MUSIC: World-renowned Beatles expert to speak on campus, p. 3
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: LSU drops heartbreaker to Tennessee at buzzer, p. 5
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
Friday, February 8, 2013 • Volume 117, Issue 86
The Wise Artist
Dean Alkis Tsolakis looks to create international art at University Nic Cotten Staff Writer
Alkis Tsolakis has a quiet but busy office in the Design Building, where he has looked over the College of Art and Design as dean since January. He insists his new title does not change his approach to schooling. “I am a professor,” Tsolakis said. “We do not come from a planet of deans.” Tsolakis is from Greece, and spent time as a professor of architecture at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. “I am from the South,” Tsolakis said. “The South in Europe, but south is the same everywhere.” He said he grew up near the water, and Baton Rouge, though a bit more inland, provides a similar geographical feel. Tsolakis spent time at Tulane University, where he initially became acclimated to Louisiana. Jori Erdman, Director of the School of Architecture, said Tsolakis is still learning
College of Art and Design Dean Alkis Tsolakis was previously a professor at Drury University and is a registered professional architect with Greece’s Ministry of Public Works. TAYLOR BALKOM /
The Daily Reveille
about Baton Rouge and its culture. “He is making an effort to get to know Baton Rouge,” Erdman said. “He engages himself in Louisiana and will be a student of Louisiana for a while.” Several of his colleagues said Tsolakis’ greatest attribute is his ability to connect with students. “His interest in people jumps out very quickly,” said Tom Sofranko, associate dean of the College of Art and Design. “He has an amazing memory in names that is prompted by his interest in genuinely getting to know someone.” Sofranko said he has overheard several meetings Tsolakis has had with students in which he meets them on their level. “He had a student in his office who must have been studying Spanish,” Sofranko said. “And he had the student go through the whole meeting in Spanish and helped him along the way.” DEAN, see page 4
REORGANIZATION
Team looks to LSU future McKenzie Womack Staff Writer
As the University and LSU System inch closer toward reorganization, members of the Transition Advisory Team tried to envision what LSU could look like in 10 years on Thursday during a team immersion workshop in which they discussed consolidating personnel, combating budget cuts and serving Louisiana residents. The reorganization process is being headed by SSA Consultants, and Christel Slaughter, a partner of SSA Consultants, emphasized that the University is embarking on uncharted territory in this process. “There is no best approach, no model for us to follow,” she said. Board of Supervisors Chairman Hank Danos said the team needs to think globally while protecting Louisiana’s culture. “While we preserve our culture and our heritage and the TEAM, see page 11
STATE
BRPD Chief White given choice to resign or be fired White’s appeal to be held Feb. 18 Nic Cotten Staff Writer
RICHARD REDMANN / The Daily Reveille
Former Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Dewayne White and his attorney Jill Craft listen Thursday to reporters at a news conference in downtown Baton Rouge.
Former Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Dewayne White said in a Thursday news conference that he was given an option to either resign or be terminated from his position, and after requesting to call his lawyer, he was fired. White was fired Wednesday over a “substantial disagreement with the direction of the future of the Baton Rouge Police Department,” according to an email from Chief Administration Officer William Daniel, who White said presented
the ultimatum. personnel decisions approved beAfter White held a news forehand. conference about gun violence and Craft said there were three gun safety with children Wednes- discrepancies with White’s firing. day, he was called into Daniel’s She said he was highly capable of office and given the option to re- doing his job, he wanted BRPD to sign or be terminated, White’s law- function as an independent entity yer Jill Craft said. and he had been an White wanted to police chief ‘All we were trying to active call both his lawin the community. yer and his wife, do was extend an olive Another rift but his request was between the maybranch.’ refused and he was or’s office and given a terminaWhite was built in Jill Craft tion letter, accordfall of 2012 when lawyer for former BRPD Chief ing to Craft. White transferred Dewayne White Craft said isthe union presisues arose after dent to community White’s continuous refusal to be policing, Craft said. micromanaged by Mayor-PresiCraft said White wanted to dent Kip Holden’s office, including the mayor’s request to have all BRPD, see page 11