IT’S BRACKET TIME
Do you have a thirst for winning? Check online or today’s edition of The Daily Reveille for an NCAA bracket. Fill it out, turn it in to B39 Hodges Hall by Wednesday and cross your fingers. If your predictions are correct, you could win a vitaminwater prize pack. Still thirsty? If you love beer, vote in our Malt Madness poll, starting today at lsureveille.com.
THE DAILY REVEILLE Volume 114, Issue 109
University grad student falls off building, dies By Adam Duvernay News Editor
A University graduate student fell from the roof of the Life Sciences building Monday morning and sustained serious injuries that led to his death. Sarvnipun Chawla, a 27-year-old graduate student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, was discovered in critical condition on the concrete in front of the west side of the building at about 10:30 a.m. A number of witnesses provided Chawla with first aid before emergency services rushed him to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital for further treatment, where he died at about 11:15 a.m., said Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSU Police Department spokesperSarvnipun son. Chawla LSUPD is still trying to deterformer LSU mine why Chawla fell, Tabor said. graduate student “It was either a freak accident or he was trying to harm himself,” Tabor said. Chawla was still breathing and conscious when EMS arrived, Tabor said. LSUPD conducted an investigation on the roof following the event and found no evidence to suggest foul play or suicide. Tabor said detectives found Chawla’s personal items on the roof — his book bag, wallet, cell phone and shoes. “Every indication we have at this point shows he must have taken those things out before he fell,” Tabor said. Tabor said there are a number of reasons he could have put his possessions aside before he fell, but said they would only be speculation. Chancellor Michael Martin extended his condolences to Chawla’s family and friends in a broadcast email and asked students keep him in their thoughts and prayers. “LSU Police and University officials are still
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Ambitious Development
New North Gate businesses must prove unique to survive in difficult area By Sabrina Trahan Contributing Writer
New businesses will soon be built in the North Gate area, but they may not survive the community’s demand for uniqueness and lack of business outside of campus. Developments including a CVS pharmacy, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Pita Pit, PJ’s Coffee and Shanghai Tokyo Restaurant are expected to be completed by the fall. Clarke Cadzow, board member of the North Gate Merchants Association and owner of Highland Coffees, said the new developments will enhance the community depending on their uniqueness. “The North Gate area is relatively isolated, and people are only willing to work hard to get to your store if what you offer is unique and of exceptional quality,” Cadzow said. “An interesting mix of quality businesses that complements the ones we already have will help the area the most.” The new developments will cost approximately $2.7 million and will take up the space next to Smoothie King and the vacant two-building shopping center on West State Street. The developments will also include a 209-space parking lot intended for shoppers. Business owners are unsure of how they will police parking, Cadzow said. The property is about 70 percent leased, according
INCIDENT, see page 19
PROPERTY, see page 19
MELANIE SCOTT / The Daily Reveille graphic by STEPHANIE GIGLIO / The Daily Reveille
A fence surrounds a sign Monday in an area being developed near the North Gates.
SG ELECTIONS
‘Leading the Way’ campaign plans to protect academic core Editor’s note: This story is the first in a four-part series on the Student Government campaigns. The candidates will be presented alphabetically by last name. By Catherine Threlkeld Staff Writer
JAMES WEST / The Daily Reveille
Student Government vice presidential candidate Chris Sellers speaks Sunday with members of the Leading the Way campaign in the Art and Design Building.
Student Government presidential candidate Brooksie Bonvillain and vice presidential candidate Chris Sellers are “Leading the Way” into
their second week of campaigning. Debates start Tuesday, and students are examining what each candidate supports and how well they represent the students. Bonvillain said she is against raising tuition for any students. “But as hard as we will try to keep tuition at its current costs, it may not be possible,” Bonvillain said. She said she would support creating a fluctuating fee based on current enrollment and the budget
deficit at the time. The fee would not be permanent. “We’re committed to protecting the academic core at the University,” Sellers said. “We do need to make sure LSU remains the flagship institution.” SG Speaker of the Senate Tyler Martin said he supports the “Leading the Way” ticket because he said its initiatives are the most tangible, and INITIATIVES, see page 19