The Reveille 1-30-19

We d ne s d ay, Ja nu a r y 3 0, 2 019

LEAKY LIBRARY Library staff in ‘crisis mode’ while struggling to contain continued water intrusion in basement, page 2

“I can’t overstate what an emergency it is and the danger it poses to this incredibly wonderful research library.”

– Dean of LSU Libraries Stanley Wilder

NEWS

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LSU mass communication students reopen cold cases from the Civil Rights era.

SPORTS

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No. 1 LSU baseball and No. 10 LSU softball enter 2019 season with high expectations behind returners and strong recruiting classes.

ENTERTAINMENT

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‘Mister Balloon Hands’ creates eccentric, bright murals across Louisiana

OPINION

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“With the larger presence of women in the legislative brance, criticism has become harsher than ever.”

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

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L SU Re ve i l le.co m

COVER STORY

LSU Middleton Library faces frequent water intrusion after almost three months

BY SHERIDAN WALL @slwall7 LSU students remember the first weekend of November 2018 as the Saturday the Tigers lost to the University of Alabama 29-0. While LSU football fans despaired over this crushing loss, on the other side of campus, water was seeping through the basement of Middleton Library.

Three months later, and water is still coming in through the north wall of the library basement room 53. The wall, once concealed by shelves stocked with government documents, now sits bare, the floor surrounding it stripped of tile. Puddles pool at the base of the wall, around the abandoned service desk and between the stacks.

“I can’t overstate what an emergency it is and the danger it poses to this incredibly wonderful research library,” said Stanley Wilder, dean of LSU libraries. He added, “We’re in crisis mode down there.”

While materials have been removed from parts of the north wall and the center of room 53, the library has maintained the majority of its storage space in the basement, said Tammy Millican, executive director of Facility and Property Oversight.

But the basement didn’t just store government documents. It also holds an overflow of special collections from Hill Memorial Library — rare materials in danger of being ruined if the water intrusion gets worse, Wilder said.

“As things stand now, I don’t have a way of protecting them, and that makes me frantic,” Wilder said.

“We’re kind of at loose ends trying to find ways of containing the damage.”

Facility Services tested the incoming water and determined the leak consists of groundwater, which isn’t at risk for contamination, Millican said. Facility Services has prevented mold from spreading so far by isolating the water intrusion and removing the water immediately.

The library basement temperature was lowered to decrease humidity to prevent the spread of mold on paper materials, according to a work order.

Wilder said as spring approaches, he worries about the rising water table. He said the influx of water into the basement increases “the potential for a fast and massive mold outbreak that could sweep through those paper collections.”

“We have this sort of Game of Thrones idea that ‘Spring is coming,’” Wilder said.

This isn’t the first time the Middleton basement has experienced water issues. The University has documentation indicating intermittent ground water intrusion in the basement since the 1980s, Millican said.

More recently, the University has completed two waterproofing projects to curb the water intrusions, Millican said. The first focused on the east and south sides

of the basement and was completed in 2011 at a cost of $323,000. The University finished waterproofing the south side and started on part of the west in 2018 at a cost of $530,000.

But this leak isn’t like the others Wilder has seen. The water intrusion has gradually worsened since Hayley Johnson, head of government documents and microforms, first reported the leak to Facility Services on Nov. 2, according to a work order.

Johnson reported that she did not know the cause of the leak but that there was standing water in the basement on Nov. 2. Later that day, Custodian Supervisor Christopher Hopkins filed a work order describing the water intrusion as “leaking at a steady pace” from behind the bookshelves on the north wall, with water being cleaned up every 20 minutes.

Wilder said he relocated the government documents staff immediately after the water intrusion proved more extensive than previous water issues. There are also 40 other staff members working in a separate office space in the basement, but they haven’t had to relocate them yet. Wilder said they’re continually monitoring the air quality in the basement.

The library basement closed as a service point by Thanksgiving break, and library staff and Facility Services began moving microformat cabinets and government documents after Thanksgiving and throughout the Christmas break, Wilder said.

Since the leak began, the library staff, especially those in the government documents department, have been pitching in to help clear water and microform cabinets from the basement, Wilder said.

Despite the leak, the library is still providing access to government documents and other materials stored in the basement.

“I think this is our new normal for the foreseeable [future] until we hear otherwise from Facilities and everyone else who has to figure out the issues,” Johnson said.

Students and faculty looking for a specific material can request it through Access Services on the second floor of Middleton Library.

Others who need assistance with a general reference question relating to government documents can set up a consultation with Johnson or Tasha McClain, a government documents resource librarian.

Interlibrary loan requests for government documents or other materials stored in the basement are still being filled, Wilder said.

“Of course we understand that that’s one of the busiest and most used buildings on campus, so we’re working very hard to make sure that we don’t disrupt services to the students,” Millican said.

The University’s 2017 Master Plan includes building a new library to replace Middleton. But the Master Plan is a 10- to 20-year projection for campus, so it could

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Files have been moved from the basement in Middleton Library after water damage. be a while before plans for the new library come to fruition.

“I think that the Middleton basement problems ought to be viewed as adding urgency to those conversations,” Wilder said. “How

does LSU propose to provide research library services to its community? I think we’ve gone from a situation where we should build a new library to we have to [build] one.”

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NEWS

page 3

RESEARCH

LSU professor helps improve biofuel

BY SOPHIE LIBERTO @LibertoSophie

GUITAR HERO

BY ANNA JONES @annajoneses Stroke victims now have a creative option for their rehabilitation, thanks to a team of University students who have built an adaptive guitar specializing in restoring motor function.

The guitar, which is the second of its kind, was originally the brainchild of Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Nikita Kuznetsov.

“I have a friend who had a stroke and he was a musician,” Kuznetsov said. “He basically couldn’t play anymore, and he had played the guitar. I thought this might be one way to help him.”

Kuznetsov said his friend tried to develop a similar device, but couldn’t get it to work. Whenever Kuznetsov started his faculty position at the University, he saw it as the perfect opportunity to continue his friend’s work.

Kuznetsov enlisted a diverse team ranging from undergraduate freshmen to alumni to work on the project. Kinesiology master’s student Marcelline Dechenaud immediately jumped on board,

since it was a unique opportunity condition that only affects the dents should not get discouraged to combine her academic interest elderly. It is extremely common, if they initially find playing the in kinesiology with her musical and can happen to anyone at any- instrument challenging, especialtime.Recovering from a stroke ly since they are instructed to play hobby.

“I’m a musician,” Dechen- can also be a lifelong process. with their non-dominant hand. aud said. “When I heard about “I think this is something that “Some students get very frusthe project, I thought that I think a lot of people can un- trated the first day,” Cherry would be a very cool thing derstand and relate to,” Cherry said. “It moves very quickly, so for me to be involved in.” said. “It’s easy for me to get ex- they get overwhelmed at first.”

Dechenaud plays the cel- cited about, because it has such The adaptive guitar has the lo, but finds it difficult to de- an awesome impact on people.” added benefit of being like a startvote time to music amidst Although the adaptive guitar er guitar for students who are not her academic pursuits. has only been tested on Uni- musical. Although it can be dif“I wouldn’t do it profession- versity student volunteers, the ficult at first, most of the test subally, since I don’t have enough University will soon bring the jects got the hang of it quickly.

“After the first few days, it time, but I try to practice as device to Baton Rouge Genmuch as I can,” Dechenaud said. eral Hospital. Kuznetsov is cur- was so easy, they weren’t conKinesiology freshman Sarah rently working on a grant to centrating anymore, and so then Cherry was excited to have expand funding for the project. that’s the reason they would “This project involves a lot mess up,” Dechenaud said. been included in such a meaningful project during her of people, so it’s a great moThe benefits of the adaptive guiKuznetsov said. tar not only apply to stroke victims first year at the University. tivator,” “This is my first experience “We’re all in this together.” or those seeking to learn how to The project is still seek- play an instrument on a basic levwith research at a university setting,” Cherry said. “It’s ing volunteers and welcomes el. Seasoned musicians might be such a great opportunity for anyone who wants to experi fascinated by the guitar’s capabil me to be involved in during ment with playing their adap- ity to play chords that are imposmy freshman year of college.” tive guitar. Kuznetsov compared sible on a standard acoustic due Each year in the U.S., an es- the experience to the popular to the complex hand placement. timated 795,000 people suffer music game Guitar Hero, al- LSU alumnus James Kirsch, from a stroke. Despite popular though the technique involved is misconception, it is not a rare significantly more difficult. Stusee GUITAR, page 6

Chemistry Assistant Professor Tuo Wang and his students are the first to investigate an intact corn plant stalk at the atomic level.

In the world today, there is a lot of interest in discovering better biofuel. Most gasoline includes 10 percent ethanol due to the long-term funding and research dedicated to this area of chemistry study. Corn is not the only plant usable in biofuel, Wang said. “[Scientists] have devoted at least a decade trying to improve the biofuel production and ethanol production,” Wang said. “With this atomic level, now people can improve their matters. It opens a lot of possibilities.”

Wang and his team examine the corn using a strong magnet located in his lab, located in the basement of Choppin Hall. The magnet uses nuclear magnetic resonance, which aids in viewing the nuclear spins. Nuclear spins tell the total angular momentum of the nucleus.

Wang and his team use the stem of the corn in their experiments. Wang aid they cut the corn stem into small pieces and pack them into a container.

After that, he and his team put them through the magnet, and the magnet gives the corn a lot of radiation. The radiation then polarizes the atoms, so that he and his team can see them,

see BIOFUEL, page 6

FACULTY

New Provost seeks to improve LSU online program

BY TAYLOR BOURGEOIS @tbourge_ Newly-hired Executive Vice President and Provost Stacia Haynie has spent her entire career at the University. With her new position, she’s ready to help students reach their full potential.

As executive vice president and provost, Haynie oversees multiple divisions of the Univer-

sity. She is responsible for all academic enterprises for every college, LSU’s academic presence online and everything under student affairs, including Greek Life and admissions. Being an interim for eight months helped her understand and be adequately prepared for the position.

Haynie was a political science professor, served as the department chair and served as dean of the College of Hu-

manities and Social Sciences.

She was assigned interim executive vice president and provost after Richard Koubek accepted a job at Michigan Technological University. After eight months as an interim, she was appointed to the position permanently.

“It was just a dream come true to be asked to step in and serve as provost,” Haynie said.

“I’ve loved every position I’ve

ever held here so, when asked to serve, I certainly was appreciative of the opportunity. I loved being the dean but this was another opportunity to serve the campus.”

Since Haynie has taken the position, she has worked to broaden the college experience for students. Understanding the change in student expectations throughout her 29 years at the University, she is pushing

forward the concept of taking classes online, while also making sure it is properly done.

“Part of the online experience is ensuring it has the same quality and rigor,” Haynie said.

“It’s a really exciting space for us.”

It is expected that one of three students will take at least one online class in their four

see HAYNIE, page 6

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

page 4 ACADEMICS

LSU Manship students open cold cases from Civil Rights era

BY KARLI CARPENTER @karlicarpenter_

Researchers from the University’s Cold Case project are investigating unsolved Civil Rights era murders in Louisiana and southern Mississippi to bring closure to affected families, pursue justice and rewrite history before it’s too late.

Since the project began in 2010, around three dozen students have investigated cases from the 1960s in which African Americans died or disappeared at the hands of klansmen and other white supremacists who were often backed by local law enforcement.

“I think it was important for LSU to take this on because these deaths occurred in LSU’s backyard,” former University professor James Shelledy* said. “It has the resources to look into these things.”

These researchers are part of the Manship School of Mass Communication’s Statehouse Bureau, an experiential journalism program headed by former New York Times investigative reporter and University professor Chris Drew. The program allows students to cover Louisiana’s legislature for nearly 50 news outlets statewide.

This semester, six students from that course are investigating the cold case, with help from two volunteers.

The project teaches students reallife journalism skills by making them meticulously analyze documents and have compelling interviews so families who suffered during the era can finally get answers.

Researchers have historically taken semi-annual trips to the National Archives in Washington, D.C., to retrieve FBI documents requested through the Freedom of Information Act. Their plans to do so this semester were postponed due to the government shutdown, but Drew still plans to send two students to copy

two files containing a combined 2,172 pages of documents.

These partially redacted documents include information about Robert Fuller, a former Klan leader who killed three black farmhands in the 1960s in northeastern Louisiana, and the White Knights, a faction of the KKK that emerged during the Civil Rights era.

While they wait to retrieve those files, researchers are sifting through FBI interview reports and other documents on the Deacons for Defense and Justice, an armed black resistance group that aimed to defend black communities from klansmen. A few chapters emerged in Louisiana, and one was in Bogalusa.

The Washington Parish town is a crucial part of another subject of the team’s research. Some students are investigating the murder of Oneal Moore, one of the parish’s first black deputies.

Information that researchers find on the case will be relayed to Stanley Nelson, who plans to write a book on the case. Nelson is the editor of the Concordia Sentinel, a newspaper published in Ferriday, La., and he has investigated cold cases for years.

As an editor, he does not have time to travel to the National Archives to retrieve documents, so the work of the researchers helps him greatly.

Nelson explained that in most cases during the era, the FBI kept files, and when the cases were closed, the files were put away and sometimes became inaccessible. Students were able to retrieve some files for the first time since the 1960s, enabling them to discover who the FBI was investigating decades ago and connect it with evidence from their own research.

Some criticize the return to these cases, but Nelson defends the importance of doing so by asking critics to consider if their family members

were victims of the crimes during the era.

He said that an unsolved murder in any community is horrible, especially a Civil Rights era murder that went unsolved because klansmen were involved with law enforcement and intimidated witnesses into silence.

Drew noted the value of revealing the names of witnesses who had the courage to speak out.

“Some people feel better when they see that even though the FBI didn’t crack the case, three local people actually stood up as witnesses and told them what they knew,” Drew said.

Drew’s predecessor, Shelledy, said that law enforcement and the FBI have been too consumed with other issues to revisit 50-year-old cases that would probably not lead to a conviction. The task falls almost entirely on the students and journalists like Nelson, and, as witnesses and perpetrators age, the window to conduct interviews is narrowing.

Luckily, the location of dozens of murders allows them to fulfill this duty.

One of Shelledy’s teams believed it discovered what happened to Joseph Edwards, a black man who disappeared in Vidalia in 1964.

He is suspected to be the victim of foul play by klan-sympathizing law enforcement officers, according to an article on the project’s website. Shelledy said they interviewed witnesses and were able to draw a conclusion through circumstantial but clear evidence.

Andrea Gallo*, now an investigative reporter for The Advocate, was a cold case researcher under Shelledy in 2012 and 2013.

The primary case she worked on involved the murders allegedly committed by klansman Ernest Parker.

He was accused of tying two black

courtesy of CHRIS DREW

LSU mass communication seniors Jace Mallory (left), Brennan Normand and junior Alyssa Berry** sit with author Stanley Nelson and Manship professor Chris Drew (right) to discuss the cold case project. men to the motor block of his Jeep and throwing them in the Old River near Tallulah.

Reporting on the case taught Gallo how to condense thousands of pages she had read into a single story.

“It was really cool as a student just to go to the National Archives and to do that level of research that really showed how to be an investigative reporter,” Gallo said.

Gallo said it is incredibly tragic for a loved one to be brutally murdered and never get answers. The project allows students to piece together information to bring justice and closure to families.

Nelson stressed how important it is for families to know that someone cares and is working to get answers. Even if cases are not solved, researchers can give families information that the FBI did not.

“It’s just the right thing to do,” Nelson said. “It’s what we ought to do. It’s the moral thing to do.”

Nelson said this research may be the most important thing students ever do, and he believes they will always be glad they were involved with such essential work.

“Students sacrifice a lot of time for this, and they are motivated by doing what’s right,” Nelson said. “They’re led by their hearts.”

*Editor’s Note: James Shelledy is a former director of the Office of Student Media. Andrea Gallo is a former employee of The Reveille. **Editor’s Note: Alyssa Berry is the current Co-photo editor of The Reveille.

STUDENT LIFE

LSU Cricket team seeking more members, practice grounds

BY BRITTNEY FORBES @itsbritforbes Soccer is the most popular sport in the world with 4 billion fans, but in second place is cricket with 2.5 billion fans, according to Sport Abroad.

For students interested in pursuing cricket, the University now has their own Tiger Cricket Club.

Chemical engineering doctoral student Sai Shankar Ganesh recently helped to create the Tiger Cricket Club for the University. There is also a private cricket club in Baton Rouge that operates under the Louisiana Cricket Association.

Some of the members traveled to Sri Lanka and India this summer, so they were able to acquire cheaper cricket equipment, considering equipment from places in America, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, already exceeds $200.

The club currently has about 20 members with games every Sunday, mostly on a field on Airline Highway but sometimes in a field in Mississippi.

The organization has a core group of four members, experienced in cricket, who discuss which upcoming members are capable of making the team.

Ganesh said members have to concentrate on their academics, and the cricket team could be a distraction from their studies.

“Most of [the members] are grad students with maybe three or four undergrads on our team,” Ganesh said.

“Before the semester starts [practices and games are] not a big [problem], but once school starts, every week we have midterms and exams going on.”

The club practices 1-2 times a week in the evenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. However, the days are subject to change because members tend to have scheduling conflicts. There is also no designated practice grounds, but the organization has asked the UREC and LSU Student Government for a place to be provided for the club.

Most teams that play in the same division as the Tiger Cricket Club have their own grounds to practice.

Ganesh said the team has a disadvantage playing other teams who have their own practice grounds.

“If we had the support from Student Government to practice [at the University], it will be great,” Ganesh said.

The members decide to practice on the Airline Highway Grounds about once a week because they would have the space to bat.

“People are free to stop by, and we would love to have more people,” Ganesh said.

The club doesn’t have any coaches. The members record their practices and games and upload them on YouTube and Facebook, asking other experienced players for suggestions.

The members also have numerous sponsors, including “Fashion India and Groceries,” who has paid the club a lot of money to put their store on the members’ jerseys.

“We definitely need a lot more people, and we would love to have more people learn the game and contribute any way they can,” Ganesh said. “Right now we have [members]

courtesy of SAI SHANKAR GANESH

The LSU Cricket Club represents itself at the student involvement fair at the LSU Student Union. from four to five [different] countries right now [being] from Nepal, Pakistan, India, and folks form Sri Lanka.”

Ganesh also said that he would

love to have 20-40 more people join because he believes another cricket team can possibly be formed at the University.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

page 5

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Students’ on- and off-campus apartment hunting in full swing

BY BAILEY CHAUVIN @BaileyChauvin It’s that time of year again.

On-campus apartment contracts become available on Feb. 1 and students must weigh the benefits of living in an oncampus apartment versus an off-campus apartment.

The University has three apartment complexes available to upperclassmen: East Campus Apartments, West Campus Apartments and Nicholson Gateway Apartments. All three apartment complexes offer students the convenience of living on campus, but with the privacy that students typically don’t get in residence halls.

Catherine David, the drector of Communications and Development of Residential Life, said on-campus apartments are a great option for upperclassmen and offer many amenities they may not find at off-campus apartments.

“It gives our students the privacy and independence they want as upperclassmen while still helping them ease into adulthood,” David said.

“They don’t have to worry about monthly bills, but they still have the convenience of

and feeling like I’m being babysat.”

The main complaint many students have about living in an on-campus apartment is the price compared to off-campus apartments.

Finance junior Evan Waguespack lived at ECA last year, but he currently lives in an off-campus apartment. He enjoyed the convenience of living on campus last year, but said he now pays less for a better experience off campus.

“There’s really not much LSU can do besides lower prices,” Waguespack said. “When you go off campus, you’re getting a better living space for cheaper.”

Residential Life completes a market analysis for on-campus rent rates every year and compares the University’s prices to prices at local apartment complexes, as well as within other SEC schools. David said students should also be aware that the University lists their rent prices by semester while local offcampus apartments list monthly rates, which appear much lower.

David encouraged all students to do their own research about living in on-campus and off-campus apartments and compare the benefits they would receive at

walking to class, having a 24-hour front desk, police presence—some features they might not know are important until they need them.”

Sociology senior Tiana Lazard lived at University Edge last year but moved back on campus once Nicholson Gateway Apartments opened. Lazard said she prefers to use her fee bill to pay for on-campus housing rather than paying monthly for an offcampus apartment. She also appreciates the police presence at Nicholson Gateway.

“Because it’s on campus, it has to be really tight on security,” Lazard said. “It’s so well lit and officers drive around.

I feel a lot safer here than I did at University Edge.”

However, some students feel that on-campus apartments don’t afford them the same privacy as off-campus apartments. Like residence halls, on-campus apartments have resident assistants (RAs) to provide support to students, but some students would prefer to live in on-campus apartments without RAs. “I live in an off-campus apartment for the freedom,” said psychology senior Brooke Fountain. “I don’t like having an RA

CHRISTA MORAN / The Reveille

Nicholson Gateway Apartments sits on a 28-acre site between W Chimes Street and Skip Bertman Drive on Aug. 20, 2018. the apartment complexes they’re interested in.

“Weigh your options and compare apples to apples,” David said. “Pick what’s best for you as a student, not what you think is cooler to do or what you think everybody else does.”

Residential Life also encourages students to tour

the on-campus apartments before making a final decision.

On Feb. 4, Residential Life will host Apartment Hop. Students can hop on and off the LSU Trolley, which will travel to ECA, WCA and Nicholson Gateway Apartments on a continuous loop from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Wednesday, January 30, 2019

page 6 GUITAR, from page 3 who graduated with his bachelor’s in engineering but still remains closely involved with the project, said the project had its fair share of doubters. The idea has been attempted multiple times before, but this version is by far the most complicated and the most successful.

“No one else expected it to work,” Kirsch said. “They thought it was too complicated.

When we finally presented it, one of the guys who said there was no way it was going to work said, ‘I don’t understand how you did this.’ He called it black magic.”

Despite the skeptics, Kirsch said the team always remained confident. It took a lot of long nights, but they eventually accomplished their goals.

“A few days before, I real-

BIOFUEL, from page 3 Wang said.

Wang’s group is not limited to plants, his team also studies fungi. Their research is mostly based on carbohydrates.

Wang is most interested in the subtractor side of this process, which is the housing of the assembly of molecules that network. An example of subtractor is the part of the plant which is the primary cell wall is the faster growing part. It shifts the focus to the secondary cell wall which is the part where the cell stops growing. Where the

ized it wasn’t physically possible to put it together, so I had to make a lot of last minute modifications,” Kirsch said.

Although Kirsch emphasized the stress the team was under in the last few days before the presentation, he mentioned his respect for Kuznetsov as an inspiration.

“Nikita’s great,” Kirsch said.

“Making him happy was worth it.”

Although the difficult part of developing the device is over, Kuznetsov said that his project has a higher ultimate goal of becoming a commonplace rehabilitation method.

“I want to do something that helps with the quality of life in the community,” Kuznetsov said.

“Down the line, this could be used for people with Parkinson’s, children with Autism or aging adults. It could really be helpful in a variety of situations.” cell stops growing, the plants become thicker, and that helps create biofuel, Wang said.

Corn is related to biofuel in the fact that ethanol, seen in most gasoline today, comes mostly from corn. According to Wang, one third of the U.S.’ corn is eventually converted to ethanol.

Wang’s background is in physical chemistry. He got his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Now, his research includes him studying biological systems, which is considered more of a biophysical chemistry.

COURTSEY OF NIKITA KUZNETSOV

LSU Kinesiology Professor Nikita Kuznetsov and his students created an adaptive guitar to help rehabilitate stroke victims.

HAYNIE, from page 3 years at the University. Haynie believes students will take all their classes online and step on campus only to receive their diploma in the near future.

Whether a prospective student decides to attend classes on campus or on a computer, Haynie assures all students are put on a path for the same goal.

“It’s critical for both me and LSU President F. King Alexander that every student that comes to LSU, we have confidence in their ability to succeed and that we ensure they cross that stage,” Haynie said. “The goal is that final handshake.”

Haynie has also been focused on improving the livelihood of the faculty, and her previous experience in various positions at the University has helped give her an understanding of the changes that need to be made and the issues that must be focused on.

“One of the areas we want

to ensure we’re moving the University forward is to enhance the support for the creative and scholarly works of the faculty,” Haynie said. “Our faculty are creating the knowledge that is the marketplace of ideas, and they’re walking straight into our classrooms and sharing it with our students.”

The hiring of Haynie for the highly-coveted position is a step of progress for the University’s commitment to a diverse staff.

Along with her hiring, it has been widely published that the 2018-2019 freshman class is the most diverse in the University’s history.

Haynie received her bachelor’s degree in theaterand a master’s degree in political science from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. She received her Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Texas.

After joining LSU’s Department of Political Science in 1990, Haynie had many different posi-

tions leading up to her position as executive vice president and provost.

Haynie grew up in Henrietta, Texas, a small suburb of Wichita Falls, where she recalled picking cotton and driving a tractor at her grandfather’s ranch at 8 years old. She said she knows the importance of a college education because she’s seen herself go from a small North Texas city to the executive vice president and provost of Louisiana’s premier University.

The position is a culmination of all the tasks Haynie has worked for in her entire career.

Her passion for seeing students succeed and get the right education makes the job personal for her, and shaking a student’s hand on stage is the ultimate gift for her efforts, Haynie said.

“I care very deeply and passionately about this institution, the quality of the students here is just stunning,” Haynie said. “It’s such a joy to work with them and on behalf of them.”

“It’s critical for both me and LSU President F. King Alexander that every student that comes to LSU, we have confidence in their ability to succeed and that we ensure they cross that stage.”

STACIA HAYNIE

LSU Vice President COURTSEY OF STACIA HAYNIE MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille

LSU Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry Tuo Wang stands in Choppin Hall on Jan. 24.

LSU selected Stacia Haynie as Vice President and provost on Dec. 21, 2018

SPORTS

MARIBETH GORSUCH

ANTOINE DUPLANTIS

page 7

ZACK HESS

SHELBI SUNSERI

BACK ON BASE

Baseball and softball fell short in 2018, but they look to bounce back in 2019, page 9

page 8

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

OPINION

2019 baseball season could provide spark for state’s sports fans CAL’D UP

of Tiger baseball excites fans who reach back into their memories to CHRIS CALDARERA relive the moments of championship glory from such a storied and @caldarera11 successful program.

LSU fans are far from being Louisiana’s winter season trapped in the past though. This should be considered the eighth year’s edition of LSU baseball wonder of the world. is expected to couple the vetSome days, a bitter cold grips eran leadership returning from the land as clouds cover the sky in last season’s team with elite talan overcast thick enough to make ent incoming from the Tigers’ people forget about the sun’s top-ranked recruiting class. existence.

While the hype around the This would also be an appro- 2019 team has certainly been built priate description of the current high enough to culminate in a No. state of sports in Louisiana. The 1 preseason rank by various pollsting of the Saints’ loss in the ing outlets, I would personally NFC Championship and the re- prefer to analyze the team some cent revelation of Pelicans power more before I open myself back forward Anthony Davis’s trade re- up to the possibility of heartbreak. quest have frozen hearts and left Let’s start with what we know. many of us wondering if we’ll ever Junior right-hander Zack Hess will feel the glowing embrace of the be the Friday night starter for the sun again.

Tigers, no questions asked. After Luckily, there is another side bursting onto the scene in 2017 as to winters in Louisiana. I’m re- a dominant closer who posted a ferring to those days when you 7-1 record with four saves and an walk outside wearing a light earned run average of 3.12, Hess jacket or long sleeve as beams of struggled to mold into the role of light pierce through the clouds a starting pitcher. to remind you that the sun is LSU coach Paul Mainieri said still shining and warmer days Hess made significant strides in are ahead. the summer, and I think fans will To many, LSU’s baseball media see more control and consistenday was the ray of sunshine that cy from the Friday night starter began to loosen the frosty clutch- this year. es of our sports winter. The return Eric Walker will take the Sun-

day starter duties after returning from injury, which forced the sophomore to sit out all of 2018.

Walker exhibited some of the best control on a 2017 Tiger staff that included the likes of LSU greats Jared Poche and Alex Lange. If Walker’s 2019 performance resembles anything like his freshman year, the Tigers will have a solid anchor in the Sunday role.

LSU will have a few options to choose from to fill the Saturday role in the starting pitching rotation, but Mainieri has already indicated that incoming freshman Landon Marceaux will be given the first shot at the job.

I foresee Matthew Beck, Caleb Gilbert, Ma’Khail Hilliard and Todd Peterson being the players that the Tigers rely on most out of the bullpen, and all have proven to be reliable options.

LSU’s hitting appears to be a bit foggier than the pitching staff, but even this area is anchored by veterans.

Outfielders Antoine Duplantis, Daniel Cabrera and Zach Watson will be staples in the Tigers’ lineup, and the return of junior Josh Smith after an injury-plagued 2018 certainly bodes well for the LSU offense.

However, LSU’s lineup is not without question marks. Junior college transfer Saul Garza suffered a knee injury in the fall and will begin the year at the DH position, leaving fellow junior college transfer Brock Mathis to start the year behind the dish. While both are promising newcomers, fans won’t know what to expect until both see playing time at the Division I level.

Tiger fans will also have to wait on the first base battle to finish playing out as freshman Cade Beloso, C.J. Willis and Gavin Dugas will all compete for playing time.

Personally, I think the most important development to LSU’s offense in 2019 will be the potential improvement of infielders Hal Hughes and Brandt Broussard. Hughes and Broussard have proven their worth defensively, but both struggled at the plate last year hitting .221 and .260, respectively.

Hughes and Broussard will most likely be filling the eight and nine spots in LSU’s lineup, meaning that they’ll either be crucial to turning the lineup over to the bigger hitters or potential dead weight at the bottom of the order.

I think we’ll see both of these players take the role of the former instead of the latter as they grow more comfortable in their second seasons with the team.

Regardless of how this year’s LSU baseball team turns out, I’m confident that there are brighter days ahead for Louisiana sports.

However, I also happen to believe that the 2019 installment of Tiger baseball will be a special one, and I have a strong feeling that there could be a 19th trip to Omaha on the horizon.

CALEB BOURQUE / The Reveille

The LSU Tigers baseball team cheers before LSU’s 9-3 victory over University of Tennessee in Alex Box Stadium on April 13, 2018.

CALEB BOURQUE / The Reveille

LSU players hang out in the dugout during LSU’s 9-3 victory over University of Tennessee in Alex Box Stadium on April 13, 2018.

DIANNA ROXAS / The Reveille

LSU baseball players gather together before the game during the Tigers’ 8-1 victory against Toledo on Friday, Mar. 2, 2018, at Alex Box Stadium.

CALEB BOURQUE / The Reveille

LSU coach Paul Mainieri stands in Alex Box Stadium during LSU’s 9-3 victory over University of Tennessee on April 13, 2018.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

page 9

SOFTBALL

Gorsuch accepts responsibility as veteran on pitching staff

BY MYLES KUSS @KussMyles The LSU softball team lost two All-American pitchers in Carley Hoover and Allie Walljasper from last season and will continue to hear their names this season.

For a team constantly described as both old and young, LSU coach Beth Torina will need to look for someone to step up early in the season to fill the pitching void.

After softball media day, one name stands above the rest as someone who could fill the void: Maribeth Gorsuch.

The 5-foot-10 junior from Texas is ready to take on the mature role that the two pitchers left and lead her Tigers on the field.

Having appeared in 17 games a year ago, Gorsuch does have experience, but was frequently overshadowed by Hoover and Walljasper. This added pressure to now become a focal point on the team has not seemed to bother her in the slightest.

“I am super excited to a leader on this pitching staff,” Gorsuch said. “I think we have the chance to go out and compete and win games.”

While having the experience on the field, she is looking to transition from being the student to the teacher for the young stars.

“I learned a lot from Allie [Walljasper] and Carley [Hoover] on and off the field,” Gorsuch said. “I learned a lot about how to compete and throw to batters. This year, I feel like, being the most experienced, I have to teach the younger players now.”

Torina has always worked closely with her pitchers as she heads into her eighth season as LSU head coach, and Gorsuch is no different.

“I think [Gorsuch] is going to do a really good job leading this team,” Torina said. “I think she is prepared, put in her time, and waited for this opportunity.”

Even though Gorsuch is one of the only returning pitchers,

the Tigers have recruited new freshmen to ease the workload in Shelby Wickersham, Baylie Thornhill and Ali Kilponen, who have received nothing but praise from coach Torina and everyone surrounding the program.

These two ladies do bring the talent necessary to compete, but need a strong presence that Gorsuch wants and will deliver to them.

“I feel like whenever they come to me about questions, I use what I did learn from Allie [Walljasper] and Carley [Hoover] last year to answer those questions,” Gorsuch said. “If I see them struggle, I help in any way that I can. It is a big transition.”

Gorsuch is taking on the mature role of a returning junior in full stride with her play and words.

To keep her role on the team lasting and respected, Gorsuch looks to her same routine on the field to keep her and the Tigers going throughout the season with a slight twist.

“I am doing the same thing

The Reveille Archives

LSU sophomore pitcher Maribeth Gorsuch (6) pitches the ball during the Tigers’ 7-3 win over WKU on March 13, 2018, at Tiger Park. as last year when it comes to the drills I do, and the workouts we throw,” Gorsuch said. “I may have a little bit of a different

mindset when it comes to pitching in general for the transition from learning to teaching others, but I am playing the same way.”

BASEBALL

LSU brings rejuvenated pitching rotation into 2019 season

BY BRENNEN NORMAND BrennenNormand_ Finishing the 577 innings of the 2018 season with 312 earned runs and a 4.87 earned run average is not the way LSU envisioned its final pitching stats to look.

After such a talented pitching staff in 2017, with Alex Lange and Jared Poché leading the way, the Tigers expected then-sophomore Zack Hess to move from the closer role and take over a starting job efficiently in 2018.

Hess had an inconsistent season but said that helped him to figure out what he needs to do as a starter and is confident he can bounce back and lead the rotation.

“Understanding what it’s like to go out there and get blown up in the third inning and then going out there and throwing eight shutout innings,” Hess said. “Just being able to kind of figure out more consistently what you’re doing when you’re successful, so I think just having that experience is really going to help me in 2019.”

Having a confident Fridaynight starter will help build confidence in a young pitching staff.

Championship teams tend to always have deep, talented pitching staffs, and after experiencing Florida’s star-studded 2017 pitching staff and Oregon State’s in 2018, LSU coach Paul Mainieri knew he had to recruit young stars of his own.

He signed seven Major League Baseball draft picks,

including four pitchers —Landon Marceaux, Cole Henry, Easton McMurray and Jaden Hill.

These four freshman will add to the talented returning staff with Hess as the Fridaynight starter, sophomore righthander Eric Walker as the Sunday starter.

He played a key role on the 2017 pitching staff, but missed the entire 2018 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Mainieri said things could have been different in the 2017 College World Series if he were healthy.

The Saturday starter is still in question. After a stellar 2018 season, sophomore Ma’Khail Hilliard was expected to fill the role, but he is still injured after battling shoulder soreness that returned last week. He was shut down in the fall, but is scheduled to pitch an intersquad on Feb. 1. Mainieri will reevaluate following the scrimmage.

Mainieri said Marceaux will most likely be the Saturday-starter because he is the “most polished” of the pitchers battling for that spot.

Marceaux is confident he can be successful in the high-pressure role.

“I have trust in all of my pitches,” Marceaux said. “I throw them all with conviction. If it’s the wrong pitch to throw, you throw it with conviction and you still have a chance.”

Marceaux was the No. 1 ranked player in Louisiana and selected in the 37th round of the MLB draft by the New York Yankees. He features a four pitch arsenal — four-seam fastball,

two-seam fastball, curveball and changeup.

The ability to control both sides of the plate is critical, especially in the talent-laden SEC. Marceaux said he feels comfortable throwing armside and glove-side, which is a rare trait in young pitchers.

Behind the trio of Hess, Marceaux and Walker is the Tigers odd bullpen.

With baseball on a trend of moving to matchups more frequently in recent years, the Tigers only have one left-handed pitcher on the roster, freshman Easton McMurray.

The rest of the bullpen is predominately made up of hard throwing right-handers. Mainieri said that he gives pitching coach Alan Dunn a lot of authority on recruiting pitchers and to get the best guys out there, and this year the players they signed were almost all right-handers.

This predicament is not lost on Mainieri.

“Some of the best pitchers have been left-handed — Jared Poché and Nick Bush,” Mainieri said.

Continuing the trend of right-handers is junior Todd Peterson. After the unforgettable performance in the 2018 SEC tournament from the man who hit “bombs,” Peterson looks to carry that success into this season from a different role as a closer.

Mainieri said that Peterson grew after that game and has improved on the mound significantly since coming in and

throwing five shutout innings in that tournament game. During his freshman year, he was able to see Hess and his success from the same role. Peterson will take over Hess’ former role and have one of the hardest jobs in baseball, getting the final three outs.

With a little over two weeks away from opening day, Mainieri has a strong idea of how strong this pitching staff is — big, talented and confident. It’s likely that no one will truly know the full potential of this staff until conference play begins, so the only thing left to do is have the same attitude as the team, “take each game one at a time.”

CHRISTA MORAN / The Reveille

LSU freshman infielder Hal Hughes (3) catches the ball during the win against Hawaii on March 10, 2018, at Alex Box Stadium.

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Wednesday, January 30, 2019

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page 11

TREASURE TROVE PHO TOS BY

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Baton Rouge has a hidden trove of antique shops for those looking to add a little originality to their lives

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

page 12

Announcements

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Retired LSU professor in need of meal preparation/assistance 5 days a week (Mon-Fri). Hours are 5-7 pm. Duties include meal preparation and clean-up. Gentleman has minimal mobility and unable to assist. Need a reliable individual willing to work throughout the year (spring/summer/fall semesters). Serious inquiries please call 703.599.2254.

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ENTERTAINMENT LEAPIN’ LIZARDS

page 13 FOOD AND DRINK

Provisions on Perkins caters to new audience

BY ENJANAE’ TAYLOR @_queenet_

what may be slithering in their backyards. They go to schools to teach and they also host parties. Matherne wishes to share with guests how amazing these animals can be as pets.

“Come to the shows,” Matherne said. “Come talk to the people that actually care for the animals every day. We’ll let you hold them, we’ll talk to you, we’ll educate you, we’ll answer any questions that you may have. Be open because while you may not think you’ll ever touch a snake or a chameleon or a bearded dragon, we’ll change your mind.”

Repticon is open to a di-

Paul McGoey whips up all your food provisions with a new and fun twist.

Provisions on Perkins is owned and created by Louisiana native Paul McGoey. McGoey, an LSU alumnus, and his wife have many ties to Baton Rouge including a son who helps manage the restaurant and a daughter who is currently enrolled at the University.

McGoey’s passion for food started at a young age while working in his family business at 10 years old and working throughout high school and college. He reminisces on going to restaurants like Mike Anderson’s while in college.

What’s different about Provisions on Perkins? They’re aiming to target the middle age demographic with a new environment and eating atmosphere.

McGoey believes restaurant owners must stay two steps ahead of the consumer and focus on the future.

There are so many food choices in Baton Rouge at the moment that people enjoy. McGoey realizes that providing the best service and food continuously is what will make Provisions’ customers remain loyal.

“We’re trying to be a place that the 25- to 45-year-old crowd can go [to] that’s just not a bar environment or a fast-casual environment,” McGoey said.

see REPTICON, page 16

see PROVISIONS, page 16

Repticon brings exotic reptiles to Baton Rouge area

BY WHITNEY HICKS @whitchicks Whether you’re looking to conquer a fear, get a new pet or simply learn something new, Repticon promises to cater to your every need.

Repticon is a nationwide reptile and exotic animal expo that features breeders, vendors and educators. The show features a wide variety of creatures including snakes, lizards, tarantulas, scorpions, rodents and almost anything else that can slither or crawl. Repticon Baton Rouge took place on Jan. 26 and 27 at

the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

The event is family-oriented with seminars every hour to teach guests about animals not usually available in pet stores. These seminars vary in subject from lessons on a specific creature to tutorials on how to build the perfect home for your new or old pets.

Breeder vendors are available to teach you about their animals, how to care for them and which one might be the perfect pet for you. Vendors are always ready to introduce you to the world of reptiles, no matter how apprehensive you may

be. Many vendors will allow live interactions with their animals.

Erica Matherne is a former veterinary technician who used to work for Audubon Zoo. When she became disabled, she turned to her pets as a new hobby and soon began breeding crested geckos. Soon, her hobby expanded to include corn snakes and king snakes.

As her hobby grew, she partnered with her brother who has a business degree and created Crested Moon Reptiles. They use their business to teach kids about snakes native to Louisiana and

ART

‘Mister Balloon Hands’ brings nostalgic art to streets of Louisiana

BY MASIE O’TOOLE @masieotoole Growing old is inevitable, but growing up is optional.

Louisiana-based artist Mister Balloon Hands embodies this mentality exactly. Though his identity may be a mystery to the public, his style is definitely recognizable. His eccentric murals and stand-alone paintings heavily feature notable, nostalgic cartoon characters and pop culture icons. Simply put, they are memorable.

Mister Balloon Hands now has works of art all around the state, but he says he only recently became an artist. He had

always fostered an interest, but never acted on it. After moving to New Orleans in 2011, he befriended a local artist that encouraged him to start drawing, and later, to continue creating.

“My friend ACHOO said he liked my balloon character and told me to keep drawing it,” he said. “I haven’t stopped since.”

He kept experimenting with his style and different characters, occasionally posting his creations on social media. Before long, he gained a following — and a nickname. “Mister Balloon Hands” comes from a viral video by Dan Deacon and Liam Lynch called “Drinking Out of Cups.”

“I would post [my paintings] on social media sometimes and people would often quote that video,” the artist said. “The name just kind of stuck.”

Now, eight years later, Mister Balloon Hands has brought his style right to the gates of The University. Barcadia’s newest decoration, a vibrant, Q*bertinspired mural, is a perfect representation of the nostalgic, playful theme his art has come to represent.

The artist says his style developed from his childhood love of cartoons. He enjoys adding lifelike touches and details to normally flat characters, essentially fitting them into a

courtesy of MISTER BALLOON HANDS

Mister Balloon Hands’ art can be found all over Louisiana. universe of his own creation.

Mister Balloon Hands’s style

see HANDS, page 16

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

page 14 MUSIC

New Orleans traffic dancer makes musical debut in Red Stick

BY RACHEL MIPRO @remroc15 New Orleans’ No 1. traffic dancer 5WAG came to Baton Rouge to pioneer his new musical style.

5WAG, who recently became a songwriter in addition to his dancing, performed at the Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room on Jan 26 for the first time. His music, rap-floetry, is supposed to be inspirational and suitable for all age groups. He wants it to be both entertaining and uplifting.

5WAG “It’s an R&B motivational, Musician inspirational dancing hype music type thing,” 5WAG said.

“It kind of fell upon me and I pretty much like doing this, it’s fun. It’s a hobby of mine.”

5WAG is an entertainer for hire, dancing in front of businesses like Liberty Tax and Taco Bell to bring attention to them. He’s out in all weather, sometimes dancing with a sign, sometimes wearing a costume.

Dancing has been his lifelong interest, something he does every single day.

5WAG started dancing at a very early age and kept

practicing even through extreme bullying in high school.

When he was attacked after graduation, it took him three months to recover from a shattered jaw, time he spent practicing. For him, dancing was an outlet.

“It made me want to keep going because I didn’t have

and churches.

5WAG wants to promote both his music and his dancing, hoping to eventually alternate between the two, or combine them. In his performance at the Henry Turner Jr’s Listening Room, he did both, hoping to gain more exposure and new audiences after promoting his work in the LSU Student Union.

5WAG first came up with the name for his music because he wants to communicate a certain type of image and mood.

Rap-floetry is supposed to be a new and changing style. “ F l o e t r y sounds like a river, it flows and doesn’t stay in one place but when you see it coming you feel a breeze,” 5WAG said. “It’s pretty cool.”

If his first performance at Henry Turner Jr’s Listening Room garners enough attention and publicity he hopes to expand in the area, maybe even starting to traffic dance for Baton Rouge businesses. For now, his immediate goal is to give a good show.

“Dance a little bit, rap a little but, give you guys the whole show, the whole night long,” 5WAG said.

It made me want to keep going because I didn’t have anything else. I put all my pain in it, all my frustration.

anything else,” 5WAG said.

“I put all my pain in it, all my frustration.”

Since then, 5WAG has become a familiar figure in New Orleans, where there’s a mural depicting him dancing in costume. He’s been interviewed and featured on nola.com as the best traffic dancer in the New Orleans area.

Videos of him dancing and rapping are posted on YouTube, and he was also shown in the movie “Girls Trip.” 5WAG has also performed at festivals

Kristin Selle / The Reveille

Musician 5WAG performed in Baton Rouge at the Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room on Jan 26.

BUSINESS

Tigerland partly refurbished with new, updated entrance sign

BY PEYTON DAVIS @peytongdavis When people think of LSU, they may think of the amazing athletics, the innovative academic programs or even the famous Mike the Tiger. People may also think of Tigerland. Whether they like it or not, Tigerland is and has been an important part of the culture here at LSU. Most weekends and even some weeknights, students can be found having a good time at one of the six bars that make up Tigerland. Theme nights like T-Shirt night at Reggie’s and Thirsty Thursday have further increased the traffic at this popular party spot. The nights the bars offer free cover and drink specials draw even more of a crowd.

Besides the bars, one of the most well-known parts of Tigerland is the infamous Tigerland sign. It was almost like a right of passage for students to take pictures with their friends hanging in front of the sign and post them on social media. But, at the end of 2018 the old sign was torn down and replaced with a new one.

This development has been a long time coming. Marc

Fraioli, the owner of Fred’s, came up with the design for the new sign 10 years ago. However, it wasn’t until recently that all of the bars were able to secure the funding that was needed.

The design of the new sign was intended to be sturdy and last as long as possible. The old sign had been up for over 40 years. A lot can happen during that time.

“All of the bars put money in and all thought it was a good idea and fresh new look,” said Fred’s general manager Jason Nays. “LSU is such a destination for out-of-towners and the new sign would step it up.”

Tigerland has been attracting more than just LSU students and people who live in the Baton Rouge area. During football season especially, people from all over the country come to check out the area. The owners of the bars are doing their best to keep the crowds safe, upgrade the bars and improve with every passing year.

Students have varying opinions about the new sign.

However, a majority of them feel that the new sign doesn’t really match the rest of Tigerland.

“It’s a classy upgrade, but it’s not really the same.” said animal science freshman

courtesy of JASON NAYS

Tigerland replaced its sign with a newer, more modern looking design.

Lainey Stewart.

Sports administration junior Samantha Larsen also feels that the sign isn’t really the same, but there is an upside to the new sign.

“It doesn’t match the decor because Tigerland is pretty ratchet and the new sign isn’t ratchet,” Larsen said. “It’s too formal, but now people can’t hang off of it like they hung off

the old one.”

If any students feel especially sentimental and miss the sign dearly, they can always go visit it at Fred’s where it is hanging in the outdoor section of the bar.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

REV R ANKS SEX EDUCATION

Eleven Film The show is different from other teen shows where sex is either implied or shown briefly. In “Sex Education”, the characters bare all, literally. The opening scene in the first episode is a sex scene between two teenagers and there is full frontal nudity. Also in the first episode, Adam flashes the entire school and the audience gets a full view of his package.

Peyton Davis @peytongdavis

REPLICAS

Company Films And although the plotline seems serious enough, the movie throws away any chance it has to make the viewer seem genuinely concerned for the well-being of the characters. Every tense moment is upended by some inexplicable plot hole or strange moment that draws more laughs than causes concern. There is no saving how purely terrible this film is.

Richard Haydel @magnetodorito

THE UPSIDE The Vamps

This film surpassed all of my expectations. It was funny when it needed to be, serious and emotional in key moments, and heartfelt and genuine through the entirety of the film. I walked in expecting to enjoy it, but I left pleasantly surprised at how much I actually did.

EnJanae’ Taylor @_queenet_

COMPLAINT George Watsky

Each song can stand on its own, because it’s a snapshot of the rapper’s life at that given moment, almost like a diary entry. Any artificiality is thrown out the window, and the artist is able to tackle issues that are typically tiptoed around with ease. He’s speaking what he’s feeling, not writing for the radio.

Masie O’Toole @masieotoole

Read the full reviews online at lsunow.com/entertainment

page 15

Netf lix’s ‘Fyre’ documentary triumphs over Hulu’s ‘Fyre Fraud’

BY LIA SALIME @liasalime It was the greatest train wreck of 2017. Most people watched it unravel over social media. Now, Netflix and Hulu give unique insights into the epic Fyre Festival, a festival failure unlike anything before its time, or, if you’re look at it from a different perspective, the greatest campaign ever launched by an advertising company.

Netflix’s “Fyre: The Greatest Party that Never Happened” tells the story from the perspective of Fyre Festival employees and other parties involved, as well as employees of other ventures conceived by Fyre Festival creator and founder, Billy McFarland. The documentary overlaps recorded footage of the months preceding the festival with pointof-view interviews with the staff, presented in a linear timeline.

The footage shows what happened in the Bahamas in preparation for the festival. A lot of parties, drinking and having fun, but actual construction for the festival didn’t begin until approximately four months before the event.

In contrast, Hulu’s “Fyre Fraud” tells the story in a true crime documentary format partly told by McFarland himself.

The documentary starts with a biography of McFarland and his previous failed ventures like Magnises that eventually led to Fyre Festival. From early on, the documentary sheds light on the fraudulent proceedings that took place in order to bring Fyre Fest to its short-lived, life-support existence.

Netflix’s “Fyre” shows how little preparation and thought went into the actual planning of the event. McFarland spent most of $4 million renting luxury offices in Manhattan for the Fyre App and Fyre Fest staff. The original purpose of the festival was actually to market the Fyre App, an application meant to help people book talent for their private events.

Perhaps the most comic moment in the entire Netflix documentary, producer Andy King shares how McFarland asked him to perform oral sex on the Bahamian head of customs, so that they would release four 18-wheelers filled with Evian

courtesy of CINEMART & JERRY MEDIA

water without having to pay the $175,000 tax fee. What’s worse, King, a respected figure with a career spanning 30 years, was willing to “take one for the team”. He ultimately didn’t have to but the fact no one planned for a customs fee really shows the level of inexperience for everyone involved planning such an event.

The comedy ends quickly, though. The Netflix doc reveals that the 200 Bahamian workers who worked tirelessly day and night to try to pull off the festival were never paid for their work. Maryann Rolle, Exuma Point Restaurant owner, provided meals for the entire staff and workers for weeks. She never received payment for her work and spent $50,000 of her own money to pay her own employees for their work.

The most shocking detail of Netflix’s “Fyre” is how easily ad agency F*ckJerry Media was able to create the allusion of Fyre Fest with a simple concept. When the infamous video featuring Bella Hadid, Hailey Baldwin and Emily Ratajkowski premiered, the grounds didn’t exist and there was nothing on Norman’s Cay, the island where the video was shot. The location of the festival was later moved to Great Exuma because of the organizers’ failure to comply with a request from the owner of Norman’s Cay that Pablo Escobar’s name not be mentioned in any of

the promotions.

Hulu’s “Fyre Fraud” features some of the influencers that were flown down to the event. Unlike paying customers, some of the influencers like CC Clarke and Alyssa Lynch, stayed in luxury accommodations. Clarke was placed on a cruise ship whereas Lynch was placed in a villa. In the doc, Lynch shares how she did “feel really bad” for them as she’s holding back laughter.

Lynch is also an actress and I’m never watching anything she’s in, if she’s ever in anything relevant.

It also demonstrates how incapable of remorse McFarland really is. Throughout the documentary, McFarland demonstrates that he is a pathological liar. Moreover, Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Bruce Atkins, fails to take accountability for his complicity in the affair.

Both documentaries work as complementary pieces, each shedding light on different aspects of the people who took part in the questionable activities that led to Fyre Fest. However, if I had to choose one, it’d be Netflix’s “Fyre”, which shows the harrowing truth of the festival and the true victims – the Bahamian workers who never received any payment for their tireless work, and the investors who were deceived by McFarland into thinking they were putting their money on already profitable ventures.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

page 16 HANDS, from page 13

PROVISIONS, from page 13

skillfully balances pre-existing characters and personal touches, creating something recognizable but still unique. His pieces evoke nostalgia, but still remain fresh and exciting to view — something that many modern artists fail to achieve.

“I grew up watching cartoons my whole life,” Mister Balloon Hands said. “Now that I’ve created my own style of work, I wanted to be able to put my spin on the characters and pop icons that influenced me the most.”

The anonymous artist has numerous murals in both public and private locations, mostly in the New Orleans area. His characters adorn the walls of tattoo parlors, pizza restaurants and art collectives alike, but he hasn’t limited himself to just large-scale, spray-painted works.

Mister Balloon Hands also produces art in a more portable form. His list of mediums is expansive, from tiny plaques to school buses, but he enjoys utilizing acrylic paints and canvas to bring his creations to life.

Some of these works are available for sale on his Instagram, @mrballoonhandsfu, and he

Working in the food industry for over 15 years has given McGoey experience in multiple areas including consulting. His consulting work is done though OnePack Hospitality Group. As the founder, he’s worked on many of Louisiana’s beloved restaurants like New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co., Legacy Kitchen and The Vintage.

It may have been a while since he’s worked directly in the Baton Rouge area, but he admits that “the blocking and tackling of the restaurant business hasn’t changed.” Similar to what we believe for our football team, he believes for the restaurant business.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re good 95 percent of time, you got to be good 100 percent of the time,” McGoey said.

Provisions on Perkins is giving their customers a wide variety by offering an array of choices on their menu. To keep it interesting, Provisions has one food of every cooking style on their menu, and dishes will consistently change as time goes on. This way, Provisions can truly offer all of the food necessities needed in life.

Grilled, chopped, fried — Provisions has it all cooked anyway you like.

Their current fan favorite is their crawfish cornbread cooked in a skillet. If they decide to replace it, something else cooked in a skillet will take its place.

“I think that’s something different and I don’t think anybody is doing that version,” McGoey said.

He believes to be successful he has to stay two steps ahead of the consumer — all consumers. Being so close to campus gives the restaurant buzz within the younger crowd, but to McGoey, he can’t just cater to students.

Groups of all ages are meant to enjoy eating at Provisions. McGoey hopes to have a menu with food that all ages can enjoy.

courtesy of MISTER BALLOON HANDS

Mister Balloon Hands’ art can be found all over Louisiana, including Baton Rouge. even does commissions if a buyer has something specific in mind.

Mister Balloon Hands is bringing creative interpretations of well-loved characters to

Louisiana. After only a few years of creating, his art can be found all around the state. Though his pieces are all unique, each sends a clear message to the public: never grow up.

REPTICON, from page 13 verse range of reptile lovers and enthusiasts from people who are just a little curious to reptile experts and connoisseurs. Repticon Baton Rouge even allows patrons to bring their own snakes, lizards and other creatures to join in on the fun.

Ebony Bethly and her redtailed boa constrictor, Onyx, says that reptile conventions like Repticon are great for those looking to one day purchase a reptile of their own. Bethly says it’s a great opportunity to be around these kinds of animals and get to know them a little bit better.

“At first I used to be deathly afraid of snakes but after doing my research and everything and then finally holding one, I was like, ‘They’re not bad at all,’” Bethly said. “You have to be one-on-one with it so you can know if it’s really something you don’t like.”

For Bethly, a massive boa constrictor makes the perfect companion.

“She’s really easy to main-

courtesy of REPTICON

Repticon gives patrons an opportunity to interact with snakes, turtles and more. tain. You don’t have to feed her everyday like a dog, you don’t have to take her outside,” Bethly said. “She likes people so I can pretty much take her anywhere.”

In addition to live interactions and informational seminars, Repticon also sells accessories for reptile owners including cages,

You Are Not Alone.

accessories and live or frozen feed.

There are also a free-entry raffles held throughout the day for guests to win prizes.

There are three more chances this year to catch Repticon Baton Rouge at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center on April 13 and 14, July 6 and 7 and Dec. 14 and 15.

NAIF OTHMAN / The Reveille

Provisions on Perkins operates under normal business hours on Jan.17.

“You got to find that balance of being exciting and being a little cutting edge, but at the same time being consistent in your operation so you can build up a strong customer base,” McGoey said.

When asked about the future of the OnePack Hospitality group, McGoey explained that Provisions is their current focus. Provisions has many great accommodations like a bar, lounge, patio and private room that could really help it expand successfully and promote different events. He shared that he would consider branching out to different areas if the demographic target was there.

“I think that’s what’s most appealing about the Provision brand,” McGoey said. “Again, it’s the necessities, whether you’re in Nashville or Birmingham or Austin, you know, everybody needs the necessities.”

For now, Perkins Road is buzzing about Provisions and McGoey is excited about its success.

“We didn’t set out to create a Baton Rouge restaurant, we didn’t set out to create a New Orleans restaurant in Baton Rouge, we set out to create a restaurant that people would enjoy,” McGoey said.

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NAIF OTHMAN / The Reveille

Provisions on Perkins operates under normal business hours on Jan.17.

OPINION GLASS CEILING I SAID WHAT I SAID

MAYA STEVENSON @colormemaya

The 2018 election cycle was a groundbreaking year for women in government. Over 100 women were elected to Congress, 36 of which are new. This number is record-breaking, beating a previous high from 1992.

Of these, there were several firsts for minorities, including the first Muslim-American and Native-American congresswomen. It’s admirable how much America has progressed, but it’s disheartening to see how much it still hasn’t.

With the larger presence of women in the legislative branch, criticism has become harsher than ever.

The public and the media should not be concerning themselves with these women’s personal lives. These are women who have fought for their seats by demonstrating their intelligence and competence in their campaigns and political careers. Instead of focusing on the substantive issues, we’re worrying about what they did in high school or the loans they took out for higher education.

On Jan. 2, a Twitter user posted a video of Rep. Alexandria OcasioCortez dancing in college, which triggered a media frenzy distracting from her groundbreaking politics. I don’t know how or when, but apparently dancing has become an activity of the ignorant. It’s also extremely relevant to a person’s knowledge of politics.

Go figure.

In true AOC fashion, the freshman representative hit back. She posted a video of her dancing in front

Increased number of women in politics exposes lingering sexism, misogyny

courtesy of WIKIMEDIA

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, recently announced her bid for the 2020 presidential election. of her office on Capitol Hill. OcasioCortez made history with her election, becoming the youngest woman to ever serve in Congress at the age of 29. Because of her outspoken nature and progressive views, she has faced an incredible amount of criticism. Perplexingly, the most prominent remarks are attacks on her as a person. Ocasio-Cortez is not alone

in the irrelevant and meaningless criticism she is facing.

This month, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the first Muslim congresswomen, sent the political scene into chaos with her use of profanity when calling for the impeachment of the president. “We’re going to impeach the motherf---er,” Tlaib said in a speech on the night she was sworn in. The backlash from

her remarks was swift.

Amusingly enough, the very man she was criticizing is known as one of the most profane presidents to serve in the White House. He even used the same swear words she did in one of his speeches. He didn’t face backlash, however. Instead, he was hailed as authentic, a truth-teller and brave.

Why isn’t Tlaib seen the same way?

page 17

Tlaib was condemned because of the harsh double standard which exists in any given workplace, including Congress. She’s a woman; therefore, she’s supposed to be ladylike. Cursing, an uncouth and unbecoming habit according to many, is not a part of this profile.

Stacey Abrams, a gubernatorial candidate for Georgia in this last election season, was disparaged for her financial debt. With student loans and credit card debt in the hundreds of thousands, she was mischaracterized as careless and irresponsible.

Politicians and everyday American citizens alike suffer from financial troubles and debt. Former presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio struggled under the weight of student loans, as well. In the same age-old sexist pattern, he was seen as relatable and hard-working because of it. Essentially, the two political figures were in the same situation. However, Abrams’ treatment varied greatly from Rubio’s.

A pattern has arisen among newly-elected women in government.

While the majority of these women have hit back against sexist criticism, they shouldn’t have to. Men in the political realm don’t have to deal with criticism about their clothing choices, innocent adolescent antics or level of likability.

If we’re going to attack a political figure, it should be because of their platform or beliefs. Minuscule and inconsequential personal criticisms do not fit in this category. If you’re going to criticize such petty things, be sure to scrutinize men just as closely.

Maya Stevenson is a 19-year-old English and economics sophomore from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Computerized testing impersonal, detrimental to info retention LET ME BE FRANK MICHAEL FRANK @bigmpfrank98 I remember waiting outside of Himes Hall a few years ago, reviewing my poor excuse for note scribblings and thinking to myself then, as I do now, how the University’s policy on computerized testing is a love letter to bureaucracy. If you or someone you know is a bureaucrat, I’m sorry.

Recognizing the problem is always the first step.

Symptoms of bureaucratic behavior may include, but are not limited to, depersonalization, feelings of existential complacency, conglomeration and a love for all things over-complicated.

If you recognize these symptoms and are enrolled at the University, then there’s a good chance you’re feeling the after-effects of Himes Hall.

I get it — the University is a state school. Its infrastructure is large and its student body is pretty massive, but “state school” should not become synonymous with uncaring. The University doesn’t always have the funds necessary to tailor every student’s experience into something that fits

his or her learning ability, speed or testing preference, but the system spits out students ready for the workforce faster than those students can ask, “Wait, what did I learn here?”

But, that’s the purpose of the bureaucracy. If a student gets the grades, then it doesn’t matter what he actually learned in school. To quote the hypothetical freshman who returns home to find parents that aren’t too happy with his grades, “C’s get degrees.” Hypothetical freshman isn’t entirely wrong. The University’s plus-minus system has made it a bit more difficult for someone like him to squeeze by without having to learn anything. Computer-based testing is the epitome of rewarding students for memorization rather than engagement.

In 2012, authors Rakefet Ackerman and Tirza Lauterman performed a study on engineering students to document the difference between paper-based reading comprehension and computerized reading comprehension. They found students who read the material on paper tended to do better on the tests. When they asked students to predict their scores before administering the tests, students who read the material on

computers tended to overestimate how well they understood the material.

It’s worth noting that this study looked at the effects of studying on computers rather than testing on them, but the findings are fairly indicative of all computer-based readings. If a student is likely to read through computerized test questions faster and without rumination, then it seems that the student is less likely to retain the information covered on the exam.

A study published in 2015 by the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One found no difference in test scores for computer-based exams and paperbased testing, but they also stated that students should familiarize themselves with computer-based testing before taking one of these exams.

Considering that most high schools don’t use computer testing, it falls on the University to prepare incoming students for the unfamiliar testing mode. However, this plan relies on resources the University cannot accumulate without cutting funding to some other essential program.

The fate of the bureaucrat is always to operate within the red tape set by his superiors, so perhaps the

THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

A student enters the Center for Assessment and Evaluation on Oct. 14, 2015, in Himes Hall.

University doesn’t need to remove the red tape entirely. Since the study in PLOS One reported similar testing results for computer and paper tests, maybe the University can offer both forms of testing within Himes Hall.

The alternative would mean either giving students only in-class exams, an idealistic fantasy, or familiarizing each incoming student with the

testing interface, a program that would cost the University a massive amount of resources. It’s time the University stopped focusing on degrees granted and started focusing on information retention.

Michael Frank is a 22-year-old political science and English senior from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

page 18

Head Louisiana should cut TOPS for liberal arts majors THE MODERATE’S PROPOSAL PATRICK GAGEN @PattyGagen By indiscriminately subsidizing and underwriting student loans for all university majors, regardless of post-graduate income or employment opportunities, federal and state governments have inflated tuition prices and saddled young Americans with crippling student loan debt.

Instead of incentivizing students to pursue marketable college degrees, lawmakers decided it was a good idea to make the American taxpayer foot the bill for generalized higher education, having assumed any investment would pay for itself in future earnings.

Louisiana’s TOPS program, federal Pell grants, tax deductions and tax credits rely on this false assumption that any higher education subsidy is worth the expense of student loan debt and forfeited wages while in college, irrespective of the field of study.

Government subsidies and student loan underwriting for higher education isn’t without merit. In past decades, a concerted government effort to educate the American workforce fostered economic growth and development from a manufacturing economy to a service economy, which led to higher wage growth and lifetime earnings for college graduates.

Conversely, however, diminishing returns on higher education caused by spiking tuition and lower wage growth should force lawmakers to reconsider whether equally subsidizing high return on investment degrees and low return on investment degrees is a good idea. Lawmakers have failed to account for the variance in loan default risk carried by individual majors, which if accounted for would increase resulting interest rates for unmarketable majors and naturally push students away. Essentially, they have artificially kept all student loan interest rates, irrespective of future income, to a same low rate. While egalitarian, less marketable majors, such as mass communication, subsequently carry much higher risk of default when compared to more marketable majors, such as finance.

Lower paying and higher unemployment degrees should be of particular concern in lieu of the ballooning student loan debt and loan default rates. It’s no wonder then that rubber stamping all student loans, regardless of major marketability, have resulted in over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt nationwide and a projected default rate of nearly 40 percent by 2023. Clearly,

EDITORIAL BOARD Natalie Anderson Evan Saacks Hailey Auglair Luke Jeanfreau Hannah Kleinpeter Lynne Bunch

Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Opinion Editor Production Editor

federal and state governments need to think about whether the higher education loans American taxpayers subsidize and underwrite will be paid back.

While all majors pay roughly the same amount in annual tuition and room and board, $13,585 at public universities on average, the median annual earnings of 25- to 29-year-old degree recipients are vastly different. STEM fields earn an average of $60,100, with electrical and mechanical engineers earning well over $70,000 annually, while liberal arts and humanities, social work and human services and fine arts earn at or less than $40,000.

The problem from a creditor’s standpoint, which in many cases is the American taxpayer, is obvious.

Between high debt and low income, especially in the years immediately following graduation, those with degrees in either liberals arts and humanities, social work and human services or fine arts take significantly more time to pay interest accruing student loan debt, which means they end up paying more.

The bleak financial reality can be even bleaker for low return on investment degree recipients, especially if you fall into the 60 percent of full-time students who won’t graduate within four years. Tack on a victory lap or two, and the cost of college loans may follow you to the grave.

Moreover, because these higher debt, lower-paying and higher unemployment majors are spending so much of their income on student loans, they aren’t able to spend money elsewhere, such as on home mortgages, which drive the American economy and build individual wealth.

By no means should the government be equally subsidizing and underwriting lower-paying, higher unemployment majors and occupations. Not only do STEM and business majors lead to better paid occupations with lower unemployment, but there also exists a shortage of labor in some STEM subfields, such as petroleum engineering, software developing and data science.

Louisiana has an opportunity to proactively nudge its higher education student population into high-demand jobs by offering TOPS only for marketable majors. Public higher education for this state’s youth should start by putting them on a career path toward financial security with higher paying and lower unemployment jobs, and that means incentivizing majors that give them the best chance to succeed.

Patrick Gagen is a 21-year-old mass communication and finance senior from Suwanee, Georgia.

to

Head

Liberal arts foster intellectual thought, diversify public universities LET ME BE FRANK MICHAEL FRANK @BigMpfrank96 As many states question the role of liberal arts degrees in publiclyfunded schools, legislators and academics discuss what the consequences of removing these degree programs from public universities might entail. It seems at the center of these discussions is a pressing question: should states reduce education to focus on post-graduate earnings? In other words, should we value STEM or business degrees as the peak of higher-education simply because the recipients of these degrees earn more after graduation?

The argument assumes that an education subsidized by the state should only focus on degrees with the highest monetary return. Under this proposed solution to limited public spending, liberal arts degrees are first on the chopping block.

While some may say the answer to this issue is clear, I’m not sure those who nay-say the importance of liberal arts at public universities comprehend the implications of their proposed solution. Consequences are often unforeseeable, and as The New York Times reports, not everyone is so sure that reducing funding for liberal arts is a surefire economic strategy.

“We are not good at predicting what jobs are going to be required in five years and 10 years down the road,” said Debra Humphreys, senior vice president at the Association of American Colleges.

With the development of newer and faster technology, it’s possible society will soon value critical thinking and communication — skills garnered by liberal arts students — over degrees focusing on specific technical fields, such as finance or accounting.

It’s true that degree recipients in the humanities and liberal arts traditionally make less than other degree recipients. However, the National Association of Colleges and Employers reported in 2016 that the projected salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in the humanities was $46,065, only around $6,000 less than someone with a bachelor’s degree in business.

The wage disparity is not as dramatic as some may assume. Instead of under-funding liberal arts programs, universities should fund seminars based on post-grad information to ensure liberal art students know which jobs they should apply for.

If public universities did cut-off funding for liberal arts degrees, then a class-based economy of knowledge would result. Only those with enough money to afford education from private universities would have access to degrees in social sciences, humanities or other liberal arts. Most states tout large public universities as affordable education for people without the monetary ability to attend specialized private schools. Without accessible degrees in liberal arts, states send the message that only the rich should have access to that information.

The University should not only keep funding the liberal arts, but allocate more money into these fields.

There was once a time when the University was a prominent school for academics studying the humanities and social sciences.

In the 1930s, the University housed renowned literary critics Robert Penn Warren and Cleanth Brooks. Together their work at the University had massive influence in the development and popularization of New Criticism, a popular theory for literary critics of the time. Robert Lowell, a respected figure in American poetry, studied at the University at this time as well.

In 1987, the University opened the Eric Voegelin Institute to honor the German-born political theorist, who taught at the University from 1942 to 1958 after being fired from the University of Vienna for opposing the ideas of Adolf Hitler. Hubert Humphrey, who served as Vice President during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration, received a graduate degree in political science from the University.

If the University were to stop funding liberal arts education, the result would be a devaluing of the University’s past advancements in these fields.

The rich academic history of the University should not be boxed up to collect dust and be forgotten.

These programs deserve more funding, if for no other reason than to commemorate the work of these men. As a region enamored with its own past of violence and hatred, why does the South seem so placated in its remembrance of academic thought?

In 2019, the prospect of unthinking men and women is the default. As I read the impersonal and banal manner in which people are dehumanized on the internet and hear reports of violence in Charlottesville, I can’t help but think we need the liberal arts now more than ever.

Michael Frank is a 22-year-old political science and English senior from New Orleans, Louisiana.

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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.

“I have learnt how to live … how to be in the world and of the world, and not just to stand aside and watch.”

Audrey Hepburn

Actress May 4, 1929 - Jan. 20, 1993

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

page 19

Low standards, apathy to blame for death of chivalry TEKAY SAYS TE’KAYLA PITTMAN @QueenTekay Chivalry is “behaving in an honorable or polite way especially toward women.” I define the term for those who have no knowledge of chivalry, and for those who do know what it is but decide not to follow it. Chivalry, especially in the millennial generation, has become uncommon. Being a woman in this generation who still believes in “old-school” relationship values, I wonder why that is.

Chivalry has been swept under the rug for many reasons — one being that men feel as though it is unnecessary and silly. I’ve spoken to several men about the term and asked why they don’t do the simplest gestures for women. Many don’t see why they should have to open

the door or walk on the outside when walking the sidewalks.

My generation is known as the hookup generation, so to witness an act of romance is very unlikely. The hookup generation is quick at jumping to the end goal – sex. Many people don’t take the time to get to know the person or take them on a date before sleeping together.

I don’t feel as though it is just a man’s fault — women play a role in the disappearance of chivalry, as well.

Millennial women often rush the process or don’t care to be properly respected by men. This generation of women have become independent and headstrong, and nothing is wrong with that. However, the problem comes when women want to be independent to the point that they don’t want men to do anything for them.

“Men only changed because women did. That’s because men

are born to please women. Modern woman don’t know this, for they’ve been conditioned to think of men as oppressors,” author Suzanne Venker wrote.

Women can open their own doors and take care of themselves. No one is trying to take that from them. From what I’ve witnessed, women don’t really care about a guy being a gentleman. What I often hear is: “Does he have money?” Is that really important if that guy is going to treat you badly at the end of the day?

We often see the social media adage “Men ain’t shit,” accompanied by a tale of a man’s bad actions. But, have we taken a moment to look at ourselves first?

Nine times out of 10, that guy acted the same way he did when you first met him. You were likely just blinded by something that didn’t matter in the beginning, so now you’re forced to see his true colors. If you retraced

cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille

your steps to the beginning, you will see that you allowed for all of the ungentlemanly things to begin.

Both genders are at fault for the demise of chivalry. To some, it still doesn’t matter. I believe that women are queens and men are our kings. Kings are meant to take care and be there for the queens, and vice versa. Nothing

is wrong with being an independent woman, but feeling as though you don’t need a man to be a gentleman can be a curse.

Chivalry may not be dead, but it has been forgotten.

Te’Kayla Pittman is a 19year-old mass communication freshman from Atlanta, Georgia.

Social media-friendly exhibits replace tangible experiences ACCORDING TO ASHLON ASHLON LUSK @ashlonrose The point of taking a picture is to capture an experience or an event. Pictures are intended to preserve the memories and significant moments of a person’s life. The experience should have more value than its picture — the picture is only meant to capture what happened in that moment.

“Instagrammable” pop-up exhibits are, basically, art installments created for taking pictures to post online. They have turned the act of taking pictures into an experience. The value of a photo is now based on the number of likes it receives rather than the memory it represents.

This isn’t a critique on the people who go to take pictures at these exhibits, because I went to one and I understand wanting a great Instagram picture. My problem is with the existence of these pop-up experiences in general. We have placed so much of our worth on our social media pages. Who has the most followers? Who gets the most likes and comments?

I think for a lot of people, including myself, it directly correlates with how people view themselves. If people on Instagram think I’m pretty, then maybe I’m pretty. This is an unhealthy way of thinking, but with the Kardashians and their butts and Instagram influencers getting expensive brand deals, it leaves the rest of us feeling a little inadequate.

The Kardashians are wealthy business women who I admire greatly, but the product that they’re selling is their bodies. Kylie Jenner sells her lips, Kim Kardashian sells her butt and Kendall Jenner sells her legs. There is nothing wrong with this, but to a commoner like myself, it makes

me feel like I should look like them to get likes on my pictures.

They make me feel like I need to pay to go to these pop-up exhibits to give my Instagram an edge without getting butt implants.

The pop-up experiences have pushed this idea into our heads even more — that you don’t need to go out and do things with your time, because the picture is what you’re aspiring to get. Why

should people go outside and do anything if the only good part is to post about it on social media?

As a society, we should be angry about the pop-up experiences because we’re moving away from reality and living through online personas. It’s dangerous territory for the future of humanity but alsofor an individual’s mental health.

We are no longer living

our lives, we are living on social media. This can damage people’s self-esteem, result in a lack of human connection and distort the memory of the experiences in the pictures people are taking. We need to take back our

consciousness and live in the moment, instead of living for the picture.

Ashlon Lusk is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Houston, Texas.

HOME 2019-20 Leasing Begins February 1, 2019 courtesy of WIKIMEDIA

The average millennial could take up to 25,700 selfies in his or her lifetime.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

page 20

Transgender military ban proof of Trump’s transphobia ACCORDING TO ASHLON ASHLON LUSK @ashlonrose The transgender military ban is due entirely to transphobia.

Military service should be open to anyone who is willing and able. The U.S. legally excluded women from the military until 1948, why are we going back in history by excluding another group of people? President Donald Trump has set us back about 50 years because of how he treats women, minorities and the LBGT community.

Trump’s supporters listen to him and see how he treats and talks about people, and then they think it’s okay to act like that.

Closeted bigots are now in the streets yelling how they feel at the people they hate.

Racist Americans who were previously non-political are now trumpeting Trump’s conservatism because they relate so deeply to his bigoted ways. Trump is not someone to relate to. No one should look up to a person who unapologetically targets entire groups of Americans.

Instead of telling people they can’t join the military, Trump should be supporting everyone who wants to serve the country.

The army is not just for straight white men, as much as Trump would like it to be so. As long as a person is in good mental and physical health and wants to join, they should be eligible.

Someone’s gender or sex

should not exclude them from joining anything, let alone serving our country. Sex refers to a person’s biological genitalia, and gender refers to a person’s concept of themself.

The transgender ban is transphobic, and there is no getting around that. There is no other explanation besides Trump’s clear disdain for those who don’t look, act and identify like him. He is a documented elitist and sexist, in addition to many other -ist words.

A key argument for this ban is the fact that people don’t want their taxes going toward paying for transgender people’s gender affirming surgeries and I completely understand that. However, it’s doubtful transgender men and women’s first priority upon entering the military is to receive gender affirming surgery. Their first priority is serving their country.

The primary resource being provided to transgender men and women is hormone pills. If the army can find the money for Viagra, they can budget for hormones. Money is not the issue — the issue is bigotry.

Trump has changed the game for bigots. He’s made it socially acceptable to be as racist, homophobic or sexist as you want.

Trump has a platform and he uses it to spew hatred.

He calls Mexicans drug dealers and gang members and tells the public they should be scared of them. He says “blue lives matter” instead of black lives. He says, “Grab her by the pussy.” His Vice President condoned conversion therapy for the

courtesy of WIKIMEDIA

The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s request to bar most transgender people from serving in the military.

LGBT community.

By spreading his hate, he makes the country dangerous for those he targets while he lives in his ivory tower – the White House. Just because something doesn’t affect you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect those around you.

People who don’t understand the repercussions of Trump’s actions

don’t have empathy for people who aren’t like them.

Ashlon Lusk is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Houston, Texas.

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