Special to the Gramblinite Last spring, The Gramblinite, the student newspaper at Grambling State University, was suspended for reasons citing plagiarism, inaccurate facts and poor grammar usage. Immediately, the staff was baffled about the decision and decided to fight against it. As the situation grew, we saw that the administration was bluffed into believing that a Louisiana Fifth Circuit Hosty vs. Carter Case gave them the right to shut the newspaper down temporally.
After being researched by the editors at The Gramblinite and an outreach of support from professional journalists, we found this to be untrue.
I remember sitting in the office of Dr. Robert Dixon, provost/vice president of academic affairs, explaining to him our view on this eerie situation and the measures we thought would uplift the student newspaper. Dixon listened, and then he personally agreed with the measures.
I must admit, we the editors were very shocked because we expected a quarrel.
Though the decision to shut down the newspaper was completely wrong, he wasn’t wrong for being concerned about the newspaper’s credibility. Dixon showed me that the administration really cares about the students. Not once did Dr. Dixon complain about the sometimes balky reporting in the newspaper. He only complained about the things that matters the most, wanting us to be accurate journalist.
Nonetheless, I thank the administration for pushing not only me to be the best journalist I can be, but pushing the staff of The Gramblinite to be the best news source it can be. We, The Gramblinite, understands
that the media can sometimes blow things out of perspective.
However, in recent news, the Grambling University National Alumni Association (GUNAA) and the city of Grambling or in disagreement with the Judson administration.
Many people may not agree with the way the institution is being run, but as I look at the University of Florida in Gainesville, I see new buildings, education standards that are extremely high, different ethicities and a president that will not back down to change for the betterment of the institution.
Over the past year or so, the GUNAA and the city of Grambling have been at odds with “our” administration. However, when a new administration comes to a university they come with new ideas and plans that may differ from their predecessors.
Meaning, things will change. I believe personally, that when things change drastically, the only way it can work accordingly is by working together.
I am extremely embarrassed to see all of the negativity in the media about our university.
Nonetheless, it’s coming from alumni and city officials who mostly have attended GSU. In no way am I trying to attack anyone, but I know you all have one common interest which should be the students of Grambling State University, not politics.
If I may ask, what is the city of Grambling and the GUNAA indifferent about? What has president Judson and his administration done so horrific that his contract doesn’t need to be renewed?
n Can it be the firings of key Grambling personnel who have graduated from GSU and worked here forever?
If so, I believe that after many years in one position, a person can become jaded in his or her own
ideas; therefore change is needed.
n Can it be his no tolerance policy for faculty members and financial departments? If this is the case, many faculty members have screwed the GSU system up for too many years. They benefitted from the profits, and then they retired. It’s time to start being accountable for funds and equipment at GSU.
n Could it be that he is not letting the city know everything that goes on at GSU? On this one, I am really indifferent. I feel that there is a limit to the things the university should do with the city.
I know, I know, in the past the president of the university has worked in conjunction with the city, but maybe, just maybe, this isn’t this president’s style.
Those are some of the reasons I believe the parties are upset. I am starting to believe that the criticism
about the Judson administration is personal. In no way am I taking sides because many know me as a very controversial writer. I have met with alumni and even attended a board meeting in February sponsored by alumni to get the situation with The Gramblinite brought to the board’s attention and I do thank them for that.
However, I am allowing the president of Grambling to do the job he was set out to do. We, the students, need to have faith in our administration. I would love to have an interview with the city of Grambling and GUNAA to become more knowledgeable about this entire situation.
Many are discrediting him with the news dorms, the assembly center, the student union and the fine arts building. I personally sat in former Acting President Neari F. Warner’s office and she explained to me most of the projects that were coming to the surface, but that was then, and this is now. In the past GSU has been in a planning stage. It’s now the time for the planning to become reality. Even if President Judson didn’t come up with the idea, he still had to sign off on contracts and make executive decisions regarding GSU.
Maybe the energy all parties are channeling towards each other can be used towards bettering the students and GSU. As I sit writing this column, all I can remember is the late Eddie G. Robinson saying “Keep Grambling’s flag flying high, and never let it touch the ground for dear ole’ Grambling.”
DeEric M. Henry is a senior mass comm. major from Shreveport.