FOOTBALL: See how LSU historically performs after a bye week, p. 7
MUSIC: Voodoo Music Experience rocks New Orleans this weekend, p. 11
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
Thursday, October 25, 2012 • Volume 117, Issue 43
Homegrown
METRO COUNCIL
Bars may be allowed to open on Sundays
Megan Dunbar Staff Writer
photos by BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
Oysters are shucked [top] and grilled [right] Wednesday at ACME Oyster House.
Louisiana Seafood Certification Program ensures seafood is from state
Danielle Kelley
Contributing Writer
Fish lovers will soon be able to know for sure if the seafood they are buying is from Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries launched the Louisiana Seafood Certification Program last week with the help of
LSU AgCenter and other organizations according to the department’s website. Rene LeBreton, program manager of Wildlife and Fisheries, said he wants people worldwide to associate seafood with Louisiana like how potatoes are associated with Idaho and lobsters are associated with Maine.
“Right now, our industry is competing with imports from all over the world,” LeBreton said. “Though there are many people who want to buy Louisiana seafood, they can’t distinguish.” LeBreton said some seafood companies label their packages with Cajun names so consumers will assume they’re from
Louisiana, but the seafood is often from places like China. To be certified by the program, wild seafood must be caught off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, landed in the state by a licensed Louisiana fisherman and be processed and packaged in Louisiana, SEAFOOD, see page 6
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council members voted Wednesday to allow bars to remain open Sundays from 11 a.m. until midnight. The vote was 8-3, with Councilwomen Tara Wicker and Ronnie Edwards, and Mayor Pro Tempore Mike Walker voting against. Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lewis was absent. The measure will now go before Mayor-President Kip Holden for a veto or signature. Author of the ordinance Councilwoman Alison Gary amended her writing from its original text, which stated Sunday should be treated like any other day with bars closing at 2 a.m., to saying bars could stay open until midnight. Prior to the ordinance, the law stood that bars could not operate on Sundays. Gary said she spoke to Baton ALCOHOL, see page 6
ACADEMICS
University records highest ever graduation rate Chris Grillot Staff Writer
The University recorded its highest ever six-year graduation rate this year putting it ahead of its peer institutions for the first time despite four consecutive years of state budget reductions. In its fifth year hovering above 60 percent, the University’s graduation rate for students who began college in fall 2006 was 66.7 percent, nearly 5 percent higher than last year’s rate of 61.9 percent. This year’s rate is also 27.3 percent better than the University’s graduation statistics dating back to 1993, when 39.4 percent of the freshman class of 1987 graduated, according to the Office of Budget and Planning.
The six-year graduation rate includes full-time, degree-seeking new freshmen who enrolled in the fall semester or prior summer semester. The numbers once again solidify the University as having the best graduation rate of all Louisiana public universities, complementing its admissions standards, which are loftier than other public universities. Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins said the increase in graduation rates is due to increased admissions standards and a focus on services, such as the Center for Academic Success, which provide students with counseling on adjusting to and becoming successful while attending college. “As you increase admission standards, it helps with retention rates,” Jenkins said. “Eventually, it
impacts how many students graduate in six years.” He stressed that the retention of students from freshman to sophomore years is a crucial aspect to keeping them until graduation. Since 2008, the University has experienced a $102.22 million, or 43.6 percent, cut to its state appropriated funding. Because of this, Jenkins called the graduation increase a “source of pride” because the University hasn’t been able to add services to help increase retention rates, meaning faculty had to work harder while they haven’t revived raises for the fifth straight year. The 66.7 percent will also surpass the University’s peer GRAD RATES, see page 6
LSUSix-Year 6 Year Graduation LSU GraduationRates Rates Since 1993, graduation rates havehave increased 27.327.3 percent Since 1993, graduation rates increased
1993:
2011:
2012:
39.4%
61.9%
66.7%
*Includes full-time, degree-seeking new freshmen who enrolled in the fall semester or prior summer
graphic by BRITTANY GAY / The Daily Reveille