CREEPY CRITTERS Find out why campus is experiencing a caterpillar boom, page 4.
Check Inside For:
a column about the rivalry between the Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels, page 16.
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THE DAILY REVEILLE WWW.LSUREVEILLE.COM
Volume 114, Issue 136 By Sumit Kumar Contributing Writer
As students scramble to find places to live for the next academic year, the debate about housing rises again. More than a quarter of University students live on campus in residence halls and apartments, while the rest live off campus. While Residential Life emphasizes the various benefits of living on campus, many off-campus students suggest dorms can be inconvenient. FACILITIES One advantage of living on campus is the proximity to classes. “It’s easier to wake up, as they’re just 10 minutes away from class,” said Kaitlin Nickelotte, marine biology sophomore. Residential and honors students have some classes in their dorm lobbies, eliminating the need to leave the building. On-campus residences are provided with nearly 10 computer labs with more than 100 computers, according to the ResLife Web site.
Residence halls are equipped with wireless networks, allowing students to work outside their respective rooms as well. The campus transit service at night allows students faster travel to various parts of the University. “We are here to serve the 21st-century students,” said Jay High, communications manager of Residential Life. “Students have high standards that they are expecting, and we want to provide it to them.” High said most off-campus apartments don’t provide such facilities. “When you provide cheaper apartments, you get cheaper apartments,” he said. Apartment complexes like Tiger Manor provide similar on-campus facilities, including features like a club house where students can have parties or tailgate, swimming pools, a game room or an internal alarm system for each unit. Tiger Manor also has its own trolley that transports students to campus.
and
EVENTS
LSU Day celebrated at Capitol By Xerxes A. Wilson Senior Staff Writer SARA SICONA / The Daily Reveille
HOUSING, see page 15
CAMPUS
Getting it On
Friday, April 30, 2010
J.J. ALCANTARA / The Daily Reveille
Taking it Off
Students, faculty and professors discuss the differences in living, dining on and off campus
By Jacob Most Contributing Writer
Everybody has to eat, but where and what can be a tough call. As students decide where they are going to live next year, they are also faced with the question of how they’ll eat. Students have the option of eating on campus with a meal plan, eating out or ordering in, cooking for themselves or some combination. “I have lived on and off campus, and I have eaten on and off campus,” said Samantha LeBlanc, communication disorders senior. “I prefer eating off campus and cooking for myself because I have more control of what I eat, and I think it’s healthier.” David Heidke, LSU dining director, said 4,610 students purchased meal plans this semester, which leaves another 21,651 students finding another way to eat, according to the University Office of Budget and Planning’s spring 2010 headcount enrollment.
COSTS Heidke said meal plans are a more costeffective way to eat on campus as opposed to paying for each dining hall meal individually. Fall 2010 meal plan prices for typical students range from the $685 “Tiger Commuter Plan,” which includes 75 meals and $100 worth of Paw Points, to the $1,675 “Tiger Max Plan,” which includes unlimited meals on weekdays and $50 worth of Paw Points. Heidke said approximately 10 percent of the meals purchased through meal plans are never used, but those missed meals are planned in dining hall budgets before each year. LeBlanc said she prefers to cook her meals for herself at her off-campus apartment because it’s cheaper. “I paid over $1,000 per semester when I lived on campus and had a meal plan,” LeBlanc said. “Now I live off campus and I DINING, see page 19
NICOLE KARAMICHAEL / The Daily Reveille
SARAH HUNT / The Daily Reveille
[From top to bottom] A student studies in his off-campus house. Students gather in East Campus Apartments. Students enjoy off-campus dining options, such as Inga’s. The 5 is the newest on-campus dining location.
The tune of Tiger Band’s pregame routine rang from the steps of the Capitol on Thursday as the University celebrated LSU Day downtown. Students and administrators joined state legislators in the Capitol’s cavernous halls to celebrate the University’s sesquicentennial. The Bengal Brass Band joined the Golden Girls and cheerleaders serenading a group of 100 administrators, legislators and tourists. Chancellor Michael Martin said the event was more than a photo opportunity for the University. “It reminds the legislature and general public that LSU is different,” Martin said. The day started with the Senate passing a resolution recognizing and congratulating the University on its 150-year anniversary. The resolution gives a short history of the University and elaborates on the institution’s accomplishments before thanking the University for its leadership. The House passed a similar resolution. The Senate recognized eight University students and a faculty member for accomplishments in academics, sports and research. It congratulated sociology senior Devon Wade for being named a Truman Scholar. “It’s cool just to know that they care about education and students and appreciate their achievements,” Wade said. Kathy Smith, mathematics senior, was recognized for receiving a Phi Kappa Phi fellowship. “It’s great to represent LSU this way and show we don’t only excel in athletics,” Smith said. About 10 University organizations set up displays showing their accomplishments. “How else would these people know about these designs and great projects?” asked Jack Tourress, mechanical engineering senior. Mechanical engineering students spent two semesters designing, building and testing a mobile deer stand that can be transported LSU DAY, see page 15