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G.I. JOE BURROW ‘I’m ready to go to war with him’: LSU football prepares to rally behind senior quarterback Joe Burrow
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page 2 NEWS
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Do students really have to pay their parking tickets?
SPORTS
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What can LSU expect from Georgia Southern in the season opener?
ENTERTAINMENT
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Architecturally Inspired combines fashion and architecture at the Old State Capital.
OPINION
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“Perhaps it slipped everyone’s mind but the University is an academic institution first.”
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L SU Re ve i l le.co m @l s u r e ve i l le
COVER STORY
Joe Burrow prepared to lead LSU in 2019 BY KENNEDI LANDRY @landryyy14 At an LSU Coaches Caravan stop in June, new passing game coordinator Joe Brady said that he would run through a brick wall for senior quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow’s teammates would have no problem running through a wall for him either. That wasn’t always the case, however. This time a year ago, Joe Burrow had just won a four-man quarterback battle that ended in two transfers and fractured locker room days before the season started. Junior quarterback Justin McMillan was atop the depth chart heading into the fall and had the players’ support as well until Burrow was named the starter. The fallout from the decision resulted in McMillan and freshman quarterback Lowell Narcisse leaving the program and a players-only meeting. Burrow won the job, but he hadn’t yet won the team — that would come in week three against Auburn, Burrow thinks. But a year later, the Ohio native is the undisputed leader of a LSU team with higher expectations that Baton Rouge has seen in recent years. “Joe has been stellar since he got here,” said LSU coach Ed Orgeron. “He’s quiet, unassuming. I know sometimes in his interviews he’s not, but he is very proMITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille fessional when he comes to work. He’s into it, wants to win and LSU senior quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws the ball in the LSU Indoor Practice Facility on Aug. 26. wants to get better every day.” ceiver Justin Jefferson connected Junior center Lloyd Cushen- calmness make him such an im- this next play. “Being on the sideline, I didn’t 54 times last season, but the Tiberry III agrees with Burrow’s as- portant part of this team both sertion that he won over the team on and off the field, but it’s his appreciate it [Burrow getting hit gers are also returning sophotoughness on the at the Fiesta Bowl] at all. I was mores Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace during the Auburn field that makes ready to run on the field for Marshall Jr., who are set to game, but he alBurrow different. him. That’s how I feel about Joe. be heavy contributors in the ways knew Bur“I love his Whenever somebody gets close new offense. row was “the guy.” “He’s into it, wants to moxy,” Brady said. to him, whenever somebody Burrow said the improved However, the final few drives of that win and wants to get “I think he makes hits him, I’m ready to go to war chemistry with his wide receiver trio started way back in January game were a turnbetter every day” everybody on that with him.” football team betEven with his team behind after the bowl game when they ing point for the ter. Joe Burrow him, Burrow has recently come began throwing together and whole team. is exactly what to realize the enormity of being working on polishing routes and Cushenberr y ED ORGERON you’re looking for the starting quarterback at LSU coverage reads. references a story LSU football coach in a quarterback, beyond the people inside the pro“The offense [last season] was he told about Burhe has that make- gram. So much that he was aware really tailored around getting row at SEC Media up. As a coach, of the anxiety around the city of [Jefferson] the ball,” Burrow said. Days. During the game-winning drive against Au- you’re fired up knowing that Joe Baton Rouge and LSU fans when “He was our best receiver last burn last season, Burrow walked is your quarterback. I know every he missed the first scrimmage of year quite honestly. This year, into a nervous huddle and says, single time we step onto the field fall camp with a “minor camp in- we’re going to be spreading the ball out a little more, as far as “what’s up guys?” before going on this fall, we have the opportunity jury.” “I’ve become more aware of concepts we have. to facilitate the drive that ended to win with Joe Burrow.” That hasn’t stopped Burrow it,” Burrow said. “It definitely hit “As good as Terrace and in a game-winning field goal. Cushenberry said he exudes that from taking a number of hits me when we had all the boosters Ja’Marr were last year, they were though. In LSU’s Fiesta Bowl vic- here at the opening of [the reno- still freshmen. They took a while type of composure every day. “He’s a confident, poised guy,” tory over the University of Cen- vated LSU Football Operations to grow. You could see it at the Cushenberry said. “He’s more tral Florida, Burrow threw an in- Building]. I kind of took a step end of the year as they emerged vocal now, knowing that it’s his terception early in the game and back and realized that I’m in a as guys that could be the No. 1 team for sure now, but he’s not was laid out by a UCF defensive really special place. It really hit guy.” Burrow knows what is like much different in how he ap- lineman as he attempted to make me that we have so much support behind us. Our coaching staff is to grow into the No. 1 guy. He’s proaches everything. It’s his team a tackle. Even then, Burrow refused to great and I’m with great guys on done it. for sure now and we know what Now, with his teammates behe can do and we’re ready to see come out of the game. That’s just the team.” one of the many things that his Orgeron said Burrow can have side him, he is more than ready to it happen.” an even better season in 2019 run through whatever walls face But even though Burrow en- teammates love about him. “My favorite thing about Joe is with the new offensive scheme him in Tiger Stadium on Saturday tered fall camp this season in a nights this fall. different position, as the defi- his toughness,” said junior tight implemented by Brady. Burrow’s chemistry with re“The book has yet to be writnite leader of this team, nothing end Thaddeus Moss. “He’ll get changed about his demeanor in lit up, he’ll get hit, but he’ll get ceivers is going to be a huge fac- ten,” Burrow said. “This is just up with a smile on his face, say tor in the offense’s success this chapter one and we’re looking to camp. Burrow’s confidence and a little something and go on with season. Burrow and junior re- get off to a good start.”
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CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS In Monday’s issue of the Reveille, Christine Wesserling of LSU Residential Life was referred to as Katherine. The same issue also referred to Louie’s Cafe as Louise’s. The Reveille regrets these errors and they have since been corrected at lsureveille.com.
ABOUT THE REVEILLE The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall. The Reveille is published weekly during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. Second-class 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 Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
NEWS TEST OF FAITH Baptist College Ministry preaches message amidst regional scandals BY ANNA JONES @annajoneses The morning of Feb. 10, 2019, the Houston Chronicle and The San Antonio Express-News published investigative reports uncovering widespread sexual abuse scandals within the Baptist church. Reports stated since 1988, 380 clergy, church leaders and volunteers sexually abused over 700 victims. One of the report’s biggest revelations was the Southern Baptist Convention’s ongoing concealment of these wrongdoings. At least 10 Baptist churches welcomed staff members previously charged with sexual misconduct, including Darrell Gilyard, pastor of Christ Tabernacle Church in Jacksonville, Florida, who returned to the pulpit directly after serving three years in prison for child molestation. Former Southern Baptist Convention President Paige Patterson was involved in a lawsuit for attempted cover up of abuse and eventually removed from his position after he reportedly wanted to speak to a rape victim alone so he could “break her down.” Southern Baptist Convention delegates passed a resolution condemning sexual abuse, a move current SBC President Rev. J.D. Greear referred to as a “defining moment.” However, some might wonder if this resolution, passed on June 12, 2019, came too late. LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry assistant director Haley Spell said she wishes the conversation had begun sooner. “So much of it is that there isn’t an open dialogue before
page 3 PARKING
The Price of Unpaid Parking Tickets BY ANA BLOCK @anablock_4
organizations provide valuable contributions to the campus, and hopefully, their work can reshape narratives. As it stands, public perceptions regarding the Baptist church and their beliefs might be keeping the next generation of students away. “Evangelics get lumped together,” Spell said, citing political parties as an example. “If you look at evangelicals under the age of 30 and compare that to evangelicals over the age of 50, it’s different.” Statistics from the Pew Research Center show 13% of Evangelics self-identify as liberal, the highest number of any Christianaffiliated religious group besides
Check your windshield; if you’ve received a yellow envelope under your windshield wipers at some point in your college career, you’re not alone. Many of these students have responsibly handled the citation given to them in fear of further consequence, while others neglect to take proper action and complain that the university is unable to accommodate the number of students it has. While it is easy to blame the lack of accessible parking spots on the overflow admittance of students and seemingly endless construction, Facility and Property Oversight executive director Tammy Millican said there are plenty of parking spots on campus to accommodate all students, but the matter lies in convenience. “There are more than enough spaces for all the students,” Millican said. “Again, it comes down to convenience.” Whether it is from parking in the wrong zone to avoid being late to class or simply visiting a friend in their dorm before 4:30 p.m., University Parking and Transportation Services control officers have issued numerous citations. Approximately 9,300 citations have been issued in 2017 so far, with 7,784 left to be paid after all special requests to reduce fees and considerations have been made by the student or faculty
see CHURCH, page 4
see PARKING, page 4
ZOE GEAUTHREAUX / The Daily Reveille
Baptist Collegiate Ministry stands just a short walk from the Northgate area on Sept. 22, 2015, on LSU’s campus. it’s too late,” Spell said. “There’s open dialogue now because of everything going on but nothing before then.” Even before these scandals came to light, students were losing their faith in church. A study by Campus Renewal revealed 70% of Evangelical Christians abandon their faith during their college years. Amidst dismal statistics, an increasingly secular culture and recent scandals, the University’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry is struggling to continue preaching its message. Despite these troubling events, Spell said her faith remains stronger than ever. “Of course, when I first heard about the scandals, I was an-
gry,” Spell said, “but I don’t root my faith in Southern Baptist officials.” While Baptists are united under common goals and a statement of faith, individual churches operate autonomously. Sometimes, this can lead to lack of oversight and accountability, but it also allows more opportunities for individual Baptist organizations to break free of poor reputations. “It almost sounds like a cop out to say ‘we’re not all like that,’ but we really aren’t,” Spell said. Spell said the local Baptist churches and the BCM partners have not faced any sexual assault allegations to her knowledge. She believes the BCM and the University’s other on-campus
ADMINISTRATION
The likely end of athletic donations to academics BY BAILEY CHAUVIN @baileychauvin The seven-year-old LSU athletic department policy that annually transfers $7.2 million to the University’s General Fund will likely be discontinued, according to athletic director Scott Woodward. Woodward announced that the athletic department will still provide financial support to the University, but the current fund transfer policy will likely be discontinued after this year according to Greater Baton Rouge Business Report. “We are going to start looking at providing one-time funding to the University, whether for a building or some improvements
that are needed or something like that,” Woodward said in a speech to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club on Wednesday. “But this year, the University will get its full $11 million.” The policy was originally implemented by former athletic director Joe Alleva in 2012 when the University was suffering from declining enrollment and higher education budget cuts approved under former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration. Woodward said he understands how dire the University’s financial situation was in 2012 and how those circumstances led to the fund transfer policy. “I watched it from afar. It was criminal what they did and Joe Alleva did the right thing,” Woodward said.
Since its implementation, the athletic department has transferred about $66 million to the University. Woodward’s original statements about a potential reevaluation of the policy in July were met with backlash, particularly on social media. About one week before Woodward’s announcement, the University athletic department unveiled the $28 million renovations to the football operations building. While the new locker room was covered in purple and gold and even featured individual sleep pods, some members of the LSU community were quick to mention the stark contrast between the state
see FUNDING, page 4
MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille
LSU athletic director Scott Woodward holds an introductory press conference in the Journalism Building on April 23.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
page 4 CHURCH, from page 3 Catholics. “What’s going on at one church doesn’t mean it’s going on at another,” Spell said. BCM intern and University alumni Logan Franks said the BCM’s committed students can reverse negative stigmas. “Church is different because some people are there because of their parents, but in a campus ministry, the people are only there because they have a passion,” Franks said. “I think that can do a lot to change people’s perspective, when they see people’s faith in action.”
FUNDING, from page 3 of the locker room and the neglected conditions of other buildings on campus. Political Science senior Catherine McKinney posted a picture of Middleton Library’s flooded basement in response to a video of the renovated building. Many people were quick to point out the football operations building was completely funded by private donations through the Tiger Athletic Foundation, but others responded that the University’s academic budget concerns should be prioritized by the University and donors alike. Prior to Woodward’s announcement, Senior Associate athletic director Robert Munson said the Uni-
Franks also said he thinks college students often leave the church because of prior bad experiences. “People have a bad experience with a member of the church and project that wrongdoing onto God,” Franks said. “It’s a misconception that people who go to church directly represent God.” Sports Administration junior and BCM member Zach Brubaker said in his experience, people leave their faith because of the increased options college life brings. “A lot of my friends who I grew up with came here and walked away from the church beversity’s Athletic Department will continue to financially support the University even if the current policy were to be discontinued. “Athletics will always support the University, but we want to find a way to do it that is sustainable for all of LSU,” Munson said. “We are working with the University to do just that, and any change would require approval of the President and the Board of Supervisors.” Woodward said the University’s financial situation has improved under Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration, while the athletic department is experiencing greater financial pressure according to the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report. As such, Woodward said the current fund-transfer policy cannot be sustained.
cause of the sense of freedom,” Brubaker said. “There’s more enticing options to fulfill the desires they weren’t really able to when they were under the control of their parents.” A stereotypical college experience can often appear more appealing than religious values; still, Spell is optimistic about the future of the BCM and the Southern Baptist Convention as a whole. “I think the Baptist church will move forward from this,” Spell said. “Do I think some churches will close their doors? Probably, but the movement of local churches and the goodness of the people is bigger than that.”
MICHELL SCAGLIONE/ The Reveille
LSU athletic director Scott Woodward holds an introductory press conference in the Journalism Building on April 23.
PARKING, from page 3 courts of appeals. Of those still found guilty of violating University parking rules and regulations, only about 65% have been properly taken care of and paid, according to Millican. This leaves 35% of citations left unpaid. If a student does not pay their citation, it is added to their fee bill and must be paid in order to receive final grades and register for classes the following semester. If these responsibilities continue to be neglected throughout a student’s college career, they will not be able to graduate until the fees are paid. “When you graduate, if you owe any fees to the University, you don’t get your degree,” Millican said, “so, you have to make sure that you take care of all fees, including parking citations.” While these regulations are reported to be strictly enforced, it seems as though some students are still able to schedule their classes and even graduate in debt to the University. Kinesiology graduate Megan Raftery said that she had received more than three parking tickets during her college career and was able to graduate without any consequences. “I went to LSU for three and a half years, and I threw away at least three parking tickets, if not more,” Raftery said. “I had no problems or consequences for
never paying them and had no trouble graduating.” As Raftery’s ability to graduate unscathed is considered a rare situation, Parking and Transportation Services seeks to decrease the number of students who neglect to pay for parking citations by creating future programs that will not be as financially strenuous on students. The first launch of this type of program will hopefully be implemented later this semester. Due to a generous grace period implemented by Parking and Transportation Services, no tickets or towing will be issued for this semester until Sept. 6.
AURIANNA CORDERO / The Reveille
LSU student, faculty and staff park on campus, Aug. 28.
ENTERTAINMENT CAPITOL FASHION
page 5 FOOD & DRINK
Architecturally Inspired combines fashion with Baton Rouge architecture
BY MASIE O’TOOLE @masieotoole Architecture and fashion are often seen as two opposing fields. One is practical, a way to keep rain off of people’s heads. It’s all math and physics— respected, valued and useful. On the other side of public favor sits fashion. It’s seen as a frivolous and expensive hobby rather than anything of particular importance, simply a by-product of the illegality of nakedness. It struggles to fit in to both the art world and utilitarianism, leaving it in a sort of Twilight Zone of recognition. Though many still hold this view of either discipline, fashion and architecture often have characteristics in common. The same principles of design hold true, even down to the importance of structure and materials. They are both ways to make something necessary comfortable and beautiful, just on different scales. In a new exhibit at the Louisiana Old State Capitol, graduates and faculty from The University’s school of textiles, apparel design and merchandising explored the link between fashion and architecture to create a collection of ten clothing designs inspired by the history and structure of the building itself. Participants were given a fairly open assignment— fashion something relating to the Capitol. With such a wide range, it’s not surprising that the collection was so varied.
“We got a really good mix,” said Casey Stannard, an assistant professor in the college of Agriculture and a driving force behind the exhibit. “We have everything from more costume-like pieces to wearable art.” The creators involved focused on parts of the building, big and small. The most popular source of inspiration was the famous stained glass windows, but some really focused on the details. Each contributor took inspiration from something different about the Capitol, but they also brought their own unique skill sets to the creation of each piece. Along with TAM alumni and local fashion designers, costume designers from The University’s theater department and sculptors from the school of art were asked to participate. When it comes to the link between the two disciplines, Stannard said it wasn’t difficult to find, especially in such a unique building. “Fashion and architecture are always a really natural combination,” she said. “The two have always played off of each other.” The Old State Capitol was built in 1847, but borrows its Gothic exterior from the churches and cathedrals of pre-renaissance France. The interior, however, is a snapshot of what was fashionable at the time, a Victorian display of opulence and warmth.
Fresh Pickin’s provides healthy shopping BY ALEXANDRIA DUQUE @AlexInTheMedia Fresh Pickin’s Produce Market is a local, family owned business that prides itself with bringing fresh produce to its customers at a lower price than conventional supermarkets. By cutting out the middleman and buying produce straight from the local farmers, Fresh Pickin’s is able to deliver higher quality products without the extra cost. Co-owner and LSU alumnus, Russell Saia, graduated in 1989 with a degree in finance. Upon graduating he worked for the Federal Reserve Bank in New Orleans and then had a job in sales. However, after not feeling truly fulfilled with life behind a desk, he and Paul Ferachi decided to open a small fruit stand. The stand began to receive a lot of business and he decided to quit his position in sales and pursue his fruit stand career full time. In 1993 two lifelong friends, Ferachi and Saia, opened a small fruit stand at 10375 Coursey Blvd with the idea of selling produce at a lower price. A few years later, they expanded to a much larger market that now stocks several different hard-to-find gourmet items and fresh produce.
see FASHION, page 6
PHOTO BY LONG LE
see FRESH, page 6
LIFESTYLE
Cloud Watching Club offers commitment-free relaxation BY MASIE O’TOOLE @masieotoole In college, everyone’s life is hectic. Each day is a constant rush from class to work to internships with little opportunity to stop and breathe. All that stress starts to build, and soon enough Middleton Library is overflowing with hyper-caffeinated students on the verge of a mental breakdown. Though that bleak future may feel certain, there are steps that can be taken now to lower the chance of tragedy. Before life gets too crazy, find something calming and stick with it— a quiet activity to provide a brief reprieve from the coursework of the day. Enter Cloud Watching Club. Mindlessly binge-watching reality television is a perfectly viable option, but getting outside and enjoying the University’s
campus is bound to do more for your mental health— and less damage to your IQ. Since high school, sports administration senior, Alex Mock, has had the idea to start a club
“Since I’m about to leave LSU, I wanted to leave at least a little bit of an impact” JOSEPH MOCK
sports administration senior more focused on enjoyment than dues and assignments. His pitch got turned down in high school, with administration viewing it as more of a joke than anything else. Mock brought the idea to campus
and decided to give it another go in his last few semesters as a student. ”Since I’m about to leave LSU, I wanted to leave at least a little bit of an impact,” he said. “So I decided, ‘Why not start?’” After asking his former professor to be his faculty advisor, the club quickly got approved. Now, the Cloud Watching Club is gaining more and more members every day. Some view the organization as a joke, while others are just looking to take a break and become part of something without the usual stress. Either way, it’s no doubt that students are talking about it. “In the stressful world of college, a simple 30 minutes every other week to just lay there and watch clouds is a great stress re-
see CLOUD, page 6
BELLA BIONDINI / The Reveille
LSU sports administration senior Joseph Mock stands outside of the Student Union on Aug. 27.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
page 6
FRESH, from page 5 “Our marketing strategy has always been to bypass the middleman and deal directly with the growers,” Saia said. “We don’t go through a wholesaler, so we’re saving the consumer that money.” Fresh Pickin’s is an open-air style market with a friendly and helpful staff. Along with all of its homegrown produce, the market also maintains a variety of fresh, frozen fruits and vegetables year round. After their original location started to boom, they decided to expand their ideals to Lafayette and open their second location.
Fresh Pickin’s is the ideal market for consumers that seek a healthier, cleaner diet. It is a great alternative to buying produce from big retail outlets whose products utilize chemical filled fertilizers and preservatives. “Our products are fresher, because when you involve a middle man not only are you incurring a higher cost but the product is being stored somewhere else for a period of days.” Saia said. “Since we go directly to the farm and the truck delivers directly to us, it creates a savings in two different places- time and money.” Not only does this market
specialize in produce, but they also offer a wide selection of Louisiana products such as jellies, honeys, dressings, sauces, breads, seasonings and many more “Louisiana Cajun” items. All products that Fresh Pickin’s offers get tasted and approved first before they are sold to consumers. Farmers markets, such as this one, are the perfect avenue for start up businesses to get their products established. Fresh Pickin’s aims to combine great products with competitive prices, giving its customers a new perspective on grocery shopping.
ALEXANDRIA DUQUE / The Reveille
Fresh Pickin’s Produce Market operates during regular business hours on Coursey Blvd.
FASHION, from page 5
CLOUD, from page 5
“There’s so many different eras you can pull from for inspiration,” Stannard said. “It was really a smorgasbord of opportunities.” “Architecturally Inspired: Fashions Celebrating the Old State Capitol” is currently on display at the Old State Capitol, and will remain open until Sept. 6. Admission to the exhibit is free.
liever,” Mock said, “but it’s also a humorous idea, I do understand that.” A lot of the buzz the club is getting is because of the irony of it all, with everyone from meme pages to well-known comedians offering their opinions on the new organization. Even before they held their first meeting, the Cloud Watching Club managed to attract the attention of Mikey Day, a Saturday Night Live cast member at Live at the PMAC on Saturday. Despite the humorous aspect, Mock wants to make it clear that the Cloud Watching Club is a real club. They have already made
LONG LE / The Reveille
Three dresses, designed by LSU Apparel Design Instructor Donna Sapp, display in the Old State Capitol on Aug. 28.
an appearance at the club fair on Tuesday, but signup is also available through Tigerlink. After requesting membership, new members will be added to the official email list to receive updates on meetings and other club events. The Cloud Watching Club is planning to meet every other Wednesday at 3 pm on the Parade Ground, but times may vary due to weather or other unpredictable circumstances. To stay updated on any changes, follow @cwclsu on Twitter. “I hope to see everybody there,” Mock said. “If clouds don’t do it, I don’t know what will.”
Thursday, August 29, 2019
REV R ANKS SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK CBS Films
What sets this film apart is the way it plays on the childhood fears of those who read the books. Seeing the stories that scared me as a child come to life in a movie theater was incredibly unsettling in a way that horror movies should ultimately make people feel. If you were a fan of the original books, this film is a must see. If you are a horror movie fan who is unfamiliar with the books, you may want to sit this one out.
Whitney Hicks @whitchicks
THE BIG DAY Chance the Rapper
Overall, I think the album is good and gives fans songs that have more of a traditional sound for Chance like “Hot Shower,” while giving us songs with a new sound like “Zanies and Fools.” I would definitely recommend listening to the album again if you didn’t love it the first time you listened. You’re bound to find a couple of songs you like, and, if you’re like me, you’ll love it even more than before.
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‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ aesthetically pleasing, lacking in plot BY MASIE O’TOOLE @masieotoole From the samurai-fueled slashing of the “Kill Bill” trilogy to the bloody criminal frenzy of “Reservoir Dogs,” Quentin Tarantino is no stranger to the gruesome. His newest venture into the macabre, however, marks an almost jarring change of pace. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” brings viewers directly into the death of the golden age of film, teleporting them straight into a world fueled by drugs, protest and a whole cast of fading spotlights. The primary focus is on outdated western actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his trusty stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Booth essentially functions as Dalton’s sidekick, too much of a loose cannon to land a job, but in the perfect position to chauffeur and emotionally support his actor counterpart. The story line itself is more of a snapshot than a linear “rising action, climax, resolution”
format. It’s a convoluted tale of friendship laced with the anxiety of dwindling stardom with the occasional mention of the one and only Charles Manson. It straddles the line between reality and historical fiction but begins to lose the real (and shocking) story in the embellishment. What makes this story so surprising, however, is the minimal amount of action. Tarantino’s trademarks for the last several decades of his career have been gore and action — a chaotic show of blood and carefullychoreographed fight scenes the viewer can barely handle without getting sick to their stomach. Of the nearly three-hour run time, only 10 minutes are dedicated to violence. For the most part, the film is a depiction of the past. It’s an era in which everyone in Hollywood was feeling the ache of dwindling fame, their golden years left behind them without a trace. Something is telling me Tarantino is channeling some of his own personal experience here.
Even though the movie is one of the director’s most personal to date, it lacks the punch that makes the director’s films so impactful. Instead of something dripping with intensity, it’s a pastel, semi-historical account. It’s a movie for those in the industry and a time machine for those that aren’t. With that being said, the film is still a worthy watch for anyone craving a dose of VietnamWar-era nostalgia. Everything is so impeccably shifted to 1969 without becoming a caricature of the hippie movement like that time period so often is, and the performances from each actor make everything feel so seamlessly real. Tarantino nailed the aesthetic but lost the story line along the way. Overall, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” seems to function more as a stepping stone in Tarantino’s career than anything else. It’s a trip to a past that mirrors the director’s future, but it’s still an enjoyable snapshot to witness.
EnJanae’ Taylor @_queenet_
JANE THE VIRGIN
The CW
After five seasons filled with tears, laughter, joy and more tears, it was finally time to say goodbye to Jane Villanueva and everyone we’ve come to know and love. The entire season was a roller coaster of emotions from clever humor to heartbreaks to so much love shared between families and friends. It only made sense that the final episode was all of those emotions wrapped into one last goodbye.
Alexandria Duque @AlexInTheMedia
Read the full reviews online at lsureveille.com/entertainment
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In search of enthusiastic and outgoing ladies to join our Front Desk Team at Soho Boutique Salon! Must be able to multi-task, work well with others and keep up with a fast paced environment! Employees receive discounts on hair, products and items from our boutique! *Part Time *Must be available 1-2 Saturdays a month Please contact Susan Sanders @ 225-246-8005
Welsh’s Cleaners hiring part time afternoon clerk. shifts are M-F 2-7pm and Saturdays 8am2pm. Great job for students. Flexible schedules. apply in person 17732 highland Rd 756-0470
13th Gate is Hiring for all positions. NO experience needed! To Audition or Interview, please come by The 13th Gate, 832 St. Phillip Street, Baton Rouge, LA any time between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any one of these dates: Saturday August 31st Sunday September 1st Saturday September 7th Sunday September 8th h2o Auto Spa is the leading auto detailing company in Louisiana. We work well with school schedules and have been able to create a fun, competitive environment for people that enjoy active outdoor work. There is nothing more satisfying than completing a project. Detailing is essentially short term project based work. For every project you complete (Vehicle you restore) you get paid a commission. The complexity of the project determines the amount we charge. So for more specialized work you will get paid more. If you enjoy process oriented work and working with your hands, then you will enjoy auto detailing. Feel free to call us at our Baton Rouge location: 225-291-9902 At the moment we are remodeling our website, so we will have to do things the old fashioned way with paper applications or you can click the link below to apply on Zip Recruiter. We are looking for 2-3 new team members. Our teams are carefully selected to ensure that we create a positive environment and team synergy. COURIER Downtown law firm-preferably 1-5 M-F (flexible) Responsible student with neat appearance, must have car/good driving record, ins., computer skills, $9/ hr+mileage. Email resume to jwinkle@pierceandshows.com
Peregrin’s Christmas Store now accepting applications for sales, stock, cashier and visual display. Various shifts available. Apply in person at Peregrin’s Home Store, 10155 Perkins Rowe Suite 150. (225)218-6090 or email resume’ to info@peregrinsflorists.com.
Raising Cane’s - Now Hiring Near LSU Our Hourly Crewmembers understand that our concept is simple and unique we only have ONE LOVE “ quality chicken finger meals! At Raising Cane’s you get an exceptionally high quality product served quickly and conveniently. We can do this because we offer a limited menu. The specialized systems developed by Raising Cane’s allow us to maintain a level of quality unmatched in the industry. Our Hourly Crewmembers commitment to this concept will not allow us to compromise our quality, cut corners or clutter our menu with new products that do not fit our core menu offering. Please visit www.raisingcanesjobs.com to complete an online application.
Landscape/Lawn Co full and part help today 225263-1661 text or voicemail Veterinary assistant needed parttime afternoons and weekends. Small animal clinic in Midcity Baton Rouge. Pre-vet major or experience preferred. $9/hr. 927-7196.
Need help breaking down tailgate after LSU home Football Games. Site is at Highland and So Stadium. Helper and guest invited to tailgate. Pay $100 per game. Contact fg1872@aol. com for additional information.
Sockit Studio is hiring Staff Engineers. Must know Pro Tools & have experience. Contact us via Facebook or Instagram.
Let Your Business Bloom
FOR RELEASE AUGUST 26, 2019
THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Fish-and-chips fish, often 4 Film for Stallone 9 Throw away 13 Residence 14 Once more 15 Anti-mob acronym 16 __ up; admits guilt 17 Local language 19 CBS drama 20 Pennies 21 “__ makes waste” 22 Word after decimal or exclamation 24 Actor Diesel 25 Young hogs 27 Trusted adviser 30 NASCAR’s Richard __ 31 Rigg or Ross 33 By way of 35 Chopping tools 36 Most terrible 37 Fewer 38 Bill denomination 39 Fellows 40 Warm jacket 41 Leisurely walk 43 Smith of “Charlie’s Angels” 44 Diving seabird 45 Ropers’ competition 46 Accepted standards 49 Enjoys a long bath 51 Mistaken 54 Cheerfulness 56 Short one-act play 57 Jailbird’s home 58 Stomach woe 59 Group of cattle 60 Kind of jerk 61 Lagers 62 Linear measures: abbr. DOWN 1 Farm animals 2 Almighty 3 French article
Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews
4 Largest songbirds 5 Insurance policy seller 6 Word attached to K or Wal 7 Canisters 8 Stop __ dime 9 School no-show 10 Artist’s paints, often 11 “Shoo!” 12 Hopping mad 13 Ad __ committee 18 Most populous nation 20 Salt Lake __ 23 Steed’s supper 24 Let off steam 25 Kerfuffle 26 Witch’s spells 27 Church service 28 Failed to notice 29 Perilous 31 Barbie or Ken 32 Outrage 34 Bald __ eagle 36 Johnny Cash’s “I __ the Line”
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8/26/19
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37 Mantilla fabric 39 Meek one 40 Cushions 42 Walk about aimlessly 43 Wild cards 45 Marathon participant 46 Whiplash site
8/26/19
47 Work animals 48 Reign 49 Store event 50 __ in a blue moon 52 Forest trees 53 Floral wire svc. 55 Massage 56 Reserved
For Rent 1566 Sharlo $1300/mo Architecturally designed 3br/2ba; lg rm w/fp, covered pkg All appl. (225)9266041
Place a Classified
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
The Court at East Boyd is a secured, residential-condominium positioned outside the South Gates of LSU & within walking distance to the University, restaurants & shops. 2 Bed/2 Bath condo with split floor plan $1,500/month $1,500 deposit 1 year (12 months) lease term
WALK TO LSU! STUDENT SPECIAL! LARGE 1 BR APT AVAILABLE AUGUST $650 / MONTH 225 266-8666
RentBR.com See Apartments and Houses For Rent Around LSU. Schedule Viewings at RentBR.com IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PRIVATE GATED COMMUNITY THIS DOWNSTAIRS CORNER CONDO IS MOVE IN READY. 2 BEDROOMS, 1 BATH. TOP OF THE LINE KITCHEN WOLF STAINLESS GAS STOVE, KOHLER PLUMBING FIXTURES, SLAB GANITE COUNTERTOPS, SUB-ZERO REFRIGERATOR , AND WOOD FLOORS ARE A FEW GREAT FEATURES. THIS UNIT HAS A LOVELY, RELAXING VIEW OF THE POOL AREA.
SPORTS TIGER TIMES LSU Football 2019 Schedule Preview
BY JACOB BECK @Jacob_Beck25 The 2019 LSU Tigers Football schedule has shaped up to be one of the most difficult in the country, but in some ways it’s a bit more manageable than the 2018 schedule. ESPN ranks the Tigers’ current trength of schedule 10th overall, with a Football Power Index rating of 21.8, good for fourth overall behind Georgia, Alabama and Clemson. ESPN projects LSU’s win-loss total to be 9.5 wins and 2.7 losses and gives them only a 1.7 percent chance to go undefeated. Vs. Georgia Southern, Aug. 31 The Tigers season opener will be a warm-up for their week two match up in Austin against the Texas Longhorns, but it won’t be a walk in the park. Georgia Southern is one of the few remaining teams in college football that employs the triple option offense, which will be difficult for the Tigers to prepare for. LSU players have seen the difficulties a triple option team presents, and LSU coach Ed Orgeron called scout team quarterback junior Jontre Kirklin the team’s most valuable player leading up to the game against the Eagles. “I get tired of chasing him around at practice everyday,” junior linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson said of Kirklin. “This is a game of patience, you have to be gap sound and assignment sound.” The Tigers may struggle early
page 9 FOOTBALL
The Reveille’s Q&A with The GeorgeAnne BY KENNEDI LANDRY @landryyy14
MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille
LSU senior quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws the ball in the LSU Indoor Practice Facility on Aug. 26 on, but don’t expect this to be close for very long. Score Prediction: LSU 38 Georgia Southern 7 At Texas, Sept. 7 This game should be an indicator of just how good of a season LSU can have. They’ll face a top-10 team in Texas. The Longhorns are heading into their second season under coach Tom Herman, who LSU pursued before hiring Orgeron. The toughest challenge the Tigers face in this game will be the crowd. LSU is playing in a hostile environment at Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. The Longhorns return junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who played very well in 2018 despite
missing time due to injury. The Longhorns weakness will be on defense, where they’ll be replacing nine starters — the entire front seven and both cornerbacks. If the LSU offense can take advantage of the young Texas defense, it could be similar to the Tigers season-opening win Miami in 2018. Score Prediction: LSU 31 Texas 21 Vs. Northwestern State, Sept. 14 After a battle in Austin, the Tigers will return home to face in-state opponent Northwestern State. This will be similar to the Georgia Southern game except Northwestern State is an even lower caliber opponent than the
Eagles. It could get ugly really quick. Score Prediction: LSU 48 Northwestern St. 3 At Vanderbilt, Sept. 21 LSU returns to the road, this time to Nashville for a Southeastern Conference East game against Vanderbilt. The Tigers lucked up this year with their rotational east opponent being a Commodore team that finished 1-7 in SEC play in 2018 and were projected to finish last in the east at SEC Media Days. Vanderbilt’s led by First-Team All-SEC wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb, but who will be throwing
see FOOTBALL, page 10
The Reveille sports editor Kennedi Landry caught up with The GeorgeAnne sports editor Kaitlin Sells ahead of LSU football’s season opener against Georgia Southern on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT. Landry: Why does Georgia Southern still run the triple option, and what makes them so successful with it? Sells: We still run it because it works for us. Looking at our program’s statistics since 1997, our win percentage while running the opinion is 72% versus a 36.5% while not running the option. Back in the dark days of the Tyson Summers Era, the Eagles went 2-10, and a lot of people attribute that to the straying from the triple option offense. We have a strong running game, and the triple option capitalizes on that, as it’s no secret we’re not a passing team. If anyone remembers, we upset the University of Florida in 2013 without completing a pass). Sure, it’s outdated, and not many teams run it, but it works for us. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Landry: LSU has struggled with non-Power Five opponents in recent season. What do you think Georgia Southern needs to do to pull up BIG upset? Sells: Staying resilient. I feel that mental game is just as important as the physical aspect of things in these games, especially for GS. Going up against a big SEC school is intimidating, and I’m sure there will be nerves
see Q&A, page 10
VOLLEYBALL
LSU Volleyball’s Taylor Bannister looks to continue
BY ANTHONY MOCKLIN @anthony_mocklin Last season, Taylor Bannister was recognized as one of the best players in the Southeastern Conference and received All-SEC honors as a sophomore. This is her second straight year receiving the honor, and she is only getting better. “I obviously see it as a high accomplishment,” said Bannister in an interview. “Especially because during the recruiting process the most common things heard are people doubting you. Acquiring such high achievements really helps and it helps me understand that it doesn’t matter what people think.” Bannister is starting her junior season on a high note, as she
was named to the preseason AllSEC team for this upcoming season. She attributes her improved passing skills to Flory. “Starting out, I did not pass at all,” Bannister said. “She taught me how to establish my passing.” Bannister and Flory’s relationship runs deep. It is clear that they have established a bond on and off the court by having high regards for one another. Taylor said she views her coach as a second mom. “She’s an incredibly gifted kid,” Flory said. “It’s a joyful experience to be in the gym with her because she’s hungry to learn and hungry to work hard.” LSU was projected to finish seventh in the SEC in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, but Flory
knows the team has its sights set on something a lot bigger. “I think we’ll surprise some people,” said Flory. “The word on the street is that LSU is going to be amongst the top two or three in terms of physicality and ability to play above the net. If we can make that ability pay off through our matches and learn through or preseason matches of how to maximize those abilities, then we’ll finish a little higher than 7th I predict.” After their loss against the University of Texas last week, Bannister said the team left with a chip on their shoulder. “We saw that they were hitting harder than us and playing a different defense than us,” said Bannister.
see VOLLEYBALL, page 10
MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille
LSU junior right-side Taylor Bannister (7) participates in practice in the LSU Volleyball Practice Facility on Aug. 28.
page 10 FOOTBALL, from page 9 him the ball is still a mystery. Score Prediction: LSU 41 Vanderbilt 7 Vs. Utah State, Oct. 5 The Tigers return home for another non-conference opponent. Utah State Aggies finished their 2018 season 11-2 and 7-1 in conference play. The Aggies have an exceptional talent at quarterback in Jordan Love, and a trio of studs on the defense in linebacker David Woodward, cornerback DJ Williams and defensive lineman Tipa Galeai. The Aggies may put up a fight early, and LSU may see itself in trouble if it looks ahead to the following game against Florida, but the Tigers should pull away in the end. Score Prediction: LSU 31 Utah State 10 Vs. Florida, Oct. 12 Revenge is a dish best served cold, but LSU will be serving its up in the hot Louisiana sun as the Florida Gators come to town following a disappointing 27-19 loss to the Gators in Gainesville in 2018. The Tigers will have a raucous crowd behind them. Florida looked anything but the No. 8 team in the nation in their season opener against Miami in which they made mistake after mistake, nearly giving Miami a victory. In the LSU-Florida rivalry, the team playing at home has a significant advantage, and luckily for the Tigers, they get that advantage this season. Score Prediction: LSU 27 Florida 17 At Mississippi State, Oct. 19 While it’s hard to say the Bulldogs have any advantages over the Tigers, the cowbells will be in full force for this one. Mississippi State will be up for this game about as much as they are for the Egg Bowl. But, the Bulldogs lost senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald,
Thursday, August 29, 2019 Q&A from page 9 along with defensive linemen Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons. Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead brought in Penn State transfer Tommy Stevens to take the reigns at quarterback, and the chemistry they built at Penn State should transfer over to this season. While Stevens may provide a spark at quarterback, the Bulldogs defense won’t be able to stop the LSU spread attack. Score Prediction: LSU 30 Mississippi St. 10 Vs. Auburn, Oct. 26 LSU narrowly avoided a misstep early in the 2018 season thanks to kicker Cole Tracy’s heroics, but this seasons matchup will be a whole lot different from last seasons. Auburn will be starting true freshman quarterback Bo Nix, and he’ll be playing his first game in Tiger Stadium in front of 102,321 screaming LSU fans. Not an easy task for any quarterback, let alone a freshman. It will also be Auburn’s third game in a row on the road, something college football teams aren’t accustomed to doing, nonetheless having to travel to Baton Rouge.. Score Prediction: LSU 31 Auburn 20 At Alabama, Nov. 9 Up to this point, barring any major surprises, both LSU and Alabama should be 8-0 heading into this behemoth of a game. It’s no secret that the Crimson Tide have had LSU’s number since the 2011 National Championship game and last season’s 29-0 beatdown in Death Valley certainly didn’t provide any hope for this season. The game will be in Tuscaloosa, where the Crimson Tide very rarely lose under coach Nick Saban. The Tide also return quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is expected to have a Heisman worthy season. It’s hard to imagine LSU coming away with a victory in Bry-
ant-Denny Stadium, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities. If the Tiger offense is truly what Orgeron believes it to be, this one should be a lot closer than last season. Score Prediction: Alabama 23 LSU 17 At Ole Miss, Nov. 16 Immediately following a matchup with the Tide, the Tigers are treated with a game against the Ole Miss Rebels, who were projected to finish sixth in the SEC West. The only caveat for this game is that it’s in Oxford, but that shouldn’t stop LSU from taking out all of its anger following an Alabama loss, or a victory lap after beating the Crimson Tide. The Rebels haven’t been able to stop the LSU rushing attack in years, so expect a heavy dose of junior running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and company in a blowout. Score Prediction: LSU 41 Ole Miss 13 Vs. Arkansas, Nov. 23 Nothing to see here, just another shellacking of the Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium. Arkansas coach Chad Morris will be better than last season, but it really won’t matter. Score Prediction: LSU 35 Arkansas 10 Vs. Texas A&M, Nov. 30 The Tigers senior night will be one to remember, as LSU will get a chance to avenge the unbelievable 74-72 7-OT loss to the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station last season. Second-year coach Jimbo Fisher exceeded expectations last season, and those expectations will be ratcheted up for 2019. This is probably the second-toughest game on the Tigers schedule. Tensions will be very high after last season. An emotional Tiger team is out for blood. Score Prediction: LSU 24 Texas A&M 21
CHRISTA MORAN/ The Reveille
LSU junior quarterback Joe Burrow (9) prepares to throw the ball during the Tigers’ 29-0 loss against Alabama on Nov. 3, 2018 in Tiger Stadium.
at play. We have the skill on both sides of the ball to put up a fight, but our mental game has to stay resilient. It’s a given LSU is going to put up a touchdown on our defense, but the question is how the Eagles will respond. Will they give up or keep fighting? Landry: There was an off-thefield situation with quarterback Shai Werts, but he has since been cleared to play. How important is he to the success of this team? Sells: Werts plays a key role in our offense. This is his third year in the starting quarterback slot, and he’s become a huge leader on the team. He started his career as an Eagle a little rocky, as his first season as starting quarterback the team went 2-10. Last season he proved that he deserves the spot after showing for a 10-3 season as well as helping to seal our second bowl game win in school history. Werts does a very good job of controlling the offense with a steady hand. He seems to
be very comfortable and confident while calling plays and making decisions inside the triple option. It is a huge relief for the Eagles that the off-the-field situation was cleared up and Werts has been cleared to play. Landry: What are the weaknesses of this team heading into the season? Sells: It’s not necessarily a weakness, but I feel the team is still getting used to working with each other. We lost a lot of key players last year such as Wesley Fields, Ian Bush and Curtis Rainey, and gained some new players that’ll help fill those now empty slots. With it being the beginning of the season, they haven’t necessarily gotten the chance to play REAL football together as a team, if that makes sense. Landry: Game prediction? Sells: I predict LSU takes the win, but I expect the Eagles to put up a fight and possibly give the Tigers a run for their money. An upset wouldn’t surprise me.
VOLLEYBALL, from page 9 “We have gotten a lot better on our serves. There’s a lot more power.” The team is hopeful that having such a highly-ranked recruiting class will bring a lot more success. “The thing that takes us to the next level is balance and not having to rely on Taylor Bannis-
ter for every swing,” said Flory. “They’re inexperienced, but I think they’re going to grow and learn pretty quickly.” The Tigers will play on the road for the first three weekends of the season before returning Sep. 20 for their homeopener against Southern Miss.
MITCHELL SCAGLIONE/ The Reveille
LSU junior right-side Taylor Bannister (7) participates in practice in the LSU Volleyball Practice Facility on Aug. 28.
OPINION ACADEMIC APATHY
page 11
LSU doesn’t value academics, should do better
I SAID WHAT I SAID MAYA STEVENSON @MayaSStevenson In late July, LSU Football’s Twitter posted pictures announcing its $28 million newly renovated football operations building. Predictably, any and all social scenes flew into chaos. If you went to the University, are an alumna, or even just grew up in Louisiana, you couldn’t look anywhere without seeing a mention of it. Of course, there was the typical debate about the University treasuring athletics more than academics. I’m not sure about the accuracy of that statement, but I will say from an outsider’s view, University administration doesn’t even seem to care whether or not I have a professor to learn from. What really heated up the debates was the comparison between the operations building and many of the buildings on campus, including the infamous Middleton Library, which has been planned to be demolished for several years. I found none of this shocking. Let’s be clear: Any rational and unbiased University student
can acknowledge the obvious differences in treatment of academics and athletics. However, what I found most shocking was the sheer number of people willing to defend the University or the athletic department. From comments about the revenue the athletic department brings in to University athletes attacking professors on social media, it was a travesty. In a state that ranks dead last in the country and is No. 49 in education, perhaps it shouldn’t have been a surprise. However, since only 30% of Louisiana’s population is college-educated, you would think the largest university in the state would be obsessive with the quality of education being presented to its students. It’s one thing to know the state doesn’t value education, but it’s another thing to experience it. I do not disagree with athletics deserving nice things, but I definitely do not think academics has any place on the back-burner because of it. Perhaps it slipped everyone’s mind, but the University is an academic institution first. If anything were to jeopardize our standing as a university, sports would be the furthest thing from administrators’ minds. Besides the athletes themselves, the rest of our more
than 30,000 student population are there solely for an education. Too many times, the University’s name has become synonymous with our sports teams, rather than our academic excellence. I love the University, and I feel a sense of belonging on campus that has always reassured me of my place there. However, I’ve questioned whether or not I would be better off somewhere else. From friends and family members alike, I’ve seen how other universities in this state treat its students. From having academic programs ensuring their success to getting internships all over the country and the world, they’ve never felt a lack of support from their university. Sure, their athletic teams are not as revered as ours, but that’s not an excuse, no matter how many times it’s used. Our “rival,” the University of Alabama, has five libraries. All of the them are in great condition, as I witnessed and learned this past summer during a stint there. The campus has an even higher enrollment count with a championship-winning football team, yet its students aren’t suffering because of it. There’s also a parking spot for every single student who purchases a parking pass, but that’s neither here nor there.
cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI
The crux of the matter is that the University has dropped the ball in regard to academics. Departments are underfunded, there’s a limited number of spaces in non-STEM classes and students are drowning. The University recently made headlines for having some of the highest graduate student fees in the country. Our academic advisers are great, but on a campus so big, it can be incredibly hard to get an appointment in the window you actually need it. Our professors are amazing, but in a country, and especially state, that doesn’t value education, they’re underpaid. Our buildings are disgusting, old and rotting away. This has been their
constant state for decades. I am reluctant to pin these issues on one individual person, on one department or on one area of the University. Truth be told, it’s none of those things. There are so many factors that play into the gross oversights the students at the University suffer, all of which should be rectified. The University is the largest higher learning institution in a state that has made it abundantly clear how little it values education. We don’t need to do the same. Maya Stevenson is a 20-year-old English and Philosophy junior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Every post counts in outrage over Amazon forest fire SAUCE BOSS CÉCILE CÉCILE GIRARD @_cegi_ This should not come as a surprise, but people have been angry on Twitter lately. This time, the outrage is over the Amazon forest being in flames. When reports flooded the online world last week that a massive fire had been burning the Amazon forest for half a month, Twitter users were quick to circulate news articles, posts and threads exposing the environmental catastrophe. People were angry that the fire had been covered up for so long,
that it was so widespread, that it had been encouraged by farright Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and that the “wrong Amazon was burning.” Inevitably, derisive tweets soon followed this first wave of posts. There were the usual trolls and climate change deniers in the mix, of course, but most prominent were the cynics who condemned everyone’s actions as futile. How, some argued, were a couple extra tweets going to solve anything? A retweet doesn’t pour water on a blaze, and a tweet doesn’t prevent cattle ranchers from burning trees for grazing land. Some people initially thought the fire was caused by unusual
environmental factors, but cattle farmers, who purposely burned the forest, were really to blame. The beef industry is guilty as well, as it pushed the farmers to destroy forested land. What’s more troubling is Bolsonaro’s business ties with major beef companies and his pro-deforestation, anti-indigenous rights rhetoric directed at farmers living at the fringes of the Amazon forest. Knowing the whole story in a case like this is crucial, as it helps us distinguish the cause not as strange natural phenomena, but the influence of a dangerous fascist ruler. The most important effect of tweeting en masse is the pres-
sure it applies on elected officials to do something about an issue their constituents care about. On Monday, Aug. 26th, just a few days after the Twitter outrage reached its peak, G7 leaders pledged to allocate $22 million to fight the Amazon fire. This quick response, which came after several weeks of diplomatic officials turning a blind eye to the blaze, is due to the uproar world leaders felt online. Where a moral compass fails to spur elected officials to action, a threat of low approval ratings usually works. Unfortunately, as witnessed by the recent news that Brazil has decided not to accept the full $22 million in aid, tweeting
Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Caleb Greene Hailey Auglair Bailey Chauvin Rachel Mipro Karli Carpenter
Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Opinion Editor
The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
alone doesn’t solve issues. This doesn’t mean we should give up all hope and passively absorb news of our imminent destruction, though. We have to realize change is gradual, and our tiny actions have larger impacts than we realize. One retweet may prompt another person to retweet, or it can bring the issue to the attention of uninformed Twitter users. We never know what ripple effects our actions may have, which is why we should never doubt the importance of our small acts of support. Cécile Girard is a 19-year-old biology and psychology major from Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Quote of the Week “It often takes more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong.” Abraham Lincoln Former President Feb. 12, 1809 — April 15, 1865
Thursday, August 29, 2019
page 12
Time to implement clear policies, ensure safety BY THE REVEILLE EDITORIAL BOARD
Grateful. There is no other way to describe how the LSU community felt following a false armed intruder report at Coates Hall last week. An entire state — and parents nationwide — breathed a sigh of relief. Their children would not be killed in a school shooting on Aug. 20, 2019. As the panic dissipated and heart rates leveled, a narrative came forward. A plain-clothed law enforcement officer from the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office with a gun on his belt was the cause of the false alarm. The officer was invited by the Women’s Center to give a presentation on social media responsibility. Amidst the hazy details of last Tuesday, one thing stands unambiguously clear: A lack of communication exists between those who run the University and those who inhabit it. The University has no policy concerning law enforcement visiting campus. It is more like a wish. The University prohibits the carrying of firearms on campus, with exceptions for federal, state and local law enforcement. Since last Tuesday, the University Administration has encouraged groups that invite law enforcement to campus to contact LSUPD. There is not a requirement but more of a courtesy
to include LSUPD, according Media Relations director Ernie Ballard. The University is looking to improve communication, but encouraging groups to act courteously and contact LSUPD is not enough. The University needs a stronger, definitive policy that will ensure student safety and prevent another situation like the one at Coates Hall last week. No single person or group is at fault for the false alarm last week. Not the law enforcement officer. Not the Women’s Center. Not LSUPD. Not the person who initially made the report. But we, as University students, need to demand better. False alarms that terrify parents and students alike should not happen. Breakdowns in communication between the University and groups that invite law enforcement should not happen. Has the University done enough to prevent a similar situation like the one at Coates Hall from occurring again? Are there new policies that govern groups and organizations that invite law enforcement to campus? The answer is no. Students deserve a gun-free sanctuary where education is the top priority and safety is a given. Stronger, well-defined policies are needed, and it is time for the University to act.