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White Student Elected to Lead Southern U. Student Body

By Nikki G. Bannister
Black College Wire

Wayne Haydin

Three hundred and twenty-two votes. That is the margin by which Wayne Haydin became Student Government Association president at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.

It�s not surprising that students elected someone who has made himself as well-known on campus as has this senior political science major from New Orleans.

During football season, Haydin, once a member of SU's famed "Human Jukebox", danced in front of the band for fans during halftime shows. Haydin also is a renowned disc jockey on campus who often works for free. He was director of public relations for the SGA. And Haydin was a part of the planning committee to unite SU and Louisiana State University for their first "Black Family Reunion" held last year.

But Haydin is white. And that makes his election a first at Southern University and rare for a predominantly black university.

Haydin, affectionately known as "Uncle Buck" on the yard, was elected in a runoff on March 16. In April, he was inaugurated as the 2003-2004 SGA president. He says he already is a force for change: "The students electing me have done one thing, if not anything else,� he said, recalling the low vote totals. �At least we know that next year, there will be a bigger voter turnout.�

When Haydin defeated James Slaughter, 1,024 to 702, the news ricocheted with sonic force at Southern University and throughout historically black colleges and universities. There was both criticism and support because of his skin color.

�Of course it is peculiar that he is white and we are an HBCU," said Janene Tate, editor in chief of The Jaguar Yearbook at Southern. "But if he is good enough to be accepted to attend school at Southern, then he is good enough to be elected SGA president."

Students showed a measure of apathy about the election. Southern has about 9,000 students, but only 1,742 voted.

The news has caught the attention of national leaders.

"There are some cities that have a majority white population with a black mayor," said the Rev. Jesse Jackson during a visit to Baton Rouge. "Let this be a lesson: Voting matters. When we don't vote, we have no voice. Yet, that man has a right to be their president, I wish him luck.""

Haydin�s had critics publicly denouncing his candidacy during "grass roots" campaign, in which bed sheets asked students to vote for him, and he distributed Kool-Aid.

"When he comes to you with his so-called cheap way of campaigning, blacks don't realize that they are being made fun of," said M. Harris, a graduate student. "He might as well put on the Sambo face and break out the chicken and watermelon."

Other students liked Haydin's approach. "He comes across to me with his �real� ways," said junior and fellow New Orleans native Kenneth Jackson. "Even though he is white, he can relate to me. He has my vote any day."

Haydin says he didn�t feel the need to spend the large sums that other candidates did to get the point of his platform across to the students.

"In the election, I didn't sell any gimmicks. I ran on the issues that students face each day -- housing, security and how their money is spent," Haydin said. "It's funny how the main people that are complaining about it either didn't vote or not even attend SU at all."

Despite the criticism, Haydin feels he has strong support among students.

"I am honored to be elected by my peers to such a prestigious position," Haydin said. "It shows that the student body has faith in me to get the job done."

Haydin intends to spend the summer preparing for his year-long term, which begins officially this fall. He contends that he should not be looked at as a �white boy� who happens to be SGA president of an HBCU, but as a Jaguar.

"It was never a problem when this white boy danced in front of thousands of cheering fans during football season," Haydin said. (An advocate of students' rights, he was also called to serve as a liaison between students and the administration after the 1999 SU Homecoming murder of golf player Robert Stillman.) "The question is not whether or not I can represent Southern University or an HBCU because I am white. The fact is that I am a Jaguar. My color shouldn't be an issue. I bleed blue and gold."

Nikki G. Bannister is a student at Southern University who writes for The Southern Digest.

Posted March 22, 2003