SNAPSHOT
lsureveille com Log on to see theatre students posing in the Quad.
NEWS Deadline for bus proposal pushed back until Tuesday, page 3.
TRYING HIS LUCK
Mitchell declares for NBA draft, remains eligible for next season, page 9.
THE DAILY REVEILLE A NEW DIRECTION WWW.LSUREVEILLE.COM
Volume 113, Issue 125
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
FACULTY
Former prof. not sure about firing
Chancellor, provost present University realignment plan
By Joy Lukachick Staff Writer
Ivor van Heerden said he wasn’t surprised when University officials met with him April 3 to say his contract wouldn’t be renewed as a research professor this year. But the outspoken coastal scientist who led the state’s investigation of the levees in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina said he found out he was fired from his position as deputy director of the LSU Hurricane Center through the media — not through the University. “[The University] didn’t have the manners to tell me face to face,” van Heerden told The Daily Reveille on Tuesday. University officials could not legally comment on their decision. “We are not allowed to comment on personnel confidentiality,” said University spokesperson Kristine Calongne. At the meeting, University officials told van Heerden their decision wasn’t performance related and had nothing to do with the budget cuts, van Heerden said. “They didn’t tell me why,” he said. “The letter said, ‘This is to advise you, your contract expires May ’09 and won’t be renewed in May
photos by KIM FOSTER / The Daily Reveille
Chancellor Michael Martin (above) and Vice Chancellor and Provost Astrid Merget (below) spoke at the Faculty Senate Forum on Tuesday in the Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex. They discussed the University’s realignment and answered students’ questions.
By Kyle Bove Chief Staff Writer
Between the biting criticism and outraged rants of several faculty members and students, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Astrid Merget defended the University’s plan on Tuesday to restructure and re-name nearly every academic college on campus. REALIGNMENT, see page 8
lsureveille.com Log on to see what faculty and students think about the realignment.
FIRED, see page 7
TECHNOLOGY
U.S. Sen. John McCain prepares to speak at a conference Friday at the US Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. McCain is one of many politicians using Twitter to communicate.
Twitter keeps politicians in touch
Index
Sen. John McCain has a reputation for liking underdogs. “20 mins to tip off. Butler in an upset over LSU,” McCain wrote in a March 19 tweet on Twitter.com. “The butler didn’t do it...! not a great
Sports ...................... 9 Opinion ................... 16 Classifieds ............... 18
can view, or “follow,” them. Twitter has entered the political sphere, and one researcher says it’s here to stay. In a recent trend, some politicians are taking to their cell phones, creating Twitter accounts and TWITTER, see page 8
7:20 a.m. 8:20 a.m. Noon 3:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m. 5:20 p.m.
Weather
Contributing Writer
start for my NCAA picks!” The updates sent from phones — called tweets — are limited to 140 characters and are part of an up-andcoming Web site called Twitter. Twitter is a “real-time short message service” that allows users to send status updates from their phones to individual accounts where others
Broadcasts
By Nate Monroe
ITSUO INOUYE / The Associated Press
TODAY PARTLY CLOUDY
THURSDAY PARTLY CLOUDY
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Nation & World
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on the web
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WORLD NEWS
TUESDAY’S POLL RESULTS What concerns you most about the impending budget cuts?
Somali pirates on hijack spree, seizing hostages since weekend
88 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE POLL.
TODAY’S QUESTION:
Do you have a Twitter account? GO TO LSUREVEILLE.COM TO CAST YOUR VOTE
MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — Somali pirates were back to business as usual Tuesday, defiantly seizing four more ships with 60 hostages after U.S. sharpshooters rescued an American freighter captain. “No one can deter us,” one bandit boasted. The freed skipper, Richard Phillips, will return home to the United States on Wednesday, after reuniting with his 19-man crew in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, according to the shipping company Maersk Line Ltd. The brigands grabbed more ships and hostages to show they would not be intimidated by President Barack Obama’s pledge to confront the high-seas bandits.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009
Bolivia president ends election hunger strike
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — President Evo Morales ended a five-day hunger strike Tuesday after Bolivia’s congress broke a political deadlock, approving a law that lets him run for re-election in December. Morales, a husky Aymara Indian, looked exhausted and a few pounds thinner as he formally enacted the law before a crowd that chanted “Evo, the people are with you!” Morales, 49, had spent the weekend reclining on a mattress in the presidential palace, drinking chamomile tea and chewing coca leaves, a mild stimulant that helps suppress the appetite. Morales even announced the cancellation of his trip to Trinidad and Tobago for this weekend’s summit of 34 hemispheric leaders. The trip is now apparently back on.
NATION, STATE AND CITY BRIEFS
Obamas display new dog with ‘star quality’
TODAy
wednesday, april 15, 2009 bcm dinner & tnt worship Every Thursday night. Dinner (free) at 7:15pm. TNT Worship Service at 8:00pm. The BCM is at the corner of Highland & Chimes. All LSU students invited! lsubcm.org real talk: being black at lsu African American Culture Center Time: 7:00pm, April 15th race for a wish Chi Omega at LSU April 18, 2009 8am-11am Benefitting Make-A-Wish Foundation $10 entry fee or $20 entry fee with t-shirt BSu General Body Meeting Today at 4:30 in the AACC spanish film series: Penelope Cruz-from spain to hollywood “La nina de tus ojos” (The Girl of your Dreams) Spanish with English subtitles Thursday, April 16, @ 6;30om Foreign Language Lab, Prescott 234 Next movie on 23 April Pizza and soft drinks available www.spanishresourcecenter.lsu.edu an hour in africa Wed. April 15th, 7-8 pm Coates 155 Come find out more about more about Africa from students.
WASHINGTON (AP) — First pooch Bo got star treatment and his first backyard romp at the White House on Tuesday — and even presidential clearance to visit the Oval Office. But he better not get any inflated ideas about doggy sleeping arrangements. “Not in my bed,” declared Barack Obama. The nation got its long-awaited first look at Bo in action as the Obamas showed off the family’s new dog on the South Lawn. First lady Michelle Obama did most of the walking while the 6-month-old Portuguese water dog scampered about. Then daughter Malia took a turn, and Bo took off running. Despite the name of the dog’s breed, daughter Sasha pointed out to reporters, “He doesn’t know how to swim.”
Malia Obama walks with her family’s new dog, Bo, as first lady Michelle Obama and Sasha follow on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Tuesday. GERALD HERBERT / The Associated Press
Mississippi River mud to Jindal to ask for $245M in surplus spending in La. help restore wetlands BELLE CHASSE, La. (AP) — A first of its kind project to use mud dredged from the Mississippi River to help restore south Louisiana’s wetlands was announced Tuesday by Gov. Bobby Jindal. Jindal says the $28 million project in Plaquemines Parish is a new way for Louisiana to fight coastal erosion. He says scientists and engineers have done enough studies and that it’s time to build land in Louisiana’s badly eroded coast. By summer, a cutter-head dredge will begin pumping mud from the Mississippi into a piece of marsh under water.
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards.This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes which may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille.com.
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 within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies for 25 cents, please contact the Office of Student Media in B-16 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and semiweekly during the summer semester, except during holidays and final exams. Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, La., 70803. Annual mail subscriptions are $115. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Daily Reveille, B-16 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, La.,70803.
(AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal said Tuesday he plans to ask lawmakers to spend $245 million in state surplus money on highway projects, with a large chunk of the money going toward the unfinished Interstate 49 in north and south Louisiana. A combined $65 million would go toward finishing I-49 north of Shreveport and on improving the future I-49 between Lafayette and New Orleans, according to the state Department of Transportation and Development. Other big-ticket projects include $11 million for a bypass in Claiborne Parish.
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PAGE 3
LITERATURE
Author’s graphic novels give insight to Iranian culture Satrapi speaks in Cox Auditorium By Nichole Oden Contributing Writer
ERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille
Author Marjane Satrapi addresses a packed Cox Auditorium on Tuesday evening about her life and how it led to her book, “Persepolis.”
With copies of “Persepolis” tucked underneath their arms, the binds worn from impassioned reading, students filed into the Cox Auditorium on Tuesday night to hear Marjane Satrapi speak about her unique novel. “Persepolis” — the University’s selection for the 2008 summer reading program — is a graphic novel that tells the story of Satrapi’s childhood in Tehran, Iran. Satrapi said with her books, people will be able to identify with the characters as people like themselves rather than just Iranians. “I cannot ask everyone to go to Iran to see that they are not the enemies you think they are, but I hope I bring to you a piece of Iran to help you understand,” Satrapi said. Satrapi said Iran is often re-
ferred to as part of “the axis of with a happy face, neither a white evil” by American media, but the man, a Chinese man or an Afriterm is unfair. can man will say he is sad,” Sa“Evil is a dangerous word trapi said. to use,” Satrapi said. “It is what “Persepolis” was made into leads to fascism. It is why Hitler an animated film, which was killed six million Jews because nominated for an Oscar. he said they Satrapi was were evil.” hesitant about transSatrapi ferring her novel to spent the first 14 the big screen, but years of her life the producer was living in Tehran persistent even afbefore moving ter hearing her list to Vienna, Ausof prerequisites. tria, and now “It has to be resides in Paris, animated; it has to Marjane Satrapi France. Satrapi be hand drawn; it author of “Persepolis” said her world has to be black and travels and exwhite, and we have periences have made her less ig- to make it in Paris because I don’t norant of other countries. want to take the train anywhere,” “People act like they know Satrapi said she told the produceverything about things they er. “He agreed to everything, and don’t know,” Satrapi said. “I can then I thought, ‘Shit, now I need make better judgements about to make the movie.” places because I know them.” Satrapi said one of the reasons she uses animation in her books is images have no cultural Contact Nichole Oden at boundaries like language — they noden@lsureveille.com are universal. “If I draw a man
‘‘
‘Evil is a dangerous word to use. It is what leads to fascism.’
TRANSPORTATION
Bus proposal deadline extended to April 21 Bidders concerned about some costs By Brianna Paciorka Contributing Writer
Concerns about the specifications for the University’s new bus system prompted University officials to extend the deadline for prospective bidders to April 21, nearly a month later than the original deadline. Gary Graham, Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation director, said the University held a nonmandatory, pre-bid meeting to allow for questions, and the bidders who attended the meeting wanted clarification on some of the items in the specifications. “This contract is very complicated — it’s 70 pages long,” Graham said. “Even though we tried to anticipate everything ... a lot of the bidders wanted clarification on what we penned.” The articulated bus was the biggest concern for the bidders. The specifications called for one articulated bus — a bus that bends in the middle — and the bidders who attended the meeting agreed the cost of an articulated bus along with its maintenance requirements would be too costly for the University. “They essentially said, ‘If you want it, it’s going to be very costly ... we can provide them, but it may not be within what you think you can afford.’ So we took it out,” Graham said. “We didn’t want to be put in a position of putting a bid out, and everybody comes in so high that we have to reject all bids and start over from scratch.” The University added another 39- to 42-foot transit bus to the spec-
ifications list to replace the articulated bus, raising the total of requested transit buses to 14. The commencement of the contract for the bus system was also set back a month. Originally set for July 1, the specifications now state the contract will begin Aug. 1, still in time for the new semester. Colorado Robertson, Student Government president, said the University is trying to maintain a reasonable increase in the cost of the bus services. The Student Required Fee Advisory Committee met and approved a possible $26 increase on the transportation fee. The exact fee increase won’t be known until the University receives the bids. “We really liked the articulated bus, but we had to look and see what we were willing to pay. I don’t think we could pay and justify that,” Robertson said. Brandon Boyd, SG transportation director, said he is disappointed the deadline had to be extended. “It was inevitable — nothing
MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille
Students get on the bus Tuesday in front of the Journalism Building. The bus proposal deadline was recently extended to April 21.
ever goes textbook,” Boyd said. “I hope that everything goes to plan, and we can have a new service installed by the fall time.” Contact Brianna Paciorka at bpaciorka@lsureveille.com
Stop by B-39 Hodges Hall to pick up a Student Media application for fall 2009.
PAGE 4
THE DAILY REVEILLE
wednesday, april 15, 2009
NATION
Gov’t projects gas prices to be lower than last summer Expected increase should be minimal By H. Josef Hebert The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Gasoline prices are expected to be relatively low this summer, so motorists might want to take to the road despite the dismal economy if the federal government projections hold. The Energy Information Administration said regular-grade gasoline is expected to average $2.23 a gallon during the Aprilthrough-September driving season, though it will likely fluctuate and could jump to more than $2.30 a gallon during the peak driving period in late summer. But that's still a bargain compared with last summer, when gasoline cost an average of $3.81 a gallon. Much lower crude oil prices, which are projected to average $53 a barrel this year after soaring as high as $147 a barrel last summer, are the primary reason for the lower prices at the pump. The EIA report also said U.S. crude oil production is expected to rebound this year by an additional 440,000 barrels, to 5.4 million barrels a day, after a decline last year.
The production increase stems mostly from the startup of two huge new oil platforms in deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Thunder Horse platform, which BP began operating late last year, is expected to pump more than 200,000 barrels a day and Chevron's new Tahiti platform is expected to produce 125,000 barrels a day by midyear. The addition production, however, is not expected to significantly change America's reliance on imports, which still account for about 58 percent of domestic petroleum use. Howard Gruenspecht, the EIA's acting administrator, acknowledged the uncertainties surrounding the agency's price projections. Gasoline prices are largely linked to the price of crude oil, and if the economy begins to recover earlier and stronger than assumed by EIA, prices of both crude and gasoline could be higher than projected, said the report. "We do try to emphasize the uncertainties in the projections," said EIA spokesman Jonathan Cogan. "We're not in the crystal ball business." Two EIA energy reports last year demonstrated the precarious nature of trying to project fuel prices. A year ago, in April 2008, EIA's summer forecast predicted oil prices would hover at "near $100"
a barrel and gasoline would average $3.54 a gallon for the summer driving season. Crude oil prices, in fact, soared to a high of $147 and motorists paid more than $4 a gallon over much of the summer. EIA then revised its projections, saying crude and gas prices would remain high. In a report in June 2008, it said gasoline would average $3.92 a gallon through 2009, and crude oil $129 a barrel. After peaking in July, 2008, U.S. gasoline prices dropped to a nationwide average of $1.61 a gallon in late December. Since then they've edged higher to last week's average of $2.05 a gallon. The energy agency attributed the increases to slightly higher crude oil costs and refiners trying to recoup some profits. The latest EIA report now projects crude oil prices to average $53 a barrel this year, but to increase by about $10 a barrel in 2010. But there's a hedge. Strongerthan-expected economic recovery, lower global production or "more aggressive action to cut production" by the OPEC oil cartel "could lead to a faster and stronger rise in oil prices," cautions the report.
Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
STATE
Nagin wants excuse for St. Pierre Company paid part of mayor’s vacation By The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A man whose company allegedly paid for at least part of a 2004 trip to Hawaii taken by Mayor Ray Nagin and others has asked a judge to excuse him from giving a deposition in a civil lawsuit over New Orleans' crime camera program. Mark St. Pierre, in a newly filed affidavit, said he received a subpoena to appear before a federal grand jury March 27. Former technology chief Greg Meffert and his family, as well as Nagin's family, also went on the 2004 trip. Attorney Eddie Castaing told The Associated Press on Tuesday that St. Pierre had produced documents sought by the subpoena but wouldn't say if he testified before the grand jury. The story was first reported by The Times-Picayune. Thomas Flanagan, St. Pierre's attorney in the civil lawsuit, said St. Pierre could expose himself to criminal liability by giving a deposition. If St. Pierre testified and invoked the Fifth Amendment to certain questions, Flanagan said that could be used to prejudice a jury against him. Judge Rosemary Ledet hasn't ruled on whether to quash St. Pierre's deposition or postpone the civil case against him. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten told The Associated Press on Tuesday
that he would not confirm or deny a grand jury was investigating. St. Pierre, Meffert and Nagin are among the defendants in the 2007 civil case filed by Southern Electronics Inc. and subcontractor Active Solutions LLC., which worked on the initial crime camera system. The plaintiffs, in court documents, allege Meffert and people brought in while he was Nagin's
technology director used their positions at city hall to "misappropriate" the system they'd developed. It also alleges they conspired with Dell Inc., to sell the system. Meffert and Nagin have denied any wrongdoing and have sought to have the claims against them dismissed. LAWSUIT, see page 7
LISA POOLE / The Associated Press
Gasoline prices are expected to stay relatively low this summer, according to a new government forecast. The average monthly price should top out at about $2.30 a gallon, well below the $4 spikes in 2008.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 5
TECHNOLOGY
Homework-help Web site raises academic concerns
quizzes to provide students with extra help in classes. “Our most helpful feature is that a student can not only view the content on our Web site, but they can ask questions on it and interact with othBy Xerxes A. Wilson er students and educators that gives Contributing Writer them info on the content,” Hawkey Students struggling late at night said. to complete a physics or engineering Adel Alizadeh, civil engineerassignment are turning to a contro- ing junior, had an overall C average versial Web site for assistance. when he began using Cramster.com. In the past year, more and more After using Cramster for a year, his University students homework average have been logging has improved to an ‘[The Web site] can A, and his test averon to Cramster. com. age improved a letjust give you the Since the beanswer, and that is ter grade. ginning of this Alizadeh said school year, more where you can start to the program has than 2,500 Univerbeen a “life saver” abuse Cramster.’ sity students have because he has used Adel Alizadeh joined the site, and it responsibly, and civil engineering junior this growing memthe solution manubership on campus als online often has made LSU the fourth-highest have step-by-step explanations on university in Web site usage, ac- how to complete the problem. cording to Aaron Hawkey, CEO and “The manuals not only help me founder of Cramster.com. with my homework, but they provide As a city, Baton Rouge ranks more references when I study for my No. 6 nationally in usage. exams,” Alizadeh said. The Web site provides solution While Alizadeh said he mainly manuals for a wide range of science, uses the site as a study tool, he does math, engineering and business admit occasionally uses the site to books. The manuals are mostly gen- just get the homework done quickly erated by the Cramster’s staff, but a without learning the material. small percentage are created by other “[The Web site] can just give users. you the answer, and that is were The Web site also allows stu- you can start to abuse Cramster,” dents to post lecture notes and Alizadeh said. “You start becoming
University ranked fourth in usage
‘‘
dependent on it, and you look at it constantly, and you don’t try to do the work yourself so you don’t learn it because you are just getting your homework done.” This ability to use the program as a crutch has concerned University officials and professors. Saundra McGuire, director of the Center for Academic Success, has counseled students who use Cramster and said she has seen no situation in which Cramster positively affected a student’s learning. Though Cramster often shows students steps to get the answers, the Web site makes students rely on
Cities with the most users on Cramster.com: 1. New York 2. Gainesville (U. of Florida) 3. Columbus (Ohio State) 4. Los Angeles (UCLA and USC) 5. Austin (U. of Texas) 6. Baton Rouge (LSU) 7. Houston (Rice and U. of Houston) 8. State College (Penn State) 9. Seattle (U. of Washington) 10. San Francisco Source: Drew Kerr, Cramster.com spokesman
external aids rather than teaching them problem-solving skills. The site makes students memorize the information and simply regurgitate it rather than becoming a better thinker and problem solver, McGuire said. “We are really just trying to simulate a study group online so
there is no difference in sitting in a study hall with your buddies going over homework and what we provide with Cramster,” Hawkey said. Roy Knight, petroleum engineering sophomore, said he has seen an improvement in both his CRAMSTER, see page 6
PAGE 6
THE DAILY REVEILLE
NATION
Two years later, Va. Tech families still struggle By Sue Lindsey The Associated Press
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Jerzy Nowak acknowledges he’s not yet comfortable in the peace center he helped to create at the site of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. His wife, Jocelyne CoutureNowak, was teaching French in Virginia Tech’s Norris Hall when she was gunned down on April 16, 2007. Troubled graduate student Seung-Hui Cho killed two people in a dorm and 30 others in the second-floor classroom wing where Couture-Nowak died before fatally shooting himself. Two years later, victims’ families and survivors are still trying to make sense of what happened. Classes will be canceled on the anniversary Thursday, and events will include an open house at the peace center, a candlelight vigil and a memorial ceremony. For some, a trip to campus is part of working through their grief. For others, it’s still too painful. “I went for a visit yesterday,” said Nowak, the center’s director, who will move into the building later this month. “Honestly, my heart sank.” But the former horticulture department chairman said he pushed to create the peace center because it will help families heal.
DON PETERSON / The Associated Press
Virginia Tech campus ministers gather Monday in Norris Hall to pray for the victims and their friends and families. This is the site of the April 16, 2007, massacre.
The center is already working on violence prevention for at-risk youth. Nowak’s resolve was strengthened by an e-mail from a woman who had never planned to visit the building where her daughter died. “But now that she has learned that a portion of it is dedicated to peace, she is considering going,” he said. “This is so encouraging to me.” Others, like Michael Pohle of Flemington, N.J., and his wife, still find it too painful to come to campus for the anniversary events.
Instead, he says they plan to visit the cemetery near their home where their son, Michael Pohle Jr., is buried. Some families have made their own peace with what happened that day, but the Pohles are among those who have lingering animosity toward administrators and feel they’ve never received an adequate explanation of officials’ actions the morning of the shootings. President Charles Steger convened a meeting with top administrators after Cho killed two
students in a dormitory, but more than two hours passed before an e-mail informed the campus of those shootings. By then, Cho was chaining the doors of Norris Hall shut in preparation for a bloodbath that had students cowering under desks and jumping from windows. Officials still don’t know why Cho, a loner who had attracted little attention, killed so many people. Virginia State Police never found two pieces of evidence that might have provided clues to Cho’s motive — his cell phone and the hard drive to his computer. The investigation is still open but winding down, spokeswoman Corinne Geller said. Steger said in an interview this week the policy chiefs did what they thought was best at the time. “That doesn’t mean you’re happy with the outcome,” he said. “We were certainly traumatized by the outcome.”
Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
wednesday, april 15, 2009 CRAMSTER, from page 5 homework and test scores because of Cramster. However, he said he has observed professors are now excluding homework from contributing to the final grade because of sites like Cramster. “What I do is try to make homework a component that will not make or break you,” said chemical engineering professor Karsten Thompson. “You want to avoid a situation where a person fails the exams but makes a 97 average on homework bringing his grade up a letter grade.” Philip Adams, physics professor, has designed his course with no homework in the final grade because he said it’s not fair to give a student even a small amount of points if the student is not doing the work. While both professors said the site could potentially harm students’ test scores if abused to complete the homework with little thinking, they agree it is the students’ responsibility to use the site as a tool to study rather than a crutch to complete homework easily. “At the end of the day, the student who wants to do the minimum is going to find a way to do the minimum,” Hawkey said. Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com
wednesday, april 15, 2009
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 7
FIRED, from page 1
2010.’” Along with van Heerden, Marc Levitan stepped down as director of the center. While Levitan was out of the office until April 15, van Heerden said Levitan was forced to step down, and it was not his own decision. In November 2005, only a few months after van Heerden began heading the forensic investigation team researching the levees in New Orleans, he said he realized he may be fired from the University. In his book, “The Storm: What Went Wrong and Why During Hurricane Katrina — The Inside Story from One Louisiana Scientist,” van Heerden predicts the University might try to keep him quiet. “When this paperback edition is published for the second anniversary of the Katrina tragedy, I have no idea where, or even if, I will be working in my chosen field,” he wrote in his book. Before van Heerden was fired, he was told in 2007 his job description as an engineering professor was changing, and he would no longer be allowed to teach. He said after teaching at the University for 14 years the University no longer allowed him to teach, and he had to renew his contract each year based on performance evaluations. “I’ve taught ... and brought in millions of dollars of research money,” van Heerden said. Van Heerden has appeared in more than 44 documentaries, mostly about his research on the hurricanes while he was at the University. Van Heerden said his job description changed after he was approached in July 2007 by attorneys and asked to be the expert witness in the Mississippi Gulf River Outlet lawsuit, a suit against U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will go to trial April 20 in New Orleans. University officials told van Heerden he would be fired if he agreed to be the expert witness for the $600 billion lawsuit, according to van Heerden. One of the lawyers met with former Chancellor Sean O’Keefe and asked for his permission for van Heerden to testify. After O’Keefe
NAGAIN, from page 4 St. Pierre once worked with Meffert before Meffert became Nagin’s technology chief in 2002. The lawsuit alleges St. Pierre had ties to the technology office during Meffert’s tenure, which ended in July 2006, and that St. Pierre formed NetMethods in August 2004 to compete with the plaintiffs. When Meffert was asked in one of his depositions if NetMethods had paid for expenses to Hawaii, he said it had, for at least some of his family and Nagin’s. Meffert said: “NetMethods was never involved in any city business, otherwise I wouldn’t have done it.” Nagin said last week that Meffert had “sponsored” the Christmastime trip. Bob Ellis, a deputy city attorney, said Nagin “didn’t accept any trips from the contractors or subcontractors. Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
photo courtesy of IVOR VAN HEERDEN
Former professor Ivor van Heerden surveys the damage to New Orleans on Sept. 14, 2005, a few days after Hurricane Katrina.
told the lawyer no, the lawyer sent an e-mail to van Heerden explaining the chancellor’s reasons. “LSU does not want Ivor or anyone else associated with LSU to testify against the Corps,” the lawyer said in the e-mail van Heerden forwarded to The Daily Reveille. “I am certain that LSU is concerned that if Ivor is identified as being adverse to the Corps ... It could have serious adverse affects for LSU.” But the controversy involving van Heerden and the University began before 2007. In 2002, van Heerden said the Board of Regents gave him a fiveyear grant to study the aspects of complex disasters like hurricanes. After Hurricane Katrina hit, the board gave him permission to look into the levee failure. It became clear to the team of researchers by fall 2005 that the levee failure was related to the poor structure, van Heerden said. But van Heerden was asked to stop talking with the media in a November 2005 meeting with two vice chancellors about any of his discoveries because the University could lose
opportunities for research money. In van Heerden’s book and in several news articles, he describes how the University tried to silence him and take away his academic freedoms. The vice chancellors responded with a letters to both The TimesPicayune and The New York Times defending their interview and the University. The University didn’t limit the scientist’s access to the press to talk about Katrina but questioned some of his technical and professional expertise to comment on levees and construction, former Vice Chancellor for Communications Michael Ruffner said in the June 7, 2006 letter to The New York Times. But a much less highlighted letter was written afterward, van Heerden told The Daily Reveille. Headed by a physics and astronomy professor Ravi Rau, 47 professors signed a letter claiming the University had infringed on van Heerden’s academic freedom. The LSU chapter of the American Association of University Professors also endorsed the letter that was
sent to several major media outlets. “The attempt to muzzle a professor seems to have been motivated by worries that criticism of powerful men and agencies may jeopardize federal funding to LSU,” read the letter published in The Advocate on June 28, 2006. Rau told The Daily Reveille on
Tuesday he and many other faculty members are concerned about the University’s recent decision to fire van Heerden. He said all the facts make it obvious the professor’s outspoken nature is directly related to the University’s decision. Charles Delzell, mathematics professor and one of the professors who signed the letter, agreed that the University’s decision is alarming. “This is a clear case of retaliation of his global criticism,” Delzell said. Delzell, also president of the AAUP, said van Heerden asked the LSU chapter for assistance. While University officials wouldn’t comment on any of their decisions, Joe Suhayda, the new interim director of the LSU Hurricane Center, said van Heerden’s position was eliminated because he was redefining the center’s direction. “I wanted to start with a clean slate,” Suhayda said. Van Heerden said the University took the Hurricane Center away from him and Levitan because certain officials want to be in charge. “The real victim is Marc Levitan,” van Heerden said. “He stood by me, and he is a tenured professor.”
Contact Joy Lukachick at jlukachick@lsureveille.com
PAGE 8 REALIGNMENT, from page 1 “We had to start somewhere,” Merget said about the plan, which she presented to more than 300 people at the Provost-Chancellor Forum in the Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex. Many faculty members complained they have been left out of the restructuring planning process, which began several months ago. “If you got all 1,500 faculty in one room and said, ‘What should we do?,’ we’d get 1,500 different answers,” Merget said. “We’ve been around, seeking public comment — some of which is polemical, some of which is earnest. We’ve learned some things.” In a broadcast e-mail sent March 27, Merget said changes in the configurations, names and reporting lines of several academic units on campus were coming. “These changes are the result of extensive study and evaluation by the administration and several top faculty members at LSU,” Merget said in the e-mail. But many faculty members said there was not enough communication between the administration and the faculty about the changes, which, if approved by the Board of Supervisors and Board of Regents, will go into effect July 1. “This is second-hand information that has never been discussed,” Boryung Ju, library and information science professor, told Merget. Under the plan, the School of Library and Information Science would be in the newly-structured College of Education and Human Professions. Merget said, under the plan, “colleges” will be the top academic units on campus, while “schools” will be within colleges. A dean will reside as the head of a college while the schools will have their leaders as well. Many faculty members said they agree with the idea of reorganizing colleges, but maintain they have been left out of the process. “Reorganizations of colleges or units, per se, is fine — in fact we should be doing that,” said physics professor A.R.P. Rau. “But I think it’s much better if it’s discussed at greater length among the faculty because there is a lot of expertise in the faculty.” Kevin Cope, Faculty Senate president, said he was pleased with how the heated meeting went, but that the faculty had little to do with the information presented. “[The plan] appeared over the horizon and surprised many,” said Kevin Cope, Faculty Senate president. Cope said the forum, however, was a great opportunity for faculty input, which he hopes will increase as the process moves forward. Several other forums, all designed like town-hall meetings, have been held throughout the school year — something past administrators haven’t done, Cope said. Recently the forums have focused on possible budget cuts for next fiscal year. Chancellor Michael Martin said these structural changes aren’t part of an attempt to save money in the face of an expected nearly $50 million reduction in state funding next year. Rather, the changes will better align the University toward completing and sustaining the Flagship Agenda — the plan to make the
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THE DAILY REVEILLE
‘These changes are the result of extensive study and evaluation by the administration ...’ Astrid Merget
vice chancellor, provost
University nationally competitive by 2010. But Martin said the restructuring could be used as a strategy to persuade legislators to lessen the cuts to the campus. “As part of our strategy, we have to demonstrate — whether we’re right or wrong in this particular moment — that we are at least willing to consider ways in which we can be better with the resources we do have,” he said. Merget said the changes will not affect students’ degree programs. She said administrators at colleges and schools that would be merged would not be laid off and will not have to take a pay cut. MERGET, see page 20
TWITTER, from page 1 sending frequent updates that range from simple constituent outreach to partisan fighting and even to personal information. “One of the teleprompters is between the President and me,” wrote Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., during President Barack Obama’s February address to a joint session of Congress. “Jindal is weird,” he wrote later that night, after Jindal’s nationally televised response. Monica Postelnicu, mass communication professor, completed a study of Twitter during the 2008 presidential election and said Twitter “gives people access to politicians in ways that weren’t there before.” Postelnicu collected tweets during the last week of the election and analyzed them to see how people were talking about the candidates and the issues. “The conversation on Twitter was, to a point, shallow,” Postelnicu said. “There was little talk about policy issues.” Bob Mann, mass communication professor, agreed much of what
happens in the political sphere on Twitter is shallow. “Much of what’s on there is fairly mundane,” Mann said. “I’m not sure I really need to know all that.” But Postelnicu said she also found with Twitter — as with other “new media” like Facebook and MySpace — those who participated in the political conversations said they were more likely to engage in the political process, and she believes, for that reason, Twitter has been a net positive on the political process. As former Governor Kathleen Blanco’s former communications director, Mann said he sees the draw some politicians have to Twitter — sending tweets directly from personal cell phones allows an official to bypass the media “filter” and send raw, unvarnished messages to the public. Twitter also gives politicians the chance to “monitor and handle public opinion,” Postelnicu said, giving politicians, much like the voters, a new opportunity to interact with their constituents. But, Mann said, even though
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009 the messages are unfiltered, the 140-character limit weakens Twitter’s value to politicians. Despite the technology’s flaws, Postelnicu said Twitter has “generated a ton of impressive media coverage” and, thanks to the success of Obama’s media strategy that integrated newer forms of media, Twitter is likely to stick around. “It’s here to stay. It’s a lot of fun,” she said. Despite the growing popularity of the service, Louisiana politicians are largely absent from the scene. Few members of the Louisiana congressional delegation have Twitter accounts — and those that do, like Sen. David Vitter and Gov. Bobby Jindal, have less-developed and less-frequent posts than their counterparts around the country. Mann said politicians in Louisiana don’t use the internet as much as they should, and their absence on Twitter speaks to a larger question of the Internet’s role for a politician. Contact Nate Monroe at nmonroe@lsureveille.com
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Sports
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009
TAZ TAKING A SHOT Mitchell’s draft entry casting doubt on LSU’s future
While University students busied about the nation’s beaches, an era may have ended. Junior forward Tasmin Mitchell’s decision to enter the 2009 NBA Draft last Wednesday, should he honor it, removes LSU’s last link to its 2006 Final Four team. It also leaves just one remaining starter from the Tigers’ 2008 Southeastern Conference championship team. “I saw an opportunity,” Mitchell said. “I won’t be jeopardizing my eligibility, but playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine, and I wanted to put my head out there.” Mitchell has decided not to hire an agent, which preserves his eligibility should he choose to return for his senior year. Many LSU students were surprised by the news after leaving the area last week for spring break. “That’s a shocker. That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” said Leon Green, chemistry junior. “I’ve seen him grow while he’s been here — it’s a good step for him, but we’ll be losing a good player.” Mitchell’s decision could add one more name to the mass exodus of LSU players from Baton
lsureveille.com
Senior running back Charles Scott was back at practice Tuesday after missing Monday because of academic issues, coach Les Miles said Tuesday evening. Miles didn’t specify what the academic issues were. “He had some academic issues he needed to take care of,” Miles said. “We enjoyed his presence today.” Miles also said senior safety Harry Coleman will be seeing time at linebacker this upcoming seaLog on to son. see LSU “We’re betcoach ter when [ColeLes Miles man] gets comtalk at fortable there,” Tuesday’s Miles said. “We news need somebody conference. else to step in there and give us another linebacker-style body with all the spread offenses we’re going to see.” Miles said Coleman would give the linebacking corps another “quality guy” alongside junior Kelvin Sheppard and senior Perry Riley. Miles said the 205-pound defender has “plenty of size and strength to play the position.” Coleman started all 13 games at strong safety in 2008 and led the team with 71 tackles. He also finished second on the team with
TAZ, see page 15
[Above] LSU junior forward Tasmin Mitchell looks to pass the ball Feb. 18 during the Tigers’ 72-69 win against Arkansas. [Right] Mitchell shoots the ball over Ole Miss freshman guard Terrico White on Feb. 14 during the Tigers’ 73-66 win.
Coleman to see action at linebacker Sports Writer
Sports Writer
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FOOTBALL
By Rachel Whittaker
By David Helman
APRIL L. BROWN / The Associated Press
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ERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille
COLEMAN, see page 15
BASEBALL
Dean’s home run sparks LSU win Bradshaw pitches five scoreless innings in relief By Casey Gisclair Chief Sports Writer
LSU junior designated hitter Blake Dean’s slump appears to be over after a slow start to the season. Fresh off a weekend when he went 6-for-12 with 10 RBI, Dean continued his torrid pace Tuesday night and crushed a third inning three-run home run to spark the Tigers’ 8-6 win against the University of New Orleans. “It can’t get much worse than it was, so you have to look at the bright side of things,” Dean said. “I’m pretty much to
the point now where I am basically locked But LSU junior Paul Bertuccini struck down and ready to start to get things rolling out UNO centerfielder Ryan Eden to cool big time.” the UNO flame. The home run was “I was so glad Shane Dean’s only hit of the Riedie pitched a great game, but the junior’s outs inning in the eighth inwere all line drives and ning,” said LSU coach hard-hit balls. Paul Mainieri. “It looked “It’s time now to like he was in a groove, where there’s no time to be but then all of a sudden, losing midweek games,” he just lost it there in the Paul Mainieri he said. “It’s time to buckle ninth inning and put us in LSU baseball coach down and play every game a difficult situation there.” the way we’re supposed to LSU was also in a difplay.” ficult situation early on when UNO freshLSU took a 8-2 lead into the ninth in- man catcher Kyle Maldonado hit a two-RBI ning, but the Privateers scored four runs off double off LSU starter Jordan Nicholson to freshman pitcher Shane Riedie to bring the DEAN, see page 14 tying run to first base.
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‘[Sophomore Daniel] Bradshaw was the key to the game, really.’
JARED P. L. NORMAND / The Daily Reveille
Junior outfielder Blake Dean swings the bat Tuesday during the Tigers’ win against UNO. Dean’s three-run home run in the third inning helped the Tigers top the Privateers, 8-6.
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wednesday, april 15, 2009
THE 6TH MAN
NBA Western Conference games are ‘wild wild’ races Wild Wild West, Jim West, desperado, rough rider, no you don’t want nada. The commercial success, but critical flop, that was Will Smith’s 1999 film “Wild Wild West” can’t begin to compare to the wildness of three of tonight’s NBA Western Conference games. The Hornets play the Spurs, the Trail Blazers take on the Nuggets and the Mavericks face the Rockets in three games that will a have pretty significant impact on the Western Conference playoff picture. This is almost as exciting as when that awful film ended — almost. The three matchups won’t have an impact on who’s in the playoffs, since all eight spots in the conference have already been decided. The games will affect seeding and home-court advantage. Denver clinched the Northwest Division and home-court advantage throughout much of the playoffs when the Nuggets downed the Sacramento Kings on Monday. Denver sits at No. 2 in the West with a 5427 record. Houston, Portland and San Antonio are No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, and all have a 5328 record. New Orleans and Dallas are occupying the No. 6 and No. 7 spaces with identical 49-32 records. I guess this is why people care about NBA basketball earlier in the season as much as they do. This stuff is important, and this just proves that every game matters. The six teams will have the full attention of everyone who cares about the NBA playoffs when they step on the floor tonight — and rightly so. If teams come out and lose, they’re not only screwing themselves over, but they could be screwing over multiple other teams in the process. Take the Rockets for instance. If they win one more game, they not only clinch the Southwest Division, but the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and home-court advantage in at least the first two rounds. If they lose, it opens the door for the Mavericks to sneak into the No. 6 spot in the conference above the Hornets and face whoever the No. 3 seed will be when the dust settles. There are so many playoff scenarios that could take place depending on tonight’s outcomes. And I don’t even want to get into all the hypotheticals that could happen. I just tried, and it gave me a headache. But since most of my audience probably loves the Hornets, I’ll talk about them, even though they’re likely to see an early exit from the postseason. New Orleans could potentially play Denver, Houston, Portland or San Antonio in the first round. New Orleans most likely wouldn’t want to play Portland in the first round. If Brandon Roy can be contained, the Trail Blazers can be beat, but that’s the issue — Roy can’t be stopped.
He’s a large portion of the team, averaging 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal with a 2.6:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. The teams have split the four games they’ve played this season, and Roy didn’t even play in one of Portland’s losses. The Hornets probably don’t want any part of the Rockets again. Houston made Johanathan them look silly Monday and Brooks Sports Columnist held New Orleans to fewer than 70 points. Overall, the Rockets hold a 3-1 advantage against the Hornets. The Nuggets probably wouldn’t be favorable for the Hornets either. The teams split the four games they’ve played this season, but I’d give an edge to Denver since they’ve got the home-court advantage and have dropped only eight
games at the Pepsi Center this season. Plus, Chauncey Billups would school Chris Paul. The only series I can see the Hornets winning is if they drew the Spurs. That team is not any good without Manu Ginobili. No matter who San Antonio plays, a sweep is a very strong possibility. All these scenarios are just one team’s projected playoff matchups. The other five teams in this bottleneck don’t know for sure who they’ll be playing either. It’s the race before the race. Too bad none of it will matter when the Lakers win the NBA Championship in June. But for now, this wild, wild west race is the best thing going on in sports. Wiki wiki wild.
BILL HABER / The Associated Press
Contact Johanathan Brooks at jbrooks@lsureveille.com
New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul flexes his muscles in the second half of their basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in New Orleans on Sunday.
wednesday, april 15, 2009
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SOFTBALL
Tigers begin small homestand Santos applauded after weekend series By David Helman Sports Writer
LSU’s softball team will be glad for the small homestand that starts tonight against Southeastern Louisiana. The No. 18 Tigers (25-10-1) have played 23 games since the beginning of March with just 10 of those coming at home. Tonight’s doubleheader against the Lions (17-23) marks LSU’s first midweek home games since a pair of wins against No. 7 Alabama on March 18. “It’s always good to be home,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “We went down to Hammond and got rained out earlier this season. Their coach told me then he wouldn’t be opposed to coming to Tiger Park for a doubleheader to make up that rain out.” Southeastern will serve as much-needed preparation for what awaits LSU this weekend, a visit from No. 1 Florida. The Gators are 42-3 this season, while the Tigers are 2-3-1 in their past two Southeastern Conference series. “Florida is running away with the overall title. They’re the consensus No. 1 in the nation,” Girouard said. “I have a chance to vote every week [for the Top 25], and they’ve been my No. 1 the entire season.” Girouard said a huge key in all the Tigers’ upcoming games is freshman shortstop Juliana Santos, who earned SEC Freshman of the Week and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Hitter of the Week honors earlier this week. Santos has been her own wrecking crew in the past week. She provided the game-tying RBI and the game-winning run as a pinch hitter in last Tuesday’s win against Nicholls State. She hit .429 for the week and added three RBI in the Tigers’ series win against Arkansas. “I love that kid,” Girouard said. “She’s one of those kids that coaches love to coach ... She’s huge for our lineup, and she’s going to have a great career as a Tiger.” Girouard pointed to LSU’s series with Tennessee as evidence of her efficiency. Santos went 1-for11 from the plate against the Volunteers, and the Tigers finished the series with two losses and a draw. “I’m so happy she bounced back from one weekend,” Girouard said. “She got banged up pretty good in that Tennessee series.” The Lions sit second-to-last in the Southland Conference and face a tough task in ending a two-game losing streak. “We’re still tinkering with the lineup with all of the rain outs and injuries that we’ve had,” Girouard said. “You might see a huge tinkering against Southeastern.” The Tigers’ problems in the bullpen will play a significant role in how the week goes for LSU. Senior pitcher Dani Hofer is still unavailable and junior outfielder and
pitcher Kirsten Shortridge injured her arm during the weekend. Shortridge’s injury likely won’t hinder her ability to play. “You’re going to see us use all four pitchers and continue to piecemeal it together,” Girouard said. “[Sophomore pitcher] Casey Faile along with [freshman pitcher] Brittany [Mack] and Kirsten will throw tomorrow night.” Junior pitcher Cody Trahan
will rest against the Lions in order to start the weekend series against the Gators. “I don’t think this team is intimidated at all by Florida,” Girouard said. “Intimidation isn’t the problem. It’s getting stability and putting all of the pieces of the puzzle together.” Contact David Helman at dhelman@lsureveille.com
ERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille
LSU junior Kristen Shortridge watches a pitch cross the plate in the Tigers’ win Feb. 21 against Northern Iowa.
Pluckers wing bar Trivia at 8. $4 34 oz Mother Plucker Mugs. If you don’t like our wings, we’ll give you the bird. Mellow Mushroom pizza Bakers Team Trivia and Karaoke 5-10pm: $5 Domestic Pitchers, $6 Abita Pitchers
9-10:30pm RockNRolla 12:00-1:30pm Zack & Miri Make a Porno 3:00-3:30pm The Manship Show 7-8:30pm Quantum of Solace
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wednesday, april 15, 2009
GOLF
Yi enjoying successful freshman campaign Golfer boasts four top-10 finishes By Sean Isabella Sports Contributor
LSU freshman golfer Sang Yi has led the No. 17 Tigers to LSU men’s coach Chuck Winstead’s most successful season during his fouryear tenure in Baton Rouge. He has enjoyed a stellar freshman campaign with four top-10 finishes — tied for most on the team — and ranks fourth in the Southeastern Conference among freshmen with a 73.6 average. But the coaching staff can thank fellow freshman golfer Josh Jones’ parents, Dave and Lisa, for even getting the opportunity to coach Yi. Yi first met Josh Jones and his parents at a tournament when the youngsters were 9 years old. “Over the years we kept seeing each other at tournaments, and then I found out I lived five minutes from him,” Josh Jones said. And the rest was history. Yi was born in South Korea but moved to Carrollton, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, with his parents when he was 10 months old. Yi’s parents don’t speak English, which posed a barrier when it came time for him to look for colleges. The Joneses took Yi underneath their wing and made sure he was given the resources to make the best
college choice. “We’ve kind of been that second family for him — in no way replacing what he really has — but [we] kind of just guide and direct him,” Lisa Jones said. Yi said if it weren’t for the Joneses, he wouldn’t be wearing an LSU uniform now. He and Josh Jones had previous arrangements to play golf at the same college no matter what. So when Josh Jones called Yi and told him he was taking a visit to LSU in the fall 2007, Yi thought he was crazy. “I wanted to commit [to LSU] in the car with coach Winstead,” Josh Jones said. “I called Sang up and was like ‘Hey, dude, we’re going to a different school. You’re going to come to LSU, and I’m going there too,’ and he goes, ‘No we’re not. Shut up,’ and hung up the phone.” Yi didn’t consider LSU until the “last moment,” but it was Winstead’s personality that won him over. “I liked coach. I liked the kind of person he was, and I liked the way he did things around here,” he said. “When he says something, he means it, and that was really important.” Winstead raved about the type of person Yi is and his eagerness to learn. “Not only do you have to have the talent level, but you’ve got to have something inside of you that makes you want to come out and hit balls at 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning when other people are doing other
things,” he said. “And he has that.” Winstead also said his determination to make his players better and not let them slack off was one reason Yi came to LSU. “Sang carries a desire to achieve everything he possibly can on a dayto-day basis ... That’s the one thing I like most about him,” he said. Lisa Jones said Yi has created a special bond with Winstead in the short time they have been together. “We’ve gotten a lot of joy out of his relationship with coach Winstead because out of all the kids, I think Sang is real special to Chuck because he keeps him laughing,” she said. Yi received his U.S. citizenship on March 30 in Baton Rouge. He said it was something his parents, both of whom aren’t citizens, had pushed since he was 15. “Once I became 18, they felt it was really important to go after it and get citizenship,” he said. “It was a real, real special opportunity.” Yi said he misses his parents like any college student, but Jones has helped ease the transition. “Josh is like my brother I never had,” he said. “We’re very close to each other.” Winstead, Josh Jones and his mother all agreed on one of Sang’s attributes that sticks out most — his mental toughness. “The second round, he shot 82, and he played terrible, but he was the most excited guy in the clubhouse
DEAN, from page 9
because we were leading the tournament,” Jones said. “The next day he came out and shot a 73 and helped us win the tournament.” Lisa Jones continues to be impressed with Yi’s confidence. “He doesn’t see obstacles — he sees his possibilities,” she said.
give UNO a 2-0 lead. That inning was Nicholson’s last as the sophomore allowed four hits and two runs in his two innings of work. Sophomore Daniel Bradshaw relieved Nicholson and slowed the UNO offense and threw five scoreless innings and allowed just two hits to set the stage for LSU’s thirdinning rally. “Bradshaw was the key to the game, really,” Mainieri said. “He gave us five innings in less than fifty pitches, which was amazing.” The West Monroe native was retiring Privateer hitters early in the count with a sinking fastball that UNO hitters were not able to hit out of the infield. “I call [that pitch] my sinker, but it runs more like a two-seamer,” he said. “I had been working on keeping the ball down and trying to get guys to turn over on it and get ground balls.” The Tigers return to the field tomorrow against Nicholls State. The Colonels come into the game with a 15-18 record on the season. But Nicholls State comes into the game struggling and have lost 11 of its past 16 games. Mainieri said freshman Chris Matulis will start on Wednesday against the Colonels. Matulis is 4-1 on the season with a 4.41 ERA.
Contact Sean Isabella at sisabella@lsureveille.com
Contact Casey Gisclair at cgisclair@lsureveille.com
photo courtesy of STEVE FRANZ / LSU Athletics
LSU freshman Sang Yi has collected a team best four top-10 finishes this season.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009
THE DAILY REVEILLE
turn, Mitchell said he intends to go through with the drafting process Rouge. The Tigers lose five seniors and show NBA teams he’s capable this spring, including starters Chris of the transition. “I’m going into this with both Johnson, Garrett Temple and Marfeet,” Mitchell said. “I want to cus Thornton. Mitchell will join them on the show people my versatility ... They list of NBA hopefuls after earning saw a little of what I can do this a first team All-SEC selection, av- year, but I want to show them everything.” eraging 16.3 points per game. LSU coach Trent Johnson was “I’m not surprised,” said Mike Bagot, finance sophomore. unavailable for comment, though “The team doesn’t have a lot of Mitchell noted the Tigers’ SEC depth coming back, and he prob- Coach of the Year has been “real ably thinks he’ll have to carry the supportive.” Butch Pierre, Mitchell’s godwhole team ... it’s going to hurt to father and LSU’s lose a fifth-year seinterim coach benior, but it’s a great fore Johnson, had move for him.” plenty of his own M i t c h e l l ’s support to offer. status as an NBA “No one’s restar isn’t cemented ally ready for that quite yet. Aran transition [to the Smith, NBADraft. NBA], but he’s net analyst, said Butch Pierre he doesn’t see the Mitchell’s godfather, former LSU been in school for four years so it’s Denham Springs assistant coach a different situanative as a likely tion for him,” Pierre said. “Since selection in the June 25 draft. “I haven’t heard much of a re- he was 13 or 14, he’s had the disaction,” Smith said. “I think he’ll cipline to achieve his goals, so if go undrafted, but these things do that’s what he wants, he’s going to change ... It’s all a matter of im- see it through.” Mitchell has until June 15 to pressing people on some level — whether as a scorer or a glue guy- return to school if his draft plans don’t work out, where he is just type defender.” Smith said many underclass- four classes from completing a demen declare for the draft to see gree in communication studies. Mitchell said he will continue what their prospects are and what they need to improve before re- to attend class during the semester. “I would love for him to get turning to school. “Younger guys can get some his degree,” Pierre said. “But he’s advice on what they can improve going to sit down with Trent Johnand what they need to focus on,” son and his family and put all the Smith said. “It really comes down positives and negatives out there, to [Mitchell] going up against play- and he’s going to make the right ers that people think are better than decision.” him ... He has a chance to show teams personality and character as well.” Contact David Helman at While not hiring an agent has dhelman@lsureveille.com left the door open for a possible re-
TAZ, from page 9
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‘Since he was 13 or 14, he’s had the discipline to achieve his goals.’
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COLEMAN, from page 9 seven pass breakups behind fellow senior Chris Hawkins. “He wants to improve the football team,” Miles said. “There was never any hesitation.” Miles said he sees several players who can contribute at safety if Coleman does shuffle to linebacker, including incoming freshmen Craig Loston and Josh Johns. “We feel pretty good with Chad [Jones] at one spot,” Miles said. “And [sophomore] Karnell Hatcher, [senior] Danny McCray and [sophomore] Ron Brooks, with the possible influx of two guys from the freshman class.” On offense, Miles said freshman quarterback Russell Shepard practiced at running back and quarterback Tuesday, but he said Shepard will likely only play quarterback at Saturday’s spring game. “I don’t know how multiple he will play on Saturday,” Miles said. “I don’t know if he will play any positions other than quarterback.” Miles said juniors Derek Helton and Josh Jasper are the leaders at punter, and redshirt freshman Drew Alleman will compete for the kicker position. Miles said the team will run 120 total plays plus special teams plays in the annual spring game Saturday. He said the coaching
MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille
LSU coach Les Miles talks to members of the media Tuesday. Miles said senior safety Harry Coleman was moved to linebacker, and senior running back Charles Scott returned to practice after academic issues.
staff will spend Thursday night and Friday deciding the first and second teams for the game. Miles said he felt Tuesday’s practice was a “precursor to a Saturday scrimmage,” but he feels the team can perform at a higher level. “Their focus was not what I wanted it to be,” Miles said. “We got a lot of work done, but we’re better than we were [Tuesday].”
INJURY UPDATE Miles said junior wide receiver Terrance Toliver is questionable for the spring game, and redshirt freshman wide receiver Jhyryn Taylor will not play. “Toliver fell on the turf, so we’ll see,” Miles said. Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com
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Opinion
PAGE 16
OUR VIEW
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009
Officials should seek more input in restructuring process University officials have decided to restructure and rename almost every academic college on campus to better sustain the Flagship Agenda, according to Chancellor Michael Martin. Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Astrid Merget said the changes, which would go into
effect July 1, wouldn’t affect students, and would instead influence faculty positions, titles and jobs. But some faculty members have complained they were left out of the planning process, and we feel faculty members should have more input in the decision to
restructure. University officials say plans to restructure began several months ago. If that’s the case, why weren’t more faculty members’ opinions heard? Merget said if you get 1,500 faculty in a room, “we’d get 1,500 different answers.”
We understand it’s unrealistic to speak with 1,500 faculty members. But it’s not unrealistic to at least provide all of them with some chance to speak out. The University sends out surveys to students all the time. With a such a big change to our academic structure being proposed,
faculty should have access to a similar survey. Not all faculty members may respond, but at least the opportunity would exist. Contact the Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com
NIETZSCHE IS DEAD
Jindal, legislature attempt budget cut equality The impending University budget cuts are a grim reality that has already set in for students across campus. With millions of dollars being slashed from the University’s budget and talk of faculty furloughs, tuition and fee increases all over campus, students are trying to come to grips with the reality that our education will suffer in some way. Some are protesting the way the cuts are being dealt among campuses — they argue an across-the-board method is unfair, and that the cuts should be dealt using a performancebased formula. Although this is definitely a valid argument, a larger problem lurks in the background. Statewide, higher education and health care bear an undeniably larger burden of the state budget reductions than any other
area. Of the state’s $9.7 million budget, $4.4 million is vulnerable to cuts — and most of this money goes to these two areas. This uneven distribution is rooted in the complex nature of the state’s process for allocating funds. Certain programs have dedicated sources of funding while others have protections against being cut. The only unprotected programs are health care and higher education — and as a result, these two end up bearing a particularly nasty brunt when times get hard. But this unfair system may not exist much longer. Gov. Bobby Jindal recently announced his support for Senate Bills 1 and 2, sponsored by Senate President Joel Chaisson, D-St. Charles. The bills would raise the cap on spending decreases for each statutory dedication from 5 to 10 percent.
By allowing more funds to be cut from other parts of the budget, the bills would make possible a more even distribution of decreases and would lessen the pressure on health care and higher education. The passage of the bills will do nothing Matthew Albrightto ease budget woes in the imColumnist mediate future. But if the economy doesn’t recover soon — which is entirely possible — it will prove to be a lifesaver. And if the economy ever slides again – which is almost inevitable – the reformed system will prevent the catastrophic reductions we are forced to deal with now.
In short, these two bills are a step toward a seasonable, fair allocation of funds. But Chaisson and Jindal will certainly have to fight to get these bills passed. Although the bills are obviously going to have the support of representatives of health care and higher education in Louisiana, it’s important to remember the benefits to these programs come at the expense of all the other ones — which before now have faced relatively painless cuts. In short, the bills will have to be passed over the protests of constituencies — and lobbyists — with interests in all but two areas of state funding. That will be no small feat. That being said, passing the bills is not impossible. It is apparent the bills are of high importance — the president
of the Senate is their sponsor. Their prominent numerical designations indicate they are at the top of the agenda — something University students should be glad to know. Further, the governor’s intervention exponentially increases the odds of their passage. Any student who cares about their education has a vested interest in the success of these commendable efforts. It’s high time our leaders recognize the folly of the current system and take steps to rectify it — for the sake of our educations and for the sake of the state as a whole. Matthew Albright is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Baton Rouge. Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com
BURNS AFTER READING
Student buyers be wary of housing menstruation Finals are typically at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts at the end of the semester. But for many undergraduates, the end of spring is also synonymous with another stressful responsibility — finding a place to live. Recently, the rising cost of living on campus and attractive mortgage incentives have persuaded more students to buy rather than to rent. Everybody wants a taste of the good life. But students considering buying should be cautious to avoid the housing market’s hidden landmines. The recent collapse of the housing market vividly illustrated how careless consumption can backfire when self-indulgence takes priority over responsible decision-making. From 1975 and 1999, national housing prices averaged $142,850 (adjusted to inflation), according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The economic slowdown of
2000-2001 marked the first recession in American history where real estate values increased. This exception was a result of lax lending standards, the Federal Reserve’s manipulation of interest rates and government efforts to artificially “stimulate” the economy following September 11. As a result, home values ballooned at an unprecedented rate, peaking near $260,000 by early 2006. Many Americans mistakenly viewed their homes as ever-appreciating commodities. Speculators began flipping residences as a profiteering scheme assuming real estate markets were somehow safeguarded from future economic downturns. Yet, contrary to many so-called experts’ forecasts, the housing market proved no exception to economic laws of gravity. The housing bubble burst by the end of 2006, sending shockwaves throughout the entire financial system and exposing trillions of dollars
THE DAILY REVEILLE Editorial Board
KYLE WHITFIELD TYLER BATISTE GERRI SAX DANIEL LUMETTA MATTHEW ALBRIGHT TRAVIS ANDREWS ERIC FREEMAN JR.
Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, External Media Opinion Editor Columnist Columnist Columnist
of phony wealth. While many progressive states have endured devastating foreclosure rates, experts claim Louisiana has fared better largely because of the state’s overall avoidance of the subprime market. Real estate hot spots like California, Nevada, Scott Burns Arizona and Columnist Florida witnessed as many foreclosures as one in every 15 homes. Louisiana, however, only averaged defaults in one out of 500 homes, according to RealtyTrac.com. Despite the fact nominal housing rates still exceed real market value, many speculators say lower interest rates and enhanced value have created a safer buying opportunity for local investors. But even with the
expansion of federal relief initiatives intended to boost consumer confidence, financial security might still be an illusion — even in purportedly “stable” regions. No one is completely safe during a monetary collapse, especially if our government continues to interfere with the market’s correction. Federal attempts to arrest the decline of housing prices have merely served to inflame our problems, not extinguish them. In the short run, the benefit of ownership may seem obvious. But in reality, today’s risks are far greater than most students realize — even in our local market. Besides, you’ll regret putting your parents retirement savings in jeopardy when they are forced to move in with you fifteen years from now. A house should be seen as the result of hard work and thrift, not an ever-appreciating fountain of wealth.
EDITORIAL POLICIES & 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 within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing 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 Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
If our current crisis teaches us anything, it’s that our nation needs a productive, fiscally-responsible generation to save up and set a positive example. Fighting the desire to buy isn’t just responsible — it’s common sense. It’s like waiting until after your girlfriend’s period passes before having unprotected sex with her on her parents’ couch. Waiting may not be easy, but in the end, you’ll be glad you stayed out. So just let the menstruating housing sector finish bleeding its way back to health before inserting your stock in the heated market. Trust me — It’s for your own good. Scott Burns is a 19-year-old political science and business sophomore from Baton Rouge. Contact Scott Burns at sburns@lsureveille.com
QUOTE OF THE DAY “The education of the will is the object of our existence.” Ralph Waldo Emerson American poet May 25, 1802 — April 27, 1882
THE DAILY REVEILLE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009
COMMON CENTS
Opinion
PAGE 17
Save the world, check your concepts at the door In more superstitious days, humans found themselves living in a world of spiritual fear. Projected above the material was a misty, platonic world of shadowy concepts and angry personalities. Demons were behind dysentery, sacrificial virgins appeased the angry volcano god and selfflagellation prevented the Black Death. There are two problems with a false answer. The legends of the past failed to prevent the diseases and disasters of the day, and they killed the curiosity normally driving knowledge. It was not until enlightenment thinkers questioned these superstitions that the horror of the Dark Ages was mitigated. To speak with honesty and clarity, we must forget the man-made and exclusively focus on what actually exists. When scientists laid the destructive myths to rest, the result was a scientific revolution that tripled the expected lifespan and
gave us modern marvels such as the printing press, the cell phone and the Mochassippi. The world is desperately in need of a similar revolution in political and moral reasoning. Subjective concepts have no effects on the objective world. It might be useful to speak of a “forest,” but one cannot clear-cut a “forest” without cutting down individual trees. You may claim to love your family, but this is just an easy way to say you love the individuals in your family. Young entrepreneurs cannot sell the concept of lemonade, and young consumers cannot pay with the concept of money. Disagree? I have the concept of a bridge to sell you. To put it conceptually, the destructive demons haunting our political discussions hide in the mists of concepts. As the Oxford English Dictionary put it, “call a spade a
bloody shovel.” Preferring “citizens” of one country over another — whether in trade, immigration or movement — is to say infants chucked at one side of an arbitrary line in the sand deserve special treatment. It’s convenient to use the Daniel Morgan word “governColumnist ment,” but it is more accurate to say “a bunch of people with guns.” When people say the government should enforce a minimum wage, they’re calling for a bunch of people with guns to threaten violence against those hired for less than an arbitrary amount of money. Tough luck for the untrained and inexperienced who can’t supply enough value. One wonders what motivations are concealed in the midst of
abstract conceptions. For proponents of minimum wage requirements and other government interventions, it was often racism. Because money “knows no color but green,” many white supremacists demanded the government keep white employers from following the natural incentive of capitalism to hire the cheapest competent worker. In 1938, the first federally mandated minimum wage law led to 500,000 blacks losing their jobs, according to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. To be fair, statistical evidence suggests modern American minimum wage requirements aren’t high enough to cause much unemployment, and modern supporters of such interventions are probably motivated by misplaced compassion. But because the violence inherent in minimum wage laws are hidden by concepts, proponents could again create a barrier to
prosperity for those they allegedly hope to help. In my last column, I gave reasons why allowing child labor in developing countries would increase prosperity. A subsequent letter to the editor used “real-life logic” to make the contradictory claim that child labor would be cheaper but would not increase production. Even if this is the case, he believes men with guns should prevent starving children from being able to work. Without concepts, few would dare advance such a barbaric view. Strip your discussions of concepts, or I’ll throw the evil eye at you. Daniel Morgan is a 21-year-old economics junior from Baton Rouge. Contact Daniel Morgan at dmorgan@lsureveille.com
JUXTAPOSED NOTIONS
Drug testing to introduce discretion to welfare In light of the recession, lawmakers are taking action by penning legislation that targets welfare reform. The goal of these proposals is to devise a system able to distinguish between those who deserve welfare and those who drain tax money. By the logic that illicit drug use is a bad investment of public funds because addictions render users unsuitable for work, legislation designed to weed them out has recently gained long overdue popularity. The purpose of welfare is to provide finances for those in need, with the ultimate goal of positioning the recipient in such a way that they are able to return to work. It makes sense to randomly test welfare recipients for drug usage, given the workplace typically requires employees to be drug free. “If so many jobs require random drug tests these days, why not benefits?” Rep. Craig Blair, R-WV, told Associated Press. Blair is responsible for authoring legislation House Bill 3007, which has generated the most cohesive interest and support for welfare reform in recent times. Viewable on Blair’s Web site, HB 3007 is considered the most comprehensive proponent of welfare reform because it seeks to mandate all types of welfare. The legislation would submit those receiving public assistance to randomized drug testing. Failure of the first test would be treated with leniency, but a mandatory second test would have to
be taken within two months. If the individual fails a second time, they would become ineligible to receive public assistance for two years. Once the two-year ban is lifted, they would be allowed to reapply for assistance after submitting another drug test. Supporters of Blair’s legislation should be wary of potential implementation costs, as putting the testing into practice may end up costing more than it’s worth, especially considering the lenient wording of the legislation. But one Linnie Leavines way to ensure financial seColumnist curity in this venture is simply eliminating language limiting Blair’s legislation to “random” testing. It may sound drastic, but it’s hardly a new tactic. A similar method is already used by the federal government to determine a citizen’s likelihood of being audited for their income taxes. Though the auditing process isn’t wholly random, nor absolutely precise, it does serve to streamline effectiveness by focusing on individuals most prone to flouting the law, based on their history and suspicious circumstance. It would be prudent to ensure the program — which should be small to begin with — will be able to pay for itself with the money generated by welfare recipients who fail the test. Blair’s legislation has the right idea, though it
would help tremendously if semantics did more to guarantee the success of the program. Otherwise implementing it may prove counterproductive. Such a concern, one focused on the financial difficulties welfare reform might encounter, is the only reasonable objection to the type of legislation proposed by lawmakers like Blair. Other protests hinging upon the alleged “victimization” of welfare recipients because of drug
testing are groundless in that they ignore the optional nature of the use of both drugs and welfare. One may choose to use drugs, just as one may choose to use welfare. Further, anyone who makes these choices is responsible for being informed as to what consequences they entail. Thus, requiring welfare recipients to be drug tested isn’t “taking advantage” of anyone — it’s simply introducing discretion into the institution.
Collectively, this brand of welfare reform will only foster personal incentive to improve, thereby resulting in a more productive individual who is a lesser financial risk. Linnie Leavines is an 18-year-old mass communication freshman from Central City. Contact Linnie Leavines at lleavines@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
HELP WANTED
PAGE 18
PLACE YOUR AD TODAY Got something to sell? Want to make an announcement? Need to find an apartment or roommate? With the potential to reach over 33,000 LSU students, faculty and staff, there is no better way to advertise. Not only do we print twice a week, but there is no additional charge to place your classified ad on the world wide web at www.lsureveille.com. Just click “classifieds,” where your ad can be viewed on our website, that averages up to 65,000 unique visitors a week. For more information, please call (225) 578-6090.
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Classifieds HELP WANTED T E M P O R ARY WORKERS NEEDED! TEMPORARY WORKERS NEEDED! LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab is now hiring survey researchers for weekend and night work only. Must have a clear speaking voice, be friendly, willing to communicate with people over the phone, and to follow set procedures. Pay is competitive, $7-9/hour. Flexible hours! Great place to work! Prior experience a plus but not required. Contact Kathryn Rountree, Operations Manager, krount1@lsu.edu to set up an interview.
MEN AND WOMEN NEEDED For sales position in growing construction company. Please email resume to b.starring@yahoo.com
INTERNS WANTED P/ T interns with interest in political science or international relations. Interns will participate in political/ economic/ military simulation of formation of government and establishment of infrastructure from scratch 225.922.7109 GREAT HOURS! GREAT PAY! Texas Roadhouse is currently hiring servers and hosts. Make money at a fun restaurant! Come by 10360 N. Mall Dr, M-T, between 2 and 4 pm for an interview. Hope to see you soon! 225.293.0144
DON’T MISS THIS OPPOR T U N I T Y! Now hiring for all positions at the following locations: JEFFERSON 7615 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge 70809 PERKINS ROWE 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd. Baton Rouge 70810 “Flexible schedules & Benefits for Full Time Associates” Please apply in person during regular restaurant hours. Equal Opportunity Employer FRONT DESK ATTENDANT S P/T Enthusiastic team players with customer service and computer skills; problem-solving; flex schedules, evenings and weekends; FREE membership. Apply in person to: C. B. Pennington, Jr. YMCA, 15550 Old Hammond Hwy. BR, LA 70810 or call Rachel @ 272-9622. ST. ALOYSIUS School Aftercare 2009-2010 School year - 3:30-5:30. Sharon or Jan. 225.383.3871. HOOTERS SIEGEN LN IS HIRING Tough times? Not at Hooters Siegen. We are looking for world famous Hooters Girls and Kitchen Staff. Earn great money while having fun. Apply in person M-F btwn 2-5. only minutes from LSU. You will love your job!!! 225.293.1900 EARN EXTR A MONEY Students needed ASAP Earn up to $150 per day being a mystery shopper No Experience Required Call 1-800-722-4791 NEED HELP CONTROLLING HUNGER? The purpose of this study is to determine if a breakfast drink made with a natural product will help reduce hunger and prevent overeating. Looking for females aged 18-50. Earn up to $120. Call NOW 225.763.3000
NOW HIRING FOR SUMMER & FALL! Child Care Center near LSU now hiring for Summer and Fall Semesters. Afternoon Teachers needed 2:30-5:30 Mon-Fri. 225.766.1159 ACCOUNTING ASSIS TANT: Open position working for local apparel and e-commerce company. Flexible 15-25hr wk, relaxed atmosphere, training provided. Accounting majors preferred. Send resumes to Jobs@varsityvests.com www.varsityvests.com www.fanthefire.com 225.753.7299 STUDENT NEEDED FOR OFFICE Organization and math skills a must. Apply in person at St John the Baptist Human Services 7732 Goodwood Blvd Ste A1 225.216.1199 SUBWAY ON FLORIDA Blvd now hiring assistant managers, shift leaders, crew members.
Email resume subwaycaterer@gmail.com IT/E-COMMERCE ASSIS TANT: Flexible 15-25hr wk schedule, relaxed atmosphere, training provided. Knowledge of Microsoft office and graphic design a plus. Send resumes to Jobs@varsityvests.com. www.varsityvests.com www.fanthefire.com 225.753.7299
WEEKEND LEASING A GENT Needed for apartment community on Jefferson Hwy. Compensation is an apartment. Great opportunity for a college student. Fax resume to 225-924-9893 !BAR TENDING! Up to $300/Day. No Experience Necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 xt127 AN OUTGOING S TUDENT needed to work on S a t u r days at a premier 3D/4D ultrasound f a c i l i t y. G r e a t a t m o s p h e r e a n d p a y s t a r t i n g @ $8 per hour! Call 225.769.0000 T YEES CHILDREN’S VILL A Preschool Teachers needed. Must love children and must be dependable. 5455 Parkview Ch. Rd. 225.292.4671 TEACH ENGLISH TO IMMIGR ANT S ESL Instructors: $13-$15/hr. 6-9pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. ESL Aides- office work- 5-9pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. $7.50-$10/hr. Send resume to mstaub@ccdiobr.org SMILING FACES NEEDED!! River Road Day Care is looking for smiling faces to work full time M-F. Also taking applications for Summer Camp Counselors. 225.336.9030 NEED MONEY FOR SCHOOL? The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge and AmeriCorps can help! Make a difference serving in Baton Rouge area schools extended day programs while earning money for college or to pay back student loans. Small bi-weekly stipend also given. Must be at least 17. Call 383-3928 to apply by May 29th. ONLINE SERVICE REP Need to have knowledge of google docs or microsoft office, experience working on a Mac, great people skills, & organized a must.. OSR’s will field customer questions online and via the phone. Great salary and working environment. Email resume to Admin@Plentio.com
I M M E D I A TE NEED!!! PT & FT Sales Associates & Licensed Massage Therapists. Email resumes to clinic0378@massageenvy.com or fill out an application at 2561 Citiplace Ct. 225.922.7000 LIFEGUARDS Lifeguards needed at all (7) branch locations of the YMCA. Certification classes available. We will train you! Flex schedules & fun atmosphere. Be part of our Y family! Apply in person at any YMCA or contact Toni at (225) 924-3606.
COUNTER CLERK part time, flexible hours, great for students Welsh’s Cleaners Bluebonnet location and Perkins Rd. at College Dr. location apply in person or call 225-921-6660 C I TADEL BROADCAS TING COMPANY (KQXLFM, WXOK-AM, WEMX-FM, WCDV-FM) is looking for an Assistant Business Manager to help with the day-to-day operations of the Business Office. Responsibilities may include: human resources, financial analysis preparation and reporting, accounts payable and receivable functions, collections, payroll, general ledger accounting and budget preparation. Word & Excel necessary. Accounting experience a plus. Excellent verbal and written communication skills required. For more information or to apply, send resumes to hr.batonrouge@citcomm.com OR by mail: HR Director 650 Wooddale Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Please no phone calls Citael Broadcasting is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA 225.926.1106
STUDENTPAY OUT S. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue. 100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys. SUMMER DAY CAMP COUNSELORS Now hir-
ing thru April 15th...training starts in May and 1st day of camp starts May 25th. Work where you have fun! Don’t delay apply today. Must be age 18+ and pass criminal b/g check and drug screen. Contact your nearest YMCA for more information. Paula G. Manship - 767.9622 Baranco-Clark - 344.6775 A. C. Lewis - 924.3606 C. B. Pennington, Jr. - 272.9622 Southside - 766.2991 Dow Westside - 687.1123
N E W R E S T AU R A N T C O N C E P T coming to Baton Rouge looking for 20 motivated trainers in both FOH and BOH. Call or send info to coyoteblues2@gmail.com. Visit our website at coyotebluesrest.com. 225.329.2055 SURVEY TAKERS NEEDED: Make $5-$25 per survey. www. GetPaidToThink.com AR AMARK @ DOW CHEMICAL looking for friendly faces. Cook, Grill, Deli, & Utility. P/T AM or PM hrs. Apply at Dow Visitor Center, Plaquemine.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009 STUDENT & SUMMER WORK Local BR company expanding Fast! **$15.00 Base/appt** Flexible Schedules No experience nec Customer sales/ svc Ages 17+ Apply NOW:225-927-3066 www.collegestudentwork.com STUDENT S NEEDED TO work with children / adults with disabilities. Several positions, various hours. Apply: St. John the Baptist Human Services, 7732 Goodwood, Ste A-1 225.216.1199
T E A C H I N K OREA! Need work after graduation? Receive: competitive salary, free furnished apartment, free airfare, affordable health insurance and pension, 2 weeks vacation to explore Southeast Asia! Email: steve@eslcom.net
KOTO NOW HIRING FOR R E L O C AT I O N Hiring all positions. Flexible schedule. Apply
THE DAILY REVEILLE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009 within. 225.924.1980
PARKVIEW BAPTIS T PRESCHOOL Preschool Teachers needed flex days no degree required 293-9447
FOR SALE L S U R U N N I N G / W O R KOUT SHOES
in August. Perfect location. $575 plus ulti 713.248.9107 3 BR. 3 br. 2ba. house for rent. 777 Hadley, Meadowbend Subd. Avail. June 1st. $1200. mo. $500. deposit. Call 985-688-2757 985.688.2757 1-2 BED APT. $450-550/ month, hot water, sewer included, call Wang 225-278-6622 or 225.278.6621
CUSTOM MADE NIKE LSU CASUAL SHOES NEW NEVER WORN-SIZE 13- PICTURES ON REQUEST— $65 skrsh@bellsouth.net 601.992.2243
ROOMMATES
3/3 CONDO AT L SU CAMPUS Gated: 3/3 1700SF $206,000 Almost New. The Gates At Brightside. 1.5 from campus. Income producing while your student lives free. 407-3530564 Susan
FEMALE ROOMMATE NEEDED Edward Gay Apartments: 2-bedroom 1-bathroom, Internet access, cable, laundromat downstairs. $273/month, including utilities. Must be clean!!! ogudkov@yahoo.com
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CONDO FOR S ALE - $102,500 Walking distance to LSU. 2 BR 1 BA. Gated with POOL! 225.252.2335 G ATES AT B R IG HT SIDE 2BR/2BA All appliances Incl. Bus route. REDUCED! $175,000, call Daniel 225.328.5076
FOR RENT WALK TO L SU 1 and 2 BR FLATS and TH, pool, laundry center. University View Apartments on West Parker. Call Hannah 767-2678. NO PETS. TOWNHOMES 2 BR / 1.5 ba w/d, alarm, fans, patio, water pd, no pets, $1000 rent / $500 dep avl 8/1 225-766-6555 TOWNHOME 4 BR / 2.5 ba w/d, alarm, fans, patio, water pd, no pets $1900 rent / $800 dep avl 8/1 225-766-6555 TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. UNIT S R E A D Y F O R S P R I N G & F ALL 2009! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedrooms available. Reserve your u n i t t o d a y ! Walk to class! 3000 July St. 225346-5055. www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Star t Living.
S T O R E Y OUR S T U F F Student Special - Get 1st Month FREE. Climate Control of LA Self Storage. 3147 College Dr. just past the RR tracks. Enter thru College Creek Shopping Center. Various sizes, covered loading, video recorded surveillance and alarms, 24/7 access. 24/7 service with our Insomniac machine (rent a unit, make a payment, buy a lock) - very cool. We Love Students. We also have Budget Rent-a-Car and Rent-a-Truck. 225.927-8070 PRE-LEASING FOR SUMMER & FALL LSU Tigerland: Studio,1 & 2 Bdr. wood floors, pool, & laundry $465-$695 225-766-7224 NICE, QUITE Garden District large Apt. downstairs/Hrd.wood floors/650.00, avl. May 1st. 225.603.2532 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CONDO. Gated and secure Nesser Gardens. 2BR/2BA, secondfloor porch, wooden min-blinds, front-loading washer/ dryer, granite countertops and laminate wood floors. Call Scott at 225-933-9730. Requires: one-year lease, $1200 deposit, $1200/ mo. rent, and no pets or smokers. 225.933.9730 GR AD/ L AW/ VET students - House in quiet neighborhood close to campus. 3 BR/2BA, hardwood floors, A/ C, dishwasher, disposal, w/d, fenced backyard. $1300 per month. 7578766 FOR RENT 3br/2bth $350/mth 5 min to LSU 281.216.2532 CHARMING 3BR/1BA HOUSE in beautiful Garden District. Walking distance to LSU lakes. Wood floors, alarm system. 1625/mo. Available June 1st. Call Johnny 225-931-2878 AWESOME PAD 1BR, 1BA, ALL UTILS., CBL+WIFI INCL. BUS RT. $895/ mo +dep. BRYAN 225.235.3607 APT. FOR RENT Tigerland - Country Club II 2 BR $650/month 225.761.7222 3BD3BA L AKE BEAU PRE TOWNHOME Avail
4TH ROOMMATE NEEDED! We are looking for a 4th roommate to complete our apt! Female only, ages 18-23. We live at Sterling Northgate in a 4bed/4bath. please call if interested!!! 832.576.1010 $400 ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED ROOMMATEWANTED TO SHARE HUGE-3BR-3BATH-HOUSE WITH MALE. EXCLUSIVE AREA-CONGRESSPERKINS. HIGHSPEED-NET-CABLE-ALARMWASHER-DRYER-LARGE-YARD-GATED. GREAT FOR ENTERTAINMENT-LSU.225.772.2506 ROOM IN GOOD house. W&D, alarm, etc. No lease needed. $260 + shared utilities. $250 dep. 225.921.1209
PERSONALS CALLING ALL DOTA PL AYERS Interested in league play/inhouses/scrims, i’m looking to gauge interest / organize a local league etc. If interested, reply via email to: mcstaplez@gmail.com HEY! You always seem to be walking to your car as I am walking to class. Last week you actually waved at me (I think it was at me!). This has been going on for quite a few weeks, but we both get “surprised” looks on our faces every time we see each other. Say “Hey!” next time we pass.
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THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 20
JABAWAKEE?
wednesday, april 15, 2009
MERGET, from page 8
KIM FOSTER / The Daily Reveille
Theatre students pose in the quad Tuesday afternoon. Log on to lsureveille.com for more photos of these students.
“We are not changing any of the degree requirements or any of the department faculties,” Merget said.
Names of colleges under the realignment plan:
SOME CHANGES WILL INCLUDE: — The economics department and the public administration institute will be moved into the College of Human and Social Sciences from the College of Business. The department of experimental statistics will be moved from the College of Agriculture to the College of Human and Social Sciences. — Mathematics will move to the College of Science from the College of Arts and Science. — Kinesiology, the University Laboratory School, social work, library and information sciences, family, child and consumer science, human resource education and workforce development and communication sciences and disorders will all move into the College of Education and Human Professions. — The College of Art and Design will include the textiles, apparel design and merchandising program, currently in the College of Agriculture. - Sometime after July 1, the College of Engineering will include biological engineering and agricultural engineering. Both programs are currently in the College of Agriculture.
1. The College of Human and Social Sciences (Currently the College of Arts and Sciences) 2. The College of Science, currently the College of Basic Sciences. 3. The College of Education and Human Professions, currently the College of Education. 4. The College of Art and Design 5. The College of Engineering 6. The College of Agriculture 7. The College of Business, currently the E.J. Ourso School of Business 8. The College of the Coast and the Environment 9. The Graduate College 10. The College of Mass Communications, currently the Manship School of Mass Communication 11. The College of Veterinary Medicine 12. The College of Music and Dramatic Arts 13. The Honors College 14. The University College Source: Astrid Merget, provost
Contact Kyle Bove at kbove@lsureveille.com