSGA Election Day.

Smith-Brown Mem. Union

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

WEDNESDAYSGA Run-Off Elections

Smith-Brown Mem. Union

9a.m.-5 p.m.

Candidates for Freshman Class President

clark

ANNiE P. ClARk

freshmanchemistry

port gibson, miss.

Your easy, breezy, intelligent southern girl, Annie Pearl Clark for Freshman Class President

leblanc

EBONY j.leBlANC

freshmanelectrical

engineeringbunkie, la.

Keeping cool with Ebony

james

GABRiEl M.jAMES

freshmaneducation

baton rouge

(No slogan/platform)

perrilloux

CANDiCE l.PERRillOUx

freshmanbiology

baton rouge

Assist, Lead and Fade away in the big game of bettering our freshman experience!

Candidates for Miss Freshman

james

ANNiE M.jAMES

freshmanpsychologybaton rouge

Who needs Daddy Warbucks when I have Southern by my side! sam

ShANiCE M.SAMfreshman

therapeuticrecreationmaurice, la.

Super Sam: Vote Southern, vote Super, vote strong, vote Shanice Platform: academics, service, decorum

turner

lAtEShAtURNER

freshmanrehabilitation

jackson, la.

(no slogan/platform)

Candidates for Freshman Class Vice-President

Candidates for Sophomore Class Senator

Freshman Class SenatorRead

the

at WWW.

southerndigest

.com

lee

iAN l.lEE

freshmannursing

st. martinville, la.

Steer towards the right direction vote Ian Lee for Vice President moore

tiMOthY D.MOORE

freshmanpolitical science

baton rouge

CERTIFIED (Creating Excellence Resonating Throughout Individuals Filled with Inspiration

and Effective Drive)

pearson

ANthONYPEARSON

sophomorebiology

lake providence, la.

Making the best decisions for the students, the faculty, the University! golden

laWAYlAGOlDEN

sophomorevisual artsminden, la.

Doing what needs to be done and getting it done the right way.

lewis

GABRiEllElEWiS

freshmancriminal justicewinnsboro, la.

I plan to be a beneficial asset to SGA by assisting in making any decisions necessary for SU to have a prosperous academic year.

Do not forget to bring your

Southern StuDent iD to vote!

Dear Fellow Jaguars,Your Student Government

Association has been hard at work during the summer months for you. We have successfully addressed many issues from the hiring of our new Chancellor Dr. James Llorens to thwarting the plans to close Mayberry Dining Hall for the Fall Semester. We have been representing you in all sorts of matters.

During the summer, I was informed of the financial status of the Athletics Department. Then, I was informed that there was a possibility that the University might not be able to financially support athletics as it has in the past, and that we might lose the football program. There were two reasons why they football program was more at stake than other programs. The first is savings. The football program is the most expensive athletics program we have.

Ending programs like golf, tennis and soccer (even basketball) wouldn’t generate the money we need to fill the budget gap. Further, due to NCAA gender equity rules, female programs had to be immune, because they would further widen the gap between access to male and female athletics program.

To me, the significance of the football program is a no-brainer. The football program garners significant alumni and community support and contributes greatly to the Southern University pride we all feel. It is a recruitment tool and gives life to our Marching Band, the Human Jukebox.

Without a football program, there’s not much left of a marching band. Without the Human Jukebox, where does Southern University stand? Academics is the most important aspect of the university experience, but the student life aspect that the football program enhances completes the total package for Southern University.

During the summer, after speaking with administration and campus leadership, we decided to pursue an athletics fee increase, beginning this Spring 2012. I set 3 standards for the fee: 1) the fee must be large enough to address the financial need to sustain the football program. 2) the fee must be small enough as to not deter students from attending the university. 3) the fee must have an expiration date, as it is not intended to be a permanent crutch, but a temporary life line for the program. The Chancellor, looking out for the best interest of students, also requested I add a provision

stating that if the athletics de-partment, under new leadership, arrives at the point where it no longer needs the additional fees, then the increase would be eliminated prior to the expiration date. The student leadership team you elected supported this move.

The Athletics Fee Increase for students will be $50 per semester for 5 years beginning in the Spring 2012 semester. This will generate roughly $5 million for the program over its lifetime. The athletics fee is not a student created fee so the administra-tion could have increased it without a student vote or support. I am actually appreciative that the student leaders have been able to take the reigns on this manner to ensure that the most student-friendly solution was reached.

This move was made to sustain and support our athletics program. I must remember that I, as President, represent all stu-dents, including our accomplished student-athletes. I benefit, personally, in no way except to know that our football players will be able to continue performing on the field as they always have, and the Human Jukebox will be able to continue wear-ing that “S” on their chest that lets us know they are the best. I refuse to be the SGA President that sat by and watched the football program go down.

Yours in Service,

Demetrius Sumner

www.southerndigest.comget online @

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

FALL 2011 STAFFEditor-in-Chief ............................. Evan TaylorManaging Editor ...................................... TBACopy Editor ..................Norman J. Doston Jr.Photo Editor .............................. Trevor JamesStaff Writer .............................. Christie CarralStaff Writer ...............................Morris DillardStaff Writer .......................LaTreshia DouglasStaff Writer ........................... Lauren JohnsonStaff Writer ......................... Torrance LathamStaff Writer ................................ Breanna PaulStaff Writer ......................................Sam RossStaff Writer ......................... Billy WashingtonStaff Photographer ......................Talor KinzyStaff Photographer ...................Keldric Nash

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

Student Affairs.

tuEsday, sEPtEmbEr 13, 2011 - PagE 7

commEntarythE sEntinEl oF an EnlightEnEd studEnt body sincE 1926

southerndigest.com

Letter to the editor

dEmEtrius sumnErsga PrEsidEnt

thE sEntinEl oF an EnlightEnEd studEnt body sincE 1926PagE 8 - tuEsday, sEPtEmbEr 13, 2011