OPINION: Sterling shooting should serve as wake-up call, page 5 Best places around campus to beat the heat, page 4 lsunow.com/daily
THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2016
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Volume 121 · No. 73
dailyreveille RESEARCH
AgCenter preparing for medical marijuana
BY KATIE GAGLIANO @katie_gagliano
become a tragic memory or hashtag.” Braud also said she is scared to bring another life into the world not knowing what the future holds. She urges others to continue to “fight for justice” and for the future while also staying safe. After balloons were released at the site, the crowd prayed. Gospel music played to represent the absence of Sterling had not gone unnoticed but that the crowd understood he was in a better place. The first song played was Fred Hammond’s “We’re Blessed.” Sharod McClendon, a University mass communication and African and African American studies junior, said he attended the vigil with friends because they wanted to “stand with the Baton Rouge Community as they seek justice.” “This could have been me, my father,
The LSU Board of Supervisors approved a resolution on June 24 allowing LSU AgCenter to begin growing medical marijuana under Senate Bill 143. University Vice President for Agriculture William Richardson said it’s unlikely production will begin in 2016, but plans are underway and production could be up and running by 2017. Richardson said he decided to pursue the proposal after considerable soul searching. With 47,000 4-H students across the state, setting the right example and remaining in-line with the values taught to the 4-H students was a top priority, he said. Richardson said he was convinced of the plant’s medicinal value after hearing testimonials from several individuals currently utilizing the drug. Though technically legalized in both 1978 and 1991, current use of medical marijuana in Louisiana is illegal. “It doesn’t cure anything, but it will definitely improve the quality of people’s lives,” he said. “I’m thoroughly convinced of that.” The University’s growth of the plant will be strictly regulated,
see VIGIL, page 7
see MARIJUANA, page 7
JOURDAN RILEY / The Daily Reveille
University students attend Alton Sterling vigil Baton Rouge community protests BRPD shooting
BY JOURDAN RILEY @jourdanr_TDR Many gathered in front of the Triple S Food Mart on Wednesday evening where Alton Sterling was shot and killed by policemen early Tuesday morning. The streets were filled with both cars and attendees in every direction on N. Foster Drive and Fairfields Ave. Traffic was at a standstill in front of the convenience store where many came together with family and friends for a vigil for Sterling. Sterling was shot and killed by Baton Rouge Police Department officers early Tuesday morning after an anonymous person reported Sterling pointed a gun at someone. State Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, was in attendance and took the lead at the vigil next to the mother of Sterling’s children. The representative spoke to the crowd
about the absence of other city officials including Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden. The vigil included lighting candles and releasing balloons. The balloons were released for Sterling as the crowd shouted, “Alton Sterling’s life mattered.” The crowd also chanted “We are Baton Rouge,” throughout the streets. University business administration graduate student Vani’Tra Braud joined others in the community at the vigil. Braud said she hasn’t commented on the issue because she has no words for what has happened. “We have to do better, be better people because our world is ending right before us,” Braud said. “I don’t just fear for our black men. I fear for all our people. I fear for all minorities. Hell, I even fear for the majority because we’re getting tired and angry and retaliation is forming … I don’t want another one of our people to
STUDENT LIFE
LSU STRIPES leaders hope to make transition to college easier BY JOURDAN RILEY @jourdanr_TDR
Transitioning from high school to college is difficult, especially for out-of-state students, but the University’s STRIPES program tries to lighten the load. The LSU First Year Experience Office allows incoming freshman to participate in STRIPES, a program created to help students learn about the campus as well as meet other
first timers. The program started in 2000 and continues to grow in its 17th year. Small group leader Jillian Davis said when she started three years ago there were about 300 students per session, but it has increased since. She said she has also seen the numbers in staff grow as well, from 40 to 60. The program lasts four days and three nights and takes place on campus with students staying
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in the residential dorms for the span of the program. “My favorite part is probably the transformation from day one to day four,” Davis said. “The students come in and they’re typically really nervous, anxious and really don’t know what to expect. By the end they’ve formed new friendships with their group members, with their small group leaders, and other students that they’ve met at the program.” According to the LSU
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STRIPES website, “students learn what it really means to be a Tiger.” Students learn about the history and traditions of campus, such as the chants at football games. They even visit the LSU Tiger Stadium to get a glimpse of Saturday night life. Students also see where their classes will be held in the fall. Incoming freshman can find out
see STRIPES, page 7
courtesy of LSU FYE
STRIPES aims to help freshman acclimate to college life.
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