Nine 11, murder, women’s hoops tops year in news at SU

The Southern DIGEST editorial staff has selected the Top 10 stories of the 2001-02 academic year that have affected the lives of Southern University students.
1. SU reacts to attacks on America. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001 the world watched in horror as terrorists crashed hijacked airplanes into the “twin towers” of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and a field outside of Pittsburgh. The nation sat glued in front of television sets watching the “twin towers” collapse upon thousands of people including police officers, firemen, and port authority officials aiding in the rescue efforts. That fateful day changed the way we lived as Americans. A.W. Mumford Stadium, usually filled with thousands of die-hard fans of the Jaguar Nation, sat vacant on Saturday, September 15th as all college football games were postponed in remembrance of the tragic events. Since the 9/11 attacks the country have seen stricter airport security, anthrax scares (one even on SU campus), and a war to root out terrorism.
2. SU student killed in Moore Hall. One single shot on one fatal night destroyed the life of one student and changed the lives of many SU residents. Maximillian Johnson, a 19-year-old freshman from Breaux Bridge was shot and killed Saturday, March 9th. According to Southern University Police, Johnson, a resident of Ollie B. Moore Hall heard a knock on the door and as he opened it he was shot with a nine-millimeter handgun to the chest. The last murder on SU campus happened in 1999 when Derrick Claville shot and killed Robert Stillman, Jr. in Reed Hall after the homecoming concert. Claville has been tried and convicted of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison on April 12, 2002.
3. Women’s basketball team wins SWAC, NCAA bound. In her second year at the helm of Southern University women’s basketball team, Sandy Pugh coached the team to its first outright regular-season Southwestern Athletic Conference title and clinched the school’s first NCAA berth by winning the SWAC tournament title. The team strung together 17 straight victories between December 1, 2001 through February 18, 2002, a school record, en route to amassing a 26-4 record heading into the NCAA Women’s National Championship tournament. Southern ended their run with a loss to Colorado in the first round of the tournament.
4. False suit against SU history professor. Two students filed a suit against history professor Veronica Freeman alleging that Freeman forced them to work for the Wilson Fields’ judicial campaign as a requirement for completing History of Civilization 114. However the case was dismissed based on the fact that the students were not registered in Freeman’s class. The false accusations were linked to Joel Porter, a partner in the firm representing the students and an opponent of Fields vying for the position of 19th Judicial District Court Judge.
5. SU band, fraternities, and sororities gone wild. This school year many campus organizations were placed on probation and/or suspended by the Office of Student Life. The SU band was placed on probation in October for allegedly hazing a freshman band member. The Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was suspended for allegedly hazing an initiate. The suspension was downgraded to probationary status this month after the fraternity completed the required community service hours. Last month, the Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated were also placed on probation for allegedly hazing three potential members. The most recent campus organization to be placed on suspension was the Beta Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. The fraternity was suspended for fighting members of the LSU Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at LSU’s Springfest Greek Step Show and spewing profanities at Xavier University’s vice-president of student services.
6. Bayou Blues. After an eight-year winning streak, the Jaguars were defeated in the Bayou Classic by Grambling State University by a score of 30-20. A team that faced injury after injury still managed to post a respectable 7-4 record. After the 2001 Bayou Classic the city of New Orleans faced losing the big game to cities such as Houston and Orlando. Currently, a bidding war is pursuing over which city will be the next site to host the annual game.
7. Security. This year, SUPD has made great strides in protecting students on campus. Call boxes and cameras have been added in various locations on the campus. This semester, SUPD is receiving help from the Baton Rouge City Constable’s Office and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. In lieu of the murder of Moore Hall resident Maximillan Johnson, tighter security checks at the checkpoint and more frequent officer patrols have become commonplace at the university.
8. SU moves to selective admission. Last fall Southern implemented new standards for incoming freshmen. The goal of the new standards was to increase a higher of learning at the university. Students who have earned diplomas from approved high schools in the U.S. should have a score of 17 or better on the ACT (830 or better on the SAT) or possess a high school grade-point average of 2.2 or better on a 4.0 scale.    
9. Construction and renovations. This school year, students have had their share of inconveniences due to roadblocks and renovations. In November, the State Department of Transportation began a project to widen Harding Boulevard from the riverfront to the old livestock road. A leak in the main water pipeline running beneath the busiest street on campus, Elton C. Harrison Drive (better known as the “strip”) has caused drivers to detour through the parking lot of Moore Hall. Construction crews have been working since last March to repair the huge craters of steam near T.T. Allain. Finally, renovations of the F.G. Clark Activity Center have begun. Renovations were delayed in early September due to a lack of space available to relocate offices and departments housed in the Mini-Dome.
10. Harris Hall reopens. Thomas H. Harris Hall reopened in the fall after a three-year renovation project. The new building has newly added features including energy efficient windows, elevators, handicap accessible doors, and upgraded wiring system. The new Harris Hall houses the Office of Admissions, Registrars Office, Graduate School, Title III Grant Office, the Center for Service Learning, the Office of Student Media Services, and the English Department.

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CHAO SOI CHEONG

Attacks on America was the leading news event at Southern University in 2001-02 academic year. The attacks forced the postponement of a home football game, security alerts, prayer meetings and ROTC students to be called to action. - Photo by the Washingt