The Daily Reveille - Sept. 8, 2009

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Preservation Plan

Volume 114, Issue 11

School of Architecture studies condition of campus buildings

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

ADMINISTRATION

Manship dean to resign in 2011

By Kyle Bove

By Ryan Buxton

Senior Staff Writer

Staff Writer

A busy epicenter of the University’s landscape, the Quad is the heart of campus — a place where students go to study, talk or take a quick nap. These daily activities are surrounded by buildings with a rich history that has been collected in a new architecture project.

The School of Architecture recently conducted intensive research on the 18 original Quad buildings using an $180,000 campus heritage grant from the Getty Foundation. The school used the grant to develop a historical preservation plan meant to keep the buildings architecturally cohesive when they are renovated.

“We did a comprehensive inventory of the exterior condition of those buildings today, as compared to when they were originally designed,” said Michael Desmond, architecture professor and head of the project.

Van Cox, landscape architecture professor, worked with Desmond on the project and investigated landscape changes in the Quad.

“The interesting thing about LSU is the way it evolved from a plantation and agrarian site to a college campus that started out with a highly structured center core and evolved rather loosely,” Cox said.

Cox said one of the biggest changes was the construction of Middleton Library, which altered the fundamental structure of the space originally laid out in the shape of a cruciform.

MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille “I call [Middleton Library] a carbuncle,” Cox Drew Wallace, architecture senior, talks about building the models of the original 18 buildings on LSU said. “It’s a wart in the middle of an otherwise campus to develop a historical preservation plan to keep cohesion after renovation. The research used a EXHIBIT, see page 14 grant from the Getty Foundation. Wallace is currently working on the model of Atkinson Hall.

John Maxwell “Jack” Hamilton, dean of the Manship School of Mass Communication, announced his resignation Friday.

He will resign from his post June 30, 2011, but take a leave of absence starting Dec. 2010. Mass communication professor Ralph Izard will be the acting dean of the school during that time.

Hamilton , JACK HAMILTON who came to the dean of mass communication Manship School in 1992 after more than 20 years of working as a journalist, said he wants to be a faculty member at the University after his resignation is effective.

“I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to do this job,” Hamilton said.

He said it was time to take a different direction with his career after working as dean for so long. Hamilton is the senior dean on campus — 2011 will mark his 19th year at the University.

Contact Kyle Bove at kbove@lsureveille.com

INFRASTRUCTURE

Main sewer line may pose threat to University operations Potential rupture could affect football games

By Lindsey Meaux Senior Staff Writer

Though overlooked on campus tours and visits to Tiger Stadium, the University’s main sewer line has been faithfully servicing campus for more than half a century — and like most campus infrastructures throughout the years, its time for replacement has come.

Emmett David, director of facility development, said more than $4 million was

requested in the 2009 Regular Legislative Session, but — because of budgetary constraints — the legislature chose not to provide funding for the multi-million dollar project, leaving the administration in fear of the line’s impending rupture.

The University is hopeful to receive funding during the 2010 session, David said.

“The No. 1 project for the University under emergency projects is the replacement of this 30-inch sewer line tying into the city-parish treatment system,” David said.

The rupture of the line could potentially close the University for an indefinite period of time, David said.

“It did not receive any funding — there are financial hardships right now,” David said. “The state addressed what they felt in their wisdom. You have to look at the entire state, not just our sewer problem.

Bobby Pitre, facility services executive director, said the worst-case scenario for the line’s rupture would result in the University evacuating about 100,000 people from the campus.

“The worst case would be a Saturday night during a football game,” Pitre said. “You could see them shutting down the football game and evacuating the SEWER, see page 14

photo courtesy of Facility Services

The University spent $1 million to repair a sewer line rupture off Nicholson Drive in 2006, according to Bobby Pitre, facility services executive director

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Nation & World

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

Rain floods Mexico City homes, airport, four subway stations

Former Rep. Joseph Kennedy nixes Senate campaign

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Heavy rains have flooded hundreds of homes in the Mexico City metropolitan area and turned streets into rivers that dragged cars in their currents. Officials say the downpour briefly closed Mexico City’s airport and swamped four subway stations that were out of operation on Monday.

BOSTON (AP) — Former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II, the eldest son of Robert F. Kennedy, announced Monday he would not run for the U.S. Senate seat held for nearly 50 years by his late uncle, Edward M. Kennedy. In a statement, the former six-term congressman said he cares about those seeking decent housing, fair wages and health care. But he added, “The best way for me to contribute to those causes is by continuing my work at Citizens Energy Corp.”

Conservation group fears port expansion will sink Venice ROME (AP) — Italian authorities plan to expand Venice’s port into a bustling shipping hub, further endangering the fragile lagoon and contributing to the sinking of the treasured city built on water, a conservation group said Monday. Venice in Peril, a British fund that works to preserve Venice, said a report it obtained from the local port authority showed plans to accommodate more and bigger ships in a bid to compete with other European harbors.

California post-wildfire worries: floods, damaged ecosystem LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California’s huge wildfire turned nearly a quarter of the 1,000-square-mile Angeles National Forest into a moonscape of barren mountains looming above thousands of homes that now

face the threat of flash floods and mudslides. Experts are already evaluating the extent of risk to lives and property, as well the impacts of the wildfire on a forest ecosystem that in some areas may not have burned in at least a century.

Obama encourages kids to pay attention in school WASHINGTON (AP) — In a speech that drew fire even before he delivered it, President Barack Obama is telling the nation’s schoolchildren he “expects great things from each of you. At the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world,” Obama said. “And none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities.” The White House posted Obama’s remarks on its Web site at midday Monday. He’s scheduled to deliver the talk from Wakefield High School in suburban Arlington, Va., Tuesday.

STATE/LOCAL

Louisiana agencies look to contractors to cut costs

FEMA fight leaves New Orleans community college short

(AP) — The price tag to run an environmental lab for soil and water analysis tops $5 million a year. The state’s environmental quality secretary estimates a private company could do the work for $2 million.

Replacement of the state’s stockpile of food and bottled water for a hurricane will cost the emergency preparedness office upward of $3.5 million in two years. And the cost will be repeated again four years later. A private vendor says it could guarantee the same quantity of food and water over five years for an estimated $2 million. Louisiana agencies are pitching a litany of such outsourcing ideas, as they try to shrink their budgets amid years of projected shortfalls. Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration embraced privatization of government work as a way to cut costs. Among the ideas: environmental permits written by private companies and state tax questions handled by contracted call centers

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Officials at Delgado Community College in New Orleans say 1,500 would-be students were turned away for the fall semester because of lingering damage from Hurricane Katrina. Needed buildings are still not repaired because Delgado’s damage estimates are far from what the Federal Emergency Management Agency is ready to pay. For instance, FEMA has said it would pay close to $19 million to furnish ruined buildings on the City Park campus. But Delgado Chancellor Ron Wright’s estimate of the need is $40 million. “This is my 39th year in community colleges, and I never turned away a student” before this semester, Wright said last week.

“Never.” One factor in the disparity is the cost of replacing equipment.

While FEMA’s appraisals set prices at the levels seen decades ago, when the equipment was bought, “I’ve got to put them back at 2009 prices,” Wright said.

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CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards.This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes which may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified please contact the editor at (225) 5784811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille.com.

POLICIES AND 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. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies for 25 cents, please contact the Office of Student Media in B-34 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and semi-weekly during the summer semester, except during holidays and final exams. Secondclass copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, La., 70803. Annual weekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester weekly mailed subscriptions are $75. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Daily Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, La.,70803.

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PAGE 3

TRANSPORTATION

Unicyclist finishes 117-mile ride to New Orleans Grad student’s feat took 15 hours

By Mary Walker Baus Staff Writer

They say it’s darkest right before the dawn, and that was certainly the case as Matthew Huber mounted his unicycle on the steps of the State Capitol building Saturday at 5:10

a.m. to embark on his 117-mile unicycle ride from Baton Rouge to New Orleans.

Huber saluted the city of Baton Rouge, reset his odometer and yelled, “Yeehaw!” Then the geology graduate student pedaled away — his blinking red taillight fading in the distance down River Road.

Huber said he was nervous, but he knew he could accomplish his goal.

Huber proved himself correct

MEGAN J. WILLIAMS / The Daily Reveille

Matthew Huber, geology graduate student, rides his unicycle Wednesday and talks about his plans to take a trip from Baton Rouge to New Orleans.

when he arrived at his final destination, the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, at 8:15 p.m., an hour shy of his pre-ride estimated time of 16 hours.

But, instead of joy, Huber felt only exhaustion, and a miscommunication with his peer Amy Cone, who was picking him up for the drive back to Baton Rouge, made his bed almost more important than his accomplishment.

“We didn’t pick him up until 11:30 [p.m.] because we misunderstood about where we would meet,” said Cone, geology graduate student.

“We found him waiting at Café Du Monde. He was really tired. He slept the whole way back.”

Huber said when he arrived home around 12:30 a.m., he talked about the day’s journey with his neighbors over wine and then went to bed, not waking up until Sunday afternoon.

Huber’s journey proved to be more than a tale of exhaustion. It is also a tale of personal achievement, and for Huber, the joy that comes from a personal best hit him at the 100-mile mark on his ride.

“I felt really good through 100 miles,” he said. “The number 100 was really important to me. Between 90 and 100 miles, I pushed really hard. As a result, I made 100 miles in 12 hours. That had become a big objective, so I was coaching myself a lot to keep my speed up.”

Huber hit 100 miles at a top speed of 15.6 mph on the corner of Highway 90 and Lapalco Boulevard around 5:15 p.m. He said he stopped to update his Facebook and jump for joy.

“Some people stopped to see if I needed help,” he said.

Huber said even though the final 17 miles were the toughest part of the day, he never felt like giving up.

“It’s worth it,” he said. “It’s

Outtakes now open Sundays

By Brianna Paciorka Contributing Writer

Students dining on campus have one more weekend dining option, as the Outtakes at the 459 Commons is now open Sundays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

David Heidke, LSU Dining director, said student feedback led to the decision to open Outtakes — a convenience store featuring Taco Bell and Papa John’s — Sunday evenings.

“We wanted to experiment with it for the fall semester,” Heidke said.

“We’ve done it for one Sunday, and it seems to be doing pretty well.”

Outtakes wasn’t previously open on weekends because weekend business “was not there” until meal transfers were offered at the Student Union, Heidke said.

Meal transfers allow a student

Huber said he stopped to take a break every 10 miles during the first 50 miles. He said he took longer breaks every 20 miles to eat and rehydrate. Huber said he stopped every 5 to 7 miles after the first 50 miles, and the entire ride was smooth except one minor accidental fall around the 85-mile mark.

“I didn’t get injured, but I’m incredibly sore,” he said. “I’ll treat myself to a big meal today.”

Huber said his meal of choice is steak and potatoes.

“This is a ride I’ve been wanting to do since April and May, and now I’ve done it,” he said. “It was a really great experience. I did it, and it does make me happy. Maybe I’ll do it again, or maybe I’ll work on my speed. I haven’t set another goal yet.”

Contact Mary Walker Baus at mwbaus@lsureveille.com

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DINING

Student feedback leads to new hours

important to ride enough and know what you’re capable of. I felt great the whole day, and that reflected my training [on the unicycle]. I averaged over 10 mph the whole trip, which was another one of my goals.”

Huber started unicycling on Nicholson, turned onto River Road and made his way to the Plaquemine Ferry Landing. Then, Huber headed down LA-1 for 17 miles, ending up just outside of Donaldsonville to eat Sonic, fill his unicycle tire with air and refuel on Gatorade.

Huber travelled a few more small highways after lunch before reaching Highway 90, where 10 miles down marked Huber’s 100mile marker.

After taking the Algiers ferry, Huber rode into the French Quarter on Tchoupitoulas Street.

He said he stayed on his unicycle the whole way except for the ferry rides and a few spots on Canal and Bourbon streets, where the amount of people made unicycling difficult.

to swap a dining hall meal with a Another Outtakes location at The combo at select LSU Dining loca- 5 — the University’s newest dining tions without the deduction of Paw hall planned to open spring 2010 Points.

— will also be open “On Sunweekends when Tiger day night, stuLair closes for renovadents are just tions, Heidke said. getting back Weekend meals to campus,” are currently served at Heidke said.

Tiger Lair beginning “We’re trying to at 4:30 p.m. on Fripick up that later days and Saturday and Sunday crowd Sunday until 6:30 p.m.

Brittney Perrodin [with Outtakes’ Late-night meal transbiology sophomore Sunday hours].” fers are also offered at Outtakes Einstein Bros. Bagels earned about $3,000 the first Sun- from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. day it was open, compared to a daily Brittney Perrodin, biological average of more than $5,000, and sciences sophomore, said there used Heidke said business could improve to not be any dining options for stuas students become more aware of dents on Sunday evenings.

Outtakes’ new weekend hours.

“It’s useful,” Perrodin said.

“We have a good shot because “The Union closes so early, and of the day and time it’s open,” then there’s no place else to eat.”

Heidke said.

Outtakes will eventually open for the entire weekend when the Contact Brianna Paciorka at Tiger Lair Food Court in the Stubpaciorka@lsureveille.com dent Union closes for renovations.

‘‘

‘It’s useful. The Union closes so early, and then there’s no place else to eat.’

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PAGE 4

THE DAILY REVEILLE

HEALTH CARE

Tuesday, september 8, 2009

ACADEMICS

Reform to cut nursing home budgets Study: Multitasking Staff to be hardest hit with job losses

By Adam Duvernay Senior Staff Writer

As support for President Barack Obama’s health care reform wavers across the board, a new study shows the bill will negatively affect nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the country.

Current legislation limiting Medicare funding coupled with about $12 billion in Medicare cuts will slash $44 billion nationwide from nursing home budgets the next 10 years, according to analysis from the American Health Care Association.

The AHCA report also predicts the loss of about 50,000 skill caregiver jobs during those 10 years.

In Louisiana alone, the Louisiana Nursing Home Association predicts about $570 million in cuts during the same time period.

“With this particular bill, it seems they’re aiming at the skilled nursing force,” said Joe Donchess, LNHA executive director. “The cuts will have to be absorbed by manpower because that is where the costs are.”

Donchess said he predicts more than $26 million in cuts and the loss of at least 600 nursing jobs in the first year if the health care bill passes in

its current form.

That many lost jobs will result in less individual care and fewer skilled technicians, Donchess said.

“The bottom line is staffing cuts will affect the care for people who can’t take care of themselves,” said Todd Ford, administrator of Heritage House in Baton Rouge.

Obama’s administration has repeated health care reform would not cut benefits to seniors.

In a town hall meeting organized by the American Association of Retired People, Obama said the goal of reform was to end waste and inefficiency within the failing and draining Medicare system. He said reform would maintain the quality of care while still driving down costs.

Donchess said these claims ignore the loss of staff those cuts would necessitate and the effect those losses would have on seniors.

Staff is always the first cost on the chopping block because nursing homes can make few cuts to medical and physical care for their residents, Donchess said.

Ford said cuts in staff could fundamentally alter the quality of care provided to the elderly in the state.

Fewer staff members could mean fewer physical therapy sessions and longer waits between individual care.

Nursing homes generally operate at a 1 to 2 percent profit margin, but Donchess said the current legislation will force nursing homes to

give up 9 percent in revenues.

Hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers will give up 6.5 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

Ford said 60 percent of the revenue generated by nursing homes generally goes to paying staff.

With about 77 million baby boomers nearing retirement, Donchess said the young people in America will be forced to pay for them through higher taxes.

And with people living longer, he said the number of people living in nursing homes and drawing on Social Security will only continue to rise.

Donchess said he was unsure of a definite answer to the imposing problems of health care cost but said health insurance cooperatives may be able to control costs better than private insurance companies.

More importantly, he said it was necessary for people to take control of their own health and avoid unnecessary doctor visits.

Donchess said the LNHA received $960 million in the form of a federal trust fund in 2002, but it won’t be enough to deflect all the damage. He said almost $800 million of those funds is still available to help wait out the cuts.

Contact Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@lsureveille.com

may be detrimental to information retention Breaking focus can cause mistakes

By Ryan Buxton Staff Writer

A typical college classroom is occupied by students doing more than just taking notes. Text messaging, logging on to Facebook and checking e-mail are among the activities students do while trying to pay attention to lectures. But this divided focus can be detrimental to memory retention.

Though multitasking is a favorite activity of students trying to maximize productivity and do an ample amount of work in a brief amount of time, a new study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences says multitasking may do more harm than good.

Multitaskers are more susceptible to memory interference by irrelevant details, according to the study.

Emily Elliott, psychology professor, said splitting focus makes multitasking inefficient.

“The problem is that human beings have a limited capacity system,”

Elliott said. “We cannot simultaneously comprehend two streams of information at once.”

Elliott compared the brain to a television set: The brain has only one channel, and people must decide whether to tune in to a lecture, an e-mail or some other activity. But changing the channel is what causes problems.

“The huge cost is switching [between tasks],” Elliott said.

But with so much technology like laptops and cell phones at students’ fingertips, temptation to multitask is great, said Diane Mohler, learning strategies consultant at the Center for Academic Success.

“Our society has pushed all of us to do more in less time,” Mohler said. “We say, ‘Look at all this wonderful technology.’ But it’s detrimental to really being efficient in doing things well.”

With the desire for and availability of technology, people forget they are paying a price by working on different activities, Elliott said.

She conducted a classroom disruption study and found students are easily distracted.

MULTITASKING, see page 14

Tuesday, september 8, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

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THE DAILY REVEILLE

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STUDY ABROAD

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

NATION

Students work part-time overseas Ground zero project Jobs may diminish developing slowly cultural experience

By Mary Walker Baus Staff Writer

English tea in Norwich and French bread in Lyon proved to be a little too expensive for two University students studying abroad last year, so they decided to work part-time to battle the exchange rate.

Academic Programs Abroad said students are interested in working part-time while abroad to be able to buy more things, but experts worry the time spent working will take away from the cultural experience of studying abroad.

“Over here at LSU, I have a work-study position on campus, so not having that income ... plus the fact that the pound is more valuable than the dollar influenced [my decision],” said Samantha Alleman, English junior who studied abroad in Norwich, England, in spring 2009. “My parents weren’t always able to send me money, so if I had a job, I’d have [money].”

Alleman said she applied for a type of student visa that allowed her to work 20 hours a week. When she arrived at her international school, she applied for a student job with the School for American Studies at her foreign university.

“It depends on the person because some people would love to travel all the time ... [or] focus more on studying, but for me it was the best thing because I was able to get more spending money,” she said.

Alleman said having a part-time job provided her with enough funds to go to London for her birthday and see the Broadway musical “Wicked.”

To work or not to work?

One euro is equal to 1.42694 U.S. dollars, and one United Kingdom pound is equal to 1.62555 U.S. dollars.

Rachel Daroca, Academic Programs Abroad international exchange coordinator, said she noticed more and more students who inquire about working parttime while studying abroad.

“It may be more on students’ minds because they’re taking out loans and funding their own experience, and they’re looking for additional income,” Daroca said.

But Daroca said working while abroad can prevent students from focusing on the cultural and academic experience.

“I would tend to discourage a student ... from working parttime while abroad because I think it detracts from the experience,” she said. “We have definitely seen students who have gotten in over their heads or become overwhelmed in terms of work load.”

When Melissa “Missy” Bucher studied abroad in Lyon, France, last year, getting a job was the best way she could keep her mind off homesickness. The

wallet full of extra euros wasn’t bad either, she said.

“I would’ve been fine without the money, but it did enable me to go shopping more and to go out a bit more,” said Bucher, political science and French senior. “The exchange rate was quite unfortunate when I went over between the dollar and the euro ... It was nice to have the extra pocket change.”

Daroca suggested for students who need additional funding to work prior to studying abroad and save their money.

Robert Newman, economics department chair and professor, said the exchange rate only affects students when they are buying euros with U.S. dollars.

“Once you’re there, then the exchange rate is not an issue at that point,” Newman said. “It’s important before you go over there.”

Newman said the marginal benefit of a job could help a student’s cultural experience.

“Having a job over there would provide you with an interesting experience because you’re working with individuals from other cultures,” Newman said.

Laura Martins, department of foreign languages and literatures graduate adviser, said she doesn’t recommend students to work while studying abroad,

‘‘

even though it is a way to be integrated into a foreign culture. She said living with a host family is one of the best ways a student can be immersed in another culture.

THE VISA PROCESS Daroca said student visas are required to study abroad in most cases, but the student visa process is different for every country. She said some student visas allow students to work part-time jobs up to 20 hours a week, but that is not the case with every foreign country.

“Students are responsible for applying for a student visa themselves according to student visa regulations, which vary by country and are posted on each country’s consular Web site,” Daroca said in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille. “Additionally, rules governing part-time work while abroad vary by country.”

Daroca said the visa process, especially in the United Kingdom and France, has recently gone through some major updates.

Alleman said studying abroad requires a lot of research and planning in advance. She said she applied for her student visa in November, even though her program didn’t begin until spring 2009.

EXCHANGE, see page 15

‘It depends on the person because some people would love to travel all the time ... [or] focus more on studying, but for me [getting a part-time job while abroad] was the best thing because I was able to get more spending money.’

Samantha Alleman English junior

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) The five skyscrapers were all supposed to rise by early next decade to replace the ravaged World Trade Center, with the city’s tallest towers set in a spiral evoking the Statue of Liberty’s torch.

They would frame a massive memorial in a tree-filled park, plus a theater and a transportation hub with uplifted wings, one of several symbols intended to defy the terrorists who destroyed the 16-acre site in under two hours.

Standing on the site now — a multi-level labyrinth of concrete and steel, from the entrance

resembling the rooftops of an underground city — the sweeping design unveiled six years ago still hasn’t materialized.

And while the most symbolic pieces of the puzzle at ground zero are taking shape, it’s become increasingly clear that the grand scheme will take decades to be fully completed, if it ever is at all.

Vickie Cooper had mixed feelings as she peered through a fence at the site’s stark northeast corner, a spot reserved for a skyscraper now mired in arbitration over its financing.

Its history is “too sad to even REBUILDING, see page 15

GOVERNMENT

Obama thanks labor for rights at work

By The Associated Press CINCINNATI (AP) — President Barack Obama declared Monday that modern benefits like paid leave, minimum wage and Social Security “all bear the union label,” as he appealed to organized labor to help him win the health care fight in Congress.

“It was labor that helped build the largest middle class in history.

So, even if you’re not a union member, every American owes something to America’s labor movement,” said Obama, whose run for the presidency was energized in no small part by unions.

Obama asserted that “our recovery plan is working,” but

repeated that he won’t be satisfied until jobs are much more plentiful.

Shortly after taking the oath, Obama confronted a rapidly deteriorating economy, a clogged credit system, failing or ailing banks and a a shaky stock market. He used his speech here to tick off a host of steps the administration has taken to steady the economy, and he made a special pitch for the health care overhaul he has pushed.

“We have never been this close,” Obama said. “We have never had this broad an agreement on what needs to be done.” He accused vested interests of trying to SPEECH, see page 15

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Sports

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

SOCCER

Clarke sparks Tigers to 2-1 win

PAGE 7

Sleepless in Seattle LSU squeaks out win at Washington, defeats Huskies, 31-23, in season opener

By Rowan Kavner Sports Contributor

The weekend could have been much worse for the LSU soccer team.

Thanks to senior leadership and a couple late goals on Sunday by senior midfielder Melissa Clarke, the Tigers (2-1-1) left the South Florida Invitational unbeaten after a 2-1 win against South Florida (1-2-1).

LSU outshot South Florida, 15-10, in the game and 10-5 in the second half to help secure the victory.

“Sunday afternoons are very difficult games, and this was a hot one,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “To be playing our best in the 80th and 90th minutes — and even on Friday against Central Florida, to be playing our best in overtime — is a really positive sign for both the fitness and commitment of the team.”

The Tigers had to display some resiliency Sunday. LSU was down, 1-0, after the first 70 minutes of play.

USF midfielder Noelle Pineiro scored on a penalty kick after teammate Gina Pacheco was taken down in the box in the 64th minute — a penalty not even Lee could debate.

“It wasn’t even close,” Lee said. “We chopped her down pretty good.”

Clarke answered the goal with an exclamation point by tying the game when sophomore midfielder SOCCER, see page 13

JOHN FROSCHAUER / The Associated Press

LSU players Kevin Minter (46), Ciron Black (70), Richard Dugas (45) and others join head coach Les Miles, center right, and running backs coach Larry Porter, center left, to sing and cheer after the game Saturday in Seattle. The Tigers defeated the Huskies, 31-23, increasing Miles’ record to 5-0 in season openers at LSU.

By Rachel Whittaker Chief Sports Writer

“Regardless of the score, we want them to walk off the field and respect us.”

Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said these words the week before his Huskies coaching debut against No. 11 LSU in both teams’ season opener Saturday, and his wish was granted despite the Tigers coming away with the 3123 win.

Washington still has not won a game since Nov. 17, 2007, a streak of 15 consecutive games

that is just one shy of Oregon’s Pacific-10 conference record. But LSU coach Les Miles said the Huskies’ winless 2008 season is truly behind them.

“I can tell you that that team will be the most improved team in this conference,” Miles said. “I’m very thankful that we came and performed like we did.”

The Huskies took the lead just 4:25 into the game when they marched right down the field on a 10-play, 85-yard drive culminating in a 17yard touchdown strike from junior quarterback Jake Locker to true freshman wide receiver

James Johnson.

Miles said before the game Locker’s return to the helm for Washington was what he feared the most, and his opinion did not change after the game.

“That Jake Locker is mobile and active,” Miles said.

Locker, in his first start since breaking his right thumb against Stanford last season, did not come out rusty as he passed for 321 yards, which equaled LSU’s entire offensive output. The WASHINGTON, see page 13

VOLLEYBALL

Duo of setters helps pace offense Tigers go 2-1 in Classic this weekend

By Andy Schwehm Sports Writer

MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior Sam Dabbs sets the ball Sept. 4 during the Tigers’ match against Nebraska.

Dabbs was named to the all-tournament team in the Tiger Classic this weekend.

In football, it’s the quarterback. In basketball, it’s the point guard. Both positions run the offense, pacing their teams to victory or defeat.

For a volleyball team, it’s the setter who runs the offense — the most versatile player on the floor who runs to meet any second touch for the offense to assist the attack on the opposing team.

‘‘

‘Our hitters are our receivers. We are setting them up for the best set possible.’

Sam Dabbs

LSU senior setter

In LSU volleyball, it’s a duo of upperclassmen, senior Sam Dabbs and junior Brittney Johnson, that runs the offense.

That duo led LSU to a 2-1 record in the Tiger Classic this weekend, dishing out a combined 118 assists total during a five-set

loss to then-No.6 Nebraska and a pair of sweeps against in-state rivals Louisiana-Lafayette and Tulane.

“We run every play, we make plays happen off second contact and we have to know what the other side is doing to set up our attackers,” Dabbs said. “Our hitters are our receivers. We are setting them up for the best set possible so they can put the ball away.”

The setter stands near the net about 5 feet from the right sideline to prepare to dish out the assist off first contact from the VOLLEYBALL, see page 12

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 8

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

BABBLING BROOKS

RECREATION

UREC intramural LeGarrette Blount was ‘that guy’ season begins today Basketball action tips off tonight

By Jonathan Schexnayder Sports Contributor

Sports can be a way for many students to escape the responsibilities of school and stay active at the same time.

Some students will get that opportunity today when the fall intramural season begins at the University Student Recreational Complex with the first session of team and individual leagues available to students ‘We are and faculty.

The acplanning tion tips off several with 3-on-3 events ... basketball at to build the UREC’s courts, up school outdoor said Matthew spirit.’ Boyer, assistant director Matthew Boyer of leagues and assistant director of tournaments. leagues and “The intournaments door facility is currently undergoing construction,” he said. “We hope to have it complete by the end of the semester.”

The indoor facility has not been used for intramural competition since Hurricane Gustav damaged the roof last September, causing rainwater to ruin the gym floor.

Tomorrow kicks off 11-a-side soccer, while other first session events — team racquetball, singles table tennis and singles tennis — get underway next week.

Registration for these competitions already passed, Boyer said.

Basketball regular season games will be held Tuesday and Thursday nights throughout the semester and soccer plays Sunday, Monday and Wednesdays. The other league playing times and dates are set by the participants, Boyer said.

In team racquetball, a team of four to five people competes against another team in two singles matches and one doubles match.

Divisions for all sports vary and can include men’s, women’s, Greek, co-recreational, residential life and faculty/staff leagues.

Team competitions have 26 participants in basketball and 64 in soccer, Boyer said.

Participants will again be required to enter through the main entrance of the complex in effort to reserve facilities to just students and members.

“Our goal is to create space outside that is safe for members and reserved for members,” Boyer said. “We had a problem [in the past] with several non-members and non-students coming out and using the facility.”

Competitions will not be affected by the recent resignation of University Recreation Director

‘‘

‘Our goal is to create space outside that is ... reserved for members.’

Matthew Boyer

assistant director of leagues and tournaments

Tamara Jarrett, Boyer said.

Registration for the second session of league competitions, which include flag football and sand volleyball, will take place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6.

Future events include dodgeball, punt-pass-and-kick competitions and sand volleyball triples competitions during football Homecoming week in November.

Each will be a one-day event, Boyer said.

“We’re planning several events during that week to build up school spirit,” he said.

The flag football Grid Iron Challenge will be held throughout Homecoming week, and the winner will travel to the Southeastern Conference championship game in Atlanta to compete against other schools in the conference.

Registration for these competitions will last from Nov. 2-5.

Contact Jonathan Schexnayder at jschexnayder@lsureveille.com

There’s always “that guy.”

Everybody knows the type — the one who likes to rain on the parade and be the center of attention.

Be it through some outlandish act, ridiculous statement or an unending thirst to be recognized, “that guy” is going to make sure everyone is talking about him.

It’s an epidemic that’s spread to just about everyone at some point or another.

And on Thursday night, Oregon senior running back LeGarrette Blount was “that guy.”

A f t e r JOHANATHAN Blount’s thenBROOKS No. 16 Ducks Sports Columnist got manhandled by then-No. 14 Boise State, Blount committed one of the most unsportsmanlike acts of a weekend whose purpose was to promote sportsmanship.

This week as part of a special sportsmanship initiative the NCAA and American Football Coaches Association asked teams to participate in a special pregame handshake in addition to the traditional postgame handshakes shared between teams.

But during the postgame handshakes, Blount was taunted by Boise State sophomore defensive lineman Byron Hout. Instead of responding reasonably and shaking off Hout’s childish antics, the Oregon senior reacted in the worst possible manner, and threw the punch heard ‘round the college football world.’

Blount connected with a swift right hand to the Boise State

photo courtesy of ESPN

Oregon senior running back LeGarrette Blount punches Boise State linebacker Byron Hout on Saturday in a postgame altercation.

player’s chin and laid Hout on the bright blue turf of Bronco Stadium.

Not cool, LeGarrette. Not cool at all.

But Blount was just getting started.

Immediately after the punch, Blount backed away rapidly, bucking his arms and talking trash to the Boise State team, seemingly asking, “Is there no one else?” like Brad Pitt as Achilles to the Trojan armies in the 2004 film “Troy.”

In Blount’s mind, there were others who wanted to challenge him because he then shoved one of his teammates, sophomore receiver Garrett Embry, and hit him in the facemask before having to be restrained by several other teammates.

Blount then slammed his helmet down and threw a king-sized tantrum on his way back to the locker room pouting and yelling as if someone told him he couldn’t get an action figure on the toy aisle.

And just when the scene appeared over, Blount decided to thug harder.

The 6-foot-2-inch 240 pounder made a charge for the bleachers after a few particularly overzealous Bronco fans shouted some expletives in his direction.

Luckily, stadium security, assistant coaches and Blount’s teammates neutralized the situation BLOUNT, see page 12

Tuesday, september 8, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

RECRUITING

GOLF

La. talent could be better than ’09,’10

Coach is No. 1 instructor in La.

By Michael Lambert

By Sean Isabella

PAGE 9

LSU extends scholarships to nine Winstead puts men’s in-state prospects for 2011 class team back on map Sports Contributor

Sports Contributor

The 2009 LSU football recruiting class was ranked as one of the three best in the country by ESPNU. com, Rivals.

‘Strictly com and Scout. and the on paper com, 2010 class has the 2011 22 commitments five class could nearly months before be one of National Signthe most ing Day. the top-heavy 2011But class may classes be better than both. since on 2001.’ paper,“Strictly the 2011 Sonny Shipp class could be one of the most recruiting analyst for top-heavy classScout.com es since 2001,” said Sonny Shipp, recruiting analyst for Scout.

“The 2011 class is going to be a special class.”

Nine Louisiana high school juniors have been extended

LSU men’s golf coach Chuck Winstead was worried the golf program was not where it should be when he was hired in 2005 to coach his alma mater.

Now entering his fifth season in Baton Rouge, he managed to transform LSU — which won four NCAA and 15 Southeastern Conference championships in its history — back into a national powerhouse.

Winstead, entering his fourth season as LSU’s coach, said when he first arrived at LSU, the Tigers were ranked in the 80s nationally, something he deemed unacceptable.

“There’s no good reason that anything we do at LSU, whether it be athletics or anything else, should rank that low,” he said. “We have too much to offer to have a program that far off course.”

The Ruston native led LSU in 2009 to one of its most successful season in several years. The Tigers finished No. 6 in the NCAA regional tournament, which was the

photo courtesy of JON MARTIN / The Morgan City Daily-Review

Patterson High School running back Kenny Hilliard stiff arms a Crowley defender in Patterson’s 41-6 win on Oct. 3. Hilliard is one of nine high school football recruits to already have a scholarship offer from LSU for the 2011 recruiting class.

scholarship offers by the Tigers, according to Scout — defensive linemen Anthony Johnson and Jermauria Rasco, offensive linemen La’el Collins and Corey White, running backs Jeremy Hill and Kenny Hilliard and wide receivers Bradley Sylve, Jarvis

Landry and Alonzo Lewis. Many out-of-state recruits have also received offers from the Tigers.

“There’s already nine in-state kids that have gotten early offers RECRUITING, see page 11

second year in a row they made the NCAA tournament. The Tigers also cracked the top 25 in early October for the first time since 2004.

Winstead’s passion for LSU and the state of Louisiana helped him turn over a new leaf. He was a member of the LSU golf team from 1989-91 and considers Baton Rouge to be a very special place.

“Having played here and gone to school at LSU, I can relate with the young men and tell them the story of what LSU has done for me and my life, and I think for me that’s a powerful story,” he said.

Winstead became a golf instructor following his collegiate career, spending most of his time traveling around the world in the ’90s running legendary PGA golfer Jack Nicklaus’ golf school.

Winstead returned to his roots in 2000 when he opened the Chuck Winstead Golf Academy in Baton Rouge.

Winstead quietly became one of the nation’s best golf coaches, which benefitted him during the recruiting process.

He has been recognized as a Golf Magazine Top 100 teacher since 2005 and by Golf Digest as the top teacher in Louisiana.

GOLF, see page 11

PAGE 10

THE DAILY REVEILLE

NFL

Payton plans to play Smith, Grant

By The Associated Press METAIRIE (AP) — Despite the looming possibility of four-game suspensions for Will Smith and Charles Grant, Saints coach Sean Payton intends to play the starting defensive ends in Sunday’s season opener against Detroit — unless the NFL soon says otherwise.

“We’re waiting to hear from the league,” Payton said. “Right now we’re proceeding with the idea that those two players are playing.”

Payton said he hoped to hear something from the league by Tuesday. Otherwise, he would not expect the suspensions to start until Week 2 at the earliest.

“Generally, (the NFL is) mindful of the preparation time it takes to bring in players to replace them,” Payton said. “I don’t anticipate that being an issue.”

Smith and Grant both practiced Monday. Payton said both looked good. They were not available when reporters were allowed in the locker room at the Saints’ training headquarters.

Currently, the Saints have only two other defensive ends on the roster: Bobby McCray and Jeff Charleston.

Anthony Hargrove also played end earlier in his career and began working at that spot when the Saints opened camp, but has spent most of the preseason at tackle.

If the NFL decides to enforce the suspensions soon, Payton said the Saints also could re-sign DE Paul Spicer, who started the last preseason game but was waived Saturday when the roster was trimmed to the regular-season maximum 53.

“He’s someone who has gotten a lot of work,” Payton said.

“We’ll stay in touch with him and make sure he’s staying in shape.”

Smith and Grant were among a handful of NFL players who tested positive last year for the banned diuretic bumetanide, which can be used to mask steroids.

Others included Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams (who are not related) and former Saints running back Deuce McAllister, currently a free agent.

Those five remained active while appealing their suspensions, first through league channels and then in federal court in Minnesota.

The players argued their suspensions were improper because the NFL knew bumetanide had been detected in the over-thecounter StarCaps weight-loss supplement they were using, but failed to inform players when they called a league hotline to check if the supplement was permitted.

A federal judge dismissed most of the players’ claims in May, but the NFL Players Association appealed. Last month, the league filed a motion seeking permission from the court to enforce the suspensions immediately instead of waiting for the appeals process, but a ruling on that motion was still pending.

BILL FEIG / The Daily Reveille

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, left, and tight end Jeremy Shockey, right, join coach Sean Payton, center, in watching the action Sept. 3 in the first half of the game against the Miami Dolphins.

McCray said he and Charleston are preparing as if they could start in case Smith and Grant are barred.

“We’re going to miss those guys if anything happens,” McCray said. “We don’t want it to

happen, but if it does, we’ll have to adjust.”

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

Tuesday, september 8, 2009

Tuesday, september 8, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

RECRUITING, from page 9

from LSU,” Shipp said. “That’s unheard of. You’re talking about nine kids this year compared to one kid last year.”

The hype for the class stems from Collins, Landry, Johnson and Hilliard — all of whom are already on the Scout 100 list for 2011.

“It’s been a long time since Louisiana has had that many players crack that list this early,” Shipp said.

Hilliard, nephew of former LSU and Saints running back Dalton Hilliard, has six offers from teams such as Alabama, Tennessee and Notre Dame. Shipp said the Tigers are the team to beat for the running back. The 6-foot, 217-pound prospect runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash to match his size.

Collins also racked up a slew of offers, and the Redemptorist product earned four-star status before his junior season.

Johnson is committed to Tennessee, but with two years remaining at O. Perry Walker High School Landry is one of the most electrifying players in all of high school football. The 5-foot-11-inch, 185-pound wide receiver has been impressing coaches and scouts for years. The Lutcher native totaled 410 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore for the state champion Bulldogs.

“I’ve been doing this for quite some time, and I’ve seen some tremendous receivers,” said Lutcher coach Tim Detillier. “I’ve never seen a receiver more talented than Jarvis Landry.”

GOLF, from page 9

photo courtesy of DAVID REYNAUD / The Lutcher News Examiner

Lutcher High School wide receiver Jarvis Landry attempts to run away from a E.D. White defender in the Tigers’ 29-0 win against the Cardinals on Nov. 14.

Hill, Sylve, Lewis, White and Rasco add depth to an already quality 2011 class. Shipp said Rasco may be a close call for the Tigers, but the others are leaning LSU. The LSU coaches were quick to offer these recruits nearly a year and a half before they could sign a letter of intent.

“When you’ve got guys that are as good as these kids are, it’s easy to offer them early,” Shipp said. “It takes less time to evaluate good talents than it is to evaluate average talent.”

Shipp said even though they have offers, the recruits will take their time before jumping on their first instinct. He said they may take their time and utilize their official visits.

“It’s a different ballgame when

these kids are already getting offers from Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Florida and Florida State,” Shipp said. “Some of these kids like the thought of going to Gainesville or South Bend for a weekend. That can be enticing for kids that haven’t done a lot of traveling.”

Shipp said the 2011 class won’t have its first official verbal commitment until the 2010 class has signed letters of intent.

“Right now the guys I’ve talked to that are leaning LSU, I think you’re looking around the lines of Junior Day, early February or March before they commit,” Shipp said.

Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com

“You can go far and wide against any other teacher in the world — you won’t find a better one than him,” said LSU assistant coach Shane Warren. “I don’t know if you’ll find a more competitive person than Chuck Winstead in any realm of sport.”

Since taking the reins at LSU, Winstead has raised more than $200,000 to expand the golf facilities.

He renovated the clubhouse, had an 11,000 square-foot putting green built and had former Tiger and PGA champion David Toms design wedge greens.

“They needed better facilities at the University Club, so that was one of our primary goals,” Winstead said.

Winstead used the new state-ofthe art facilities and familiarity with professional golfers to lure the nation’s top recruits to Baton Rouge.

“What we do is analyze their game relative to [PGA] Tour averages, and then we try to help them reach those goals,” Winstead said.

Warren said LSU is a perfect fit for high school golfers who are looking for a place to prepare for the PGA Tour.

“They won’t find another program where they can come and on a daily basis get the direction and the tutelage … so when they walk out of here in four years, they can immediately be prepared to step out into the professional golf world,” he said.

Junior Clayton Rotz said the choice to come to LSU was easy

PAGE 11 because of Winstead’s personality.

“He’s so competitive, and he cares so much about us and us doing well,” he said. That’s really what separates him.”

Warren, who jumped on board as Winstead’s assistant in 2005, said Winstead brings more to the table than just an average golf coach.

“When we’re away from the golf course, he’s their coach, but he’s also their friend,” Warren said.

Rotz and junior teammate John Peterson agreed they have built enough respect to treat Winstead as “one of the guys.”

“He’s a cool guy,” Peterson said. “You don’t find that with coaches.”

During the recruiting process, Winstead and Warren said they not only look for talent but for players with personality.

“We spend more time in season around these guys than we do our own families because we travel so much …We want to recruit guys and bring guys into the program that we like to be around and spend time with,” Warren said.

Winstead refers to his recruiting philosophy as “in-to-out,” meaning he looks for in-state talent then works his way out.

Winstead did not sign any prospects for this season because of limited scholarship funds, but he is not worried.

“LSU golf is relevant again, and I’m happy that’s taken place,” Winstead said.

Contact Sean Isabella at sisabella@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 12 BLOUNT, from page 8

before the sports world witnessed another “Malice at the Palace” type brawl that could have ensued if a large man got his hands on some much smaller fans.

For all of his general thuggery and punkish behavior, Blount was suspended for the remainder of the season, ending his college football career on a way former Ohio State coach Woody Hayes ended his — remembered for one moment when his temper got the better of him and he made a huge mistake.

Blount realized the severity of his mistakes, but it was too little too late. On Saturday, he phoned Hout and Boise State coach Chris Petersen to apologize for his actions.

It was the typical “that guy” move. Make a huge mess and wait to see if it blows over, and when it doesn’t, apologize.

At least he manned up to his actions, but the legend of LeGarrette Blount had already been written.

No one will remember Blount as the 1,002-yard rusher from Oregon’s 2008 squad or the running back with first-day draft potential.

They’ll remember him as “that guy” who threw one of the lamest sucker punches in college football history and became “undraftable” after rushing for -5 yards in his senior debut on national television — a punch line to jokes for the foreseeable future.

Contact Johanathan Brooks at jbrooks@lsureveille.com

VOLLEYBALL, from page 7

libero’s pass.

In addition, the setter will often block on defense and attack if she does not control the second contact.

One attacking move setters will sometimes rely on is hitting the ball over the net on a second touch instead of setting the ball to a teammate for a kill.

This move, commonly known as a “dump,” allows the setter to catch the opposing defense off guard before it can set up a block.

“If I don’t see the middle in my vision or if I feel like we need to get the other ‘We try to team off balI’ll dump encourage ance, it,” Johnson [Dabbs] to said. “But with ... be more three amazing around creative to hitters me, I don’t score on have to do it all her own.’ the time.”

Dabbs is the starting Fran Flory LSU volleyball coach setter for the Tigers, a role which she had last season in 26 of the Tigers’ 28 matches.

A transfer from Louisville, Dabbs earned 2008 Louisiana Newcomer of the Year while dishing out 9.22 assists per game last season to go along with 1.91 digs per game and 1.10 kills per game.

This weekend in the Tiger Classic, Dabbs was named to the all-tournament team after dishing

‘‘

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

‘Volleyball is just kind of raw [athletic ability] to me.’

Brittney Johnson LSU junior setter

out 90 assists in nine sets to go along with 21 digs, seven kills and two block assists.

“Dabbs is a great all-around player, but she hasn’t always played with the confidence level in the other aspects of the game that she does offensively in terms of setting,” said LSU volleyball coach Fran Flory. “She’s a great offensive weapon, and we try to encourage her to dump more balls and be more creative to score on her own.”

Although Johnson is the backup setter for the Tigers, she may be the more athletic and versatile of the pair.

The Baton Rouge native doubles as a right-side hitter and was a two-sport star in basketball and volleyball at University High School.

“Basketball is the sport I use to base everything else off of,” Johnson said. “Volleyball is just kind of raw [athletic ability] to me.”

Flory said Johnson’s versatility gives the Tigers an extra weapon and more options in their offense.

But Flory admits Johnson needs to have more confidence in herself, which is why she allowed

MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior Brittney Johnson sets the ball Sept. 4 during the Tigers’ match against No. 6 Nebraska. The Tigers lost in five matches in the PMAC.

Johnson to play setter Saturday against Louisiana-Lafayette.

Johnson racked up 23 assists, five digs and three kills in the match.

“Athletically, Brittney does a great job, but Brittney doesn’t have as much confidence setting [as Dabbs],” Flory said. “The goal [Saturday] was to get her more experience so she could

feel comfortable running the offense and managing people ...

She’s going to be a great setter, but she just needs experience and more opportunities.”

Contact Andy Schwehm at aschwehm@lsureveille.com

Tuesday, september 8, 2009 SOCCER, from page 7

Taryne Boudreau found her on a give-and-go in which Clarke beat the defense to score.

“I saw the defense beginning to spread out a little more than they did in the first half,” Clarke said. “Taryne made me a great one-two right in between the two defensive backs.”

Clarke then put the game away in the 88th minute as she corralled the rebound of her own shot and struck a left-footed goal to give the Tigers the 2-1 victory.

“I took a shot, and it rebounded off the keeper, and I followed up and got redemption and put it away a second time,” Clarke said.

Lee said he was thrilled with the team’s ability to bounce back.

“When we gave up a penalty to go down a goal, it was a real character test for the girls,” he said. “Melissa and her teammates really stepped up in a big way.”

THE DAILY REVEILLE Lee said while Clarke has shown her abilities throughout her career in Baton Rouge, Sunday may have been the most impressive she’s looked at a crucial moment.

“She’s an excellent player,” he said. “At different moments during the game she’s very dominant. It’s probably the best she’s stepped up in a huge moment for our team.”

Clarke said she’s been a little frustrated the first couple games about missed opportunities, and it was a relief to get a breakout game.

“I finally capitalized,” she said. “I’ve been having chances all yesterday and all today, and it was a great feeling to finally put two in.”

(3-1-1) on Friday.

After a two-hour rain delay at halftime, Friday’s match finished, 0-0, as neither team could muster a goal despite a few overtime chances.

The Tigers outshot the Golden Knights, 18-11. Senior forward Rachel Yepez fired a shot off the crossbar at the end of the second overtime.

Sophomore goalkeeper Mo Isom only gave up one goal — a penalty kick — all weekend.

“Mo did great. She made big strides from earlier in the season,” Lee said. “She’s getting sharper.

She’s training really, really hard.”

Despite the team’s recent success, Lee said the team as a whole still needs to work on staying sharp for an entire 90 minutes.

TWO OVERTIMES LSU battled for 110 minutes to an eventual double-overtime draw against Central Florida

Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com

WASHINGTON, from page 7

junior threw two touchdown passes, but the difference in the game was his lone interception, which LSU senior linebacker Jacob Cutrera returned for a 29-yard touchdown to give LSU a 10-7 lead with 5:49 left in the first quarter.

Although the Huskies amassed 478 yards of total offense, including 296 in the first half alone, Miles said he liked much of what he saw from his defense.

“I think our new defensive coaches did a good job,” Miles said. “The team was in position to make tackles and do things. We missed some tackles early on. At times I saw that Tiger defense that I want it to be.”

LSU did not score an offensive touchdown until 1:15 remained in the first half when sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson connected with junior wide receiver Terrance Toliver on a 45-yard touchdown.

Toliver lit up the offense with four catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

“We knew Terrance was going to get the ball a lot this game,” Jefferson said. “They were coming with corner blitzes, and I just fed him the ball.”

Jefferson also had a career night passing, completing 11-of20 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns, the last a 6-yarder to senior Brandon LaFell with 1:54 left to increase the lead to 31-16.

Senior running back Charles Scott was held to just 52 yards rushing and lost a fumble in the second quarter. Scott lost one fumble in all of 2008.

“We sputtered in the first half at times on offense,” said Miles, who is 5-0 in season openers at LSU. “There were opportunities to take advantage of our opponent, and we didn’t attack them the way we should have.”

About 10,000 LSU fans were part of the 69,161 that packed into Husky Stadium for the opening night showdown. The stadium was more than 95 percent full Saturday.

“It was electric; it felt like we rejuvenated everything,” sophomore defensive lineman Kalani Aldrich said. “Husky Stadium ­— when it’s filled up — there is no place like it.”

JOHN FROSCHAUER / The Associated Press

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson makes a pass against Washington on Saturday in Seattle. The Tigers defeated the Huskies, 31-23.

Washington hosts Idaho next Saturday, and Sarkisian said while he feels the team accomplished the goal he set before facing LSU, he wants more than respect — he wants victory.

“I think they respect the Washington Husky football team,” Sarkisian said. “But that’s not

acceptable. We play the game to win, and unfortunately we were in the red zone five times and settled for four field goals and had a turnover. That’s how you can lose.”

Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com

PAGE 13

MEGAN J. WILLIAMS / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior midfielder Melissa Clarke guards Memphis junior midfielder Vendula Strnadova on Aug. 21 at the LSU Soccer Complex.

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 14

CRACKING UP While Cox researched the changing landscape, Desmond focused on structural issues. He investigated the numerous cracks on the exterior of buildings around the Quad. Desmond said approximately 16,000 linear feet of cracks cover structures in the Quad. The reason for them, he said, is the lack of expansion joints to safely absorb temperature-induced expansion and contraction on the outside walls.

The building surfaces were constructed with a then-innovative technique using a concrete stucco overlay process with pebbles in

it. Its use in the Quad was the first replaced by a two-part epoxy that time it was done to scale, and ex- matches the walls and can act as pansion joints were not included, expansion joints because it won’t which causes problems because of become rigid. the expanding and contracting of surfaces because of temperature.

ROADBLOCKED “Cracks were a problem Money is the obstacle in rewithin two years pairing cracks and of buildings being other problems, finished,” DesDesmond said. mond said. “Wa“The buildter gets behind ings are structurthem and between ally in great shape, the surface of the but in need of building, and the maintenance at all freeze-thaw cycle times,” he said.

Michael Desmond could push the “The University architecture professor surface off.” has had to focus The Univeron repairing roofs, sity has temporarily remedied the and they haven’t had the budget to cracks by caulking them, which repair these cracks. There’s years gives them their white color. The of deferred maintenance.” caulk prevents the cracks from beEmmett David, director of Faing an active threat to buildings, cility Development, said the backbut Desmond said they are an aes- up in maintenance projects is simthetic problem. ply because “there is no money.”

“They are filled with ugly “With the financial affairs of silicone and just look awful,” Des- the state, deferred maintenance mond said. and capital outlay funds are hard Local architect Gerry Camp- to obtain,” David said. bell has developed a solution, David said maintenance Desmond said. The caulk will be projects are held up to a facil-

MULTITASKING, from page 4

SEWER, from page 1

EXHIBIT, from page 1

beautiful setting.”

The four points of the cross were Foster Hall, Memorial Tower, Atkinson Hall and Hill Memorial Library. Middleton broke up the cross shape and created one large quadrangle and two smaller ones. Cox said he doesn’t mind the reduction in size of the Quad, but the architecture of the library does not fit in.

In the study published in May, a cell phone began to ring during a lecture. Students were then quizzed on information presented during and immediately after the phone’s ringing. Elliott said information retention and accuracy were lower on the material given during the distraction.

Mohler said focusing on one thing at a time is the most efficient and productive way to work.

“The latest research says if your brain is engaged in one thing, it doesn’t require as much [effort] to reconstruct that at a later point,” she said.

While the presence of laptops in class can be seen as a gateway to multitasking-related distractions, some professors say channeling that type of behavior into a lesson is better than fighting it.

“Some multitasking can work,” said Teresa Buchanan, education professor. “As students are writing a paper or listening to lecture, they Google something related to it. We call it ubiquitous learning.”

Mohler said the key to quality study habits is finding a personal technique that suits the individual’s learning style.

“If you find that using a laptop is difficult or you are distracted, I would suggest preliminarily going over notes, printing them on paper and writing additional notes on the paper copy,” Mohler said.

Buchanan agreed traditional notetaking may be the most effective method of learning for some students.

“Some people learn best through taking notes,” she said. “I always write notes to keep focused.”

Elliott said while some people may be able to train themselves to be more efficient multitaskers, she does not recommend it.

“The whole time you’re getting good at [multitasking], you’re missing things and making errors,” she said. “It’s so tempting, and we think we can do it, but we can’t.”

Contact Ryan Buxton at rbuxton@lsureveille.com

‘‘

‘The University ...[hasn’t] had the budget to repair these cracks.’

stadium.”

While the likelihood of the line rupturing during a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium is slim, Pitre said predicting the result of a rupture is impossible — a rupture could go relatively unnoticed, or it could cause Nicholson Drive to cave.

The line ruptured in 2006, and the sewage overflowed into the ditch near the railroad tracks along Nicholson Drive, Pitre said. Large vacuum trucks worked around the clock to remove the sewage.

The University was not in full operation at the time of the rupture, which prevented school from being canceled, David said.

“We had students living on campus; it didn’t effect them,” David said. “We just said, ‘Please minimize the use of water.’”

Removing the sewage and repairing the line cost about $1 million in 2006, Pitre said.

The line runs from the University’s powerhouse to the levee

— down South Stadium Drive, underneath Nicholson Drive and underneath the parking lot for the old Alex Box Baseball Stadium.

Its route ends when it ties into the city-parish system.

The concrete line’s location near the Misssissippi River has not helped to circumvent damages, Pitre said. With the rise and fall of the water level in the river, the line expands and contracts, causing it to weaken.

“It could rupture again,” Pitre said. “It’s going to happen again — it’s just lived out its life. It’s old.”

If and when the line ruptures, David said the Emergency Operations Center would be responsible for University closures. D’Ann Morris, EOC interim director, was unavailable for comment.

Contact Lindsey Meaux at lmeaux@lsureveille.com

ity condition index determined by comparing the price of renovations to the price of complete replacement. The higher the FCI, the more dire the repairs. But David said some buildings have been denied funding for as long as five years.

One such building is Atkinson Hall, with a score of 66 out of 100. The north side of the building alone has 374 linear feet of cracks.

David said the estimated cost of renovation on Atkinson is more than $17 million.

Though funding is always scarce, David said Atkinson will have its windows replaced by May 2010. Other repairs are subject to funds from the legislature, he said.

EXHIBITION Desmond’s findings have been compiled into an exhibit, “Building an American Renaissance,” which is premiering in coordination with the University’s 150th anniversary.

It will feature all data he collected about the 18 Quad buildings, as well as wooden models of some of the structures.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 Drew Wallace, architecture senior, created intricate models of Atkinson Hall, Foster Hall and Hill Memorial Library. The models, based on the original building plans, took three to four months each to complete, he said.

Wallace said each model took careful planning and repetitive work, as well as comparing the original plans to the structures standing today.

The exhibit will reside in the Student Union from Sept. 10 to Oct. 25. Afterward, the Secretary of State’s Office will send the exhibit across the state to several other museums.

It is scheduled to appear at museums in Toga, Shreveport, Lake Charles, Freeway, Monroe and New Orleans, said Lance Harris, director of curatorial services for the Secretary of State. “[The exhibit] has a broad reach across the state,” he said.

“It’s a well-done exhibit, and it appeals to lots of LSU fans.”

Contact Ryan Buxton at rbuxton@lsureveille.com

Tuesday, september 8, 2009 REBUILDING, from page 6

really think about progress,” said the 48-year-old Austin, Texas, insurance worker. But “I am a little surprised. I thought there’d be something built there.”

When will there be? As the eighth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks approaches, there’s no firm due date for that office tower or two others supposed to help line the eastern side of the site; only one is under construction.

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Developer Larry Silverstein has gone to an arbitrator to renegotiate his lease with the site‘s government owner after months of fruitless negotiations. An analysis done for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey this spring projected there might be no market for Silverstein’s third tower until 2030.

The fifth tower in the spiral is rarely discussed as viable. The spot reserved for it is still covered by a skyscraper contaminated with

MARK LENNIHAN / The Associated Press

Ironworkers use torches to cut steel Sept. 2 at the World Trade Center in New York.

Thursday will be the eighth anniversary of the attacks that destroyed the buildings.

SPEECH, from page 6

thwart it. Some union-circulated posters held up by audience members proclaimed, “Health Care Can’t Wait.”

For their part, some elements within the labor movement have indicated frustration with Obama, who traveled to Cincinnati to speak to a state AFL-CIO gathering, because some key items such as legislation making it easier for people to join unions has languished in Congress. To vigorous cheers, Obama made a pitch for the bill in his speech. He also noted that the first bill he signed into law was one guaranteeing equal pay for equal work.

Obama spent a good deal of his time extolling the virtues of the union movement.

“We remember that the rights and benefits we enjoy today were not simply handed out to America’s working men and women.

EXCHANGE, from page 6

WHAT THEY LEARNED Bucher said tutoring the English language to a French child and interning with the French consulate in Lyon were positive experiences. “[Tutoring] was beneficial because the family of the child was very welcoming,” Bucher said. “They invited me over to

toxic debris from the attacks, its dismantling slowed after a 2007 blaze killed two firefighters. There’s no finished design or money and little public pressure for the performing arts center.

A poll last month found that more than half of New York City voters believe the rebuilding is going badly. More than 60 percent don‘t believe the highest-priority projects, the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower and the Sept. 11 memorial, will be finished by announced deadlines. The Quinnipiac University poll of 1,290 voters had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.

The doubts don‘t surprise Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward.

“The only way you could cure that skepticism is to deliver on the things we are now delivering on,” he said this week as roughly 1,000 workers labored on the site.

The Freedom Tower’s frame is several stories above street level.

Work has begun on one Silverstein tower and continues on underground elements of the $3.2 billion transit hub. The memorial pools’ outline and plaza, some built from a pit 70 feet below ground to street level, have filled in a swath of the site.

“It‘s not a pit,” Ward said.

“Now, it‘s a sense of rebirth.”

Daniel Libeskind’s master design was chosen in early 2003 amid an atmosphere of unfettered possibility. Officials praised the plan’s bold symbolism and its vision of a bustling business enhanced by shops, restaurants and arts that repair the broken skyline and honor the nearly 2,800 people killed.

To Libeskind, it was and remains “a coherent and a complete vision.”

“My hopes and my vision

They had to be won,” he said.

“They had to be fought for, by men and women of courage and conviction, from the factory floors of the Industrial Revolution to the shopping aisles of today’s superstores. They stood up and spoke out to demand a fair shake, an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work,” he said. “Many risked their lives. Some gave their lives. Some made it a cause of their lives — like Sen. Ted Kennedy, who we remember today.”

At one point before Obama spoke, some in the crowd broke into chants of “Fired up” and “Ready to Go.” Obama closed with a story about how that phrase became one of his campaign slogans, and appealed to the assembled union rank and file to for help. “Your voice can change the world. Your voice can get health care passed. Your voice will make sure the American worker is protected. You can

build America. I need your help,” Obama said as the audience broke into more chants.

Obama chose the Labor Day union picnic as the backdrop to announce his selection of Ron Bloom as senior counselor for manufacturing policy.

Bloom was senior adviser to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner as part of the auto industry task force since February. Bloom, a Harvard Business School graduate, previously advised the United Steelworkers union and worked as an investment banker.

Bloom will work with the National Economic Council to lead policy development and planning for Obama’s work to revitalize U.S. manufacturing, the White House said.

their house for dinner. They wanted me to feel welcome in Lyon. It didn’t hinder me at all.”

Bucher said conversing with the French people she worked with helped develop her French language skills.

After two semesters in France, Bucher worked an unpaid internship at the American Consulate in Lyon.

Alleman said taking

prospective students on tours through her exchange university helped her learn more about her school. She said her study abroad program allowed her to get a different perspective on literature she had previously studied in the U.S.

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

Contact Mary Walker Baus at mwbaus@lsureveille.com

haven’t changed,” he said in an interview this week. “At the center of the desire to do this is really to create an inspiring place ... an affirmation of American values.”

Political wrangling, engineering complications and the recession pushed completion dates back and sent cost estimates up by billions of dollars since the first plans were released. The Port Authority pushed back its timeline last fall, saying the memorial, Freedom Tower and transit hub would open between 2011 and 2014.

Ward said the four office towers, three planned by Silverstein, would be built when the battered economy, which has emptied existing towers of commercial space across the city, allows it.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, whose district includes ground zero, said it’s crucial to build all the planned the office space, noting that terrorists deliberately struck at the nation’s financial capital.

“We committed eight years ago that we were going to rebuild bigger and better than ever. If we‘re not going to do that, then we‘re sending a terrible message,” he said.

Silverstein, who leased the towers six weeks before the attacks, said the delays that he has blamed on the Port Authority have cost the project public confidence.

Putting off the office towers much longer would dishonor a commitment to respond to the attacks and “would really be a stain on New York‘s reputation and image,” said Janno Lieber, who runs the project for Silverstein Properties.

Other local businesses fear being stuck around a construction site for years, said Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for

PAGE 15 New York City, a business group.

“Can the site be made functional and attractive without completing it?” she said.

Some other key players involved in the planning now stress deliberation over bold strokes.

Former Gov. George Pataki stressed urgency at the site in dozens of speeches since unveiling a since-delayed timetable for the Freedom Tower in 2003.

In the beginning, “there was a tremendous sense of time urgency, and personally, I would like to see that continue today to every element of the site,” said Pataki, who left office in 2006.

How long ground zero takes to rebuild won’t matter to future generations, he said.

“But I’d rather have it right than yesterday, and this is being done right,” Pataki said.

Libeskind, who envisioned it all, watches the construction from his studio window blocks away.

What ultimately gets built, whenever that happens, “will really be the plan that I drew, at its core.”

He would not, he says, have done anything differently.

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

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Opinion

PAGE 16

FACTORY HAUS

Tuesday, september 8, 2009

Ten ways to spend $45,000 during impending budget cuts

With severe budget cuts hitting the University and the state government, one might think state officials would be doing everything in their power to cut costs.

But Gov. Bobby Jindal does not seem to feel that need.

The governor ran on a platform of competency, transparency and efficiency in the 2007 election to replace embattled Gov. Kathleen Blanco.

Despite these promises, The Advocate reported Aug. 30 the governor used a state helicopter 14 times to visit different church services in Louisiana from March to July.

The total cost of these visits to Louisiana taxpayers: roughly $45,000.

As said best by Rachel Maddow, “If Mr. Jindal was simply politicking, he’s, of course, got a government waste problem here.

If he was simply preaching and praying, he’s sorta got a separation of church and state problem

here.”

If the governor had been visiting these churches after some sort of disaster or if he were talking about actual issues, this story would have far less news value, but Jindal did no such thing while visiting.

Rather, he spoke about his conversion from Hinduism to Catholicism — at Protestant churches no less.

The governor’s office claims Jindal has also met with community leaders after some of these visits.

It hardly seems prudent to spend thousands of dollars on such visits in the midst of the worst budget crisis the state has seen in years and the worst recession since the Great Depression.

If the governor truly feels passionate about worshipping in these roughly 14 churches, all save one in central or northern Louisiana, then he should take his own car, or even a government-owned one, and drive the

three hours or so it would take to get there.

Interestingly enough, the location of most these churches are in parishes where conservative white Democrats and Republicans normally fare quite well, yet where Gov. Jindal has not.

In light of this revelation, I, with the help of a few of my fellow students and the Office Steven Schmitz of the Chancellor, have come Columnist up with a list of 10 ideas how that $45,000 could have been spent if Gov. Jindal had opted for driving as opposed to taking the $1,300-an-hour helicopter: 1. Begin giving away free pregnancy tests at the Student Health Center.

2. Make scantrons free for all students.

3. Create the Piyush Jindal

Scholarship Fund, giving $1,000 scholarships to the 45 most promising entering freshman.

4. Chancellor Martin, per Assistant Vice Chancellor for Communications Kristine Calongne, would work with Student Government to fund a project that would have an “important impact on students and the student experience.”

5. Invest in a water system that uses reclaimed water in the sprinkler system, rather than tap water.

6. Start fixing the many large cracks in the sidewalks on campus because we have all had one too many bloody toes.

7. Create a 24-hour-a-day IT help desk to help those students who feel papers should only be written at 3 a.m. the night before the due date.

8. Give the money to Students On Target to pass out free beers during Groovin’ on the Grounds.

9. Put the money in a fund

to build additional parking, possibly an actual parking garage, so commuters aren’t forced to park in Egypt everyday.

10. Use the money to subsidize the parking tickets to those students who would rather not park 30 minutes away from their classes.

If Gov. Jindal had asked University students how that $45,000 should have been spent, I seriously doubt his helicopter journeys would rank near the top —­ especially with alternatives such as these.

Stephen Schmitz is a 19-yearold sophomore majoring in mass communication from The Woodlands, Texas. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_sschmitz.

Contact Steven Schmitz at sschmitz@lsureveille.com

VIEW FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL

Texting and driving make poor combination

By Kat Drinkwater Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (UWIRE) – I need technology like a four year old needs cot-

ton candy. It may just be a really strong desire, but it sure feels like a requirement.

When Gmail went down last week, I could only think of all the things I couldn’t do without

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Editor Managing Editor, Content Opinion Editor Production Editor

ERIC FREEMAN JR.

Columnist

MARK MACMURDO

Columnist

it. When I go back to my home county, with its telephone co-op that blocks out all major carriers, I feel a physical loss with the absence of my signal bars. I need to be able to get in touch with anyone at any time, which is why I think nothing of calling someone when I’m on the road. But now that’s changing as cell phone laws already present in other states creep into others.

Six states already ban handheld cell phones for all drivers and 18 others ban text messaging.

The restriction in Texas has some caveats that prevent it from being used in full effect. The greatest of which is, in order to ticket drivers for the offense, signs must be posted outside the school zone. Despite the small scope of the restriction, the law has met a frosty reception. Still, I don’t think it’s a bad idea.

For one thing, there is that memorable Mythbusters episode where they demonstrated talking on a cell phone was more impairing than driving a little bit drunk.

However, despite its precedent for mostly foolproof and highly entertaining tests, that experiment

had a lot of flaws. Fortunately, slightly more reliable research has been conducted elsewhere.

In 2001, the University of Utah demonstrated hands-free cell phones are just as distracting as hand-held ones. A study published in 2006 found people were as impaired while talking on a cell phone as when driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol count.

The drivers on cells were slower to brake than in their control runs, and the following distance varied wildly as their attention to the road and car in front of them faded in and out. In fact, the only wrecks during the experimental test drives occurred when drivers were on cell phones, not when they had been drinking.

Perhaps the most important results to come from the Utah studies were published in 2008, with tests that compared conversations with a passenger to the same conversation held on a hands-free cell phone. It’s a common misconception that it’s the message and not the medium that distracts the driver, an eventuality that was notably not tested on Mythbusters.

The results are clear, although

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.

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talking to a passenger had virtually no impact on driving, talking on a cell phone impaired drivers’ ability to stay in their own lane and made them four times more likely to miss the destination.

In the end, it’s really a simple issue. Talking on a cell phone, no matter if it’s hands-free or hand held, seriously impairs your ability to drive. We all know that drunk driving is a foolish and reckless act that endangers not only the driver, but everyone else on the road. It’s time talking on a cell phone took on that same stigma.

I’ll be the first to say that I really like my phone and I’m going to be annoyed by not using it, even just in school zones. But, like that 4-year-old with the cotton candy, I don’t actually need technology every minute to survive, and too much can be a very bad thing.

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY “A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read.”

Mark Twain American author Nov. 30, 1838 - Apr. 21, 1910

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Opinion

Tuesday, september 8, 2009

ANALOG AVENGER

PAGE 17

Did social network sites kill the phone conversation?

They call this the Digital Age. No more wires or waiting, and certainly no more of those lame things we used to call phone conversations.

The Reason: Social networking Web sites — we can all agree that for the most part, everyone’s got a Facebook account, right?

They’ve made phones irrelevant for some. I got mine five years ago, before there were pictures, status reports or mini-feeds.

Fast-forward to today — I could physically feel Facebook graduate from obscurity when I was recommended to become friends with my own mother.

The point is, everyone’s “available” all the time. When somebody can be contacted in 85 different ways, only an Amish renaissance festival can keep him legitimately out of touch.

And even then, there’s probably an app for that.

This sort of globalization was supposed to bring the world

together for a group hug. Instead we find one another at arm’s length, our social fabric only more perverted.

Years before Facebook turned friends into strangers, people had these things called voices. Using one’s throat, one could actually manipulate his or her “vocal chords” to transmit messages.

It worked the same as regular talking. You just had to do it with a phone on your ear. People could also do the same thing today with a Bluetooth earpiece if they felt cool enough.

What’s better, one could get more conversation accomplished than through text messaging.

Sounds great, right? So why the change?

A downside of these voice conversations is it required one to “think quickly.” If someone asked you a question, you had to at least try to answer it. That’s a lot of responsibility, huh?

No more, though, thanks to

the Digital Revolution. Why call when you can text? The world implicitly wonders, “What could a person today possibly need to talk to me about they can’t find on my Facebook page?”

“You already know what music I like — ‘everything.’ You already know I’m Roman Catholic with Jack Johnson Lime. My pictures already Columnist told you what I did last weekend — in about 60 variations of the same pose.

My status already told you I got rocky road ice cream-becausethey-were-out-of-MooleniumCrunch-IM-SO-PISSED. Doesn’t that about cover it?”

Sadly, it might for some.

I personally decided to test my theory. Was I being too cynical? Were people really forsaking

for E-interaction?

Why, then, did only 45 of the 157 people I called recently pick up the phone?

What’s worse, how was I able to start writing this article before making a single call? Are we so predictable in our elusiveness?

Yes. How many times have you been texted “what’s up” by the person who just “missed your call”?

Everyone’s got their times they can’t pick up. Good news for you: scientists reverse-engineered alien technology about 15 years ago to come up with a “caller-ID” function. Now you actually know who needs to talk to you.

You know when you screen all your calls? Their number stays in your phone now. It takes thought out of the equation, but not the heart.

It’s stupefying that we should consider phone conversation an old-fashioned form of

communication, but that sad conclusion is realistic at worst. This is because when you’re actually talking, you have less control over the conversation. It’s like timed chess compared to Monopoly.

It may give you less control, sure, but you know what? It’s a lot more honest.

So next time you feel like screening your call, consider pressing the green button for a change. Just this once, don’t be afraid. It takes more guts to call than pick up. They might really have something important to talk about.

That’s what “friends” are for, right?

Jack Johnson is a 23-yearold mass communication junior from Fort Worth, Texas. Follow Contact Jack Johnson at jjohnson@lsureveille.com

AGE OF DELIGHTENMENT

Mary Landrieu should keep her laws off my mermaids I’d like to donate a few of my eggs to science and let some researcher create a mermaid baby for me. Is that so wrong?

Senators Mary Landrieu and Sam Brownback think so. In July, they introduced a bill banning the creation of human-animal hybrids.

The bill doesn’t ban any use of humans or animals in health research or services as long as genetic material won’t be inherited by future generations. So don’t worry, grandpa can keep his pig heart.

Scientists dealing with human-animal hybrids actually have no intention of making half-man, half-animal creatures. They’re trying to use DNA from animals and humans to further other kinds of health research.

This perfectly highlights the American senators’ bipartisan ignorance of the science and its implications.

These scientists aren’t aspiring Dr. Frankensteins. Researchers in England are currently trying to blend the DNA of humans and cows to create stem cells for use in future research – research, not circus sideshows. Landrieu specifically mentioned the British research in a statement, saying such research “creates an unnatural species and is a clear line we cannot cross.”

But let me be the first to ask, why not? Who wouldn’t want to be hybridized into an angel, able to fly around and avoid Baton Rouge traffic? Does Mary Landrieu hate rainbows, too?

The senators mention humananimal hybrids could open up new susceptibility for disease, and

other unforeseen issues could arise that for which are currently unable to prepare.

We already catch plenty of diseases and ailments from animals, not to mention the animal products we consume of our own volition.

Malaria, anyone? How about E. coli? Perhaps you’ve heard of this newfangled swine flu?

Creating human-animal hybrids could actually help Sara Boyd us fight off diseases, comColumnist bining defense mechanisms or immunities certain animals have we might lack.

We could give teenage surfer boys turtle shells, teach them ninja skills and put them in the military.

The possibilities for improvement on the human form greatly outweigh the possibilities for degeneration.

Disease and inability to predict the future are actually the secondary concerns cited by the senators.

The main reason they are against human-animal hybrids is speciesism. On his blog, Sen. Brownback says, “Creating human-animal hybrids will challenge the very definition of what it means to be human and is a violation of human dignity and a grave injustice.”

The definition of a human isn’t “not being an animal.” Humans are weird-looking animals who walk on their hind legs and have strangely distributed fur. Compared to other animals (particularly mammals), we’re already pretty undignified-

looking.

Being a human is more about lording over all the other animals.

What better way to reassert our humanity than using the coolest parts of animals to make humans even cooler?

I’d like to volunteer my DNA to make the first human-animal hybrid (preferably a mermaid). Being myself, I know I would be thrilled, so I can guarantee you my hybrid would have no ethical problems

with being a hybrid, nor would she be unhappy with her new, awesome half-human, half-fish identity. If you’re worried about passing down weird time-bomb traits, that is not a problem. We don’t want kids, so you can sterilize my hybrid, and I can still bear “normal” children if we change our mind.

But scientists aren’t interested in creating mythical creatures. Even if they were, it probably wouldn’t be a big deal — just awesome. So

can the people who represent Louisiana to the rest of the world stop highlighting our ignorance and silliness now? That’s my job.

Sara Boyd is a 22-year-old general studies junior from Baton Rouge. Follow her at twitter.com/ TDR_SBoyd.

Contact Sara Boyd at sboyd@lsureveille.com

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Applicants need to be proficient in MS Office. Experience with Access Database and Project Management helpful. Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn are needed. We work hard and this is an opportunity for a great real world work experience. Please contact Bob Breaux 225.767.9117 Clerical/household helper with excellent computer skills for retired prof near LSU. 10 flex hr.wk. $8/hr 225.769.7921 Now Hiring Hampton Inn & Suites I/10Reiger Rd. Front Desk clerks needed.

Dependable individuals may apply in person. Address is 11271 Reiger Rd. Baton Rouge, La 70809 225.751.4600 IT/E-Commerce Assistant Flexible 15-25hr wk schedule, relaxed atmosphere, training provided. Knowledge of Microsoft Office and graphic design a plus. Send resumes to jobs@varsityvests. com. www.varsityvests.com / www.fanthefire.com 225.753.7299 225.709.6153 Child Care Helper needed to assist full time nanny with 3 children under the age of 2. Mon-Fri. Flex Days & Hours. Call Celia at 512-921-0349 or email trs2877@ yahoo.com P/T FILE CLERK $7.50/ hr ; 15 hrs/ wk, flex schedules M-F, will work around class schedules. Motivated & dependable.

Apply @ A. C. Lewis YMCA, 350 S. Foster Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 923-0653, Ext. 4 - Heather.

STUDENT WANTED to help in LSU faculty home. Housecleaning, pet & plant care, errands. 4 hrs/ wk, $10/ hr. Raise after 6 months. Attitude more important than experience. Must have own transportation, flexible availability. Email lbanner@nc.rr. com ►►BARTENDING UP TO NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. TRAINING PROVIDED. AGE 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520

LSU Gumbo yearbook & DVD is looking for a managing editor, layout designers, photographers, video editor, videographers and writers. All majors and all years accepted. Please fill out an application (not online) and bring it to B39 Hodges.

Any questions email Sheila at editor@ lsugumbo.com.

Full/Part time position Website design and maintenance, small office IT work, design/edit annual publications (Adobe InDesign), blog/newsletter editing, pay based on ability/experience. Must be hardworking and creative with computer skills. 225.336.4143 Parrain’s Seafood Now hiring servers, hostess, and bar backs with oyster shucking experience 225.381.9922 Part-Time programmer Access, VB,.

NET, and SQL experience. HR@bankersbank.com N Actors, Models, Makeup Artists and concession workers wanted for THE 13TH GATE Haunted House. No Exp. needed. Good Pay. Flexible Hours. Apply in Person at 832 St. Phillip St. downtown BR. September 5th,6th,12th, 13th. 9am-5pm 225-921-8006.

Part-Time Housekeeper Needed in evenings, Monday through Friday. 15-20 hours per week. Light cooking, cleaning, and errand running. Flexible scheduling for students & GREAT PAY! Great resume builder. Contact Nathan Lackie at nathan. lackie@ifs.brcoxmail.com jefferson Baptist Church needs lunchtime childcare. Noon to 2:00pm Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. at $10 an hour.

E-mail children@jeffersonbaptist.org or call Casey in the office. 225.923.0356 volunteer and job opportunity Tyrus Thomas, Inc. is looking for volunteer tutors to tutor in 9th grade Math, Science, English and Foreign Languages.

Monday & Wednesday Evenings 6pm 9pm Need Flexibility??? 6-9 Hours per month??? Become a Mentor!!!

If you are interested in volunteering with Tyrus Thomas, Inc. Please come to our volunteer & mentor informational Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 6:30 pm McKinley High Alumni Center 1520 Thomas H. Delpit Tyrus Thomas, Inc. is now accepting applications for an Assistant Coordinator for the Youth Retention Program C. A. T. C. H. Login to www.tyrusthomasinc.org to secure an application. A resume’ must accompany all applications for this position. Completed applications and resume’

Tuesday, september 8, 2009

should be mailed to Tyrus Thomas, Inc. Attn: C. A. T. C. H. Jobs 1520 Thomas H. Delpit Drive, Suite 224 Baton Rouge, LA 70802

2.5 BATH NEW FURNITURE. FULLY FURNISHED KITCHEN! CAN BE UNFURNISHED IF DESIRED. $1000.00 A MONTH. 504.455.6792

The deadline to submit applications is September 9, 2009 225.456.5799

2 & 3 Bedroom Condos Nice 2br condo in Brightside Manor $950. Half off 1st mths rent.

Spacious 3br $1050 at 5252 Brightside View 937-4849

For Sale Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FALL 2009!! Brand new 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units for sale starting at $124,900. Ask about our Guaranteed Buy-Back Program!! 3000 July St. 225346-5055 www.tigermanor.com Location.

Location. Location... Start Living.

SWEET RIDE 99 Chrylser 300M for sale. $2200 OBO. 150K miles, fully loaded, chrome wheels, gold tone, tinted windows.

Low price because it does need a few things we don’t have the time to fix. In great condition and rides really nice.

Questions and offers to Brad at 223-8616 or bjw212148@yahoo.com

For Rent BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL 2 bdrm/2 bath $795/ mouth. That’s right, Come in now to view the very spacious Varn Villa Apts.

Includes water, sewer, trash, and extended basic cable TV. Each bedroom has it’s own bath and walk in closet ideal for roommates. We are on the LSU busroute with a covered bus stop. For floorplans visit www.varnvilla.com VARN VILLA APARTMENTS at 1645 Brightside Dr. 225.767.2434 2br/2ba Townhouse Sharlo area, $975, covered parking, private patio, f/p, w/d 225.648.3115 FOR LEASE Houses, Apartments, Condos & Townhomes FOR LEASE in all areas and all price ranges!!! Call KEYFINDERS Realty for more info 225-293-3000. www.keyfindersbr.com FOR RENT 3 BR 1 1/2 BA house next to campus. Fenced yard. Range, refrig., washer & dryer. Central heat, window A/ C. $960 per month. Pets OK. Deposit and lease. Available now. 225.766.2963 LSU Walk to Campus. New Orleans Courtyard/ POOL 1001 Aster 1 br $495.

Very Nice. No Pets.766-2115 LAKE BEAU PRE TOWNHOUSE 2 BED

2 bedroom apartment for rent Great location. In Oakbrook Apartments on Nicholson Drive. $1028.00 mo. 985.517.6824 1 BR APT. VERY LARGE! WALK TO L S U. 769-7757/ 978-3123 / 766-4128 YOU’LL LOVE LIVING AT GOODRICH 2 BR unexpectedly available. Near Walkons, Co-op and Izzo’s. Walk or bike to LSU. On LSU busline. $650. www.lsubr for more pictures. 445-0039. Leave a message drex gomes properties 1 and 2 BR Apartments & Condos 3 BR Houses www.drexgomesproperties.com FIRST MONTH FREE Arlington Trace 3BR/3.5B Off Brightside All Appliances Included 225.767.2227 Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FOR FALL 2009! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedrooms available. Reserve your unit today! Walk to class! 3000 July St. 225346-5055. www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living.

2 bed 2 bath flat off South Brightside View on bus line. Ready to move in immediatley. $675mt Call Monica or Ashley 225.930.9996 WalK To Campus 1Br, 2Br, and Townhomes. Starting as low as $400.00. www. lsuwestchimesplace.com 225.346.4789 Near LSU on Bus Route 3 /2 Ω condo.

Utilities Paid. Heatherstone. $1200 832.465.9203 CHATEAU DU COUR In Tigerland small gated complex with large updated 1 & 2 bedroom flats. Pool, courtyards, laundry rooms and on site management. $595-700. 767-3935 or 772-2429. mckproperties.com Resident Needed For Veterinary Hospital studio apartment. 15 min from LSU. Call for more info. 225.387.2462 For Rent: 1bed/ bath.

Cute 2bed/ bath home in Meadow Bend subdivision- only 6 min. from campus! $600/ mo- includes H2O, elec., and cable.

Will be living with landlord- only mature students (female preferred) should inquire.

Available now.

Tuesday, september 8, 2009 Call Liz @ 225.964.2002 Move In Special 2BR 2.5 Bath.

Brightside Park Townhomes. W/ D, Pool.

937-4849 southlandpropertiesinc.com

Personals

Attractive Bold Heading!!! Down-toearth, intelligent yet athletic double major guy looking for girl with similar attributes, give or take a major. Let’s get some lunch.

Email: bemythirdmajor@yahoo.com No summer love? Hopeless romantic looking for a cute girl who knows what she wants and likes to be treated well. If your idea of a nice night is a movie on the big screen and a bottle of wine, let me know.

504tigerguy@gmail.com looking for my match to fill the little opening in the jumbeled sock drawer of my heart. White female who is into snake charming, chainsaws & sealing envelopes with hot wax. Seeking male companion with high ACT score, high cheekbones and high self esteem. No Weirdos PLEASE! allthegoodonesweretaken666@yahoo.com girl needed for laundry and creation of tasty ice cream treats hungrymandirtylaundry@yahoo.com SEARCHING 4 SOULMATE 20yo Asian guy seeking masculine guy 18-23 to date.

Races open. I’m a sweetheart! tigerboy1988@gmail.com

Miscellaneous 5 Minutes from LSU FREE LESSONS Sewing, Beading & Knitting Contact: fbcbrcrafts@gmail.com First Baptist Church 5 Minutes from LSU College Girls Bible Study Wednesdays, 5-6pm First Baptist Church For more information: fbcbrcrafts@gmail.com LSU Men’s Club Soccer Tryouts Official tryouts will be held at the UREC Sac fields on the following dates:Tues: (9/01) 5-7 P. M. Wed: (9/02) 5-7 P. M. Thurs: (9/03) 5-7 P. M. Tues: (9/08) 5-7 P. M. Thurs (9/10) 5-7 P. M. ($10 one time/ nonrefundable tryout fee) Contact: eyohe2@tigers.lsu.edu

Lost and Found Found Female Dog Short black haired with pink harnest. Found at The Varsity on Aug 28. 504.491.0172

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