The Daily Reveille 2-17-16

Tigers prepare to collide with Crimson Tide, page 3 OPINION: State cuts unfairly affect children with disabilities, page 5 lsunow.com/daily

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

RESEARCH

ROOKIES

BY BETH CARTER | @bethie_carter

thedailyreveille

@lsureveille

Volume 121 · No. 22

thedailyreveille

Each year the LSU Discover program recognizes undergraduate students for outstanding research in different majors. Scholars must submit an application, be nominated by professors and be chosen by a panel of University faculty and staff. This year’s 10 scholars received a $1,000 travel stipend and a plaque honoring their achievements.

Their areas of interest range from environmental issues and dietary concerns to politics. The Daily Reveille sat down with a few of the scholars to discuss their ongoing research endeavours.

GET B U DHIGHER EDUCATION CUTS

Alexander fights for no more cuts

BY SAM KARLIN @samkarlin_TDR

Nikka Khorsandi Nikka Khorsandi is a biological sciences junior researching similarities between the cellular structures of alligator and chicken retinas.

He worked with biological science professor Evanna Gleason, who has studied chicken retinas for years.

“Since the alligator is the closest non-avian relative of the chicken, the retinal structures of the two organisms should be relatively similar,” Khorsandi said.

Because the retina structures of all vertebrates are similar in many ways, Khorsandi said his research could bring about a better understanding of the retina as a whole.

NICHOLAS MARTINO / The Daily Reveille

Kurt Ristroph Kurt Ristroph is a liberal arts and chemical engineering senior. His research studies the effects of biodegradable nanoparticles on soybeans.

Through his research, Ristroph said he hopes to minimize the use of harmful pesticides on crops to benefit the environment and the economy. By studying the behavior of a pesticide in a nano-sized protein, he said scientists can improve the pesticide’s efficiency.

“You could spray less of it, less often, and have the same level of crop protection,” Ristroph said.

photo courtesy of KURT RISTROPH

Brittany Craft Brittany Craft is a nutrition and food sciences senior focusing in dietetics. Her research analyzes Americans’ willingness to consume whole grain food.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, around half of daily grain consumption should come from whole grains. Craft’s project centers around the Whole Grain Willingness Questionnaire, which assesses the public’s attitude toward consuming whole grain food products.

“This is significant because it allows nutrition educators to identify a shift in willingness to consume whole grain items,” Craft said.

“This may precede actual behavior changes.”

BETH CARTER / The Daily Reveille

Christopher James Christopher James is a thirdyear architecture student studying the relationship between architecture and Louisiana’s coast. His project focuses on preserving and protecting the state’s wetlands by using oyster beds as a foundation for coastal buildings.

“The research is trying to create positive relationships between the natural environment and the built environment through architecture,” James said.

James said these oyster buildings could function as research stations for coastal scientists in the future.

NICHOLAS MARTINO / The Daily Reveille

While some higher education leaders are confident the “best-case scenario” $70 million cuts presented by Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne will be lessened, LSU President F. King Alexander said he will work for zero additional cuts to colleges and universities, days after the University’s funding was cut about $10 million in TOPS costs.

Higher education leaders pleaded their case for reduced budget cuts over the weekend as the special legislative session began tackling the more than $900 million budget shortfall. Some legislators assured university system presidents they will protect both higher education funding and the state’s largest financial aid program, TOPS. Higher education officials have presented myriad scenarios from the doomsday, “worstcase scenario,” to the “bestcase scenario,” a number that includes a $28 million shortfall

see CUTS, page 7

NATION

Mattel’s new Barbie line includes more diverse, realistic features

BY TIA BANERJEE @tiabanerjee_TDR Girls walking down aisles in the toy store may soon find themselves staring at Barbie dolls that look more like them.

In March, Mattel will release a new diverse line of dolls, featuring new body types and looks.

In addition to the original Barbie, which has been around for 57 years, petite, tall and curvy dolls will soon be hitting the shelves.

The line will also feature seven skin tones, 24 eye colors and 22 hair styles.

“That’s to help girls find, no

matter what their body type, that they can find a Barbie that looks like her, presumably,” counselor education professor Laura Choate said. “They are exposed to a more diverse body ideal than just one. In that regard, it’s positive that Mattel has decided to do this.”

In the past, Barbie has been a source of body image issues for girls, Choate said, which is part of the reason the new line of dolls is getting media attention.

“Barbie has become the symbol of body image anxiety of our culture, and because Mattel has

chosen to take the stand, people have chosen to take attention,” Choate said.

Two years ago, Mattel launched its #Unapologetic campaign in response to criticism of the doll’s unrealistic body standards, saying that Barbie was proud of who she is and would not be changing.

However, due to dropping sales, Mattel is planning to release the new line of diverse Barbies in an attempt to stay relevant in today’s culture, said associate professor at

see BARBIE, page 7

Mattel’s new Barbie line is getting media attention for featuring a variety of different body types and skin tones.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Daily Reveille

page 2

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

COMMUNITY

Entrepreneur runs ACT prep business amid TOPS crisis CAITIE BURKES @caitie1221 Amid the TOPS fiasco facing the special legislative session, students are scrambling to preserve their academic fates as the in-state scholarship hangs in the balance.

However, 29-year-old Craig Gehring remains optimistic as he plans to continue raising more than a quarter of a million high school students’ ACT scores to qualify for the statewide scholarship, which could become more exclusive if state officials cannot find the money to fully fund the program.

“TOPS is a wonderful program and has helped countless Louisiana students throughout the years,” Gehring said. “No matter what happens with it this year, the ACT will continue to be an important factor in college admissions for Louisiana families, and we will be here to help students get ready for it.”

A Baton Rouge Magnet High graduate, Gehring started operating his ACT preparation business, MasteryPrep, from the walls of the Louisiana Technology Park incubator in 2012. What began as a desire to improve test scores for lower-scoring students turned into a successful busi-

ness enterprise that now serves approximately 600 schools in the southeast region.

As a junior in high school, Gehring made perfect scores on both the ACT and SAT the first times he took each. Shortly after, he found himself answering phone calls from parents asking him to tutor their children.

Despite his immaculate testing record, Gehring did not attend college.

“I think that I’m sort of hardwired to two conflicting things: I’m hardwired to be an educator, but I’m also hardwired to be an entrepreneur,” Gehring said.

He said most of his students wanted to qualify for TOPS, which, at the time, required a 21 composite score on the ACT. After trying out different preparation programs with his clients, he said he realized most of them did not adequately cater to lower-scoring students.

Gehring then decided to develop the first version of his program, called ACT Mastery, to meet the needs of his clientele.

He piloted the program in “a couple schools” and with groups of about 100 students each and saw average gains of three points.

With a software program, iPhone and Android app, original curriculum and private tutoring sessions, he said the

MasteryPrep program proves innovative and distinctive.

“We’re working through the schools,” Gehring said. “Students get to access our program for free, and schools pay for it.”

After partnering with the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, he said MasteryPrep helped a student earn a full-ride QuestBridge scholarship to Colby College, an exclusive arts college in Maine, by raising his ACT score from a 21 to a 27. He said this is just one example of the program’s results.

Though psychology and sociology senior Felicia Chaisson did not take an ACT preparatory course, she said she did not find it necessary after scoring a 24.

But she said she thinks the TOPS dilemma will force more high school students to aim for higher grades and scores. She also said more of an emphasis might be put on the SAT, as a hit to in-state tuition could cause students to travel elsewhere for college.

“I have a feeling if they get rid of TOPS completely, you’re going to see a decrease in applications to state colleges,” Chaisson said.

The only time athletic training sophomore Connor Aleman took the ACT was when his high school offered it for free. He said

B-16 Hodges Hall Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. 70803

Newsroom (225) 578-4810

Advertising (225) 578-6090

QUINT FORGEY Editor in Chief CARRIE GRACE HENDERSON Co-Managing Editor JOSHUA JACKSON Co-Managing Editor PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG GEHRIG

Craig Gehrig began his ACT prep business after making perfect scores on both the ACT and SAT. the hefty price tag hindered him from taking it additional times.

Aleman said he thinks the special session will prompt higher education leaders to raise the ACT score to qualify for college acceptance and TOPS. In the past decade, Gehring said testing has become increasingly important. Despite the TOPS uncertainty, he said testing will remain an integral part of students’ opportunities in the years to come.

“It’s sort of a pendulum and it’s starting to swing back,” he said.

FACULTY

Professor studies ways to improve workplace

BY KATIE GAGLIANO @katie_gagliano

Sunyoung Park, assistant professor of human resource education and workforce development, said professors’ investments in students can improve the educational environment.

Park is presenting her research at the Academy of Human Resource Development’s international conference from Feb. 18-20. Park’s research includestheeffectofateam-oriented environment on the workplace, the positive impact of a leader’s evaluation of talent and multigenerational female leadership in Korea and India.

Park’s research method involves analyzing numbers and statistics from target audiences and government agencies to determine trends and behavior in the workplace environment, she said.

“This research showed that leaders and organization culture positively influenced productivity, organization commitment and job satisfaction,” Park said.

One finding revealed teamoriented workplaces enhanced the learning culture of organizations and encouraged positive organization citizenship behavior, increasing employees’ commitment within the organization outside of mandatory duties.

Another result showed a leader’s vision of talent could influence employees’ attitudes,

Reveille The Daily

ROSE VELAZQUEZ News Editor WILLIAM TAYLOR POTTER Deputy News Editor MEG RYAN Entertainment Editor MORGAN PREWITT Sports Editor APRIL AHMED Associate Production Editor CLAIRE CASSREINO Associate Production Editor CODY SIBLEY Opinion Editor EMILY BRAUNER Photo Editor ARI ROSS Radio Director SAM ACCARDO Advertising Manager

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 5784811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille.com.

ABOUT THE DAILY REVEILLE

GRETA JINES / The Daily Reveille

Assistant Professor Sunyoung Park, pictured in her Coates Hall office Tuesday, Feb. 16, conducts research on human resource development, including the positive effects of a team-oriented workplace. organizational commitment and job satisfaction. When organization leaders show they care about the talent within the company, it boosts employees’ positive feelings and encourages productivity, Park said.

These findings can be applied to classroom settings as well as businesses, she said.

When department directors or professors show interest and investment in students, it increases the students’ trust in the professor and encourages a positive learning environment for both faculty and

students, Park said.

“The faculty can play a role in leading students,” she said. “If the faculty show a strong vision of excellent students, they can support students and positively influence the student’s good attitude or achievement.”

Park’s research is not limited to workforce development.

She has also partnered with a co-author to analyze the similarities between multigenerational leadership in India and her native Korea. The research is ongoing, and Park’s findings will

appear in two books on the topic, she said.

This will be Park’s 10th year attending the AHRD conference. Aside from presenting her research, Park will be networking with fellow scholastics to strengthentheUniversity’stieswith fellow AHRD Program Excellence Network institutions.

Park has also served as the conference’s international, global and cross-cultural issues chair since 2014 and will be reviewing the work of 40 scholars at the conference.

The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University.

The Daily Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and twice weekly during the summer semester, except during holidays and final exams.

Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, LA, 70803. Annual weekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester weekly mailed subscriptions are $75. 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-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

Sports

page 3 BASEBALL

Tigers’ strength is pitching staff

Coming Home

JAVIER FERNÁNDEZ / The Daily Reveille

LSU head coach Johnny Jones questions a referee’s call during the Tigers’ 76-71 victory against Texas A&M on Feb. 13 in the PMAC.

LSU hosts Alabama in a Baton Rouge reunion for Avery Johnson

T

BY CHRISTIAN BOUTWELL | @CBoutwell_TDR

onight will be a Baton Rouge homecoming of sorts for Alabama coach Avery Johnson.

In his youth at Southern University just 12.1 miles from the heart of LSU’s campus, Johnson, a then-senior point guard, was the first-ever NCAA Division I player to average double figures for a single season in both assists and points with 13.3 and 11.4, respectively.

Along with visiting family, Johnson will accompany dear family friends as he leads Alabama against LSU at 8 p.m. tonight in the PMAC. It’ll be a reunion for Johnson and his old pal, LSU coach Johnny Jones.

Johnson and Jones’ friendship dates back more than 10 years to when Jones was the head coach at University of North Texas from 20012012 while Johnson served as the the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks from 2005-08 and a Mavericks

assistant in 2004-05.

In Texas, Jones said the two spent ample time together in different settings. During the Mavericks’ offseason, Johnson brought his professional pupils to train and scrimmage against Jones’ Mean Green squad — furthering both of their respective senses for the other’s coaching philosophy, Jones said.

“I’d go down there and watch his team play and spend time with them at practices,” Jones said. “He asked if it would help our team and program if he was able to bring his team to training camp up at the University of North Texas instead of going overseas, and I jumped all over it.”

Outside of their own practices, the two men continued crossing paths as they both had high school sons kneedeep in the AAU training cycle a few years back.

Now, John Jones, Johnny’s son, is a high-school junior at University

Laboratory School on the University’s campus. Avery Jr. is sitting out the 2015-16 season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules before completing his transfer to Alabama to play for his father after playing in 13 games as a freshman at Texas A&M. “We would have lunch or something like that on occasion when he was there,” Jones said. “He has a son that played AAU basketball. Our circles would certainly interact there as well. We spent a lot of time together.”

Nevertheless, the two coaches’ friendship emerged well before their SEC bout on Wednesday, and they’ve been dear friends and respected opponents since.

“He does a tremendous job and is an exceptional leader in what he’s done,” Jones said. “I knew he had a great interest in coaching at the college level once he was finishing up with the pros.”

Tonight, the two old friends will

TEAM JACOB JACOB HAMILTON @jac0b_hamilt0n If you’re only a half-hearted follower of the No. 7 LSU baseball team, it’s unlikely you’ll recognize many players who trot out onto Skip Bertman Field this weekend.

The Tigers lost eight position starters from last season’s 54-win squad, seven of which were selected in the 2015 MLB draft, including the No. 2 overall pick and five more in the first 10 rounds.

Junior center fielder Jake Fraley returns after starting 56 games last season, when he averaged .307 at the plate with 35 RBIs and 50 runs. There’s not a single senior position player on the team, and opening night’s projected starters include two freshmen and three sophomores.

Junior second baseman Kramer Robertson and Fraley enter the season as the Tigers’ the most experienced starters in the field.

Joining Fraley in the outfield are sophomore left fielder Beau Jordan and freshman right fielder Antoine Duplantis, who should be a terror on the bases and cover plenty of field.

Meanwhile, sophomore catcher Michael Papierski, sophomore first baseman Greg Deichmann, freshman shortstop Trey Dawson and junior JUCO transfer Cole Freeman accompany Robertson in the infield.

Another sophomore, Bryce Jordan, will bat at designated hitter.

With that said, the Tigers will probably spend the first half of

see PITCHING, page 8

see BAMA, page 8 BASEBALL

Brand new infield squad taking ‘pride in play’ as opener approaches

BY JAMES BEWERS @JamesBewers_TDR

LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri would not have wanted Tiger fans to see the infielders practice on Feb. 9.

In an uncommon occurrence, the mostly fresh-faced infielders didn’t perform the fundamentals well a mere 11 days before first pitch at Alex Box Stadium, he said.

“Yesterday, for some reason, they just didn’t catch the ball and throw the ball very well,” Mainieri said on Feb. 10.

“If you just came out for one

day and watched us, you’d be concerned.”

The recent sloppy practice wasn’t the first or the last time the Tigers on the dirt had a rough outing. As Mainieri acknowledged, two solid practices on Friday and Saturday yielded way to a subpar day on Sunday.

For the most part, though, the 10th-year coach hasn’t had to shield his eyes much. For a group needing to replace all four players from last year’s College World Series team, Mainieri said the infield has been mostly consistent in preparation for the

season-opening series against Cincinnati.

“They’re taking a lot of pride in their play,” he said.

The sporadic careless performances give Mainieri another opportunity to school a new unit, which makes the 58-year-old coach feel like he has the energy of a 40-yearold. Mainieri said he felt more like a professional manager with sage veterans like former shortstop Alex Bregman and third baseman Conner Hale manning key positions in the infield.

This infield, however,

required some teaching, even if isn’t entirely young.

Freshman shortstop Trey Dawson is the lone collegiate rookie who will start in the infield, while JUCO transfer third baseman Cole Freeman is the only other starter who is a new roster addition. Still, significant experience can’t be found among the other two infielders.

Sophomore first baseman Greg Deichmann played in just 10 games with no starts last season after breaking his foot in the preseason, and he didn’t play first base in any of those

appearances.

“I never touched a first baseman mitt [last year],” he said.

“But just getting to watch [former LSU first baseman Chris Chinea] out there every day picking balls, and the emphasis coach puts on making such a clutch play with a picks, the short hops, it showed in [game one of] the [NCAA] Super Regional [against UL-Lafayette].

He picked that big ball in the late innings to keep it going, and [former LSU designated hitter Chris] Sciambra was able

see INFIELD, page 8

The Daily Reveille

page 4

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

MEN’S TENNIS

Brown embodies LSU’s past and present success on the court

BY JUSTIN TALBOT @JT15_TDR Tennis is known for passionate players, from Andy Roddrick slamming his racket against the court in frustration to Serena Williams’ tirades at line judges.

Watching LSU tennis coach Jeff Brown in practice or during a match, audience members may fail to see the same fiery intensity in his outward demeanor.

His laid-back and calm presence is exactly what allows him to command the respect of the team he has coached for more than 20 years as an assistant and head coach.

“He’s been around the game so long, been coaching here for so long, he’s seen everything,” said junior Jordan Daigle. “He doesn’t always have the most to say, but when he speaks, everyone respects him.”

Brown has spent close to half his life at LSU, but his relationship and history with LSU goes deeper than his coaching career, as he was a nationally recognized player before becoming assistant coach under Jerry Simmons in 1994.

From his first match with the Tigers, Brown relished the support surrounding LSU athletics, coming to LSU as a player in 1985 and quickly making an impact on the court.

[LEFT] PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF BROWN [RIGHT] THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

[Left] Current LSU tennis coach Jeff Brown sits with his then-doubles partner Scott Mellville during a doubles match.

[Right] Brown tosses a tennis ball March 19, 2013 in W.T. “DUB” Robinson Stadium.

Brown earned All-Southeastern Conference Singles honors later that year.

“I grew up in Gainsville, Florida, and I was familiar with the college tennis scene, but Louisiana was very different,” Brown said. “LSU in particular was a great experience for me– just how sports crazy and into tennis and every

sport on campus this state was as a whole.”

Brown earned 1988 Doubles All-American honors and led the Tigers as the team captain to the NCAA Tennis Tournament in both singles and doubles.

“It was a challenging time for me,” Brown said. “We were committed to the group and the

What’s standing between you and law school?

Don’t let it be the June LSAT.

coach [Simmons] we had at the time and knew we had a group that could compete for a national championship. We were constantly being pushed to the limit in a new place.”

The LSU teams featuring Brown between 1985 and 1988 notched two SEC Championships while finishing in the top-10 nationally in three out of the Gainsville, Florida native’s four seasons.

Brown’s best season with the Tigers overall was in 1988 when LSU went 27-2, eventually reaching the finals of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Stanford to finish the season No. 2 in the nation.

“There’s so many times throughout those four years that we played,” Brown said.

“But the NCAA finals and beating Georgia [in the quaterfinals] in front of 5,000 people and the celebrations that went on with that.”

After his senior year at LSU, Brown made it to the Association of Tennis Professionals circuit in 1990. In the early ’90s, Brown competed in the 1990 U.S. Open, the 1991 Australian Open and Wimbledon tennis majors making it to the Round of 16 for doubles in each.

His biggest career win came in the 1990 U.S. Open when Brown and eventual 1995 Wimbledon finalist Scott Melville defeated the duo of Pete Sampras and Jim Courier to advance to the Round of 16.

“You get the feeling you earned your way onto the tour and are able to play in the top events without having to play challengers,” Brown said. “It was a feeling of belonging out there at a certain point for a certain amount of time, and it’s an achievement that meant a lot to me putting up so much time in tennis.”

After playing a few years in the pros, Brown’s career came full circle when he became an assistant under his former coach, Simmons, for three seasons.

The pair led the Tigers to a 85-35 record in his seasons as an assistant, reaching as high as a No. 9 in final polls in 1995 and 1997.

Since taking over for Simmons, Brown is the winningest tennis coach in LSU history, guiding the Tigers to 15 NCAA Tournament berths and three top-10 finishes in polls.

Perhaps unsuprisingly, the laid-back and humble coach keeps quiet about his accomplishments as a player, not showing off his own highlight reel to the team he now coaches.

“He’s never put on game tape of himself, but I’m from Louisiana so I’ve always known about the player he was back in the day,” Daigle said. “Occasionally, we’ll hear a few stories about him, but he never put on any tape of his glory days.”

Get an average 12-point score improvement with our Ultimate LSAT course. 80 hours of prep and all the tools you need to crush the LSAT. Schedule

Dates

Time

Sun/Mon/Wed

March 26—May 5

1PM/6PM/6PM 250305

Enroll today! Visit PrincetonReview.com/ LSAT or call (225) 349-7120.

Course ID

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF BROWN

Current LSU tennis coach Jeff Brown talks to his then-doubles partner Scott Melville during a match.

Opinion

page 5

State shouldn’t jeopardize lives of children with disabilities BEYER’S REMORSE MICHAEL BEYER @michbeyer

The state legislators will have blood on their hands if they cut health care for children with developmental disabilities.

You heard about higher education budget cuts.

Now children with disabilities face losing the Children’s Choice Waiver, which provides “supplemental support to children with developmental disabilities who currently live at home with their families or with a foster family,” according to the Department of Health and Hospitals.

The CCW is part of many other Medicaid programs in danger because of Louisiana’s more than $900 million budget shortfall for the year. Around 25,000 families with children with disabilities use state assistance to pay for health care, according to WBRZ. “These waiver programs offer supports such as respite care and skilled nursing so that they may be able to work and bring in an income to keep their family afloat,” said Katie Corkern, whose family uses the program to care for her son Connor.

The program is vital because

“individuals with developmental disabilities, especially if they are medically fragile, are often not eligible to attend daycare centers because of their great needs,” she said.

Families need the CCW to help maintain financial stability. These families can’t afford to pay for their children’s healthcare costs. Regardless of your opinions of people using government assistance, taking away funding for these children is downright barbaric.

Kodi Wilson, whose son Braden has a rare neurometabolic disorder known as Leigh’s disease, said in an interview with WBRZ that her family will have to go on welfare if she stays in Louisiana. The family might lose its home and a car. The alternative is leaving the state, which many families with children with disabilities have already done.

Corkern said losing the waiver would rock her family’s world. She’d have to quit her job to care for her son full-time.

Her husband’s health insurance would cover Connor but wouldn’t pay for all of his needs. His family will suffer massive amounts of debt for basic care for their son.

Americans United for Life named Louisiana the “most

pro-life state in the nation”, yet we are kicking out children with disabilities while our legislators subsidize episodes of “Duck Dynasty” to the tune of nearly $330,000 per episode, according to The Advocate.

Defunding the CCW wouldn’t even save the state money. According to The Advocacy Center, home-based services are optional under the state’s Medicaid plan but nursing-home services aren’t.

By its analysis, if 55 percent of children with disabilities who used to receive the Children’s Choice Waiver opt to go to a nursing home, any amount of state savings would be null and void.

Removing these life-saving services would leave families with no option to care for their children. Families who can’t afford a nursing home and live below the poverty line may have to place their children in foster care or risk bankruptcy, according to Wilson.

Children with developmental disabilities don’t belong in a nursing home or foster care.

They belong with their families, and the legislature’s irresponsible budgets over the past seven years shouldn’t separate them from their parents.

The budget already hasn’t been kind to children with

KIRÉ THOMAS / The Daily Reveille

disabilities over the past couple of years. According to Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, approximately 13,000 people in Louisiana with developmental disabilities are waiting more than ten years for the waiver services they need now.

Children with developmental disabilities deserve the financial support of our state. Legislators should care for the lives of children with disabilities over the film industry.

“They contribute to society

through their love, compassion, laughter, and remind others who are so fortunate with their health and abilities to be thankful for each day. They teach us far more than we could teach them,” Corkern said.

The legislature needs to stop playing politics with the lives of children with disabilities. Their lives are in jeopardy.

Michael Beyer is a 22-year-old political science senior from New Orleans, Louisana.

Louisiana should raise the gas tax to reduce shortfall BURNT TO A CRISP

GARRETT HINES @GarrettH_TDR Political grandstanding on the baseless claim that we shouldn’t raise new taxes to fill our deep budget hole is pandering at its worst.

State Treasurer John Kennedy, the perennial failed senate candidate, proclaimed after Gov. John Bel Edward’s televised address that we “don’t have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem.”

He’s lying.

The details and explanations of our problems are numerous, so I won’t waste time rehashing them. Just look at any article about Louisiana’s budget from the last eight years. I’d rather

delve into a blaring solution and opportunity within our grasp right now.

Louisiana has a 20-cent-pergallon tax charged at the pump.

This tax is already factored into the price of gas, and consumers don’t notice it. however, they do notice its effects.

The Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association, a nonprofit transportation advocacy group, estimates this tax produces as much as $450 million every year. This tax is the primary financing stream through which we fund our roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects.

The state hasn’t raised the tax in 25 years, and this by itself is a problem. It’s just a simple fact that 20 cents doesn’t buy what it used to.

Louisianians’ favorite

The Daily Reveille EDITORIAL BOARD

Quint Forgey Carrie Grace Henderson Joshua Jackson Rose Velazquez William Taylor Potter Cody Sibley

Editor in Chief Co-Managing Editor Co-Managing Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Opinion Editor

pastime besides arguing over whether to suck the head of crawfish (Of course you do), is complaining about potholes.

Part of the reason we have such disastrous roads is the fact we don’t have the proper funding to maintain them. Our state’s population has also grown, and more people live here today than 20 years ago. The influx of people has increased the stress our roads are under, causing deeper cracks and more frequent fissures to arise.

We should raise our tax one measly dime.

If this is done we increase revenue by at least $120 million to spend on improving our infrastructure, and that will not be our only gain.

Businesses looking to relocate here take into account how their workers will fare.

Part of that calculation is ensuring they have safe, easy access to both their jobs and the various attractions wherever they move.

The president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, or LABI, said in the run up to the governor’s race “repairing transportation infrastructure is an urgent need to prepare for the growth Louisiana is experiencing in energy, manufacturing, exports and new markets.”

Political soothsayers saw that statement as a signal to the candidates that the business group, arguably the most influential lobbying group in the state, would not openly oppose proposals for increasing the gas tax.

No gubernatorial candidates openly endorsed

Editorial Policies and Procedures

The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Daily Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

raising it then, but they did make clear that they would allow local entities to enact their own transportation-related taxes.

If a statewide public vote to enact this tax increase will imperil our elected officials chances of getting reelected and the greater good for our state is outweighed by their own personal politics, then so be it.

However, please do not hold back local governments from doing what is necessary and important for their constituents. After all, isn’t this a small government and local control dream scenario ... or is that just a political talking point used to keep politicians from actually doing their jobs?

Garrett Hines is a 21-year-old political science major from Monroe, Louisiana.

Quote of the Day ‘The thing about black history month is that the truth is so much more complex than anything you could make up.’

Henry Louis Gates

American Historan, Sept. 16, 1950 — present

page 6

Announcements

Employment

The Daily Reveille

Housing

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Merchandise

Transportation

Classif ieds

To place your ad, visit www.lsunow.com and click classif ieds

For Rent GREAT LOCATION for student...between Burbank and LSU Spacious 2 BR with office, washer / dryer, wood floor, all utilities included. $1,100 / MO. Call: 225-615-8521 or 225-8928517 _______________________________ 2 BR-Condo near LSU W/D included $700/Mon call (225)-2786622 or 278-6621. _______________________________

Help Wanted Louie’s Cafe is hiring cooks, servers & dish staff. Apply in person, online or via email. louiescafe.com 3322 Lake St. _______________________________ Fat Cow is now hiring for cooks, cashiers, and dishwashers.

Come join the herd and enjoy flexible hours, best wages in the business and a great drug and smoke free work environment.

Prior experience preferred but not a must. Apply in person 4350 highland rd ste B1. _______________________________

Costs: $.40 per word per day. Minimum $5 per day.

Deadline: 12 p.m., three school days prior to the print publication date

Part-time help wanted walking around upscale community passing out literature. $14/hour.

Must have vehicle. Contact Beverly at 225-387-5931 _______________________________ Anthony’s Italian Deli is looking for general, reliable help. We can work with school schedules.

Apply in person at 5575 Government St 70806 From 2-4 daily.

Must be able to work Saturdays. _______________________________ Physical Therapy Tech needed for Outpatient Orthopedic Clinic in Baton Rouge. Must have a good work ethic and willing to learn. Kinesiology majors preferred. Call Tom  225-3549976. _______________________________ VooDoo BBQ on Nicholson Dr. is now Hiring for Cashier/ Server and Kitchen. Located at the North Gates of LSU on Nicholson Dr. Apply in person between 2pm and 4pm. _______________________________ LOVE CHILDREN? Children’s store on Sherwood Forest needs two helpers. No nights or Sundays. 225 291-4850 _______________________________

FRANKIE’S DAWG HOUSE NOW HIRING CALL 805-5120183

WANT TO BE LIKE PETER COTTONTAIL HOPPIN’ DOWN THE MONEY TRAIL?

Place a classified today at lsureveille.com

Spring Break his HEART! Bra-sized

SWIMWEAR

that FITS!

7539 Corporate Blvd. #180 (near Whole Foods in Towne Center)

225. 223. 6114 TheBraGenie.com

Services

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 CUTS, from page 1 of TOPS, which will be absorbed by universities throughout the state as there is not enough money in the program for reimbursement.

The worst-case scenario, based on the far-fetched possibility that legislators do not act to reduce cuts or raise revenue, is a “devastating,” $204 million reduction.

“We’re going to continue to fight for no cuts,” Alexander said, adding the University took the TOPS cut in “warm ups,” and this is the eighth consecutive year of cuts to higher education.

Lawmakers on the senate

education committee asked university and college officials Monday about efforts to cut costs — including implementing more electronic textbooks and consolidating schools or programs.

Each system head told a story of doing more with less at their schools, and Alexander highlighted the damage done to recruiting efforts by recurring doomsday budget talks.

He said the school gave a tour to high-achieving students Saturday, but tried to shield them from the state’s highly publicized fiscal woes. While campuses throughout the rest of the country are discussing

The Daily Reveille

page 7

three to five percent increases in funding for education in exchange for keeping tuition low, Alexander said, Louisiana schools are just trying to survive cuts.

“We’re talking about things the rest of the country is not even talking about,” he said.

Sen. Conrad Appel, R-Metairie, said Louisiana government spends more than other southern states, but underfunds higher education by around $1,000 per student. Solutions will be found, he added, to prevent schools from closing and TOPS from disappearing.

“We’re far, far away from a situation … that would close schools,” Appel said.

State shortfall = more than $900 million Higher education

Best case scenario

$70 million

Worst case scenario

$204 million BARBIE, from page 1 Pennington Biomedical Research Center Tiffany Stewart.

“Culture is kind of pushing us in this direction,” Stewart said. “Here we have an environment that’s pressing diversity, pressing acceptance.”

Mattel is not the trailblazer in diversifying its dolls, but the company has the reach and funding to make it successful,

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mattel’s new line of Barbie dolls aim to combat body anxiety in consumers.

TOPS Shortfall

$28 million

TOPS costs to be absorbed by University almost

$10 million

Stewart said, which may prompt other doll companies to follow suit.

Coastal environmental science freshman Alyson Lessard, who played with Barbie dolls growing up, said she thinks diversifying Barbie’s look is an interesting move.

“It’s a bold move,” Lessard said. “I think girls are going to want to buy a Barbie that looks like them. I would buy a Barbie

that would look like me.”

While Mattel can be praised for finally diversifying Barbie, the effort is still not enough, Choate said.

“I think it’s a positive move on behalf of Mattel but it doesn’t go far enough,” Choate said.

“They’re still selling original Barbie. All the dolls are still sexualized, and they look perfect. I still don’t think they’re healthy standards for girls.”

FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 17, 2016

THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Beside the __; irrelevant 6 Potato peel 10 Tiny computer screen image 14 Concur 15 Roll call response 16 “__ Lisa”; da Vinci painting 17 Treasure __; valuable cache 18 Eras 19 Overly proper 20 Upper house members 22 In a __; dazed 24 Flat walking area on a ship 25 “__ are the meek...”

26 Times or Trafalgar 29 Sword fights 30 Umpire’s cry 31 __-toothed tiger; extinct cat 33 Hollers 37 Dishonest one 39 Invalidates 41 Official stamp 42 Each __; one another 44 City leader 46 Highest club 47 Opium source 49 Sunbathed 51 Part of a golf course 54 Bride’s headwear 55 Register, as for military service 56 Airport building 60 Related 61 Seldom seen 63 Keep away from 64 Flat wood strip 65 Smell 66 Eggheads 67 Kennedy and others 68 __ off; dozes 69 Rendezvous

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 23 25 26 27 28 29 32 34 35 36 38

DOWN Boone & Sajak Meanie Press clothing Western state Wobbles Dangerous fish Beer barrels Indignation __ Crunch; chocolate bar Stalemates Foot problems In reserve Appointed Pacific or Arctic Depend Husky Fly alone Give up Provo’s state Filibuster Like a road full of potholes Faucet problem Frilly trimming Snow toy Additional book publishings

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

40 43 45 48 50

Not plastered Arguments Clothing Benefactor Dieter’s piece of pie 51 Banquet 52 Joint most often sprained

53 54 56 57

Epic by Homer Swerves __ on; trampled __ a soul; nobody 58 Tallies up 59 In case 62 “Much __ About Nothing”

The Daily Reveille

page 8 BAMA, from page 3 be on opposite sides as Johnson directs Alabama (15-9, 6-6 Southeastern Conference) into the PMAC on a four-game win streak as well boasting five wins in its last six games.

In LSU’s two-point win against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Jan. 23, the Crimson Tide’s rebounding competency surprised LSU point-forward Ben Simmons, he said.

“They’re big,” Simmons said. “[Senior guard] Keith [Hornsby] missed a few, [sophomore

PITCHING, from page 3 the season trying to jell on offense and get to a point where they can consistently make plays behind the pitcher.

But luckily for Mainieri, the 2016 LSU team lines up perfectly with the oldest cliche in the scroll: what it lacks in returning position players, it makes up for with guys who have powerful and highly precise cannons for arms on the mound.

I’ll be the first person to say baseball sucks, but even I can’t deny it’ll be fun to watch this team pitch.

Returning as the Friday starter is junior pitcher Jared Poche after a 9-2 season with a 3.05 ERA. The lefty should be one of the top pitchers in the conference — Baseball America has him listed as the No. 34 draft prospect in the nation.

But the clearest demonstration of the staff’s strength lies in the fact that the reigning National Freshman Pitcher of the Year and First-Team All-American is second in the rotation.

While you’d have to be clinically insane to think sophomore right-handed pitcher Alex Lange will match his 12-0 mark with a 1.97 ERA, there’s no doubt he will put up another All-American caliber season.

The third starter is still up in the air. Mainieri is going with transfer senior lefty John Valek III this Sunday, but sophomore righthanded pitcher Austin Bain and junior JUCO transfer Riley Smith, a right-handed pitcher, will battle for the permanent spot with him.

The bullpen, comprised of familiar names, isn’t great, but it’s serviceable. In fact, sophomore righty Jesse Stallings was

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

forward] Craig [Victor II] missed a few, but that was just not being prepared. It was one of those games where you don’t expect them to be like that.”

LSU allowed 13 offensive rebounds in the first matchup, which Hornsby, Simmons and Victor all agreed was far too many.

“Winning the war on the boards,” as Jones calls rebounding more efficiently than LSU’s opponent, will be LSU’s primary goal for Wednesday’s battle for Jones, and his senior guard agrees.

“We have to do a better job

of boxing out,” Hornsby said.

“We have some guys who are really good at crashing the boards. They’re slick. We have to do that to prevent them from getting trash buckets.”

Alabama had a near-SEC worst record of 1-4 against conference opponents on the day of its first meeting. But with its football team’s National Championship Parade on the same day, Alabama was confident and energized to play the Tigers — the SEC’s then-third-best squad.

Hornsby isn’t surprised by the Crimson Tide’s recent

success.

“They’re a good team,” Hornsby said. “When we played them, their current record wasn’t a depiction of how good they really were. I’m not surprised by their success.”

Despite the winning streak, one piece of the Crimson Tide’s formula hasn’t changed since its first clash with LSU — senior guard Retin Obasohan.

Obasohan’s 20 points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting night from beyond the arc kept Alabama in a knot with LSU in round one. Obasohan leads Alabama with an average of 16.0

points per game, shooting 130for-283 from the field this season.

Defending him isn’t easy, Hornsby said.

“He’s a tough one to defend,” Hornsby said. “He comes off of a lot of high screens. He can shoot and he can attack really well toward the basket. We have to have that edge to stop him. He runs point a lot, he’s a good passer, as well. Don’t give him anything easy.”

But junior guard Tim Quarterman has that “edge,” Hornsby continued.

“Yeah, [Quarterman’s] a great harasser,” he said.

named to the initial Stopper of the Year Watch List after finishing second in the Southeastern Conference with 12 saves last season.

What I’m getting at is it’s not a question if there will be growing pains along the way, but the pitching staff should be able to put the team on its back while the youngsters work out their diaper rash.

It’s unreasonable for LSU fans to expect another 50-win season, but it’s hard to imagine the young talent won’t catch on and complement the pitching in time to make things interesting when the postseason rolls around.

INFIELD, from page 3

[Cannizaro] has been the biggest help with my hitting,” Dawson said. “Coach Mainieri in the field, as well, working on my range every day.”

Freeman, a junior who comes to Baton Rouge from Delgado Community College in New Orleans, may not look like a professional prospect, Mainieri said. But the Mandeville High School product is similar to sophomore twins Beau and Bryce Jordan because “they’re scrappers.”

“They’re just gamers, ballers, whatever term you want to use,” Mainieri said.

“They’re just going to lay it all out on the field. When the game is over, those kids are going to be physically and mentally exhausted because they laid it all out on the field for you. I love those players.

“Cole Freeman is like that.

He practices endless hours.

He’s got that kind of Bregman quality. I’m not saying he’s Bregman. He doesn’t have Bregman’s arm, his bat or some of the other talents that made Bregman the second pick in the draft. But he’s got that same work ethic and love of baseball.”

Jacob Hamilton is a 21-year-old political science junior from Slidell, Louisiana.

WINGATE JONES / The Daily Reveille

LSU sophmore right-handed pitcher Alex Lange talks with reporters before the first preseason practice on Jan. 29 at Alex Box Stadium.

to hit that home run. Certain areas of emphasis are put on at first base is what I was really able to picked up on.”

While he’s been on the team the longest of any infielder, junior second baseman Kramer Robertson was leap frogged by former power-hitting second baseman Jared Foster for the starting job before SEC play began in 2015. He then missed the rest of the season after injuring his elbow before the April 23 game against Texas A&M. The inexperience or irregular playing time in the infield is coupled with two new starters in the outfield. But even for Robertson, there’s value to his previous stints on the field, making him a natural leader in the unseasoned infield.

“For me personally, just showing the young guys the ropes,” Robertson said. “What it’s like to play here. There’s only a few of us who’ve actually played in a good number of games here.”

One of those players learning the ropes is Dawson, the successor to the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2015 MLB draft.

Much like Bregman, though, the Hurricane, West Virginia native has already shown the moxy needed to command the critical middle infield position.

Yet he feels his biggest area of progression in the off-season has come at the plate with hitting coach Andy Cannizaro.

“Staying on top of the ball and working to the right side,

WINGATE JONES / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior second baseman Kramer Robertson talks with reporters before the first preseason practice [top] and corrals a ground ball during practice [bottom] on Jan. 29 at Alex Box Stadium.