The Daily Reveille - August 20, 2012

SPORTS: Review Tyrann Mathieu’s LSU journey, p. 12

Reveille The Daily

www.lsureveille.com

Monday, August 20, 2012 • Volume 117, Issue 1

OUT WITH THE OLD

IN WITH THE NEW

illustration by BRITTANY GAY and photo illustration by KIRSTEN ROMAGUERA / The Daily Reveille photos from THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES and courtesy of JIM ZIETZ, LSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

The Daily Reveille

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INTERNATIONAL WikiLeaks founder Assange urges U.S. to end website ‘witch hunt’ LONDON (AP) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange urged President Barack Obama to end a so-called “witch hunt” against his secret-spilling website, appearing in public Sunday for the first time since he took refuge two months ago inside Ecuador’s Embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden on sex crimes allegations.

The 41-year-old Australian has fought for two years against efforts to send him to Sweden for questioning over alleged sexual misconduct against two women.

Madonna sued by Russian activists for supporting gays while on tour MOSCOW (AP) — Some Russian activists have sued Madonna for millions of dollars, claiming they were offended by her support for gay rights during a recent concert in St. Petersburg.

In St. Petersburg, a law passed in February makes it illegal to promote homosexuality to minors, and the author of that law has pointed to the presence of children as young as 12 at Madonna’s concert on Aug. 9.

Russian news agencies quote a lawyer representing the activists, saying the suit was filed Friday.

Nation & World

SANG TAN / The Associated Press

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange looks up from the window of Ecuadorian Embassy on Sunday in central London after making a statement to the media.

Lightning strike kills boy, injures eight on Lake Superior beach DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — A lightning strike on a Lake Superior beach injured eight people, including a 9-year-old Wisconsin boy who later died, Minnesota authorities said Sunday.

All eight were on a sailboat that took refuge from a rapidly approaching thunderstorm on the end of Minnesota Point, at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. Lighting struck before they could get off the boat, but one person was able to call 911.

Monday, August 20, 2012

NATIONAL

STATE/LOCAL

Your ad here? NY brothers promote toilet paper rolls printed with ads

BP oil disaster clean-up to resume on Mississippi islands

RYE BROOK, N.Y. (AP) — Two brothers from a New York City suburb have an advertising concept that’s on a roll—a roll of toilet paper.

Bryan and Jordan Silverman are creators of toilet tissue printed with ads, and sometimes with coupon codes that can be read by cellphones. The Journal-News says in a story Sunday that the brothers expect their product to appear this fall in the Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library.

Twenty-two-year-old Jordan Silverman came up with the idea for Star Toilet Paper in 2010.

For Romney: no coffee or alcohol, but coffee ice cream is all right

BILOXI, Miss. (AP) — With nesting season ending on the barrier islands, the BP oil disaster cleanup will ramp up starting on Monday.

BP spokesman Ray Melick tells the Sun Herald the work hadn’t been completely shut down, but was curtailed to permit sea birds to occupy the islands from April until about mid-August.

A Gulf Islands National Seashore official in April said BP crews had removed more than 3.5 million pounds of oil and tar from the islands, but much work remained to be done.

“Our hope is to get back out in force on the islands,” Melick said.

NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — Mitt Romney joins other observant Mormons in shunning alcohol and coffee. He apparently draws the line at ice cream.

The Republican presidential candidate ordered coffee ice cream at Millie’s restaurant in Nantucket Saturday when he bought treats for his staff and mingled with diners.

His aides selected flavors including vanilla, rocky road, butter pecan and birthday cake ice cream.

It’s not clear that Romney took more than a bite or two as he shook hands and posed for pictures.

Suspects in deputy killings linked to ‘sovereign citizens’ movement NEW ORLEANS (AP) — At least some of the seven people arrested in a fatal shootout with Louisiana deputies have been linked to violent anarchists on the FBI’s domestic terrorism watch lists, a sheriff said Saturday.

DeSoto Parish Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle’s detectives and other law enforcement discovered the suspects were heavily armed adherents to an ideology known as the “sovereign citizens” movement.

JOHN FITZHUGH / The Associated Press

A loggerhead turtle hatchling is rinsed off before being released in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday by a member of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.

Man pleads guilty to two slayings, including student Mickey Shunick (AP) — A University of LouisianaLafayette student desperately tried to fend off her killer by spraying him with mace and even stabbing him several times with his own knife before he fatally shot her, according to details revealed Friday in a guilty plea hearing.

Brandon Scott Lavergne, 33, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of first-degree murder in the death of the student, Michaela “Mickey” Shunick, and the separate July 1999 slaying of Lisa Marie Pate.

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Monday, August 20, 2012

UNIVERSITY

PARKING

The Daily Reveille

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LSU still Student permits pay for summer projects PARKING PERMIT PRICES THROUGH THE YEARS without $75 constant $87 leaders Ben Wallace

Senior Contributing Writer

Chris Grillot Staff Writer

The University’s brass has a different look since the system president was ousted, the chancellor resigned and the provost stepped down from his two-year stint in the past months.

Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins is filling both former Chancellor Michael Martin’s and former System President John Lombardi’s positions. Stuart Bell is the University’s new executive vice chancellor and provost, filling the seat once occupied by former Manship School of Mass Communication Dean Jack Hamilton.

Jenkins worked as the University’s chancellor twice and system president once. He retired in 2007.

Citing being tired after constant budget cuts and finding another good fit, Martin accepted a $375,000 a year offer from the Colorado State University System in May to serve as its system president. LSU was paying him a $400,000 annual salary.

The Board of Supervisors voted to remove Lombardi from his position in April as a result of his tumultuous relationships with Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office, legislators and campus leaders, according to Daily Reveille reports.

Bell comes to the University as the former dean of the University of Kansas School of Engineering.

As the budget crisis has taken a toll on administrators, Jenkins said “there’s not a doubt” that the budget crisis is pushing faculty to seek employment elsewhere.

While Jenkins serves his interim term, the Board of Supervisors appointed a six-person team and hired the Dallas-based search firm R. William Funk & Associates to find a new system president and chancellor. The Board of Supervisors is paying the firm $120,000, along with expenses.

Jenkins said he did not know if the two positions would be merged, but did say a nontraditional candidate — a person from a background other than academia — is a “possibility.” He added a non-traditional background can only work for a system president, not a chancellor.

“To be a chancellor on a campus, you need academic experience,” he said.

Though he acknowledged that administrative changes can cause anxiety, Jenkins said he is hopeful about his time serving the University once again.

“The demands have to be met and will,” he said. “This happens and institutions endure.”

Contact Chris Grillot at cgrillot@lsureveille.com

A summertime parking lot facelift added more than 300 spots to high-demand areas on campus, with students footing the bill via increased parking permit fees.

A new residential lot at the corner of Cypress Drive and West Chimes Street, the former location of LSU’s softball stadium, provided the biggest boost with about 280 additional spots, said Gary Graham, director of Parking, Traffic and Transportation. Additional upgrades to the UREC back lot, the East Campus Apartment lot and an upgrade to the Horticulture lot outside J.C. Miller Hall rounded out the construction projects tallying more than $700,000.

The 750-spot parking garage slated to open in late October at the corner of Highland Road and Ralph Semmes Road will highlight this coming semester’s parking upgrades.

Expanded parking is good news for students who regularly complain about a lack of adequate parking options on LSU’s pedestrian-only campus. About a dozen students organized a protest last September requesting more commuter parking.

Student parking permit fees have risen all but one year since 2005 to fund the projects.

Seven years ago, it cost $39 for a yearlong student parking permit, according to figures provided by LSU’s Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation.

Last year, it cost $125. This

year: $165.

“I don’t like paying 40 extra bucks, but I have to have a car,” said Alysha Meadors, accounting sophomore. “Fees can be pretty ridiculous.”

The fees will continue rising to help the University meet the demands of a growing student population and more closely match the peer-institution average of roughly $220 for a yearlong permit, Graham said.

“What we have to plan for is the future demand,” he said.

Students and parents offered mixed reactions to the price increase. Some were outraged, while others said they understood the steady rise, as long as the money directly funded parking upgrades on campus.

“I wish I could just walk to school,” said Amie Babin, an accounting senior who said her roommate never purchased a parking permit because of the high prices, electing to ride the bus instead.

“I guess it’s a good thing, but perhaps they could find some other way [to pay for projects],” said Lauren Honea, a vocal performance master’s candidate. Honea said $200 would be her cutoff, since she paid only $30 for a yearlong permit as an undergraduate last year at Henderson State University in Arkansas.

“I grew up in New Orleans, so that’s a bargain,” said Melanie Drury, whose son is an incoming freshman. “What they need is visitor parking,” Drury said, adding that she walked 20 minutes to get to the Student Union from her spot

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

$100

2010-11

$100 $125

2011-12

$165

2012-13

Source: LSU OFFICE OF PARKING, TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION graphic by KIRSTEN ROMAGUERA / The Daily Reveille

near Alex Box Stadium.

The new parking garage should provide some relief for visitors, since half of the 750 spots will be metered parking designated for visitors, Graham said.

Future projects include two roundabouts, a 75-spot lot at the corner of Alaska Street and Aster Street, a repaved Thomas Boyd lot and a pedestrian mall on Tower Drive between South Stadium Drive and South Campus Drive, Graham said.

The roundabout at North Stadium Drive “really improved the

traffic and made it considerably safer,” he said, hoping roundabouts can be added “everywhere possible,” citing spacing issues as the biggest roadblock.

Parking permits ordered before July 19 have already been mailed.

Permits ordered after July 19 canbe picked up in the Public Safety Building. Anyone who does not receive a permit by August 27 should visit the building’s office.

Contact Ben Wallace at bwallace@lsureveille.com

DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Joe at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: oncampus@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

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DINING

Monday, August 20, 2012

COMMUNITY

French Quarter Ameritas IT Services create jobs Café takes place of Quiznos in Union Ferris McDaniel Staff Writer

Caitlin McCord Contributing Writer

The French Quarter is now closer to the University than ever.

French Quarter Café replaced the Quiznos in the Student Union earlier this month.

The University specifically designed the restaurant, which specializes in po-boys and breakfast options, for the Union.

LSU Dining Marketing Director Dean Samuels said LSU Dining annually budgets for improvements to the dining program, and they allowed the department to change the restaurant.

Though Samuels did not specify the cost of the renovations, he said he believes the transition will eventually pay for itself.

“We did a lot of research and found a big need for breakfast options,” he said.

Students also voiced a desire for a dining option that represents Louisiana’s culture, Samuels said.

The French Quarter Café will serve breakfast on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and will serve lunch on weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Café is closed on Sundays but will be open on Saturday for home games.

The breakfast menu will include sausage biscuits, shrimp and grits, oatmeal with fruit topping and other options. Items range in price from $1 to $5.

“It’s a good sausage and egg croissant sandwich,” said Drew Smith, petroleum engineering freshman as he ate one.

Smith said the only thing he

CONNOR TARTER / The Daily Reveille

A French Quarter Café employee hands a completed po-boy to a customer Friday in the Student Union.

might change about the café is the lack of French cuisine on the menu.

His suggestion? Crêpes.

The lunch menu features poboys with roast beef, pork, turkey and sautéed shrimp. Po-boys come with a beverage and a bag of chips for $7.49.

“The food seems to be more natural,” said Gustavo Chacon, electrical engineering graduate student. “I think it’s better choices now than what it was before.”

Students who prefer Quiznos can still find their subs at Take 5 in The 5 dining hall.

Contact Caitlin McCord at cmccord@lsureveille.com

A recently formed IT services firm named Ameritas Technologies has selected Baton Rouge as the location for its first software development center, creating 300 new jobs in the city in collaboration with the University.

The company’s main objective is to bring the software development business back to home soil, said Brian Keane, CEO of Ameritas.

“Our whole mission here is to help to bring software development jobs that should have never moved offshore back to the U.S.,” he said.

Keane said Ameritas will create 300 jobs for the city during the first three years of operation — first hiring an experienced core and then recruiting entrylevel candidates from LSU and other local universities.

The industry veteran said he chose Baton Rouge, specifically the Chase Tower South offices downtown, as Ameritas’ first

location because of the city’s high quality of life, low living costs and the closeness to LSU and other universities.

Part of Ameritas’ business model includes closely working with colleges to modify IT-related curriculum to be more relevant to America’s corporate needs.

Additionally, a partnership with colleges provides Ameritas with a flow of fresh workers to fill jobs.

Richard Koubek, dean of College of Engineering, said in an email that he looks forward to working with Ameritas and Keane.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our students to work with a world class entrepreneur who is committed to creating IT jobs in the U.S.,” he wrote.

Koubek also wrote that Ameritas locating in Baton Rouge means local internships and employment opportunities for University students, and he is pleased that Keane is willing to work with faculty to bring real world experiences into the classroom.

Keane said the 300 new

positions will also boost the economy in other areas like housing, restaurants and retail because new professionals working downtown means more spending.

“We’re glad that Ameritas is joining the list of innovative technology companies establishing operations in Louisiana,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said in a news release. “These projects mean we’re creating more jobs of the future in Louisiana, so that our people can find truly rewarding career opportunities right here at home.”

Keane said Baton Rouge’s downtown area has a lot of potential, and Ameritas’ business model is meant to helping to “revitalize the economic vibrancy of the city.”

“Baton Rouge is a great place to get started and once this is up and running, and we’re successful, we’re looking to repeat this model,” Keane said.

Contact Ferris McDaniel at fmcdaniel@lsureveille.com

Call for Details (225-767-5720) Sign up online at www.cyclonelaundry.com

The Daily Reveille

Monday, August 20, 2012

PHOTO STORY

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BUDGET CUTS

Funding shortfalls, tuition hikes still burden students, faculty Enrollment spike may help deficit

Chris Grillot Staff Writer

As yet another budget cut from the state splits open the University’s budget this year, top administrators pulled increased tuition money and a donation from LSU Athletics to prevent layoffs and cuts to academic units.

“We squeezed our way through with no program closures,” said Interim System President Chancellor and William “Bill” Jenkins.

The legislature dropped its funding for the University by 13.1 percent for the 2011-12 year. Coupled with other yearly reductions, the University faced a $33.5 million budget shortfall, according to the Office of Budget and Planning.

To compensate for the hole, the University announced in July a 10 percent tuition increase for in-state residents and a 15 percent increase for out-of-state residents.

The University has the authority to raise tuition at these levels because of its graduation rates and other academic performance standards it has met through the LA Grad Act. These increases — along with an estimated enrollment of 200

AUSTIN BENNETT / The Daily Reveille

[Top, middle] The partially complete overhang of The Chimes restaurant is part of efforts by local businesses to improve aesthetics of the Tiger Town neighborhood.

[Bottom] Carlotta Street houses undergo renovations Thursday.

more students than last year are expected to generate $10.9 million. Official enrollment numbers will not be ready until September 12, so administrators are hedging their bets on using increased tuition money to fill budget holes.

LSU Athletics donated $5.5 million to the academic side of the University in July— $4 million of which was intended to protect the University’s academic core and a $1.5 million permanent contribution to fund the Cox Academic Center for Student Athletes. This support, combined with other one-time adjustments, makes up for $9.6 million of the University’s total $19.9 million budget cut.

The Office of Budget and Planning pinned the University at a $13 million budget shortfall and $1.7 million will be cut from the academic core, manifesting itself mostly in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

An additional $11.3 million will be cut from Facility Services, tuition and fee exemption programs and student-athlete support. Student-athlete support will fall under LSU Athletics.

No layoffs are expected from any of the cuts.

Jenkins said he still had worries, despite dodging any serious cuts, because University faculty members have not received raises in four years.

“My biggest concern is

getting the faculty raises,” he said. “Research universities are known by success of students, alumni and faculty. We have to look after them.”

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Stuart Bell agreed with Jenkins’ concerns, saying the lack of faculty raises “is an issue we must address.”

Jenkins added that tuition increases cannot continue because “parents today are finding it difficult to afford education.”

Since 2008, the state has cut 43.6 percent from the University’s appropriations. In order to offset the cuts, the University has increased self-generated funds by $103.15 million, or more than 54 percent.

If the University had raised this much money without decreases in state funding, it would be flourishing rather than struggling to maintain its basic necessities, Jenkins said.

The University’s funding model has flip-flopped since 2008 when 58.1 percent of the budget came from state funds and 41.9 percent came from tuition and fees. Now, 66 percent of the University’s funding is derived from tuition and fees and 34 percent of it comes from the state, according to Jenkins.

Contact Chris Grillot at cgrillot@lsureveille.com

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TECHNOLOGY

POLITICS

The Daily Reveille

Monday, August 20, 2012

Moodle Paul Ryan could alter student aid update Pell Grant money presents decreases by $3K change Olivia McClure Contributing Writer

A new Moodle website will greet students and instructors when they return to school this week.

Learning Management Systems Administrator Buddy Ethridge said the new Moodle was beta tested in 35 courses during the spring 2012 semester. Moodle 2, part of the myLSU portal, was fully implemented in June, a day after PAWS was retired and replaced with myLSU. Ethridge said the most noticeable change is Moodle 2’s modernized appearance. A mobile version of the Moodle website is also available.

For instructors, a Gradebook builder with a customizable graphic interface was added, and all editing functions can now be found in one place.

Despite the changes, Moodle 2 closely resembles its predecessor.

Ethridge said the switch to Moodle 2 was more about making improvements than moving to something completely new.

Mathematics senior Steven Li said he hasn’t noticed any major differences between the old and new versions of Moodle.

“It’s like the same thing except the layout, but it’s not easier or harder to navigate,” he said.

However, the transition to Moodle 2 has not been as smooth for some instructors. Ethridge said some instructors struggled to adjust to the new technology.

“Almost every time we make a big change, the negative feedback is an aversion to change,” he said.

Graduate assistant Laura Crosswell, who taught a mass communication course over the summer when Moodle 2 was used campus-wide, said she had problems learning how to post grades using the new Gradebook builder.

“I had certain assignments weighted differently in my class, and it was difficult to figure out how to do that,” Crosswell said.

She attributed some of the confusion to the Gradebook builder’s customizable appearance, which she said was difficult to properly set up.

Crosswell said her issues with Moodle 2 were just part of overcoming a learning curve.

“After I adjusted and figured out how to use it correctly, it worked in my favor,” Crosswell said. “Things still don’t upload as easily as they did on the old Moodle, though.”

Ethridge said much of the feedback from beta testers were questions about how to use new features.

He said users have also offered constructive suggestions that have been used to make further improvements.

Contact Olivia McClure at omcclure@lsureveille.com

their money during the fall and spring semesters.

The president said he wants to keep education funding in the federal budget, but he has not offered a way to pay for it. In the past Megan Dunbar four years, the government has cut Staff Writer bank subsidies to help.

The 2013 budget plan calls for Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney’s choice of less money to pay for Pell Grants running mate could not only affect than the past two years, more than the politically hot topics of health- $36 billion as opposed to more care, Medicaid and deficit spend- than $41 billion in 2012.

Andrew Deing — Romney’s latte, history recently chosen ‘Anybody hungry sophomore, said Wisconsin Congressman Paul enough can put himself Pell Grants are unfair because Ryan may also through college.’ they are based on change aid for colincome instead of lege students.

Andrew Delatte academic achieveRyan has takhistory sophomore ment. en a strong stance “Anybody hungry enough on higher education funding, writing in the Wisconsin State Journal can put himself though college,” in May that colleges raise tuition said Delatte, who said he receives in response to increased federal TOPS and works to pay for school.

Abigail Daigle, mass comaid money as a way to receive more money from students. His munication freshman, said she reproposed budget resolution, which ceives $1,800 worth of Pell Grant emerged from the U.S. House of funding per year. She said her Representatives in April, lowered single mother worked her whole the minimum income level for Pell life to send her daughter to colGrant recipients from $23,000 to lege and despite graduating high school with a 4.0 GPA, she still $20,000 annually.

More than 5,000 students at needed help from Pell Grants to the University receive federally attend college.

According to a Gallup Poll funded grants, according to Associate Director of Financial Aid and released Aug. 15, Romney’s vice presidential pick has thus far Scholarships Amy Marix.

For the bottom 20 percent of raised his approval rating by 1 perearners in Louisiana, tuition and cent. In past elections, announcroom and board for a year of col- ing a running mate has brought lege costs more than their yearly up the percentage by as much as income, said Belinda Davis, Uni- nine points, according to Gallup. versity American politics professor.

Tune in to 91.1 FM KLSU Davis said Louisiana has one of the lowest levels of state-given, at 5:20 p.m. to hear more need-based financial scholarships about Ryan’s plan for in the South. She called cuts to education.

Pell Grants “devastating for lowincome families in Louisiana.”

In his budget plan for 2013, President Barack Obama kept the highest level of traditional Pell Grants, and he reduced grants apContact Megan Dunbar at plied to summer classes to allow only students who did not use all mdunbar@lsureveille.com

BILL MITCHELL / The Associated Press

Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan speaks to the crowd Saturday during a victory rally at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square in The Villages, Fla.

The Daily Reveille

Monday, August 20, 2012

CULTURAL AFFAIRS

AUSTIN BENNETT / The Daily Reveille

DJ Midas Touch spins records Friday as students gather during the Umoja Unity Celebration in the Student Union.

Umoja reaches out to minorities Event showcases student groups Wilborn Nobles III

Senior Contributing Writer

Fulfilling its Swahili namesake, students came together Friday at Umoja: Chillin’ & Grillin’ in the Student Union’s Live Oak Lounge to enjoy music, watch Black Greek stepshows and learn about student organizations.

“It’s not all about what you know of your own organization but getting to want to know about each and every other organization,” said kinesiology senior Akaira Cryer and president of the University’s Black Student Union.

Umoja is an annual event sponsored by the African American Cultural Center meant to welcome incoming and returning students while introducing them to a majority of the University’s minority student organizations.

Events like Umoja are important because they allow students the opportunity to gain firsthand experience with different cultures, Katrice A. Albert, vice provost for Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach, said.

“What better way to learn about diversity than to have the experience of seeing diverse cultures and having the opportunity to join those student organizations,” Albert said.

Matthew Dupre, a chemistry freshman, watched the event from afar while watching the World Series with his friends and said it was so interesting that he wanted to join the event, but he was hesitant for two main reasons.

“I wanted to watch the game, but also because I wasn’t ready yet,” Dupre said.

Dupre said the event was successful in attracting minority students, but he questioned its success in integrating the student population as a whole.

“It’s all about the intent: if it was designed purely to get the African-American group out here, then it’s a hit,” Dupre said. “But if their intent was ... to promote themselves to everyone, then they could have

done a little better job.”

Cryer said she interacts with people outside her race, but she views the BSU as her comfort zone when she wants support from her black friends.

“Sometimes you don’t mind going out to communicate with other people,” Cryer said, “but I just feel comfortable being in my own comfort zone.”

Albert said students are insecure when encountering different cultures because they don’t understand their differences and are afraid of offending people. As a result, people become comfortable with the stereotypes they have learned from a

variety of places like family, church or the media.

“But it is important for students to use the college experience to increase their awareness, knowledge and skills of how to interact in a diverse community,” Albert said.

Dupre said he wants to participate in Student Government and intramurals after getting adjusted to college and may join a minority organization if he has the chance.

“I like to do my research on what I’ll be joining before I join,” Dupre said.

Contact Wilborn Nobles III at wnobles@lsureveille.com

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The Daily Reveille

Monday, August 20, 2012

Things to Visit lsureveille.com for exclusive content remember as school begins...

Read an online-only article about the renovation projects approved by the Board of Regents.

Watch Daily Reveille Entertainment Writer David Jones discuss awkward introductions.

• Classes will no longer start 10 minutes after the hour or half hour.

For example, last semester a class beginning at 1:10 p.m. would end at 2 p.m. This semester, the class would begin at 1 p.m. and end at 1:50 p.m. The change will not affect summer or intersession semesters. Faculty Senate approved the change in November 2011.

• Faculty Senate also approved an instructor’s right to grade students on attendance. However, the policy is not yet in effect for the fall semester. Holding students accountable for attending class by docking points for skipping out won’t be mandatory, but will be left to individual instructors’ discretion. Any instructor who will enforce graded attendance must include that information in syllabi at the beginning of the semester according to the Faculty Senate.

• This semester, Faculty Senate will vote on a resolution to implement a plus/minus grading system at the University. A committee of faculty members assigned to research the system recommended last semester that the Senate approve the resolution. If approved, the system would take months to implement, because it would require changes to the University’s course catalog and software in the Registrar’s Office.

• In the last year, two initiatives have come closer to changing everyday life on campus. Initiatives to ban smoking on campus have grown stronger over the last year, and the Student Health Center is now part of the pack. However, smoking is still permitted on campus.

• The University also remains a firearm free zone, but legislation that has moved through the state House of Representatives and Senate seeks less restriction on Second Amendment across the state. Whether or not guns will be allowed on campus soon will be clearer after the bill goes to public vote on Nov. 6.

• The Faculty Club will begin catering to a wider audience as it extends operating hours on weekends. Evening dining from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday is aimed at offering more options for the University and Baton Rouge communities.

Contact the The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com

View a photo gallery of LSU Panhellenic fall sorority recruitment.

Check out Tigertv.tv to hear LSU coaches’ and players’ opinions on new starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger.

Sports

Monday, August 20, 2012

page 9

The Good Shepard Shepard enters defining senior season after delaying NFL premiere Chris Abshire Sports Writer

A quick scan of preseason All-American or All-Southeastern Conference teams reveals several LSU representatives.

LSU senior wide receiver Russell Shepard isn’t one of them.

Three years after entering the program as a top-ranked recruit almost surely destined for a spot in LSU lore, Shepard is entering a senior season that is a last grasp for glory instead of a chance to cement his legend.

It’s a sobering reality for the Houston native, one that hit him “like a brick wall” following LSU’s 21-0 loss to Alabama in January’s BCS National Championship Game.

Shepard, previously suspended for three games at the beginning of last season for violating NCAA compliance policy, was at the heart of a

SHEPARD, see page 19

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

Then-junior wide receiver Russell Shepard carries the ball down the field Oct. 8, 2011, in LSU’s 41-11 win against Florida in Tiger Stadium.

turbulent week for the Tigers following the title-game drubbing.

The 6-foot-1-inch receiver seemed set on the NFL, tweeting that he would “have to do what’s best for my family and myself,” while figuratively waving goodbye to the LSU community.

“It was pure frustration,” Shepard said of the decision.

“Me not having the type of season I could have had with the suspension and not preparing like I should have when I was suspended. Only one thing could have made up for that: winning a national championship.”

It turns out the impulse move was a play-action fake, as Shepard reconsidered days later and decided to return to Baton Rouge for a final chance to meet his own high expectations.

A unanimous five-star dual-threat quarterback out of

Shepard blows a kiss to Tiger fans Jan. 9 in LSU’s 21-0 loss to Alabama in the Allstate BCS National Championship game.

Tigers now Mettsiah’s team MIC’D UP MICAH BEDARD Sports Columnist It’s now or never for LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger.

He bided his time holding a clipboard on the sideline; now it’s Mettenberger’s time to shine and become the face of the 2012 LSU football team.

Tyrann Mathieu checking out of the LSU football program and checking into a Houston drug rehab center leaves a huge void on the field and an even bigger one in the locker room.

Mettenberger will now be called upon to carry the team on his back and bring a national championship to Baton Rouge.

The junior signal caller will be tasked with taking over as the team’s new vocal leader.

He needs to be encouraging to his offensive line after every series, slapping the defense on its back when it makes a stop and making sure no one gets distracted from the Tigers’ ultimate goal of hoisting the crystal football Jan. 7, 2013, in Miami, Fla. It’s Mettenberger’s job to make people forget about the last time an LSU quarterback lined up under center. Jordan Jefferson’s minuscule 53 passing yards in the Allstate BCS National Championship last season made me throw up in my mouth in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome press box.

LSU fans won’t have to worry about a quarterback controversy this season. The only way Penn State transfer Robert Bolden or redshirt freshman Stephen METTSIAH, see page 18

FOOTBALL

Mettenberger anticipates being definitive starter thus far in practice has fans and four-year, controversy-laden coaches feeling enthusiastic and saga involving former LSU confident. quarterbacks Jar‘Just having one “We are exrett Lee and Jorcited about what dan Jefferson. definitive starter is Tyler Nunez [ M e t t e n b e rg e r ] Mettenberger is doing and the going to be really big for said he used the Sports Contributor leadership by taksituation as a this team.’

Editor’s Note: This is the first ing over this team guide for hanin an eight-part series preview- since last year,” dling adversity, Zach Mettenberger ing each position heading into said offensive cobut he believes junior starting quarterback 2012. ordinator Greg becoming the The loss of two vetStudrawa. “He has looked clear-cut starter can help the Tieran quarterbacks forward to this oppor- gers this season.

Position would be met by tunity and done many “[My teammates] don’t have Preview most teams with things during the offsea- to worry about who is going to be dread and uncerson to make this team in the next series,” Mettenberger tainty. But for LSU, the better.” said. “Just having one definitive performance of junior starting Mettenberger’s emergence STARTER, see page 19 quarterback Zach Mettenberger as starter marks the end of a

Bolden hopes to make an impact

CONNOR TARTER / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger throws a pass March 6 during practice.

The Daily Reveille

page 10

FOOTBALL

Monday, August 20, 2012

Quarterback coach Kragthorpe’s son becomes a Tiger Family reunites in Baton Rouge

Chandler Rome Sports Writer

In his family’s darkest hours, Brad Kragthorpe personified the adage “life ain’t always beautiful.”

The 19-year-old quarterback who longed to start anew in an unfamiliar setting at Idaho State quickly realized life on his own would have none of the glamour he envisioned.

Add in the jolting Parkinson’s disease diagnosis of his father, LSU quarterbacks coach Steve Kragthorpe, and his mother Cynthia’s ongoing battle with multiple

sclerosis, and Brad’s idealistic vision of life in Idaho was all but shattered.

“I quickly learned [living on your own] isn’t as great as it seems,” Brad said. “[His father’s diagnosis] was one of those things that changes your perspective.”

With Steve’s diagnosis coming merely months after signing day, it would be virtually impossible for Brad to renege on his commitment.

He eventually spent last season as a redshirt and was primed to be in contention for the primary back-up role.

But with the allure of life at home, Brad knew the decision he needed to make.

“There was no doubt I missed my family a lot,” Brad said. “With both my parents and their current

illnesses, we felt it was very im- to command the huddle on Saturportant to be together at this time.” day nights in Tiger Stadium.

Steve said he now relishes But that’s not stopping him having his entire family together from trying to make an impact on again, recalling how at this time the practice field. last year, his old“I’m going est son Chris was ‘It was almost a perfect to do whatever I in Chicago, Brad can do to help the was in Idaho and scenario for me to come team, whether it’s his youngest son on scout team or down here.’

Nik was in Baton special teams,” Rouge.

Brad said.

Brad Kragthorpe “I think it was Now coachLSU quarterback a good experience ing alongside his for [Brad] to get away,” Steve son Chris – a graduate assistant said. “He enjoyed his time there, defensive coach for the Tigers – but at the same time, he’s a guy and mentoring Brad on the practhat’s close to his brothers, myself tice field, Steve said the Kragthorand my wife.” pe family dynamic has taken off in With seasoned junior quar- Baton Rouge. terbacks Zach Mettenberger and Steve was quick to quash Rob Bolden ahead of him, Brad is any hint of preferential treatment aware of the uphill battle he faces for Brad — something he hasn’t

given into during the many years he has coached him.

“Brad’s always been the one I’ve been able to coach,” Steve said. “He’s my son when he’s off the field, but he’s one of my players when he’s on the field.”

And as for Brad, or “little Krags” as he’s known to the rest of the team, it’s clear he’s trying to make the most out of a difficult situation.

“It’s great being around this caliber of a team and being a part of championship quality college football,” Brad said. “It was almost a perfect scenario for me to come down here.”

Contact Chandler Rome at crome@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @Rome_TDR

SOCCER

LSU hits the road to open season against Sooners Chris Abshire Sports Writer

Most power conference teams kick off their season with either a home match or a light opponent.

But not the Tigers, who open their season in a hostile environment tonight against a 1-0 Oklahoma squad in Norman, Ok. The Sooners, led by new coach Matt Potter, are fresh off a 2-1 victory against rival Nebraska last Friday.

“It’s a good program that is being reinvigorated,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “The talent is there on the roster, so the excitement around their program will make it a tough opener.”

Talent isn’t an issue on LSU’s roster, but experience could be. The Tigers lost five seniors from last year’s Southeastern Conference

Western Division champion unit.

All were starters, led by goalkeeper Mo Isom, leading scorer and All-SEC forward Taryne Boudreau and Natalie Martineau, who led the team in assists.

That experience didn’t help LSU away from home last season, as the Tigers compiled a 6-7 mark outside Baton Rouge — including a 2-4 non-conference road record.

But they did vanquish Oklahoma, 2-1, at home last season, and sophomore forward Kaley Blades said this year’s team is trying to block out the setting on the pitch.

“We’re a completely different team now, with a different mindset,” Blades said. “There won’t be any intimidation.”

The team may not be intimidated, but Lee said LSU has a healthy respect for a dangerous Sooner

frontline, spurred by senior Caitlin Mooney and transfer senior Renae Cuellar, who scored both goals against the Cornhuskers last Friday.

“Between Mooney coming back and the new aspects of their team, it’s like facing a whole new team,” Lee said.

With Boudreau’s 12 goals gone, the Tigers are retooling their offensive style, emphasizing a free-flowing team push rather than individual creativity.

“We’re looking to get more goals on seven, eight, nine-pass

combinations and set crosses,” Lee said. “A team dynamic is usually more effective, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing.”

Junior Megan Kinneman will reclaim the reigns in goal for LSU. Kinneman was an All-SEC Freshman performer in 2010, when she allowed just 10 goals in 14 starts.

But she struggled last year, allowing seven goals in five games and backing up Isom most of the season.

Lee said a defensive backfield led by sophomores Jodi

Calloway and Alex Arlitt should allow Kinneman to regain her freshman brilliance and slow the Sooners’ solid strikers.

“Early in the season, you worry about yourself more than the opponents,” Lee said. “They’re more than ready to kick the ball around against someone other than each other.”

Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @AbshireTDR

The Daily Reveille

Monday, August 20, 2012

FOOTBALL

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) moves in to tackle Vanderbilt quarterback Larry Smith on Sept. 11, 2010, during the Tigers’ 27-3 victory in Nashville, Tenn.

page 11

THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) jumps to block a pass by University of Texas quarterback Matt Simms on Oct. 15, 2011, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Defensive linemen strive to be the GOAT Twitter used to display new motto Spencer Hutchinson Sports Contributor

Since the beginning of summer training, sophomore LSU defensive lineman Ego Ferguson said he has been striving to be the GOAT. In fact, the entire LSU defensive line wants to be the GOAT. But Ferguson and his teammates have no interest in being farm animals — they’re striving to be the “greatest of all time.”

Ferguson said he pitched the acronym as a motto and a goal for the unit this season to his fellow linemen in a team meeting during summer workouts.

“It was a decision we made that we wanted to put in the work and give ourselves a challenge so that we can meet our goals,” Ferguson said.

Over the course of the summer, many of Ferguson’s fellow linemen took the challenge to heart, sending tweets with the hashtag #GOAT and even changing their Twitter handle to include GOAT. On the football field, junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo may be seen wearing No. 49, but on Twitter, he’s now known as “G.O.A.T. 49.”

But for Ferguson and his fellow linemen, the motto didn’t end with summer workouts.

“We don’t want to just say it in the summer and then forget about it in the season,” junior defensive tackle Bennie Logan said.

“In the summer we worked to build and mold the frame to become the greatest of all time, and we’re still working in camp with that mindset.”

Junior first team All-Southeastern Conference defensive end Sam Montgomery said he was impressed by Ferguson’s maturity in suggesting the slogan.

“It almost puts a tear in my eye to see somebody so young with such a bright future be so humble,” Montgomery said.

Duplicating last season’s results of 1261 rushing yards and

seven rushing touchdowns may be a steep hill for the Tigers to climb.

But with all the talent on the Tigers’ defensive line this season, it might not be a hyperbolic to say that this unit has a chance to be the greatest in LSU history.

With two first team All-SEC defensive ends and projected first round NFL draft picks flanking each side of the line in Montgomery and Mingo, the Tigers boast one of the most formidable pass rushes in college football.

Montgomery and Mingo follow in a long line of highly touted defensive linemen to play at LSU, including first round draft picks Michael Brockers and Glenn Dorsey.

Montgomery and Mingo combined for 17 sacks and 28.5

tackles for loss, resulting in a net 271 yard loss for Tiger opponents last season.

Paired with returning defensive tackles Logan, Ferguson and former five-star recruit Anthony Johnson, the Tigers might have the talent to live up to their own lofty expectations.

“With [Montgomery and Mingo] bringing it on the outside and also us in the middle, it’s an unstoppable D-line force to be reckoned with,” Johnson said.

But the group knows it still has work to do. Ferguson said he knows the team has the talent to achieve its goal, but it’s going to take hard work.

“I feel like we’re good, but we’re not there yet,” Ferguson said. “We’re chasing perfection,

so we’ve still got a long way to go, but we’re getting there. Until we conquer our goal, we’re not going to be satisfied.”

Contact Spencer Hutchinson at shutchinson@lsureveille.com

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The Daily Reveille

page 12

Monday, August 20, 2012

THE RISE AND FALL OF

THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

Sept. 3, 2011: Strip and Score photo courtesy of THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

July 21, 2009: LSU Commit Mathieu committed to LSU the summer before his senior season at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. He intercepted five passes in his final high school season before signing a letter of intent on National Signing Day.

Oct. 19, 2011: S

With the Tigers facing an early 6-3 deficit against No. 3 Oregon, Mathieu raced down the field on punt coverage, stripped the ball from running back Kenjon Barner, spun, scooped up the ball and high-stepped three yards for LSU’s first touchdown of the season.

Mathieu and two others we LSU’s tilt against defendin pion Auburn after reported for synthetic marijuana.

Jan. 7, 2011: Immediate Impact Mathieu delivered right away as a true freshman, forcing a fumble in the season opening win against North Carolina — the first of his school record 11 career forced fumbles. Mathieu forced two more in LSU’s 41-24 win against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, earning Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors.

THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

MARIAH POSTLETHWAITE / The

Sept. 2011: The Honey Badger

His blonde mohawk and propensity for taking what h wanted combined with a viral video to turn Mathieu into an Internet sensation. T-shirts emblazoned with football-toting badger dotted the campus on Saturda

March 2011: Seven Heaven After star defensive back Patrick Peterson decided to leave school a year early to play in the NFL, Mathieu asked for permission to wear his No. 7 uniform. Peterson consented, telling the Reveille at the time, “I tell Tyrann he’s going to do more and better things than what I did when I was here.”

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

The Daily Reveille

Monday, August 20, 2012

F THE

page 13

HONEY BADGER

CATHERINE THRELKELD / The Daily Reveille

Aug. 10: Dismissal THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

Suspension

ere suspended from ng National Chamdly testing positive

JOHN BAZEMORE / The Associated Press

Dec. 3, 2011: Happy Returns Trailing Georgia 10-0 in the first half of the SEC Championship Game, Mathieu ignited an LSU rally with a dazzling 62-yard punt return for a touchdown. Mathieu made five defenders miss as he weaved his way down the field. He finished with 119 punt return yards and was named the game MVP.

LSU Coach Les Miles called an impromptu noon press conference to inform the media that Mathieu was dismissed from the team. Mathieu hasn’t spoken publicly since his dismissal, but tweeted on August 10, “So grateful for LSU & it’s fans!!

I wish those guys the best on their National title run... I’ll be you guys biggest fan…”

Jan. 9, 2012: BCS Disaster In what may turn out to be his final game in an LSU uniform, Mathieu barely registered an impact in the Tigers’ 21-0 loss to Alabama in the BCS Championship Game.

e Daily Reveille

he

a ays.

Dec. 10, 2011: Heisman Finalist

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

Mathieu became LSU’s first Heisman finalist since Charles Alexander in 1977. Mathieu finished fifth in the Heisman voting after recording six forced fumbles, two interceptions, 76 tackles and four total touchdowns in 2011. photo courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

text by LUKE JOHNSON • design by KIRSTEN ROMAGUERA / The Daily Reveille

The Daily Reveille

page 14

FOOTBALL

Monday, August 20, 2012

Dworaczyk’s presence motivates fellow teammates Injured lineman became player-coach

Lawrence Barrecca Sports Contributor

Senior offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk is no ordinary upperclassman. He is a mentor for the fresh blood and the veterans of the squad alike.

After redshirting as a true freshman, Dworaczyk started in 26 games at left guard during the 2009 and 2010 campaigns.

When 2011 arrived, his dreams of a senior season with the Purple and Gold were suddenly shot down.

Dworaczyk suffered a season-ending knee injury during the team’s fall camp, leaving him to wonder if he’d ever play football in Tiger Stadium again.

But the setback didn’t stop him from helping his teammates on game day. Instead of being on the field and plowing holes for running backs, Dworaczyk could be found on the sidelines, becoming a playercoach and helping run the offense.

“When I was doing other things or even coaching up a guy, Josh had the other side,” said LSU Offensive Coordinator Greg Studrawa. “The guys really had confidence in him and through the week in practice, if I was busy, they could

ask him questions.”

Dworaczyk sat on the sidelines watching his squad mates experience the peaks and valleys of the 2011 season.

Dworaczyk didn’t want to end his tenure as a player-coach. He requested sixth-year eligibility, and the NCAA granted him that wish in February.

“I was excited,” Dworaczyk said. “I came up [to the indoor practice facility] and told Coach Miles, and we all just kind of relished the fact that I got another year and another opportunity to be with this great team.”

LSU tested Dworaczyk’s knee this offseason, and he doesn’t seem worried about the injury this year.

But Dworaczyk’s starting spot is currently occupied. Sophomore La’el Collins had his sights set on becoming the new starting left guard for the Tigers this spring.

Although some could say the battle for the position was a competition on the field, both Collins and Dworaczyk denied that was the case.

Collins said he views the situation as a chance to work alongside a veteran of the game.

“Everything that I have done this summer, I’ve learned from Josh,” Collins said. “Every play that I need help on, I’m always constantly asking Josh. He’s right there, and he works me through it

all step-by-step.”

This learning mentality seems to be contagious throughout the 2012 Tigers squad. The 22-year-old veteran doesn’t mind spreading his wisdom with the young players.

“It seems like I was a freshman just yesterday, and I had the older guys helping me out,” Dworaczyk said. “And now I’m in that position, and I have that experience and that knowledge that I got from helping coach last year. So being able to talk to the younger guys, and to even talk to some of our stars and help them out, is wonderful.”

Despite his many setbacks, Dworaczyk has continued to influence the football program at LSU. He uses his veteran leadership to push the younger talent on the offensive line.

Dworaczyk’s last remaining year in Tiger Stadium should be one to watch.

“Josh bounced back from his injury, worked hard in his rehab, got into the film room and had a great summer,” said senior right tackle Alex Hurst. “But with Josh’s determination … I think you’ll see a very special fall from him, too.”

Contact Lawrence Barrecca at lbarrecca@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

LSU offensive guard Josh Dworaczyk (68) tackles Vanderbilt linebacker Chris Marve on Sept. 11, 2010, in LSU’s 23-9 win in Tiger Stadium.

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The Daily Reveille

Monday, August 20, 2012

FOOTBALL

page 15

NBA

Copeland: ‘I am a punisher’ Hornets agree to contract extension Fullback brings skills to offense Mike Gegenheimer Sports Contributor

Junior running back Alfred Blue described running behind junior fullback J.C. Copeland as “a Corolla behind an 18-wheeler.”

Copeland runs like a bull in a china shop with his intimidating 6-foot-1-inch, 280-pound frame careening toward defenders.

“I want to put fear in the linebacker’s heart,” Copeland said. “I go for anything to wear them out and put them out of the game so that when they come over, they just fold up and get out of the way so the running back can run for days.”

His work as a former defensive lineman in high school has given Copeland a ferocious edge, along with aggressive tendencies when stampeding out of the backfield.

Teammates describe Copeland as an angry force, creating a path of destruction for backs to navigate.

“J.C.’s style of play is very aggressive and angry,” junior running back Michael Ford said.

“I haven’t seen that before. J.C. is just a different type of guy. Anytime he’s in the game it’s going to

be a big play because he’s clearing it out.”

Copeland said he uses his instincts from his experience stopping the run to now aid the very people he sought to bring down.

“I learned to take some of the stuff I did at D-tackle to the other side of the ball,” Copeland said.

“I learned to be aggressive making the play. … I know a lot of defenses; I know a lot of schemes.”

Copeland’s journey — from a highly recruited defensive lineman coming out of high school to the starting fullback for the nation’s No. 1 team in his junior season — was initially a reluctant one.

“Someone asked me if I had ever played the fullback position and I said, ‘Yeah, it was like a stupid package’ [in high school],” Copeland said. “And he said he was going to bring it up in the meeting tonight, and the next day I was in the fullback meeting room and I was playing fullback.

At first I wasn’t [excited about the switch], but it was an opportunity to get on the field and do something for the team.”

But after spending a season learning behind former LSU fullback James Stampley, the LaGrange, Ga., native claims that he’s smarter and lighter than last season and ready to block for the stable of runners emerging from LSU’s backfield. “[Stampley] taught me how

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to withstand through a whole season,” Copeland said. “The amount of force we put on people, the amount of pressure you put on your body — he taught me to save my body.”

During the Tiger’s 2011 campaign, Copeland recorded only two carries for no yards as he was exclusively used as a blocking back in his four starts.

Copeland said he wants to break the perception that he’s only a blocking back. He plans to do so by becoming more productive in the offense.

The goals the Tiger fullback has set for himself include racking up 10 receptions, 50 rushing yards and to being feared by every linebacker in the Southeastern Conference.

When asked to sum up his style of play, Copeland replied, “I am a punisher.”

Contact Mike Gegenheimer at mgegenheimer@lsureveille.com

The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Hornets coach Monty Williams has agreed to a four-year contract extension that would keep him in New Orleans through 2016.

The deal announced by the club Sunday morning comes as the 40-year-old Williams heads into the final year of the contract he received when he took his first NBA head coaching job in New Orleans in 2010.

The Hornets did not release contract terms, but Williams confirmed the length of the extension in a text message to The Associated Press.

Williams took the Hornets to the playoffs his first season with a 46-36 record. Last season, the club went 21-45 after trading star Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that helped New Orleans build for the future

with the acquisition of 23-yearold shooting guard Eric Gordon and an additional first-round draft choice.

The Hornets then won the NBA’s draft lottery and selected Kentucky star Anthony Davis first overall and added Duke’s Austin Rivers with the 10th pick.

This offseason, the Hornets have also traded to acquire forward Ryan Anderson from Orlando and center Robin Lopez from Phoenix.

“The Hornets have a promising future and an exciting young nucleus,” said Hornets executive vice president Mickey Loomis. “It is our opinion that Monty is the perfect coach to develop and lead this group of talent going forward.”

Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com

page 16

VOLLEYBALL

The Daily Reveille

Monday, August 20, 2012

Newcomers vital to Tigers’ success this season Leak expected to make impact

has to earn everything she gets here. She is probably the star of the future for us.”

Leak has also made an impression on her veteran teammates.

Tyler Nunez “She’s a smart player,” said Sports Contributor Mannari. “She mixes up her shots, After failing to earn a berth in gets the ball to target when she is the NCAA Tournament last season in the back row passing, and gives for the first time since 2004, the everyone a challenge.”

Khourtni Fears, a middle LSU volleyball team is looking to its freshmen as a key to its resur- blocker from Houston, Texas, has also stood out in practice. She is gence in 2012.

“This is a great freshmen also looking to make an impact class,” said LSU head coach Fran early in her career at LSU. Fears shined Flory. “Maybe one in her time at Belof the best I’ve laire High School, had.” ‘[Leak] is probably leading her team to This year’s rethe star of four district titles. cruiting class was She was ranked ranked No. 29 in the future for us.’

No. 27 on Prethe nation by PreFran Flary pVolleyball.com’s pVolleyball.com.

LSU head coach Senior Aces.

Although this is a “[Fears] is a young group, the new faces on this team are expect- tremendous athlete,” Flory said. ed to play a significant role in the “She is fast, dynamic and fits right into our system.” team’s success this season.

One new face on the Tigers’ “Our freshman class is going to be the difference this season,” roster joins the team as a junior. senior libero Meghan Mannari Setter Jaclynn Gerig, a transfer said. “They are challenging us, not from Blinn College, flourished at only in volleyball, but also in con- the junior college level, finishing third in the NJCAA with 11.04 ditioning.”

Arguably the most highly an- assists per game last season and ticipated of these freshmen is out- leading her team to a 38-0 season side and right side hitter Cati Leak. and the 2011 NJCAA Division I During her career at Gunters- National Championship.

Flory said she looks for Gerig ville High School in Alabama, Leak collected a number of acco- to challenge sophomore primary lades, including three state cham- setter Malarie Pardo to continue to pionships, three State Tournament play her best.

The Tigers also added defenMVP awards and two Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year awards. sive specialist Haley Smith from She was also selected to multiple Meraux, La., who was named Miss Louisiana Volleyball and the Louihigh school All-American teams.

“It would be amazing if siana All-Star Game MVP in 2010.

LSU acquired another out[Leak] doesn’t start and play six rotations for us,” Flory said. “Not side hitter in Katie Lindelow, from many freshmen can come in and Mandeville, La. Lindelow is recovering from an offseason knee do that.”

Flory was enthusiastic about injury, but according to Flory, she Leak’s performance so far in prac- is progressing and still performing tice, citing her work ethic as a pri- well in practice. mary reason for her success.

“The best part about Cati is Contact Tyler Nunez at that she works as hard as anyone else,” Flory said. “She thinks she tnunez@lsureveille.com

RICHARD REDMANN / The Daily Reveille

LSU freshman outside hitter Katie Lindelow (7) dives in the PMAC on Saturday for the Purple and Gold Scrimmage game.

The Daily Reveille

Monday, August 20, 2012

FOOTBALL

Tigers to debut at No. 3 in AP Poll Luke Johnson Sports Editor

The LSU football team will kick off its 2012 campaign with a No. 3 ranking in the Associated Press preseason poll. is LSU’s highest preseason ranking since opening the 2007 season in the No. 2 slot, but it represents a downgrade in the wake of junior cornerback Tyrann Mathieu’s dismissal.

The Tigers were set to earn the preseason No. 1 ranking in the AP poll for the first time since the 1959 season.

LSU initially received 28 out of 60 first-place votes, but the voting deadline was extended following Mathieu’s ousting and 12 first-place votes shifted elsewhere.

Expectations are high for the Tigers this season after finishing an otherwise stellar 2011 in uninspiring fashion at the BCS National Championship game.

But after Matheiu’s unexpected removal from the team last week, the Tigers will be without their top defensive playmaker.

Many voters weren’t entirely sure of Mathieu’s precise impact.

Macon (Georgia) Telegraph sports writer Seth Emerson has a vote in the AP poll and moved LSU down to third after the news broke.

“How to handle the Mathieu Effect was a conundrum,” Emerson said on his blog. “On the one hand, he wasn’t exactly known as a lock-down cornerback and LSU has plenty of other talent. On the other hand, I was in the Georgia Dome last year when Mathieu single-handedly turned the tide of the SEC championship. He’s a dynamic player.”

Others didn’t feel the need to drop LSU in the rankings.

“Tyrann Mathieu’s a terrific player, but I don’t think the overall effect will change LSU’s results,” said John Silver from the Journal Inquirer of Connecticut in an AP story.

“I don’t think a corner can make that big of a difference. It hurts them, but at the margins.”

Southern California garnered 25 first-place votes to take the top spot in the preseason poll, with defending national champion Alabama earning the No. 2 ranking with 17 first-place votes.

USC earned the No. 1 preseason ranking for the seventh time in school history.

Five Southeastern Conference schools peppered the top-10: No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 LSU, No. 6 Georgia, No. 9 South Carolina and No. 10 Arkansas.

Florida rounded out the SEC representation in the poll, coming in at No. 23.

Contact The Daily Reveille’s sport’s staff at sports@lsureveille.com

1. USC (25) 2. Alabama (17) 3. LSU (16) 4. Oklahoma (1) 5. Oregon 6. Georgia 7. Florida State

page 17

AP PRESEASON TOP 25

8. Michigan (1) 9. South Carolina 10. Arkansas 11. West Virginia 12. Wisconsin 13. Michigan State 14. Clemson

15. Texas 16. Virginia Tech 17. Nebraska 18. Ohio State 19. Oklahoma St. 20. TCU 21. Stanford

22. Kansas State 23. Florida 24. Boise State 25. Louisville Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com

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The Daily Reveille

page 18

GYMNASTICS

Monday, August 20, 2012

Transfer gymnast Ranzy finally arrives on campus Alex Cassara Sports Writer

She’s finally here.

After her unexpected absence from the LSU gymnastics team last spring, former Oregon State gymnast and transfer Britney Ranzy arrived on campus Wednesday, LSU Associate Sports Information Director Jake Terry confirmed to The Daily Reveille.

“I’m so excited to finally be here,” Ranzy said. “I’ve only been here since Wednesday, and I love it already. The weather, just being with the girls and then walking around and figuring out where I am

METTSIAH, from page 9 Rivers will see playing time is if LSU is blowing a team out by 30 or if, knock on wood, Mettenberger gets injured.

For the first time since former signal caller Ryan Perrilloux was booted from the team in 2008, LSU has a solid starter behind center.

It’s almost scary how much confidence the Tiger faithful have in a player who has only thrown 11 meaningful passes in his LSU career so far. But I can’t blame them.

In the past two spring games, the rocket-armed Mettenberger has lived up to the hype. His 60-yard touchdown bomb to Kadron Boone in 2011 and the 49-yard strike for a score to Odell Beckham Jr. in the

on campus, I love it here.”

LSU announced Ranzy’s transfer in November and that she would join the team in January in time to compete for the Tigers in 2012 as a sophomore, but Ranzy conspicuously never showed.

Terry attributed her absence to a “personal situation” that required attention, and while she declined to provide the exact reason, Ranzy was clear that it involved an NCAA rule of which she was not aware.

She also cited the desire to make the Olympic team.

“There were rules in the way, but I stayed home to mainly train for that reason, to make national

team again. … I didn’t want to make anything worse, so I just said, ‘I’ll train and go to school and not worry about it,’” Ranzy said. “If I want to do it that bad, there’s always next year, because coming here was more important.”

Ranzy said that when she wasn’t studying in her room, she was on a treadmill or in the gym.

Because she didn’t compete last season, she retains three years of eligibility and can compete immediately as a redshirt sophomore.

“Britney is very powerful and has a high skill level,” said LSU coach D-D Breaux in the original news release announcing the

transfer. “The fact that she is coming in as a sophomore with experience at the collegiate level is something we are really looking forward to.”

As a freshman at Oregon State, Ranzy was named to the 2011 AllPac-10 First-Team on the vault, where she won six titles in nine attempts, posted a career-best of 9.925 and won the NCAA Corvallis Regional vault and floor titles.

She also has international experience, finishing 14th in the allaround at the 2009 U.S. Visa National Championships with the U.S. Senior International Elite team.

Ranzy joins Canadian Olympic

alternate Jessica Savona and Junior Olympic standout Randii Wyrick in the 2013 recruiting class.

LSU also added former Georgia head coach Jay Clark — who over 20 years, in several capacities, was involved in seven national championships with the Gym Dogs — as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. ESPNU named Clark college athletics’ ninth-best recruiter in 2011.

2012 game was only a foretaste of the feast to come.

LSU offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa hasn’t been shy about how much of an impact Mettenberger will have on the Tigers’ offense in 2012.

“In the past, we check it down, but Zach zipped both of those balls in there over the linebackers…both were 60-yard touchdowns,” Studrawa said at LSU Football Media Day. “We would have never thrown those balls before.”

With the Tigers’ stable of running backs, Mettenberger won’t be called on to throw the ball 50 times a game. But his ability to throw deep will keep defenses from crowding the box to try and stop the run.

Mettenberger has a quiet cockiness about him, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder. Before he was dismissed from the University of Georgia, he challenged current starter Aaron Murray for playing time. He now gets his shot on a national stage to prove he’s among the best quarterbacks in the country.

Leaving the Bulldogs might have been the best thing for Mettenberger. Spending a year at Butler Community College allowed him to clear his mind and body. I mean, what else is there to do in El Doredo, Kan.?

Mettenberger can only gain from the experience of leading his team to a deep postseason run, much like Cam Newton did in

his stint at Blinn College in 2009.

Newton used his success at the junior college level to help him bring home a national championship to Auburn in 2010.

Now is the time for “Mettsiah” to take the reigns of this

football team and deliver national championship.

Contact Alex Cassara at acassara@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @cassaraTDR

Contact Micah Bedard at mbedard@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @DardDog

a

Monday, August 20, 2012 SHEPARD, from page 9

Cypress Ridge High School, Shepard came to LSU in 2009 lacking a true position.

The uncertainty showed on the field, as the shifty Shepard toiled at running back as a freshman during former quarterback Jordan Jefferson’s promising sophomore campaign.

Sensing an opportunity to contribute more, he switched to wide receiver prior to the 2010 season only to see LSU’s passing attack stall with the erratic Jefferson and Jarrett Lee under center.

“It was a growing experience,” Shepard said. “Just growing pains, coming in as hyped as I was not really knowing where your position is on a team like LSU.” Shepard still managed to haul in 33 passes that season — second on the team — creating a renewed buzz for his 2011 potential.

The hype died before it began.

STARTER, from page 9

starter is going to be really big for this team.”

The recent addition of junior Penn State transfer Rob Bolden means that Mettenberger is no longer the Tigers’ lone veteran at the quarterback position.

The dual-threat Bolden brings not only talent and athleticism to the position, but also experience. While playing for the Nittany Lions, Bolden started in 16 games, becoming the first true freshman starting quarterback at the school in 100 years.

Despite his early achievements and potential, Bolden’s career at Penn State was not perfect.

Although he had a strong start his freshman year, a concussion kept him from playing the second half of the season. He struggled to come back in 2011, completing only 39.3 percent of his passes and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 2 to 7. He lost his starting position and eventually fell to the third spot on the depth chart.

Bolden remained optimistic in Media Day interviews. While he acknowledged he has plenty to learn about LSU’s offense, he said he’s confident he will adapt quickly and become a significant

He never settled into the season after the suspension, catching only 14 passes for 190 yards.

The suspension began a slow burn for Shepard — one that never boiled over while LSU rolled through every opponent in its path until Shepard’s tweet that he was only on the field for three plays in the Allstate BCS National Championship game on Jan. 9.

It was a rare outburst for one of the team’s most charismatic figures and a renowned leader.

“We didn’t think much of [Russell’s reaction], other than being sad that he was probably leaving,” said sophomore wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. “I didn’t get to talk to him much about the situation. He realized that he could impact our team and our lives by coming back. He made the right decision.”

Shepard has been a utility man in a run-heavy LSU offense throughout his career, shuffling contributor to the team’s success.

“The faster that I pick these things up and display what I have learned, the faster I’ll be on the field,” Bolden said. “I want to be competitive, and I want to play.

Every day I am going to work to get better and hopefully end up with the starting job someday.”

Perhaps the player most affected by Bolden’s transfer is quarterback redshirt freshman Stephen Rivers, who, prior to Bolden’s arrival, was the clear favorite to take the second spot on the depth chart. But rather than viewing Bolden as a threat, the 6-foot-8-inch Rivers is looking forward to working with and competing against his new teammate.

“The more competition you have the better,” Rivers said.

“I’m using [Bolden] as somebody I can learn from and also somebody I can compete with.”

Rounding out the roster for the Tigers are redshirt freshman Jerrard Randall and Idaho State transfer Brad Kragthorpe, son of LSU quarterbacks coach Steve Kragthorpe.

Contact Tyler Nunez at tnunez@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille from the backfield to the slot to the flat, making a limited impact on short throws and screens.

Those days appear to be over.

With junior Zach Mettenberger taking the reigns as quarterback, a new position coach in Adam Henry and what Shepard called “his most productive summer yet” in the rearview, the coaching staff said it’s created a new attitude and role for the senior.

Offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa said Shepard’s deep routes will be rewarded with Mettenberger.

“That’s why Shep and those wideouts are excited,” Studrawa said. “They’ve run those routes before, and if it’s not wide open, it wasn’t thrown. You’d run 50 yards down the field and not get the ball a few hundred times. I know Russell’s excited.”

Friday Aug 24

page 19 But Shepard has only hauled in six passes of 20 or more yards during his career, prompting him to overhaul his offseason focus in preparation for an enhanced aerial assault.

“I’ve been making sure my speed is where it needs to be, so that’s crucial,” Shepard said.

“Knowing the routes is the best thing for that, though. Just knowing where the ball will be is how you play fast and get those home run balls.”

With so much to prove, it’s a serious time for the usually lighthearted Shepard, as a season with far-reaching personal, career and team implications approaches.

Still, the pressure rarely appears to infiltrate the psyche of Shepard, the undisputed leader of LSU’s relatively young receiving corps.

As if to prove it, Shepard jokingly barked, “Selfish, you’re selfish!” at junior James Wright during Football Media Day earlier this month.

Wright claimed he owed Shepard $7 for a Subway sandwich, while Shepard said the debt originated from Wright dropping two passes in that morning’s practice.

“Five dollars for the first drop, and $2 for every one after that,” Shepard said with a sheepish grin.

“That’s my system. I’m like their older brother. [The wide receivers] are all accountable for each other this year, no doubt.”

Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @AbshireTDR

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The Daily Reveille

Opinion

page 20

Monday, August 20, 2012

LSU Athletics Department lacks transparency The Daily Reveille Editorial Board We get chills watching the sun disappear behind the west grandstand in Tiger Stadium, but we cringe when people only recognize LSU as a football titan.

We can’t wait to walk through the Death Valley entrance that’s under construction, but we complain about the disheveled state of our academic buildings. We brag about our No. 1 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll, but sigh in exasperation when the team’s most recognizable player’s name is splashed across headlines for his dismissal.

It’s no secret that most students have a two-sided relationship with LSU Athletics, but perhaps never more so than right now. On one hand, we want to sink onto our hands and knees and thank them for the bailout they handed to the academic side of the University amid the most recent round of budget cuts. We want to stand up and applaud them for their bravery and integrity in axing a popular player who wasn’t following the rules.

But are bravery and integrity the areas that deserve applause?

We have no idea, and that’s when we shake our heads and shrug our shoulders at the Athletics Department.

Tyrann Mathieu strolled through this campus, ate in The 5 and lit up the football field on Saturday evenings. The students at LSU who rooted for him, who watched the “Honey Badger” video hundreds of times and who boasted about their fearless punt

returner deserve to know why he is no longer on the football team.

The lack of transparency in the Athletics Department regarding Mathieu’s dismissal has led to a flurry of speculation, rumors and whispers about what the final nail in the coffin was for LSU’s Heisman finalist.

FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is an easy reason why the Athletics Department may shield Mathieu’s reason for dismissal, but LSU’s own explanation of FERPA details that there can be exceptions to the law.

LSU should consider taking a wide stance on FERPA regarding all student-athletes. Mathieu should be held to a higher standard of maturity as a studentathlete, and his transgressions are therefore a bigger deal than those of a general member of the student body.

News leaked late last week that Mathieu will spend the fall in rehab, a story all too easy to believe after The Daily Reveille broke the news last year that Mathieu was suspended for the Auburn game after failing a drug test that revealed he’d been smoking synthetic marijuana.

But even at this point, it’s difficult to determine why the LSU Athletics Department would not confirm if drugs were the bad habit that led to Mathieu’s boot. From a PR-standpoint, they could make a champion campaign about “just say no” and the importance of athletes staying healthy.

Instead, we’re left to wonder

BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille

Then-sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (7) celebrates after his touchdown from a recovered fumble Oct. 11, 2011.

what secrets are locked inside of the Athletic Administration Building that perhaps involve more than just the player and could compromise the legacy and the future of LSU Football.

Is the threat of an NCAA investigation what’s keeping their mouths shut?

The Athletics Department could easily stop the heresy, the fodder spoken everywhere and the putty in journalists’ hands by owning up to the real reason Mathieu was kicked off the team. But for unknown reasons,

it’s refusing to elaborate. While we can connect the dots that point toward drugs, we can’t be certain if that was the true problem without confirmation from LSU Athletics.

The Athletics Department is still poised for victory – the University’s academic side would be sinking without the department’s generous donation and the boot of Mathieu easily comes off as noble.

But deeper than the donation, the poll rankings and the glamour, the reason behind

why Mathieu was kicked off the team is bottled up.

If the Athletics Department wants to maintain the shiny reputation it’s currently enjoying, its administrators should come clean about Mathieu’s dismissal. Then again, maybe the shiny reputation is what’s preventing them from releasing that information.

Contact The Daily Reveille Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com

Fall semester brings new features to The Daily Reveille LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ANDREA GALLO Editor-in-Chief Like a tiger roaming in a pitch-black night, it has crept up on us. The first day of the semester is here, and as students sporting pristine tennis shoes wade through the August humidity equipped with freshly sharpened pencils, much to look forward to lies ahead.

Cheers, we say, to the landmarks of a new semester: more people to meet, more assignments to ace, more football games to win, and most importantly, more issues

of The Daily Reveille to read and more online aspects to explore.

This semester, we will focus on catching our digital experience up to the remarkable print product that we bring to students and members of the Baton Rouge community Monday through Friday.

Get ready to hear a lot of the word “new.”

We’ll be bringing you a new website, a new app for iPhones and Androids and an iPad app within the next several weeks. Brace yourselves for interactive graphics galore, games and, of course, breaking news 24/7 in news, sports, entertainment and opinion.

Don’t forget we’ll also have photo

The Daily Reveille Editorial Board

Andrea Gallo Emily Herrington Bryan Stewart Brian Sibille Clayton Crockett

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor, External Media News Editor Opinion Editor

galleries and videos to enhance your Reveille experience.

As journalists at an awardwinning newspaper that’s more than 100 years old, we consider it our duty to serve the students of LSU by constantly telling you what’s going on in your campus community. Why were so many cop cars at ECA Saturday night?

Check our website. What were Tyrann Mathieu’s biggest landmark moments? See our sports section. What’s that new restaurant in the Student Union? Read our news section.

Two of our favorite seasons are about to gear up – the political season and the football season.

Politics-wise, we’ll be trying to keep you as informed as possible about local races and about the presidential candidates and their thoughts on issues affecting college students. In terms of football, we’ll bring you pregame and postgame analysis, along with more in-depth looks at the team’s prominent players.

Our staff members have spent their summers in a variety of ways, some slaving away at internships nearby and others exploring what other countries have to offer, but we’ve reunited in the past two weeks to do what we love and what we do best – serve the students of LSU.

Editorial Policies & Procedures

The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University.

The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

Talk to our reporters and our editors about what you want to see in your campus newspaper. Know of something fishy on campus that deserves to be investigated? Call the newsroom at 225-578-4810 or drop by B16 Hodges Hall. We’re always looking for story ideas and input from our primary constituents, who are the students at LSU. Happy fall semester!

Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @aegallo

Quote of the Day

“Join me in welcoming the next president of the United States, Paul Ryan.”

Mitt Romney Republican presidential candidate March 12, 1947 — present

The Daily Reveille

Monday, August 20, 2012

Opinion

page 21

Battle for American journalism rages in Athens, Ga. THE PHILIBUSTER PHIL SWEENEY Columnist On May 24, 2012, with the assassination of The Times-Picayune by the coward S.I. Newshouse, Jr., the American capitalist formally declared war on the American journalist, a move “necessitated by revolutionary upheaval in the newspaper industry,” as was announced by nola. com, the Picayune’s embattled cyber-bastard.

“Newspaper to move focus to digital” was the capitalist’s battle cry, and “Save the Picayune” was his opponent’s.

It’s the American way of life in conflict with itself, and it’s nothing short of tragic, at that: the nation’s brain at odds with its heart, the impossibility of a well-informed republic and its having well-lined pockets. American journalism is enduring the 40-days-in-the-desert temptations of the capitalistic devil offering the proverbial easy way out in exchange for journalistic incompetence on a biblical scale.

Times-Picayune reporter Kari Dequine Harden nutshelled the modern American journalist’s frustrations in a July email to the paper’s top brass.

“I go to nola.com this morning so I know what I need to follow up on today, and neither [the previous night’s homicide nor murder-suicide] are anywhere to be found on the home page,” she wrote. “I finally find the murdersuicide. Buried, of course. The homicide isn’t anywhere on the page. But a whole lot of other stupid fluff shit is. ... And yet we are focused on digital now?

Enhanced? Who is buying this crap?”

Not the paper’s — or website’s — readership, assuredly.

But the fire sale of the Fourth Estate nevertheless continues.

“Our product is suffering.

Big time,” Harden said. “[That] means losing respect in the community and losing readers.”

But it’s not simply the TimesPicayune’s product that’s suffering. It’s the journalistic quality of newspapers and print media everywhere — and nowhere more horrifyingly than in Athens, Ga., at The Red & Black (R&B), the

University of Georgia’s allegedly independent student newspaper.

A corps of R&B student employees — the entire editorial board and nearly all the paper’s staff — walked out last Wednesday in defense of their editorial authority, which they’d perceived to be threatened by the paper’s supervisory board.

Prior review, or approval of the paper’s content before it’s printed, was their biggest concern, according to former R&B chief photographer and UGA senior Evan Stichler.

“We’re being told what to do,” he said. “Write this [story], make sure everyone’s smiling in photographs.”

The above stipulation is part of the board’s strategy to emphasize — laughably — “GOOD” journalistic content as opposed to “BAD,” in an effort to apparently increase the paper’s financial viability.

A necessary evil, perhaps, but journalism “isn’t in it for the money,” as Stichler said. The strategy was detailed in a draft memo authored by board member Ed Stamper, which the R&B walkouts obtained and published

on redanddead.com, where they continue to publish independent student-focused content.

Of a bad nature, presumably.

Good content is “about [the R&B] audience doing something unique, helpful, outstanding, new, dramatic, i.e. scholarships for freshmen,” explained Stamper in the memo.

Bad content, of which this column is perhaps an epitome, “catches people or organizations doing bad things,” he continued. “I guess this is journalism,” Stamper moronically assumed.

Whatever journalism actually is, it’s not what’s being professed — and taught, presumably — to these UGA students.

“It just goes back to that basic principle,” said Chuck Reece, who served as R&B’s editor-inchief in 1982. “Every society, every city, every nation can’t function without free press. That’s why you have to maintain the separation.”

Reece said the board’s memo was “difficult to interpret as anything but prior review” and “concerning.”

But since we spoke, the board has caved to the exiled students’

demands, one of which was the resignation of Ed Stamper — who unforgivably likened watchdog and investigative reporting to bad journalism.

And Athens, Ga., as it turns out, isn’t where journalism goes to die. Rather, the intrepid former R&B employees — the majority of whom have since been invited to reapply for their positions — have in no small way reclaimed journalism from the clutches of American capitalism.

While it’s far too early to tell if the line they’ve drawn in Georgia’s red clay soil is a turning point in the war for American journalism, their courage is inspiring.

Today, then — and only for today — let the battle cry be “Go Dawgs.”

Phil Sweeney is a 26-year-old English senior from New Orleans.

Contact Phil Sweeney at psweeney@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_PhilSweeney

Jindal plausible pick for Secretary of Education WHY DO WE FALL? ARUN GUNASEKARAN Columnist It was Thomas Jefferson who, in addressing the economist and Pennsylvanian delegate Tench Coxe in 1799 said, “Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rotten-ness begins in his conduct.”

Does this character description sound familiar to you? If not, no problem. Let me introduce you to the man who is emitting, or at the very least is in the process of absorbing, some of the contagion: Bobby Jindal.

Though Jindal was not the vice-presidential candidate chosen

by Mitt Romney, he’s not out of this year’s Republican game. Jindal has already fled from Louisiana and is once again in another state, campaigning on behalf of the RomneyRyan ticket — while back at home, document and interview requests go unanswered.

For a man who just a few years ago exhorted “transparency in government,” his new protocol, disregarding those who have questions calls into doubt his own golden rule, and as Jefferson said, his decay.

Jindal has already ventured into four of this year’s election swing-states to attend conservative meet-and-greets and happy handshaking sessions. It can be argued that he attended

all of these events — including the most recent — hoping to procure the VP nod from Romney.

This latest adventure from Jindal, however, tells of another plan that he, and by association Romney and Ryan, might have in mind. And there is good reason to think this might be an appointment as the Secretary of Education.

While those of us in Louisiana know how much of a failure Jindal’s “education reform” was — a government-funded violation of the separation of church and state and an extremely flawed auditing system, to name only two pitfalls — he is lauded on the national stage for his tenacity, strength and commitment to change on this subject.

Are you surprised? Consider for a moment the conservative, teaparty base doing the applauding, and your bewilderment will be rendered unnecessary.

So, if Jindal is going to be involved in the prospective RomneyRyan administration further than he already is, it naturally fits that he be involved somewhere regarding education.

And if he hasn’t given that impression thus far, a certain trip he took the previous week certainly helps. Last Thursday, Jindal met Ryan and Bob McDonnell (another once-plausible VP pick) in Richmond for a panel discussion with the latter’s K-12 Education Reform Summit. Jindal will have plenty to contribute here, since he is the GOP’s standard-bearer on education. And don’t forget that

CHARLES DHARAPAK / The Associated Press

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney greets La. Gov. Bobby Jindal in Basalt, Colo., on Aug. 2. At right is Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

this was probably Romney’s idea in the first place.

Romney, in picking Ryan as his running-mate, did not pick the safe or careful candidate. In fact, Romney deliberately chose the more dangerous choice for two reasons: to offset his own triteness and aridity and to galvanize the conservative base.

He has succeeded in both of these, although much more of the latter than the former. It is important to note that while most

candidates are running only against the opposing party, Romney is running against his own.

The far-right fringe, which now amasses to a sizable portion of the conservative base, dislikes him for being a moderate flip-flopper on several social issues. They also see him as someone who, since receiving the nomination, has begun feigning conservative sentiments.

And worse for him, his ingenuity is obvious. Because of his party’s lack of trust in him, picking

Jindal as the Secretary of Education falls squarely into Romney’s appointment strategy of selecting those who both energize his base, and more importantly, his ticket.

Arun Gunasekaran is a 20-yearold biochemistry junior from Baton Rouge.

Contact Arun Gunasekaran at agunasekaran@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_ArunG