Southern University unveils its own touring bus

Southern University now has its own touring bus. The flashy Columbia blue and gold, 30-passenger vehicle has been getting attention since it arrived on campus Monday morning.

A number of students stopped, stared and pointed at the bus as it was driven around campus. Photos of the bus have made the SU social media circuit, too.

"SU, you betta geaux," Cynthia Green wrote on the SU Facebook page. And, Charlotte Sampson chimed in "That is awesome."

The Office of Student Affairs purchased the bus for $45,000 - it cost $264,000 new - from the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency. The touring bus is believed to be the first of its kind in the university's history.

"It will pay for itself within one year and begin saving us tens of thousands of dollars a year in the long-term," said Dr. Brandon Dumas, vice-chancellor for Student Affairs. Those savings, he added, "will be used to fund scholarships, renovations, and other strategic initiatives with the Division of Student Affairs which directly and substantially benefit the students."

Glaval Synergy rebuilt the bus from the windshield to the rear of the vehicle. Among the changes include, new seating, televisions, Wi-Fi access along with a new restroom facility.

"This is essentially a new bus," Dumas said.

The bus, he said, will address student transportation needs and will also be utilized by some of the smaller athletic teams.

"We are looking into purchasing an additional bus as well," Dumas said.

"The realization of this bus joins a long line of promises made and kept to the students of our beloved Southern University," he said.

The bus is part of a list of recent student life improvements including, outdoor intramural basketball courts, the fountains in Lake Kernan, the upgrades to the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union and residential areas, Dumas said.