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DORM DISASTER Black water poured from ceiling in Cedar Hall suites on Sept. 15. Read on
page 2 NEWS
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LSU students noticed Tiger Stadium employees neglecting to scan tickets or verify COVID documents at home games.
SPORTS
p ag e 6
After taking a slow approach to signing NIL deals, Olivia Dunne finally inked her first of many endorsements.
ENTERTAINMENT
p ag e 9
LSU alumnus Jonathan Mayers combines his love of art with endangered Louisiana Creole language Kouri-Vini.
OPINION
p ag e 11
“No football fan now can muster the excitement they once felt watching Burrow dive across Death Valley’s turf.”
page 2
MAINTENANCE MALFUNCTION
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Cedar Hall processes water damage from sprinkler amid campus flooding
Managing Editor ENJANAE’ TAYLOR
dents weren’t let back into their wave had to be replaced after the experienced issues with its air rooms until five hours later. Ran- electrical outlets got wet. She is conditioning that has since been some said they weren’t let in until working with Res Life to file claim resolved. Ransome said living in a Christin Ransome and her around 2:30 p.m. reports to replace the damaged dorm with faulty air conditioning, roommates of Cedar Hall thought “We weren’t allowed back into items. broken elevators and now floodthe flooding of campus roads was the room for multiple hours, so ing on the fifth However, the the only water-related disaster anxiety was extremely prevalent damages were not “For things like this floor adds to the they had to endure Sept. 15. They in our minds,” Ramsome said. limited to the fifthstress she already to keep happening feels as a college were mistaken. “Was our stuff ruined? How bad floor suite. KellerWhat started as an ordinary was the flooding? Will we have to man said the dam- really puts a damper freshman. Wednesday turned disastrous at move out?” Ransome said. age reached as far “I feel like I on the benefits of speak for everyabout 10 a.m. when black water When she and her suitemates down as the first began shooting out the general arrived in Cedar, the water had floor. living on campus.” one when I say business freshman’s fifth-floor subsided, and there were dethat we’re paying “It leaked suite’s ceiling after a h u m i d i f i e r s through all the ceila lot of money to CHRISTIN RANSOME sprinkler head broke throughout the ings,” she said. live in one of the Cedar Hall Resident during maintenance. “The four of us had unit. Ransome’s Kellerman and nicer dorms, and The black iron pipe suite roommate and Ransome’s for things like no idea whether the water flowed k i n e s i o l o g y was spared the brunt of the water this to keep happening really puts to laugh at our through caused it to freshman Car- damage. Unfortunately, other stu- a damper on the benefits of living change color, one of unfortunate situtation men Kellerman dents were not as fortunate. on campus,” Ransome said. “Here the residents said. was relieved at “On the same day the dorm I am, five days later, sitting at my or cry.” “I wasn’t there, how much was flooded, after we were allowed desk in my room listening to the but my three roomspared. back in, I went to the first floor to industrial-grade humidifier.” CHRISTIN RANSOME mates and one of our “Not a lot get some laundry done and I ran Some of Cedar Hall’s residents Cedar Hall Resident mutual friends were. was damaged,” into three boys and one of their feel a two-year-old dorm hall And then [one of my Kellerman said. moms. They were talking about shouldn’t have as many severe roommates] called me “We were in our how they were being required to problems as Cedar experienced saying ‘Christin. Our dorm just room at the time when the sprin- move out,” Ransome said. “I felt over the last two months. Deflooded’ and I freaked out,” Ran- kler went off so we were able to extremely guilty.” spite the resident assistants and some said. “The four of us had no move our rugs and our chairs but The first-floor students were maintenance helping students idea whether to laugh at our un- the water didn’t get high enough unavailable for comment, but throughout the process, Kellerfortunate situation or cry.” to get in any of our drawers. It Kellerman said their ceiling now man feels the state of the dorm is According to LSU Residen- was enough to cover the floor has water and mold in it, prompt- “a little crazy.” tial Life, at least four suites, each but not enough to get any of my ing the move-out. “I have some friends staying housing four students in the two- clothes.” “I heard all their clothes and in [older dorms like] Miller but year-old dorm hall, were affected they don’t have any [of these] The same could not be said for beds got ruined,” she said. by water entering the rooms. The sprinkler system incident problems. So I guess coming in, her suite’s common area. KellerRes Life Associate Director of man said their fridge and micro- comes just weeks after Cedar Hall I assumed since it’s a newer dorm Communications and Developthat all these problems wouldn’t ment Catherine David explained be happening,” Kellerman said. that the damages to the sprinkler “It’s a little crazy that this has all system were caused when repairs been happening to us.” were made earlier in the week. Later on Wednesday, due to The sprinkler began giving the intense rain from Tropical Desuite trouble starting on Tuesday pression Nicholas, some areas around 11 a.m., Ransome said. She of campus—especially parking and her roommates put an empty lots—began flooding. Cars were storage bin under the sprinkler to submerged, stalling and ruined collect water until a maintenance in the South Stadium lots while order could be filled. others attempted to move their “No one came until around 6 vehicles from the flood zones. p.m.,” Ransome said. Traffic on in the inside of campus After maintenance worked on came nearly to a standstill around the sprinkler for about 30 min6 p.m. as lots were voluntarily utes, Ransome said he returned evacuated. the following day. She was at her “I don’t even know what to parent’s house at the time and say,” one student, whose car was drove back to Cedar, only to get submerged in the South Stadium out of her car to “hear the fire parking lot, said. “We should have alarm blaring.” been warned in some capacity or David said the building was another.” immediately evacuated following Residents of Park Place Apartthe fire alarm’s activation. ments reported that the first floor “Our custodial team was on of the building and parking gasite mopping and mitigating water rage flooded. Some students waddamage from the beginning of the ed and swam through the water, incident,” David said. “Professionothers kayaked to higher ground. al water restoration crews [were] Lockett also experienced mialso on site to assist and assess nor water damage during the COURTESY OF CEDAR HALL RESIDENT MORGAN KANE damage.” rainfall, and several classes were After firefighters arrived at the A broken sprinkler head pours water into Carmen Kellerman and Christin cancelled until the rooms could scene and shut off the water, resi- Ransome’s dorm common area on Sept. 15. be dried out with dehumidifiers.
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page 3 RESEARCH
LSU FAILS TO SCAN
LSU to Research with NASA BY CORBIN ROSS @CorbinRoss5
six or seven game packages for the entire season, Associate Athletic Director and Communications for LSU Athletics Michael Bonnette said. “Due to the time constraints and the fact that we did not know when power would be restored to the Baton Rouge community, we made the decision to only offer the first two games this week,” Bonnette said. “Approximately two weeks prior to the Auburn game there will be an offer for
LSU Professor Robert Twilley is conducting aerial research of Louisiana’s river delta system in partnership with NASA that will be used to help NASA begin monitoring delta growth worldwide. “River deltas are the primary mechanism, at least in this part of the world, that coastal land is built and sustained,” LSU professor Mathew Hiatt said. “Sediment is delivered to the coast via the river channels and the deposition basically forms the delta.” River deltas are important for a host of reasons. Over the course of thousands of years, deltas have formed fertile farmland, oil and gas reserves, major fisheries, and the rivers where deltas take shape often become major areas of commerce. Some of the first cradles of civilization were formed around river deltas, and now some of the biggest cities in the world are located around them. “Deltas are big economic engines,” Twilley said. Understanding river deltas could help produce solutions to Louisiana’s loss of wetland problem since they are the primary engine by which coastlines replenish the land. “The rivers have to continually add new sediment because as sea levels rise if the land doesn’t rise with the sea level, then all of a sudden that land becomes water again,” says Twilley. Twilley has been conducting research around the Wax Lake River Delta system for around 16 years to look at the Wax Lake Delta as an analog for how river deltas grow. Wax Lake is a large body of water in St. Mary Parish that was converted to an outlet channel to divert water away from the Atchafalaya River and into the Gulf of Mexico. After many years of conducting this research on the ground, Twilley was contacted by NASA. “NASA said, ‘hey, we know about the research y’all are doing over by Wax Lake and we’ve got some new satellite sensors that we’re testing that we think can monitor the growth of deltas around the world. Would you be interested in helping us calibrate the sensors?’ and I said yes,” Twilley explained. NASA is currently testing the sensors, flying them up to about 30,000 feet above river deltas to analyze them. Twilley and members of the field teams analyze
see TICKETS, page 4
see RESEARCH, page 5
Tiger Stadium employees failed to scan student tickets, verify COVID information at home game
MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Daily Reveille
Gate 7 at Tiger Stadium sits empty on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, on North Stadium Drive in Baton Rouge, La. BY BELLA DARDANO @BellaDardano As students crowded into Tiger Stadium for the first and second home football games of the 2021-2022 season, some students reported that stadium employees were not scanning tickets, checking bags or verifying vaccine information at the gates.
Early childhood education senior Victoria Pecot said there was a crowd of people around her when she entered the game and stadium employees failed to scan tickets or check bags. All attendees are required to use clear bags or purses inside the stadium, and there is an extensive list of prohibited items that employees check for at the gate. Pecot wasn’t sure why em-
ployees didn’t scan her ticket or check her bag and thinks the Tiger Stadium employees might have been learning a new system, although it’s unclear how the current system could be different from previous years. She also felt the situation was odd because stadium rules regarding ticket scanning and other entry procedures have been strict in the past.
This year, attendees must also show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter the stadium. They can do so at a pre-screening location prior to the game where they receive a wristband, or they can present the required COVID documents at the gate. In the instances described by students, employees
see STADIUM, page 4
STUDENT LIFE
Freshmen and transfers relieved to buy tickets BY BELLA DARDANO @@BellaDardano Amid a chaotic first few weeks of class, LSU freshmen and transfer students are relieved to have the option to purchase student tickets for the 2021-2022 football season after a long waiting period. At the beginning of the semester, LSU Athletics offered only the first two home games to freshmen and transfer students, while sophomores and upperclassmen were able to purchase
Thursday, September 23, 2021
page 4 STADIUM, from page 3
RANCIS DINH / The Daily Reveille
A statue of Mike the Tiger peeks through plants on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
TICKETS, from page 3 these same students to purchase tickets for the remainder of the season.” Bonnette also said in the statement that the freshmen and transfer students will be sent emails with detailed information at a later date. The students were able to purchase tickets for the first two games at $4 per ticket. Transfer theater junior Casen Guttuso bought both tickets for $8 and said he hopes to purchase tickets for the rest of the season once they are available.
3
Some students found the process to be a little, frustrating and Guttuso expressed his concerns on social media. “Coming here as an incoming student all in all is the experience of a lifetime,” Guttuso said. “We come to a school where football is a big thing and we want to experience that as a student and a fan of football.” Guttuso said he spent a lot of time on the phone with the ticket office to get updates on what was going on but remained positive due to the impact of Hurricane Ida and possible labor shortages. Guttuso said he found the situ-
ation frustrating, but he didn’t know their side of the story at the time and was relieved to have the opportunity to purchase tickets. Going into the week of the first home game, it seemed unclear if these students were going to get tickets and when, freshman Mason Freese said. Despite the confusion, Freese is happy he’s able to attend games this season at all. “I’m just kind of glad that we actually get tickets so we can still go to games,” Freese said. “I think it’s better than nothing, even if we do have to go online
M U I D E M S A Z Z PI
not only failed to scan tickets, check Tiger Cards and bags, but they also failed to verify vaccination or testing information. Engineering junior Kaleb Terrell said he arrived at the game close to kick-off and stadium employees did not scan his ticket or ask to see his Tiger Card. He said there were hardly any people around him at the time and he was still able to walk straight in. It seemed like “as long as it looked like you had a ticket,” they would let you in, Terrell said. Terrell also noted that the tickets for this season looked different from the tickets dis-
tributed before COVID and believes this also could have affected the scanning process. Interior design sophomore Maddie Edmonson said she arrived at the stadium after bigger crowds had gone through and that the employees barely looked at her ticket and didn’t scan it. Edmonson felt like it was “really random” and that if someone wanted to walk in without a ticket, they could. LSU Spokesman Ernie Ballard said in an email that he was unaware of the situation but has passed it on to the Athletics department. LSU Athletics did not responded to a request for comment.
ABBY KIBLER / The Daily Reveille
LSU cheerleaders run with flags in the endzone Saturday, Sept. 11, during LSU’s 34-7 win against McNeese at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
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page 5
ROBOTIC HARVEST Six LSU engineering students build a robotic arm to harvest crawfish BY JARED SAUCIER @jared_saucier More than 100 million pounds of crawfish are harvested in Louisiana between March and June every year. The unique flavor, nondemanding growing conditions and sustainability of crawfish caused the expansion of aquaculture across the country. The harvesting and sale of crawfish is now a multi-billion dollar industry which requires technological evolution to cope with the everincreasing demand. Spotting the need for new harvesting equipment, six engineering students worked together to build a robotic arm to automatically harvest crawfish from traps. The robotic arm prototype can be stationed on the side of the boat to grab the trap from the wa-
ter, empty the crawfish onto the boat, re-bait the trap and place it back in the water. “The arm is controlled remotely by a PlayStation controller,” engineering senior David Vercher said. “The operator must use the sticks on the controller to position the claw. Once positioned the operator hits the right trigger to close the claw and grip the trap, then the operator only needs to press triangle. Triangle triggers an automated sequence that lifts the trap out of the water, dumps the crawfish, re-baits the trap, and sets it back down into the water.” The project was pitched and designed by LSU professor Chandra Theegala, who said the idea was brought to his attention by J.B. Hanks, chairman of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s
Crawfish Advisory Committee. The harvesting and baiting of crawfish accounts for half of the total costs in the crawfish industry. This paired with intensive labor has caused for the worker shortages within the industry. “Unless we address the labor scenario, the crawfish industry couldn’t expand further,” said Theegala. “That is when I saw the similarities with the garbage trucks with side-loader arms and how they addressed a similar labor problem.” This realization is how the idea of the robotic arm crawfish harvester was born. “We were then tasked with making it happen,” Vercher said. “Each of us had individual attributes that were essential to the design and building of the robotic arm.”
With the successful invention of this mini prototype, the creators hope for the development of a field-ready robotic arm. The long-term goal is to make a fully autonomous harvesting boat, according to Theegala. If the plan is brought to fruition, the autonomous harvesting boat would revolutionize the crawfish industry. “For this project, if we had not been limited by COVID-19, I think it could have been improved,” engineering senior Bryan Tassin said. “I believe that being online for the first semester of senior design really set us back and limited my group on what our finished product would be, but overall I’m happy with the outcome of the project and with how our team was able to come together through this tough time and create such an amazing product.”
RESEARCH, from page 3 the river deltas on the ground and then compare them to the information that the sensors picked up in order to test their accuracy. “The sheer complexity of the project is amazing,” the forecaster for the project, professor Paul Miller, said. “Just the amount of moving pieces and the field teams that they have just collecting data all coordinated at the same time, it’s just incredible. Some of those planes can only fly when it’s completely clear sky conditions, any clouds are a problem. Some can handle clouds but no precipitation. If it’s too windy then the field teams can’t be on the surface when the airplanes fly over so all the stars have to align on the weather side of things in order for them to execute the field campaign as planned.” The sensors that NASA is using to monitor river deltas are highly sophisticated and must be tested thoroughly before they are attached to a satellite which is why they reached out to LSU. The research that Twilley and NASA are conducting will lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of river deltas across the globe. “It’s pretty cool to do all of this work on the ground for years looking at little plots, now all of a sudden with NASA to think that you can expand that to the whole globe,” Twiley said, “That gives you a real sense of impact because it’s not just Louisiana. What we’re learning here in Louisiana on our delta can be used to understand deltas around the world. That’s a researchers dream.”
DIVERSITY
International Student Association welcomes students back BY AIDAN PRIMEAUX & HENRY WELDON @acprimeaux & @hankweldon3 The International Student Association held a welcome party on Friday, Sept. 17, to bring together the university’s international student population, launch a new website, musical performances and other social activities. Members of the ISA, Student Government and LSUPD affirmed the university’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of international students at the event, which was held at the International Cultural Center. They also launched a new website with resources to help students find local housing and get information about graduate school. ISA Vice President Ovini Weeratunge and Secretary Ritu Ghosh welcomed the students and said the night would connect international students. This comes after several years of declining international enrollment at LSU and in the U.S. exacer-
bated by the pandemic, with LSU seeing a 15% decline in the fall semester of 2020. “I’m very excited to get you all connected with each other,” said Laura Dean, director of international student engagement. “Please consider this place your home away from home.” Dean also introduced Coordinator of International Student Engagement Killian Dumont, who brought gumbo and jambalaya for students to enjoy. Shashank Muley, ISA president and graduate senator invited several SG members to help students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas with student leadership. He highlighted that SG recently purchased new flags to ensure all the students’ nations are represented. ISA IT Chair Rohan Kadkol talked about some of the struggles international students face with finding apartments and social activities in a new country before unveiling the ISA’s new website that seeks to solve some of these issues. “There wasn’t a hub for inter-
national students, and that’s why we decided to make the hub ourselves,” Kadkol said. Undergraduate Senator Colin Raby spoke about his appreciation for LSU’s international community. He told students that although the university is a vast community and getting involved can seem daunting, there is a seat at the table for international students. “Our international students on average have a higher GPA than domestic students,” Raby said. “You are some of the best at our university and we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help you.” Student performances by guitarist Nafis Imtiyaz, cellist Luis Bernardo Castro Sanchez and singer Weeratunge followed. Marlon Hawkins, an LSUPD community outreach officer, told students about various safety resources offered by LSUPD, including courses like pedestrian safety and Rape Aggression Defense. He added that students should always feel comfortable asking an officer for help if they
feel unsafe. “If you ever need anything, stop an officer,” Hawkins said.
“If you need a ride, don’t feel afraid to talk to them and get a ride home.”
MATTHEW PERSCHALL/ The Daily Reveille
The International Cultural Center at LSU stands on Feb. 2, 2021 at 3365 Dalrymple Dr. in Baton Rouge, La.
SPORTS DUNNE DOLLAR$
page 6 TENNIS
Women’s tennis tries to meet new standard BY HENRY HUBER @HenryHuber_
ABBY KIBLER / The Reveille
LSU gymnastics freshman all-around Olivia Dunne cheers with freshman all-around Elena Arenas Friday, Jan. 8 after her uneven bars routine during No. 3 LSU gymnastics’ 196.550-196.350 win against No. 15 Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on N Stadium Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
LSU’s star gymnast Olivia Dunne cashes in with first NIL partnership BY MACKAY SUIRE @macthetiger
With the recent changes in name, image, likeness (NIL) regulation within the NCAA, many fans are curious to know what their favorite athletes would begin advertising. Olivia Dunne, an LSU gymnast, seemed to be at the forefront of the conversation
regarding the NIL change. Dunne boasts the title of the most followed collegiate athlete on social media, with around 5 million followers across all platforms. This large following ensured that the athlete would have no trouble finding brands interested in partnering with her. Markets projected Dunne to be one of the student-athletes who would benefit the most
from the NCAA’s new relaxed regulations on collegiate athletes monetizing their name, image and likeness. Following the rule change from August 2020, Dunne stated in an interview that she was excited to “meet with creators and collaborators.” She stayed persistent on “finding a brand to work with, that is authentic to her own values.” With not much more information, fans
waited patiently to see what the young athlete would begin endorsing. About two months after the compensation allowance, Dunne finally announced that she accepted a deal with the activewear brand Vuori. The partnership requires Dunne’s
see DUNNE, page 7
Can LSU women’s tennis replicate or even exceed the level they reached last year? Last season the LSU women’s tennis program had a historic year, winning a program-best nine SEC matches and finishing the season 15-6 (9-5 SEC) and ranked No. 17 in the country. Their peak was in April when they jumped to No. 9 after winning four straight SEC matches on their way to a 14-4 record. The regular season was incredibly strong, which made their early exit in the NCAA Tournament disappointing. But drawing an 18-3 Michigan team in the second round wasn’t exactly the luckiest draw in the world, and they were just a few points away from taking it. The season still managed to end with a bang, as senior Paris Corley finished her LSU career with a quarterfinal finish in the NCAA Singles Tournament. They now face the challenge of playing without Corley this season, a player who was a force in both singles and doubles, had a lot of experience and played a large leadership role. The team also lost another
see TENNIS, page 7
VOLLEYBALL
LSU volleyball splits wins at Samford Invitational BY MORGAN ROGERS @_morganrogers On September 17, the LSU volleyball team headed to Birmingham, Alabama, to play two matchups at the Samford Invitational. Similarities carried over from their performance in the Rice Invitational, as the team got comfortable in must-win situations. On Friday night, the team defeated Samford, 3-1, picking up their second straight win in a match full of swaying momentum. The Bulldogs fought back hard after dropping the second and third set, but the Tigers stayed calm and collected to secure the victory. “When we can get into uncomfortable situations and still
succeed, then those are good situations to be in,” Head Coach Fran Flory said. “It helps us grow as a team and gain confidence in understanding our system.” Like the squad’s last contest at the Rice Invitational the previous weekend, LSU got off to a rough start. They allowed the Bulldogs to take the first set 25-10. Samford built a 12-point lead before the Purple and Gold gained two points of their own. Samford, however, crushed their hopes of a comeback in the set, ending the frame with a 5-0 run. LSU challenged the Bulldogs more at the beginning of the second set, holding a 5-4 advantage before Samford went on a 5-1 run, taking the lead. The
Tigers were able to shape up in time to take the second set. However, they scored nine of the following 13 points to bring the game 15-13. The Bulldogs bit back later in the set before the Purple and Gold issued another two-point extension to close the set 25-22. Samford proved that they wouldn’t go down without a fight. They stole the next set by taking an early lead. But the Tigers stayed calm under pressure and scored enough points to tie the match 20-20. Junior Sanaa Dotson’s kill gave the team enough power to burst out on a 5-1 run and walk away with a 25-21 victory. Transfer star Kylie
see VOLLEYBALL, page 7
MORGAN ROGERS / The Reveille
LSU volleyball team celebrates after they score the first point in the first set of the game Feb. 28 during LSU’s 2-3 loss against Ole Miss in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on N. Stadium Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
Thursday, September 23, 2021
DUNNE, from page 6 participation with a handful of marketing initiatives for the company over the next two years. In an interview with Forbes, Dunne explained that this participation includes “promotional photoshoots, social media takeovers, as well as both in-person and virtual events.” When the California–based brand released the news, they were excited to welcome the LSU gymnast because she “exemplifies a new era of Vuori. [Dunnes’] athletic prowess, determination and positivity perfectly represents the values of the brand,” Nikki Sakelliou, the vice-president of marketing for Vuori said. “From her astonishing talents and determination as a gymnast to the positivity she spreads on social media, Livvy is a wonderful representation of the mindset we at Vuori aim to inspire.” A source close to the deal told Forbes that this partnership is a “mid-six-figure payday
VOLLEYBALL, from page 6 Deberg also led the team’s dominance with six kills of her own. The Tigers didn’t give their fans the chance to rest easy in the fourth set either. They trailed 5-3 before putting out nine of the following 10 points to take a six-point lead. The final set sat 18-9 before Samford was able to stomp out 10 unanswered points. LSU managed to squeeze out seven more points in time to claim the set 25-19 and win the match. The Purple and Gold dominated the court offensively in the fourth, hitting a set-high 47%. Dotson led the charge with six kills on 11 swings and only registered a single error. “I thought we came in undisciplined and unprepared, but we are fortunate to be able to turn it around and play some good volleyball in sets two, three, and four,” Flory said. “In those final three sets, we were very efficient and low-error.” The defense was a crucial part of the match against Samford. Defensive specialist Emmaline Walters recorded 12 digs and had an ace, while freshman Ella Larkin finished with 35 assists, eight digs and four blocks. Outside hitter Dotson made 12 kills and hit .321 in the match, marking the second time straight to have a hitting percentage over .300. “I was super proud of Sanaa Dotson who came in and had key moments for us when our normal key players struggled a little bit,” Flory commented. When LSU returned to the Pete Hanna Center the next day after a strenuous match against the Bulldogs, the team couldn’t overcome a tight con-
page 7 going to help this year.” As Bridges stated, both players held claim of their teams’ No. 1 courts, which is a great indication of the amount and level of experience these players wield. With Bridges expected to still man Court One for the Tigers, Babic and Rabinowitz are likely to face easier opponents, thereby winning more matches and earning more points for the squad. Both players are also exceptional in the doubles department as well, with Bridges mentioning Babic as a potential new partner for her. Essentially, the Tigers were able to replace the talent and experience they lost over the offseason while also having players who could show a lot of progression once they return to the court. Juniors Safiya Carrington, Nina Geissler and Maggie Cubitt are all solid examples of that, starting the majority of last season while also having some impressive wins. Not only does the team have a massive amount of potential on paper, but they also have
the confidence in themselves to transform that potential into victory. Mia Rabinowitz recognizes the pressure that comes with such high expectations, but still believes that this team has what it takes. Rabinowitz was asked if she believes the team could exceed last year’s performance. “Definitely,” she said. “Going into the next season after having lots of successes is exciting, but also tough because you have a lot of expectations that you want to exceed.” “Having Taylor, Safiya, Maggie, Nina—those girls who have been here for that, and then also having Ena and I, [who’ve] played many years of college tennis and so we have that experience.” Taking their play to a level past what they displayed last year would be a big deal, as they were a top-10 team for a couple of weeks and were one of the top teams in the SEC. It’ll still be tough to conquer the conference with Georgia still standing in the way, but the tigers show potential nonetheless.
for Dunne.” Many speculate that Dunne will be the first collegiate athlete to reach a net worth of $1 million, solely from NIL deals and social media. As of now, the initial announcement of the partnership is only advertising the brand that Dunne has produced. Because the deal is new, fans will most likely see more from Dunne endorsing Vuori soon. “Fashion has always been a huge passion of mine,” Dunne said in a news release. “Before college, my coach and I would design my own custom leotards for all my major competitions. I love expressing myself through my style, and I fell in love with Vuori because I thought their clothes looked and felt amazing. I couldn’t be more proud that my first brand partnership is with them.” As for future NIL deals, Dunne has no real insight as to what those may entail. “I’m kind of just going with the flow,” Dunne said. “It’s very exciting.”
starter and experienced player in Eden Richardson, who transferred to Miami after last season. That’s a lot of experience for a team to lose over an offseason, but according to Taylor Bridges, those losses shouldn’t deter the progress this team has been making over the past couple of years. “I feel like we’re going to exceed [last season’s success] just because of everything we learned last year,” Bridges said. “We’re all really motivated to continue the progress we made last year.” Bridges cited the recent acquisitions of graduate transfers Ena Babic and Mia Rabinowitz, who transferred from Purdue and Illinois respectively, as reasons to be excited this season. “And just Ena and Mia coming in, they have the experience of fifth-years like me. They’ve been there before and they also played number one on their old teams,” Bridges said. “Having that extra experience is really
test against Troy and dropped the match, 3-2. The Tigers’ record now sits 4-5 after losing to the Trojans, who have already defeated Alabama and Virginia Tech powerhouses this season. The loss came when LSU dropped the fifth set, although Flory noted that the fourth set instead marked their defeat. “We lost this match in the fourth set,” said Flory. “We gave that set away with too many errors. This was a selfinflicted loss, and we have to learn how to manage the game better.” LSU started the first set off slowly on Saturday, losing it to Troy, 25-20. However, the Tigers returned once more, hitting over 39%, and won the following two sets, five and seven points, respectively. Now having the lead in the match 2-1, the team may have underestimated Troy’s level of persistence. The Trojans claimed the fourth set 27-25. “After winning the second and third set I think we relaxed,” said Flory. “We made some assumptions and we lost our discipline. You cannot do that against a team like Troy, who never quits.” The Tigers fought hard for redemption but dropped the final set of Saturday’s thriller 25-18. However, Deberg owned the match offensively, putting up 21 kills and adding 14 digs. This was her eighth consecutive match with double-digit kills. SEC play is starting this Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT against the Razorbacks in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Then the team will turn around for the SEC home-opener on Saturday against Alabama at 5 p.m. CT.
LSU volleyball right side senior Taylor Bannister (7) gets ready to serve the ball Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021 during LSU’s 2-3 loss against Ole Miss in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on N. Stadium Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
TENNIS, from page 6
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Help Wanted LEARN TO SAIL COURSE. The Pelican Yacht Club of Baton Rouge is offering a 6-week course starting in early October. Course fee- $50. For details, contact Roger Seals at 225-335-5327 or rkseals71@gmail.com Enrollment is limited
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ENTERTAINMENT ‘A THOUSAND WORDS’
page 9
LSU alumnus combines at with Louisiana Creole Language Kouri-Vini
BY AVA BORSKEY @iamavab A large, wooded boar shows its tusks to a stegosaurus-like creature with palmetto leaves on its back. The beastly boar destroys the swamp beneath him, while the creature, known as the Palm Guardian battles back. “In this moment, as the great wooded boar lunges toward the Palm Guardian, one can only hope to see the vindicating strike of père Palmetto’s tail deal a swift death to this plague of destruction,” reads
souhaiter oir le coup justifié de la queue à père Latanier qui donne une mort prompte à cette peste de destruction-icitte.” Jonathan “radbwa faroush” Mayers, a 2007 LSU alumnus, is a visual artist and writer who combines his love of art with his love of language, particularly the endangered Louisiana Creole language KouriVini. A Baton Rouge native, Mayers learned his ancestors spoke KouriVini, a language that developed in 18th century Louisiana from contact between the French language spo-
COURTESY OF JONATHAN MAYERS
This painting by Jonathan Mayers entitled “Le Grand Cochon boisé contre Le Gardien palmiste (The Great Wooded Boar vs. The Palm Guardian)” includes Jean Lafitte sediment on a repurposed frame.
COURTESY OF JONATHAN MAYERS
Jonathan Mayers added sediment and blue crawfish claws to the border of his painting “La Louve blanche protégeant Rayne (The White Wolf Protecting Rayne)” the English translation of the story accompanying the painting. If you were reading the piece on the author’s website, it would look like this, “En ce moment, lorsque le grand cochon boisé fonce vers le Gardien palmiste, on ne peut que
ken by colonial settlers and various West African languages spoken by slaves. Fewer than 10,000 individuals speak Kouri-Vini today – Mayers is one of them. “It’s a language of survival,” he said.
Through the encouragement of family and friends, Mayers took on learning his heritage language. He became involved with several Kouri-Vini revitalization projects. He provided voice recordings for Google’s endangered language app, Woolaroo. An artist since birth, Mayers combined his newfound passion of language with his art, providing illustrations for “Ti Liv Kréyòl,” a learner’s guide to Kouri-Vini. He also took the initiative to translate the writings on his personal website. He’s even translated his nickname, or ti-nom, into Kouri-Vini: “Radbwa faroush” stands for feral opossum, a moniker Mayers adopted during his time as a student at LSU. It was born from a conversation with friends, and it’s stuck ever since. But picking a career path was not as simple as picking out a nickname. Mayers started college as a computer science major before trying graphic design and finally settling on art. “Going into visual art was very freeing,” Mayers said. “It was cathartic. I could express, you know, any sort of thing that I was thinking.” Much of Mayers’ art expresses environmental themes. He paints mythological creatures into southern Louisiana landscapes. Mayers grew up with a love of the outdoors, fishing and visiting the family camp in Belle River. He said spending that time in the swamp was inspiring and helped him realize just how important the environment is. He believes it’s important to consider all the culture and tradition that is at risk if the environment is lost. Many of his paintings are accompanied by short narratives, written in Kouri-Vini, that explore human-caused environmental change, like the introduction of habitat-destroying non-native species or the impacts of the oil and gas industry. “The work is not just the painting,” Mayers said. “The work is the painting and the story, and perhaps how I present it, so then it’s like it can become performance.” Mayers includes pieces of the physical place in the presentation of his paintings. He incorporates mud, sediment and sand from the locations he is depicting onto the frames of the artwork. “A sense of place, I think, is important, even if it can be put in sort of a smaller compact thing that you can bring around,” Mayers said. “I don’t get out as much as I would like to, to all these places. Even if I never go back, I will always hold them in high regard — all these places, the people I meet out there — because those are the things that
are going to always be important.” As a cultural activist, Mayers said the overarching goal for his artwork is to elevate the culture and community. He calls his effort “Latanny-
Mayers will be presenting some of his latest poems and reading works in Kouri-Vini at the Baton Rouge Gallery, 1515 Dalrymple Drive, on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m. Mayers said he hopes his work
COURTESY OF JONATHAN MAYERS
This piece titled “Cornes de Brouillasse venant du Lac Peigneur (Foghorns on Lake Peigneur)” was installed for the “Mythologies Louisianaises” show at Arthur Roger Gallery. It includes Lake Peigneur sediment and a fishnet and is featured on page 42 of Mythologies Louisianaises.
COURTESY OF JONATHAN MAYERS
This acrylic painting by Jonathan Mayers is called “Poux de sable à la Grande Île (Sand Lice on Grand Isle)” and was created during Mayers’ time in residency for “Adaptations: Living with Change” at A Studio in the Woods. èrizm,” and explains it as a style of colloquial visual art that weaves regional language and physical place. Baton Rouge’s Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome appointed Mayers as Baton Rouge’s poet laureate last summer. “Jonathan’s work inspires others to protect and preserve the historic Creole culture within Louisiana; the combination of both Kouri-Vini and his talents will help keep this language alive for future generations,” Broome told The Advocate. “This unique asset will strengthen the cultural fabric of our community.”
will continue to help put Kouri-Vini at the forefront and build a sense of wonder around the place he calls home. Mayers said one of the best pieces of advice he ever received was to start making the work you’ll want to see when you look back 50 years from now. His own advice to current students echoes a similar theme. “Any of the interests that artists have at LSU, like as students, add that into the work that you’re making,” Mayers said. “Whatever someone’s interested in, bring that into your artwork.”
page 10
Thursday, September 23, 2021 FASHION
VIDEO GAMES
Remaining 2021 releases: flying headers, catching Pokémon and more BY EDDY HAGE @hage_eddy
sports video game franchise is back for the 28th year in a row.
The new fall season isn’t just bringing chillier temperatures and browning leaves — it’s also bringing plenty of new video games from Nintendo, EA Sports and more to play. Below are some of the biggest games that have yet to come out this year:
Metroid Dread releasing Oct. 8 (Switch; $60) Metroid Dread was initially conceived in the mid-2000s for the Nintendo DS but was scrapped. Fifteen years later, we finally get to see Metroid return in the first 2D Metroid game since Fusion in 2002.
New World releasing Sept. 28 (PC; $40) Amazon’s first proper entry into the gaming world is an MMORPG where players colonize a fictional world similar to the Americas.
Back 4 Blood releasing Oct. 12 (PC, PS5, XSX, PS4, XBO; $60) The Left 4 Dead franchise publishers return with their spiritual successor to the beloved multiplayer zombie game. New mechanics include a card mechanic where players build a deck to modify their stats. The players take the role of “Cleaners” who invade zombie zones to make them safe for citizens.
Far Cry 6 releasing Oct. 7 (PC, PS5, XSX, PS4, XBO, Stadia; $60)
est release will be a third-person action-adventure game where players command Star-Lord and shoot their way through the universe with their loving crew of galaxy guardians. Forza Horizon 5 releasing November 9 (PC, XSX, XBO; $60) The Forza Horizon franchise is, without a doubt, Microsoft’s most consistent franchise. This arcade racing game lets you drive around beautiful countries, soaking up the views and roaring through the picturesque landscapes. Forza Horizon 5 is bringing you to Mexico and introducing you to a new weather system to make your drives past active volcanoes, ancient Mayan architecture and bustling Mexican metropolises even more thrilling. Battlefield 2042 releasing
Call of Duty: Vanguard releasing Nov. 5 (PC, PS5, XSX, PS4, XBO; $60) Witness the birth of the special forces and combat threats from around the theaters of World War II in the 19th installment of this bestselling first-person shooter franchise. Call of Duty Vanguard comes with 20 new multiplayer maps, a redesigned Warzone experience centered around Vanguard and more WWII Zombies to keep your heart racing. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl releasing Nov. 19 (Switch; $60 each) The classic fourth generation Pokemon games return in Nintendo’s remake of Diamond and Pearl. You can explore Sinnoh again, but this time with updated graphics and gameplay. Halo Infinite releasing Dec. 8 (PC, XSX, XBO; $60 campaign/
Mario Party Superstars re-
free multiplayer)
FUENTITECH GAMENEWZ NICHEGAMER
The Cuban-inspired world of Far Cry 6. How does overthrowing a regime in a tropical paradise with a Cuba-inspired aesthetic sound? This first-person shooter will have the largest map in Far Cry history and, according to the head writer, is a story “about the conditions that lead to the rise of fascism.” With Giancarlo Esposito as the main villain, there’s almost no reason not to look forward to Far Cry 6. FIFA 22 releasing October 1 (PC, PS5, XSX, PS4, XBO; $60) Ever watch soccer and think “I could do that.”? The best-selling
Mario Party Superstars promotional cover. leasing Oct. 29 (Switch; $60) Gather your buds and minigame the night away with all your favorite Mario characters on remade maps and minigames from past Mario Parties. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy releasing Oct. 26 (PC, PS5, XSX, PS4, XBO, Switch; $60) Marvel’s first huge entry into the gaming world with Marvel’s The Avengers was an underwhelming and disappointing launch for many comic book fans. Their new-
A map from Battlefiled 2042, featuring a new helicopter and an apocalyptic city. Nov. 19 (PC, PS5, XSX, PS4, XBO; $60) Battlefield returns in what is shaping up to be an intense return to form for the franchise after the underwhelming launch of Battlefield V. With no singleplayer mode, the story of the collapse of the European Union and the subsequent war between America and Russia will be taking place through multiplayer. Dynamic environments, new weapons, 128 player maps and a futuristic, cyberpunk aesthetic make this Battlefield one of the most anticipated releases of the new console generation.
TOMSGUIDE
Master Chief looking over a cliff in Halo Infinite. Master Chief returns to this beloved sci-fi shooter to fight the Banished, a group of Brute mercenaries. In response to backlash over Halo 5’s lack of split-screen gameplay, couch co-op was revived for Halo Infinite. While the singleplayer will be $60, the multiplayer is entirely free-to-play and sees new additions, like a grappling hook, as well as updates to classic Halo staples like the Assault Rifle.
Free People store opens in BR BY PERLA RODRIGUEZ @perlajasminee Have you been wanting to buy the cult favorite 100 Degree Mini Dress or maybe the Dolman Quilted Knit Jacket that’s all over TikTok? Well, you’re in luck because a Free People store recently opened in Perkins Rowe. “I’m so glad they opened a free people store here in Baton Rouge, I always wanted to shop there in person instead of online and I finally can,” said mass communication senior Breanna Battles. “I always see girls on campus wearing free people clothes and it’s nice to finally be able to go in person and see what all the hype is about.” On July 30, the store opened its doors to eager Baton Rouge shoppers. The contemporary lifestyle brand specializes in women’s clothing and is inspired by vintage fashions from the 1960s and 1970s. The new location has an array of items, all perfect for your wardrobe. The boutique carries everything from classic denim like Levi’s to dresses for all occasions. The only other store locations in Louisiana are on 2001 Magazine St. in New Orleans and the Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie. Free People is part of Urban Outfitters Inc. just like Anthropologie, both of which have stores in Perkins Rowe and are popular among young female shoppers. When you walk into the store, you can expect to be greeted by a store associate who will help you find what you’re looking for. You can also expect to find knit tops, skirts, activewear and a wide range of unique accessories like jewelry, bags and hair accessories. The store has five fitting rooms so you can try on items before you take them home. The store also offers personalized shopping experiences from a team of expert stylists. They are open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m.
MUSIC
Kasey Musgraves gives us empowering take on heartbreak BY OLIVIA DEFFES @liv_deffes Stars: 4.8/5 The golden hour has passed, and Kacey Musgraves is ushering us into a new era that is both heartbreaking and empowering at the same time. Coming down from her divorce in 2020, Musgraves is starting anew with her latest album, “Starcrossed.” This album is full of liberating sadness with Spanish guitars strumming in the background. From start to finish, “Starcrossed” will give you all the tea about what happened between Musgraves and
her ex-husband. From singing about trying to be a “good wife” to being a “breadwinner,” this album shows Musgraves’ growth through heartbreak. I find it to be a beautiful and tasteful way to mark the end of an era. The golden hours that Musgraves had when she was falling in love with her then-husband have gone to black, and it’s clear to hear throughout “Starcrossed.” Though it is a breakup album, or I should say divorce album, not all the songs are sad tunes that will have you sobbing over ex-lovers. There are a few tracks that give off a happier vibe or give me a sense
of empowerment. If you’re not in the mood to listen to songs about heartbreak, I recommend listening to “Cherry Blossom,” “Breadwinner,” “What Doesn’t Kill Me” and “Keep Lookin’ Up.” Now, Musgraves did write this album as she finalized a divorce. So, if you’re looking for sad, heartbreaking songs, this album certainly has that. If you’re feeling sad or want to reminisce on the past, here are my favorites: “Simple Times,” “Starcrossed” and “Camera Roll.” Regardless of if you’re feeling somber or not, this album ends on a good note. One of the final
tracks, “There is a Light” has to be one of my favorites. Musgraves sings about finding that light at the end of the tunnel but also finding that light within yourself. This song is so good, and it also has this really dope smooth jazz-like solo complete with wind instruments and drums. The final track, “Gracias a la Vida” or “Thanks to Life” is a beautiful cover that is the perfect way to cap off this new album and era. The Spanish guitars that we hear in the opening, title track are heard again and Musgraves’ voice is muffled, which gives it a vintage feel. This cover perfectly matches the
overall vibe of this era. It sounds like what you would hear as an old movie’s end scene played. As the last track on her album, this cover is like the ending scene to her 15-track diary of sadness. Overall, I really enjoyed this album after I listened to it a few times. If you’re just looking for new Kacey Musgraves, then this album will suffice. If you’re looking for your liberating breakup anthem, then definitely give these songs a few listens to fully understand the lyrics behind Musgraves’ sadness. Although I liked her last album a little more, I’ve come to terms that the sun has set on “Golden Hour.”
OPINION
page 11
Talks across political divides will make campus stronger MATTERS OF MILK AND HONEY CANAAN CHARRIER @cananbcharrier At the university’s last two games in Death Valley, parts of the student section erupted in an explicit chant aimed at President Joe Biden. These lamenters were not alone, as they joined countless others in student sections from around the country to publicly decry the administration’s recent streak of policy decisions. So whether you were in the student section chanting or took to social media to condemn it, my advice is the same—foster a civil dialogue. With Democratic control of our federal government’s executive and legislative branches, the party’s missteps are now in the spotlight—the CDC’s inconsistent messaging, Pres. Biden’s disappointing public speaking skills and his administration’s execution of the withdrawal
from Afghanistan are good motivations for the students’ discontent with their nation’s leaders. However, every student on campus doesn’t have the same complaints about our current administration’s performance. As a flagship public university in the heart of the South, it comes as no surprise that the university’s student body holds a wide range of personal opinions. While many of these opinions are expressed, very few are genuinely discussed with a genuine want for understanding on both sides. All too often, students of different political persuasions want nothing to do with one another. This mentality of division along party lines must end if we’re going to move our university, country, and world forward. The goal of the student and university alike should be to use education and conversation to advance human understanding. Traditionally, university students have done so by sharing
ABBY KIBLER / The Reveille
LSU fans spell “#United” Sept. 11 in the student section before LSU’s 34-7 win against McNeese at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. ideas and letting them compete in a meritocracy. Rational thinkers decide on merit by discussing all ideas, leaving the bad ones behind, and using the best to move humanity forward.
I encourage you to look at your own beliefs and ask yourself why you hold them. Bolster your understanding of differing opinions by reading news from alternative sources. Discuss
your ideas with people who agree with you and see what they have to add. Equip yourself with the knowledge you need to hold a conversation that can forever foster a change in our school. We must all have an attitude of humility and a heart for understanding our fellow student’s convictions for this to work. Share your ideas with the best reasoning and data that you can find, and know that the person you’re talking to is doing the same thing. Be ready to be wrong and embrace it because it’s a step in the right direction. In a time of great political divide, each of us can bridge that gap with a conversation. Embrace your ideological opponents as fellow students and citizens of the world, and work with them to create a better university environment for us all. Canaan Charrier is a 19-yearold finance, religious studies, and international relations sophomore from Monroe.
LSU football is back, but it’s different without Joe Burrow BUI WAS HERE ANTHONY BUI @da_bui_ LSU football is back. The stands in Death Valley are once again filled to the brim with screaming fans. You can definitely feel the buzz in the air, but something just seems a bit...off. Upperclassmen were able to experience what many would call the best year ever for university football in 2019. Some cynics may argue that we will never experience a year like that again. I was at the majority of the games that fateful season, and the energy was beyond anything imaginable. The team abounded with superstars, led, of course, by Heisman-winning quarterback and beloved figure-about-campus Joe Burrow. Flash forward to the present. Most of those stars have graduated to professional football, and our team performs nowhere near as well as it once did. As a result, things just aren’t the same anymore. The energy levels just can’t match that 2019 season. No football fan now can mus-
ABBY KIBLER / The Reveille
LSU football freshman running back Corey Kiner (21) runs the ball Sept. 11 during LSU’s 34-7 win against McNeese at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. ter the excitement they once felt watching Burrow dive across Death Valley’s turf. I remember waking up on game days so eager to get to the stadium and watch our offense completely annihilate opposing defenses. Now, I wake up praying that we can pull off a win against unranked
teams. I used to have all of the confidence in the world that we would beat teams like Florida, Clemson, Georgia, even Alabama. Now, I fear the embarrassment of watching these ancient rivals blow us out. This uncertainty drains from the energy that revolves around
supporting LSU football—I hate seeing the school I support lose to cocky Division I teams. I’ve seen the mountain top. I’ve experienced the best year imaginable for a college football fan. Now, I must confront the wasteland ahead. Don’t get me wrong, I still
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The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The 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 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 Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
support this team and love watching their games. Things just feel different now, and not in a good way. This season alone, we have already experienced a devastating loss to UCLA and decent—but widely expected—victories over McNeese and Central Michigan. Death Valley had great energy as always, but it died out quickly. People left early and were sitting the majority of the time. I wonder if, like me, they were too stressed over our team’s struggles to be excited. In previous years—even before the iconic 2019 season—no one sat down, and the majority of fans stayed for the entire game. On away games, students would wait outside the Baton Rouge airport to catch glimpses of their favorite players. Those were the days, and I hope that one day we can get back to that level of excitement. I probably won’t be a student here when that happens, but purple and gold will still run through my veins because the chant is “FOREVER LSU”. Anthony Bui is a 21-year-old English senior from Opelousas.
Quote of the Week “And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.”
Oscar Wilde poet 1854 — 1900
Thursday, September 23, 2021
page 12
Let’s face it: grades are steadily losing their significance UNCLE SAM’S DOOM & GLOOM SAMUEL CAMACHO @SamuelE17713784 That perfect report card many people strive for may be useless as research suggests that rising grade inflation in recent years has diminished the value of top grades. A recent study found that GPAs have been increasing at a rate of 0.1 points per decade for the last 30 years. A is now by far the most common grade at both four-year and two-year universities, representing more than 42% of all grades. The total share of A’s has increased 6% every decade, making A’s three times more common than they were in 1960. If this rise in grades were due to a more innovative, more diligent generation of students, grade inflation wouldn’t be worrying. Just because other students are getting better grades doesn’t mean your achievements are worth any less. However, it seems unlikely that our education system is improving given that America has placed lower every year in rankings of test scores and other measurements. Instead, the increase in grades is a testament to lower standards, increased cheating and generous
STUART ROJSTACZER & CHRISTOPHER HEALY / The New York Times
Note: 1940 and 1950 (nonconnected data points in figure) represent averages from 1935 to 1944 and 1945 to 1954, respectively. Data from 1960 onward represent annual averages in their database, smoothed with a three-year centered moving average. test curves. Think of this relationship as a mathematical function. The right side of the function—the output— represents your grades, and the left side of the function—the in-
put—represents factors like hours spent studying, class attendance, and homework completion, to name a few. Thus, holding all else constant, increasing these factors should improve the output, your
grades. Grade inflation occurs when grades increase while inputs remain the same. Basically, students are putting in the same amount of effort to get their grades but yield
a superficially higher return than their parents did in college. I’m not suggesting that your academic counselor illegally goes into the university’s grade book and changes every minus to a plus. Instead, grade inflation is a systematic phenomenon spurred by lowered standards. This has been especially true during COVID. When the university transitioned online in spring 2020, grades jumped at astronomically high rates. While the GPA for all undergraduates during the fall 2019 semester was 2.992, it was 3.446 during the spring 2020 semester. On paper, your grades are better. But, in reality, they’re worse. Whether grades still matter it is a question for future employers and admission officers. What’s evident, however, is that post-COVID grades will mean much less than they did before. If you take anything away from reading this, good grades are not a sure path to your dream job or graduate school. Instead, find more meaningful ways to build your resume and set you apart from other candidates because, ultimately, your report card is meaningless. Samuel Camacho is a 21-year-old economics junior from Maracaibo, Venezuela.