Proud Students brings ‘Don’t Sink LSU’ banner to Faculty Senate, p. 4
Reveille Defensive players excited to take on ’Bama’s traditional offense, p. 7
The Daily
Volume 115, Issue 50
www.lsureveille.com
Young classical musicians play on campus for NPR program, p. 3 Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
Vitter, Dardenne triumph in midterm elections Republicans take House, Democrats hold on to Senate Matthew Albright Staff Writer
David Vitter and Jay Dardenne claimed victory Tuesday in Louisiana’s two highest-profile midterm elections. Nationally, Republicans took the House of Representatives but failed to take the Senate, though not all races had been decided by press time. Vitter, the incumbent Republican Senator, earned 57 percent of the vote to keep his seat, beating Democratic challenger Charlie Melancon’s 38 percent, according to unofficial numbers from the Secretary of State’s office. Vitter was favored heavily to win the contest, given his double-digit leads in polls and millions more in campaign cash. The Senate race was fraught with negative ads. RESULTS, see page 15
Louisiana amendment vote results • Passed amendments include: • Postponing pay increases for state officials until the term after the raise is approved • Allow for local bodies to increase the homestead exemption for disabled veterans • Extend the time a homeowner can claim tax benefits on a house damaged by a disaster •Defeated amendments include: • Limiting the ability of local bodies to increase taxes
See more results at lsureveille.com.
ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille
Secretary of State Jay Dardenne gives his acceptance speech Tuesday night at the Crown Plaza Hotel after winning the vote for lieutenant governor.
BUDGET CUTS
SG officials talk higher ed with governor, chancellor Jindal: Students deserve value for investments Catherine Threlkeld Staff Writer
ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille
Student Government Vice President Dani Borel, left, and President J Hudson leave a Tuesday meeting with Gov. Bobby Jindal and Chancellor Michael Martin.
Student Government President J Hudson and Vice President Dani Borel said Tuesday that Gov. Bobby Jindal’s responses to their concerns about higher education were swift but did not answer their questions. Hudson and Borel met with Chancellor Michael Martin and Jindal at the Governor’s Mansion on Tuesday to bring up students’ questions about the future of the University.
“We had a good meeting to- spout facts and statistics and not day, discussing how higher-educa- make it relevant to higher edution institutions cation,” Borel said can provide Monday. better value for Hudson said he students across was happy Jindal Louisiana for agreed to meet with the funds we them after all the efinvest in them,” forts SG has made to Jindal said in a talk to him. statement from Hudson said he press secretary and Borel laid out J Hudson Kyle Plotkin. three propositions for Borel said the governor to adSG president while Jindal dress — a forum at helped them understand some the University involving legislathings they didn’t know about tors and Jindal to discuss budget state funding and higher educa- cuts, the rationale for the Board of tion, his answers this week were Regents’’ funding formula and a to be expected. “They were very quick to CONCERNS, see page 15
‘‘
‘This [meeting] isn’t a publicity stunt. ... This is saving higher education and saving LSU.’
The Daily Reveille
Nation & World
page 2
INTERNATIONAL Premier Silvio Berlusconi: Better to love beautiful girls than gays ROME (AP) — Premier Silvio Berlusconi dismissed calls Tuesday to resign over his involvement with an underage Moroccan runaway — and even created a new uproar by claiming it was better to love beautiful girls than gays. His comments sparked outrage from gay rights groups and fueled new calls for him to step down. 10-year-old girl gives birth to baby in Spain; no criminal investigation MADRID (AP) — A 10-year-old girl has given birth in southern Spain and authorities are evaluating whether to let her and her family retain custody of the baby, an official said Tuesday. The baby was born last week in the city of Jerez de la Frontera, said Micaela Navarro, the Andalusia region’s social affairs minister. Navarro told reporters the father of the baby is also a minor, and both the mother and the baby were
in good health. Her department declined to give details, including the sex of the baby, but said authorities do not consider this a case of rape and that no criminal investigation is under way. Sydney’s premier zoo celebrates birth of first Asian female elephant SYDNEY (AP) — Sydney’s premier zoo is celebrating the birth of its first female Asian elephant — a 270-pound (120 kilogram) calf that is doing well. Taronga Zoo director Cameron Kerr said in a statement that the birth Tuesday means that Australia now has a dozen of the endangered animals in zoos in Sydney and Melbourne, after initially receiving eight from Thailand in 2006. The newborn, which has yet to be named, is the third born in the Sydney zoo and the first female. The zoo says the calf was suckling within two hours of birth and walking unassisted within three hours. A female baby elephant stands under her mother, Pak Boon, after the birth of the infant early Tuesday at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. The 270-pound youngster is still unnamed.
BOBBY-JOE VIAL / The Associated Press
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
NATIONAL
STATE/LOCAL
Michigan woman sells handwritten letter by Obama for $7K to pay bills
Caddo Parish Fire Chief’s Assoc. lifts burn ban after rain
Bicyclist dies from injuries after hitting an 18-wheeler trailer
DETROIT (AP) — Jennifer Cline said having President Barack Obama think enough about her family’s struggles to send a handwritten letter promising “things will keep getting better” was priceless — until she was offered $7,000 for the letter. The 28-year-old mother of two from southern Michigan, who has been unemployed since losing her job as a pharmacy technician in 2007, decided selling the memento to a persistent autograph collector was a good way to put a dent in her family’s growing pile of bills. “I needed to do what’s best for my family,” she said Tuesday, adding that she and her 30-year-old husband, Jason, remain staunch Obama supporters. “And this was best for my family.” The couple plans to use about $3,000 to pay down mounting bills, many of which are related to two forms of skin cancer that Jennifer has battled into remission.
SHREVEPORT (AP) — With the nearly four inches of rain received over the last 24-hours, the Caddo Parish Fire Chief’s Association has decided to lift a burn ban that has been in place for well over a month. The State Fire Marshal’s office and other parishes will make their decisions later today as to whether to keep a burn ban in place. The association tells KTBSTV in Shreveport that the burn ban, which prohibited citizens and contractors from any type of outdoor burning, will be lifted immediately in Caddo. Should citizens wish to burn outdoors, they must notify their local fire departments. Fire officials remind residents to always burn as far away from structures as possible, including homes, buildings and sheds, and to always have a water source available and/or a fire extinguisher as a precaution.
LAFAYETTE (AP) — Police said a 48-year-old Lafayette man has died from injuries he received after his bicycle struck an 18-wheeler trailer. Lafayette police say Carl James Lindon died Monday morning. The crash occurred about 9 p.m. Sunday. The Advocate reports the driver of the 18-wheeler told police that Lindon’s bicycle rolled into the roadway and collided with his trailer.
TODAY ON lsureveille.com
Read the latest music blog about Daft Punk. Listen to KLSU on 91.1 FM at 5:20 p.m. to hear about the LA Grad Act checkup.
Judge convicts Darrow man of manslaughter in a fatal shooting DONALDSONVILLE (AP) — A state district judge in Ascension Parish has convicted a Darrow man of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of his co-worker outside a Burnside grocery store almost two years ago. Prosecutors tell The Advocate that Judge Robert J. Klees took less than 30 minutes after a twoday bench trial last week to convict 43-year-old Renaldo Claiborne.
Weather
THURSDAY 70 40
TODAY High: Low:
74 52
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Heavy T-Storms
65 38 SUNDAY 71 47
65 39
RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN’ ON MY BOOTS @lsureveille, @TDR_news, @TDR_sports
Follow breaking news at facebook.com/ thedailyreveille
College of Engineering Thursday, November 4, 2010 Engr. Majors please join us for the 17th Annual LES Jambalaya Dinner 6 PM South Courtyard of Patrick F. Taylor
DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
See more photos of rainboots on campus on Snapshot at lsureveille.com.
“Engineering Your Future” seminar @ 5 pm in 1109 PFT Event is FREE and a great career enhancement opportunity
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Zeta’s Closet Clothes Drive Monday 11/1- Friday 11/4 Drop off clothes t box, 1st floor doors LSU Union, by cox DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Michael at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: officemanager@lsureveille.com
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards.This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes which may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified please contact the editor at (225) 5784811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille.com.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies for 25 cents, please contact the Office of Student Media in B-34 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and semi-weekly during the summer semester, except during holidays and final exams. Secondclass 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.
The Daily Reveille B-16 Hodges Hall • Baton Rouge, La. 70803 Sarah Lawson Robert Stewart Stephanie Giglio Steven Powell Xerxes A. Wilson Ryan Buxton David Helman Chris Branch Matthew Jacobs Andrew Robertson Adam Vaccarella Sheila De Guzman Marissa Barrow Care Bach Newsroom (225)578-4810
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, Production Managing Editor, External Media News Editor Deputy News/Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Deputy Sports Editor Production Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Deputy Photo Editor Reveille Radio Editor Advertising Sales Manager Advertising (225)578-6090
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
page 3
ENTERTAINMENT
Radio’s ‘From the Top’ taped in front of live campus audience NPR show features young musicians Sarah Eddington Staff Writer
Ten classical musicians got the chance to play in front of a live audience Tuesday evening for a national taping of one of the most popular classical music programs on the radio in the Shaver Theatre — and they were all younger than 18. The NPR program, titled “From the Top,” is broadcast on nearly 250 stations nationwide to an audience of more than 700,000 listeners each week. The show is hosted by Christopher O’Riley, international classical pianist and the College of Music and Dramatic Arts’ first James M. Sylar Distinguished Visiting Artist. It showcases performances and stories from America’s best precollege classical musicians. Nine of the 10 performers were Louisiana natives. “Our goal is to have at least one [performer who] is local. Sometimes it’s more, and very rarely do we come up empty,” said David Balsom, tour producer. “In this case we were fortunate that we had real variety in Louisiana kids. Four out of the five acts are from the state.” Performances included a cello piece by 15-year-old Jean Kim from Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., a piano piece by 16-year-old Jennifer Tu from New Orleans, a soprano performance by 17-year-old Jennifer Seidel of Baton Rouge, a viola piece by Marcus Rose, 17, from Shreveport and a jazz piece by The Red Hot Brass Band, whose six members all hail from Louisiana. “We always knew there was terrific music making in Louisiana, so we weren’t particularly surprised [by the large number of locals],” Balsom said. “And, of course, we’d never have a traditional jazz band anywhere else but in Louisiana.” Seidel said she has been singing for as long as she can remember and used to pretend her Barbie dolls would sing to each other rather than talk.
“I was singing before I was talking,” she said. Seidel said her vocal coach, University voice professional Terry Patrick-Harris, suggested she submit a tape for the “From the Top” audition. “We did it for fun,” Seidel said, adding that she never expected to actually make it on the show. “I was just really surprised.” Laurence Kaptain, dean of the College of Music and Dramatic Arts, said he formed a relationship with the “From the Top” program in 2005 after bringing them to the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University where he was working at the time. Kaptain said the program was such a hit that he wanted to bring it to LSU. In December 2009, CMDA formed a collaboration with O’Riley — he will be distinguished here until 2013. The taping served as part of the appointment, and the program will continue to collaborate with the University for a three-year series of community engagements, partnerships, arts leadership and communication activities. Kaptain said he hopes to create awareness about the University’s music and performing arts programs. “It’s a way of making sure they’ll remember LSU,” he said. “I’d like to think I’m doing my part to show that Louisiana really is a great place, and you can succeed here. There’s a lot that gets cast against the shadows in this state.” Kaptain said it’s also
significant to see so many local musicians in the performance. “When I hosted the show in Georgia, only two of the performers were from the area,” he said. “This time, it’s nearly the entire lineup.” Jennifer Hurley-Wales, CEO of “From the Top,” said the focus of the show is on the performers. “The idea is to celebrate young musicians the way our country celebrates young athletes,” she said. “We want to applaud them for their talent and perseverance and to inspire people to keep music education alive.” The taping concluded with a rousing rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In” by The Red Hot Brass Band, during which the entire audience stood up and clapped their hands in unison. The episode will air nationally the week of Dec. 13.
ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille
Marcus Rose, a 17-year-old from Shreveport, La., performs Tuesday in the Shaver Theatre for “From the Top.” The show showcases young classical music prodigies.
Contact Sarah Eddington at seddington@lsureveille.com
Wednesday November 3
Pluckers Wing Bar Mon.: $14.99 All You Can Eat Wings and $3 Pluckers Lemonades Tues.: Kids Eat Free, $3 Mexican Beers and Margaritas Wed: Trivia at 8 pm, $4.50 Mother Plucker Mugs of Bud and Miller Thurs: $15.99 All You Can Eat Wings, $4.50 Mother Plucker Mugs of Bud Light and Miller Lite, $5.50 Patron Margaritas Sun: $3 Pluckers Specialty Shots
9-10:30 AM 12-1:30 PM 4:00-5:30PM 7:30-8:00 PM 8:00- 9:30 PM 11:00-12:30
7:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m. Noon, 3:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m.
Beetlejuice Iron Man 2 Twilight The Ramen on Ch. 19 Drag Me to Hell Paranormal Activity
The Daily Reveille
page 4
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
UNION
Leisure Arts Studio to reopen after four year closure Student fees funded renovation project Andrew Cavazos Contributing Writer
The Student Union is expecting the Leisure Arts Studio to reopen in January after it was closed for nearly four years for renovations. The space was previously located on the third floor of the Union, but the architects moved it to the first floor to meet health codes — which the old space did not — and maximize exposure, according to Lynne Maxwell, assistant director of leisure and arts in the Union. “Our old space had the kilns in the main work room, and that is not a situation you want,” Maxwell said. “It was something that needed to be corrected. The kilns give off fumes that aren’t healthy for people to breathe.” Now that the new space meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines, it is pro-
ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille
Lynne Maxwell, assistant director of leisure and arts in the Student Union, gives a tour Tuesday of the new Leisure Arts Studio being constructed on the ground floor of the Union.
jected to open for the beginning of the spring semester, said Shirley Plakidas, Union director.
The space was funded entirely by self-imposed student fees, Maxwell said. After a vote from
students, Maxwell said a student committee imposed a Union Fee that students paid on their fee bills, Maxwell said. Plakidas said the space is supposed to be a creative outlet for students. “We have great expectations for the center. We think it is going to do really well,” Plakidas said. The new location provides a much-needed increase in space for students to engage in leisure activities, Plakidas said. “Historically, there has been a lot of interest in jewelry, woodworking and ceramics. The new location will provide more space for a student to do whatever he or she chooses,” Plakidas said. One of the most popular requests for leisure classes is ceramics, Maxwell said. “We always hear students say they wanted to throw [clay], but couldn’t get in the class,” Maxwell said. “This will be a venue for that.” In addition to the usual classes offered, the leisure classes will now include hand-building clay, wheel-
throwing clay, jewelry, stained glass and watercolors, Maxwell said. The average student cost per six-week class is around $150, Maxwell said. The studio also has new programs including day-time workshops and short one- or two-hour introductory leisure courses, Maxwell said. These shorter classes are nice afternoon activities for students between classes and can hone creativity without a long-term commitment, Maxwell said. The leisure class registration for the new location opens Dec. 10. “We are very excited. We have had all of our clay equipment in storage for four years, and we are ready to get that out,” Maxwell said. “It will be an exciting place to explore something you have always wanted to explore.”
Contact Andrew Cavazos at acavazos@lsureveille.com
BUDGET CUTS
Group presents ‘Don’t Sink LSU’ banner to Faculty Senate Signatures represent student awareness Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
The University group Proud Students presented the Faculty Senate with a signed “Don’t Sink LSU” banner Tuesday at the monthly Faculty Senate meeting. Bradley Wood, co-founder of Proud Students and biological sciences and philosophy senior, said the group has collected signatures from students, faculty and staff to endorse the message. “We want to present this banner to the Faculty Senate to make faculty aware that, yes, historically students are apathetic, but that’s not the case this semester or this year,” Wood said. “We are aware of what is going on, what the Faculty Senate is doing and what the governor is or is not doing.” Wood said Proud Students and everyone who signed the banner do not want to see the University fall. He also endorsed the upcoming “Rally for Higher Education” on Nov. 10 at the Capitol. “Hopefully, people in the United States will see that Louisiana will not stand for cuts to higher education,” he said. Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope applauded the efforts of the students and noted the national attention the Oct. 7 jazz funeral for higher education attracted. “We owe debt to the most active students for coming up with an idea that managed to focus the eyes of the nation on the unfortunate nature here,” Cope said. In other action, the Senate
heard the second and final reading of Resolution 10-14.1 and 10-14.2, which concerned action to reclaim faculty authority over the curriculum and the recent layoffs. Resolution 10-14.1, which specifically referred to the layoffs of the “foreign language 14,” was unanimously approved, while 1014.2, a similar but more in-depth document, raised heavy discussion among the senators. Controversy surrounded the notion of furloughs in 10-14.2, which the Senate deemed “unlikely.” Justin Walsh, College of Art and Design senator, first called attention to the emphasis on furloughs, saying, “It’s not our job to
suggest solutions.” Other senators agreed and said the larger issue is the transparency process in selecting which faculty members will be terminated. Despite attempts to reword clauses and structure, the resolution was not passed. The Senate was also presented information from Monty Sullivan, executive vice president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, on statewide transfer programs and the opportunities available. “In Louisiana we don’t have an effective transfer environment, period,” Sullivan said. “We have a lot of implementation work today, and I’d like to ask your help in that ef-
fort to help move us forward.” In the President’s Report, Cope addressed the issue of laptops in class, among other issues. “There is no insurgent movement to require laptops on campus,” he said. “I would like to point out
that faculty members do have the power to control the decor of the classroom.” Contact Sydni Dunn at sdunn@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
CRIME
Undercover LSUPD will target gameday scalpers Selling tickets can earn $500 fine, jail Parker Cramer Contributing Writer
The University is preparing to combat ticket scalpers as one of the biggest home football games of the year approaches Saturday. The LSU Athletic Department is concerned about students and nonstudents alike trying to sell Alabama tickets for greater than face value, said Hunter Geisman, LSU Ticket Office Coordinator. The LSU Police Department will have undercover officers patrolling campus looking for scalpers on game day, Geisman said. Geisman said in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille that LSU Athletics has staff members who “periodically check various websites for those students trying to make a profit on their student tickets.” Craigslist.org has several student tickets for the Alabama game listed at prices ranging from $1 to $150, while many posts offer a “free” student ticket with the purchase of items such as pens and paperclips. “I don’t know how people can get that much for them,” said Elizabeth Bernard, kinesiology junior. Alex France, kinesiology junior, said he understands the appeal of scalped tickets, but not at expensive
prices. Geisman said another common gameday infraction is people trying to use student IDs that don’t belong to them to get into Tiger Stadium. “We are aware of people using other students’ IDs. A good number of people who do this get caught,” Geisman said. When students are caught using improper identification, they are referred to the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability, which is located on site at the student gate, Geisman said. Selling a ticket for higher than face value, or scalping, is illegal under Louisiana law. “No person shall resell or offer to resell such admission ticket for an amount in excess of the price printed on the face of the ticket,” according to the Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 4 on Amusements and Sports. The statute also says a person who scalps tickets may be fined between $100 and $500 and can be imprisoned for 30 to 90 days. Contact Parker Cramer at pcramer@lsureveille.com
CAMPUS CRIME BRIEFS Man arrested for carrying burglary tools, resisting arrest and fleeing LSU Police Department officers arrested a 27-year-old man unaffiliated with the University for carrying burglary tools and resisting arrest Oct. 25. Emmanuel Muhammad, of 4617 Earl Gros Ave. Apt. 11, was peering into parked cars in a parking lot on Nicholson Extension when officers responded to a complaint of a suspicious person, said Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSUPD spokesman. Muhammad fled the area on foot, Tabor said, and police subdued him near the CC’s Coffee House on Burbank Drive. He was issued a misdemeanor summons and released, Tabor said. Anti-abortion protesters arrested for distributing dead-baby photos Officers arrested a man and a woman in the Quad, both unaffiliated with the University, for remaining after being forbidden and disturbing the peace by unlawful assembly. At 10:40 a.m. on Oct. 26, officers responded to a complaint about anti-abortion protesters distributing pamphlets depicting dead babies, Tabor said. Officers told the two to relocate to Free Speech Plaza numerous times, but they refused, Tabor said. Officers arrested Kirstina Garza,
page 5 24, of 6238 Preakness Place in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and Henry Shaver, 32, of 2800 South Highland Mesa Road in Flagstaff, Ariz. Garza and Shaver were issued misdemeanor summonses and released, Tabor said. Man arrested for threatening to hit woman refusing to speak to him A man unaffiliated with the University was arrested for assault on Oct. 27. A woman was walking outside the Student Union when Dustin Douglas, 24, of 602 West Arizona Street #11, Holbrook, Ariz., asked if she would speak with him, Tabor said. The woman declined then filled out a survey for two women in the plaza not connected with Douglas. Douglas became upset and threatened to pour water on the woman and punch her in the face, Tabor said. Officers issued him a misdemeanor summons. Man arrested for attempting to sell magazine subscriptions in the Quad Officers arrested a 25-year-old man unaffiliated with the University on Oct. 28 for remaining after being forbidden. Officers received complaints of
people trying to sell magazine subscriptions in the Quad, Tabor said. Anil Kermally, of 200 Private Road 8608, Tennessee Colony, Texas, who was banned from campus last year, was issued a misdemeanor summons. Another person received a warning, Tabor said. Man refuses breathalyzer, arrested for DWI and improper lane usage Officers arrested a 28-year-old man unaffiliated with the University for DWI and improper lane usage Oct. 31. Police patrolling Highland Road around 2:30 a.m. saw a vehicle cross the white fog line and hit the curb of the sidewalk, Tabor said. Officers stopped the vehicle, driven by Christian Major, of 2089 Fountain Ave., and conducted a field sobriety test of which Major failed all three aspects and showed signs of intoxication, Tabor said. Major refused a breathalyzer test and was booked in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, Tabor said.
Read more campus crimes at lsureveille.com Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
page 6
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
EMPLOYMENT
LSU engineering graduate salaries higher than most
Catherine Threlkeld Staff Writer
College of Engineering Dean Richard Koubek is concerned about corporations no longer recruiting students because of budget cuts, though engineering students receive higher salaries than average. The average starting salary for University engineering graduates is 6 to 8 percent higher than the national average, according to Koubek. The University’s top five highest-earning degrees are petroleum,
chemical, mechanical, electrical and civil engineering, according to a salary survey provided by University Relations. The average for University petroleum engineering graduates is $87,214, as opposed to the national average at $83,121. “The fact companies are paying 6, 7, 8 percent more starting salary — that’s impressive,” Koubek said. The University has been a source of recruiting for corporations like Chevron, Exxon Mobil and Halliburton, who hire students straight from graduation, Koubek said.
graphic by CAITLYN CONDON
RESLIFE
Pentagon residents left without laundry facility Service building is under construction Rachel Warren Staff Writer
Pentagon residents have been walking across a parking lot to do their laundry since August and will continue to do so into next semester. Jay High, ResLife communications manager, said the service building that used to contain the Pentagon’s laundry room has been under construction since the summer. “It was in need of a little bit of attention,” High said. High said the original plan was for the building to be completed by the beginning of the semester, but ResLife ran into contracting issues, causing construction delays. He said construction should be complete by early spring. High said the service building in the Pentagon also housed the Mini Mart, which was closed because The 5 dining hall includes a convenience store. High said once construction is complete, the service building will house a laundry facility, a 24-hour front desk, a computer lab and a common room. “We want to provide residents with a sense of community,” High said. He said the project will cost $500,000, which will come from student housing fees. High said Pentagon residents
are currently using the laundry facilities in Broussard Hall and he understands why they may be upset. “It’s a little inconvenient, but we think it’s worth it,” High said. Because plans were delayed, the service building was under construction when students arrived. No official e-mail was sent to residents notifying them of the construction, High said. Brent Fontenot, mechanical engineering sophomore and Pentagon resident, said he would have appreciated an e-mail. “It’d be nicer to have more machines for all these people,” he said. Fontenot said he’s tired of sharing six washing machines and dryers with Broussard residents and the approximately 550 Pentagon residents. “It really sucks hauling all my clothes over there,” Fontenot said. “The availability of those [machines] is pretty ridiculous.” Past efforts to improve the area include renovating Broussard, LeJeune and Jackson halls and erecting wrought-iron gates to ensure residents’ safety, particularly during tailgating, he said. High said ResLife also hopes to one day remove the small buildings in the center of the Pentagon and build a gazebo. “It will just look a little bit nicer,” High said.
Contact Rachel Warren at rwarren@lsureveille.com
“We have to be very creative on how we’re going to deliver [the] education of the future,” Koubek said. “You can’t just Band-Aid over it.” Koubek said the College of Engineering may have to teach larger class sizes and teach labs differently to protect the integrity of an LSU degree. “We are continually getting questioned about our ability to educate students to the quality we have in the past,” Koubek said.
Besides getting creative, the University needs to diversify its funding, Koubek said. “[Teaching] takes money, and that [means we need to] diversify streams of support,” Koubek said. “We do look to partner more with companies who are hiring our students.” Besides receiving support from alumni, Koubek said the school partners with companies. Koubek said
Chevron donated nearly $5 million to the school for faculty support, student support, renovating labs and for undergraduate scholarships. “I joke all the new stuff is from philanthropy because of the generosity of our donors,” Koubek said.
Contact Catherine Threlkeld at cthrelkeld@lsureveille.com
Sports The Power’s Back
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
page 7
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Miles, players looking forward to Alabama’s pro-style running attack Sean Isabella Sports Writer
Mississippi State did it. West Virginia ran it. Florida operated it. Auburn perfected it. The one thing these teams have in common, like many NCAA football teams, is a heavy reliance on the spread offense. After defending against the spread for a large chunk of its first eight games, the LSU football team finally gets a break Saturday when Alabama rolls into town. Alabama, unlike many offenses, runs a traditional pro-style offense that involves basic I-formation and single-back sets, which is music to LSU coach Les Miles’ ears. “We are looking forward to I-back runs and guys that line up in a position that we are comfortable defending,” Miles said. Miles isn’t the only one looking forward to Alabama’s traditional attack, as OFFENSE, see page 11
Traditional pro-style offenses and spread-oriented attacks LSU’s defense has played heading into the Alabama game: Pro-style: North Carolina, Tennessee
Spread: WADE PAYNE / The Associated Press
Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) is tackled by Tennessee’s Nick Reveiz (56), Brent Brewer (17) and others Oct. 23 during Alabama’s 41-10 win. LSU is preparing to take on Alabama on Saturday.
Auburn, Florida, McNeese State, Mississippi State, West Virginia, Vanderbilt
Johnson frustrated following scrimmages
Rowan Kavner Sports Writer
It’s never good when a coach is “disappointed” after a weekend of scrimmages. LSU men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson used that word to describe the Tigers’ rebounding and defense following scrimmages against Tulane and Southern Miss this past weekend. “One of the things we wanted to accomplish out of this is finding out where we were from an intensity standpoint and physical standpoint, and quite frankly it was disappointing at times,” Johnson said Tuesday at a news conference. Johnson said the only positive he can take out of the weekend is the issues can be fixed. “We charted everything,” he said. “Against Tulane, we had six missed blockouts. Against Southern Miss, we had 17. That’s correctable.” Johnson said his four freshmen are behind defensively but expects them all to be ready when the season starts Nov. 12 against Northwestern State. “What’s good about it is they’re not pleased,” he said. “As intense as practice has been and as SCRIMMAGES, see page 11
SOCCER
Sixth-seed LSU takes on Tennessee in SEC tournament Tigers need 3 wins for NCAA berth Ryan Ginn Sports Contributor
Nothing has come easily this season for the LSU soccer team. The Tigers (7-8-4, 4-3-3) have endured a goalkeeper battle, constantly shuffled lineups, a recordsetting amount of scoreless draws and growing pains that come with a roster that includes 11 true freshmen. But all the uncertainties have produced one simple truth: LSU will need three consecutive wins in the Southeastern Conference tournament, which begins today for LSU against Tennessee, to qualify for its fourth straight NCAA tournament. It has been nearly a calendar year since the Tigers last won three consecutive matches, and LSU has never won the SEC tournament.
LSU lost in the final to South Caro- Martineau bailed out LSU with a lina last season. last-gasp equalizer. LSU dropped one spot to the There will be no ties this time, sixth seed in the as all games must tournament after have a winner to Auburn’s win Frikeep the tournaday cost LSU the ment going. SEC West chamSome of those pionship, but now games may come LSU can’t face the down to penalty top seed, Florida, shootouts, which until the championhas been someship match. thing of a nightKellie Murphy “We’ve worked mare for the Tigers LSU junior midfielder all season to get recently. where we finally are LSU is 0-3 in now,” said junior midfielder Kellie shootouts since 2008, with junior Murphy. “It’s been a little bumpy goalkeeper Mo Isom taking all three along the way, but we feel confident losses. that we can do well in the tournaIsom has since ceded the job ment.” to freshman goalkeeper Megan First up is Tennessee (10-8-1, Kinneman, but Kinneman failed to 7-3-1), an opponent the Tigers have stop either of the penalty kicks she had relative success against in recent faced in the regular season. years. The two teams tied, 1-1, in LSU coach Brian Lee is still Knoxville, Tenn., earlier this season after junior midfielder Natalie TENNESSEE, see page 11
‘‘
‘It’s been a little bumpy along the way, but we feel confident that we can do well in the tournament.’
LYNDSI LEWIS / The Daily Reveille
LSU junior midfielder Natalie Martineau dribbles the ball Friday against Arkansas freshman midfielder Jessie Givens during the Tigers’ 1-0 win against the Razorbacks.
The Daily Reveille
page 8
SOCCER
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
VOLLEYBALL
Tigers New offense powering LSU through conference slate Schatow moves from chosen outside to middle for SEC honors Mark Clements Sports Contributor
Two freshmen and one junior awarded Ryan Ginn Sports Contributor
LSU junior defender Allysha Chapman was named to the First-Team All-Southeastern Conference on Tuesday, while freshman forward Addie Eggleston and freshman goalkeeper Megan Kinneman were named to the SEC All-Freshman team. This marks the fourth consecutive year LSU has had a player named First-Team All-SEC. The Tigers have been represented on the All-Freshman team in each of coach Brian Lee’s six seasons with the program. It is the second All-SEC honor for Chapman, who received a spot on the second team as a midfielder in 2009. Her move to left defensive back paid immediate dividends and has resulted in an improved back line that has allowed multiple goals in just two of its last 15 games. Chapman was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week following her first game at left back, in which she spearheaded a shutout of then-No. 10 BYU on the road. Eggleston opened her LSU career with two goals and three assists in her first game, earning an SEC Freshman of the Week selection in the process. She started in 18 of 19 games for a front line that often struggled to find the back of the net, and she finished the season with two goals and seven assists. Kinneman is the second goalkeeper from LSU to be named to the All-Freshman team, along with junior goalkeeper Mo Isom, whom Kinneman supplanted as the starter midway through the season. The Missouri City, Texas, native has allowed just nine goals in 12 games and is on pace to break Isom’s school record for season goals-against average. Contact Ryan Ginn at rginn@lsureveille.com
Les Miles and Co. isn’t the only crew on campus trying to revamp its offense. The LSU volleyball team has made changes to its offensive arsenal as well, using different looks and matchups to throw off opponents and change the tempo of the Tiger attack. LSU coach Fran Flory said the team needed to find a more natural and comfortable rhythm to work in after losing to Ole Miss two weeks ago. “We had a little crack in the armor, and we had to get back in the gym and get real specific on our offensive tempo,” Flory said. “We made a few adjustments in how we’re playing and the tempo that we’re playing.” The biggest change came with the move of 6-foot-4-inch senior Tania Schatow from the outside hitter position to a middle-blocker role to increase her touches. “We put Tania more in the middle, and I think we’re playing a little bit of a different rotation,” Flory said. “I think that part has added a ton of versatility, and it’s created more opportunities for Tania.” The adjustments have done just that. Through the first 16 matches, Schatow attempted nine or more kill attempts just three times. The senior has reached that mark in each of the last four matches and in five of the last seven. Schatow said the team’s athleticism and flexibility is the key to changing the offensive look in the middle of the season.
SARAH HUNT / The Daily Reveille
LSU senior outside hitter Angela Bensend prepares to serve the ball Sunday during the Tigers’ 3-0 win against Alabama in the PMAC. LSU has changed its offense.
“Since we’re all great athletes, we can run a lot of different things,” Schatow said. “Everyone can play everywhere, so it’s just really nice. It’s a different matchup for them and us too because we’re playing different positions.” The new offensive rotation has also opened the door for freshman middle blocker Desiree Elliott and junior middle blocker Michele Williams to get more swings of their own. Elliott only reached the double-digit kill plateau four times in LSU’s first 16 matches. She has surpassed that mark in five of the last seven matches, including a career-high 15-kill showing at Georgia. “Everybody’s going to try to stop Desi because she’s putting up
the big numbers,” Flory said. “Part of the reason we changed our lineup was to give [senior setter Brittney Johnson] some other options and to take some of the pressure off Desi so she doesn’t have to be the one in those rotations.” Along with relieving Elliott,
Flory said another reason for change was to take some of the pressure off senior outside hitter Angela Bensend, who currently leads the Southeastern Conference in kills per set. “We don’t want to set [Bensend] 50 times in a three-set match. Nobody can weather that storm,” Flory said. “She carried us for a long time, but you can’t do that for 30 matches in a year.” While the Tigers’ new offense may pass the eye test, sophomore outside hitter Madie Jones said the team is still adjusting and getting comfortable with the changes. “It’s really nice because a lot of our players can hit a bunch of different positions, and so it’s kind of like the surprise element when we switch things up,” Jones said. “We definitely have to keep working on it, though, because we’re still not completely comfortable in it yet, but it’s definitely a fun thing to switch it up.” LSU has a full week off to perfect its new-look offense before taking on Ole Miss this Sunday in the PMAC. The Tigers will be out for revenge, as the Rebels are one of only two teams who have delivered losses to LSU this season. Contact Mark Clements at mclements@lsureveille.com
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
The Daily Reveille
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Quianna Chaney or Allison Hightower visit LSU. But Graham said she and Eason are focused on leading the 2010-11 squad with the season opener on the horizon Nov. 14 Rachel Whittaker against Northwestern. Chief Sports Writer “I’m not the quickest or most LSU senior guard Katherine athletic guard,” Graham said. Graham’s tenure with the wom- “What I lack in physical ability, I en’s basketball team started off try to make up for mentally. There with a bang, as the Lady Tigers are a lot of things we can work advanced all the way to the Final on as a team — execution offenFour in the 2007-08 season and sively and defensively, in-bounds fell one point short of a national plays and other things that come championship berth. with time ... that help us play well But the team has not been together.” back to that stage since then, losChancellor said Graham’s ing in the NCAA tournament in role has evolved with the team in the second round in Graham’s her three previous seasons, and sophomore and junior seasons. her confidence has grown as she With Graham’s senior year has received more playing time. getting under way this month, “She came here as a freshLSU coach Van Chancellor knows man as a power forward and her value to the team. Chancellor small forward and has moved to said Graham has progressed leaps two-guard and the perimeter,” and bounds since Chancellor said. her freshman sea“She’s improved son, which was her shot. She’s the also Chancellor’s most improved first at LSU. defensive player “It’s been I’ve been around remarkable that in a long time.” Katherine GraLSU’s 2007ham has turned 08 Final Four Katherine Graham full-cycle,” Chanberth was the fifth LSU senior guard cellor said. “I told straight in proher, ‘If there’s gram history to anything I wish I would have that point and Chancellor’s first done, I wish I would have red- Final Four appearance as a head shirted her, her freshman year.’ coach. I’d love to have her back.” In his fourth season with the Graham, a preseason second- Lady Tigers, Chancellor said “ulteam All-Southeastern Confer- timate team players” like Graham ence selection, is the most expe- will be critical to getting over the rienced player on LSU’s roster second-round hump in the NCAA with 82 career games played and tournament this season. 56 starts, including 40 in a row. “I’d like her to carry me back She led the Lady Tigers in assists one more time,” he said. in 2009-10 with 3.5 per game and became the second Lady Tiger to Contact Rachel Whittaker at record a triple-double in a game rwhittaker@lsureveille.com in a triple-overtime loss to Ole Miss in February. Graham said knowing what a trip to the Final Four tastes like makes her all the more determined to get back in her final season. She and fellow senior guard Latear Eason are the only remaining players on the LSU roster from that team. “I don’t think it spoiled me,” Graham said. “It just made me hungrier and more willing to get better and get my team to the same position I was fortunate enough to get to my freshman year. I got to see what it takes to be a championship-type program.” Eason said she and Graham were like sisters as the two freshmen on the 2007-08 roster. The two were roommates and bonded together as the youngest players. “We went everywhere together,” Eason said. “If we weren’t together, it would be like, ‘Where’s [Graham] or where’s Latear?’” Eason said they occasionally reminisce about that season, especially when former teammates like Sylvia Fowles, Erica White,
difficult and inspirational,” Starkey said at a news conference Oct. 28. “Sherie’s battle with breast cancer has enabled us to cross paths with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and we have been moved to become inKatherine Terrell volved with them on the personal Sports Contributor level as well as creating a partner“Pink-out” games have be- ship with our Lady Tiger family.” come a familiar sight in the past Most of the members of the few years, as sports teams across team have friends or family besides the nation don pink jerseys to pro- Starkey who have been affected by mote breast cancer the disease, Graawareness. ham said. The Lady Ti“It’s affectger basketball team ing a lot of womhas decided to take en these days,” things a step further Graham said. than a simple pink Chancellor game and promote said the partnerthe cause yearship with Susan Van Chancellor round. G. Komen just LSU has part- LSU women’s basketball coach seemed like the nered up with Susan next natural step G. Komen’s Baton Rouge affiliate, for the team, which has held pink along with beginning a new service games for years. plan called “Operation Impact.” “They’re a great organizaJanet Dewey-Kollen, the affiliate’s tion,” Chancellor said. “It just director, said the plan is to support seemed like the thing to do.” awareness and early detection and reach a broader audience than before. With this new partnership, the Lady Tigers will participate in educational opportunities around the area, said women’s basketball coach Van Chancellor. The team will also use social media like Facebook to promote the cause. The goal is to reach 100,000 people between now and the annual Pink Zone Game, planned for Jan. 30 against Georgia. Senior guard Katherine Graham said breast cancer awareness is not only an important issue but also a personal one for her and her teammates. Sherie Starkey, wife of associate head coach Bob Starkey, went through treatment for the disease two years ago. “The journey that Sherie and I began two years ago has been both
page 9
Graham enters senior LSU partners with Komen for season with big goals breast cancer awareness campaign Guard determined to reach Final Four
‘‘
‘What I lack in physical ability, I try to make up for mentally.’
Annual Pink Zone game will be Jan. 30
‘‘
‘We’re very involved in the community. Our team wants to give back.’
While Susan G. Komen and the pink games get a lot of attention, Chancellor said his team loves to perform community service even if their efforts go unnoticed. “We’re very involved in the community,” Chancellor said. “Our team wants to give back.” The Lady Tigers surprised 90-year-old Elizabeth Stevens last week by showing up at her birthday party and giving her a jersey. On their days off, they like to visit the Louisiana School for the Deaf and mentor children. Graham said service is more than just about helping the community — she said it’s fun, too. “I love the pink games,” Graham said. Graham said the pink games not only promote a great cause, but the fans also seem to love it. They always seem to come out in full force wearing pink. Contact Katherine Terrell at kterrell@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
page 10
UREC
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Fall sport intramural playoffs heating up Inaugural futsal season winding down Hunt Palmer Sports Contributor
As the calendar turns to November, the leaves and intramural teams are beginning to fall. After tonight’s quarterfinal action, the Greek A Flag Football bracket will be down to four teams. ACACIA A will put its perfect record on the line tonight at 6:30 as they take on Kappa Alpha A. After a big first round win against Pi Kappa Phi B, Kappa Sigma B looks to take down Pi Kappa Alpha, who advanced to the quarterfinals because of a forfeit by ACACIA Gold last week. ACACIA Black, another undefeated squad, takes on Lambda Chi C at 8:30. The nightcap involves a pair of 5-1 teams, Sigma Nu A and Sigma Phi Epsilon A. Only 11 teams remain in the Men’s Open A Flag Football bracket. Undefeated Heman Woman Hater Club takes the field Wednesday against an MBA Ballers team that ousted Loose Cannons in convincing fashion last Thursday. The inaugural futsal season is winding down as well. The Men’s Greek A bracket is down to eight teams in the quarterfinals. All eight teams hit the court Wednesday to fight for a semifinal birth. Sig Ep B and Sigma Nu seem poised for deep runs in the bracket. Sigma Nu posted an impressive win in the first round of the playoffs, and Sig Ep B awaits Sigma Chi after a first-round bye. A dozen teams remain in the Men’s Open A Futsal Championship bracket. Undefeated Team Kirk highlights tonight’s action, as it takes on upset-minded LSU Law 1Ls. In late night action, The Kick 6000s, 4-1, will play Those Guys at 10:15. Those Guys squeaked into the playoffs by clipping Victorious Secret by a single goal in the play-in round. In the Women’s Futsal Championship bracket, semifinal action gets under way next week. The Goal Diggers ran the table in the regular season and enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed. They’ll take on Delta Zeta, who advanced into the semis by defeating Kappa Kappa Gamma 10-0 last weekend.
Contact Hunt Palmer at hpalmer@lsureveille.com
ERIC GAY / The Associated Press
San Francisco Giants pitcher and former LSU pitcher Brian Wilson celebrates Monday after recording the final out to defeat the Texas Rangers and win the World Series.
WNBA
Chatman named GM, coach of Chicago Sky Staff Reports Former LSU women’s basketball coach Pokey Chatman is now the general manager and head coach of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, the team announced Tuesday. Chatman got the job after coaching Russian team Spartak Moscow Region to a 16-0 Euroleague record and the 2010 Euroleague Championship. “Pokey knows how to lead,” said Chicago Sky Principle Owner Michael Alter in a news release. “She has demonstrated success at both the professional and college levels. She brings a deep knowledge of basketball combined with an intensity and commitment to winning that is among the very best in women’s basketball. Though demanding
and driven, players respond positively to Pokey, and I anticipate that her leadership will help the Sky become a championship team.” Chatman was a three-time AllSoutheastern Conference selection during her playing career at LSU, which lasted from 1987 to 1991. She also served as the Lady Tigers’ head coach from 2004 until 2007, leading the team to two Southeastern Conference titles and two Final Four appearances. Chatman resigned from her position at LSU on March 7, 2007, amid allegations of a sexual relationship between her and a former player. Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
head one of the nation’s most potent rushing attacks. nearly every defensive player at “Alabama, it’s no secret they Monday’s player interview session are going to line up in the I-back and agreed it will be a relief to face a single back and run the ball down familiar offense. your throat, and if you don’t conGranted, the LSU defense just trol the line of scrimmage up front got torched by Auburn junior quar- and make tackles, they will do it all terback Cam Newnight long,” said ton and his accomsenior linebacker plices for a hefty Kelvin Sheppard. 440 rushing yards. Running the “It will be a ball down opwhole lot easier ponents’ throats because we won’t is exactly what have to worry Alabama does. In about a guy who eight games, the Patrick Peterson can run it and Crimson Tide are LSU junior cornerback pass it at the same averaging 35 rushtime,” said LSU juing attempts per nior safety Brandon Taylor. “It will contest. be less stressful on the defense.” But they aren’t exactly one-diThe majority of the defensive mensional. Alabama also ranks No. players agreed they are best suited 4 in the Southeastern Conference in for the downhill rushing attack passing with 253.9 yards per game, that Alabama uses. During games meaning if LSU keys too much on against the likes of Mississippi the rushing attack, senior quarterState, Auburn and Florida, LSU’s back Greg McElroy will burn the defensive linemen — more spe- LSU defense through the air. cifically the ends — worried more Even so, Tigers junior corabout containment than anything nerback Patrick Peterson knows else to prevent the quarterback from LSU defensive coordinator John escaping the pocket. Now it’s all about stopping the run, and getting penetration from the linemen is key to pave the way for the rest of the defense to corral the ball carrier. “We’re focused more on the running backs and keeping them in and let our backers make a play,” said redshirt freshman defensive end Barkevious Mingo. Without having to worry about defending a spread offense, LSU can turn its attention to Alabama’s two-headed monster — junior running back and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram as well as sophomore Trent Richardson. Ingram missed the first two games of the season following minor knee surgery in August but has since accumulated 544 yards and eight touchdowns. His counterpart Richardson has accounted for 606 yards and five touchdowns to spear-
OFFENSE, from page 7
‘‘
‘It’s going to be fun going against this traditional offense.’
File photo
LSU junior forward Storm Warren (24) dribbles the ball Jan. 4 during LSU’s 83-60 win against McNeese State. The Tigers’ season begins Nov. 12 against Northwestern State.
SCRIMMAGES, from page 7
much as they’ve been thrown in the fire, they’ve held up physically as good as anybody.” LSU played Tulane on Saturday then spent the night in Hattiesburg, Miss., before playing the Golden Eagles on Sunday. Sophomore forward Eddie Ludwig said against Tulane each team would have 10 possessions and switch, but the scrimmage against Southern Miss was more like a real game. Ludwig said the freshmen handled themselves well during the course of the weekend. “You could tell coming out they weren’t really sure what to expect, but once they got in the flow of the game and got under control and started handling the pressure well, that was a positive,” he said. Ludwig said he was thrilled the Tigers could get on the road and room together before the season to help build team chemistry. “It gives you a little taste of what it’s like to travel, which we’ll be doing in the season, and that’s good for the freshmen,” Ludwig said. Freshman guard Andre Stringer said he had a few jitters playing against another college team for the first time even though there were no fans in attendance. “The intensity is very high,” Stringer said. “I have a lot of work to
TENNESSEE, from page 7
confident in his goalkeeper to help propel the Tigers to a deep run. “Megan’s been tremendous all year,” he said. “The intelligence and composure to punt the ball out of bounds with 20 seconds left [against Arkansas] is a good example of Megan. While everyone else is running around panicked, she punts the ball out of bounds and the game ends.” Kinneman will have to play composed to compensate for an erratic offense that typically leaves the back line with no margin for error. The Tigers have had 14 of 19 matches decided by one goal or fewer this season, many of which they were on the wrong end. “We’re struggling scoring. ... It’s either going to be a nil-nil game or a one-nil game,” said senior defender Courtney Alexander. “In the SEC, you can’t have huge mental mistakes because the other team will capitalize on it.” Ultimately, the Tigers may benefit from their grind-it-out style in the postseason.
do. It’s going to be a long road, but I’m going to work hard to get there.” Stringer, who is the all-time leading scorer at Forest Park High School in Mississippi, said he’s comfortable playing in the half-court set or playing fast paced, but the focus has been on the latter. “Coach wants us to push the ball this year,” Stringer said. “We’ve been working on being a faster team. We did work on that a little bit in the scrimmages.” Johnson said junior forward Malcolm White was rusty, but he said that’s expected because White sat out a season after transferring. “When I say rusty, he was on the court longer than I would have liked,” Johnson said. “Malcolm hasn’t played in a year, and right now he’s moving a little too fast.” Johnson said junior center Justin Hamilton has been cleared to practice after suffering a concussion, and junior forward Storm Warren should be practicing after shoulder and ankle injuries. Junior forward Dennis Harris is out with a bruised heel. Harris didn’t play Sunday, and Warren only played four minutes, according to Johnson. The Tigers will scrimmage at home Friday. Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com “We’re going to hang our hat on defending,” Lee said. “If we’re going to hope for shutouts ourselves, it’s going to take one goal to win it, and that’s just the character and nature of this team.” Contact Ryan Ginn at rginn@lsureveille.com
page 11 Chavis needs to construct a game plan to defend Alabama’s smash mouth running style. “It’s going to be fun going against this traditional offense,” Peterson said. “We just got to go as a defense and as a front seven and stop the run first and hopefully make McElroy beat us with his arm.” Whether LSU thinks it’s easier to defend against Alabama’s offense is irrelevant if it can’t tackle. The defense struggled to bring down the 6-foot-6-inch Newton the entire game, and the Heisman Trophy candidate even broke five tackles on his way to a 49-yard touchdown run. The defense was scolded during the bye week for those missed tackles, taking part in tackling circuits, an eight-station drill usually done in fall camp. “We really don’t like doing that, so I really think we’re going to get it right this week,” Taylor said.
Contact Sean Isabella at sisabella@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
page 12
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Governor Jindal has asked us, as students of the Flagship institution, to stand with him for constitutional reform and for a simpler Board of Regents Funding Formula. If we stand with him, we would be advocating fewer cuts to and a clear funding process for our institution. These are extremely important goals that all of us need to talk to our legislators about. We cannot stop here. We need to continue our correspondence with Governor Jindal and our legislators so we can stop the hypothetical 35 percent budget cut from becoming reality. Please write letters to your legislators frequently, telling them about your LSU experience and giving them reasons they should not cut our university. Only if we work together will we be safe from the deletion of majors, abandonment of student services and the
Students need to voice opinions This is not even close to the end, but is just the very beginning. Governor Jindal met with us to discuss the fiscal year 2011-2012 hypothetical cuts. We asked for him to do three things: host a forum on LSU’s campus that will address the budget problems, explain to all Student Government Presidents the rationale behind the Board of Regent’s Formula and provide a ‘Flagship Plan’ for the future of our university. While he did say that he would like to come to LSU and speak after they have a clear plan, he did not provide information on the other two factors at this meeting. We look forward to receiving this information from him soon.
devaluation of our future degrees. J Hudson Student Government President Dani Borel Student Government Vice President
Students need to stop whining Who do LSU’s student government leaders think they are? Hudson and Borel demand answers from the governor of Louisiana because budgets were cut. The absolute gall in “calling back” the governor is appalling. They are students; their egos may be inflated beyond belief, but they are not as big in this world as their heads seem to be. In case the “First Couple” of LSU have not noticed, everyone is
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
going through tough times. People are losing homes; long-standing businesses are falling apart. The least of anyone’s worries are some relatively minor cuts to university departments. We feel the pinch at the law school, but most of us have grown up and stopped whining like spoiled children. Instead of disrespectfully assuming the position of the governor’s equal or disciplinarian, perhaps LSU’s student leaders should do something constructive themselves. Why not propose some action to re-allocate student activity money to academics so that students do not lose their majors and professors do not lose their jobs? Whatever the solution, Hudson and Borel should take their own advice and do something and not cry out so hubristically about the cuts to their ivory towers. Edward McAuliffe Third-year law student, LSU Law
The Jindal Count Days Bobby Jindal has ignored our concerns:
21 Will higher education hold any priority with the administration in the coming budget crisis? Would the governor put pressure on the Legislature for a constitutional amendment to protect higher education and allow for more “across the board” cuts?
CANCEL THE APOCALYPSE
Key to world peace may be open-mindedness in faith The New York Times reported Sept. 28 that Americans are “by all measures a deeply religious people, but they are also deeply ignorant about religion.” This seemingly harsh judgment came after assessing the results of a poll by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. The group conducted phone interviews with more than 3,400 participants, asking each of them 32 questions about “the Bible, Christianity and other world religions,” according to the New York Times article. The questions included “Where was Jesus born?”, “What is Ramadan?”, “What religion is the Dalai Lama?” and “Which biblical figure led the exodus from Egypt?” Those who scored the highest were — wait for it — atheists and agnostics. Just below this group of non-religious know-it-alls were Jews and Mormons. Unsurprisingly, at the lowest end of the spectrum were hispanic catholics, black protestants, white protestants and white catholics. The results have been interpreted by various clergy members as appalling — and for good reason. Fifty-three percent of Protestants couldn’t recognize Martin Luther as the instigator of the Protestant Reformation. This goes right along with the 45 percent of Catholics who didn’t know that consecrated bread and wine become
the literal body and blood of Jesus through transubstantiation during the Eucharist. Admittedly, they have a right to be upset — most Christians are ignorant not only of other religions, but also of their own faith, as the study indicates. Atheists topping the religious knowledge charts shouldn’t be terribly surprising, either. As Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, points out, “Atheism Andrew is an effect of Robertson that knowledge, Opinion Editor not a lack of knowledge. I gave a Bible to my daughter. That’s how you make atheists.” Mr. Silverman is spot on here, I believe — but let me explain why. It is nearly impossible to tell someone their beliefs are “wrong” once you know enough about them. You still may not agree with them, but once you can see things from their perspective, the notion of “right” and “wrong” become obsolete. In matters of faith, the worst possible thing is ignorance. Not understanding another group’s religion as well as your own leads to such atrocities as the Crusades and the Inquisition.
The Daily Reveille Editorial Board Sarah Lawson Robert Stewart Stephanie Giglio Steven Powell Andrew Robertson
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, Production Managing Editor, External Media Opinion Editor
I know from personal experience. When someone only knows what they’ve been taught is “absolute” and “truth,” they can easily become convinced of their own closeness to carry on God’s will — which usually involves persecuting or harming those with which they disagree. My solution: Implement an unbiased world religions class in all public high schools. I had something similar in my senior year at a local private school — though the basis for the class was to expose why everyone else was wrong. That class-bred bigotry is to be expected when critical thought is thrown out the window and replaced with the impossible task of trying to prove one’s own beliefs as fact. After recently completing a degree in religious studies, here are a few things I learned sitting at the feet of the greatest minds this campus has to offer: 1. Greek and Hebrew classes will bring any grown man to his knees in humility over the complexities of the Bible. 2. Buddhism is down-right fascinating. 3. Christianity could learn a great deal from the reform movement of Judaism. 4. Religious tolerance is an inadequate goal compared to understanding and respect.
So what about the atheists in the study — those who knew more about faith than all other groups of practitioners? As Silverman pointed out earlier, atheism primarily comes as a result of enlightenment. But while atheism is most likely not the answer to all the world’s problems, I can’t help but wonder how many atheists would blow up an airplane or kill another in the name of science, or more importantly, how many could “impose God’s judgment” on another religion or culture if they actually understood their opponents’ world view. Ignorance of another culture,
including their religion, elicits a survivalist response — and it’s one of fear. This fear fades as one learns what they fear the most is usually their own insecurities and shortcomings. Let us not be scared to admit our darkest fears — and replace them with enlightenment. Andrew Robertson is a 23-year-old English writing and culture senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Arobertson. Contact Andrew Robertson at arobertson@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
Editorial Policies & Procedures The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
Quote of the Day “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” Sydney J. Harris American journalist Sept. 14, 1917 — Dec. 8, 1986
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
THE BOTTOM LINE
Opinion
page 13
‘Gas for Guns’ program has its flaws, but the rationale works
Do you need some extra cash and have a few illegal guns lying around or know where some are? Then “Gas for Guns” might be for you. The name of the program might scare off a few people, but it isn’t as spooky as it sounds. In fact, the rationale behind the program isn’t too bad. Let me explain. East Baton Rouge MayorPresident Kip Holden teamed up with Circle K last month to promote the program. Essentially, certain guns are exchanged anonymously for gas coupons to Circle K, ranging from $50-$200. Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies had a $40,000 budget to work with, $15,000 of which came from a Circle K donation. The gas cards were used in lieu of cash to prevent people from turning in guns to get drug money, or worse, pawn off a couple of their old, beat up pea shooters for a real man’s weapon, like an AK-47. Four churches joined in on the
fun: Greater Beech Grove Baptist Church, Mount Zion First Baptist, Greater Sixty Aid Baptist Church and Healing Place. If your church did help pick up guns, you may have seen one of the guns’ sights bear an inscription of JN8:12 (short for John 8:12) on them, which is the oh-sofamous, “I am Devin Graham the Light of the Columnist World” verse. I must confess, though, I’ve never considered the “light” to be a possible reference to muzzle flash. Overall, the program went over well and has good intentions. According to the preliminary results issued by District Attorney Hillar Moore III, some 259 guns were exchanged for $26,000 in gas coupons. However, the program does have its flaws. First, there’s little in the way
of hard numbers and research to support this feel-good campaign. We don’t really know that criminals aren’t just stealing weapons from neighbors, other criminals, or worse, legitimate business owners who sell these kinds of weapons. Second, the incentives are weak. Gas is useful, but what about food and clothes? The thug bustin’ up in yo’ house for a quick buck probably doesn’t have tons of cash to spare, and he or she could probably use food and good clothes at least as much as some fresh unleaded black gold. As a matter of fact, Cleveland’s police department is planning to do a similar program Nov. 6 but is only accepting handguns. Not only do they receive a $50 gas or food card, they will receive two tickets to games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Lake Eerie Monsters. Not bad, Cleveland. Not bad at all. Adam Smith, one of the forefathers of modern economic
theory, introduced us to some of the policies our government still uses to try to rein in our wily economy. He famously wrote, “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer or the baker that we can expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.” Self-interest is a very, very powerful motivator, so I like the rationale of this program and can’t wait to see how it works out — but I still have my reservations. The Bush administration ended a similar program in 2001 that had been started by the Clinton administration in 1999. Of its four reasons for ending the program, three give me serious concerns. First, they found results of buybacks only minimally efficient at stopping serious crimes. Second, the kinds of guns turned in were either very old or not functioning, which means we’re just wasting money buying gas for people. Third, the program failed to reduce ownership of guns by
criminals, making it ultimately a failure. I like the effort to make better, more effective programs here in Baton Rouge, and “Gas for Guns” is absolutely a move in the right direction. Using economic measures and providing incentives for citizens absolutely has potential for lowering our dangerously high crime rates, but we need to put our money in places where it’s been shown to be effective. Great idea, questionable execution. By the way, is it just me, or does it seem ironic that a state ravaged by petroleum is using gas to catch criminals? Devin Graham is a 21-year-old business management senior from Prairieville. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_dgraham.
Contact Devin Graham at dgraham@lsureveille.com
BURNS AFTER READING
Obama’s Hyp-O-crisy destroys any ‘hope’ of true ‘change’ The storyline two years ago seemed so promising. A declining nation torn apart by war, partisan politics and economic calamity was in desperate need of a political savior. Barack Obama emerged from the dark, shadowy abyss — a man with an angelic voice and inspiring charisma running on the uplifting messages of “hope” and “change.” On the election’s eve, Nov. 3, 2008, excitement was at an all-time high. Many Americans were experiencing what can only be described as an “O-gasm” in anticipation for what was billed as the most monumental election in decades. It was an intriguing election indeed. But as with so many other Hollywood films, this epic tale of a valiant hero riding in to save the day proved to be just another lousy flop. So what have we learned about President Obama two years after his historical election? He’s no messiah. He’s just another two-faced politician. But don’t take my word for it. Just compare Obama’s campaign rhetoric with his actions as president. During his campaign, candidate Obama vowed to bring “change” to Washington by ushering in a brand new era of transparency. Yet in less than two years on the job, President Obama has already broken many of his ambitious “ethics reform” initiatives by circumventing his own sanctions against hiring lobbyists and awarding federal contracts to favored lobbyists without competitive bidding. Far worse than the administration’s loyalty to its political allies — including the billions doled out
to campaign donors and favored special interest groups under the alleged “stimulus package” were the backroom deals the administration struck with Big Pharma during the president’s health care overhaul, preventing the government from negotiating lower prices Scott Burns to gain the industry’s support. Columnist And remember candidate Obama’s defiant stance against the Patriot Act? Turns out President Obama quietly signed an extension of three of the act’s most controversial provisions, according to FOX News. Sadly, the most evident examples of outright hypocrisy can be found in the Obama administration’s continuation of destructive foreign policies that began under the prior administration. In addition to not honoring its vow to close down Gitmo, the administration continued perpetuating international war crimes by throwing aside laws of war to detain untried prisoners indefinitely. Even harsh Bush administration critics, like author David Lindorff, have been appalled by Obama’s glaring hypocrisy. “I never thought in my lifetime that I would see a president reach the depth of moral decay and depravity of President George W. Bush, but sad to say, our current president has managed to do it, and what makes it worse, as a former constitutional law professor, he knows better,” Lindorff said. Ultimately, the only true change
we’ve seen from Obama is his chameleon-like ability to morph into whatever forms his special interests groups desire. But the most disappointing aspect of the president’s term thus far is his failures to keep many of his most fundamental campaign promises. It’s one thing to be a failure. It’s quite another to be an outright hypocrite. The president’s ardent supporters might’ve been duped by his lofty rhetoric and empty campaign promises, but there’s an important lessons
we can learn from their epic fail: No one person can change Washington. If Obama — the best and brightest the progressive movement has to offer — can’t even come close to delivering an ounce of “change” to American politics, no one can. We’ll never change the nature of our existing political system. But we can stop wasting our time and energies grappling over which corrupt blowhard controls the reins and start focusing on real solutions to today’s problems. When you place your hope in
a crooked politician with a cajoling voice and lofty rhetoric only to find out he’s just another slick-talking swindler, you get exactly what you deserve. Scott Burns is a 21-year-old economics and history senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_sburns.
Contact Scott Burns at sburns@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010 Others, like undecided freshman Alex Engelhardt, said they Melancon repeatedly pointed to weren’t registered to vote. “I just haven’t gotten around Vitter’s involvement with a D.C.area prostitution ring, while Vit- to it,” he said. “I just don’t know ter accused Melancon of playing that much about [the election].” Kaitlin Jarstooge to Presnagin, marketing ident Barack sophomore, said Obama. she voted absentee Dardenne , in her home state of a Republican, Washington. won a heated “It’s not a haslieutenant govsle,” she said. “My ernor’s race mom just mails me with 57 percent Jay Dardenne the ballot, and I send of the vote, current Secretary of State, it back. I don’t even beating Demolieutenant governor-elect have to leave.” crat Caroline University proFayard’s 43 fessors have said college students percent. “We made a statement about seldom turn out for elections in our hope for the future of Loui- large numbers. That low turnout means camsiana,” Dardenne said. “Fiscal integrity in government means paigns don’t normally target colsomething in this state, no matter lege voters — neither Vitter nor how long you’ve been in a par- Melancon had any significant campaign presence on campus. ticular job.” Dardenne is the current Secretary of State and a former leader in the State Legislature. He touted his experience as a primary selling point to voters. Fayard, a first-time candidate who worked for the White House Contact Matthew Albright at and Goldman Sachs and who was endorsed by former president malbright@lsureveille.com Bill Clinton, sold herself as a “new face” on the state’s political scene. The special election race for lieutenant governor fills the position vacated by Mitch Landrieu, who left the post to become mayor of New Orleans. Dardenne will face re-election next year. Landrieu endorsed Fayard in the race. Louisianians also selected six delegates to the U.S. House of Representatives. Baton Rouge-area Rep. Bill Cassidy swept into an easy victory over engineer Merritt McDonald, earning 66 percent of the vote. In New Orleans, Republican Anh “Joseph” Cao will give up his seat to Obama-endorsed Democratic challenger Cedric Richmond. Richmond gained 65 percent of the vote to Cao’s 33. Cao was expected to lose the seat, as the district is reliably Democratic. In 2008, Cao beat incumbent William Jefferson, who was then facing highly publicized corruption charges. Voters statewide passed eight of the 10 proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. Official turnout numbers were not available by press time, but initial calculations show 43 percent of registered voters participated in the Senate race. EBR voters picked Vitter by 48 percent to Melancon’s 46 percent. They picked Dardenne by 56 to Fayard’s 44 percent. Some students on campus Tuesday afternoon said they didn’t vote in the election. Many are not from Baton Rouge and said they didn’t have the time or money to go home and vote. “It’s a pretty big inconvenience,” said Felix Caserta, mechanical engineering sophomore. “I really wish I could vote.” Caserta said it wasn’t worth the gas money to go back to New Orleans, his hometown, to vote.
RESULTS, from page 1
‘‘
‘We made a statement about our hope for the future of Louisiana.’
The Daily Reveille CONCERNS, from page 1
plan for creating a better flagship campus. Hudson said they would give Jindal time to come up with the answers to their concerns and hopefully see him at SG’s scheduled legislative forum in February. “[Jindal] is in agreement with our ideas about the [Regents’] funding formula and a constitutional amendment,” Borel said. The constitutional amendment Borel is referring to would protect higher education by allowing more across-the-board cuts to the state budget. Jindal said in the statement that he will continue to support reforms to protect higher education funding in the budget by pushing for constitutional amendments to provide more budget protection for higher education and health care. “This isn’t a publicity stunt. This isn’t, ‘Hey, let’s get a picture with Jindal,’” Hudson said about the Tuesday meeting. “This is saving higher education and saving LSU.” Hudson and Borel also delivered the 700 letters University students wrote to Jindal asking for relief during the next round
page 15 of budget cuts. But Hudson said graduation rate was only 38 perthere wasn’t as much of a “wow” cent — far behind the 53-percent factor as they had expected. graduation rate for other states in “That’s the southern region,” why we need Jindal said in the to write 30,000 post. [letters],” HudIn response to son said. claims of massive Martin budget cuts, Jindal said the meetsaid higher educaing with Jindal tion’s budget has dewas a good creased by 4.57 perconversation cent since 2008, as for the govopposed to a 26-perernor to hear cent decrease in the students’ conoverall state budget. cerns. “LSU’s main Dani Borel “I’m hopecampus, in fact, has SG vice president ful this will seen a reduction of lead to more 1.5 percent in fundconversations to come so that ing,” Jindal wrote Oct. 21. LSU continues to make progress,” But according to Plotkin, Martin said. the inclusion of increased tuition Jindal has said repeatedly the under the LA GRAD Act to the state government is not going to University’s budget constitutes an reward higher education programs increase. that don’t return in performance. In a statement Tuesday, Jindal “It’s not acceptable to have said “LSU’s main campus has acthat much waste,” Jindal said tually seen a 0.3-percent increase Monday about Louisiana’s high in funding, including new funds dropout rate. provided through the GRAD Act.” Jindal spelled out some of the “waste” in his Facebook post Oct. 21 responding to concerned LouiContact Catherine Threlkeld at siana students. cthrelkeld@lsureveille.com “As of this May our six-year
‘‘
‘[Jindal] is in agreement with our ideas about the [Regents’] funding formula and a constitutional amendment.’
page 10
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010