Faculty: English professor earns Louisiana Writer Award, p. 4
Cross country: Sweltering heat affects team’s practices, p. 8
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
Football: All eyes on Jarrett Lee before opener, p. 7 Wednesday, August 31, 2011 • Volume 116, Issue 8
The ‘reason we pray’
Muslim students celebrate end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr
or place of worship. During the weekend, the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge hosted bigger gathMuslim students gathered erings for the whole community. Al Qaisi said Ramadan is a Tuesday morning for prayer and celebration to commemorate Eid time to reflect on blessings and learn not to take anything for al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan. Beginning Aug. 1, the 30- granted. Muslims use this time to grow closer to Allah. day period of “Ramadan is a fasting and month of inner reflecself-restraint tion, spiritual cleansignited a time ing, humility, discifor reflection pline, kindness and and worship for prayers,” said Arabic Muslims worldinstructor Hatem wide. ThroughBachar. out the course Bachar cancelled of Ramadan, class Monday and University stuTuesday out of redents and local Hatem Bachar spect for the holy day. Muslims particHe said he thinks it is ipated in Iftars, Arabic professor important for his stuthe breaking of dents to understand fasts. Doctorate student and Muslim all the cultural aspects behind the Student Association Vice Presi- Arabic language, and observing dent Saif Al Qaisi said the Uni- Ramadan plays a key role. Eid al-Fitr is a time of prayer versity’s MSA group sponsored weekly Iftars for the community and celebration. The occurrence of where everyone could gather and this holy celebration is marked by the lunar calendar, meaning Musbreak their fasts together. Different groups within the lims must wait to learn the definiBaton Rouge community take tive date of the celebration accordturns sponsoring the Iftars. During ing to the moon. the week, the University hosted EID AL-FITR, see page 15 Iftars at the on-campus masjid,
Lauren Duhon
Contributing Writer
TRANSPORTATION
Aspen Heights lacks spot on bus route
Initiatives failed because of budget
‘‘
Laura Furr
‘Ramadan is a month of inner reflection, spiritual cleansing, humility, discipline, kindness and prayers.’
Contributing Writer
LAUREN DUHON / The Daily Reveille
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, Tuesday at the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge. The month of Ramadan is marked by fasting and a focus on spirituality.
Students at the popular Baton Rouge living community Aspen Heights are unhappy with the transportation to and from their new homes. Residents felt they were promised a bus route between campus and the community, located near the intersection of River Road and Brightside Drive. Samantha Wren, an Aspen Heights resident and business freshman, is facing major inconveniences. “Before move-in day at Aspen Heights, residents were led to believe that we would almost definitely have either a bus stop in our neighborhood or even a private shuttle that commuted straight from the complex to campus,” Wren said. “I know some people in the neighborhood who, based BUSES, see page 15
UNION
University mail services relocate to ground floor of Union Residents required to buy mailboxes
Paul Braun Contributing Writer
The University’s United States Postal Service branch will cease operations today. On-campus residents are now assigned a mailbox at the newly renovated RICOH Mail and Printing Services center, located on the ground floor of the Student Union. The purchase of a student mailbox is mandatory for all on-campus residents, and the $70 fee for this service is charged to students’ fee bills. All University mail services
will be handled by the contractor freshman, said she was unaware RICOH USA starting Thursday. of the fee but is glad to have her Despite mail delivered to the increase on-campus loHow does this affect you? an in fees, marcation. keting sopho- • All on-campus residents are “I have had more Jonathan to have my mail required to purchase a mailbox. Lewis said he • A basic mailbox costs $70 and sent to my aunt’s is pleased with will be charged to students’ fee bills. house all week,” the services Rappold said offered by the • Non-perishable packages will no Monday as she longer be received at residence RICOH center. waited in line to halls. “It is conregister her new venient in the • Student mailboxes will be located mailbox. at RICOH Mail and Printing Union instead The switch of across camis the result of Services in room 107 of the pus,” he said, months of prepaStudent Union. “That’s what ration following we are paying the June 2010 for. We can argue it, but I don’t announcement of the intent to think it will do much good.” MAIL, see page 15 Katherine Rappold, finance
EMILY SLACK / The Daily Reveille
Students wait in line Monday to receive packages at the new RICOH Mail and Printing Services center. Campus residents are now required to purchase $70 mailboxes.
The Daily Reveille
page 2
INTERNATIONAL
Nation & World
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
NATIONAL
STATE/LOCAL
Haitian police spokesman says kidnappers released American man
Federal judge strikes down key provisions of Texas sonogram law
N.O. Mayor Landrieu declares emergency because of marsh fire
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitian police say a U.S. citizen kidnapped last week from his home in the capital has been freed. Police spokesman Frantz Lerebours says the kidnappers of Frank Jean-Baptiste let him go Tuesday as officers surrounded an area in the hills above Port-auPrince. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of $300,000 but Lerebours says no payment was made.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday struck down key provision of Texas’ new law requiring a doctor to perform a sonogram before an abortion, ruling that the measure violates the free speech rights of both doctors and patients. The law — one of dozens of anti-abortion measures that advanced through state capitals across the United States this year — was set to take effect Thursday. A New York-based reproductive rights group had sued to block the law.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says a new marsh fire near a highway prompted him to declare an emergency and call on the Louisiana National Guard for helicopters to dump water on it. Brig. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis said four helicopters based in Hammond were at work Tuesday and five based in Pineville would join them Wednesday. Landrieu said he does not know how the second fire began. Schools in New Orleans’ Recovery School District canceled outdoor activities because of smoke from the fire. Man sentenced to life in Waffle House murder of a Georgia man
Iranian protesters demand help for shrinking saltwater lake DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Protesters demanding greater environmental protections for one of the world’s biggest saltwater lakes have clashed with security forces in western Iran. Photographs and video obtained by The Associated Press show police on motorcycles bearing down on dozens of demonstrators in Oroumieh on Aug. 27. The demonstrators threw rocks at police, who fired back. It was unclear whether police used live bullets. It took several days to confirm the event because residents were fearful of discussing it.
VAHID SALEMI / The Associated Press
An abandoned ship is stuck in the solidified salts of the Oroumieh Lake, Iran on April 29, 2011, northwest of the capital Tehran. Protesters demand greater environmental protection for one of the world’s biggest saltwater lakes.
Presumed dead Moammar Gadhafi daughter could be alive TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Since the rebel takeover of Tripoli, evidence has been mounting that Moammar Gadhafi may have lied about the death of his adopted baby daughter Hana in a 1986 U.S. airstrike. The strike hit Gadhafi’s home in his Tripoli compound, Bab alAziziya, in retaliation for the Libyan-sponsored bombing of a Berlin nightclub earlier that year that killed two U.S. servicemen.
Tropical Storm Katia continues to gather momentum in Atlantic MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Katia continues to gain strength as it moves west-northwest across the Atlantic. Katia (KAH’-tee-yah) has maximum sustained winds late Tuesday afternoon of 60 mph (97 kph), a 20 mph increase over Tuesday morning. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says continued strengthening is forecast and Katia could become a hurricane by Wednesday. Katia is centered about 750 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands.
(AP) — Calling the crime a “despicable act,” a Louisiana judge has sentenced a 22-year-old man to life in prison in the killing of a Georgia insurance agent during an armed robbery at the Waffle House. The Advocate reports state District Judge Lou Daniel said Antonius Jones’ actions on May 3, 2010, have “left a mark on this community.” The judge ordered the terms to run concurrently.
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Clara Lloyd, 8, tests the trumpet Sunday at the Music and Dramatic Arts open house.
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 email editor@lsureveille.com.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
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Wednesday, August 31, 2011
STUDY
The Daily Reveille
College graduates encounter plethora of careers in health care, engineering Education, engineering technologies, family and consumer sciences and public administraThe Louisiana Board of Re- tion rounded out the top five emgents recently released a report ployed fields of study, each above designed to track the employ- 66 percent. ment outlook for Louisiana col“This report is a starting lege graduates six and 18 months point that will eventually assist after graduation. our colleges and universities in The 2011 Employment Out- maximizing their success and imcomes Report exproving Louisiamines employana’s economy,” ment data from said Commisthe Louisiana sioner of Higher Workforce ComEducation Jim mission and the Purcell. Regents to deterThe report mine the employalso factored resiment statuses for dency status into Louisiana degree the employment completers. equation. Nearly The report 64 percent of found 73 perLouisiana resicent of associate dent bachelor’s degree holders degree recipients were employed were employed Blake Winchell 18 months after 18 months after coordinator of job search graduation, comgraduation, acat Career Services pared to 60 percording to the cent of bachelor’s Louisiana UI degree holders. Wage System Louisiana bachelor’s and as- data. Non-resident bachelor’s sociate degree completers each degree recipients trailed Louiyear from 2006-09 were looked siana residents with 23 percent at in the report, which cited data employed 18 months after gradufrom the Louisiana Unemployed ation. Insurance Wage System. IndiIn addition, data was comviduals who are self-employed, piled on average annual salaries employed outside of the state or per field for 2008-09 bachelor’s are employees of the federal gov- degree recipients 18 months after ernment are not included in the graduation. Engineering led the report’s data. pack with an average annual salaWhen analyzing data spe- ry of $56,853, followed by health cifically from bachelor’s degree care professions at $46,537, engirecipients from the class of 2008- neering technologies at $43,787, 09, the report stated health care education at $37,639 and natural professions had the highest em- resources and conservation at ployment rate 18 months after $34,605. graduation at 70 percent. But many students complain Josh Naquin Staff Writer
‘‘
‘You should know what is expected for you and your major field. Talk to someone in our office, as it differs depending on your field of study.’
finding a job after graduation isn’t easy, said Jacob Ball, political science graduate student. “A friend who I completed my [undergraduate] with worked in a restaurant for three years after graduating before finding a teaching job,” Ball said. Ball took solace in the report’s findings. “It’s hard to find a job right now. Academia is at least a little insulated,” Ball said. Post-baccalaureate education appears to be growing in popularity among students weary of the fickle job market. Steve Bond, history and anthropology senior, plans on pursuing further education. “If not, I’ll go to field school and go on archaeological digs to gain experience,” Bond said. “The experience helped my girlfriend get a job in the field.” Blake Winchell, coordinator of job search at Career Services, emphasized the need for research to University students considering post-graduation job prospects. “You should know what is expected for you and your major field,” Winchell said. “Talk to someone in our office, as it differs depending on your field of study.” Winchell also said preparation is key when lining up a job out of college. “Prepping for your transition from college to the real world doesn’t happen overnight,” Winchell said.
page 3 Average annual starting salaries for 2008-2009 graduates: Engineering ........................................................................ $56,853 Health care professionals ................................................... $46,537 Engineering technologies .................................................... $43,787 Education ........................................................................... $37,639 Natural resources and conservation ..................................... $34,605 2011 Employment Outcomes Report
Plucker’s Wing Bar Mon: $14.99 All You Can Eat Wings and $3 Pluckers Specialty Drinks Tues: Kids Eat Free, $3 Mexican Beers and Margaritas Wed: Live Trivia at 8 pm, $4.50 34oz Mugs Thurs: $12.99 All You Can Eat Boneless Wings, $4.50 34oz Mugs, $5.50 Patron Margaritas Sun: $3 Pluckers Specialty Shots EVERYDAY BEER SPECIAL: $6.50 34oz Mugs--Blue Moon, Dos Equis, Abitas Free Music Downloads From Legacy Local Artists www.legacymagazine.bandcamp.com BE a part of ART! Join the LSU Student Union Advisory Committee & bring art to LSU Welcome meeting: August 31 at 4:30 pm in the Union Catahoula Room (302D DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Becky at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: oncampus@lsureveille.com
Contact Josh Naquin at jnaquin@lsureveille.com
LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS NEXT WEEK!
The Daily Reveille
page 4
FACULTY
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
English professor wins 2011 Louisiana Writer Award
Morgan Searles Staff Writer
Born and raised in Hammond and surrounded by the unique Louisiana culture, James Wilcox always knew he wanted to be a writer, plunking out stories on an old typewriter from a young age. Wilcox, director of the University’s creative writing program, turned his childhood dream into reality and was recently announced as the recipient of the 2011 Louisiana
Writer Award. The Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana presents the award to a writer for outstanding contributions to Louisiana’s literary and intellectual life. Wilcox Wilcox said he appreciates having Louisiana roots to inspire his work.
“I have spent a number of years appreciating the landscape here and the way towns function here,” Wilcox said. “I enjoy finding out new things about people who live in this area, and I’m always very happy to know what I’ve learned from growing up and being raised in Louisiana.” Most of Wilcox’s nine novels are set in fictional Tula Springs, La., but three are set in New York City, where he worked at Random House and Doubleday after graduating from
Yale University. Wilcox said living in the city helped him to appreciate his Southern upbringing. “I feel especially grateful for this award because it comes from my home state, and I’m so pleased to be working here in Louisiana after being in New York for a while,” he said. “There is a special feel to this award that no other award has because people in this state understand my books in a way that no one else can.”
As the director of creative writing, Wilcox said the University has given him an opportunity to embrace inspiration from fellow writers and poets, and he encourages his students to utilize the Southern landscape. Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton will recognize Wilcox at the 2011 Louisiana Book Festival on Oct. 29. Contact Morgan Searles at msearles@lsureveille.com
TECHNOLOGY
Students, faculty embrace alternatives to traditional textbooks Clayton Crockett Staff Writer
With a strained economy and higher tuition, students are searching for alternatives to physically and financially heavy textbooks. The surge of electronic textbooks and tablets in college classrooms has businesses scrambling to invest in future classical learning. According to a recent report by the Public Interest Research Group, which surveyed thousands of students around the nation, approximately seven of 10 college students have bypassed purchasing a textbook because of high prices. “In the digital age, textbooks are so out of date,” said Rep. Tim Burns, R-La., the author of the Accounting Whiz Kid iPad app, which released in late spring. But Burns is not the only businessman who perceives a growing market for digital education tools. While the University bookstore currently supports two eTextbook outlets, Barnes and Noble’s Nook Study and Vital Source, the real focus is shifting to Apple’s iDevices, the popularity of which is apparent during any stroll through the Quad. “That’s where I think the future is,” Burns said of the iPad, adding that students and workers are “becoming a lot more particular with technology.” When looking at a regular book,
he said, “you glaze over all that text,” especially with a subject like accounting. Dean of the Manship School Jerry Ceppos has certainly made note of the rise of digital media in the classroom, as exemplified by his recent purchase of more than 20 iPads for Manship school faculty. When it comes to mass communication students, the iPad “changes the product you’re producing,” according to Lance Porter, associate professor in the Manship School. Porter gave a presentation to the Manship faculty before the semester began on how to use the iPad in the classroom and how it directly affects the curriculum of mass communication. “It’s changing our jobs in a positive way,” Porter said. “You really can’t fight it.” Between Nook Study and Vital Source, only Vital Source supports mobile access through iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads – a feature that has become a selling point for all online textbook suppliers. Regardless of the textbook options for tablets, many students use tablets in the classroom for convenience purposes. Marrissa Burridge, dental hygiene sophomore, uses an iPad because it’s “easier to follow the teacher” online during class. She noted it’s less distracting than a laptop because you can’t keep
Facebook open while working. “I have a laptop at home,” she said, “but I choose to bring the iPad for convenience.” Ashley Ernst, psychology freshman, uses hers for taking notes, saying it’s “dumb to waste paper.” Ernst uses an app called Notes Plus, which allows her to simultaneously record a lecture and take notes in class. Also changing with the digital shift is the author-publisher relationship. A number of eTextbook apps exist for the iPad currently, such as Inkling and Kno, but most of them have yet to earn a base of both users and large publishing companies. Because of this, some authors and developers skip the publishing process and go straight to app creation. According to Porter, “royalties on e-books are next to nothing.” Many developers have followed Burns’ lead by producing not books
but study tools. Burns described his app as “a supplement” to print. Nick Lambeth, public relations junior, managed to find his biology textbook in an app, allowing him to use his iPad to replace the extra bulk. Lambeth described the alternative as “way easier.” Perhaps the most promising aspects of eTextbook outlets are the free trial periods that allow students to use a textbook – sometimes for up to two weeks – before deciding to buy, allowing students to find out whether or not they can afford to pass on the purchase. The offerings of digital textbooks and textbook apps remain limited but positioned for growth. In a more immediate future are book rental services, which also offer cheaper alternatives to textbook purchases. BookRenter.com, for instance,
claims students can save up to approximately $2,600 over the course of four years by renting instead of buying textbooks, a practice the University’s bookstore has taken in stride. Contact Clayton Crockett at ccrockett@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
SUSTAINABILITY
page 5
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
New software reduces Counselor Education program computer energy use works with teen offenders Austen Krantz
Contributing Writer
With a few clicks of a button, University employees can now better conserve their computer’s energy usage, reduce University operating expenses and lower carbon emissions. Facility Services is offering PwrSmart by New Boundaries Technology, an energy conserving program. The software balances a computer’s energy consumption by controlling power settings, said Denise Newell, co-chair of the IT Power Management Committee, Campus Sustainability manager and facility for Campus Committee for Sustainability. The software’s monitoring system tracks when a computer is being used and automatically places the system in a low-powered state when it is idle, which reduces the computer’s electrical consumption, Newell said. She explained a computer running without technology like PwrSmart is like “leaving your refrigerator running without anything in it.” Additionally, the heat produced by a computer causes more energy to be put toward cooling an office, Newell said. Facility Services purchased 6,000 PwrSmart licenses in July 2010 for a one-time fee of $35,000. Since then, the University has performed a series of tests, concluding $20 of energy per computer per year can be saved, according to the Campus Sustainability website. But Newell said different settings of intensity for the software allow for different amounts of energy savings. “Twenty [dollars] is very conservative,” she said. “We could see upward.” Newell explained that if everyone uses the lowest intensive setting, each computer would save about $5 to $8 per computer per year,
ultimately enough for the program to pay for itself in about two years. “We’re really trying to encourage more aggressive participation,” Newell said. “Eight dollars versus $20 is a big difference.” While students can’t use the software on their personal devices, less energy used by University buildings’ computers means more power to go around for other devices, said Sai Pinepalli, co-chair for the IT Power Management Committee and assistant director of Facility Services. “Reducing consumption in offices would make it easier for students to charge their own devices,” Pinepalli said. The IT Power Management Committee has members from various schools and administrative departments, including Campus Sustainability, Facility Services, Staff Senate and Information Technology Services. ITS is hosting the software for free on its servers, making the software free for offices to use. Since the program is “opt-in,” on-campus offices have the option of joining but aren’t required to. However, installing the program becomes more difficult for Pinepalli, who must now customize the system for each department before installing it. “People are trickling in,” Newell said. “We’re still under 2,000 users. ... If there was more participation [the program] could have paid itself back in a couple of months.” Users still boast $13,337 in savings for this year, according to the Campus Sustainability website, and more users are soon to come, Newell said. The Office of Finance and Administrative Services is in the process of downloading the software for all of its units, and Student Life is soon to follow, she said.
Contact Austen Krantz at akratz@lsureveille.com
Graduate students can practice skills Kate Mabry Staff Writer
The Baton Rouge Bar Foundation’s Teen Court program has entered into its fourth semester working with the University’s College of Education Counselor Education program to prevent first-time teen offenders from returning to negative behaviors and allow them to focus on positive group work. The counseling program is a graduate program that prepares students to be mental health and school counselors. At the end of the program, graduate students are placed in a mental health setting, where they complete a long-term internship, said Laura Choate, associate professor of counselor education. Since last fall, about 25 graduate students and 50 teens have been involved in the program. “Groups change from week to week depending on when the students decided to attend,” Choate said. She said the program was designed to help first-time arrested juveniles learn life skills. This diversion program has several parts, including teen court and teen counseling. In teen court, the juveniles can
be sentenced to a number of punishments, such as community service, damage reparation and apology letters by their peers in the program, she said. In addition to those sanctions, the teens are required to attend counseling sessions and weekly meetings in an eight-week span. Juveniles are only required to attend six of the two-hour sessions, Choate said. “We find many times that the kids like the groups so much that they want to come back,” she said. “They like learning about things they talk about in the group, and they receive attention from positive role models.” Each year, the Baton Rouge Bar Association asks for volunteers, usually local high school students hoping to become lawyers, to volunteer to be prosecuting attorneys or part of the jury, she said. According to Choate, the University graduate students involved in the program are master’s degree candidates in the College of Education Counselor Education program who hope to gain experience in counseling and working with highrisk teenagers. Andrea Farris and LaKeitha Poole, two graduate students in the Community Counseling program, are co-leading the counseling sessions this fall. “I saw this as a great opportunity to serve middle school and high
school students in the Baton Rouge community,” Farris said. “This is a place where they can be open and share what is going on in their lives.” Farris said she believes the courses are teaching coping skills to teenagers who are growing up in an ever-changing environment. “They get a lot out of the sessions,” she said. “It’s really a great thing.” Poole said she became involved in the program as an opportunity to reach out to the community and help students that may not have otherwise had counseling. “This is great for us because we can practice our skills in a group setting, but it is also a great learning experience for the kids,” she said. “We talk about topics from anger management and healthy relationships to career skills and guidance.” After the teens have successfully completed the program, their first-time offenses will be expunged from their records. Choate said she hopes the teens’ involvement in the program will prevent any future arrests and allow the juveniles to learn from their mistakes. “This is a prevention program,” Choate said. “We want to help them learn life skills.” Contact Kate Mabry at kmabry@lsureveille.com
page 6
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sports
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
ALTERCATION
Lowery sustained multiple injuries
Unglesby: Jefferson is treated differently Hunter Paniagua Sports Writer
Andrew Lowery suffered a facial fracture, a concussion, fractured teeth and facial and body bruises during the Aug.19 altercation with suspended LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, according to an ESPN report. ESPN also reportedthat another alleged victim who was pulled out a the car sustained three fractured vertebrae in his lower back, a concussion, fractured teeth and severe cuts and bruises on the face. Jefferson’s attorney Lewis Unglesby continues to dispute that the quarterback did anything wrong, and said that Jefferson’s celebrity has obstructed the ongoing investigation. “The fact is that he’s treated differently,” Unglesby said. “That’s what I don’t like. Not by any particular group, but he’s just being treated differently. And any other college student, with the same facts, this would not have happened.” Unglesby said Monday he has started creating a presentation for LSU coach Les Miles and LSU Vice Chancellor and JEFFERSON, see page 11
page 7
Jarrett Lee2.0
‘I’ve become a more mature player on and off the field, and I think I’ve come a long way.’
Senior QB learns from rough ‘08 season Mark Clements Sports Writer
Second chances are hard to come by in sports. One wrong move, and an athlete could forever be remembered for his gaffe rather than his glory. For many in Baton Rouge, the name Jarrett Lee brings back haunting images of a struggling young quarterback thrown into the spotlight as a freshman with the task of leading the No. 6-ranked football team in the nation. Tiger fans aren’t the only ones with that fateful season on their minds. “I know in 2008 there were some things that happened that I still keep in the back of my mind because I don’t want those things to happen again,” said Lee, the now-senior quarterback who will get his shot at redemption Saturday night against No. 3 Oregon. “I knew I needed to make some changes.” Those “things” Lee referred to were interceptions, and he had 16 of them in 2008 – the seventh-most in the nation. Rather than dwell on his frustrating freshman campaign, Lee said he used it as a learning experience to prepare him for future endeavors. “You’re going to throw interceptions, you’re going to have bad plays and you just have to bounce back and go to the next play,” said Lee, who threw for 1,873 yards and 13 touchdowns that season. “I don’t regret 2008 at all. If anything, it made me a better person and a better player.” After leading LSU to a 7-3 record
in the regular season through the first 10 games, Lee suffered an ankle injury against Ole Miss and missed the rest of the season. While watching from the sidelines as fellow freshman Jordan Jefferson became LSU’s starter, Lee said he debated transferring but let the thought vanish. “A few years ago [transferring] did cross my mind,” Lee said. “But it was only a thought. It was nothing I continued to talk about or wanted to do. I didn’t come to LSU to transfer. I came here because it’s a great tradition and a great staff and great people. I want to finish out here at LSU.” Looking back on that troublesome season, junior wide receiver Rueben Randle complimented Lee on his perseverance through the hard time. “Jarrett’s a strong guy. You’ve got to give it to him,” Randle said. “It’s kind of hard for a guy to stick around after the situation he put himself in. I don’t know if I would have done the same thing if I was in his shoes.” Now the reins are back in Lee’s hands, and the outlook seems a bit brighter. His sprinkled contributions last season induced discussions and
Jarrett Lee senior quarterback
LEE, see page 11 ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille
FOOTBALL
Loston trying to meet expectations Safety overcoming rough start as Tiger
Albert Burford Sports Contributor
File photo
LSU sophomore safety Craig Loston chases running back Warren Norman during the Tigers’ 27-3 win against Vanderbilt on Sept. 11, 2010, in Vanderbilt Stadium.
The recruiting class of 2009 entered LSU with evident future stars — wide receivers Russell Shepard and Rueben Randle, running back Michael Ford and defensive end Sam Montgomery. A less familiar name from the class of 2009 is sophomore safety Craig Loston. ESPN and Scout.com ranked Loston as the No. 1 safety recruit in the country, and Scout had him listed as the No. 12 overall player
from the class of 2009. However, Loston hasn’t made his mark as a Tiger yet because of injury and a defensive backfield already loaded with talent. During his true freshman year, Loston played on special teams against Washington and Louisiana-Lafayette but suffered a wrist injury that forced him to sit out the rest of the season. He was granted a medical redshirt. During his redshirt freshman year last season, Loston played in all 13 games but never seemed to live up to his initial hype, finishing the season with 22 tackles and one interception. This season, he is expected to split time with sophomore
safety Eric Reid and senior safety Brandon Taylor. “Loston has made as much progress as anyone on our entire defense,” said defensive coordinator John Chavis. “When you start looking at those three guys, it gives us three guys, along with [senior safety] Derrick Bryant as a fourth, that can go play at safety.” As Loston begins his third season as a Tiger, the five-star recruit said he’s finally ready to make his presence felt. Loston said he focused on learning the ins and outs of the defensive scheme during the offseason. LOSTON, see page 11
page 8
CROSS COUNTRY
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
VOLLEYBALL
Summer heat prompts Elliott makes big impact on court team to practice at night Albert Burford
Sports Contributor
“You have to either wake up really early or run at nine at night,” Goodman said. “There’s no runOn a Monday with a high of ning at 2 p.m. like in Wisconsin.” 99 degrees, the LSU cross counElliott has also altered the try team arrived at Highland Road workouts to allow more breaks and Park for a typical 6 p.m. practice. opportunities to hydrate as well as “Normally we would be at shortening the distance of each in1:30 in the afternoon when it was terval. 80 degrees,” said LSU coach Mark Fisher reported many benElliott. “Now we have to practice at efits from the weather, including 6 o’clock at night, which is only a increased flexibility, which has slight difference, but you’ve got to helped minimize the number of practice sometime.” muscle strains. Junior James Thurn, Elliott also adjusted practice a New York native, also lauded the times last cross country Louisiana climate. season to combat the heat. feels great here,” ‘Track is Thurn“Itsaid. “Track is always at “My body alalways at ways feels ready to run, 1:30,” said senior Laura Carleton. “Come April, 1:30. Come In the North, everything you’re baking on the always feels restricted, April, you’re because it’s so cold.” track.” According to AccuFisher and Thurn baking on weather, Baton Rouge has both middle distance the track.’ duringruntrack recorded an average daily season, and high of 96 degrees this deal with pulling muscles Laura Carleton August. more than the typical distance senior Based on a 2001 cross country runner bestudy conducted by Nacause they sprint more. tional Oceanic and Atmospheric But they said coping with the adAdministration’s National Climac- verse heat makes them tougher tic Data Center, Louisiana, as a runners, and because they’re used state, had the highest average tem- to the hottest conditions, they can perature for August in the nation handle any environment. from 1971 to 2000. “Overall, it’s definitely bet“You worry, even if they’re ter because anywhere we go in the from here,” Elliott said. “In my 26 country, it’s easier to run there,” years being here as a former athlete Fisher said. “Training’s harder and and coach, it’s been the hottest it more difficult than almost anyhas ever been.” where else in the country but overLSU has 11 athletes from Lou- all it just helps us.” isiana and an additional five athElliott said the weather makes letes from the south who are condi- it difficult to get adequate mileage, tioned to the atmosphere. Ten LSU but being acclimated to the heat can runners hail north of Mississippi, be beneficial when facing teams including junior Dakota Goodman, outside the South. who is from Wisconsin. “If a team from Colorado “Training down here in the comes down to run, it might give us summer is different because it’s a some advantages,” Elliott said. lot hotter and humid,” Goodman While the heat can be a nuisaid. sance to athletes not used to it, ElSophomore Richard Fisher, a liott said it doesn’t adversely affect West Berlin, New Jersey, native, recruiting. said the heat is similar to home, but “They want to come even if it’s humidity makes it hard to breathe. 1,000 degrees, because obviously “Up there the air is more clear,” we’ve made adjustments to where Fisher said. “Here it’s almost like it doesn’t affect their performance,” I’m gasping for air after a rep.” Elliott said. Elliott said a good cross country runner needs two runs a day, which can be hard to accomplish Contact Andrew Chapple at with the sun draining a runner’s achapple@lsureveille.com energy. Andrew Chapple Sports Contributor
Most sophomores would consider it a rarity to be named to the Preseason All-Southeastern Conference First Team. But it’s no surprise to sophomore middle blocker Desiree Elliott. Last season, Elliott became the second player in LSU volleyball history to earn All-SEC FirstTeam honors as a freshman. In addition, Elliott was named SEC Freshman of the Year. Even prior to her time as a Tiger, Elliott was named a Second Team All-American in high school and was recruited by powerhouses Texas, Illinois, Duke and Florida. However, her decision to spend her college years at LSU was made for her when she stepped foot on campus. “Every sports team was a big family,” Elliott said. “That hooked me. Everything about this school was a community.” Elliott was one of only four players on the team to play in all 107 sets of LSU’s 30 matches last season. Coming out of high school, Elliott said she didn’t know she was going to be called on to make an instant impact. “[Coach] Fran [Flory] said something about me coming and playing but I never really took it to heart,” Elliott said. “But then when I got here, I was out on the court and going hard.” Flory said Elliott is a “physical specimen,” who learned quickly. Despite seeing more responsibility than most freshmen, Elliott said the team and coaches’ strong support helped the pressure fade. She also pointed to senior and fellow middle blocker Michele Williams, who is also on the Preseason 2011 All-SEC First Team, as her mentor. “She’s my position and she’s older and more experienced,” Elliott said. “Whenever we’re talking, she’s always being helpful, staying positive and firing us up.” Elliott remains humble despite her multiple awards. “The first time I got SEC Freshman of the Week, it was amazing,” she said. “But then it kept going and kept going, and I didn’t even realize it because I was
BLAIR LOCKHART / The Daily Reveille
LSU senior middle blocker, Desiree Elliott, hits the ball against Miami Saturday in the PMAC. The Tigers fell to the Hurricanes, 3-2, in a five-set showdown.
focused on the team. It really paid off in the end.” While Elliott’s hard work paid off personally with a multitude of awards, her teammates said it also paid off for the team. “It’s awesome. I can do anything,” said freshman setter Malorie Pardo of working with Elliott. “It’s easy to execute when the passes are there and they’re all up.” Even after a successful freshman season, Flory said Elliott has worked hard to improve over the offseason. “She’s more fit, she’s stronger, she’s more balanced and she’s really invested in it,” Flory said. “She probably will end up playing six rotations and will be a threat in every position.”
Elliott wasted no time finding her form this season. Her 38 kills through the first four games of the season are sixth-best in the SEC. In one of those games, she sent home 14 kills on 18 attempts for a careerbest .722 hitting percentage. Though the accolades keep rolling in, Elliott said she knows her mission is bigger than that. “The team goal is to win the SEC, get and SEC Championship and get to a Final Four.” The Tigers last reached a Final Four in 1991, a year before Elliott was born.
Contact Albert Burford at aburford@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
SWIMMING & DIVING
NFL
Saints cut Brown, sign Kasay The Associated Press
File photo
LSU junior Amanda Kendall swims in the 200-yard freestyle Oct. 23, 2009 during the Tigers’ 177-122 loss to Auburn in the Natatorium.
Kendall invited to Pan American Games LSU record holder to travel to Mexico Scott Branson Sports Contributor
LSU junior swimmer Amanda Kendall has been swimming her whole life but will be treading unknown waters this fall. Kendall will be taking her talents to Guadalajara, Mexico, in October, where she will represent the United States in the Pan American Games. “I’ve never done anything like this before,” Kendall said. Kendall, a Fairfax, Va., native, was selected by USA Swimming and the United States Olympic Committee to participate in the 100-meter freestyle in Guadalajara, pitting her against swimmers from across the Americas. “I’ve always had high goals to make a national team like this,” Kendall said. “When I got the news I was speechless.” The Pan American Games are directly affiliated with the Olympics, occurring in the year preceding the summer Olympics. Other than the Olympics itself, the Pan Am Games are the world’s largest multi-sport competition. This year’s games will be held from October 11-22. Last season, Kendall earned a first-team All-America nod for her performance in the 100-yard freestyle. Additionally, she earned four All-American honorable mention honors, four Southeastern Conference medals and was named second-team All-SEC. In March, Kendall qualified for the consolation final in the 100yard freestyle and the 50-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships. She took first place in the 100 free consolation final and placed 11th in the 50 free. Kendall also placed seventh in the 100-yard butterfly final. Kendall’s selection to the U.S. swimming team was based on her August performance at the U.S. Nationals in Palo Alto, Calif., where she qualified for the 100 free final with a time of 55.30. LSU swimming coach Dave
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Geyer said he’s proud of Kendall and “it all came together for her this summer.” “We knew heading into Nationals that if she swam to her potential she would have a great shot at being selected,” Geyer said. “She’s had some setbacks with some illnesses and injuries throughout her first two years so that she hasn’t been able to put a full season in training-wise, yet she has still been able to compete at the level that she has.” Kendall said she was excited when she received word of her selection to the games from Geyer and is looking forward to the experience. “I feel honored to have to the opportunity to represent not only the U.S., but the Lady Tigers, as well,” Kendall said. Kendall, a team captain at LSU, holds the LSU Lady Tiger record time in the 100 free after her 47.90 bronze medal swim at the 2011 SEC Championships. “I would say the 100 free is my favorite event,” Kendall said. Kendall also holds the LSU Lady Tiger record in the 200 free. Getting invited to the U.S. swimming team to compete in the 100 free opens up the possibility Kendall will be asked to participate in relays as well. Kendall was also a part of the LSU relay teams that hold school records in the 200 and 800-yard freestyle and 400-yard medley. In preparation for the Pan Am Games, Kendall has increased her practice time and received extra instruction from her coaches. “I’m doing doubles,” Kendall said, referring to her twice-a-day practice routine. “I’m definitely going to use my previous experience in big SEC meets and Nationals to help me stay calm and not get nervous.” Kendall will first travel to Austin, Texas, where she will meet the rest of the U.S. swimming team. From there, the team will travel to Guadalajara, where they will stay together in an athlete village, similar to the Olympics. “I’m getting more prepared for it, and I’m just excited to see how it’s going to work out,” Kendall said. Contact Scott Branson at sbranson@lsureveille.com
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — A day after attending a back-to-school event like a typical 41-year-old father of four, John Kasay was on a morning flight from Charlotte to New Orleans and resuming is two-decade career as an NFL kicker. “That’s how fast life changes,” said Kasay, who joined the Saints in time to practice Tuesday evening, two days after Garrett Hartley hurt his right hip while kicking an extra point in New Orleans’ victory at Oakland on Sunday night. As suddenly as Kasay found himself back in the pros, former Saints starting defensive end Alex Brown was looking for a job. Brown, who has played nine NFL seasons and started every game for New Orleans in 2010, was among 11 players let go by the Saints on Tuesday, when NFL teams were required to trim preseason rosters to 80. Brown was slated to earn $3 million in base salary this season and the Saints had added depth at his position in the offseason, drafting
California standout end Cam Jordan 24th overall last spring, then signing former Detroit defensive end Turk McBride shortly after the NFL lockout ended. “It was a hard decision. We spent a lot of time on it,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “It wasn’t that we just drafted a young player at that position. I think you try to factor in all the practice snaps, all the game film and it was something that, after going through it all and also looking at the timing of it, there’s still that opportunity within the next week that he’ll have a chance to sign with someone else. NCAA: 8 Miami players must sit out games CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP)— Quarterback Jacory Harris and 11 other Miami players who accepted extra benefits from former booster Nevin Shapiro will be allowed by the NCAA to play again, the first sanctions in a scandal that continues to overshadow the Hurricanes. In all, 12 players must pay at least some restitution. Of those, eight
will miss at least one game. The harshest penalties handed down Tuesday were reserved for those who took gifts from Shapiro while being recruited. Defensive lineman Olivier Vernon will sit out six games, while Ray Ray Armstrong—considered among the nation’s top safeties—and tight end Dyron Dye will miss four games apiece.
Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com
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The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 LEE, from page 7
disagreements as to whether Lee or Jefferson was the answer to the offense’s struggles, which finished 86th in total offense and 107th in pass offense. Most notably, Lee played vital roles in wins against Tennessee when he passed for 185 yards and marched the Tigers 68 yards down to the two-yard line on the final drive of the game; at Florida when he led a ‘When your 63-yard drive hit former number and wide receiver is called, Terrence Toyou’ve got to liver for the game-wincome in and ning touchmake the down with six left; most of it.’ seconds and at Alabama when Jarrett Lee Lee completsenior quarterback ed a 47-yard pass on third and 13 to allow LSU to drain the clock against the Tide. “In the three games that he played significant football a year ago he showed poise,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “We felt that he was really throwing the ball well and that the style of football that we would use with him in the game was the style of football needed to win that game. That depicts a guy that plays in pressure situations.” Lee finished last season completing 54 of 89 passes for 573 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He said the big games last year gave him “a lot” of confidence and maintained that the Lee who takes the field Saturday is different than the one who suited up three years ago. “When your number is called, you’ve got to come in and make the most of it, and
LOSTON, from page 7
“I just want to make sure I know everything so I can be comfortable,” he said. “Instead of being out there and thinking and playing the game, I can just be out there playing the game.” While his injury set him back during his progression and transition to the college game, Loston said he used the extra time to further his understanding of the game and even said it may have been a positive. “Coming in, being highly recruited, you look forward to
JEFFERSON, from page 7
Director of Athletics Joe Alleva to ask for Jefferson’s reinstatement, according to The Advocate. Unglesby also told The Times-Picayune that the Baton Rouge Police Department’s actions thus far have been “pure laziness or fear of the evidence.” Michael Bienvenu, the attorney representing Lowery and the three alleged victims, told The Times-Picayune the incident was not a fight. “They didn’t throw a punch; they didn’t do anything to provoke it,” Bienvenu said. “It was
File photo
LSU senior quarterback Jarrett Lee throws the ball March 12 during spring practice.
that’s something I tried to do,” said Lee, who has trimmed down to 206 pounds. “I’ve become a more mature player on and off the field, and I think I’ve come a long way. I’ve tried to stay a little more poised and not force stuff.” Even if question marks still surround the passing game, sophomore running back Spencer Ware assured Lee that the running backs have his back. “I had a talk with Lee,” Ware
said. “I said, ‘We’ve got to do this, whatever we’ve got to do. You’ve got to make the throws. You’ve got to make the reads. You’ve got to make the checks. We’ve got to rise to the occasion, not just you, but all of us.’”
playing and playing early,” he said. “[The injury] set me back, but it was a setback for a major comeback.” While Loston’s redshirt freshman year may not have gone as planned, he ended on a high note with a career-high five tackles against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. “I look forward to continuing where we left off last year,” he said. “I look forward to making more big plays in whatever situation I can to help my team.” Loston said he’s not sure yet what the situation will be, but he
knows he faces deeply talented competition. “That’s the special thing about this defense,” he said. “If somebody goes down, it won’t be a big difference between the person that goes down and the next person that’s up.”
an attack by 10 to 15 people who have yet to be identified but who need to be identified for justice to be served in the case.” Tommy Damico, Josh Johns’ attorney, told The Times-Picayune the BRPD executed a search warrant Tuesday and confiscated five pairs of shoes and said Johns will also provide a DNA sample. Video also surfaced Tuesday taken from Shady’s Bar the night of the incident. The video shows Lowery talking to ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Siadous and following her outside the bar. Siadous filed a restraining order against Lowery on Aug. 24.
Verge Ausberry, senior associate athletic director, said Tuesday that LSU is considering different ways to control the program. “It’s not policing players,” Ausberry said. “It’s helping out with the administration of the program. We haven’t determined all of those details yet. We’re working on all that stuff right now.”
Contact Mark Clements at mclements@lsureveille.com
Contact Albert Burford at aburford@lsureveille.com
Contact Hunter Paniagua at hpaniagua@lsureveille.com
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The Daily Reveille
The
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HEAD TO HEAD
Peanut
Gallery
What do you think of Jarrett Lee becoming LSU’s starting quarterback? compiled by ALEX CASSARA
‘It’s a good opportunity for him to prove himself.’ Marki Beasley kinesiology junior
‘It’s a good thing. I think Jordan Jefferson is stupid; he got what he deserved.’
Raquel Gilbert psychology, senior
‘He’s going to do just as well as Jordan Jefferson
Jacob Guitreau
kinesiology freshman
‘I feel like he’s got about as much experience as Jefferson.’
could’ve done.’
Reed Landry history senior
‘He only threw one
interception
last year ... I’m really happy with Johnathan Reynolds it.’ marine biology senior
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Coaches should share the blame for violations On the back of one of the most are recklessly ignored, as curfew was turbulent weeks traversed by Univer- the night of our local football celebsity athletics in recent memory, LSU rities’ shady activities? football coach Les Miles received In an ideal world, players would new performance bonuses while his police themselves, and we wouldn’t overlord and athletic director Joe Al- have the ongoing embarrassments leva got an outright pay increase. the football team I understand these perks were provides. previously negotiated and perhaps But this the Tigers’ on-field performance may doesn’t happen. merit such increases as contractually So who designed, but it begs the question: could better poWould athletic programs be more lice players than tranquil if coaches had a little more their campus skin exposed to players’ sin? lords? With the upheaval surrounding XERXES A. WILSON Cool Hand Columnist Ohio State and the abortion of any Les and company respect Miami has built, it has been a have skated through the past week stomach-turning offseason for what with only mild public discomfort, as many myopically see as the paragon has been the case through a number of amateur sports. of public embarrassments in my time Now senior quarterback Jordan at the University. Jefferson’s alleged kick has been What concerns me about how followed by junior receiver Russell these situations play out is that there Shepard’s slap to LSU’s unfortunate- is little or no liability imposed by the ly placed public face. NCAA or the University on those In past months, the talking head who receive absurd largess to recruit, atop the NCAA ladder, Mark Em- organize and implement the program mert, a former LSU chancellor no that is, whether you like it or not, the less, has called for stiffer policing of public face of the University. institutions to protect the sanctity of Chancellor Michael Martin intheir product. dicated last week that he would like So while Emmert is address- to see Miles afforded more staff for ing technical violations of Shepard’s such off-field issues. variety, why shouldn’t coaches have This is certainly a start and insome liability when any team rules dicates there is some administrative
culpability when things go horribly wrong. But I reason the University would see far fewer slip-ups and felony charges if Miles and his lieutenants faced the prospect of missing a game or two when their authority is recklessly disregarded. Perhaps the prospect of “inhouse punishment” would be a little more persuasive to players considering breaking team rules if coaches had more monetary or professional motivation to see they do not embarrass the rest of us. Implementing such a scheme would not be easy and would require much discretion from those outranking Miles in the University’s athletic administration. But anything could motivate enforcers more than the one platitude followed by deafening silence from Alleva and the top floors of the athletic administration building. There will be those who say players are only kids and can’t be treated any differently than your average student, but given the status of athletics here, they are wrong. Though it’s a recruiting and financial engine for many aspects of the school, it’s not ideal that the University’s reputation, in many ways, hinges on a sports program. But the unfortunate fact is that
people know more about the University’s trophies than its mass spectrometers. Players won the genetic lottery for athleticism, which also comes with a free education, campus celebrity status and perks the brightest kids on campus will never see. Simply, they are representatives of the University by virtue of their status as football players. The academic side of the University is keenly aware of this leading them to pathetically respond to last week’s bad public relations with a “While you weren’t looking: what happened at LSU away from the cameras” blitz to remind everyone that the University is a school, not a football team. So while you can’t expect coaches to recruit nuns and brood over players at all hours, there should be some liability when their own rules are not being properly enforced. Xerxes Wilson is a 22-year-old mass communications major from Lucedale, Miss. Follow him on Twitter @ TDR_xwilson. Contact Xerxes Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com
Individual players, not program, responsible Coaches are not babysitters, and should not be held as such. The recent off-field actions of the LSU football team have posed the question of whether any backlash should fall on the coaching staff, most notably head coach Les Miles, for not preventing such an occurrence. The answer is a resounding no. The players are all legal adults who are old enough to smoke, vote and in some ROB LANDRY cases drink and Sports Columnist gamble. They do not need constant surveillance. Any mistakes they made reflect poorly on them, and them alone. LSU has found itself as a hot discussion topic on sports shows, yet not once has it been suggested that LSU’s team is full of criminals. Instead, those accused of wrongdoing are being discussed for their alleged mistakes. If there is any mention of Miles throughout this scenario, it should be to commend him for doing such an
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Matthew Jacobs Chris Branch Ryan Buxton Marissa Barrow Sydni Dunn Devin Graham
Opinion
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admirable job. Miles was honest about the situation, just as he was with the Ryan Perrilloux ordeal of 2007 and 2008, and he took swift and severe action when the time was right. With numerous scandals of coaching infidelity floating around the country, Miles’ honesty has been a breath of fresh air. Miles could have wrongly protected his star quarterback like former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel did. Tressel lied to school and NCAA officials about incidents of his players receiving illegal benefits so as not to jeopardize their eligibility before the start of the 2010 season. Miles could have turned a blind eye to a rogue booster who gave his players cars, houses and everything under the sun like what happened at the end of the Pete Carroll era at Southern California. Instead, Miles has taken action any time there has been a glitch in his program. When allegations arose that former coach D.J. McCarthy had given illegal benefits to former player Akiem Hicks, Miles promptly relieved McCarthy of his duties, and
Hicks never saw the field. As soon as a direct link to wide receiver Russell Shepard and a potential housing problem was found, Miles held Shepard out of Southeastern Conference Media Days. And when Shepard was found in violation of an NCAA statute for talking about an ongoing investigation with a teammate, Miles declared him ineligible and is currently taking the proper steps to get him reinstated. Then, there was the infamous fight. Miles sat back and waited to make sure the allegations were substantial before jumping to conclusions. Once quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Josh Johns were arrested and charged, he suspended them indefinitely. All of these are individual actions that were not known or condoned by the program. These players, former players and former coaches went out and made mistakes of their own free will, as they should be allowed to. Now that they have made mistakes, they must pay the consequences. McCarthy and Hicks are no longer with the program. Shepard is temporarily ineligible,
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and Jefferson and Johns are facing felony charges. They are paying for their mistakes, proven or alleged. They have given themselves a black eye, not the program. There is not one incident that someone can truthfully say Miles should have stopped this from occurring. Though he might eat grass and convert fake field goals with the greatest of ease, Miles is not Superman. He can’t be everywhere at once. He can’t run faster than a speeding bullet to stop his coaches from giving out illegal benefits. He isn’t stronger than a locomotive to break up bar fights before they happen. He can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound to keep his players from living there wrongfully. But he can control how he handles those problems. And as of now, he’s done so as well as any superhero out there. Rob Landry is a 23-year old mass communication senior from Mandeville. Follow him on Twitter @roblandry85. Contact Rob Landry at rlandry@lsureveille.com
Quote of the Day
“I think this team has got a fundamental ‘teammanship’ to it, or in other words, the enjoyment of team.”
Les Miles LSU football coach Nov. 10, 1953 — present
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
SHOCKINGLY SIMPLE
Opinion
page 13
Blaming rape victims for crime makes the world a less just place
In 1988, a woman was kidnapped from the parking lot of a Fort Lauderdale restaurant and raped twice. The man was later acquitted of the kidnapping and raped by a jury, who asserted the woman sosex Andrew Shockey licited by wearing Columnist a white lace miniskirt and no underwear to the restaurant. The jury foreman explained, “We all feel she asked for it for the way she was dressed.” Psychologists have tried to explain this “blame the victim” reaction to rapes for decades. One possible explanation is the just-world hypothesis, which states people generally believe the world we live in is just and that people get what they deserve. In 1999, researchers at
Wellesley College told several groups of people a story about a man and a woman. Each group heard the same story from the researchers, except for one important difference. At the end of one version of the story, the man proposed, while in the other story he raped the woman. After hearing their version of the story, listeners were asked to recall the events of the narrative. Subjects who heard the story of the proposal described it in terms of a romantic proposal, while people whose story ended in rape were much more likely to describe the actions of the characters in terms of rape. Even though the actions of the characters were identical until the end of the story. The subjects in this experiment displayed the just-world hypothesis through hindsight bias, or the tendency to see events in the past as more predictable than they actually were based on
knowledge of a situation’s outcome. Most of the listeners believed the woman’s actions contributed to the outcome of their story, whether it ended in a rape or proposal. In the face of the traumatic event, listeners rationalized the outcome through the actions of the woman because it allowed them to continue believing in a fair world where actions have reasonable consequences. This is a common reaction to positive and negative events and is reasonable in certain circumstances. If a woman works hard in college and eventually becomes a successful doctor, most people would say her responsible actions led to her good outcome. If a man drops his whole paycheck on a new TV instead of paying rent and then gets evicted, we blame him for his poor decision and learn from his mistake. Belief in a just world only
becomes dangerous when we begin praising those who achieve undeserved success through corruption, random chance or blaming victims of crime or other unfortunate circumstances. In a 1965 experiment, Melvin Lerner awarded a cash prize to a man while giving nothing to another. Despite telling observers the recipient was chosen randomly, the onlookers later rated the prizewinner as smarter, more talented and more productive than the man who did not receive a prize. While it’s obviously undesirable to give credit where none is due, shifting blame from the perpetrator to the victim is reprehensible. Being a tempting target for a crime should play no role in the punishment of the perpetrator. Burglars are not acquitted for robbing a wealthy family’s house, and women should not be
punished for being desirable to rapists. Blaming a woman in a skimpy outfit for being raped is like blaming a cute child for being molested. Absolving a rapist of responsibility for his actions because of personal feelings about a victim is a disgusting miscarriage of justice. The jurors may believe they live in a just world, but a world where rapists are acquitted based on their target’s clothing is anything but just. Andrew Shockey is a 20 year-old biological engineering junior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Ashockey.
Contact Andrew Shockey at ashockey@lsureveille.com
PRESS X TO NOT DIE
Steve Spurrier bans Twitter among football players ters.
One hundred and forty charac-
If you really think about it, it isn’t much. Honestly, there can’t be that much you can say in such a short amount of text to warrant any type of punishment or discipline. Hell, the sentence you just read was only 140 characters. What could possibly go wrong in a mere sentence? Apparently enough for University of South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier to ban his entire team from using Twitter. Earlier this month, former South Carolina linebacker Corey Miller tweeted about how fellow Gamecock receiver Alshon Jeffery got arrested after a fight. Sound familiar? However, the main difference between Jeffery and the problems we have here in Baton Rouge was the presence of the actual fight. In the case of Jeffery, there wasn’t one — nor an arrest. It was all fabricated by Miller. Of course, the misinformation leaked all over the Internet and back to Spurrier. The coach proceeded to ban all of his players from using the social networking site. Spurrier joins many other football coaches across the country in banning Twitter. Last year, Boise State’s Chris Petersen was the first coach to ban the site, and Kansas’ Turner Gill followed suit. Switching over to college basketball, Mississippi State’s Rick Stansbury and Villanova’s Jay Wright also have banned their teams from using Twitter, according to
CBSSports. While it may seem like these coaches are going to the extreme, it’s actually an extremely wise move. Sure, those in sports media might disagree with me, but these coaches are actually savAdam Arinder ing themselves Columnist — as well as their players — a bunch of unnecessary headaches and distractions. It’s no secret many sports reporters get a lot of their information from Twitter. It’s become a huge source of press releases and insider scoops of what players are actually thinking rather than what their publicist or agent thinks. But it isn’t always a good thing. Take the University of North Carolina for example. Last year, UNC lineman Marvin Austin tweeted pictures of himself on vacation in South Beach. Seems harmless enough. Everyone takes vacations. Unfortunately, as of right now (and this is a different column for a different day) college athletes don’t get paid for playing. So how did Austin afford such a luxurious vacation to South Beach? The answer isn’t important. What’s important is that the scandal had claimed the jobs of football coach Butch Davis and athletic director Dick Baddour before the question even had the opportunity to be answered, It seems 140 characters are more powerful than we thought.
It’d take less than a minute for an angry player who was just chewed out by his coach to tweet a few choice words that’ll end up on SportsCenter. Coming from a community already dealing with enough distractions concerning the upcoming football season, an angry tweet would be the last thing we’d need. Also, have you ever heard of the term “bulletin board material?” When a team talks trash about its opponent, the opposing team puts the article or quote on a bulletin board to use as motivation. A quick tweet about an
upcoming game could easily get the entire opposing team fired up just the same as a news clipping. It isn’t necessary. Luckily, the University hasn’t had too much of a social media problem with its student athletes. While some may argue that a tighter, more filtered social networking policy may be better than an outright ban, people need to remember these 18 to 22-year-olds are not only student athletes — they represent the University, the city and the state. Filters don’t catch everything, and it only takes one hothead to garner national attention.
Not everything needs to go on Twitter or Facebook. And this is a lesson everyone should follow, not only student athletes. Keep your thoughts to yourself and talk on the field — not online. Adam Arinder is a 21-year-old communication studies senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_aarinder.
Contact Adam Arinder at aarinder@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
The Daily Reveille
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resume and contact information. Family helper / sitter Must enjoy kids, have transp, avail 2:30 pm 504.382.3995
Counter Clerk part time afternoon position flexible hours, great for students Welsh’s Cleaners 4469 Perkins Rd. @ College Dr. apply in person 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 Bridal Sales Consultant Now hiring F/ P time @ Bridal Boutique. Must be able to work Sat. Email resume bridalboutiquebr@gmail.com. Parkview Baptist Preschool Preschool Afternoon Teachers needed 3-6pm flex days. no degree required. Please email your resume to parkviewbps@ gmail.com Students needed to work with children/adults with disabilities. Several positions available; various hours. Great job for Psych, Kinesiology, and COMD majors. Apply: St. John the Baptist Human Services, 622 Shadows Ln, Suite A. 225.216.1199 Veterinary Assistant needed Tues. & Thurs. afternoons. --Acadian Oaks Pet Clinic, 4229 North Blvd. (15 min. from campus) 225.387.2462 STUDENTPAYOUTS. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue. 100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys. Earn $1000-$3200 a month to drive our brand new cars with ads. www. FreeCarJobs. com Derek Changs Koto Now Hiring Server, Hostess, Cashier Flex Hrs(225)4565454 Apply in person SCHLITTZ & GIGGLES DOWNTOWN NOW HIRING ENERGETIC, OUTGOING SERVERS & BARTENDERS! FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING. NO EXP. REQ. APPLY WITHIN OR AT SCHLITTZ. COM 225.218.4271 Interns Wanted! Looking for an internship where you’ll be doing MORE than just run for coffee? If you are an LSU Student in good standing with the university and can dedicate at least 10 hours a week then you should come join our National Award Winning team! This position is flexible with class schedules, located right on campus, and can be applied to course credit. Great position for someone looking to build their resume while gaining real world experience. Email marketing@lsulegacymag.com with
P/T WEEKEND LEASING AGENT Great job for students! Leasing experience not required but must have strong customer service background. FREE apartment in a great area of town could be included for right person. Email resume to jfarr@pm-br.com. No Football Tickets?? Drakes Catering is hiring bussers, waiters, bartenders, and experienced kitchen staff to work LSU home game days. Great attitude is a must! Please email drakescatering@hotmail. com for information. *******BARTENDING******* $300/Day Potential NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Training Available. AGE 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 ext127 After Care Worker Local private school seeks After Care Workers, 3pm-6pm daily. Please send resumes to brisla@yahoo. com. 225.293.4338 CAMPUS REPS WANTED email nurselindsay@eatel.net or call Eric at 225.715.4461 Vet Assistants Needed night and weekend positions. Exp. preferred Can trian the right person. Apply in person. M-F 9a-4p, 1514 Cottondale, 70815, 225.927.9940 P/T Drivers needed! Looking for student workers to deliver home medical equipment. On the job training provided. Must be reliable and some heavy lifting. Good driving record. Please send your school schedule when applying. Email: amerimeddme@glacoxmail.com part time Delivery and assembly of fitness equipment. Mechanically inclined. Apply in person 9603 airline hwy. B. R. cheer tumbling coach needed to teach cartwheels, round-offs, and back handsprings to age 6 and up. Teach pre-school classes tochildren(age 4-5). Email flips@ flipsandfitness.com 225.772.8635 The Royal Standard - warehouse/ delivery staff needed for local furniture store. Shifts Available Mon- Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 12-5pm. 2+ weekends per month required. Pre-Employee Background/ Drug Test required. Email trshighland@theroyalstandard. com or apply in person at 16016 Perkins Road 225.751.0009
Dental office with friendly staff & doctor needs dental assistant, NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY FT or PT Email resume to resume70806@yahoo.com DO NOT READ THIS: 1.) if you have no desire to make tons of money 2.) if you want to avoid job offers from top media firms 3.) if you would hate to gain real-world experience while in college. However, if these opportunities sound like your kind of thing then a broadcast sales position with LSU Student Media is the place for you! Want to get trained in the art of selling radio, television, mobile and transit media packages? Want the opportunity to increase your skills in sales, marketing and management? Come by B34 Hodges Hall to pick up an application or email digitalsales@tigers.lsu.edu for more info! *Fun STUDENT WORK* $16.00 Base/appt, Flexible schedules, scholarships avail, sales/service, ages 17+, conditions apply, CALL TODAY:225-383-4252 workforstudents.com PART TIME HELP Student worker needed to work Tuesdays and Thursdays at a small law firm on Highland Road. Duties include answering phones, some typing, filing, and misc. office duties. Fax resume to (225) 763-6591 or email to judy@redsticklaw.com. $10.00/ hr. Part time help needed on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a local ophthamologist office. RESUME REQUIRED. Please call for more information. 225.767.5525 Part time graphic designer needed. Experience in Illustrator and Photoshop necessary. Flexible hours, close to campus. Dream Silk Screens 225.383.8914 Part-time Office Clerk/Courier Small law firm located off Highland Road near the entrance to the Country Club of LA is seeking a part-time Office Clerk/ Courier. Must work a minimum of 20-24 hours per week. Position available immediately. Duties to include, errands, computer work, (Excel, MS Word, WordPerfect), accounting, and other office duties. Fax Resume to (225) 208-1084, or e-mail to katie@jlaw. net. MOORE CONCTRUCTION Hiring Tues & Thurs. 7-5. Prefer CM majors. Email Ed Stock at estock@mooreconstructioninc.com to set up interview.
Ivy Condos Walking Distance to LSU 225 W. Parker Blvd 2 Bedroom Flat Cable, W/ D included. $870/ mo Call 225-572-9002 225.603.6563 Immediate Move in Condo Room Tigerland 3BR/2B. GATED/ POOL;$500+ Util; W/ D;LSU BUS Line 504.451.0707 Chateau du Cour 4728 Y A Tittle Ave. Lge 2 BR apt in gated complex. $595. Cell 772-2429 or 767-3935 www.cdc-tigerland.com
FOR RENT: Two bedroom condo near LSU in gated community (3005 Highland Rd, Unit 25A). Rent $750/ month plus deposit. 225218-4543 after 4:00pm
3 BR, 3 bath gated townhome. Near LSU. $1500/mo. 225-752-8842. 225.752.4825
Walk to LSU/near tennis courts 2br/2b house $750 3br/1b house $750 3br/1b house $775 2br/1b duplexes $550-$650 some have washer/ dryer incl. pets ok mcdaniel properties 225.388.9858
2 Bedroom 1.5 Bath Near LSU 2 Bedroom 1 Ω bath Small fenced in yard Washer and dryer $700/ month 5284 South Brightside View BR, LA 70806 225.718.4150 or 225.925.5627 Kenilworth Home For Rent - 3br 2ba updated- move in now $1600 225.806.1437 bURGIN APARTMENTS 1br/1ba, $589/$400, no dogs, w/d on site, w/s included. Highland and Lee. 225.252.3163
ROOMMATES WANTED 2BR/1BA CONCORD CONDO LESS THAN 10 MIN TO LSU 375/MO, PAY ONLY HALF ELECTRICITY. 225-235-0222
BRIGHTSIDE MANOR Great 2BR 1 1/2ba TH in 4-Plex. $800 772-2429 OR 767-3935 www.cdc-tigerland. com
Male Roomate wanted $350/mo..plus split utilities....to share 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath house. Includes washer/dryer, large back yard. Located on Baird Street. 335-2168
Immediate move in! 1, 2 & 3br Remaining Aug. and 1/2 Sept. rent is free! 1, 2 & 3br condos for immediate move in. $795-1295 Brooke Hollow Condos 225.767.2434 3 br condo ’s on sharlo w/d, refrig, fncd yd, cov. parking, 2 wks. free rent., $1100-$1295. 225.297.7857
Roommate House in Nicholson Lakes Subd. Rent $425+ 1/3 utilities. 985.246.9771 Female Roomate Needed to share 3BR/2Bath condo, on LSU bus route, $500+utilities/ mo. Call 337.780.9159 or 337.783.2759
3br/2ba house 5min from campus in MeadowBend with office. 1100/ mo 1100dep. pet friendly 225.931.8107 Garden District Apt. for Rent Very nice 1 BR downstairs quite area, in small complex-(7 apts.) Avail. October. $650.00 603-2532 225.603.2532 ASPEN HEIGHTS ROOM FOR LEASE Room available in Aspen Heights! pool, club house, tanning, work outs and much more. Call for more details! 985-507-4191 or email me at kristiebarnum@yahoo.com 985.507.4191
Are you looking for a knight in shining armor? Me neither! Sarcastic, nerdy girl looking for a girl that’s relaxed and can think for herself. Contact me at gildthelily4@yahoo.com.
N Brightside Park 2 bedroom with study or 3 bedroom available now. Includes water, sewer, garbage. All kitchen appliances plus a washer/dryer are included. Call Lewis Companies 225-766-8802
EXPERIENCED WAITERS NEEDED! Cafe Americain Come Apply 11am-5pm Mon-Fri 225.924.9841 The University Club Golf Course is now hiring servers, beverage cart attendants, and a FOH supervisor. Come fill out an application if interested. 15333 Memorial Tower Drive. part-time receptionist 20-25 hrs/ wk M-W-F Experience a plus! $9/ hr. Resume/ cover letter to mike@alltruckpartsinc.com No Phone Calls Please!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
LSU TIGERLAND 1 & 2 br, Flat & T/ H, W/ F, Pool, W/ S pd, $450 - $675, 225.615.8521
Honda Elite 50 Scooter Only 260 miles. St. legal, color red, no motocycle lic. required. $995 call 225933-6543
2BR/1ba house 8-min walk from Campus, old SBR off Highland; $525/mo; ideal 4 couple w/sml chld, fenced bk yd; security system/lighting, off st pkng; new remodel, no pets.. 615.497.4212 615.497.4212
LSU PARENTS!! NEED CHILD-CARE? Class A daycare minutes from LSU has 3 openings for all-day care, and 6 spots open for after-school care. Kids Korner is a locally-owned daycare with the owner on property, and over 15 years of experience in healthcare with children of ALL abilities & needs including g-tubes, trach-care, splints & walkers. Autism & ADD/ADHD welcome along with children of all capabilities. Call now to schedule an interview & facility tour. Ask for LaTacia. 225.394-5435
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 EID AL-FITR, from page 1 This year, the holy day was observed Tuesday. More than 1,000 Baton Rouge residents flocked to the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge on East Airport Avenue to congratulate one another on their fasting and to pray together. Eid al-Fitr begins with segregated prayer, with men in one room and women in another. Following prayer, there is a sermon and meal for all to enjoy. Since Eid al-Fitr fell on a business day, many Muslims will host more celebrations throughout the weekend, including barbecues and family gatherings. Computer engineering senior and MSA member Shoeb Khan
BUSES, from page 1
on this, decided not to have a car this year and are now having to get rides from friends.” Wren said a petition for a bus stop has been circulating around the community. “The petition gives all of us a little hope,” Wren said, “But it has been circulating for longer than we’ve lived here, and there’s still been no word on whether we’ll get a bus stop or not.” Director of the Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation Gary Graham said the University did not plan to send buses to Aspen Heights, nor did the living community expect to be included in the route. “We didn’t make any promises,” Graham said. “We have had parents call to complain, but we very adamantly told [Aspen Heights] not to advertise a bus route.” Student Government Director of Transportation Brian Davis said sending a bus to the community isn’t feasible. “We kind of looked into it,” said Davis, “But there isn’t anywhere for the buses to turn around.” The streets and driveways in the community are too tight for a bus to turn around, and Davis said the next possible street for the bus to turn around on River Road would be Gardere Road, which wouldn’t be efficient. Aspen Heights Chief Marketing Officer Jason Sherman said bus routes were never promised to residents. “We never did promise a bus route for sure,” Sherman said. “What may have been miscommunicated was that we were trying to get a bus to Aspen Heights. It may have been possible that students assumed we were getting a bus.” Sherman said many of the residential complexes down Brightside Drive were trying to get routes extended because of the increase in the number of students living there, but budget cuts halted the initiative. “We work with a bunch of people on campus that are super helpful. They looked into doing it for us, but because of a budget issue they could not send a bus.” Sherman said. “It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t get a ride out there, but we understand.” Contact Laura Furr at lfurr@lsureveille.com
said there are always a lot of questions asked by non-Muslim students during the time of siyam, the Arabic word for fasting. “Don’t be shy to eat in front of us,” said Khan. “We have grown up around people eating in front of us.” Khan said the most frequently-asked question is simple — why does he fast? “The same reason we pray,” he answered. Contact Lauren Duhon at lduhon@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille MAIL, from page 1
privatize University mail services, said Sharla Myers, University Auxiliary Services copy and mail manager. In January, a committee was formed to select a contractor, and RICOH was solidified as the mailing partner for the University in February, Myers said. Threat of closure of the oncampus branch of the United States Post Office and budget restructuring prompted the switch, Myers said. According to University
page 15 Auxiliary Services director Jason Tolliver, mailing services previously cost $418,000 annually, but the partnership with RICOH will eliminate that cost and allow the University to break even. Packages from courier services like UPS and FedEx will no longer be sent to residence halls under the new partnership with RICOH, Tolliver said. Students’ packages will be received and secured at the RICOH center along with USPS mail, not shipped directly to the residence halls. He said consolidating the
delivery location of all packages and mail at the RICOH mailing center will eliminate problems with the storage and security of deliveries in the residence halls. Residential Life Communications Manager Jay High urged residents to consult the revised mailing services update on the ResLife website before addressing a package that will be delivered to the University.
Contact Paul Braun at pbraun@lsureveille.com
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Wednesday, August 31, 2011