CRIME BRIEFS
Check Inside For:
FIELD OF DREAMS
Student caught with 8 ounces of marijuana near McVoy Hall, page 3
Q&A with Mississippi band Come On Go With Us, page 6
See attendance numbers at sporting events at lsureveille.com
THE DAILY REVEILLE WWW.LSUREVEILLE.COM
Volume 114, Issue 129
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
University biology professor demanding apology Student but not about grades.”
By Xerxes A. Wilson Senior Staff Writer
INSTRUCTORS’ GRADES The faculty handbook states it is the A wildfire of criticism brought the asUniversity’s academic sanctity into ques- instructor’s right to determine and tion following the removal of Dominique sign grades, and such grades cannot be Homberger from teaching an introductory changed except through academic appeals. Brooks Ellwood, president of the Unibiology course because of students’ low versity chapter of American grades. Midterm grades for Association of University Those advocating the University’s posi- students in Homberger’s Professors, said it’s clear the removal and changing of the tion say it was a necesBIOL 1001 class: grades is a violation of such sary removal to protect •A: 0 percent rules. students. •B: 2.7 percent Department of BiologiOn the other side, •C: 6.6 percent cal Sciences Dean Kevin there are faculty who Carman said Homberger believe “the University •D: 15.5 percent was removed because the has defecated on the •F: 75 percent Holy Grail of academic SOURCE: Kevin Carman, dean of distribution of grades was freedom,” as one fac- Department of Biological Sciences lower than he’d ever seen ulty member bluntly de- (Numbers rounded to first decimal place) for the course. “The number of stuscribed the situation. Homberger received a message while dents failing the course was out of line with administering the course’s second exam that class in any history,” Carman told The saying she had been relieved of her teach- Daily Reveille on April 13. “Therefore, I ing duties because of “a developing situa- took action because I felt it was in the best interest of the students.” tion concerning student grades.” Seventy-five percent of students were Bill Wischusen — Homberger’s replacement — raised grades for the first failing at midterm, and 27 percent of the original enrollment had dropped out, Carexam by 25 percent. Homberger, a long-tenured senior man said. Students agree Homburger’s class professor and distinguished researcher, was soft-spoken about the situation but was difficult. “It’s one of the most difficult courses has demanded an apology. “Being taken out of the course is un- I have ever taken,” said Morgan McGlone, heard of,” Homberger said. “You do this to mechanical engineering senior. “She kept someone who comes into class drunk, or saying you need to learn how to learn. I am if someone brings a gun into class. There HOMBERGER, see page 15 are cases where you are justified to do that,
EMILY SLACK / The Daily Reveille
Biology professor and researcher Dominique Homberger explains research projects in her lab Monday. Homberger was recently pulled from her Biology 1001 class because the University deemed she was too hard on students.
JUSTIN JONES political science freshman
“You may know 90 percent of the material and still get a zero.”
“It’s been one of the most difficult courses I’ve ever taken.”
MORGAN MCGLONE engineering senior
dies Sat. in car accident By Xerxes A. Wilson Senior Staff Writer
Louisiana State Police have identified the victim of a fatal car accident on Saturday as Jackson Murray, an accounting senior from Houston. Police are investigating the accident, and the cause is unclear, according to a news release. Murray’s vehicle was traveling on I-10 east at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday when it crossed the median for unknown reasons and traveled through the westbound lanes at a high rate of speed, the release said. The vehicle then struck a tree before catching fire, according to the release. Murray was dead when police arrived, and toxicology results are pending, according to the report. The report said no other passengers were in the car and identified speeding as a suspected factor for the crash. “He will be remembered as very outgoing but always very intelligent,” said Tyler Abadie, president of Murray’s fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. Justin Carpenter, accounting senior, described Murray as one of his best friends and said they had planned to catch up this weekend. “I will be waiting on that Saturday for the rest of my life,” Carpenter said. Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
SAB holding Lost Comic Standing auditions By Sarah Eddington Staff Writer
Tonight is the last night for students who think they have comedic chops to audition for Student Activities Board’s third annual Last Comic Standing competition. Auditions began Tuesday and will continue tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Student Union’s Orleans Room. The Pop Fusion Committee, which is sponsoring the event, is a
division of the Student Activities Board that explores various aspects of popular culture, said Marlon Boutin, Pop Fusion chairperson. Committee members will judge the student comics and decide who will go on to perform at the Last Comic Standing competition May 4 at 7 p.m. in the Union’s Cotillion Ballroom. Professional comedian Erin Jackson, who was a semifinalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” will emcee the event, as well as provide
critiques to all of the performers. “Students will get a chance to show their comic creativity here on campus and also get to compete with other students,” Boutin said. The students will be judged on their stage presence, creativity and relatable material, Boutin said. “What we are looking for is someone who can make people laugh,” said A’Trey-U Jones, business management freshman and COMIC, see page 15
ERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille
Silvia Medrano, public relations junior, auditions Tuesday for LSU’s Last Comic Standing. The selected comedians will perform May 4 at Last Comic Standing.
THE DAILY REVEILLE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010
Nation & World
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
Roman Catholic Church pedophilia scandal grows in Latin America
Government asks that NY judge’s ruling for ACORN be suspended
SAO PAULO (AP) — The detention of an 83-year-old priest in Brazil for allegedly abusing boys as young as 12 has added to the scandals hitting the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America, even as Chile’s bishops asked pardon Tuesday for past cases.
NEW YORK (AP) — The government has asked a federal appeals court in New York to temporarily block a ruling that it was unconstitutional for Congress to cut funding to the activist group ACORN. A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals did not immediately rule on the request after hearing the arguments Tuesday. Attorney Mark Stern argued for the Justice Department that Congress did nothing wrong when it took action last year against ACORN after it identified widespread mismanagement.
Belarus says Kyrgyzstan’s ousted president in exile in Minsk MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Kyrgyzstan’s ousted president was in exile in Belarus on Tuesday, as the interim authorities controlling the Kyrgyz capital warned he would be imprisoned if he tried to return to the Central Asian country. Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who fled the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek after an April 7 protest rally that exploded into gunfire and left 85 people dead, had taken refuge last week in neighboring Kazakhstan, then left Monday for an unannounced destination.
Head of sex-crimes unit charged in Pennsylvania sex assault PHILADELPHIA (AP) — DNA evidence in an alleged sexual assault at a township building matches that of a sergeant who led a sex crimes unit in suburban Philadelphia, a district attorney said Tuesday.
Michael Marren, 41, was charged Monday in the alleged March 9 assault at the Bensalem Rescue Squad headquarters building, and has been fired from the Bensalem Police Department. Marren’s DNA matches saliva found on the victim’s breast, Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler said. Calif. man charged with tossing infant daughter onto highway SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A California man will stand trial on charges that he pulled his infant daughter out of his car and threw her more than 20 feet into the lanes of a highway. Prosecutors say the girl’s mother quickly retrieved the 9-month-old off the road on April 1, but the girl suffered cuts to her mouth, stomach, sides and legs. A Santa Cruz County judge ordered a trial Monday for 23-year-old Erik Johnston on charges including domestic battery.
STATE/LOCAL
Harrah’s Casino executive taking over Fair Grounds Race Course
Hometown of Saints cornerback Port Allen now has a Tracy Porter Street
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A top executive at Harrah’s New Orleans Casino has been hired as president of the Fair Grounds Race Course and its slot machine casino. The track’s owner, Churchill Downs Inc., said Timothy W. Bryant will join the track and the Louisville, Ky.-based company after licensing and regulatory requirements for his hiring are completed. At the same time, the current track president, Austin Miller, will become head of Calder Casino & Race Course in Miami Gardens, Fla., another Churchillowned property. Miller also is a corporate senior vice president. Current Calder president Tom O’Donnell is leaving the company as previously planned after overseeing the building of the track’s casino and poker facilities, the company said.
PORT ALLEN (AP) — The hometown of Saints cornerback Tracy Porter now has a street named for the football hero. With little fanfare, the city of Port Allen on Monday took down the sign with the street’s old name — Village Street — and put up the bright blue sign designating it as Tracy Porter Street.
@ lsureveille, @TDR_news, @TDR_sports
Free Street Painting Workshop with Internationally Renowned Street Painter Lori Escalera 1p.m.-4p.m., Wednesday, April 21 on LSU Parade Ground Visit Foster Hall Art Gallery or www.lsu.edu/union for an application and details 5th Annual Graduate & Professional School Open House Hosted by: Black Graduate & Professional Student Association Tuesday, April 27th, 3:00-5:30 Shirley & Bill Lawton Squad Room @ Tiger Stadium Free, Open to the public, light refreshments BSU Meeting Today at 6PM in the Calciseu Room, Student Union Elections Thursday in the AACC, only paid members can vote!
Weather 82 57
TODAY
LSU 2010 Chalk Art Competition 8a.m.-12p.m., Saturday, April 24 on LSU Parade Ground Visit Foster Hall Art Gallery or www.lsu.edu/union for application and guidelines
PAGE 2
Two lawsuits over 2009 New Orleans police shooting on hold NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two lawsuits over a man’s fatal shooting by New Orleans police on New Year’s Day 2009 are on hold while the Justice Department investigates the case. In a court filing, lawyers for relatives of Adolph Grimes III said they met with a federal prosecutor who confirmed that the 22-year-old’s death is under investigation.
TODAY ON
PHOTO BLOG: Caterpillars
lsureveille.com
Read the latest music blog about Trombone Shorty’s new album “Backatown.”
Keep up to date at facebook.com/lsureveille
Visit the online recruiting blog to see the latest updates.
FEELING BLUE
Sunny
THURSDAY 84 62 SATURDAY 81 61
FRIDAY 82 69 SUNDAY 85 60
DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Isaiah at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: officemanager@lsureveille.com
AMANDA TAGGETT / The Daily Reveille
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
In the April 19 story “BR hosts Earth Day celebration focused on La.,” The National Audubon Society was incorrectly identified. If you would like something corrected or clarified please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 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.
THE DAILY REVEILLE B-16 Hodges Hall • Baton Rouge, La. 70803
NICHOLAS PERSAC JERIT ROSER GERRI SAX ELLEN ZIELINSKI ADAM DUVERNAY SARAH LAWSON ROBERT STEWART DAVID HELMAN STEPHANIE GIGLIO MATTHEW ALBRIGHT J.J. ALCANTARA KRISTEN ROWLETT STEVEN POWELL LAUREN ROBERTS
Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, External Media Managing Editor, Production News Editor Deputy News/Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Deputy Sports Editor Production Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Online Media Editor Reveille Radio Director Advertising Sales Manager
Newsroom (225)578-4810 • Advertising (225)578-6090
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 3
TRANSPORTATION
SG Senate supports red-light camera abolishment Studies: Rear-end collisions increased By Catherine Threlkeld Staff Writer
Baton Rouge residents face a split-second decision when a stoplight turns yellow. Drivers who run the light risk a $117 citation if caught by the intersection’s traffic camera. But five proposed bills likely signal a lengthier judgment process for the Louisiana State Legislature this session. Rep. Jeff Arnold, D-New Orleans, is leader of the anti-camera forces in the state legislature and has introduced four bills that could change the traffic camera programs across the state. House Bill 160 bans local governments from using the cameras. HB 383 requires voter approval for the cameras to be set up. HB 283 requires any ordinance setting up cameras to also offer a ticketing system, making
Campus Crime Briefs Two arrests made in connection with string of vehicle break-ins Two men were arrested April 14 in connection with a string of six vehicle break-ins around campus between April 6 and 13. Brandon Hebert, 27, of 137 North Labauve St. in Brusly, La., and Shane Boudreaux, 19, of 59655 Highway 1148 in Plaquemine, La., both unaffiliated with the University, were arrested at 7:42 p.m. outside of the new Alex Box Stadium during a baseball game, said Kevin Scott, LSU Police Department spokesman. An officer recognized the men’s vehicle from an internal bulletin regarding the vehicle break-ins, Scott said. When the officer contacted the men, Hebert had a screwdriver, which Scott said had been used for some of the thefts. The men were also in possession of 16 oxycodene pills, one alprazolam pill and 6.3 grams of marijuana, according to the LSUPD report. Boudreaux was agreeable with officers and confessed to his part in the burglaries, while Hebert was uncooperative, Scott said. The vehicle was inventoried, and many items were reported stolen, including personal electronics such as iPods, were found. Hebert was charged with illegal possession of stolen items, possession of marijuana, prohibited acts Schedule II and IV, being a fugitive and two counts of unauthorized use of an access card as theft.
it easier for motorists to contest New Orleans. HB 283 will make the the citation in court, and HB 859 bans the cameras from roads with appeals process free across the state if passed by legislature and state or local funding. HB 374, by Rep. Joseph signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. “The compromise worked Lopinto, R-Metairie, would impose a $50 cap on any resulting out with the mayor and Mr. Arnold,” Dyer said. fines and give “Mr. Arnold was motorists 60 days happy because it to pay. helps reform proThe Commitgrams [in New tee on TransporOrleans].” tation, Highways Baton Rouge and Public Works traffic cameras voted down HB have raised $2.7 160, 10-6, but the Jared Bourgeois million from the committee hasn’t Basic Sciences Senator first traffic camheard Arnold’s era in February other bills. The Judiciary Committee passed HB 2008 until December 2009. “The reason we’re doing it 283, and it will now be debated is not to raise money, but to save in the House of Representatives. Scott Dyer, spokesman for lives,” Dyer said. “The mayor’s East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor- position is that the program is President Kip Holden’s office, working. Other cities in Louisisaid Arnold amended HB 283 to ana have had problems.” University students aren’t igreflect the Baton Rouge system. Only citizens in Baton Rouge and norant of the proposed changes. Student Government Senate Lafayette can currently appeal a passed a resolution to “urge and traffic camera citation for free. Filing a lawsuit costs $375 in request that the City of Baton
Rouge abolish the use of cameras as a means of enforcing traffic laws.” “The traffic cameras are not a fair way to go about increasing safety because there have been a lot of studies done that show those are marginally effective,” said Basic Sciences Sen. Jared Bourgeois. “There are other ways the city has of increasing safety.” The resolution, authored by Bourgeois, said the traffic cameras decrease the number of side collisions but increase the number of rear-end collisions just as much. Evidence from a Texas Transportation Research Institute report showed “camera enforcement reduces red-light-related crashes between 20 and 36 percent at the treated intersection. But rear-end crashes have been found to increase between 20 and 37 percent at these intersections.” A study from the Urban Transit Institute at the University of North Carolina showed results associating red-light cameras
with higher levels of many types of crashes. No current study has been done on the efficiency of redlight cameras in Baton Rouge. Bourgeois said Holden said during the committee meeting he hasn’t heard any strong opposition to the traffic cameras in Baton Rouge. But Bourgeois is going to the State Capitol on Friday to show the student body does oppose the traffic cameras. The Senate resolution offers alternatives to increasing traffic safety including implementing an all-red clearance interval, increasing yellow-light time and making traffic lights more visible. Eight states have made the cameras illegal, and Louisiana is one of six states where similar debates are occurring this year.
a 35-mph zone. The driver was 19-year-old Jonathan Guel of 22 Colonel Wink Drive in Gulfport, Miss. Guel said he had around four or five beers and submitted to a chemical test for intoxication, the result of which was .216 percent BAC, Scott said. Guel’s truck was impounded, and he was booked in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
been drinking. McCarthy refused to submit to a chemical test but later said he had shared three pitchers of beer at Walk-On’s. He was arrested and
booked in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
‘‘
‘Traffic cameras are not a fair way to go about increasing safety.’
Boudreaux was charged with possession of marijuana, prohibited acts Schedule II and IV, being a fugitive and six counts of simple burglary. Student arrested for possession of eight ounces of marijuana University student Daniel Kemp, 20, of 30 Spiceberry Place in The Woodlands, Texas, was arrested April 12 for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. LSUPD made contact with Kemp at McVoy Hall around midnight after they received a call regarding drug use, Scott said. Kemp consented to a search of his property, which yielded a total of 8 ounces of marijuana in his car and dorm room, Scott said. He was arrested and booked in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. Student arrested for speeding, driving while intoxicated A University student was arrested April 13 at 2:30 a.m. for driving while intoxicated, speeding and careless operation. An LSUPD officer saw a pickup truck traveling north on Nicholson Drive at 55 mph in
Student arrested for driving while intoxicated claims FBI employment A 25-year-old University student, Patrick McCarthy of 5167 Etta St. in Baton Rouge, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to stop at a traffic light and improper lane usage. An LSUPD officer pulled over a black Acura at 2:53 a.m. April 14 after it turned right during a red light onto Dalrymple Drive from Highland Road, an intersection where turning on red is prohibited, Scott said. McCarthy, who was driving the car, was unable to balance while standing, Scott said. He told the officer he was working with the FBI for national security purposes and was on the way to the Parade Ground to discuss his relationship with his girlfriend, Scott said. McCarthy also said he had not
Contact Catherine Threlkeld at cthrelkeld@lsureveille.com
Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
PAGE 4
THE DAILY REVEILLE
FACULTY
LSU registrar wins national award Doolos participated in special task force By Ryan Buxton Senior Staff Writer
University registrar Robert Doolos has been given an award from a national organization for his work, which includes co-chairing a task force to evaluate the organization’s governance structure. Doolos received the Thomas A. Bilger Citation for Service by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and will be presented with it today at the AACRAO annual meeting in New Orleans. The award is named for a former president of AACRAO and is given to organization members with five or more years of service to AACRAO with a history of outstanding contributions to the organization, according to a news release. Doolos, who is one of two recipients of the award this year, said he is honored to be recognized by the organization, which he joined in
1990 and has been deeply involved with since 1998. “It’s a great feeling that your peers think you have done a great job for the organization,” Doolos said. AACRAO is a professional organization for higher-education admissions and registration professionals from more than 2,500 institutions, according to the release. Doolos said he’s also gracious to the University for providing him with financial support to attend AACRAO annual meetings and allowing him to take time off to do so. “I need to thank LSU for all these years of supporting me in doing this work with and for AACRAO,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate to have great folks and great supervisors who have supported me.” Doolos said the work he is most proud of with AACRAO is a job he is still doing as the co-chairman of a task force created to evaluate the governance structure of the organization. The task force filed an initial report in December 2009 with the AACRAO Board of Directors and is continuing to research topics such as
how the Board is elected and what it should be involved in, Doolos said. Doolos said he is passionate about AACRAO because it facilitates dialogue between registrars from universities around the nation. “It benefits someone in our profession a great deal with opportunities for professional growth and development and to keep up with what’s going on in the profession,” he said. The relationships created through AACRAO came in handy to Doolos when he was able to consult the University of Texas at Austin about online course waitlisting a few years ago. Sharing experiences with various policies make them easier to implement, Doolos said. “Registrars are very willing to share what they’ve done with their colleagues,” he said. “No one wants to reinvent the wheel. It was really wonderful to pick up the phone and call a colleague over there and say, ‘Tell me how you worked through this issue.’” Contact Ryan Buxton at rbuxton@lsureveille.com
ENVIRONMENT
Center to host Energy Expo Students can view new technology By Mallory Logan Contributing Writer
The Center for Energy Studies will host keynote speakers discussing alternative energy today from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Dalton Woods Auditorium. “The topic ... is ‘Greening an Enterprise Economy,’” said Jordan Gilmore, associate of research and policy at the Center for Energy Studies. Author Robert Nelson of the Independent Institute will start by presenting his book discussing economics and environmental clashes of the 20th and 21st centuries. Other topics being discussed include “green jobs” and how to sustain small- and medium-sized businesses in the state by Louisiana’s Blue Ocean Initiative. Alternative Energy is usually a one-day event, but it has expanded this year in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. “We are having speakers on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by an expo featuring a model of an alternative energy car and other exhibits,” Gilmore said. Topics being discussed Thursday include liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas and biodiesel, electric and hydrogen vehicle infrastructure and transportation energy policy. Following the expo, visitors are invited to view a screening of the film “Fuel,” winner of the Sundance Film Festival’s 2008 Best Documentary Audience Award, in
the Dalton Woods Auditorium. Visitors must register for the lecture part of the event, but no registration is required to view the exposition Thursday. Visit www.enrg.lsu.edu to register or contact the Center for
Energy Studies by phone at (225) 578-4400 or by e-mail at ces@lsu. edu. Contact Mallory Logan at mlogan@lsureveille.com
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Today in sports: softball at 6 p.m. (priority points game), baseball at 6:30 p.m.
Sports
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
PAGE 5
LaFell expected to be taken in second or third round By Johanathan Brooks Sports Writer
J.J. ALCANTARA / The Daily Reveille
Former LSU wide receiver Brandon LaFell entered his name into the NFL draft pool during the offseason between his junior and senior collegiate seasons. LaFell was riding the high of a redshirt junior campaign that saw him catch 63 passes for 929 yards and eight touchdowns. He took his name out of the draft pool less than a week later. And local NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier said the 6-foot-2-inch wideout’s stock has fallen since then. “To start the season, [LaFell] was clear-cut the top senior receiver in this draft class,” Detillier said. “He has taken a plunge.” The Houston native caught three more touchdown passes last season than the previous season, but he saw a decline in the number of passes he caught and his total
yards, which were 57 and 792, respectively. “In his senior season, he had a lot of drops, his concentration level was not good, and at times it almost seemed like he was hearing footsteps around him,” Detillier said. “He just didn’t play at that high level.” The most damning of LaFell’s mistakes during the season were unquestionably the dropped passes, Detillier said. “It is the number of drops that are going to be a big concern,” he said. “You didn’t see that as a sophomore and a junior.” One other aspect of LaFell’s game that contributed to the decline of his draft stock is his attitude, Detillier said. “His senior season as a whole, as it went on, you start hear more and more, ‘What’s happened to him?’” Detillier said. “Then you started to hear a lot of rumors from people on the staff and players that he’s developed a ‘diva’ personality.” DRAFT, see page 11
LaFalling Down Daily Reveille file photo
[Top] Former LSU wide receiver Brandon LaFell runs for a touchdown Jan. 1 during the Tigers’ 19-17 loss to the Nittany Lions at the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla. [Bottom] LaFell gestures Sept. 26 during LSU’s 30-26 win against Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss.
BASEBALL
No. 8 LSU snaps NSU winning streak By Johanathan Brooks Sports Writer
No. 8 LSU had no trouble handling Northwestern State in Shreveport on Tuesday night despite playing on one day’s rest after a 14-inning marathon Sunday. The Tigers (31-6) outhit the Demons (25-11) by seven hits en route to a 14-3 win in front of 5,212 spectators at Fair Grounds Park. Tuesday night’s game was originally scheduled for March 10 but was postponed because of inclement weather in the Shreveport area. LSU has played four games in five days as a result. Tuesday night’s game marked the fifth win in a row for LSU and snapped a six-game winning streak for Northwestern State. “I thought we played a great ball game tonight, and I was proud of the way we competed against a very good team,” LSU coach Paul Mainieri said in a news release. The victory never appeared doubtful for LSU, as it scored early and often in the contest. The Tigers scored their first runs in the second inning when junior center fielder Leon Landry grounded into a double play, allowing sophomore second baseman Tyler Hanover to score from third base. The Tigers scored two more runs in the inning when sophomore shortstop Austin Nola blasted a tworun home run to right field. WIN, see page 11
SPORTS FANS
Alex Box stadiums set attendance record for 14 years Tiger Park also has home advantage
Editor’s note: This story is the first in a five-part series involving attendance at LSU athletic events. By Andy Schwehm Sports Contributor
It may speak volumes about what winning national championships can do, or it may just be that undying spirit of the purple-andgold Tiger faithful. Either way, LSU’s baseball team has had a decisive home-field advantage during the last 14 years, dating back to 1996, holding the best NCAA attendance crown in that span. But it’s been a long trip to get
attendance to where it is today. Back in 1984, then-LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman inherited a program that was slowly being established as a winner, but overall attendance was lacking. The total attendance for the 1984 season was 22,021 over 24 games – an average of 918 fans per game. The total nearly doubled to 40,756 in 1985 and slowly climbed to reach an average of 7,476 per game in 2001 in Bertman’s last season as Tiger skipper. LSU made it to the College World Series for the first time in program history in 1986, and the championships started to fall into place. Slowly but surely, attendance grew. Attendance peaked Saturday at 10,019 in a 9-7 victory against Alabama. Long-time LSU radio announcer Jim Hawthorne credits the growth
in attendance to the former LSU skipper, saying Bertman went to the community to promote the games. “People began to catch on to the fact that baseball is a sport that can be very entertaining,” Hawthorne said. “It was a sport where LSU had gotten to the point where they were going to win most of the time. Skip is a very charismatic guy, and it just developed into a monster.” Fast forward some 24 years after LSU’s first CWS appearance to last season. The Tigers’ total paid attendance during last season’s trek to their sixth national championship was 403,056, while their closest competitor was Ole Miss ATTENDANCE, see page 11
See a database of attendance at LSU sporting events at lsureveille.com.
ERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille
Lauren Morris, secondary education junior, and David Fabian, petroleum engineering junior, enjoy an LSU baseball game March 4 against Pepperdine.
PAGE 6
Revelry
THE DAILY REVEILLE Today’s KLSU Specialty Shows: Beat Street (trip-hop) 9 - 11 p.m. Underground Sounds (underground hip-hop) 11 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Entertainment writer Ben Bourgeois interviewed the band Come On Go With Us. All responses from bassist and vocalist Chris Hurt.
WEDNESDAY’s Q&A
——————
Q: What was it like coming down to Baton Rouge and playing at Chelsea’s Cafe April 15? A: It was really cool. That was my first time in Baton Rouge, and I believe our first time playing there, but we’ve played in New Orleans, Lake Charles and Shreveport before. Chelsea’s is a really cool place, and it has a really unique layout. We had some great food, there was a nice staff and the owner was very nice. Of course we want a bigger turnout next time we come. But for our first show, we couldn’t ask for more.
with
Come On Go With Us
Q: What’s it like playing for a college-aged audience? A: The Southeast could be a difficult region to do original music, broadly speaking, because in a lot of towns, you have a strong SEC football team to consider when scheduling a show. But if you can get people in that room we always go over really well. We’re kind of accessible to the common man or woman. We have a lot of harmony, and that tends to attract a lot of people — especially if it’s done well.
Q: What has pushed you guys to explore more instruments?
Q: How have people received the band’s varying instrumentation live and in the studio?
A: Sometimes it’s just a matter of money. If I have the money to buy something, I’ll try to incorporate it into the band. But we’re also trying to add textures. For example, one of our guys sings and plays electric guitar and lap steel. We’re getting more songs that have lap steel, and it has different textures.
A: We mix up instrumentation a little bit. There’s some piano and organ, but our piano player will play banjo sometimes. It’s the use of traditional folk instruments with more of a pop-rock sound with the drums and the electric bass. We’ve got some upbeat stuff that people can dance to, and we can play some more downbeat stuff; it works well.
?
Question of the
Week
?
Log on to lsureveille. com to see a slide show of students’ responses to our question of the week:
What is your go-to dance move? 7:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m. Noon, 3:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m.
MELLOW MUSHROOM Team Trivia @ 8pm & Karaoke @ 10pm $6 Pitchers & $10 Buckets
8-8:30 AM 9-10:30 AM 11:30-12 PM 12-1:30 PM 4-5:30 PM
Your Source Carriers Your Source New Moon The Fourth Kind
6-6:30PM 6:30-7PM 7-9:30 PM 11-11:30PM 11:30-12PM
Your Source SketchMo The Informant Your Source Sketch Mo
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 7
FOOTBALL
Williams willing to earn spot in NFL in different positions RB projected to be late-round pick By Jarred LeBlanc Sports Contributor
Hundreds of former college football players’ futures will be determined Thursday through Saturday during the 2010 NFL Draft. Among the former Tigers waiting to hear their names called is Keiland Williams, who hopes to join the ranks of the many LSU running backs selected in past drafts. “It’s kind of a nerve-racking situation right now,” Williams said. “The three or four years in college were your chance to show what you can do. Now you have to sit back and relax and wait for someone to call your name.” Williams has been projected as a late-round pick by many draft experts, but the Lafayette native could go undrafted and slip into free agency. One knock against Williams is his lack of production at LSU. Williams only started three games in his four-year LSU career, but he saw the field on many occasions and carried the ball as many as 17 times in one game as a backup. “The best way to describe him is as someone you know who has a lot of talent, but he always leaves you feeling as though he can do more,” said local NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier. “He came in and flashed some skills at LSU, but he was never really a consistent player.” Williams entered LSU in 2006 as the No. 1 junior-college prospect in the nation from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. He immediately made an impact during his freshman season, averaging a team-high 48.4 rushing yards per game and was second on the team with 436 rushing yards on the season. Williams continued to be a productive backup to former LSU running back Jacob Hester during his sophomore season, racking up
478 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. But Williams hit a wall after his sophomore season and was never able to become the team’s premier back despite Hester’s move to the NFL in 2008. His rushing numbers decreased, and he only found the end zone a combined six times in his junior and senior seasons. “One thing is that he wasn’t a big, tough inside runner,” Detillier said. “I think [LSU coach] Les [Miles] was trying to motivate him and trying to get more out of him, but it never clicked.”
Williams’ senior season ended early after he broke his ankle Nov. 14 against Ole Miss. He missed the last two games of the season. He said he is mostly healed, and he is confident he will find his place in the NFL and be productive for an NFL team. “I can do good things with the ball in my hands. I’m a threat catching the ball out of the backfield, and my pass-blocking skills are getting better to where people are noticing what I can do without the ball,” Williams said. “Given a fair opportunity, I can come in and contribute pretty early.”
Daily Reveille file photo
Former LSU running back Keiland Williams, left, tries to dodge a Louisiana Tech defender Nov. 14. Williams is projected to be a late-round draft pick this weekend.
Williams said he’s ready to work his way through the running back ranks and play a key role on special teams during his rookie season. The running back played a lot of special teams during his LSU career and had 199 kick-return yards during his sophomore season and 290 kick-return yards during his junior season. “You have to establish yourself as a special teams player and as a guy who can do things in other areas besides the offensive and defensive sides of the ball,” Williams said. “I’m willing to do many things until I establish myself as being ‘the guy.’” Miles said his running backby-committee approach has saved his backs from the wear and tear most college backs get before they reach the NFL. Williams has a lot of football intelligence and can be a good pickup for any team in the NFL,
Miles said. “If they are looking for a thirddown back or a guy with speed who can catch it, Keiland Williams will be a guy that will fit that,” Miles said. But many college athletes struggle in the NFL, and Williams said former LSU running backs Kevin Faulk and Joseph Addai have talked to him about how to be a successful professional back. Addai told Williams most rookies are starstruck about finally making it to the league, but it is important to stay focused and remember people are fighting for jobs. “Get in there, focus and learn your plays,” Williams said Addai told him. “Once you learn your plays, you’re not out there thinking. You’re just out there reacting.”
Contact Jarred LeBlanc at jleblanc@lsureveille.com
PAGE 8
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
SOFTBALL
Tigers avoid trap-game mentality against McNeese St. LSU riding sevengame win streak By Chris Branch Sports Writer
Watch out for the small hurdle. Three Southeastern Conference series separate the LSU softball team from the SEC tournament, NCAA regionals and potential glory. Also standing in the way is the final midweek contest of the season. The McNeese State Cowgirls (24-23) travel to Baton Rouge on Wednesday in what could be the final true tune-up game of the 2010 slate for No. 15 LSU (36-9, 14-5). But don’t tell the Tigers that. “We take every team that we play seriously, and with McNeese State being an in-state school, we know that they’re coming to compete,” said LSU senior outfielder Rachel Mitchell. “We’ll be ready.” LSU coach Yvette Girouard acknowledged the “trap game” feeling. She said it’s common in sports for teams focusing on grander games to slip up against a lesser opponent in any sport, especially
BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
LSU freshman pitcher Rachele Fico throws a pitch Saturday during the Tigers’ 3-2 victory against Arkansas at Tiger Park. The Tigers swept the weekend series.
softball. “There’s always concern,” Girouard said. “Any time you step onto the field you can get beat. Even in tiddlywinks, if you take your opponent for granted you can always get beat.” The Tigers come into the midweek affair riding a seven-game winning streak after trouncing
Arkansas three times during the weekend. But the wins weren’t easy. Arkansas pushed LSU to the limit in Saturday’s contest, a 10-inning bonanza capped by sophomore outfielder Ashley Langoni’s walkoff double. Langoni’s heroics gave the Tigers a 3-2 win. The late-inning experience could prove invaluable down the
stretch. “It’s good to know the team will fight for the win and not give up,” Girouard said. “Even though it’s discouraging to them for their bats to be ineffective the first three times they come up, maybe they can win the game on their last one. That’s what they always have to remember.” Junior designated player Ashley Applegate agreed. Applegate, who went 2-for-3 in Sunday’s 3-2 win including an RBI single to tie the game, said the experience is imperative for a Women’s College World Series run. “We need those games, and it’s great to get experience in clutch situations before we get to the big show — the College World Series,” Applegate said. “That’s our goal.” As sweet as the sweep was, the lack of firepower could be a concern. LSU’s bats only mustered 10 runs all weekend against the Razorbacks to Arkansas’ six. Yet LSU’s pitching staff has held the boat steady in the last two series. Senior Cody Trahan, sophomore Brittany Mack and freshman Rachele Fico have aided the Tigers in posting a 1.25 ERA on the season.
Fico was honored with LSQWA Pitcher of the Week for her efforts against Arkansas. Girouard’s squad averaged 6.58 runs per game during their 24game winning streak earlier in the season that saw sweeps and runs galore. The Tigers ran their ranking as high as No. 13 during the stretch. “It’s been kind of a concern all year long,” Girouard said. “Timely hitting is more important I guess than a jillion runs. We got three W’s, and that was the goal.” Mission accomplished. After the date with McNeese, LSU closes out the season with a home series against Georgia sandwiched between away series at Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively. Mitchell, LSU’s second leading hitter with a .344 average, isn’t worrying about the dearth of runs. “We didn’t, but we did win all the games,” Mitchell said. “We’re not going to score a million runs every week. We did what we wanted to do — we won. That’s all that matters.” Contact Chris Branch at cbranch@lsureveille.com
FAMOUS AMOS
Draft over-exposure can be deadly for NFL fans If you’re an avid sports fan like me, then you are probably suffering from the same ailment I am, which usually rears its head around this time of year. It’s a rare ailment, and little is known about it medically. I am actually one of the leading experts in the field. The sickness is called Draft Over-Exposure Syndrome, or DOES for short. This ailment is not serious, but it can spread rapidly, as the major cable network ESPN is the source of this virus. There are no physical symptoms, and most of the infected are unaware they are carriers. So how can you tell if you have been infected with this silent timewaster? Ask yourself these questions: When you hear the letters E, S, P and N in that order, do you think of Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay? Do you know more about Tim Tebow than his parents? When you hear the word draft, do you think of cold air or New York? Do you know the names of football players who didn’t have spectacular seasons in non-power conferences? Are you doubting the ability of players you have seen play in person and thought they had the talent to play in the NFL? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have been infected with DOES. Nine out of 13 doctors agree that DOES is quite possibly one of the most time-wasting diseases this time of the year. Persons suffering from DOES spend hours each day watching ESPN as Kiper and McShay break down what each team could possibly
do this weekend or sit at computer screens and read countless blogs by various experts debating what each NFL team needs to assess in the NFL draft. People infected with DOES most likely have the various experts’ mock drafts memorized and have engaged in countless debates with others as to who should be the No. 1 pick in the draft. If their Google searches were monitored, the most searched names would be Sam Bradford, Ndamukong Suh and Jimmy Clausen. DOES also makes its victims behave irrationally. They will often discuss the bad attitudes of players they have never met and ignore outside information when making a decision about who will be selected first. For instance, DOES sufferers are often sold with Bradford being the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. They ignore the fact that the team with the No. 1 pick is the St.
Louis Rams. The Rams allowed their quarterback to be sacked 44 times last season — the seventhhighest total by an NFL team this past season. Bradford has an arm but Amos Morale Sports Columnist is coming off a shoulder injury he suffered as a result of getting sacked. What makes the sack total seem worse is that the Rams finished 31st in the NFL, averaging just 5.5 yards per attempt, yet completed nearly 58 percent of their pass attempts. This average means they attempted a lot of short passes but still allowed their quarterback to be sacked quite a bit even though he isn’t holding the ball too long. Taking that into consideration, throw Bradford on the field with that
situation. The Rams would ask him to perform without a supporting cast and risk even greater injury by taking more hits than he would need to if he was drafted by a team with a better supporting cast. If you look at the quarterbacks who have been successful in their rookie campaigns, such as Mark Sanchez, they have been on teams where the quarterback was the only thing missing. Quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford of the Lions and Alex Smith of the 49ers both looked less than impressive in their first seasons, while Sanchez and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlis-
berger led their teams to the playoffs in their rookie seasons. The point is it’s illogical to take Sam Bradford No. 1 overall. The only remedy to DOES is time. Watching NFL teams select their players of the future is the only medicine to these poor patients. Amos Morale is a 22-year-old history senior from Houston. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_amosmorale3.
Contact Amos Morale at amorale@lsureveille.com
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 9
MEN’S TENNIS
Sophomore serves his way to the top of Tiger lineup Bowtell leads LSU in dual match wins By Sean Isabella Sports Contributor
About 525,600 minutes pass in a single year, leaving a seemingly endless amount of time to improve in just about anything — LSU men’s tennis sophomore Mark Bowtell knows. Bowtell was an average, runof-the-mill player just one year ago. He primarily held down the No. 6 singles position and finished the 2009 season with pedestrian numbers — 14-17 in singles and 6-11 in doubles. But Bowtell has exploded onto the scene in his second year with the Tigers, climbing to the team’s No. 2 singles spot. He remains one of the lone bright spots for the 7-14 Tigers. “To his credit, it’s pretty amazing the jump he’s made in one year,” said LSU assistant coach Danny Bryan. “He was a pretty average No. 6 and to make that jump to No. 2 and actually win is impressive.” Ironically, there is nothing average about Bowtell. He is listed at 6 feet, 4 inches but plays like a 7-footer, combining
SARAH HUNT / The Daily Reveille
LSU sophomore Mark Bowtell backhands a ball April 13 in his win against South Florida’s Jamal Adderly, 6-1, 7-5, in W.T. “Dub” Robinson Stadium.
a blistering service game with an overpowering forehand smash. This unique blend allowed Bowtell to easily climb to the top of the lineup. Bowtell, who leads the team with 11 dual wins, regularly played at No. 4 and No. 5 in the early part of the season, but LSU
coach Jeff Brown inserted Bowtell into the No. 2 spot April 2 against Alabama. The move has paid off for Brown as Bowtell has posted three wins since the switch, including a victory April 11 against No. 114 Vijay Paul of Vanderbilt. “Most people don’t own their
serve generally like he does,” Brown said. “On the other side, to have the super powerful forehand — not everyone that has a big serve has something else as well.” Brown and Bryan have seen tremendous improvements in Bowtell’s serve since last year to a point where Brown said Bowtell has close to a 95 percent hold rate on his service games. In addition to his powerful first serve, Bowtell has added a topspin serve and a slice serve to keep his opponents on their toes. “I can get a lot of free points on my serve, which puts a lot of pressure on my opponent and their service game,” Bowtell said. Bowtell’s 20th birthday isn’t until mid-May, and the County Wicklow, Ireland, native has yet to reach his potential — a scary prospect for future opponents. Both coaches want to improve his lateral quickness to give him the ability to play at the net. Bowtell regularly plays behind the baseline and blasts forehands to the point. Brown said he wants Bowtell to learn how to transition better between the baseline and the net. “I can’t imagine how good he’ll get if he works on that transition game,” Brown said. “There really wouldn’t be a time where anybody could really relax.”
The transition game will not only help Bowtell in singles, but also in doubles. Doubles play normally requires quick feet and the ability to play at the net. Bowtell has been passive at times, staying back near the baseline for too long. “Recently, he’s starting to take more ownership in the fact that he should be a better doubles player,” Bryan said. “He’s always kind of just looked at it that he was only good at singles, which is kind of silly.” Whether it’s singles or doubles, being in the spotlight and playing against top competition is familiar to Bowtell. He was one of the top junior prospects in Ireland during his teenage years in County Wicklow and was the highest-ranked International Tennis Federation junior in 2006 and 2007. But Bowtell’s success in Ireland was highly individualized, which is the opposite of college team tennis. “The team environment is fun because back home in Ireland, it’s all individual,” Bowtell said. “Just being part of a team is fun and just going out on the road together.” Contact Sean Isabella at sisabella@lsureveille.com
PAGE 10
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 ATTENDANCE, from page 5
with 273,111. LSU’s mark shattered the previous mark of 318,798 set the season before. The fans have helped give LSU the home advantage it now enjoys. The team has a home winning percentage of .795 since 1984. “There is no place else anywhere in this country that comes anywhere near close to the fan support, the atmosphere and the loyalty you see with LSU baseball,” Hawthorne said. The original stadium held 2,500 when it was built in 1938. It increased to 7,760 over the years before the team moved over to the new 9,190-capacity stadium. Average attendance was 3,060 during the final regular season in the old Alex Box Stadium, while the new stadium averaged 5,751 last year. The capacity of the stadium was raised to 10,150 with the addition of the 960 bleacher seats in right field in the offseason, allowing for even more noise this season. That noise was raised to an apex during Friday night’s 12-5 victory in front of 8,556 fans, as numerous questionable calls and a Tiger rally got LSU fans barking back at the officials. “For us as a team, that kind of stuff shows us that the crowd is fighting right there with us,” said LSU senior first baseman Blake Dean. “It gets us fired up.” The story is much the same for LSU’s softball team in its new Tiger Park. Attendance reached 1,000
WIN, from page 5
LSU led 3-0 after the second inning. The Tigers were just getting started. LSU tacked on two runs in the top of the third inning with RBI hits from Hanover and redshirt freshman third baseman Wet Delatte to make the score 5-0. Northwestern cut the lead to four runs when senior third baseman Chase Lyles hit a sacrifice fly that allowed junior catcher Aaron Munoz to score and bring the score to 5-1. The Tigers quickly gained their five-run advantage back in the top of the fourth inning when sophomore catcher Grant Dozar hit an RBI single and brought the count to 6-1. LSU pulled away in the fifth frame when it scored four runs on two hits. Three of those runs came when junior catcher Micah Gibbs, who played designated hitter in the contest, belted a bases-loaded, threeRBI double to center field. Gibbs led all players with three RBIs. Northwestern State scratched into LSU’s lead in the sixth inning with a run of its own. LSU scored four more runs in the next inning to push its advantage to 12 and make the score 14-2. The Demons added their last run in the bottom of the eighth inning to reach the final count, 14-3. Junior pitcher Daniel Bradshaw (5-0) went five innings and allowed two runs — one earned — on seven hits while striking out four and walking one. “Daniel Bradshaw gave us an outstanding effort on the mound, and we complemented that with a strong offensive performance,” Mainieri said in a news release. The West Monroe native was
only nine times in the old stadium’s last season in 2008. It reached that amount a mere seven times in 2007. Attendance hit more than 1,000 in 16 of the first 17 games in the new park’s first season. “The fans love it,” said LSU softball coach Yvette Girouard. “It’s so fan friendly. You’ve got shade and the grass. I think that they have to be in heaven in this ball park.” Senior outfielder Rachel Mitchell said it’s the most beautiful park in the Southeastern Conference, and that has led to the increase in attendance. “The view for the fans is awesome,” she said. “I don’t think the other parks can compare to this one. I love it, everything from the press box to the roof to the seating to the locker rooms.” The additional seating capacity and attendance increases at both venues has allowed for more revenue. Senior Associate Athletic Director Herb Vincent said the increase in seating capacity and attendance at the new Alex Box Stadium has generated four times as much revenue for the Athletic Department as the old stadium. “The old Alex Box Stadium, just off ticket sales, was generating a gross revenue of about $1 million a year,” Vincent said. “The new one is generating about $4 million a year. That does not include parking, concessions, merchandise sales.” Contact Andy Schwehm at aschwehm@lsureveille.com
not the only effective LSU pitcher Tuesday night. Three Tiger relievers combined to pitch four one-hit innings. Junior Luke Irvine picked up the loss for the Demons. Irvine (4-3) went two innings and allowed three runs on four hits. LSU will take the field tonight against Northwestern State at 6:30 in Alex Box Stadium for the second of its two games against the Demons this season.
Contact Johanathan Brooks at jbrooks@lsureveille.com
DRAFT, from page 5
LaFell’s high school football coach Tom Nolen said he doesn’t see a bad attitude from LaFell. “He’s got the character and desire to play,” Nolen said. “I’ve coached five or six guys lucky enough to develop a place in the NFL, and he’s right up there with them with character and all that.” Most analysts still project LaFell to be a second- or thirdround pick in this weekend’s draft despite the drops, attitude and general decline in production during his senior season. Several scouting agencies have named him a top-10 wide receiver in the draft class. Detillier said he believes
LaFell could be as high as the fifth receiver taken this weekend. Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, Illinois’ Arrelious Benn, Georgia Tech’s Demaryius Thomas and Notre Dame’s Golden Tate are all expected to be taken before him. LaFell’s greatest upsides, according to ESPN.com, are his physical nature, toughness and willingness to block downfield. These are traits Nolen said LaFell has had since he coached him at Lamar High School in Houston. “He’s got the qualities to play in the NFL with his size and his toughness,” he said. “He’s a good blocker and a good-sized receiver. He projects really well.” LaFell is the third tallest of the top 10 prospects on ESPN.com.
PAGE 11 “He brings good size to the table,” Detillier said. “He’s a 6-foot2 1/2 receiver, about 212 to 215 pounds, so he’s got good size.” Scouts and coaches have also taken notice in his route-running. LSU football coach Les Miles said Tuesday a scout has told him LaFell is the best route-running receiver in the draft class. “Brandon LaFell is a selfmade man,” Miles said. “He came in skinny, and he’s gotten stronger and faster. He runs really explicit routes, and he is very specific to detail. He understands technique and leverage.” Contact Johanathan Brooks at jbrooks@lsureveille.com
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Opinion
PAGE 12
OUR VIEW
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Professor removal debacle more serious than admin. allows Last week’s complaint by the American Association of University Professors concerning the administration’s removal of professor Dominique Homberger from class instruction has sparked a storm of controversy across campus — and has raised eyebrows nationwide. The debacle raises several important and controversial questions. How low should student grades sink before administrative action becomes necessary? Should professors be allowed to flunk as many students as they see fit?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Former candidates support new SG representatives Much has been said during the past two weeks, concerning the recent Student Government elections both in this paper and in comments posted on lsureveille.com. Chris and I would like to address some of these concerns. Few students understand
More importantly, did the administration curtail Homberger’s academic freedom by removing her from the classroom? It’s a serious question with real, potentially devastating implications. Especially in light of other alleged abuses of professors, such as the Ivor van Heerden lawsuit, a picture is developing with frightening clarity of an administration that puts political interests over academic interests. This is a serious offense in a university setting — one that demands decisive action.
It unfortunately seems higher administration officials either do not understand or chose to ignore the larger implications of the Homberger debacle. Our reporter was repeatedly told during his investigation the matter is being addressed as a human resources issue, not an academic issue. This is unacceptable. The removal would be a human resources issue if it was merely a standard issue of competence or job performance. But nobody questions Homberger’s performance — she is a long-standing, tenured faculty
member who is widely considered a star researcher. This is instead a problem with academic freedom, and administrative actions concerning the matter need to treat it as such. How the administration handles this problem will have larger implications than just Homberger’s personal complaints. The faculty currently employed by the University — and any professor considering joining them — needs to know the administration does not in any way wish to impede the academic
freedom of its employees and that it takes accusations to that effect with the utmost gravity. Faculty members are angry and scared because of the removal — and the administration has so far done little to allay those fears. It needs to start doing so, and it needs to start doing so immediately. The stakes are too high to ignore the problem.
exactly what goes into organizing a spring ticket. Chris and I set out to recruit top quality candidates and staff members as far back as November of last year. Six months, more than 90 candidates, and thousands of push cards, buttons, and stickers later, we finally developed Leading The Way. Following the announcement of results, a complaint was filed against our former opponents on behalf of our ticket. One of the great things about our organization is that it allows for a system of checks and balances, not only among our three
branches but among the many tickets and candidates that seek office. Now that election results have been finalized, Chris and I have so much to be proud of. Nearly 80 of our candidates will be Leading The Way for Student Government in the upcoming year — an accomplishment no other ticket can boast. Chris and I look forward to accomplishing the 22 initiatives we laid out in our platform through our work in the Senate and other aspects of campus life. More importantly, we understand the importance of strong
student leadership, especially in these uncertain times our University faces. The next year will present us with many difficult choices, but it is our hope that LSU will emerge stronger in the end. This is a time for Student Government to be united in its efforts to protect our University. For this reason, we wish to publicly announce our support of J Hudson and Dani Borel as student body president and vice president-elect. Despite our differing opinions on several topics facing LSU, Chris and I acknowledge that J and Dani share our passion for our University
and are dedicated to improving the overall quality of the student experience. We fully intend to work with this new administration and are excited to see what they will accomplish as Student Government continues to put StudentsFIRST during the next year.
Contact the Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com
Brooksie Bonvillain Christopher Sellers Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
NIETZSCHE IS DEAD
Palin makes a good character, but not good leader Say it ain’t so, Joe. I can see Russia from my house. Thanks but no thanks on that bridge ta’ nowhere. If you don’t know who said any of these things, you probably don’t watch television. It’s Sarah Palin, one of the most plain-spoken, polarizing and gosh-darn energetic figures to hit the political scene in decades. Palin’s unique brand — her folksy speech, good old-fashioned values and delightful glee in bashing the Washington establishment — makes her a media darling, the subject of countless biopics and a volume of analysis heavy enough to kill a moose (from a helicopter, of course). Those who like her love her. Those who dislike her hate her. Those who don’t care either don’t exist or don’t have electricity. Whatever your opinion about Palin, it’s impossible to deny she found a formula that interests America. The reason is simple: She’s quite the character. By that I mean she’s quite the
fictional person. The smiling, goodold-fashioned hockey mom identical to every other suburban, freedomloving American we see on television is a carefully constructed, elaborate ruse designed to milk every inch of publicity from a gullible public — a public desperate for someone, anyone in the political arena who cares about them. The evidence to this fact is overwhelming but is best exemplified by a copy of her speaker’s contract found by students at California State University last week. The stipulations in her contract reveal a pampered diva who seems far removed from anything remotely approaching an average American. Among other demands are strict standards of air travel. If she flies commercial, she absolutely must be in first class, while private jets must be Lear 60 or larger. She also has strict standards for drink consumption — Palin’s contract demands she have bendy straws. No one is permitted to ask for an autograph. This doesn’t even touch
THE DAILY REVEILLE Editorial Board NICHOLAS PERSAC JERIT ROSER GERRI SAX ELLEN ZIELINSKI MATTHEW ALBRIGHT
Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, External Media Managing Editor, Production Opinion Editor
speaker fees that can reach as much as $100,000 per event — money swelling the already tremendous fortune she has amassed through her book sales. Is Palin the only political leader who projects a selfimage distinctly different from Matthew her real idenAlbright tity? Of course Opinion Editor not. As a political communication major, I’ve been taught how to manipulate the press to change a person’s character. It’s part of the art of political maneuvering. But what makes Palin’s charade especially cringe-worthy and reprehensible is that her entire political credibility is rooted in and irrevocably based on her personal character. The argument for electing Palin is that she is an American just like you and me, willing to challenge the Washington bureaucrats who don’t represent real American values.
Hey, real Americans, would you refuse speaking honors because the private plane provided wasn’t big enough? Would you not take the time out of your day to sign autographs for other everyday Americans who respect your work? Would you, as Palin does, constantly maintain a legion of security agents to keep you the hell away from said everyday Americans? I sure wouldn’t. But then again, I’m not famous. The simple truth is no human being who is the subject of this much adoration and revulsion can really be in touch with the average citizen. Nobody who causes Fox News’ ratings to skyrocket by merely making a short appearance can really claim to represent normal people’s values. Nobody who is praised daily by the most elite of the media can really speak for the people who would consider it an honor to just be in the frame when she gives a speech. Disingenuous human characters are nothing new to the American entertainment industry — in fact, one
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. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
might say they are the American entertainment industry. But voters should not, cannot and will not vote for a character to lead them. Supporting Palin based on her positions on policy and expertise is one thing — though given the evidence that she doesn’t read newspapers, doesn’t give real press briefings, knows one Supreme Court decision, outright quit her governorship and, according to the speaker’s contract, absolutely refuses to take unscreened questions from the audience, such support would be questionable. One thing is certain: No one should vote for her because she represents the average American — because she doesn’t, gosh darn it. Matthew Albright is a 21-year-old mass communication junior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_malbright. Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com
QUOTE OF THE DAY “When in doubt, tell the truth.” Mark Twain American author and humorist Nov. 30, 1835 - April 21, 1910
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Opinion
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE
PAGE 13
Don’t make decisions based on groups – do it yourself Most political arguments follow this syllogism: “Group X deserves high status. Group X would support policy Y. Therefore, we should do Y.” For the right wing, X might be big-business, small-town America, the founding fathers or Jesus. For the left-wing, X might be the poor, the green or Europeans. But from left or right, “WWXD” is a lousy way to resolve political conflicts. For example: The main problem with the left-wing’s idolization of Europe is irrelevancy. Europe has more public transportation than we do. Some would say that’s proof selfish, amoral Americans have a lot to learn from our older cousins overseas. Perhaps. Or maybe it’s just a symptom of Europe’s higher population density. Maybe America’s tax rates would be more European if every American state had a different
language, and it was harder to move away from oppressive local taxation. Maybe income inequality in America would be lower without our recent, shameful history of racial oppression. Maybe America has more obesity than Europe because more Americans tried to quit smoking. There’s a lot to be learned from cross-country comparisons, but the vast differences between America and Europe often make arguments irrelevant and unpersuasive. Be skeptical of attempts to conflate foreign countries with our own, and be especially wary whenever it’s mixed with a moralistic tone. Where left-wing idolatry is often irrelevant, the right’s idolization of the Founding Fathers is often grossly inaccurate. Contrary to popular belief, the Constitution is not a libertarian document.
The first sentence gives the government power to “promote the general Welfare,” and the second sentence says “all legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the Daniel Morgan United States.” Columnist Outside of the ignored Bill of Rights, the Constitution doesn’t limit governmental power — it merely delegates powers to different branches of government. The closest thing to an exception is the “Interstate Commerce Clause” — the section of the Constitution giving Congress the authority to regulate commerce “among the several States.” The feds didn’t regulate economic transactions for a while unless they crossed state lines, but
this restraint slowly melted away. The death knell came in Wickard v. Filburn. The Supreme Court ruled in 1942 farmer Roscoe Filburn was subject to Congress’ wheat production rules even though he was growing grain for his own personal use. After all, the court unanimously reasoned, if he hadn’t grown the wheat, he might’ve bought it from someone else who might’ve been from another state. The Constitution barely limits the power of government in its design, and it has zero limits in practice. And, for what it’s worth, the revered Founding Fathers weren’t loyal libertarians either. George Washington enacted the Whiskey Tax, which was far more oppressive than the Stamp Act over which he led American soldiers to their deaths. His successors, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both imprisoned journalists who
criticized their policies. Oh, and the national debt nearly tripled while Ronald Reagan was in office. Maybe we should enact libertarian reforms — but not because respected past presidents did. History says they didn’t. But these details are less important than the form of the argument. Good decisions aren’t made by sympathizing with one side at the exclusion of another side. Optimal decisions are reached through negotiation, usually not a feature of the win-lose world of politics. Daniel Morgan is a 22-year-old economics senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_dmorgan.
Contact Daniel Morgan at dmorgan@lsureveille.com
CANCEL THE APOCALYPSE
Divine justice not dignified, action needed now
I watched Zeitgeist recently — that Internet sensation proclaiming our helplessness as human sheeple. We’re all controlled by an elite few using religion, fear of our own government and money like chess pieces to keep us in check and subordination, according to the film. And while I don’t want to believe it, this may be an inherent truth in life. But wait — it may not have to be this way. We may always be in bondage — slaves to sin, debt and all other forms of infliction. The cliché remedy for these: Submit to a higher power — they’ll fix everything. For some, the higher power is government. For others, it’s a god. But I’ve learned something upon reviewing the mass of comments on my columns this semester: Marx may have been right. Religion is the opiate of the masses. The resounding answer to many of my arguments is “God will judge them/it.” I’m reminded of Master P’s infamous line, “Only God can judge me.” The whole concept would be fine as long as no one sought justice or progression in a society. For a polemicist such as myself, justice is an eminent and necessary solution to the plaguing problems our society often shuns in hopes of a future righteous judgment. I say now — not then. There may indeed be a whitethrone judgment brought about from the heavens above. And I’m all for that — a dictator riding in
on a white horse, tattooed on the thigh and ready to dish out divine retribution to the wicked. It sounds great on the surface, but if we open our Bibles we learn the apocalypse is indeed a bad thing. To those eagerly awaiting the end of days: The bibAndrew Robertson lical prophets don’t preach a Columnist happy sermon on the “day of the Lord.” None are safe from the wrath — none can escape the impending destruction. To the eager masses awaiting a righteous reward: You’re screwed — according to Amos and myself. So what are we to do if not await the immanent coming of our sky-clad deity to dish out divine retribution? For starters, we could pursue our own justice. I know it sounds crazy — trying to take responsibility and fix the world ourselves. But the sad truth is many have fallen prey to the concept that all of the world’s problems can be solved through penance, complacent prayer and a hope that one day soon God will show up to right all things wrong. Now, I’m all for divine retribution — but how responsible or dignified is it for humanity? If a divine figure were to descend upon us — great. All the worlds’ problems would vanish. But I don’t want to believe in that God. A God that rewards laziness and complacency is not a dignified deity in any respect. Equally,
a God that would punish proactive action to right the worlds’ wrongs is no better. You only get one life to live — unless you’re Buddhist or Hindu. And whether one life or many, you’re still accountable for your actions. How long can we sit back as spoiled American benefactors and let travesties slip past us on their way to becoming forgotten nothingness? Arrest the pope for his heinous crimes. Leave Tibet the hell alone. Stop budget cutting my education.
Stop demonizing all Muslims as ignorant, lesser human beings. Let people be themselves, gay or straight — and love them for it. Stop looting my shallow pockets for welfare dollars — let’s not “spread the wealth around,” Mr. Obama. And for God’s sake, don’t make me buy a brick this May to commemorate anything. These are just a few of my own personal qualms, but what are your own? If they, in any way, conclude with “God will fix this,” you’re in serious need of a reformation of thought and action.
It’s all of our duty to “cancel the apocalypse” in our own way. Sober up from the opiate hangover — and bring justice to those smaller than you. Pretty please — with a Marxist cherry on top.
Andrew Robertson is a 23-yearold religious studies senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_arobertson.
Contact Andrew Robertson at arobertson@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 14
Help Wanted The Chimes at the north gates of campus is now hiring hostesses. Please apply in person between 2-4 PM. 225.383.1754 BABYSITTER Babysitter needed for summer. 2 kids. 8a to 3:30 p M-F. Near LSU Call 767-6495 Parkview Baptist Preschool Preschool Afternoon Teachers needed 3-6pm flex days. no degree required. Call Kim 293-9447 STUDENTPAYOUTS. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue. 100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys. Fashionista Accessories IS NOW HIRING FABULOUS, FASHION LOVERS FOR OUR BOUTIQUE! RETAIL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. CALL LACEY AT 225-907-2883 splendido! frozen yogurt bar is looking for yogurt lovers to join our team! Email resume to stld24@hotmail. com PARTY PICS Help wanted for office work and phone answering in photography office. $7.50 per hour. Fax resume to 225-767-2761 Delivery driver Earn $75 to $200 daily delivering inflatables. Great long term income for students, current drivers been with us 3, 5 & 7 years. Mostly weekend work. Must have truck and/or trailer. 225.928.0030 ►►BARTENDING UP TO NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. TRAINING PROVIDED. AGE 18+ OK 1-800-9656520 ext127 TEXAS ROADHOUSE Now Hiring Experienced Servers Have fun making money!! Please come by Mon-Thur 2-5 10360 N. Mall Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70820 babysitting help Must have ref and own vehicle. GREAT SUMMER JOB 504.382.3995 FITNESS INSTRUCTORS/FRONT DESK ASSISTANT NEEDED: Great part time afternoon school year job-Full time summer job-Great Pay!Exerfit Family Fitness, Bluebonnet Ave(Crawfish Aquatic’s Sister Program) If you are highly moti-
Classifieds
vated, hard working, we can teach you the rest. Please fax resume to 225-7061634 or e-mail to mleach@exerfitbr.com website: www.exerfitbr.com Sales Associate needed for The Royal Standard - home interiors and gift store. Shifts Available on Tues, Thurs, Sat, & Sun. 2+ Weekends per Month Required. Apply in Person at 16016 Perkins Road or Call 225.751.0009 The University Club Golf Course is now hiring part time servers. Flexible schedules and fun environment. TuesSun 10-6pm. Call 819-0311 for info. Fun, Attractive People needed for entertainment cleaning service. www.got-it-maid.net Belle 225.505.4062 Does your weight today affect your health tomorrow? PBRC is looking for people to participate in a new research study. The purpose of this study is to determine how your body weight today impacts your health in the future. Participants will be placed on a high calorie meal plan for 8 weeks. All meals will be provided to you at no cost. Earn up to $3800. Call 763-3000 or visit www. pbrc.edu PT Student Worker Excellent student opportunity. Will be responsible for completing company errands and basic clerical work. Must have a clean driving record, excellent communication skills, and basic computer skills. Previous office experience preferred. No nights or weekends. Please e-mail resume and summer class schedule to jobs@lewis. com. Strong Reliable Male needed at Interiors Store, Check in Inventory, Hang Mirrors, Move Furniture; FlexHrs. 15-20 hrs/ wk. Call 754-7400 Earn $1000-$3200 a month to drive our brand new cars with ads placed on them. www. YouDriveAds.com Come enjoy the suite life! Embassy Suites Hotel is currently accepting part time server applications for its Zydeco Bar and Grill. Looking for someone who can WOW our guests with outstanding customer service. Benefits include discounts on hotel rooms nationwide! Previous experience preferred. Apply online at www.hiltonfamily.jobs EOE, M/F, D/V Fleur de Lis Pizza - Bartender TueSat nights, every other Sat lunch. Apply in person 5655 Government St. Must have liquor license to apply.
Don’t Miss This Opportunity! Now hiring for all positions at the following locations: JEFFERSON 7615 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge 70809 PERKINS ROWE 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd. Baton Rouge 70810 “Flexible schedules & Benefits for Full Time Associates” Please apply in person during regular restaurant hours. Equal Opportunity Employer LIFEGUARDS & SWIM LESSONS NOW HIRING: LIFEGUARDS & SWIM LESSON COORDINATOR. @ A. C. Lewis YMCA. Certification classes available. We will train you! Flex schedules/ fun atmosphere. FREE Membership. Apply in person and/ or call Abby @ 924-3606. The Chimes on Coursey Taking applications for experienced bartenders. Apply in person. 10870 Coursey Boulevard Leaps & Bounds Sports Center Swim instructors, lifeguards, camp counslers & gym teachers needed. Training on site. Office worker needed for weekends & evenings. Must be 18 & over. 225.665.7200 Junior or Senior Interior Design or like major needed for residential construction company. Contact Carol 225.413.5056 Now Hiring For SUMMER & FALL! Child Care Center near LSU now hiring for Summer and Fall Semesters. Afternoon Teachers needed 2:30-5:30 Mon-Fri. 225.766.1159
For Sale Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FOR SPRING and FALL 2010!! Reserve now! Brand new 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units for sale starting at $124,900. Ask about our Guaranteed Buy-Back Program!! 3000 July St. 225-346-5055 www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living. BMW 325CI 2002 ASKING ONLY $8500 coupe 95k-miles blue with tan leather, xenon lights, too much to list, wont last!! 313.333.0653 CONDO FOR SALE IN METAIRIE ATTENTION NEW DENTAL STUDENT OR MEDICAL STUDENT!!! 2BED/1.5BATH, GREAT LOCATION!!!ONLY $97,000
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
225.718.0964
For Rent PRE-LEASING SUMMER/FALL 2BR 2.5 BATH, POOL, BRIGHTSIDE PARK TOWNHOMES $900 588-3070 brightsidepark@gmail.com southlandpropertiesinc.co 3 Bed/3 Bath on Brightside Move in today or reserve now for next year. Great new pool and rec room, parking and all appliances included. On LSU bus route. $1600/month, 1 yr lease. Rent reduction available for April and May. 310.989.4453 Store your stuff Student Special - Get 1st Month FREE. Climate Control of LA Self Storage and Stor-it Mini Warehouses. 3147 College Dr. just past the RR tracks. Enter thru College Creek Shopping Center. Various sizes, covered loading, video recording cameras, and alarms, 24/7 access. 24/7 service with our Insomniac machine (rent a unit, make a payment, buy a lock) - very cool. We Love Students. 225.927-8070 1,2,3 BR CONDOS IN BRIGHTSIDE, SHARLO, HEATHERSTONE 225-955-6480 southlandpropertiesinc.com Spanish Town Apt 2 Bed 1 Bath avail NOW or 6/1 $675 225.324.9501 Condo at Brightside Manor Brightside Drive, 2BR/1-1/2 Bath townhouse on bus line, W/D, all appliances, $800. plus utilities per month. Patio. Avail. May 1st. 225.252.2398 Large 1-br (650 sq. ft.) $500 and 2-br (1170 sq ft.) $700 in small quiet complex perfect for serious students. Walk, cycle, or take the LSU bus to class, shopping. On-site manager, reserved parking, video surveillence security. 757-8175. Apply online at http://riverroadapartments.tripod.com LSU TIGERLAND Lg Studios 1&2 BR TH &Flat Pool, w/ f, Pd Water, Sewer and Gabage $425 to $650 225.615.8521 Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FOR SPRING and FALL 2010! Reserve Now! 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. BRIGHTSIDE VILLAS (Brightside View Dr.) now leasing remodeled, spacious 2 Bed/1.5 Bath condos. 1100 sq/ ft, wood floors, sec. syst., wet bar, W/ D, private patio w storage. Just mins. from LSU and on bus route. FREE wireless internet, basic cable, pest control $1,050/mo. For more info. 225.663.0038 or bsvillas@gmail.com Lake Beau Pre Condo for Rent 2bedroom/2bath Lake Beau Pre Condo for rent available July 1. Covered parking, all appliances stay. $1200/Month 225.715.6275 LSU SPECIAL! LARGE 1 BR APT. AVL ON JUNE 1 WALK TO CAMPUS! 769-7757 / 978-3123 / 266-8666 FOR RENT: 3 BR/2 BA HOUSE in Lake Beau Pre with two car garage and backyard. $1600/mos; 1 yr lease; available starting July 1. Contact: 504.309.7595 Chateau du Cour in tigerland Large 2 BR 1 B in gated complex..772-2429 mckproperties.com
Roommate Wanted ROOM FOR RENT IN NICE HOUSE! House has fantastic furnishings throughout (all-appliances-included). Backyard overlooks lake. Come by and see-near LSU! lakehouse378@yahoo. com 225.335.0818 N Roommate Needed!!! 2 Female roommates needed. Partially furnished 2100 sq. ft. condo. 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. 504.722.1372
Personals memorable experience Tall white male grad student looking for a cute, fit, smart, white female age 22-30 that enjoys dancing, golfing, photography, wine, and the occasional video game. If this description matches you, contact me at: dc17h21o4n@ yahoo.com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010 HOMBERGER, from page 1
a senior — I think by now I know how to learn.” Many students took issue with Homberger’s test format, which required students to choose a combination of multiple correct answers. “You may know 90 percent of the info but still get a zero,” said Justin Jones, political science freshman. Other students had problems with the material. “What Wischusen is teaching is more freshman biology [than Homberger’s lectures],” Jones said. “She basically said, ‘I can ask you any question on all the material. If you don’t memorize it all, you are going to miss out.’” Homberger admits being rigorous but said she’s always fair. “I’m not simply demanding, and if they fail, I wash my hands of them,” Homberger said. “I give the grades, and then I help them get where they should be. This is the way it should be.” Ellwood and other faculty said the number of low grades in the course should’ve been addressed through academic appeals. “Students can appeal grades,” Ellwood said. “If the grades are unfair, they can protest those grades. There are due processes for that.” TEACHING DEFICIENCIES The administration hasn’t specified any deficiencies in Homberger’s teaching method. “If I am confronted with specifics, then I will take care of it,” Homberger said. “But if it is just for grades, we have a problem.” Homberger has taught for more than 30 years. This was the first time she had ever taught Biology 1001, but she said she’d taught 1002 and many other courses without any issues. She said she feels young instructors will fear being yanked from a classroom if they’re not passing enough students or giving enough A’s for a course. Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope said he couldn’t judge this case specifically, but said there’s a growing concern that the University may artificially raise performance in a time when funding is more dependent on performance. DUE PROCESS Homberger admits the first test was “terrible” but said the attitude after that test had changed, and if due process were allowed, the grades would have been on par with a University standard that isn’t supposed to exist. She requested Carman postpone his decision until grades for the second exam were tallied, but he refusued. Carman said he couldn’t comment on personnel issues. Homberger said the average from the first exam increased by about 20 percentage points, and the midterm grades were based on 128 points of 480 total for the class. Homberger and Ellwood are both complaining the decision was a violation of Homberger’s due process. “[Carman] has no clue what the end product would have been,” Ellwood said. “He has an assumption.” Homberger used the final
THE DAILY REVEILLE
question of her second exam as evidence for where the class was going. The question asked students what their biggest “aha! reaction” was in the class. “To make a good grade, I must also attend class, take good notes and have study sessions with others,” Homberger read from a list of answers. “Usually a little studying can get me by, but not with this class, which is why its my biggest ‘aha! reaction.’” The national chapter of the AAUP is also investigating the case of Ivor van Heerden — a former University professor and administrator — who claims he was axed for his criticisms of the Army Corps of Engineers following the levee failures during Katrina.
Robert Kreiser, associate secretary of the national AAUP, said the national AAUP may investigate Homberger’s case depending on the results of a grievance filed by Homberger with the Faculty Grievance Committee. Chancellor Michael Martin said he couldn’t comment on the specific situation but suggested people read the AAUP guidelines on faculty ethics and the AAUP’s definition of academic freedom when considering the issue.
Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com
COMIC, from page 1
committee member. Silvia Medrano, public relations junior, placed second in the competition last year and auditioned again Tuesday. Medrano said she has been performing stand-up for a year and performs weekly at Phil Brady’s Bar and Grill. “I get my material from basic day-to-day conversations, random thoughts and awkward moments that I have,” she said. Chelsea Moreau, public relations freshman, also auditioned Tuesday. “Everyone needs a laugh, whether it’s the performer or the listener,” Moreau said.
PAGE 15 She said her material comes from her own life. “I don’t necessarily think I’m funny,” she said. “I just have funny experiences.” The audience will narrow down the top three competitors at the May 4 event, and a panel of judges will select the winner. “We haven’t solidified the judges yet, but we usually choose people who have experience in the comedy field,” Boutin said. “We try to get people who have knowledge of what’s going on and know what to look for.”
Contact Sarah Eddington at seddington@lsureveille.com
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 16