@lsureveille
The Daily Reveille Est. 1887
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Volume 126 · No. 9
lsunow.com/daily
BY ABBIE SHULL @AbbieL J
march 30
april 17
University policy on amnesty submitted to Implementation Committee, along with other revisions to Student Code of Conduct Implementation Committee will propose permanent policy statement regarding Greek Life, Oversight Committee and Greek alumni advisory board to LSU president
june 15 Implementation Committee will hear presentations on new IFC tailgating policies and Greek Life web portal
may 1 Implemenation Committee will receive draft of new policies regarding Greek Life social activity, including a formal ban on hard alcohol for onand off-campus events
NEWS
Volunteer LSU teams up with St. Vincent de Paul to make lunches for homeless, page 4
LSU President F. King Alexander releases Action Plan for Greek Life, accepting all 28 Task Force recommendations LSU administration implements ban on hard liquor and common source alcohol
By August 2019, all Greek chapters will be expected to have University-approved house managers. Chapters will submit names and resumes for proposed house managers
fall 2018 Fraternities will be required to hold official tailgates at chapter houses rather than on Parade Ground, as has been tradition for 13 years
SPORTS Greeks will see major changes to tailgating in fall 2018, page 3
feb. 28
fall 2019
GREEK REFORM
LSU administration seeks culture change with new Greek Life policies, page 2
ENTERTAINMENT Freshmen Christina Desiderio and Sarah Edwards fit seamlessly into lineups, page 9
Rocca Pizzeria offers authentic Neapolitan-style food, page 14
OPINION “Minorities are seen as dangerous, but white people are the ones committing the mass shootings. The face of terrorism today is a young, white American citizen,” page 21
page 2
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
COVER STORY
Recap: Upcoming changes to LSU Greek Life BY ABBIE SHULL @AbbieL J Almost five months after LSU President F. King Alexander announced his formation of his Task Force on Greek Life, he announced he approved all 28 recommendations, while also enacting three additional policies. The policies, formed in response to the hazing death of Maxwell Gruver, have drawn criticism from Gruver’s family. “The report epitomizes what happens when task forces like these are comprised of members with vested interests in perpetuating the current, failed Greek Life system,” the family said in a press release. “[The report] proffers no real meaningful changes to Greek Life that would have prevented the death of our son, any of the other injuries, or sexual assaults that have plagued LSU’s fraternities.” Changes to the University’s Greek system will go into effect at various points throughout the next three semesters.
IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE Alexander established an Implementation Committee on Greek Life that will be in charge of overseeing the policy changes to Greek Life. Vice President for Student Affairs Kurt Keppler will serve as chairman of the committee, which will also form a permanent Oversight Committee on Greek Life and establish the Greek Alumni Advisory Board. The Implementation Committee will propose its permanent policy statement to Alexander by April 17. DEFINITION OF HAZING Under Alexander’s action plan, the Office of General Counsel and Dean of Students will revise the Student Code of Conduct to include a new definition of hazing. This new definition will include four specific principles outlined by Alexander: “physical or mental harm, intoxication, endangerment and evasion and falsification of information to
obstruct the University’s inquiry into hazing.” In the Feb. 28 letter, Alexander said hazing would mean “expulsion or removal from campus.” After due process, any individual found guilty of hazing will be expelled. Alexander said a narrowed definition of hazing will allow the University to respond to incidents more quickly. On Oct. 11, LSUPD issued warrants for the arrest of 10 individuals in connection with Gruver’s death. LSU Media Relations Director Ernie Ballard confirmed that six of those individuals — Zachary Hall, Nicholas Taulli, Sean Pennison, Elliot Eaton, Zachary Castillo and Hudson Kirkpatrick — are currently enrolled at the University. Matthew Naquin, Sean Paul Gott and Ryan Isto are no longer students at the University, and Patrick Forde was not enrolled at the University at the time of the incident. WEB PORTAL Alexander noted five recommendations he felt were “the most critical changes.” The first of these “critical changes” is a new web portal, curated by the Office of Greek Life, as a source of information for potential pledges, their families and the general public. The web portal will provide a “transparent, credible and objective source of information” including a rolling five-year history of adjudicated chapter disciplinary matters and the organizations’ response to the matter. The web portal will also feature educational metrics such as chapter GPA, the current membership contract for each chapter, and a link to the organizations’ drug policy. Division of Student Affairs Director of Marketing and Communication Pam Coltharp will lead the implementation of the website, which will be presented to the Implementation Committee by June 15. AMNESTY POLICY Alexander also highlighted the proposed amnesty policy, which would encourage students to report dangerous behaviors. The amnesty policy will be enacted as a part of the revision of the Student Code of Conduct. The policy will include “provisions that would not allow amnesty to serve as a shield for perpetrators.” At the Feb. 21 Task Force on Greek Life meeting, Alexander said under the amnesty policy, students would be able to report an incident, whether medical or non-medical, and not face disciplinary action from the University of the Greek chapter. LSU Student Government president Jason Badeaux said the amnesty policy is important in shifting the focus to “individuals who are causing the problem.” In addition to changing University policy, Alexander
said the administration is supporting a piece of legislation that would help “better address the challenge of hazing at colleges and universities.” Rep. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, will propose legislation that would protect the identity of people who report incidents to LSU and other authorities. Currently, if someone reports an incident to the authorities, their identity can be revealed through public records. “If their name is public record, it can result in the reporting person being attacked physically or subjected to bullying on social media,” Foil said. Foil added that “dangerous behaviors” are not limited to hazing and could apply to any behavior that breaks the LSU safety guidelines, such as hazing, sexual assault or drug violations. The University policy on amnesty will be submitted to the Implementation Committee by Associate Dean of Students Jonathan Sanders by March 30. GREEK LIFE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES One of the recommendations is already in effect. Ballard said the University implemented a ban on hard alcohol and common source alcohol at registered Greek chapter events on Feb. 28 after Alexander accepted the task force’s recommendations. Ballard said that PS-78 already included a ban on common source alcohol, such as kegs, but the new policy includes a ban on hard alcohol at both on and off campus events. Other changes to Greek life social activity policies include moving fraternity tailgating to chapter houses, restricting alcohol and non-member guests to common areas during registered events and limiting attendance at events to three non-member guests for every member. The fraternity tailgating policy will take effect with the start of the fall 2018 semester, and the plan is due to be presented to the Implementation Committee on June 15. HOUSE MANAGERS The family of Gruver advocated for several policy changes, including the creation of minimum job qualifications for Greek House Managers. All Greek chapters will be required to have Universityapproved house managers by August 2019, with requirements regarding job qualifications and verification documents submitted to the Implementation Committee by June 15, 2018. According to Badeaux, sororities have managers, usually called “house mothers,” but not all fraternities are currently required to have house managers. *Editor’s Note: Sean Pennison is a former employee of LSU Student Media.
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News
page 3
HOUSE RULES
STATE
Louisiana ranked worst state in America
BY SHERIDAN WALL @slwall7
Fraternity tailgates will move back to houses for fall 2018 season
Louisiana was ranked as the worst state in America for the second time, according to the US News & World Report Best States Ranking. Just ahead of Louisiana are Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia, Alabama and Arkansas. The top five ranking states were Iowa, Minnesota, Utah, North Dakota and New Hampshire. The McKinsey & Company ranking compares states’ healthcare, education, economy, opportunity, infrastructure and quality of life among other factors to produce its overall best states list. Louisiana ranked 47th in healthcare and education, and 50th in opportunity. The data used to make the ranking is outdated and doesn’t accurately reflect recent policy changes, according to Office of the Governor Communications Director Shauna Sanford. Recent changes include Medicaid expansion, which allowed 470,000 Louisianans access to healthcare. Sanford said under Edwards, funding for higher education has been stabilized for the first time in almost ten years, and admissions requests are on the
BY CALEB GREENE @cgreene_24 Embedded within the LSU President F. King Alexander’s Task Force on Greek Life’s recommendation is the decision to move Greek Life gameday tailgates from the LSU Parade Ground to the chapter houses. The recommendation to move the tailgates is the latest and most successful of the past attempts to change the campus’ tailgating. In fall 2017, new tailgate policies were put in place for the Sept. 30 game against Troy, following incidents of violence before the Sept. 9 game versus Chattanooga and the hazing death of University freshman Maxwell Gruver. “I think safety and security were a concern after [the Chattanooga game], but the excessive use of alcohol by Greek organizations with the death in a [potential hazing-related incident], made us at LSU look at gameday behaviors in a very different way,” said LSU Dean of Students Mari Fuentes-Martin. “These measures are meant to be proactive from a safety perspective, to give students the space they want, which is the north Parade Ground, but wanting to have some safety parameters as well.” These regulations included prohibiting fraternities from setting up tailgates prior to 8 a.m. on gamedays and requiring the tailgates to be cleaned up before game time. Tailgating regulations were also proposed in April 2016 town hall meetings with the Dean of Students office but never passed due to negative student feedback.
see TAILGATING, page 8
DILYN STEWART / The Daily Reveille
see STATE RANKINGS, page 8
STUDENT LIFE
University Auto Enthusiast Club drives car culture on campus BY CALEB GREENE @cgreene_24 Hundreds of millions of cars travel on America’s interstates, highways and country roads every year. Thousands of car clubs meet nationwide to rev their engines and discuss their vehicles. There is only one Auto Enthusiast Club of LSU, though. The Auto Enthusiast Club of LSU consists of 16 members who meet weekly to talk about automobiles and drive to car shows throughout Louisiana. Every Thursday at 9 p.m., the University organization drives to the Walmart parking lot on College Drive to join other Baton Rouge natives, eager to show off their cars. In 2015, physics senior Robert Cottingham was among the club’s original members, and he sees the Auto
Enthusiast Club as part of a larger car subculture. “We’re not anything like Fast and Furious,” Cottingham said. “Our idea of a good Saturday is going to a car show as we all drive in a little pack on the interstate. We go there and all park next to each other in a row and take a couple of pictures. We just enjoy the culture.” In addition to the weekly meetings, the Auto Enthusiast Club attends car shows throughout Louisiana, such as Import Face-Off. The University organization joins other local car clubs in attendance at these shows. “When you go to these car shows, there is the show aspect and then there is the race aspect,” Cottingham said. “People go on the quarter-mile dragstrip and race in bracket racing.” The Auto Enthusiast Club
has plans for a bright future. Currently, members pay no dues and receive no funding from LSU Student Government. In addition to growing their presence on campus, the club hopes to fundraise to support their trips to car shows and support the University’s Society of Engineers in their Formula SAE competitions. The Society of Engineers joins college students around the nation to design, build and race a racecar in Formula SAE competitions every year in Michigan and Nebraska. Business marketing sophomore Thomas Hakim sees the Auto Enthusiast Club potentially fundraising enough to buy a club car. “We are thinking about starting to fundraise for possibly raising enough money for
see AUTO CLUB, page 8
ISABELLA ALLEN / The Daily Reveille
The Auto Enthusiast Club of LSU meets on March 1at the Wal-Mart parking lot on College Drive.
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
page 5
BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY
Volunteer LSU reaches out to feed the hungry in Baton Rouge BY MATTHEW BENNETT @mcbennett4 Students with Volunteer LSU made hundreds of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in assembly lines that will help feed about 450 Baton Rouge residents in need through the “Bags of Hope” program. As the University students made and packaged the sandwiches on March 3, other volunteers from the community helped assemble bags with snacks and drinks to create a full meal to give out to those in need. Psychology freshman William Martin led the event for Volunteer LSU. He had participated in the St. Vincent de Paul non-profit organization’s “Bags of Hope” in the past, and wanted to get other University students involved. “I think that a lot of people don’t realize the problems in the community, specifically the massive homeless population,” Martin said. “This is a good way to introduce [students] to that
and open their eyes to see that there are problems in the community that we can help to fix.” The St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room serves lunch to more than 450 people in the Baton Rouge community every day. The “Bags of Hope” are distributed to each person who is in need of another meal for the day. A different mix of volunteers help assemble these bags every Monday, Thursday and Saturday. St. Vincent de Paul Volunteer Coordinator Desha Martin spoke on the importance of the program. “If it were not for this, folks wouldn’t have a supper,” Desha said. “And these are not necessarily people that are homeless. These might be working poor people. [It might be] a life crisis like a divorce, a woman fleeing a domestic situation with her children, or the loss of a job. It’s a blessing that we’re able to do this.” Albertsons, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market and various bakeries around Baton Rouge are consistent donors to the St.
Vincent de Paul organization and are essential to making the organization’s work possible. Along with the “Bags of Hope,” a variety of food is set up on tables to be offered to those in need including pasta, pies, and packaged meals. The University volunteers who participated in the event included biology junior Amanda Vivianle, who was happy to represent LSU through service. “Taking a couple hours out of your day is not hard,” Vivianle said. “What makes the community work is that you need other volunteers to come together to help each other out.” The other major group of volunteers at the event were representing The Dow Chemical Company. Environmental analytical technologist Gregory Stowers had been volunteering as a kitchen helper in the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room and recognized their need for help with the “Bags of Hope” program. He decided to gather some of his co-workers to help put
ISABELLA ALLEN / The Daily Reveille
Volunteers make peanut butter sandwiches for brown bag meals to be distributed to those in need on March 3 at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge at 220 St. Vincent De Paul Drive. the bags together along with Volunteer LSU. Stowers believes service is one of the best ways to learn to accept your own life for what it is. “[Sometimes] you might say ‘I can’t get this today, I can’t get a new car,’” Stowers said. “Well,
you come out here and serve this person, and he doesn’t even have a car. He doesn’t even have shoes. So, it puts you in a different mindset. When you see what people don’t have, it gives you an appreciation for what you do have.”
STUDENT LIFE
LSU’s Classic Cinema Club to host free screenings
In the era of Netflix and Hulu, the Classic Cinema Club offers a journey back in time for University students interested in
Check vacancies and post your resume before the fair so Principals can review it immediately! For more information call (504) 897-6110
Presented by:
travelling to a galaxy far, far away or experience first-hand the ruthlessness of a New York crime family. “Casablanca,” “Pyscho,” “The Godfather,” “Star Wars,” “Apocalypse Now” and “Pulp Fiction.”
These iconic movies are all coming to a club at LSU. The Classic Cinema Club is new to the University this semester. The organization’s purpose is to foster an appreciation of American cinema by watch-
Register at www.gnocollaborative.com
Charter School Teacher Fair Saturday, March 10, 2018 Pre-registrants 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walk-ins 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
HYNES CHARTER SCHOOL
Supported by:
The Reily Foundation The Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools and its member charter schools do not discriminate in the rendering of services to, or regarding employment of, individuals because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.
NEW ORLEANS
BY CALEB GREENE @cgreene_24
FREE EVENT! Over 60 school s participating
990 Harrison Ave., New Orleans, LA 70124 (Entrance to fair on French St.) Certified teachers and teachers working on their certification. Hundreds of positions available in Louisiana Charter Schools! Updated vacancies are posted year-round. Contact Principals directly by visiting www.gnocollaborative.com. Pre-registration for the fair is NOT required, but encouraged.
ing classic movies. The Classic make it more convenient for Cinema Club watches movies students,” Balhoff said. “We from all eras in American cin- want something that is easily ema, from Golden Age classics enjoyable by everybody. Every to the modern-day hallmarks. meeting will be the screening Through the viewing experience, of a movie and probably pizza. club members understand and We might end up discussing the discuss the cultural impact of movie after if people want to do that.” American films. The Classic Cinema Club “We are going to be screening classic movies,” said emphasizes the evolution of Classic Cinema Club president American movies in the indusand chemical engineering junior try and plans to highlight that Joseph Balhoff. “We’re defining in their potential discussions in the meetings. This a classic movie as something that “We’re defining a contrasts with the current Campus has a significant classic movie as Life movie screencultural impact ings that take on American audi- something that has ences in one way, througha significant cultural place out the semesshape or form.” The Clas- impact on American ter. Campus Life sic Cinema Club screens recently plans to screen audiences in one way, released blockbusters while these iconic films shape or form.” the Classic Cinfor free to all ema Club plans members of the JOSEPH BALHOFF to screen movies club and any individual interthat have already Classic Cinema Club President ested in joining. been released, The club received going all the way funding from LSU Student back to the classic Hollywood era Government and became an of- of the ‘40s and ‘50s. ficial University student organiThe organization’s active zation this semester. Balhoff and membership is open to all Uniother club leaders plan to use the versity students and members funding to set up the club’s struc- do not need to pay dues this seture and keep the experience mester. The Classic Cinema Club free for all members. encourages anyone interested in The club is negotiating with learning about the cultural imresidential halls on campus to pact of American films to join the find a location for the monthly club, and hopes to educate future meetings. West and LaVille halls generations about classic movies. “We are screening these are among the potential locations for the first Classic Cinema Club movies for free to give students the opportunity to appreciate meetings. “We are thinking about these movies that they might not moving around to various have had the opportunity to see,” residential colleges, trying to Balhoff said.
The Daily Reveille
page 6
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The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
page 7
FACULTY
Manship professor creates puzzle to solve state’s looming fiscal cliff BY DEVON SANDERS Manship School News Service Think you can do better than the Legislature in dealing with the $1 billion fiscal cliff? A new puzzle allows anyone to try to solve Louisiana’s budget crisis. Leonard Apcar, a professor at the Manship School of Mass Communication at LSU, unveiled his 2018 State Budget Puzzle on Thursday. It allows readers to go through legislative proposals and decide what to cut and keep. House members have been fighting over proposals to close the budget gap, and some fear that the special session called to deal with the problem could collapse. No progress has been made in raising revenue to replace the money that will disappear when a temporary fifth penny of sales tax and other measures expire on July 1. Through a list of questions
about taxes and spending, you can make decisions, for instance, about whether you want to extend a quarter of the extra penny of sales tax, as some legislators proposed, or slash spending on health care and higher education, as Gov. John Bel Edwards has warned could happen is there is no agreement on the revenue measures. Or you could decide on a different mix, such as reducing itemized deductions for wealthier taxpayers to raise revenue and avoid cuts in TOPS scholarships. Each proposal in Apcar’s game has a yes or no option. In choosing either response, you can see the budget gap open or close in real time based on your decisions. Apcar holds the Wendell Gray Switzer Jr. Endowed Chair in Media Literacy at the Manship School and is a board member of WRKF, the National Public Radio station in Baton Rouge.
He created the puzzle in 2017 and has revised it to incorporate the latest legislative proposals. He re-debuted the puzzle on Thursday. You can try the puzzle for yourself at http://solvethebudget. com/Home/Index. “Lawmakers, whether they were Republican or Democrat,” Apcar mentioned, “said this really helps our constituents understand the dilemma we face.” Along with revisions to the issues in the 2018 version, Apcar has added a page that shows how other quiz takers voted on each proposition. He thought that this would not only help constituents see how others around them feel about the economic policies, but also let lawmakers see what people thought. The main idea behind creating the puzzle, Apcar said, was to educate everyone on the complications of making a budget in this state.
courtesy of WALT HANDELSMAN
Professor Leonard Apcar created a puzzle to allow people to see the various choices and decisions that are involved with fixing Louisiana’s budget crisis. “These are really difficult issues,” Apcar said. “It takes a tremendous amount of
leadership on the part of the lawmakers to fashion a compromise. Everybody has to give.”
STUDENT LIFE
Vet School to host Great Rover Road Run Saturday BY RACHEL MIPRO @remroc15
Students who want to run wild
or with the dogs are in luck. The 25th annual Great Rover Road Run is only a few days away sure to bring with it an onslaught of
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costumed pets. Besides raising money for charity, the event’s goal is to promote health and wellness for both animals and humans in the LSU community. The Rover Road Run, hosted by the LSU Veterinary School, will be held March 10. It includes four events, all of which are open to anyone who wants to participate. There will be a people-only 5k and a one mile dog run in which dogs are welcome to run with their owners if they meet the registration requirements. There will also be a pet costume contest and a trick contest. Past years have featured tutus and dogs dressed as lions, so this year’s participants will need to be creative if they want to snag prizes and impress judges. The races have a $25 race fee, and the pet contest has a $5 entry fee along with an additional sign up fee. All profits from the event will go to the SVM’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital Good Samaritan Fund, which helps provide sick animals with the care they need. There will be many opportunities for prizes, and all race participants get goodie bags and t-shirts. Alison Mikes, second year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, is hopeful that the race will provide students with an incentive to be active. “We’re in class a lot and we study a lot and we sit in a chair all day,” Mikes said. “So the run is a fun way to get a lot of people to come out.” The run usually attracts around an average of 150 participants. This year, race organizers hope to get a baseline of around 100 participants from all parts of
THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine will hold the 25th annual Great Rover Road Run on March 10. the LSU community. “We’re really trying to reach out to people who aren’t just vet
students,” Mikes said. “We’re trying to get some more students from all of LSU to come.”
The Daily Reveille
page 8 AUTO CLUB, from page 3 a club car,” Hakim said. “We could bring it to shows and show off LSU.” The club emphasizes its all-inclusive nature. Many local car clubs focus specifically on a single brand of automobiles, while the Auto Enthusiast Club opens its doors to anyone with an interest in cars. Mechanical engineering freshman Jacob Billeaud is in his first semester with the club. “The guys that are in the club
have the same interests as me in terms of cars and all that,” Billeaud said. “It’s cool to be able to talk to people about that and not bore them.” Just a group of people hanging out and talking about their cars. That is exactly what the Auto Enthusiast Club wants to be. “We are pretty much into anything related to cars,” Hakim said. “We play racing video games, and on weekends, we come together to play around on engines.
ISABELLA ALLEN / The Daily Reveille
Dallas Johnson stands near his car at the Auto Enthusiast Club of LSU meeting on March 1.
STATE RANKINGS, from page 3 rise by about 20 percent in the University of Louisiana system. The Louisiana State University system’s fall admissions are up 38 percent, and out-of-state students wishing to attend universities in Louisiana are up by 50 percent. “It is important to put this report in perspective and understand that while it purports to be a snapshot of what’s happening in our state today, in reality it is a misleading report based on old information that is not reflective of what’s currently happening in our state,” Sanford said in an email. Louisiana ranks 48th in educational attainment, 45th in 4-year college graduation rates and 40th in college readiness, according to the ranking. Political communications junior Zoë Williamson said she thinks these “ominous numbers are indicative of the legislature’s current outlook on the state’s education and political gridlock. “It’s interesting that though we rank so low, the legislators are still not willing to put more investment into Louisiana’s education,” Williamson said. Despite other low rankings in education, Louisiana is 19th in low debt at graduation. Williamson said she largely
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
In reality it is a misleading report based on old information that is not reflective of what’s currently happening in our state. SHAUNA SANFORD
Office of the Governor Communications Director
attributes this ranking to the TOPS program. Among other data points, Williamson said she was disappointed in the state’s low ranking in low food insecurity, household income and opportunity. “It makes me really want to move out of this state or work hard to make this not true anymore,” Williamson said. While Louisiana ranks 42nd in quality of life, Williamson said the ranking fails to take into account numerous studies that crown Louisiana as one of the happiest states in the country. Quality of life measures the natural and social environments of each state, taking into
account pollution, water quality, voter participation and community engagement among other factors. Williamson said while these factors are important, she doesn’t think they represent Louisianans’ contentment. “Though we rank low in a lot of policy things, we really rank high in culture,” Williamson said. “I think it’s important for a national database to talk to Louisianians before they make judgments based off of that.” On another note, Louisiana ranked relatively high in affordability, 16th in cost of living and 20th in housing affordability. Louisiana also has the lowest electricity prices comparative to every other state.
TAILGATING, from page 3
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The 2018 football season will mark the first season Greek Life has not tailgated on the Parade Ground since the University passed its current alcohol policy, PS-78; in Aug. 2005 fraternities moved their tailgates to the Parade Ground following the implementation of PS-78, since the regulations were often too expensive to follow when tailgating in the chapter houses. Nearly 15 years later, Greek Life tailgates are moving back to their original homes in the chapter houses. The Task Force’s recommendation calls for all fraternity tailgating to move back to the chapter houses and requires full compliance with PS-78, including security and procedural adherence requirements. PS-78 requires fraternity parties at the chapter houses to hire thirdparty vendors and security. The fall 2018 tailgates will have uniformed police officers to maintain order. The Interfraternity Council leadership has negotiated to lower the number of security officers required at tailgates to minimize the costs. “Going back to the houses is the safest way to have a tailgate,” Interfraternity Council President Christopher Dupre. “It provides air conditioning. It provides the opportunity to have catered food and things like that. It also discourages wild, rampant, random parties on campus. It creates a safe environment for everyone and helps build a new culture.” The Task Force’s recommendations collectively emphasized the need for more personal
THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES
LSU and Chattanooga fans gather around Tiger Stadium to tailgate for LSU’s first home game of the season on Sept. 9. accountability among fraternity chapter members. Dupre and the IFC see the tailgate move as a crucial step toward fraternal accountability. “At the end of the day, we want health and safety for our students, but we also want to preserve tradition and fun for our community, as well,” Dupre said. The tailgate move has been in the works for some time. Dupre and LSU Student Government president Jason Badeaux led the charge to move the tailgates back to chapter houses in fall 2017. “We have been in favor of it for a long time,” Badeaux said. “It adds a new community aspect. Everyone on the row together just broadens the Greek community. From a security and safety standpoint, the access of food, water and air conditioning is huge, as well as having the ability to control who goes in and out of the tailgate.” Badeaux and Dupre believe that controlling who goes in and out of the tailgate will be the
most effective way at reducing violence and ensuring safety. “If you look back at the historical record of the conflicts on the Parade Ground, a lot of it isn’t between Greeks and Greeks,” Badeaux said. “A lot of it is between Greeks and non-Greek students causing issues.” Violent incidents marked the fall 2017 Chattanooga gameday. A University student was hospitalized after he sustained injuries attempting to break up a fight. There was also a stabbing of a non-student on the Parade Ground at a Sept. 9 tailgate. This separation of Greek and non-Greek tailgates opens up the Parade Ground for other student organization tailgates, in addition to attempting to limit violent game day outbreaks. The move may not be popular amongst fraternity members, but IFC and student body leadership are certain this move is crucial in improving the safety of Greek life on campus.
Sports
page 9 MEN’S BASKETBALL
FRESH START AURIANNA CORDERO / The Daily Reveille
BY KENNEDI LANDRY @landryyy14
S
BY GLEN WEST @glenwest21
ISABELLA ALLEN / The Daily Reveille
LSU gymnastics freshmen let confidence carry them through the season
arah Edwards and Christina Desiderio didn’t know what to expect when they walked into the PMAC for LSU’s season opener against Arkansas on Jan. 5. The freshman all-arounders had never competed in front of 10,755 people in their lives, much less the loud and enthusiastic LSU fans. “We were kind of nervous at first, I know I was,” Edwards said. “It’s just a huge responsibility being part of the team, but I think we’ve all really embraced it. It’s not as much pressure as
Tigers ready for SEC tournament rematch with Bulldogs
you’d think it is because all your teammates are behind you and everybody is confident in you.” LSU has a history of freshmen etching their names in gymnastics history throughout the years, from Ashleigh Gnat in 2014 to Kennedi Edney in 2017. The 2018 team is a little different. This team features more freshman than any other since 2011, which had eight. Four of this year’s seven freshmen have contributed major roles on the team. Edwards has competed on both floor and vault for the Tigers,
averaging 9.764 and 9.786. The walk-on from Ocean Spring, Mississippi, was one of only three Level 10 gymnasts in the entire state, but has become a consistent presence in LSU’s lineup. “I was nervous at first because I hadn’t had the experience that some of these girls have had,” Edwards said. “I had never competed on a podium before, so I had these kind of obstacles in my head that I knew I should overcome and should be able to get through. I feel like its a good process, a growing process.”
see FRESHMEN, page 11
Desiderio and fellow freshman Reagan Campbell have held down the middle of LSU’s beam lineup lead by seniors Erin Macadaeg and Myia Hambrick.* “They’ve stepped up into a huge spot because the middle of the lineup is just as important as the beginning and the end,” Macadaeg said. “They’ve really stepped up and have evolved the lineup. I think with me and Myia going first, it really leads the momentum and I’m just glad that they have been able to work really hard and continue that momentum down the lineup.”
The LSU men’s basketball team has one last chance to earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament and cap off a turnaround season under first-year coach Will Wade. Essentially, the Southeastern Conference Tournament will, decide the fate of the Tigers postseason placement. LSU (17-13, 8-10 SEC) comes into the tournament as the 10th seed where it will face off against seventh seed Mississippi State on Thursday in St. Louis, Missouri. The two teams met in their final regular season game where the Tigers knocked off the Bulldogs 78-57 on Senior Night. “What worked the first time isn’t going to work a second time,” Will Wade said. “Mississippi State is going to be ready to play. We were at home. It was senior night. Very emotional, charged atmosphere, so we are going to have to come out and ratchet it up another level.” For the second year in a row, LSU and Mississippi State (21-10, 9-9 SEC) will face off in each of their first games of the tournament. Last season, State soundly beat LSU 79-52 in the opening round. The first round loss last
see REMATCH, page 11
OPINION
Men’s basketball goes from hopeless to hopeful this season CAL’D UP CHRIS CALDARERA @caldarera11 The parity between the ideas of hope and hopelessness is a recurring theme in sports, and it’s the storylines of pathetic and inspiring teams that take center stage among fans. Perhaps, there’s no better example of this than the LSU men’s basketball team. One year ago, LSU fans looked upon a basketball program hopelessly floundering in the abyss. The 2016-17 Tigers finished the year with a dreary 10-21 (2-16
Southeastern Conference) record, including a repugnant 2-18 record in their last 20 games. After an early departure in the first round of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament via a 27-point shellacking by Mississippi State, the Tigers’ chances of making a postseason appearance were about the same as an LSU student finding a parking space at noon on a Tuesday— statistically impossible. Former LSU coach Johnny Jones was swiftly fired at the season’s embarrassing conclusion, and LSU basketball was without a leader in its darkest hour. The task of prying the Tiger program from the jaws of extinction fell upon the shoulders of
newly minted coach Will Wade, a Nashville native known for bringing an unmatched level of energy and passion to the hardwood he paced. After a roller coaster ride of a year, Wade’s first regular season is in the books, and what a difference a year makes. Although the LSU’s 17-13 (8-10 SEC) record may be modest, the program has something at the conclusion of this season that it didn’t have last season — hope in the future. The Tigers soundly defeated Mississippi State in the last game of the season and received some
see HOPEFUL, page 11
DIANNA ROXAS / The Daily Reveille
LSU coach Will Wade recognizes LSU senior guard Reed Vial (15) during the Tigers’ 78-57 win against Mississippi State on March 3 at PMAC.
The Daily Reveille
page 10
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
BASEBALL
Freshman Ma’Khail Hilliard gives spark to midweek starters BY BRANDON DECAREAUX @BrandonDec77 Seventeen new players entered the 2018 season looking to make their mark on the LSU baseball team, but none have made a bigger mark than the 6-foot, 150-pound freshman right-handed pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard. Hilliard has thrived in his role out of the bullpen becoming LSU’s go-to guy when the starters struggle in the game. Hilliard has now appeared in five games allowing no earned runs and recording a team-high three wins. The 19-year-old freshman has been dominant during the season pitching a perfect nine strike inning against Grambling. Hilliard is tied for second on the team with 11 strikeouts only trailing sophomore starter Zack Hess who has 25. The velocity of Hilliard’s fastball is not off the charts sitting at 86-87 miles per hour, but the movement on his pitches, especially his curveball, is what makes him special. “A good curveball by a ma-
jor league player would be about 3,000 rpm,” said coach Paul Mainieri. “We only have one pitcher who has touched 3,000 rpm and that’s Ma’Khail Hilliard. That means he can spin that thing even tighter, which makes it break that much more. Even Alex Lange didn’t have that kind of spin break on his curveball.” LSU can read the spin rate of breaking balls with a device called the Gametracker. The Gametracker allows the team to calculate the spin rate of Hilliard’s 12-to-6 curveball and compare it to major league pitchers to determine how effective his pitches are at recording strikeouts. Even though the freshman has pitched outstandingly to start the season, he knows his defense always has his back if he struggles to find the strike zone. “I can definitely trust my defense,” Hilliard said. “I feel very confident in my defense. My defense is really good.” Hilliard comes to LSU from Central High School where he helped lead his team to the 2017 state championship. Hilliard
posted a 1.09 ERA his senior season, allowing just nine earned runs and striking out 71 in 57.2 innings pitched. Hilliard’s best game of the season so far came against the Southeastern Lions. Coming in during the third inning, Hilliard retired 11 straight batters on his way to a four strikeout, one hit outing against the Lions. “He has good pitches,” Mainieri said. “His fastball cuts like crazy, and he has a good curveball, but this is what we saw all fall out of Ma’Khail.” Hilliard has recorded the third most innings on the team with 12, behind starters Hess and junior Caleb Gilbert. Early season struggles by Sunday starter Todd Peterson have raised the question of whether Hilliard should be taken out of the bullpen and inserted into the starting role. With continued dominant performances by Hilliard, it will be interesting to see if Mainieri makes the switch. Even though Mainieri has not made any moves, Hilliard is confident that he would take on any role he is given and thrive like he has consistently done
WHITNEY WILLISTON / The Daily Reveille
LSU freshman right-handed pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard (52) pitches on Nov. 9 at the Purple-Gold scrimmage at Alex Box Stadium. all season. “Anywhere he puts me I’m confident I will do good in and
produce for my team,” Hilliard said. “Anywhere he puts me, I will be very happy.”
GYMNASTICS
LSU’s senior class eyes third-straight Super Six appearance BY TREASURE WASHINGTON @Twashington490 If there’s one word to describe the collegiate careers of the LSU gymnastics senior class, it would be consistency. Since her sophomore year, senior all-arounder Erin Macadaeg has led off the beam rotation and helped the Tigers become one of the strongest teams on beam in the nation. LSU currently has an average beam score of 49.315 this season. In their last meet against Auburn, LSU set a season-high score in the beam rotation with a 49.525. “I love being the leadoff performer,” Macadaeg said. “It’s been kind of my comfort zone. It just makes me feel good that my team feels confident in me going up as lead off. They always say that I set
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the tone.” Macadaeg had competed on beam in all but one of her meets in her freshman year. One of the crowning moments of that year came in the meet against Georgia, where she set a career high score on beam with a 9.95. But Macadaeg had a rough outing on beam in that year’s semifinal as she scored a 9.25 in the event. LSU fell short in the 2015 NCAA Event Finals, and placed fifth out of six teams in the competition. “At Super Six, we felt the disappointment of having to sit in the stands,” Macadaeg said. “I think that has given us a motivator to motivate ourselves and our team to not be in that same spot. We used that motivation to push ourselves every day in the gym.” Senior all-arounder Lauren Li didn’t even go to school in Louisiana for her freshman year. Li transferred from Penn State and joined the Tiger roster in her sophomore year. Li competed in the all-around at Penn State for her freshman year and had career highs on beam with a 9.90 and in the allaround with a 39.100. At LSU, Li has provided depth in the beam rotation. She set a career high in the rotation with a 9.925 against George Washington and Iowa her junior year. Fellow senior all-arounder Myia Hambrick continues to be the top floor specialist in the nation. She scored the second perfect 10 of the meet on floor against
Auburn, and helped LSU to another season-high score of a 49.700 in the rotation. Hambrick is currently ranked as the fourth-best all-arounder in the country. As a freshman, Hambrick competed on floor five times and had an average score of a 9.580. Since her sophomore year, Hambrick has had a career floor average of a 9.866 and has clinched multiple floor titles in that time span. “We have some of the best crowds all over, and they just really love floor,” Hambrick said after the Auburn meet. “Floor traditionally is a really good event for LSU. It’s kind of been our event that we go to and say, ‘Oh, we can put up a big score no matter what.’” Former Tigers that have had their shining moments on floor. Current student coach Ashleigh Gnat captured the floor national championship in her senior season at last year’s NCAA Semifinal with a 9.9625 and never scored below a 9.90 on floor last season. Another former LSU gymnast, Lloimincia Hall, scored seven perfect 10s throughout her career in the rotation. But while Gnat and Hall have decorated careers with the program, the goal for the senior class is to leave with their own honors. The upperclassmen may be the veterans of the team, but Macadaeg defines LSU as having team-wide leadership. That leadership goes into account for when the Tigers start setting the tone for what their
DILYN STEWART / The Daily Reveille
LSU Gymnastics senior class hopes to compete at the Super Six for the third straight year. upcoming season would look like. “[LSU coach] Jay [Clark] always says every year that it’s a new team,” Macadaeg said. “Even though we have some of the people, we have a lot more people coming in. So we always have to adjust our approach every year slightly.” While the senior class has the opportunity to go for a three-peat in competing in the Super Six to
close out their collegiate careers, LSU coach D-D Breaux’s goal for the last two regular season meets focuses on timing, resting and having the seniors do the best that they can be for the postseason. “It’s a great senior class,” Breaux said. “We’ve had a lot of great senior classes come through LSU, and this class is very highly decorated.”
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 FRESHMEN, from page 9 Desiderio averages 9.865, while Campbell averages 9.689 in LSU’s nationally third-ranked beam lineup. While LSU’s beam lineup is its second lowest scoring event at 49.315, it has been a steady improvement throughout the season. LSU coach D-D Breaux credits the seniors at the top of the lineup for setting a mantra for the rest to follow. The additions of Desiderio and Campbell in the middle of that lineup brings the momentum from Hambrick to Edney in the fifth spot almost seamlessly. “I knew what Christina Desiderio was capable of,” Breaux said. “We knew when Jay [Clark] went out and recruited Reagan Campbell, he said, ‘She’s going to be a great beamer for you, let’s give her some time.’ It’s coming around, it’s happening for them.” Desiderio admits the PMAC is an intimidating environment, even if it’s the home stadium, but knowing that her team is behind her the entire time is a confidence booster. Breaux acknowledges that, while they were intimidated by the magnitude of the PMAC to begin with, they have blossomed in even better gymnasts with their additional training and preparation. “It’s amazing,” Desiderio said. “I remember that opening night when I competed beam in the PMAC. I got up there like, ‘All these people are
here cheering for me right now on this beam. Like wow, that’s crazy.’” Desiderio and Edwards both point to different upperclassmen that that been mentors for them and lead the freshman-heavy team throughout the season. Desiderio and junior all-arounder Lexie Priessman both competed on the United States National Team and have been friends for years. Desiderio even refers to Priessman as a “mom” to her. Junior all-arounder McKenna Kelley has been a huge inspiration for Edwards as she’s going through her season ending Achilles injury. Kelley has been the team’s biggest fan this season, always cheering for her team and keeping the energy high on the sideline during meets. The biggest leadership roles go to Hambrick and junior all-arounder Sarah Finnegan, who have lead by example this season. “In our sport of gymnastics, it’s kind of hard to know what to expect going into big meet situations like this if you’ve never done it before,” Finnegan said. “Just helping them if they ever need questions, but they’ve done an amazing job of adjusting as freshmen and taking on the role that they have. I’m excited to see what the future holds for them.” Every year is a new team. Even though some of the same people return, the entire culture and approach needs to be slightly adjusted to fit the new members. Macadaeg said that despite the
number of freshmen on the team, they have done an amazing job adjusting to the team culture and meshing well into the team. “They’ve gotten better and better and that’s what you’d like to see,” Breaux said. “Self confidence is the first prerequisite to great undertakings. For them to build their confidence and to become the kind of performers that they’re becoming is really gratifying.” *Editor’s note: Myia Hambrick is a former employee of The Daily Reveille.
DILYN STEWART / The Daily Reveille
LSU all-around freshman Reagan Campbell competes in the beam competition during the Tigers’ 198.100195.625 victory over Auburn on March 4 in the PMAC.
page 11 HOPEFUL, from page 9 help around the league to obtain a first-round bye in this year’s SEC Tournament. Now, LSU has realistic hopes of entering the conference tournament and bolstering its resume for a possible berth to compete in the National Invitational Tournament. The NIT is on the saner end of the March Madness spectrum, but there’s hope that the Tigers will go the distance should the team receive an invitation. “I think we’d be good enough, if we got in there, to make a run and maybe have a chance to go to New York,” Wade told reporters after the Mississippi State game. I’m sure there are jaded LSU fans out there complaining about the team falling short of an NCAA Tournament bid, but there’s no doubt a deep run in the NIT would be a huge morale boost for a program that was dead in the water a year ago. Not to mention, the Tigers would be one of the first NCAA teams to receive exposure to a brand new rule set. This year, the NIT is experimenting with a longer three-point line, a wider free-throw lane, quarters instead of halves and a shorter shot-clock reset. That’s not to say that playing in the new rule format will give LSU a leg up on the competition, since any proposed rule changes won’t manifest until 2019.
However, being a participant in the rule experiment will be much more fun for the players and fans as opposed to watching other teams be guinea pigs from our television sets. One could argue that fun was always part of the proposed equation when Wade arrived on LSU’s campus. Theoretically, a fun and exciting program will appeal to elite high school prospects around the country ready to be a part of the positive atmosphere. Better players lead to a better program, and winning tends to follow. With so much hope, excitement and fun still left in this season, I’d say the sun is beginning to dawn on a basketball program that was seemingly lost in the darkness.
DIANNA ROXAS / The Daily Reveille
LSU coach Will Wade yells during the Tigers’ 78-57 win against Mississippi State on March 3 at PMAC.
REMATCH, from page 9
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season “sets a fire” in sophomore guard Skylar Mays. “I just hope I can bring an energy to the guys and help them understand how important winning that first game is for us,” Mays said. However, looking at the improvements the two teams have made in just one year, this time around could be a different story. LSU had finished the 2017 season losing 18 of its final 20 games and picked up only two wins in SEC play. This year, LSU won five of its last nine games. Wade said the mentality he wants his team to focus on is to win the game that’s in front of them and block everything else out. He mentioned that preparing for a team for a second consecutive time gives the players some film on how they individually match up with a team. “We are just putting everything we have into Mississippi State,” Wade said. “Put everything you have into winning that one, then figure it out the next day, and then if you are fortunate enough to win, you figure it out the next day.” The Tigers would either have to win the SEC tournament or advance to the final for a birth to the NCAA tournament. While that’s the goal, Wade said the NIT is very much in their grasp and would love for his team to get an invitation. “I just think from where we were last year to where we
DIANNA ROXAS / The Daily Reveille
LSU senior forward Duop Reath (1) steals the ball during the Tigers’ 78-57 win against Mississippi State on March 3 at PMAC. are now is a big improvement,” Wade said. “For us to continue to play in the postseason would be important. Our guys want to play. Our guys like being around each other. Our guys enjoy what is going on. It is my job as a head coach to, if they want to keep playing, make sure I do everything possible to keep playing.” Mays knows firsthand what the atmosphere is like in the SEC tournament when not as many Tiger fans will be in St. Louis to support the club. Playing at a neutral site away from Tiger fans will test the atmosphere and the energy of both teams. “You definitely have to get your energy from the bench,”
Mays said. “You kind of feel it’s your five guys against their five guys. I’d say a neutral game for us is a lot easier than a road game for us.” For freshman forward Brandon Rachal, the experience of an SEC tournament game will be different but he has picked the brains of the older guys on the team for a sense of what is different about it from a regular season game. “My coaches and teammates say the first game is the hardest to win,” Rachal said. “Some teams will go and roll off four games in a row, but they say it’s always harder in that first game. Anything can happen, especially in March.”
page 12
The Daily Reveille
Community Canvas Graffiti art covers walls around Baton Rouge as a way for artists to express themselves photos by ALYSSA BERRY / The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
The Daily Reveille
page 13
Entertainment
page 14 LITERATURE
CALEB BOURQUE / The Daily Reveille
Delta Journal hosts annual reading series BY EMMA BURLETTE @theburlettegirl
PIZZA MY HEART Rocca Pizzeria brings authentic Neapolitan-style food to Mid City BY AMAYA LYNCH @maya09172 When you walk into the doors of Mid City’s new restaurant Rocca Pizzeria, one of the first things you see is a life-size painting of Ray Charles on the wall. Nothing represents the location better than the musical legend known as “The Genius.” Rocca Pizzeria opened on Jan. 25. CoFounder and CEO Ozzie Fernandez, who is also the CEO of LIT Pizza and Izzo’s Illegal Burritos, said he decided to open the pizzeria in the Capital city so he could elevate the quality of pizza in Baton Rouge. Fernandez said he brought a little of Na-
ples, Italy, to Baton Rouge at 3897 Government St. “We’re a Neapolitan-style pizzeria with a wood-fire oven,” Fernandez said. “We imported it from Italy so our style is traditionally what you would find in Naples, Italy, and really, that makes us stand out.” Fernandez described the pizzeria style as modern-rustic decor with an open kitchen and the imported wood-fire oven as its focal point. The wood decor and yellow lighting give off a warm, welcoming vibe to all of its customers. While Fernan-
dez said the restaurant is family-oriented, it sees an influx of couples, students and groups just looking for a nice place to hang out and eat authentic Italian food. Pizza is not Rocca’s only specialty. For both its lunch and dinner services, the kitchen prepares a multitude of pizza and antipasti plates, which are small plates that can be used for sharing. Plates include, but are not limited to, garlic knots, meatballs and Brussels sprouts. These small plates encourage a sharing concept for large groups. Two or three small
The University’s literary magazine, The Delta Journal, spotlights students with a knack for writing in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and personal manifestos among other genres. Highland Coffees allows the artists the chance to bring their work to life. “We at Highland Coffees love the arts and enjoy supporting artists in any way we can,” said Clark Cadzow, owner of Highland Coffees. The new series will begin sometime next fall. The collaboration between The Delta and Highland Coffees has showcased undergraduate and graduate student writing for a decade. “Readers bring their original writing including poetry, fiction and nonfiction. The readings are sponsored by Delta Undergraduate Journal, and they are free to the public on the first and third Thursday of every month,” said Randolph Thomas, faculty adviser to The Delta Journal. While The Delta Journal and Highland Coffees has only worked together for 10
see DELTA, page 19
see ROCCA page 19 LIFESTYLE
N-Dulged Cosmetics & Beauté Studio to open March 23 BY AMAYA LYNCH @maya09172 A new beauty studio is opening with a simple mission: encourage people to embrace what they have instead of covering it up. LaToya Robinson, the 30-year-old owner of N-Dulged Cosmetics is opening up a new studio on 9626 Airline Highway, Suite C2-1, Studio 211 on March 23. The services she will provide include, but is not limited to, lash lifts and a 30-to-60 minute facial and waxing. Robinson said this studio will be the start of something bigger. Robinson said she spoke with a business consultant when she first had the idea for N-Dulged and the consultant encouraged her to also consider offering a service. Robinson attended the Aveda Institute in Hammond,
Louisiana, to get a license to these services, and she said she liked how Aveda combined the knowledge she had and what she wanted to do and it helped her accomplish it. Robinson is now just waiting for her license to come in the mail after recently completing her last test to acquire her license. “It’s a starting point,” Robinson said. “It’s a place for me to build my clientele. I plan to open another location as soon as I can.” Robinson has been focusing on her own original cosmetic line for the past year. She already released four lipsticks with original colors that include reds, pinks and nudes. When Robinson originally started N-Dulged, she tried making her own formula for her products, but she ended up working with a New York-based private
labeling company for the sake of time and quality. “Originally, N-Dulged started in 2014,” Robinson said. “At the time I thought I wanted to sell lingerie but I kind of got away from it, but that’s where the name N-Dulged came from. I then trademarked the name, and when I resurfaced in 2016, it became a cosmetics line with the first product being nail polish and I just went from there.” Robinson said she hopes to expand her business to skin care in addition to cosmetics and other services. Robinson intends to use the same products she would on her own face on clients during facials, assuring customers will have an experience that is both enjoyable and beneficial to their skin. “I use the products,”
see N-DULGED, page 19
SOPHIE GRANZOW / The Daily Reveille
Entrepreneur LaToya Robinson shows a sneak peak of N-Dulged Beauté Studio, a new day spa and cosmetic line in Baton Rouge.
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
page 15
LIFESTYLE
Student develops personal style, makeup skills through YouTube BY ASHLEI GOSHA @yungjemisin For mass communication junior Loreal Johnson, the best part of beauty YouTubing is not filming, but editing the video itself. Her true creativity kicks in after she powers off the camera and opens up iMovie to give the video an extra nudge of watch-ability. Johnson not only posts beauty tutorials on YouTube under the name Leaux Johnson, but also leads peer education group Street Squad at the University. She said balancing work and YouTube has been challenging, and the sudden demand for programs makes it even harder to post regularly. Currently, her focus is on work. “It’s a lot, but it’s what I want to do,” Johnson said. “That’s everything right now.” Johnson started posting videos during the second semester of her sophomore year at the
University after she built up the comfort to do so. She said YouTube gave her the opportunity to transition out of her shyness and into the light. “I feel like it’s helped me come out of my shell because I was really shy, like really-really shy, and I didn’t really talk to people,” Johnson said. Johnson said she discovered her interest in makeup from her best friend who inspired her to try it for herself. “I would come by her sometimes, and she would be doing it,” Johnson said. “Then I would go back and get some stuff to where I could do the same stuff, but then I got way ahead of her.” Johnson said her best friend and peers have often asked her how to achieve certain looks. YouTuber Aaliyah Jay, among others, furthered her interest in beauty videos and creating similar looks in her daily life. “Having to explain it every
ISABELLA ALLEN / The Daily Reveille
Mass communication junior Loreal Johnson talks about her beauty channel Youtube. time gets old. So whenever I started doing videos, if they would ask me something, I would make a video about that,” Johnson said. Johnson said she hopes to
venture out in her videos, and eventually she would like to do other people’s makeup for a service. So far, she has done the makeup of large groups for her stepmother’s wedding, and the Zulu Ball, a Mardi Gras event. “I ended up doing makeup that whole day, which was exhausting, but it was really, really fun,” Johnson said. Johnson said her life goals include acting as a creative director to the Los Angeles Lakers or being a digital content director, something she was unaware of until LSU’s creative director described the job in one of her advertising classes. Johnson said she gets the most enjoyment from the editing process of making her videos, which is why she hopes to build a career based on creativity. “There’s this quote where it’s like, ‘The most creative people are the people that don’t have anything,’” Johnson said. “A lot of people don’t feel like they can
do a lot with iMovie, but you can really do a lot with iMovie. And I think that’s what made me like doing it.” Johnson said she has a pragmatic outlook on her YouTube career – she did not start for fame or popularity and doesn’t expect it. “Whenever people tell me that they want to join or start I say, ‘Start, but don’t think you’re just going to blow up overnight because nine times out of 10, you’re not,’” Johnson said. “On the other hand, I know people that are scared, so to them I would say, ‘Just start. It’s really not that bad.’” Johnson’s current goal for the channel is equivalent to her work with Street Squad. “I just want people to come to my channel or come to my Instagram page and be able to see something and then be able to do it themselves,” Johnson said. “All I really want to do is help.”
DANCE
Biological engineering freshman explores professional ballet career
BY KELLY SWIFT @kellbell237 Biological engineering freshman Emily McConnell keeps a balanced routine and has high goals, but her life wasn’t always so structured. Ever since McConnell’s aunt showed her a picture of her mom wearing pointe shoes, she knew she wanted to follow in her mom’s
footsteps. By age 16, McConnell was already moving across the country to New York to pursue her ballet career. When she was accepted into the American Ballet Theatre, she had the opportunity to dance with people she had seen in movies and people she followed on Instagram, who happened to have hundreds of thousands of followers. “My teacher was in the movie
‘The Turning Pointe,’ which I had seen on Netflix before moving to New York,” McConnell said. “It was insane to have her teach me something that I love to do.” McConnell would soon find herself surrounded by the most elite dancers in America. Though she hadn’t been in any Netflix movies and she wasn’t Instagramfamous, she had all that she needed – true grit and talent.
A R EC I P E F O R
GO O D M EM OR I ES.
Though McConnell had a late start to ballet, she had natural ability. She started ballet in Lafayette at “The Ballet Studio” where she met the owner, Beverly Spell. “One day she came and taught my class then moved me up to a higher level, and talked to my mom and said that I needed to take more classes,” McConnell said. In that moment, McConnell’s close ones knew she was more than the average dancer. McConnell then found her high arches and hyper-extended knees helpful in the world of dancing, and she quickly leveled up at her studio and increased her classes to multiple times a week. Two years after McConnell started ballet, she got her pointe shoes. Her dancing career became more intense, and she began performing in her teacher’s original ballets. McConnell was also involved in a traveling dance company, known as “Ballet Magnificat!” She did performances with them until she tried out for summer intensives, which were made to find new talent for large companies. She was never rejected by a company, so she chose to work with one of the most prestigious dance companies in the country, American Ballet Theatre. “I assumed that I wouldn’t go because the Ballet Theatre was in New York and didn’t offer dorms and it was expensive, but thankfully, my mom’s friend convinced my mom to let me go,” McConnell said. McConnell and her family lived in an apartment in Brooklyn that summer in 2015, when she was only 16. Every morning she would get up, walk to the subway and go to classes. Every other day she had pilates, making her routine in New York strictly
SOPHIE GRANZOW / The Daily Reveille
LSU Honors College biological engineering freshman and ballet dancer Emily McConnell practices her jumps.
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ballet-driven. “I was in New York for months but I didn’t see the statue of liberty and I didn’t see the Empire State building,” McConnell said. “I was so focused on ballet and improving that I didn’t have time to think about anything else.” While she was at the American Ballet Theatre, she became close with its artistic director and world-renowned dancer Franco De Vita, who paid special attention to her abilities. “He yelled at me a lot and told me what I needed to fix,” McConnell said. “I was more than OK with that because I knew that it meant he was looking at me.” McConnell didn’t have the funding to stay in New York, so she moved back South. However, she said it was a blessing in disguise because she is currently signed with the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre and finally got to dance in her dream ballet, “The Nutcracker,” in 2017. “I’m so glad that I get to dance and enjoy it instead of being forced to do it as a career,” McConnell said.
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
REV R ANKS EVERYTHING SUCKS!
Netflix
The storyline of “Everything Sucks!” begins when Luke, McQuaid and Tyler enter their freshman year in high school during the mid-to-late ‘90s. With the series being set in a time as iconic as the ‘90s, you can’t help but get a sense of nostalgia while watching it.
Amaya Lynch @maya09172
THE MORTIFIED GUIDE
Netflix
“The Mortified Guide” is a refreshing celebration of what makes us who we are as people, which is summed up perfectly by the tagline at the end of each episode: “We are freaks, we are fragile and we all survived.
page 17
‘Queer Eye’ provides audiences with fun, emotional reality show BY ASHLEI GOSHA @ yungjemisin The new Netflix Original “Queer Eye” is a reboot of a 2003 show by the same name with a similar premise. A squad of gay men dubbed the “Fab Five” give a man nominated by someone in his life a makeover, aiding him with improving not only his appearance, but also his lifestyle in key ways. The show delves further than expected into the lives of each man. Every one of them has an issue with his personality or outlook, and the process of applying more seemingly superficial aspects of the makeover provides a pathway for working on the issue. The season’s strong first episode clearly states the thesis of the show: self-improvement is as emotional as it is physical. The subject of each episode’s makeover is a man nominated by someone in his life who feels he needs more help the average individual can give to grow. At the beginning, I didn’t
feel anything for the first nominee, Tom Jackson, a perfectly average-looking older man who told anyone who would listen that he had the ugliest mug around. Unkempt, sure, but he wasn’t scaring babies in cribs. By the end of the episode, the Fab Five had helped Tom with the physical things that needed changing and set him on the path for emotional growth, as well. In the process, my viewing partner and I had grown attached to the sweet old man who was headover-heels for his ex-wife. We had watched a real person make real progress with five strangers who treated him like a treasured friend. The show continued on like that, with the other standout being A.J. from episode four, which follows the makeover of a closeted gay man who wants to come out and feels stifled by the measures he’s taken to present himself as straight. It’s an emotional ride. I didn’t care much for him or his mossy edges at first, but by the time his reveal event rolled around and
he sobbed into his stepmother’s arms, I had to fight to keep my composure. Just like the others, he was just a random man on a T.V. show to start, and by the end he was a real human person whose problems I absolutely wanted to see solved. The concept of “Queer Eye” nestles itself neatly in people who don’t proclaim it but admit they enjoy making a night out of watching. With the presentation of its bubbly cast of extroverted gay men, it almost seems like that’s all it is, but it certainly goes deeper than a “Say Yes to the Dress”-type show. The Fab Five say A.J. is unfashionable and hairy, yes, but why? Oh, it’s because he’s afraid of rejection so he doesn’t let anyone get close. Of course, not every episode digs in so deep, and there are a lot of laughs to be had. Netflix’s “Queer Eye” is a very fun show if you’re OK with making 45-minute long emotional investments in men who’d come off as weirdos if you met them pre-makeover.
Mads Reineke @mrein39
N.E.R.D.
Columbia Records
“NO ONE EVER REALLY DIES” by N.E.R.D is just the album the band needed. Not only does it explain the band’s acronym, but it gives the three members of the band, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley a clear designated style. That style is a mix of rap, funk and pop.
Kelly Swift @kellbell237
Read the full reviews online at lsunow.com/entertainment
courtesy of NETFLIX
The Daily Reveille
page 16
make some mixes BY MADS REINEKE @mrein39
DON’T MAKE IT A CHORE If music is something you and your giftee care about deeply, then make sure not to make it a tedious task. It never hurts to start early enough so when your self-set deadline arrives, you’re not panicked. Have a playlist created on whatever streaming service you use most frequently and add songs as you hear them.
UTILIZE THE POWER OF HOLIDAY THEMES While mixes don’t have to be reserved for a certain holiday, don’t be afraid to use the occasion for inspiration. If it’s a gift for a significant other on Valentine’s Day, maybe go with some loveydovey jams. If it’s a birthday, fill it with those good party beats. Setting a vibe with your mix adds even more sentimentality to your gift.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
We’ve all seen that cheesy ‘80s movie moment where someone hands their crush a carefully cultivated mix tape. It’s always a huge deal, something that person spent hours working on to get just right. The concept — as the name implies — might sound a little outdated, but getting any sort of hand-picked playlist from a friend is always one of my favorite gifts to receive. Here are some tips to get that playlist to say everything you aren’t good at saying. MAKE IT ABOUT THEM (OR AT LEAST BOTH OF YOU) This may sound a little obvious, but I’ve found that making a mix for someone can quickly turn into “Oh! These are my favorite songs right now, and I’m sure this person will like them too!” That’s not the route to take. To make a mix truly special, pick songs that make you think of them, songs that you love to listen to together or songs that remind you of your relationship with that person.
HARD COPIES ARE STILL COOL Though our technology has gone far past the era of the cassette tape, most cars and computers still come equipped with a disk slot. In other words, make that mix into a CD! It’s always easier to hand someone a physical something in terms of gift-giving, but it also adds an extra dash of nostalgia to an already heartfelt gift. Of course, making a Spotify playlist to accompany your disk copy doesn’t hurt either.
ADD YOU OWN ARTISTIC FLAVOR Making a physical copy of your mix also lends itself to the opportunity to design some festive album art. Just your Crayola markers and a piece of paper is enough to give your gift extra personality. Of course, no album is complete without the proper cover, as well as a list of tracks. All of this can fit comfortably in a cheap plastic CD case from any office supply store.
DON’T ALWAYS WAIT FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION There is no cardinal rule about the perfect moment to give the gift of a mix. In my experience, the mixes I received “just because” have been my favorites. Knowing that someone has been thinking about you enough to compile songs for you is one of the best feelings you can give someone.
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
REV R ANKS EVERYTHING SUCKS!
Netflix
The storyline of “Everything Sucks!” begins when Luke, McQuaid and Tyler enter their freshman year in high school during the mid-to-late ‘90s. With the series being set in a time as iconic as the ‘90s, you can’t help but get a sense of nostalgia while watching it.
Amaya Lynch @maya09172
THE MORTIFIED GUIDE
Netflix
“The Mortified Guide” is a refreshing celebration of what makes us who we are as people, which is summed up perfectly by the tagline at the end of each episode: “We are freaks, we are fragile and we all survived.
page 17
‘Queer Eye’ provides audiences with fun, emotional reality show BY ASHLEI GOSHA @ yungjemisin The new Netflix Original “Queer Eye” is a reboot of a 2003 show by the same name with a similar premise. A squad of gay men dubbed the “Fab Five” give a man nominated by someone in his life a makeover, aiding him with improving not only his appearance, but also his lifestyle in key ways. The show delves further than expected into the lives of each man. Every one of them has an issue with his personality or outlook, and the process of applying more seemingly superficial aspects of the makeover provides a pathway for working on the issue. The season’s strong first episode clearly states the thesis of the show: self-improvement is as emotional as it is physical. The subject of each episode’s makeover is a man nominated by someone in his life who feels he needs more help the average individual can give to grow. At the beginning, I didn’t
feel anything for the first nominee, Tom Jackson, a perfectly average-looking older man who told anyone who would listen that he had the ugliest mug around. Unkempt, sure, but he wasn’t scaring babies in cribs. By the end of the episode, the Fab Five had helped Tom with the physical things that needed changing and set him on the path for emotional growth, as well. In the process, my viewing partner and I had grown attached to the sweet old man who was headover-heels for his ex-wife. We had watched a real person make real progress with five strangers who treated him like a treasured friend. The show continued on like that, with the other standout being A.J. from episode four, which follows the makeover of a closeted gay man who wants to come out and feels stifled by the measures he’s taken to present himself as straight. It’s an emotional ride. I didn’t care much for him or his mossy edges at first, but by the time his reveal event rolled around and
he sobbed into his stepmother’s arms, I had to fight to keep my composure. Just like the others, he was just a random man on a T.V. show to start, and by the end he was a real human person whose problems I absolutely wanted to see solved. The concept of “Queer Eye” nestles itself neatly in people who don’t proclaim it but admit they enjoy making a night out of watching. With the presentation of its bubbly cast of extroverted gay men, it almost seems like that’s all it is, but it certainly goes deeper than a “Say Yes to the Dress”-type show. The Fab Five say A.J. is unfashionable and hairy, yes, but why? Oh, it’s because he’s afraid of rejection so he doesn’t let anyone get close. Of course, not every episode digs in so deep, and there are a lot of laughs to be had. Netflix’s “Queer Eye” is a very fun show if you’re OK with making 45-minute long emotional investments in men who’d come off as weirdos if you met them pre-makeover.
Mads Reineke @mrein39
N.E.R.D.
Columbia Records
“NO ONE EVER REALLY DIES” by N.E.R.D is just the album the band needed. Not only does it explain the band’s acronym, but it gives the three members of the band, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley a clear designated style. That style is a mix of rap, funk and pop.
Kelly Swift @kellbell237
Read the full reviews online at lsunow.com/entertainment
courtesy of NETFLIX
The Daily Reveille
page 18
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
FASHION
Hey, Penelope offers locally made items, Louisiana-based designs BY KELLY SWIFT @kellbell237 When Baton Rouge native Desiree Guidry started selling her own original designs, she said “hello” to success and “hey” to Penelope. After Guidry graduated with a major in graphic design at Southeastern University in 2011, she wanted to do something she was passionate about. It took her about a year to find a job she enjoyed, but it didn’t have anything to do with her degree. So, in 2012 she began designing t-shirts and putting them on Etsy for the world to see. She had local designs that celebrated Louisiana, which were uncommon at the time. “It blew up,” Guidry said. “People wanted more, and a few magazines contacted me wanting my designs.” Guidry sold her products online until she opened her brickand-mortar store Hey, Penelope in 2014 at 7317 Jefferson Highway. She said she hopes to move closer to LSU in the future, but she will stay in her current
page 18
location for now. “I want to expand one day, maybe open something around LSU or the Perkins area,” Guidry said. ”This really is the perfect spot for me now.” The name “Hey, Penelope” comes from one of Guidry’s favorite songs, “Penelope” by Pinback. It talks about a woman named Penelope who needs a confidence boost. Guidry said she likes the message behind the song and wanted her store to reflect its message. Hey, Penelope is centrally located and impossible to miss because the building is covered in black and white stripes. The building’s exterior matches its festive interior with colorful, stand-out designs. Guidry said she has been ready to be a store owner since she was in grade school. She said her love for business combines perfectly with her love for creative expression through graphic design. “I had lemonade stands as a child, and I was always fascinated by my grandpa’s small shop,” Guidry said. “I guess I’ve always
loved local businesses, which is why I carry local artists’ work in my shop.” Guidry sells her own work at the store, but she also promotes other Louisiana-based brands. She carries local lines such as Lionheart Prints, SAVVYROOT, BONFOLK, Blackbird Letterpress and others. Hey, Penelope carries a variety of items such as locally made items like socks by BONFOLK and jewelry by Beneath the Bark, other clothing, her own designs and standard items like shoes and candles. “I try to keep variety in the store,” Guidry said. “I want the store to carry things that could interest a lot of people.” Guidry said she always appreciated Baton Rouge’s strong culture, which is why her designs focus on local themes. She has incorporated the state’s recognizable outline and other notable Louisiana characteristics. “I started doing the designs when not many people were doing them,” Guidry said. Guidry said she never
SOPHIE GRANZOW / The Daily Reveille
Hey, Penelope Boutique showcases its variety of local, chic jewelry, clothing and gift items on March 1 at 7317 Jefferson Highway.
The Daily Reveille
expected to get this far with her work, but she hopes to do bigger and better things as Hey, Penelope grows. “It started as a creative
outlet, but then became my life,” Guidry said. “I’ve wanted this since I was a little girl. I’m really grateful and happy with the store and hope to expand it one day.”
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
WHAT’S SPINNING AT @KLSURadio
KLSUradio
klsufm
klsuradio.fm
225 578 5578
NEWMUSIC MUSIC NEW “Lie” “The OOZ” by Mudhoney by King Krule
7/10 8/10
UPCOMING HOST OF PANGEA, SATURDAYS AM (WORLD REVIEW BY DJ DRAGONFLY REVIEW BY DJ WOODSTOCKCKMAN HOST 9-11 OF RIP IT UP, MUSIC) SATURDAYS 5 - 7 P.M. (POST PUNK) SHOWS King Krule is a 23-year-old, red-headed, Mudhoney is a band synonymisanthropic singer-songwriter, guitarist, mous with the push away from punk producer, and poet hailing from London. His and the move toward the Seattle munewest album, “The OOZ,” shows us that sic scene that would later become sometimes, life hurts. known as grunge, creating a sound King Krule is the primary creative outlet that combined the speed and DIY atof the mysterious Archy Marshall, who has titude of punk with the heaviness also released music under his real name, as of metal. well as Zoo Kid. Marshall has a particularly Mudhoney’s career began with one strong and distinctive working-class English of the most influential singles of all time accent and uses British slang that breaks (1988’s “Touch Me I’m Sick”) and an through heavily in his music. King Krule’s equally strong EP (1988’s “Superfuzz sound is unique in its blending of punk, jazz, Bigmuff”), both of which raised the bar hip hop, and indie musical stylings. His music to an all-time high, leaving them to suffer is inspired by artists like Elvis Presley, Fela the Nas – Illmatic curse. Kuti, J Dilla, and The Penguin Café Orchestra. Although they would put out His full-length debut album “6 Feet Besome amazing albums in the years neath the Moon,” released in August 2013, attracted a lot of attention and earned him a comfortable space in the indie music scene. His anger, grit and despair cuts through to the bones of listeners, but is softened by beautiful jazz chords -- a contrast that works in his favor. The words he yells are often profane or vulgar and shock listeners; however, we cling and want more. King Krule is bold
UPCOMING SHOWS
mar 08 THURSDAY
and violent in his language as he pushes to come, they never quite got the boundaries in what is usually a clean-cut recognition they deserved. indie scene. That is why “Lie” succeeds as an “The OOZ” packs an attitude that is album. Being the first non-limited release more sophisticated than Marshall’s previous live album in their 30-year discography, work. His sound is mature and developed. “Lie” is a collection of recordings from The songs are more polished and technically Mudhoney’s 2016 European Tour, which impressive. The guitar sounds are cleaner come from all eras of the bands expanand less messy, but his temper has stayed sive history. the same. In short, the band sounds like they In his career, King Krule has maintained haven’t lost any bit of their frantic enand managed a visceral blueness that never ergy and especially not their trademark goes away, singing about and revisiting fuzzed-out guitar sound. emotionally sensitive subject matter. We Rather than including songs from a absorb his moods and textures, feeling what single show, the album features recordhe feels, whether it is anger, self-loathing, ings from shows in Germany, Croatia, disorientation, isolation, or anxiety. Sweden and Austria. In “Logos,” the sixth track from “The OOZ,” Marshall sings about the torment he experienced in his childhood by recounting the care of his drunken mother. He sings, “She draws me in and swallows whole.” These words are paired with somber guitar and distant keyboard sounds. The second track, “Dum Surfer,” evokes dark and gritty imagery from vomiting on
mar 09 FRIDAY
sidewalks to screaming car crashes. In the The album kicks off with “Fuzz gnarled, taking on a very Neil Young “Rust fourth line he shouts, “Skunk and onion Gun ‘91” from 1991’s “Every Good Boy Never Sleeps”-esque sound, which I have gravy, as my brain’s potato mash,” displaying Deserves Fudge,” which actually ends up honestly come to prefer over the original. his quirky, unusual wit. My only complaint comes from sounding better than the original version, “Cadet Limbo” is a heart-dropping numwith much nastier guitars and punchier the fact that the final mix of the album ber in which Marshall sings about a woman, can sometimes lack vocal clarity and percussion. comparing her mesmerizing beauty to the “The Final Course” from 2013’s some presence, and sounds sloppy on deepness of outer space. He repeats, “Has “Vanishing Point” is present with a more some tracks. it been this long since I’ve had this bond?” jammed-out, near heavy blues version. All in all, “Lie” is easily one of What these songs have in common is a One of my favorite tracks is a creatively Mudhoney’s strongest releases in years, deep-seated intensity. His songs sprout from different cover of Roxy Music’s “Editions amping up the noise and energy of many feeling and nothing else. of You,” which adopts that dirty Mudhoney of the band’s classic tracks. Even the most “The OOZ” is a beautiful, emotionallysound while still paying tribute to the casual fan should consider picking it up draining, nineteen-track album in which the ARIEL PINK, TRANCE original new-wave. for their collection. roots of love, loss, and anger are explored. The album’s closer, “Broken Hands,” FARMERS, BITE MARX This album is an essential listen for people has always been a favorite from the Mud- For fans of: Nirvana, Soundgarden, interested in modern jazz and punk sounds (NOLA) honey discography. Here it’s even more Dinosaur Jr., Sonic TIPITINA’S Youth and the melting together of the two. This is 9 P.M. the soundtrack to loneliness, staying inside your apartment on a Friday night, or obsessively thinking about a past lover. It is real, it is raw, and it is honest.
WEDNESDAY
08 nov
mar10
SATURDAYFor Fans of: Mount Kimbie, Cosmo Sykes, SUNDAY BADBADNOTGOOD
mar
11 09 THURSDAY
REVIEW BY DJ LEVIATHAN HOST OF THE HEAVIEST MATTER IN THE UNIVERSE, TUESDAY 11PM-1AM (METAL) “Urn” Tim Charles Charles’ growing role as both a vocalist and Australian outfit NeTHE Obliviscaris to SLIMEViolinist AXES returns OF EVIL, IN THEand clean vocalistKLSU by Ne Obliviscaris HEAVY LIDS, BÊNNÍ,the forefront THE DEATH VACATION, HATE CLUB, FUNDRAISER KICKOFF W/ of extreme metal with one of the appears to play a much more prominent role instrumentalist, the album signifies a less imCURRENT, LOUDNESS WAR, LOVE WITCH FEELING, HAND OUT RIAROSA, WUMBO & WASTE on this particular record. Charles’ vocals are pressive retread MAN of “Portal of I” (2012)MATERIAL and most anticipated album releases of the DEADCENTERED year. soaring and melodic as usual, and his violin “Citadel” (2014). The compositions are exten“Urn,” the band’s third record, continues SPANISH MOON HI-HO LOUNGE (NOLA) 524 STUDIOS TIN ROOF BREWING CO. the group’s previous blending of both harsh playing is much improved from the two previ- sive and given room to develop, but there isn’t CADDYWHOMPUS, POPE, 9 P .M. 9 P.M. 9 P.M. 3 P .M. and clean vocals. The formerly radical feature ous releases. But, there are times when the anything groundbreaking to witness. TRASH LIGHT & PARTICLE A progressive metal band that fails to stemming from the ‘90s has now become an album winds up bogged down by these soothDEVOTION “progress” inevitably betrays the very appeal almost exhaustive trope within the genre. ing interludes and clean passages. However, Xenoyr does display some of “Urn’s” standout tracks, the blistering of their act. Though not as intriguing as its SPANISH MOON the finest harsh vocals in the entire scene. “Libera (Part I) – Saturnine Spheres,” the well- predecessors, “Urn” remains an album that 8 P.M. Xenoyr’s performance is once again extraor- developed “Urn (Part I) – And Within the Void should conjure up many favorable impres-
nov
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 N-DULGED, from page 14 Robinson said. “Like the skin care that’s coming out. I incorporated a skin care line that I would actually use on a client when they come in for facials.” Robinson said she has kept a close eye on what exactly goes into all her products. This allows her to know exactly what is in the products that she uses on her clients and on herself. Her products are all-natural and she’s also offering a natural hair removing service in this service called sugaring. It’s a combination of sugar, lemon juice and water. It is mixed into a paste and it seeps into the pores, wraps around the root of the hair and pulls it out. Robinson said sugaring is a preferable technique because it is better for the skin and keeps the hair away longer. Robinson recently created her first bath bomb, and though
DELTA, from page 14 years, Highland Coffees’ support for student writers dates back to 1989, when the shop opened. “We hosted readings by the University’s Masters of Fine Arts program for several years back in the early 1990s,” Cadzow said. “Countless other literary and musical performances have also taken place in our courtyard over the years. Hundreds of young poets and other creative writers have read their work here since we
she has not set a release date, she has already received orders from her postings on social media. The bath bomb is called Jasmine Rose and includes organic rose water and other natural ingredients. Robinson said she decided to try a bath bomb because it was easy to make and it was trending at the time. She thought that if she could put her own spin on it, that would really make it special. Robinson said her services will be reasonably priced and she will have discount days. She plans to include student discount offers, including one where students can get discounts on services like 30-minute facials, 60-minute facials and waxing. Robinson is taking on a lot at the time, and she said she does pretty much everything. She comes up with discount days, runs the social media and she is the only person who will be opened.” Elizabeth Nelson, prose editor for The Delta, said she loved her experience reading at Highland Coffees. “Sometimes, some of our readers are a little shy or uncertain about sharing their work in front of other people, but they end up loving it and being glad they went through with it,” Nelson said. “Before I became the prose editor, I was scared – worried that people would hate my writing when I first shared at Highland, but they didn’t and they loved it.”
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SOPHIE GRANZOW / The Daily Reveille
N-Dulged Cosmetics and Beauté Studio is expected to open March 23. working in the studio. Robinson said she tries to take trends and find missing pieces. She said she wants to find something different
from what everyone is doing, determined to bring something special to Baton Rouge. “I can’t wait to show Baton Rouge what I have to offer,” Rob-
inson said. “It’s very interesting and very different. It probably wouldn’t be what you would expect from me, but I think I’m going to stun a lot of people.”
Creative Writing alumni have worked as grant writers, literary agents, copywriters, film editors and more. Many more graduates from other programs have also gone on to literary acclaim with historical accounts, journalism and legal and scientific writing. Pinkie Gordon Lane, Ph.D., was the first black woman to earn a doctorate from the University in 1967 and the first black woman to be named Poet Laureate of Louisiana. Olympia Vernon earned her master’s in creative writing in 2002 . She
published three critically acclaimed novels, one of which she wrote as a University student. Her first novel was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Her work has been compared to Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou. Stephen Edward Ambrose, the author of the original bookversion of “Band of Brothers,” graduated with a master’s degree in history from the University. John Edmund Bradley is a contributor to Sports Illustrated and has written several novels. Many more talented
graduates from a myriad of degree programs have gone on to publish their work and garner acclaim. The readers featured at the Highland Reading Series may move on to create award-winning literature like the aforementioned graduates, and they can say they got their start from the prolific coffee shop off W. Chimes St. “You can look for me in upcoming years when I publish my books and become a bestselling author,” Nelson said. “Believe it.”
ROCCA, from page 14 plates and a pizza or two for the table allows for a feel-good meal in the company of friends. “I felt like the city needed a wood-fire Neapolitan-style pizzeria, and so I was able to expand the menu and collaborate with some local organic farms,” Fernandez said. “We’re really trying to bring in as much local products as we can and feature those great businesses on our menu to really elevate pizzas in Baton Rouge to a higher degree.” Fernandez said the attention to authenticity is a special quality of Rocca. He said featuring local products from farm to table and having a kitchen that cooks mainly from scratch is something really different. The pure meats and imported cheeses leave no gray area and add so much to the flavor. Fernandez’s love for pizza is why he brought a style of pizza commonly found in large cities to a city like Baton Rouge. Rocca Pizzeria opened Jan. 25, making it one of the newer eating spots in the city. Fernandez credits their early success to the ambiance, decor, open kitchen and Neapolitan-style pizza, proving every day that quality matters. “I think it’s a fun and great atmosphere,” Fernandez said. “It’s for couples, families and anyone looking for a great meal.”
CALEB BOURQUE / The Daily Reveille
Rocca, a wew Neapolitan-style inspired pizzeria, opens on Government Street on Jan. 25.
Opinion
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White privilege still prevalent, dominant force in American life FRANKLY SPEAKING
capitalism is the reason Native Americans were herded thousands of miles to reservation camps far from their lands. JUSTIN FRANKLIN White capitalism is the reason @justinifranklin hundreds of thousands of African slaves were brought to perform “White privilege” has existed grueling manual labor in the hot in America since the first colo- sun — labor that the privileged nizers set foot on American soil. white people thought themselves The perception of dominance, too privileged to do. the expectation of possession Even today, there are jobs and the feeling of moral superi- primarily done by low-skilled ority came across the Atlantic minority workers. But today it hundreds of years ago, and is seems that white privilege extends not only to denying a job still here today. because of its Many descendants of these Frankly speaking, to deny merits, but being initial colonizers the existence of white upset about immicoming to not only refuse privilege in the nation grants take the job peoto acknowledge that basically invented ple didn’t want in the existence the concept is beyond the first place. of white priviignorant. lege, but claim White people that any other are smart enough race demanding not to call what clout is inherently demanding they have “white privilege.” privilege. For a time, white privilege was Many agree the greatness of called “manifest destiny,” an arAmerica is built on civil rights, rogant populist persuasion that civil liberties and capitalism. promoted bigotry and hatred If this is true, the greatness toward anyone who opposed of America is built on white American colonizers. Another encoding of priviprivilege. White people have always been given civil rights. lege is “nationalism,” which is White people have always been ironically one of the most illibergiven civil liberties. White al things to come about in liberal
America. American nationalism promotes the fundamental value of nationhood, but this “nation” apparently means people tied together by ethnic and cultural bonds. Take a look at the white nationalists that exist today. We are a nation of immigrants that refuses to acknowledge it. What bonds do these nationalists have other than a lack of pigmentation? The visceral strength of white privilege today is being challenged by many people who believe in the power of diversity and inclusion. The institutionalization of white privilege has proven difficult to fight, but there has been progress over the years. The implementation of affirmative action helped the situation, but privilege fights that progress. Gerrymandering districts, which is done by both sides of the political spectrum, is another way privilege lingers today. President Donald Trump claims he will be the country’s “great unifier.” Will he unify prosperity and wealth in communities that aren’t rich and white? I guess that’s what the tax bill did by awarding millions of dollars to the wealthy 1 percent of Americans. I guess a wall,
cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Daily Reveille
built and paid for by Americans, to keep out people who want to be American is meant to unify. Trump uses the concept of white privilege to his advantage. He rallies supporters behind the slogan “Make America Great Again.” Well, if America was ever great to him and his supporters, white privilege clearly is an indicator. Frankly speaking, to deny the existence of white privilege in the nation that basically
invented the concept is beyond ignorant. There will never be any other race or minority, or even future majority, preset to succeed like white America. Check your privilege, acknowledge your privilege and consider using it to help someone who doesn’t have it. Justin Franklin is a 19-yearold political communication freshman from Memphis, Tennessee.
LSU should adopt four-day class schedule, omit Friday classes SARAH SAYS SARAH GROBERTY @sarah_grobety Everyone loves a three-day weekend. The extra day gives students enough time to get work done, relax and have fun. Universities around the country are adopting a four-day week for its benefits to students and faculty. On some campuses like Indiana University Bloomington and Arizona State University, there are around 40-50 percent fewer classes held on Fridays than other days. Southern University implemented a four-day week in 2012. “The students think it’s a great idea,” said Chancellor James Llorens when the idea was first introduced. The ideal way to make this adjustment would be to make Monday and Wednesday classes an extra half-hour long to accommodate for the lost Friday class. While the change would not cut down on student’s hours or workload, it would condense classroom time. The benefits of this idea definitely outweigh the drawbacks. With this free day, the University would have more time to allot to student advising
CHRISTA MORAN / The Daily Reveille
Four-day class schedules would allow for more office hours and help students receive more one-on-one help from teachers. and professors’ office hours. The extra time would allow students to receive one-on-one help from professors or other counselors on campus. On top of the extra time for office hours and advising, the extra day would give students more free time to go to the library or study without cutting into the social part of their weekend. Studies show individuals who work longer hours have an
increased risk of stroke and heart disease, according to a medical study analysis by The Lancet. Individuals who work more than 40 hours a week also have a heightened risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Cutting a day off of the school week would have a huge impact on the overall stress and anxiety levels on campus. Less stress could mean slowing down traffic in the LSU Mental Health
Clinic and the LSU Student Health Center as students will have more time to stay healthy. In addition to the health benefits, there are economic reasons to consider a four-day work week. The University would save money on day-today costs like air conditioning, utilities and buses. These cuts would be huge in helping save the University money that could
be used to improve academic buildings. Baton Rouge traffic could also be alleviated, as well. Less drivers on the road once a week could have a positive impact on traffic. This change would also allow students more time to travel home on weekends to see family or friends. Having time to go home when you need to would be great for first-year students, especially as they make the transition from home to college. Extended weekends would also be a great opportunity for students to get involved on and off campus. Having a free weekday would allow students to get a job or internship to gain valuable job experience and make some money. This time could also be used to get involved in a club, intramural sport, volunteering, Greek Life or another hobby. Overall, involved students often have better grades than those who are uninvolved. A four-day week would alter the current schedule, but could be instrumental in the success of the students and the University. It would save the University money, as well as improve the student body’s mental health and extracurricular involvement. Sarah Grobety is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from Atlanta, Georgia.
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
page 21
Comics, graphic novels undervalued as legitimate art form OH, NOT AGAIN! KYLE RICHOUX @KyleRichoux Art is everywhere. It hangs on our walls. It sits on our shelves. We go to theaters to see it. And sometimes, we read it via little word boxes with zany sound effect graphics. Comic books and graphic novels are considered entertainment before anything else. It is a fair assessment given movies, television and video games get the same label. These simplistic descriptions betray the value of the products they represent. We venerate the paintings of Picasso and the scribbling of Shakespeare, but we don’t give credence to much else. It’s snobby and antiquated to suggest only media taught in schools as “fine art” has any artistic value. When “high art” began to be valued, only media such as literature, music and physical art existed. Today, technology has advanced to the point where we can make paintings that move, play music and tell a story all-in-one. Modern cinema is now becoming generally accepted
as an art form. Countless online film critics and a dedicated area for film study in most universities push to validate the medium. Film’s recognition isn’t enough. Other media exist lacking the same respect as frescoes or poetry. A hotly debated medium is video games. The medium straddles the fence between dumb, violent fun and thoughtful, poignant art. This very same line is a feature of film. You have your summer blockbusters, made to sell toys and appeal to the widest demographic possible. And then you have indie films, crafted by smaller studios with a passionate team trying to make something unique, to make real art. The big daddy of dumb-fun blockbuster hits, the “Transformers” franchise, released its fourth entry “Age of Extinction” in 2014, raking in $245 million at the domestic box office. An absurdist, thought-provoking indie film called “The Lobster” appeared the next year. The wildcard movie brought in only $9 million domestically in the box office. The sales number suggests a clear winner. Even though Rotten Tomatoes tells us that 88 percent of viewers were satisfied with “The Lobster” as opposed to the mere 18 percent who
approved of “Transformers,” the latter film takes the gold. This disparity shows that we might not be as interested in looking for art wherever it can be found as we’d like to believe. Video games occupy a similar space. The “Call of Duty” franchise continues to churn out a new installment every year, content to rest on its laurels forevermore. At the same time, inventive and poignant games are being hand-crafted. Newcomer studio “CD Projekt Red” broke into the scene with “The Witcher” franchise, following up on Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novels. Aesthetically, the fictional setting is a feast for the eyes. The quality of the characters rivals Shakespeare’s own. The writing is the groundwork for organic relationships and a thrilling and relatable story. Comic books have long been the weekly serials challenging teens’ imaginations and sense of wonder. In the beginning, comics were simple stories of good fighting evil, with cartoonishly heroic protagonists facing off against comically sinister villains. Over time, writers began creating more serious stories with flawed characters to match. Suddenly, the guy dressed like Robin Hood discovered his sidekick abusing heroin. Black
cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Daily Reveille
superheroes rose up as a beacon of hope for a marginalized community. Mutated humans fought for acceptance in diplomatic battle. Perhaps most importantly, the story of a man dressed like a bat with gadgets to spare chasing down a prankster clown became the grim tale of a criminally obsessed vigilante trying to instill order in a city plagued by a psychopathic anarchist. More and more comics and graphic novels began to explore and address contemporary and relevant issues. Their artwork
had to relay what was happening to the audience with only one still image at a time. This process doesn’t seem too different from a Renaissance painting or classical symphony. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of our day isn’t Hamlet’s churlish nature sullying his relationships and the stability of the throne. It’s our regrettable inability to see art in all its forms that marks our generation’s hubris. Kyle Richoux is a 19-year-old sociology sophomore from LaPlace, Louisiana.
Americans should equate mass shootings with domestic terrorist acts ACCORDING TO ASHLON ASHLON LUSK @shlinie A terrorist is someone who uses unlawful violence and intimidation against civilians. Unlawful violence includes, but it not limited to, mass shootings. Twenty-eight of the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. were committed by white men. Almost none of those shootings were called what they were: domestic terrorist attacks. When America thinks of terrorism, they think of Middle Eastern men wearing head scarves, crashing planes into the World Trade Center. America is correct that this was a terrorist attack, but they fail to recognize almost every domestic terrorist attack since then has been by a white American citizen. After 9/11 happened,
the country was rightly devastated and took precautions immediately. Airport security was drastically changed with metal detectors, luggage scans and full-body scans. What happened to Muslim Americans after 9/11 was not the right way to handle the situation. Movies were made portraying all Muslims as dangerous terrorists. Americans looked down on them and assumed they were all extremists. Why isn’t America reacting the same way to the recent mass shootings? All white men aren’t looked at the same. The men who performed those shootings are portrayed as “mentally ill” or victims of a “bad childhood.” The entire population of white men don’t have to take the blame for the shooter’s actions. Anyone who walks into a public space with an assault rifle and shoots 17 children should be called a terrorist. I am not downplaying any terrorism, I just want all
The Daily Reveille EDITORIAL BOARD Ramsina Odisho Natalie Anderson Evan Saacks Abbie Shull Hannah Kleinpeter
Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Opinion Editor
terrorism to be met with the same amount of repercussions. Walls are talked about being built if violence occurs from the Hispanic community. Travel bans are put into place against Middle Eastern countries. Black men are shot and killed in the street. All of these populations are being grouped together by their skin tone, but not white people. White people get a pass because they have the privilege of not being affected by racism. Privilege allows white people to automatically be seen as good and pure. Racism groups people together by their skin tone and makes it so no one is seen as an individual. Minorities are seen as dangerous, but white people are the ones committing the mass shootings. The face of terrorism today is a young, white American citizen. The first mass shooting in the U.S. was on September 6, 1949. Howard Unruh walked down
courtesy of WIKIMEDIA
Mourners gather in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Fla. the streets of his neighborhood and killed 13 people. Since then, hundreds of shootings have occurred and hardly anything has been changed to protect the people of America. America forgets
Editorial Policies and Procedures
The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity 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 Daily 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 Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
that everyone deserves safety, not just white people. Ashlon Lusk is a 19-year-old mass communication freshman from Houston, Texas.
Quote of the Week “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Former U.S. President Jan. 30, 1882- April 12, 1945
The Daily Reveille
page 22
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
America deserves more progressive party than Democrats HAMMER SEEKING NAIL SOHEIL SANEEI @soheilsaneei The U.S. deserves a more progressive political party than the Democratic party. As the U.S. has aged, its political paradigm has shifted evermore left. The country was thought to be progressive at different historical junctions, but this is because of relativity. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe has high acclaim from liberals who claim it was the driving force which caused the Civil War. It is often claimed Abraham Lincoln greeted Stowe saying, “So this is the little lady who started this great war.” Novelist and social critic James Baldwin expresses his dismay about Stowe, “But this, let us say, was beyond Mrs. Stowe’s powers; she was not so much a novelist as an impassioned pamphleteer.” Baldwin criticized her idea of black Americans fighting slavery through Uncle Tom’s character, writing, “the ostentatious parading of excessive and spurious emotion, is the mark of dishonesty, the inability to feel; the wet eyes of the sentimentalist betray his aversion to experience, his fear of life, his arid heart.“
It is here where a Democrat might argue Baldwin is overlooking the historical impact of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” What the American liberal does not question is whether any justice was brought by the war at all, as the slavery industry transformed into indentured servitude and then to free prison labor. The Republican party claims to be “the party of Lincoln,” often attempting to salvage its morality after accusations of racism. What both parties fail to understand is Lincoln should not be a paragon for racial morality. In The Great Debates of 1858, Lincoln stated, “I will say then, that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters of the Negroes, or jurors or qualifying them to hold office, of having them to marry with white people.” Lincoln adds, “There must be the position of superior and inferior, that I as much as any other man am in favor of the superior position being assigned to the white man.” The contingencies many progressives have regarding America’s concept of liberalism is far from outdated. In 2016, Hillary Clinton sided avidly against “broken windows” policing, opposing her rival Donald Trump. Maybe voters would have aligned more fervently with her if she didn’t seem so disingenuous, as Hillary and her husband
advocated tenaciously for “broken windows” policing in the 1990s. It is an ignoble insult to the American voters’ intelligence when white liberals forget the praise writers of these policies received in previous decades. When these naive champions of racist policy were faced with the negative consequences their ideals created, they simply dodged any veracious answer which would make them appear incompetent. Author Malcolm Gladwell, one of these acclaimed authors, disregarded the effects of stopand-frisk, saying, “The New York Police Department has done a better job than any other police department in history.” He then states, “They have done that by empowering their police force, and occasionally that empowerment has resulted in stopand-frisk, in profiling of young black men. The same neighborhoods who have suffered through that kind of excessive and in some ways unfair scrutiny from the police, have seen their crime rates drop through the floor.” Statistics show crime rates are continuing to drop after stop-and-frisk was repealed in 2013, proving revoking the rights from entire groups of people is not the solution. American liberals must ask themselves whether they are
helping the people whose wars they are fighting. We observe this phenomenon among Democratic imperialists. While former president Barack Obama was highly critical of this previous administration’s foreign policy, he did not complete his promise of reduced foreign intervention. Under the Obama administration, the U.S. drone program conducted 10 times more drone strikes than the Bush administration. Thousands of innocent civilians, many of whom were children, lost their lives. In the wake of the Parkland shooting, many Democrats have criticized Republicans for receiving money from the National Rifle Association. Democratic representative Adam Schiff has been one of the most vocal critics. Even though he does not receive donations from the NRA, Schiff receives funding from Northop Grumman, Raytheon and Orbital ATK, all companies which mass produce weapons globally. Activist Howard Zinn wrote, “The cry of the poor is not always just, but if you don’t listen to it, you will never know what justice is.” The Democratic party has created an illusion that they are willing to listen to the poor, whose voices are so faint in comparison to the wealthy. However cliché the old adage is, the notion that actions
courtesy of WIKIMEDIA
The Obama administration conducted 10 times more air strikes than the Bush administration. speak louder than words still applies. The American people are exhausted from voting for the lesser of two evils. It is disheartening that the nature of a two-party system has created an atmosphere for decisions based on utilitarianism. Americans deserve a party more exuberantly progressive than the current Democrats. Soheil Saneei is a biological engineering freshman from Metairie, Louisiana.
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The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
page 23
Recent rankings reveal states’ neglect for young people THE NIEMAN NOISE SETH NIEMAN @seth_nieman As a millennial raised in southern Mississippi a few miles from the Louisiana border, I was always acutely aware of the battle between the two states for “worst” in the country. Annual rankings are weighted on a plethora of issues, and it has become commonplace to scroll down and see the same two states finish last. Those rankings are why many young Mississippians and Louisianians, like myself, plan to leave. U.S. News & World Report ranked Mississippi and Louisiana as 49th and 50th respectively in its 2018 “Best States” ranking. The ranking took eight separate issues into account. The issues include: health care, education, economy, opportunity, infrastructure, crime and corrections, fiscal stability and quality of life. The two states find themselves in a familiar spot, as they both received the same ranking in the 2017 edition of this report. More notably, the two states rank dead last for opportunity and fall within the bottom five for education. The leaders of Mississippi and Louisiana have consistently demonstrated that they are unconcerned about the future of young
people. The only imaginable Adequate Education Program reason that young Mississip- by $20 million. I have begun to pians or Louisianians might wonder what it would be like choose to stay is to remain to live in a state where public close to family or because they education is viewed as a are committed to develop- priority. Children are uning change within their home aware of the low value state. Other than that, they that is being set on their have no reason to reside in the futures and the opportunities they are being stripped states that have failed them. However, whenever “If your state is such a of. toxic waste pit that your you grow old enough to bemain options for survival are come knowledgeable of this it becomes 1) leave or 2) run for public injustice, office, #1 is usually gonna disrespectful. An analysis conducted by be your best option,” tweeted LSU professor and The governing.com in June 2017 Times-Picayune columnist showed that Mississippi has Robert Mann. suffered a 4 percent loss Mann’s tweet was in re- in millennial’s since 2010, sponse to Louisiana’s state and a 0.5 percent increase legislature failing to pass for Louisiana. If the lack of legislation to help fund economic opportunity and TOPS, a program that devaluation of higher educarewards many Louisi- tion persists, Louisiana will ana students with scholar- soon find themselves declinships if they choose to at- ing at the same rate as their tend a Louisiana public neighboring state. college or university. In 2017, “Can you blame millennials for wanting to Mississippi lawmakers go where they can voted to make the most of their Whenever you grow opportunity?” asked cut fundold enough to become Jeramey Anderson, ing to the knowledgeable of this a 25-year-old state state’s 15 injustice, it becomes community representative from colleges by Moss Point, Miss. disrespectful. 10 percent “I can’t, but we as a and unistate can do a betversities ter job of fostering a by 9 percent, a move that wel- more welcoming environment comes the rise of tuition rates. that doesn’t contradict the Simultaneously, Mississippi’s narrative of ‘the hospitality’ state legislature voted to cut state.” funding to the Mississippi At Louisiana’s annual
courtesy of WIKIMEDIA
Miss. and LA were ranked at the bottom of U.S. News & World Report’s list of “Best States.” Statewide Economic Development Summit in April 2017, Gregory Burkhart, managing director of Duff & Phelps, said that “94 percent of University of Texas graduates stay in Austin each year.” If 75 percent of Baton Rouge’s college graduates chose to stay, the growth rate of millennials would jump from 6.6 percent to 13.9 percent in a year. One would think Mississippi and Louisiana would make a greater effort to retain millennials because of the
benefits they could provide to their struggling economies. A large part of that effort involves expanding job opportunities that attract college graduates, but the leadership of Mississippi and Louisiana have shown they couldn’t care less. They are not even capable of keeping students out of debt before they reach that point. Seth Nieman is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from McComb, Mississippi.
Practicing religion, spirituality encourages better mental health WELL, SHE TRIED CHANTELLE BAKER @deannayukari According to the Pew Research Center, the number of atheists in the U.S. increased from 1.6 percent to 3.1 percent from 2007 to 2014. Though the percentage is small, it shows more and more people are turning away from religion. Some may consider it to be rightfully so considering the monstrosities occurring in the world that “no good God” would allow. Once-respected celebrities are being outed for their sexual misconducts. School shootings are happening more and more regularly. It’s no wonder people are considering abandoning their religion. However, religion and spirituality in this time may be the best purpose, causing people thing for people to engage in to maintain a Religion and spirituality negative activgood sense of can not only help us deal ity. Religion and well-being. with great problems of the spirituality can Seeing trag- world, but with personal help steer people edies striking away from negaproblems as well. daily on the news tivity and guide contributes to them towards people losing their sense of hope. healthier choices. According to Many start to feel there is no the National Alliance on Men-
cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Daily Reveille
tal Illness, religiosity can help reduce alcoholism and drug use. Religion and spirituality can not only help us deal with great problems of the world, but with personal problems as well. Psychiatrist William Breitbart conducted a study where patients with advanced or terminal cancer were given
“meaning-centered group psychotherapy” instead of “supportive group psychotherapy” resulted in improvement of spiritual well-being in the first group, as well as a significant decrease in depression, hopelessness and desire for hastened death. If these results can occur with those who have cancer, one of the
greatest health fears, then it can certainly help with coping with other ailments. Some may say living a positive life is just a direct result of positive thinking and not due to religion. However, according to an article from Psychology Today, religion is a main source of hope and optimism. Some speak badly about religion, saying the results are minuscule. If so many people are satisfied with the results, there must be some purpose in it all. None of this is to say we must force religion on people. Thankfully, the U.S. allows us the freedom to choose what we believe in. We must allow those around us to find what works for them best, and leave them to live peacefully with those choices. Bad things will always happen, even to good people. Rather than blaming the world, the healthiest thing to do is to find some sort of religious or spiritual outlet. When it seems like there’s nothing, the best thing to do is believe in something. Chantelle Baker is a 21-yearold communication studies senior from Waipahu, Hawaii.
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