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LSU cheerleader competes in FOX Sports’ Cheerleader of the Year, page 3.
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Volume 114, Issue 115
University reports violation to NCAA
WWW.LSUREVEILLE.COM
Health care reform bill divides nation, campus
By Staff Reports The LSU Athletic Department submitted a report to the NCAA and Southeastern Conference offices about its internal investigation involving a potential NCAA violation. LSU announced in November it was launching an investigation involving an assistant coach and a player. Multiple reports speculated the coach and player involved are former wide receivers coach D.J. McCarthy and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, a junior college player who transferred to LSU in 2009. The release says the assistant coach and player in question have both left the University. McCarthy resigned in December, and Hicks, who did not play in any games in 2009, was no longer enrolled in the University at the start of the spring semester. Some of the possible violations include improper telephone calls, transportation before and after the athlete’s visit to LSU and housing at a reduced rate in an apartment in Baton Rouge, according to a news release.
See PDF versions of the report and read a full version of this story at lsureveille.com. Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
BUDGET
Legislators, officials hint at likely cuts By Xerxes A. Wilson Senior Staff Writer
J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / The Associated Press
President Obama signs the health care bill Tuesday in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C.
Healthy Choice?
“It’s a phenomenal landmark bill to pass,” GaAmerica was divided Tuesday when President Obama signed the heavily debated health care re- rand said. “It’s a very strong statement about Obama form bill into law. and his ability to get a key part of By Ryan Buxton The bill is meant to expand his legislative agenda through.” Senior Staff Writer health care coverage to millions of The House of Representatives Americans and create an individupassed the bill Sunday in a close al mandate on coverage. vote of 219 to 212. The bill’s passage is a victory for Obama, who All seven of Louisiana’s representatives voted has championed health care reform since his presi- against it, including Charles Melancon, the state’s dential campaign, said political science professor James Garand. BILL, see page 15
LSU System President John Lombardi asked legislators tasked with debating the state budget how deep funding cuts would be. Lombardi was joined Tuesday by the higher education system presidents and the State Commissioner of Higher Education Sally Clausen in testifying to the House Appropriations Committee, which is debating the state’s budget for the coming fiscal year. “Do we look for $100 million? Do we look for $200 million? Do we look for $300 million to be reduced in the state budget when the stimulus money goes away?” Lombardi said. Lombardi said it was crucial for universities to know how much is going to be cut before they begin axing programs. “If we take action and say we are going to be careful and hope for $300 million, and it turns out it’s only going to be $100 million, we will have destroyed programs which we can’t recover at the end of that year,” Lombardi said. To the disapproval of some legislators, Lombardi said it would take a minimum of one year to extract substantial funds by cutting academic programs and colleges. CUTS, see page 15
Memorial held for dead student LSU fans aiming for Song, prayer help TECHNOLOGY
recall Chawla’s life By Sarah Eddington Staff Writer
Friends and community members gathered Tuesday at Resthaven Gardens of Memory for a solemn service held in memory of Sarvnipun Chawla, the physics and astronomy graduate student who committed suicide last week by jumping off the Life Sciences Building. Those in attendance sat crosslegged on the floor in a semi-circle around Chawla’s open casket with
cloth covering their heads. Pinki Diwan, volunteer at the LSU Foundation, organized the memorial after being contacted by Chawla’s mother to help with the preparations. A Sikh religious leader began the ceremony by singing a solemn song while playing a harmonium and tabla. After the prayer, key figures in Chawla’s life shared a few words with those in attendance. A. Ravi P. Rau, physics professor, taught one of Chawla’s physics classes and said he knew Chawla before he attended the University. Chawla contacted him in the summer of 2006, right before he
moved from India to get his Ph.D. at the University, to learn what books he should read to prepare for the start of school, Rau said. “He was an exceptional student who had a passion for physics,” Rau said. Chawla’s friends knew he was having problems at home, specifically with his marriage. Sumir Chehl, a close friend of the Chawlas, said Chawla’s wife had recently filed for divorce. “He was very much in love with her, and he couldn’t stand the idea of being separated,” Chehl said. Friends said Chawla had been SUICIDE, see page 15
Tweetup world record
By Michael Lambert Sports Contributor
Belly dancers, Jedi knights and car enthusiasts are some of the groups of people who have used Twitter to meet at a Tweetup, an event where people from Twitter gather in person. LSU football fans will have their chance to Tweetup at the National L Club Spring Football Game on Saturday on the South Lawn of Tiger Stadium with the goal of
setting a world record. Craig Pintens, assistant athletic director of marketing, said the Tweetup is open to anyone going to the spring game. Pintens said the only stipulation is the person must hear about it through the LSUsports Twitter account. Pintens said LSU can’t use Facebook or a press release to promote the event. RECORD, see page 15