Marijuana legalization bill unlikely in Louisiana following Prop. 19 failure, p. 4
Reveille
Sophomore Russell Shepard calls his performance ‘very inconsistent,’ p. 7
The Daily
Volume 115, Issue 51
Tipitina’s offers technology haven for musicians, p. 11
www.lsureveille.com
Nothin’ but a good time
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
AAUP wants University to reinstate instructors Matthew Albright Staff Writer
LSUPD expects early kickoff to curb usual rowdiness for Alabama game
photos by BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
Fans express excitement and frustration Sept. 4 during LSU’s 30-24 win against North Carolina. The LSU Police Department isn’t worried about fans’ rowdiness for Saturday.
LSU football fans are known possession, students attempting to for being among the most passionate sneak alcohol into the stadium and in college football, students being too Sarah Eddington but most commuinebriated to enter nity officials say the game. Staff Writer University students The more poparen’t rowdier than other fans in the ular games — like Saturday’s loomSoutheastern Conference. ing showdown with Alabama — ofStudents at the University ten produce more problems. are not a major problem on game But Tabor said police aren’t anday, according to Sgt. Blake Tabor, ticipating any problems this weekLSUPD spokesman. end, partially because the game is “We do have some games that scheduled for 2:30 p.m. are wilder than others, but generally Tabor said LSUPD won’t bring speaking our students are pretty well extra officers for Saturday’s big behaved,” Tabor said. game. Tabor said the biggest problems “Whenever it’s a daytime game, LSUPD encounters with students we tend to see less problems,” Tabor during a typical game day are alcohol related, including minors in FANS, see page 19
A national faculty advocacy group is again complaining about possible infringements on faculty rights by the University administration. In an Oct. 29 letter addressed to Chancellor Michael Martin, the American Association of University Professors asked for the reinstatement of the 14 foreign language professors who will lose their jobs at the end of this semester. “We urge you to rescind the notices of termination issued to the fourteen language instructors,” Associate Secretary B. Robert Kreiser wrote in the letter. “If, however, the notices are allowed to stand, we urge that their effective date be extended to the end of the current academic year.” More than 200 instructors received notices of non-renewal in January. The “foreign language 14,” the subjects of the letter, are the only known instructors who did not receive extensions to those letters. The AAUP letter argues that the AAUP, see page 19
MOVIES
Sequel chronicling BR gangs to be released this month DVD producer claims violence was staged Rachel Warren Staff Writer
A DVD that made waves last year chronicling dangerous Baton Rouge and Port Allen neighborhoods is stirring up controversy once again. “Thuggin’ It and Lovin’ It,” released in May 2009 by production company Millionaire Entertainment, is set to receive a sequel Nov. 12, according to Troy Route, one of the video’s producers. The original production was advertised as depicting “real” life in high-crime Baton Rouge neighborhoods. The DVD was made up
of several segments of low-income neighborhoods with residents using drugs and wielding firearms and knives. Though the original video caused unrest among Baton Rouge residents for its depiction of crime and gang presence, Route said Millionaire Enter“Thuggin’ It and tainment hasn’t encountered any Lovin’ It, legal trouble Part Two” regarding the video because everything in it was staged. “Everything was props and stunts,” Route said.
Noel Jackson, owner of Music Treasure Chest on North Acadian Thruway, said he sells the original DVD and plans to sell the sequel, “Thuggin’ It and Lovin’ It, Part Two,” when it’s released this month. Jackson said the DVD is a true depiction of life in Baton Rouge, and he thinks the makers of the DVD are doing the community a service. “It’s great that someone’s crazy enough to expose this,” Jackson said. “Parents need to know what their kids are doing out here.” Route, who goes by the rap name “Da Triggaman,” said the DVD’s purpose is to show what life is like on the streets of Baton Rouge. “A lot of people in Baton Rouge don’t know that side of life if they THUGGIN, see page 19
BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
Noel Jackson, owner of Music Treasure Chest, speaks Wednesday about the store’s role in local rap music. The store will sell the DVD “Thuggin’ It and Lovin’ It, Part Two.”
The Daily Reveille
Nation & World
page 2
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
Two killed and 50 injured in earthquake in Serbia on Wednesday
Schoolchildren spot mountain lion in field 200 feet from bus stop
KRALJEVO, Serbia (AP) — A state of emergency was declared Wednesday in central Serbia after an earthquake rattled the region, killing at least two people and injuring 50. The U.S. Geological Survey said the moderate quake with a 5.3 magnitude struck 125 kilometers south of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, at 1:56 a.m Wednesday. Octopus oracle’s successor Paul II makes public debut in Germany
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A group of children waiting for their school bus got a shock Wednesday when they spotted a mountain lion in a field just 200 feet away. Beach Transportation General Manager Robert Mitchell said his driver and the children saw the wild animal at about the same time Wednesday morning just as the bus was pulling up to the stop on a rural route south of Missoula. The driver quickly loaded the children and used his two-way radio to inform the company, which called 911. Gay-rights groups view Tuesday’s national election as major setback
OBERHAUSEN, Germany (AP) — Paul the Octopus’ successor has made his public debut, but his keepers aren’t yet promising deep soccer insight from the youngster. The 5-month-old, also named Paul, tentatively explored his new tank at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen on Wednesday. Paul hails from near Montpellier in southern France and weighs nearly 10.5 ounces (300 grams). He made his debut after two months in quarantine.
NEW YORK (AP) — Gay-rights activists celebrated a few bright spots on Election Day, but they also suffered some major setbacks — including losses by key supporters in Congress and the ouster of three Iowa Supreme Court judges who had ruled in favor of same-sex
ROLAND WEIHRAUCH The Associated Press
Octopus Paul II, successor of the World Cup oracle Paul, makes his first public appearance Wednesday in an aquarium in Oberhausen, western Germany.
marriage. On both sides of the marriage debate, the Iowa vote was seen as a signal that judges in other states could face similar punitive challenges. The congressional results further clouded the prospects for repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy so gays could serve openly in the military. Twenty tons of marijuana found near tunnel by California border SAN DIEGO (AP) — U.S. authorities have discovered 20 tons of pot near a tunnel connecting warehouses on either side of California’s border with Mexico. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lauren Mack said Wednesday that the tunnel ran 600 yards under the border near San Diego. It had lighting, ventilation and a rail system for sending carts of drugs into the U.S. Mack said the tunnel ended near California’s Otay Mesa port of entry.
STATE/LOCAL
Louisiana courthouse escapee sentenced Tuesday to life in prison
Pedestrian killed in Baton Rouge by drunk driver in pickup truck
(AP) — A 34-year-old man who was on his way to a habitual offender hearing last month when he escaped from deputies outside the Baton Rouge state courthouse was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison. Demond Cook, shackled and dressed in an East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Lockdown jumpsuit, offered no resistance during his brief appearance before state District Judge Don Johnson. Cook, of Baton Rouge, was convicted by Johnson in September on two counts each of armed robbery and second-degree kidnapping. Cook stipulated Tuesday to the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office’s contention that those convictions made him a fourth felony offender for habitual offender purposes. Prosecutor Will Morris told the judge that Cook had prior convictions in 1996, 1999 and 2008.
(AP) — A 54-year-old man was killed when he tried to cross Airline Highway in Baton Rouge and was hit by a truck. Baton Rouge police say the accident occurred around 7:20 p.m. Tuesday. Police say the driver of the pickup, 35-year-old Shawn Sterling of Baton Rouge, was issued a driving while intoxicated citation and released at the scene. La. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries rescues missing father, two sons
Weather
FRIDAY
67
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42
SUNDAY
Windy
FARMERVILLE (AP) — State wildlife agents searched through nighttime rain and fog to find a man and his two sons who got lost while scouting for deer in D’Arbonne National Refuge. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says it was called about 9 p.m. Tuesday because 36-year-old Timothy Thomas and his sons, aged 7 and 10, had not returned home.
TODAY ON
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Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
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Read a music blog about pop band “Hey Ocean!” Watch a video about local clothing retailer Storyville Follow Gov. Bobby Jindal’s travels on the Jindal Tracker
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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
LYNDSI LEWIS / The Daily Reveille
See more pictures of silver objects in today’s 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.
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The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
page 3
POLICE
LSUPD undergoes tactics training Officers learn proper applications Sarah Eddington Staff Writer
LSU Police Department officers don’t take their jobs lightly, and they feel the same way about their training. Wednesday marked the beginning of this year’s defensive tactics training for LSUPD officers. Officers gathered at the LSU Rifle Range in St. Gabriel for eight hours of training, which involved learning how to assess and handle encounters with actively resistant suspects. Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSUPD spokesman, said every officer in the department is required to take the course at least once a year. “It’s basically a self-defense course for police officers, and it teaches officers ways to apprehend suspects in the safest possible way not only for the suspect but also for the officer,” Tabor said. “We take our training very seriously.” Tabor said LSUPD complies with the Monadnock Defensive Tactics System — an international law enforcement education program. Officers learned performance techniques ranging from basic to advanced, including soft and hard empty-hand techniques. Soft empty-hand techniques, like blocking, involve minimal force and are intended for suspects who comply with the officer, Tabor said, while hard empty-hand techniques, like striking, require increased force and are intended for actively resistant suspects. “The point is not to inflict pain. The point is to control someone who is being combative,” Tabor said. “All of our protocol and techniques are governed by the use of force continuum. What response we apply is governed by the continuum.” The use of force continuum is a set of guidelines for assessing what level of force may be used against a resisting subject in a particular situation. “We have to assess the situation we have at hand and try to control it,” Tabor said. “We may go somewhere where a student has a gun and we need to enter that use of force continuum at a deadly force level.” Tabor said the officers enjoy the course. “It gives officers the confidence to be able to do their job properly,” he said. “If they find themselves in a dangerous or compromising position, they have the ability to protect themselves and others.” Tabor said people forget police officers put their lives on the line every day. “Often times people don’t realize that for police officers, we are sort of in a war every day,” he said. “It’s one of the only jobs I know where we come to work and we don’t know if we’re going to
BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
Thursday November 4
Sgt. Jeffrey Lemoine (middle), LSU Police Department spokesman, instructs LSUPD officers Wednesday on how to put someone in an arm lock as part of training.
make it home at night.” A common misconception is that LSUPD officers hold positions similar to security guards, Tabor said. “Just because we are on a campus environment doesn’t mean we only encounter people affiliated with campus,” he said. “We encounter people from outside of campus on a daily basis. We always have to be prepared.” Sgt. Jeffrey Lemoine, LSUPD officer and one of the defensive tactics instructors, said he hopes people can break away from the stereotype.
“We have never viewed ourselves as security guards. We get the same training as all the other police officers,” Lemoine said. “That’s why we take our training so seriously. We want to provide a professional police force.” In light of recent school shootings in the U.S., Lemoine said the role of campus police is even greater. “We are the first line of defense,” he said.
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
Contact Sarah Eddington at seddington@lsureveille.com
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The Hurt Locker How to Train Your Dragon Newsbeat Newsbeat Home for the Holidays Newsbeat on TTV Newsbeat on Ch.19 Up in the Air
The Daily Reveille
page 4
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
VP Borel defends asking Governor Jindal for autograph Hudson: SG will ‘lay low,’ write letters Frederick Holl Staff Writer
Student Government Senate continued its letter writing campaign and discussed budget cuts at its weekly meeting Wednesday. Much has been made of SG’s attempts to discuss budget cuts with Gov. Bobby Jindal face-toface. SG President J Hudson and Vice President Dani Borel got their chance Tuesday when they met with Jindal at the Governor’s Mansion. Borel acknowledged to The Daily Reveille outside of the Senate meeting that she asked Jindal to sign a copy of Monday’s Daily Reveille that featured a picture of her, Hudson and Jindal at Abundant Life Church in Denham
Springs when the three of them first met. Borel said although Jindal is under fire from many in the University community regarding budget cuts, she still respects him as a political figure. “I think Jindal is a good politician. I think he’s done some great things,” Borel said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily the case for higher education.” Borel said though she doesn’t approve of his handling of budget cuts, the opportunity to get the governor’s autograph was too much to pass up. “It doesn’t mean he’s a man I don’t admire,” Borel said. “I mean, it’s not every day you get to meet the governor.” Hudson spoke to the Senate on Wednesday about his recent meeting with Jindal and the governor’s tentative agreement to come to speak at a forum at the University next semester.
“It will be interesting to see if he comes to our higher education institution,” Hudson said. “In the meantime we’re going to be laying low focusing on our letter writing campaign.” Manship School of Mass Communication Sen. Zac Lemoine acknowledged he was one of the people responsible for the “WhatNow Lsu” event last week. “It’s something that a couple of us who just happened to be in Student Government thought we should do,” Lemoine said. College of Humanities and Social Sciences Sen. David Jones asked what the event has brought about. “I just have one question after ‘WhatNow Lsu,’ which is, ‘What now?’” Jones said. Lemoine told Jones that the Flagship Advocates student group was founded by the event and that more than 300 letters were collected there.
ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille
Student Government senators listen during the Senate’s Wednesday night meeting.
Lemoine said he had not heard any response from House of Representatives Speaker Jim Tucker after he said more than 300 e-mails were sent by students at the event. SG Senate also voted Wednesday to approve Stuart Peterson to the Programming Support and Initiatives Fund Committee. It also voted to postpone a
resolution to urge and request Academic Affairs to prohibit the assignment of graded work during the concentrated study period, also known as dead week, because a meeting with a representative from the Faculty Senate was still in the works. Contact Frederick Holl at fholl@lsureveille.com
DRUGS
Marijuana law reform in Louisiana unlikely anytime soon
Proposition 19 fails in California Frederick Holl Staff Writer
As marijuana reform failed in California, experts say it’s unlikely Louisiana residents will legally puff, puff, pass anytime soon. Proposition 19, a marijuana legalization bill in California, failed to pass with only 46 percent at the polls Tuesday, and Louisiana has much less support for drug reform, according to University associate political science professor Robert Hogan. “The chances of [marijuana law] changing here is extraordinarily remote,” Hogan said. “The political system here does not lend itself to things like that.” Hogan said Louisiana’s laws are unlikely to change because voters in Louisiana do not have the right to put a state law, like Proposition 19, on the ballot. “In California they need a certain number of signatures to get something on the ballot, and if it’s passed, it becomes state law,” Hogan said.
In order for a marijuana legalization law — either full-legalization or just legalization for medical purposes — to happen in Louisiana, a member of the Legislature would have to introduce a bill, the bill would have to pass both houses of the State Legislature, and the governor would have to sign it. Politicians in a conservative state like Louisiana are unlikely to take those risks, Hogan said. Noah Mamber, legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project, a pro-legalization group based out of Washington, D.C., said he thinks legalization of marijuana on a national level will come, although Louisiana may be one of the last states to implement it. “We’re going to change laws across the country,” Mamber said. “Will Louisiana be part of the first
wave of changing marijuana laws? Most likely not.” Mamber criticized the Legislature’s decision to quickly ban Spice, which has been referred to as “synthetic marijuana,” instead of reforming marijuana law. “The proper response to Spice is to pass a tax-and-regulate law for marijuana so that people don’t have to use Spice. Marijuana is safe,” Mamber said. Mamber said the best news to come out of Louisiana recently for pro-legalization activists is that new bills — like HP311 — that increase marijuana penalties or are targeted at marijuana users did not pass this year in the Legislature. “That was a ridiculous bill that tried to require drug offenders to carry a scarlet letter, a modified driver’s license,” Mamber said.
Even though penalties in Louisiana did not increase, the state had the fifth-highest marijuana arrest rate in the country in 2007, according to a report from marijuana activist Jon Gettman. Louisiana had 18,535 marijuana arrests in 2007, and 2,660 of those were in East Baton Rouge Parish, according to the report. If marijuana laws in Louisiana are ever going to change, student involvement will be vital,
Mamber said. “We’re going to continue to grow, and we’re going to change the demographic of society,” Mamber said. “Once they become the majority and the supporters of a failed prohibition become the minority, polls and legislatures will be more supportive of marijuana reform.” Contact Frederick Holl at fholl@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
page 5
HIGHER EDUCATION
State leaders call for more, better community colleges Schools said to help higher ed system Matthew Albright Staff Writer
While University administrators bemoan continued funding cuts, some state leaders say the current budget situation presents an opportunity to restructure the higher education system. Several influential policymakers have called for an increased emphasis on community colleges and trade schools — schools those leaders say better serve the demands of the state. Many of those arguments hinge on the perception that the state has too few community colleges. Those numbers seem to be backed up by figures from the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The commission compared the number of higher education graduates in 2004 to the state’s marketplace demand for those degrees.
The report indicates 35 percent of high school graduates entered four-year private universities, 8 percent entered two-year colleges, 20 percent entered the job market directly after high school, and 37 percent dropped out before high school. The demand trend, however, is vastly different. According the LWC’s report, the state’s job market demands only 16 percent of the workforce have four-year degrees but demands 58 percent have two-year degrees. The report echoes recent pushes by state and national political figures for a higher emphasis on community colleges. Earlier this month, President Barack Obama announced his Skills for America’s Future initiative, which will partner community colleges nationwide with private companies like McDonald’s, Gap and Accenture. The same week, the president held a “White House Summit On Community Colleges,” hosted by second lady and long-time educator Jill Biden.
Gov. Bobby Jindal has also pushed for greater emphasis on two-year institutions, citing statistics like the report as evidence that more similar institutions are necessary. Despite the emphasis on two-year schools, most officials say improving community colleges doesn’t have to come at the expense of four-year institutions like the University. “I would never decrease support for the four-year education system,” said Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, chairman of the Senate Education Committee. Nevers said community colleges are an essential part of an efficient higher education system. “I believe we need to get every student that we can to postsecondary education in the state in some form,” he said. “Many students are unable to attend a four-year university in some form, and we need to give them some kind of opportunity.” Nevers said an ideal higher education system would link
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
SG plans forum for state leaders Matthew Albright Staff Writer
Student Government representatives are planning an on-campus forum featuring leading state officials for next semester. SG Vice President Dani Borel said the ideal lineup would include Gov. Bobby Jindal, Speaker of the House Jim Tucker, President of the Senate Joel Chaisson, State Treasurer John Kennedy and newly elected Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne. Borel said the forum is planned for early February, when the state’s budget process begins in earnest. Borel said students would submit questions for a student panel to ask beforehand and could ask questions personally at the event. “We don’t want a debate between the people on stage,” Borel said. “We want students to be able to ask questions.” The plan replaces a proposed candidate forum SG had attempted to sponsor before Tuesday’s midterm elections. Borel said too few candidates agreed to meet. Borel said she hoped SG would have better luck bringing officials to campus this time because those officials will not be up for reelection. “We’re now aiming at people who are already in office,” she said. “They’re not as concerned about getting votes on the road. They want to answer the concerns of their constituents.” Borel and SG President J Hudson met with Jindal on Tuesday. She said one of their primary requests during the meeting was for the governor to come to campus. Borel said she anticipated the meeting would be held Feb. 2 or
3 but said the governor’s schedule was the most important factor. If Jindal or other officials decline to attend, Borel said SG would fill the seats with finance
committee members from the State Legislature. Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com
community colleges to universities. Students who are initially unable or hesitant to attend a university would start at community colleges and transition into fouryear institutions. “The four-year universities and the community colleges need to realize that we’re all in this together,” Nevers said. Nevers pointed to the “Bears 2 Tigers” partnership between LSU and Baton Rouge Community College as an example of inter-school synergy. Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope acknowledges that community colleges have an important educational role and that beefing them up doesn’t have to hurt four-year institutions. “It’s unfortunate that, whoever these statisticians are, they’re trying to set community and technical schools against universities,” he said. Cope said community colleges are designed to either funnel students into a university or to provide job training. “They’re more keyed to the
market,” he said. Cope also didn’t challenge the demand figures. But Cope said looking only at market demand isn’t necessarily the best long-term strategy. “In the long term, the more educated a person is, the more their income goes up — which means the taxes they pay go up,” he said. Cope argued demand for four-year institutions will increase in the coming years. The same LWC analysis shows projected demand for four-year institutions increasing by 5 percent, with demand for two-year institutions decreasing by 3 percent. Cope also criticized the Jindal administration’s efforts to funnel more Louisianians into community colleges. “He’s imposing a primitive glass ceiling over the people of the state,” he said.
Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
page 6
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY
Student housing facilities focus on community in Baton Rouge Frederick Holl Staff Writer
Several new Baton Rouge developments are offering students more than just a place to live with their housing developments, and they’ve been successful so far. With The Cottages recently opened, Aspen Heights opening next fall and The Woodlands coming in 2012, luxury student communities are offering highquality amenities and a neighborhood atmosphere to their residents. The appeal to students goes beyond just a nice place to live, according to Cottages property manager Josey Young. “[Community] is something we’ve put a focus on from day one,” Young said. The Cottages has resident events all year long similar to oncampus residence halls and gets student input on events and programs from a resident advisory committee, Young said. Mike Swope, director of campus marketing for The Dovetail Companies, developer of The Woodlands, said his company went to Baton Rouge and did two days of focus group testing to find out what students wanted out of their living situation. “Our goal is to offer the
residents enough variety where they don’t even have to leave the site,” Swope said. Both Swope and Young said they see their communities as a natural development of the student housing business, and companies now have to cater more to student needs. “I think students are getting more demanding in what they want,” Swope said. “Kids don’t want to live in a 1,000-squarefoot, four-bedroom, two-bathroom place anymore.” Shakari Fraser, anthropology junior, lives in The Cottages and said she signed her lease before she ever saw her place. “Living there, I have a lot of my own space,” Fraser said. “It’s comfortable. It feels like home.” Duncan Raster, painting and drawing junior, said she enjoys living in her apartment on State Street and can’t afford to live in a luxury community like The Woodlands. “I have plenty of money left over for groceries,” Raster said. A neighborhood doesn’t have to be luxurious to have a community, according to Raster. “I would say it’s a really great community over there,” Raster said. “I know all my neighbors.” Raster also said living on State Street offers a convenience factor that can’t be matched by
JOBS
Students collect pecans Kate Mabry Contributing Writer
Students always seem to be searching for ways to make a little extra cash, and now they have turned to pecan picking to fill their pockets. Jeff Smith, owner of Farmers Feed Mill, said he receives around 250 people every day between the store’s two locations, and 25 percent of its customers are high school and college students. Farmers Feed Mill, a farm supply business that buys pecans, is located in Maringouin, a 30-minute drive from campus, and in New Roads, a 45-minute drive. “Regardless of where the pecans are from, we usually buy them for a dollar per pound,” Smith said. Prices depend on the market as well as conditions like weather and availability, said Ken Breaux, owner of Atlas Feed Mills Incorporated in Breaux Bridge. Despite all the talk about pricing, friendly customer service remains the main focus of many businesses. “When the younger kids come in, I usually pay them a little more,” said Larry Rider, owner of Plantation Feed and Supply in Port Allen. Some specific kinds of pecans are worth more than regular
pecans, Smith said. Special varieties, like Elliott, Melrose and Candy pecans, are usually sold for $1.30 per pound because they are better quality than the usual pecans, Smith said. Farmers Feed Mill keeps special variety pecans and sells them within the store as goodies or presents. Special packaging is available for those who wish to give pecans to friends and family as gifts, Smith said. Atlas Feed buys pecans from its customers for around 75 cents per pound and in turn sells the pecans to companies for 70 cents per pound, Breaux said. “We make about a nickel per pound for being the broker between our customers and the companies,” Breaux said. Farmers Feed Mill has extended its hours during pecan season and will remain open every day during pecan season, which spans from October until January, Smith said. Brandon Bourgeois, general studies junior, said he has never sold pecans before, but he would consider doing it in the future.
Contact Kate Mabry at kmabry@lsureveille.com
the new communities, which are several miles off-campus. “I don’t have a car, so I bike to school every day,” Raster said. Contact Frederick Holl at fholl@lsureveille.com
graphic by CHELSEA BRASTED / The Daily Reveille
Sports
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
Missing in Action Russell Shepard isn’t meeting own goals in his second season
Michael Lambert Sports Contributor
Not all sophomore college football players are created equal. Rushing for nearly 300 yards as a freshman and finding the end zone three times through the first eight games of a sophomore campaign may be considered a remarkable start for any run-ofthe-mill college football player. But it’s nothing to celebrate if your name is Russell Shepard. The charming and charismatic wide receiver has struggled to meet the lofty expectations he set after inking his name to the Tigers and becoming the gem of LSU’s 2009 recruiting class. Shepard has 457 career rushing yards to go with 196 receiving yards and five touchdowns in
19 games played as a Tiger. The 6-foot-1-inch, 188-pound sophomore will be the first to admit he is disappointed in his lack of staggering numbers. Shepard has 180 rushing yards, 162 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the first eight games this season. Shepard graded himself “very inconsistent” this season. “Going into the season, you want to be successful,” Shepard said. “I had goals that I put on myself for the season, and I’m not going to accomplish them.” The dual-threat quarterback did it all for Cypress Ridge High School in Houston, accumulating nearly 4,000 total yards and 48 touchdowns his senior season before his No. 10 jersey was retired within a month of his final game.
Shepard said he would have been surprised if someone told him two years ago he was going to be a wide receiver for the Tigers. “In a sense I’d be surprised, but in reality, you never know,” Shepard said. “Football’s a crazy sport.” Junior running back Stevan Ridley said the high expectations come with all the hype Shepard received as a highly touted high school prospect. “[The fans are] just not seeing the big plays out of Russell Shepard, and they’re expecting it,” Ridley said. “You just have to be a football player.” The highlight of Shepard’s career so far are a 69-yard touchdown run against Auburn last season and a 50-yard touchdown run in this season’s SHEPARD, see page 10
BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
LSU sophomore wide receiver Russell Shepard, who only has 25 receptions this season, is looking to find his niche in the LSU offense Saturday against No. 6 Alabama.
page 7
FOOTBALL
Miles happy with passing in practice Running back Blue to return after injury Sean Isabella Sports Writer
Maybe a bye week was exactly what the doctor ordered for the LSU football team’s passing attack. Entering the open date, LSU quarterbacks (minus a trick play) had thrown for a total of 192 passing yards with no touchdowns in their previous two contests. LSU coach Les Miles played his best role as doctor in honor of Halloween to fine-tune a desperately ailing passing game. “Our passing game looks like we’re throwing the football better in practice on a regular basis. ... I’m pretty confident we’ll be able to throw it and catch it, and I’ve felt that way before, and I suspect it will come to fruition Saturday,” Miles said Wednesday. Game day against Alabama is about 48 hours away, and Miles stressed the importance of translating the practice success to a game situation. That translation could be key to keep Alabama’s offense, which averages nearly 35 points per game, off the field. “It puts real pressure on your need to execute,” Miles said. “You have to take your guys and get points.” The Tigers will get the chance ALABAMA, see page 10
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Dotson seeks fresh start, change Guard in full health for first time in years Luke Johnson Sports Contributor
Aaron Dotson is a new man. The sophomore shooting guard is healthy for the first time since he was in high school, and he has switched jersey numbers from 12 to 45. Dotson said he was simply “looking for a change” when he made the switch. “I was actually at Walk-On’s one day, and I saw the [former LSU walk-on Jack] Warner jersey, No. 45, and I liked the way it looked.
So I just decided to change and for- LSU amid lofty expectations after get about last year.” leading Rainier Beach High School Dotson parallels an LSU bas- to the Class 3A state championship ketball program in his junior season. looking for a He then parlayed fresh start after a solid summer in a dismal 20092008 into scholar10 campaign. ship offers from LSU, Dotson Washington and Louaveraged 3.2 isville. points per game But Dotson sufon 29 percent fered a patella tendon Aaron Dotson shooting in his tear in his left knee freshman year LSU sophomore shooting guard during his senior seaat LSU — figson of high school, ures many exand he hasn’t been the pected to be much higher from same player since. LSU coach Trent Johnson’s star Until this year, that is. recruit. Players have been taking The Seattle native was a Scout. DOTSON, see page 10 com four-star recruit and came to
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‘I want to be a leader and a role model for the younger guys.’
File photo
LSU sophomore guard Aaron Dotson (12) jumps past McNeese State senior center Elbryan Neal for a dunk Jan. 4 during the Tigers’ 83-60 win against the Cowboys.
The Daily Reveille
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SOCCER
LSU’s game against Tenn. postponed Match to be made up today at 2:30 p.m. Rowan Kavner Sports Writer
The LSU soccer team will have to remain focused for 24 more hours. The Tigers’ first game of the Southeastern Conference tournament Wednesday against Tennessee was postponed after heavy rain swept through Orange Beach, Ala. “The field is underwater, so it’s very unplayable,” said LSU
coach Brian Lee. “But it should be cleared up by tomorrow. We’re very happy with the SEC’s decision to push it back.” The first-round match was originally scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and will be made up at 2:30 p.m. today unless weather pushes it back further. The rest of the tournament is expected to pick up on schedule, with semifinal matches on Friday evening at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. “It’s really OK,” Lee said. “It’s the same situation for both teams, so the teams will just relax today, do a little studying, catch a movie and get a good night’s sleep.”
The Tigers and the Volunteers tied, 1-1, in Knoxville, Tenn., earlier this season. “We feel really good about how we’ve been playing the tail end of the season,” said Lee, whose Tigers won their regular season finale to make the SEC tournament. “We’re still searching for more goals, but we think we’re a lot better than we were six weeks ago when we played Tennessee, and we also think they’re a lot better than they were six weeks ago.” Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com
AROUND THE SEC
Razorbacks travel to SC Saturday SEC still mourning death of Nick Bell Mark Clements Sports Contributor
Last weekend’s Southeastern Conference battle between Georgia and Florida had a different feel to it — both teams were unranked. This week’s clash between No. 18 Arkansas and No. 19 South Carolina has the opposite vibe, as both teams enter the game with 6-2 records. The Gamecocks are at the mark for the third time in four seasons, while Arkansas is 6-2 for the first time since 2006. But despite a big weekend in football, a dark cloud hangs over the conference with the loss of Mississippi State defensive end Nick Bell. MISSISSIPPI STATE LOSES DEFENSIVE END TO CANCER Just one month ago, Nick Bell was battling in the trenches of the Mississippi State defensive line. Tuesday afternoon, the 20-year-old redshirt sophomore lost his battle with cancer. Diagnosed with skin cancer
earlier this fall, Bell played in the first four games for the Bulldogs, including two starts against Auburn and Georgia. Bell had a tumor removed from his brain Oct. 1 and was expected to begin chemotherapy this week. “Right now our team’s going through some tough times dealing with a situation that you hope no team has to go through,” said Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen. “It’s tough for young people to deal with the reality of the situation we’re dealing with.” Mullen and a bus of Bulldogs traveled to Birmingham, Ala., on Monday evening to visit with Bell and his family at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center. The team was informed of Bell’s death at a team meeting Tuesday afternoon. Bell played 16 games in his career, recording 22 tackles and two sacks, including one this season against LSU. Les Miles called Bell’s death “very unfortunate.” “It’s certainly very unfortunate,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “I have not had to deal with something like this, but I can tell you our sympathy goes out to his family. It’s hard to see a life ended that has so much potential.”
SOUTH CAROLINA HOSTS ARKANSAS IN SEC PLAY Arkansas has won the last three meetings between these two schools and desperately needs a fourth if it hopes to stay alive in the SEC West. The Razorbacks currently sit fourth in the West but have not been mathematically eliminated yet. South Carolina holds the top spot in the SEC East and can strengthen its lead over Florida with a win this weekend. With both teams needing a big win, Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino knows this year’s duel won’t be a walk in the park. “We’ve got to go on the road and face a very, very good football team that has the SEC’s leading receiver and running back,” Petrino said. “We’re excited about it. We think it will be a great challenge, but our football team is preparing and doing a good job.” The wide receiver Petrino is referring to is 6-foot-4-inch sophomore Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery leads the conference with 935 receiving yards on the year, averaging 116.9 yards per game. He has also tacked on seven touchdowns. Contact Mark Clements at mclements@lsureveille.com
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
RECRUITING
LSU still attractive for receivers Passing inefficiency not a huge deterrent Hunter Paniagua Sports Contributor
LSU may want to consider changing its name to Wide Receiver University — even with its receivers not performing so well this season. Six former Tiger wideouts currently appear on NFL rosters, including Early Doucet, Dwayne Bowe and Devery Henderson. That number should increase next season as many expect senior Terrence Toliver to be taken in the 2011 NFL Draft. LSU continues to recruit plenty of wide receivers, as LSU has 13 players currently listed as playing that position on its roster. But even with all the talented receivers on the team, only three — Toliver and sophomores Russell Shepard and Rueben Randle — have actually caught passes this season. But Derek Ponamsky, recruiting analyst for Bayou Bengals Insider, said that fact shouldn’t alarm any recruits, as many of LSU’s receivers are freshmen. “There’s not a recruit in America who’s looking at the fact that they’re eight games into their freshman season and worried they haven’t caught a ball,” Ponamsky said. Shea Dixon, managing editor of TigerSportsDigest.com, attributes the Tigers’ inability to spread the ball around to its ineptitude in the passing game. But even that, he said, wasn’t enough to deter receivers in the class of 2011. “It’s certainly a black eye if you’re trying to recruit and you’ve got a passing offense that ranks in the hundreds,” Dixon said. “But it may have hurt them a little more if they hadn’t landed the guys they wanted to have in this class.” Dixon said LSU’s reputation as a factory for professional wide receivers plays highly into recruits’ decisions. “It’s something a lot of recruits talk about — a chance for a staff to put them in the NFL and give them that next step,” Dixon said. “There are one or two guys every year that have bought into LSU being their best shot of being in an offense that can showcase their skills.” That recruiting angle has allowed LSU to land some of the nation’s top wide receiver talent on a yearly basis. The Tigers have signed at least one four- or five-star wide receiver every year since 2007, with that trend continuing in 2011 with four-star recruit Jarvis Landry from Lutcher High School committing to LSU. Three-star receivers Alonzo Lewis and Paul Turner join Landry in the class of 2011. But Dixon said LSU still hasn’t put a cap on the class when it comes to receivers. Many expect three-star athlete Odell Beckham Jr. to join the class, and Ponamsky said the Tigers may target a taller receiver from a junior college. LSU has taken the competition at wide receiver and has spun it in its favor when luring recruits, Dixon said. Many recruits see LSU as an opportunity to compete for playing time
ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille
LSU sophomore wide receiver Rueben Randle (2) runs the ball Oct. 23 against Auburn. LSU is still recruiting several receivers despite its offensive struggles.
immediately, as no one’s spot is guaranteed. LSU’s inefficient passing attack may have an effect on future classes, Dixon said. That problem has a simple remedy, Dixon said: sign junior college quarterback Zach Mettenberger. The former University of Georgia quarterback currently plays at Butler Community College, and most recruiting analysts consider LSU to be the favorite in landing him.
“It’s such a bargaining chip for kids you’d still like to make a push for if you can say, ‘We have the quarterback that can put the ball in your hands anywhere on the field,’” Dixon said. “It’s a real promising angle to take and a refreshing one when you’re not doing well on offense.” Contact Hunter Paniagua at hpaniagua@lsureveille.com
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The Daily Reveille
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opening game against North Carolina. “When I’ve had the opportunity to make plays, sometimes I have and sometimes I haven’t executed,” Shepard said. LSU’s No. 101 nationally ranked total offense and No. 113 passing game haven’t helped ease Shepard’s transition from signal caller to wide receiver in his second season. “His performance hasn’t really been a bust or anything like that. It’s just getting this offense to come together as a whole and finding the ways to use him,” Ridley said. Shepard has more carries (27) than receptions (25) this season, even though he is listed on LSU’s roster as a wide receiver. Senior wide receiver Terrence Toliver and sophomore wide receiver Rueben Randle also each have 25 catches this season, while Ridley has recorded 152 rushing attempts. LSU coach Les Miles said he doesn’t envision changing his strategy to utilize Shepard. “Some of the things we have done with him you can count on us doing it again,” Miles said. “There may be some different slants to those plays, but I think how we will use him will be how we have used him in the past.” Randle said Shepard’s production may increase with more screen passes. “There’s been quite a few screens being put in to get the ball in his hands so he can make a big play for us,” Randle said. Shepard practiced as a quarterback the bulk of his freshman season and even studied film with the quarterbacks to begin this season, but things changed when junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson and junior quarterback Jarrett Lee began alternating under center. “At the beginning of the year, ‘Wildcat’ was still a big install in the offense,” Shepard said. “When we took on the two quarterback system, we pushed it to the side.” Shepard said he has embraced the transition from his freshman to sophomore season. “I’d love to play quarterback, but I got to do whatever the coaches say,” Shepard said. When the LSU coaches designed a halfback pass this season using a player other than Jefferson and Lee, they chose freshman running back Spencer Ware, a former Cincinnati high school gunslinger, instead of Shepard. Ware received a lateral from Jefferson and then launched a 39yard touchdown pass to Randle against Auburn. “People think I’m still going to throw the football at some point in my career, so using Spencer was something that they totally had no clue about,” Shepard said. Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com
7:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m. Noon, 3:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m.
DOTSON, from page 7
notice of the difference between the healthy Dotson and the injured Dotson, including sophomore forward Eddie Ludwig. “He looks a lot more explosive this year,” Ludwig said. “It’s exciting to see him come back to the form he had in high school that got him ranked so high.” Dotson was hailed coming out of high school for his athleticism, but that wasn’t evident last year while playing on his injured knee. Dotson said the injury to his left knee made him feel off-balance
ALABAMA, from page 7
to execute in front of a nationally televised audience at 2:30 p.m. on CBS for the third time this season, much to the dismay of fans who feast on the nighttime atmosphere in Death Valley. Even Miles chimed in on the early kickoff. “Is there any chance that could happen, is there?” he joked. “I can’t imagine there will be a night game here, dadgummit. We’d love to be
in games and was a factor in his low shooting percentage. A major indicator of how often a player drives to the basket is the amount of free throws the player attempts — and Dotson only got to the line 43 times in 29 games last season. But Dotson’s healthy knee should lead to more scoring opportunities. “I think this year with his leg strength being back, he’ll be able to get to the rim and make plays for other guys, which is really big,” Ludwig said. “I think he’s going to be really good for us this year.”
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010 At 6 feet 4 inches and 205 pounds, Dotson will be counted on to be a defensive presence on the wing this season. “He’s having fun, man,” said junior guard Chris Bass. “His jumping ability looks a lot better, and his defense — we were scrimmaging, and he was really getting into guys. He’s just getting more and more confident.” Freshman point guard Andre Stringer didn’t see Dotson’s struggles with the injury firsthand last year, but he has been impressed by what he has seen in Dotson defensively so far.
“He works extremely hard — probably one of the hardest-working guys on our team,” Stringer said. “In practice, he doesn’t hold back anything.” On a team that has four freshmen and doesn’t have a senior, Dotson is trying to fill the leadership void. “I want to be a leader,” Dotson said. “We’ve got a lot of new guys, and I want to be a leader and a role model for the younger guys.”
there. Like I said, we’ll play that injury against Florida. In six games, one whenever he accumulated 70 it’s tied up.” yards and a touchOn the indown while also playjury front, Miles ing on special teams. said true freshMiles also added man running he is “pretty optimisback Alfred tic” senior defensive Blue has been tackle Lazarius Levpracticing all ingston will play SatLes Miles week and will urday. LSU football coach play Saturday. Regardless of Blue hasn’t whether Levingsplayed since suffering an ankle ton suits up, Miles said redshirt
freshman defensive tackle Michael Brockers should see an increased role. “He’s a big load, and I think they’ll have a tough time handling him,” Miles said of Brockers. “He’s looking forward to playing.” Brockers has played in all eight games, recording 13 tackles and one tackle for loss.
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‘Our passing game looks like we’re throwing the football better in practice.’
Contact Luke Johnson at ljohnson@lsureveille.com
Contact Sean Isabella at sisabella@lsureveille.com
Follow us at twitter.com/tdr_twilight to see and post updates about ‘Twilight’ cast sightings
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
Entertainment
Modern Music
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MOVIES
‘Twilight’ cast starts frenzy in Red Stick Kittu Pannu Entertainment Writer
Tipitina’s offers local musicians place to record music, learn new technology Co-Op is to be an incubator for aspiring small businesses and local media artists, according to manLocal musicians everywhere ager Lacey McRight. “I’d say that the most imporhave searched for decades for cheap ways to record and market tant thing is to not only provide access to this technology but to their music. Baton Rouge has a place teach these musicians and artists where local artists can not only how to use all the software and equipment so that record music but it becomes more also learn how to self-sustaining for use the modern their business,” tools necessary to McRight said. make it in the digiTodd Soutal media world. vignier, director Ti p i t i n a ’s of the statewide Music Office Co-Op project, Co-Op, located echoed those senon Government Todd Souvignier timents. Street, is the lo“We’re trying cal branch of the director, statewide Co-Op project to help these artstatewide Co-Op system put in place by the Tipi- ists make more money and keep tina’s Foundation to “support and more of the money they make,” he preserve Louisiana’s unique mu- said. The Co-Op system is doing sic culture.” The Baton Rouge location has just that for its members, accordbeen open since 2008 and is home ing to an economic survey conto more than 250 members. Mem- ducted by the foundation. “The survey showed that our bership with the co-op, which costs $10 a month, includes access members across the state have to graphic and design software reported anywhere from a 13- to programs like Final Cut Pro, Pro 30-percent increase in yearly inTools and PreSonos, as well as the come, and 80 percent of them office’s in-house recording studio. TIPITINA’S, see page 15 The main function of the Chris Abshire
Entertainment Writer
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‘We’re trying to help these artists make more money and keep more of the money they make.’
photos by DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
David Achee of Toothknife records a guitar track [above] and works on mixing a song [top left] Tuesday at Tipitina’s. Tipitina’s gives local musicians a place to practice and record music and learn how to use new digital media.
Rumors are circulating and social media networks are buzzing as many Baton Rouge residents stalk “Twilight” movie stars who are in Baton Rouge filming “Breaking Dawn.” Avid fans have spotted the cast at several hotspots including Tsunami, Perkins Rowe and Tigerland. And they’ve been permeating the city at downtown bar Boudreaux and Thibodeaux’s, where 100 Monkeys — a band including “Breaking Dawn” cast member Jackson Rathbone — has been performing every Tuesday, said Eric LeBlanc, manager at Boudreaux and Thibodeaux’s. “The crowds have been huge on Tuesdays,” LeBlanc said. Rathbone and 100 Monkeys were at the Baton Rouge State Fair this past weekend to film a music video, according to J.H. Martin, the State Fair’s CEO and chairman. “Because Jackson is in the movie, they have been hanging around Baton Rouge,” Martin said. “We did see an increase in people crowding around the stage when they started playing.” Martin said the band was a pleasure to meet. “The ladies might think [Jackson’s] the cutest because of his Southern charm,” Martin said. TWILIGHT, see page 15
THEATER
LSU Lab Theatre’s ‘Fat Pig’ addresses body image issues Play opened Tuesday, runs through Nov. 7 Morgan Searles Entertainment Writer
With a title like “Fat Pig,” some potential audience members may not know what to expect from the LSU Lab Theatre’s latest production. A work of contemporary realism, the play centers on an unconventional relationship between Tom, an attractive man, and Helen, a plus-size librarian. The play began its run Tuesday and will continue through Nov. 7. The performance starts at 7:30
every night, and Nov. 7 will have Hebert said the play assumes a 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. showing. audience members are intelligent Tickets are $10. and willing to see The production complex probdeals with body islems dramatized. sues and the way “I like trysociety perceives ing to put somethem, said Neal Hething that looks bert, director and like real life on theatre history and stage,” he said. historiography doc“I want there not torate student. to be a false moNeal Hebert “What will ment, like we’re director, ‘Fat Pig’ make people want to seeing a relationsee this play is that it’s about things ship develop before our very eyes.” that LSU students and people deal Written by Neil LaBute, an with every day,” said Hebert, a for- award-winning director, screenmer Daily Reveille opinion editor. writer and playwright, “Fat Pig” “It is a play that asks a lot of hard is cast and designed entirely by questions and doesn’t offer easy answers.” FAT PIG, see page 15
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‘It is a play that asks a lot of hard questions and doesn’t offer easy answers.’
SHAINA HUNTSBERRY / The Daily Reveille
Theatre junior Lee Gresham and theatre senior Sarah Ford act out a scene from “Fat Pig” on Wednesday evening in the Music and Dramatic Arts Studio Theatre.
The Daily Reveille
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Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
DOWNTOWN
Music at Mid-Day offers free entertainment for downtown Ferris W. McDaniel Entertainment Writer
A day-to-day routine can grow stale by the middle of the week, but the Shaw Center’s newest event, Music at Mid-Day, may make the mid-week blues a thing of the past. Music at Mid-Day kicked off Wednesday on the fourth floor of the Shaw Center in downtown Baton Rouge. The event provides visitors with live music and lunch on the building’s terrace, said Shaw Center Executive Director David Briggs. The event will roll every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. with the exception of Wednesdays that fall near holidays, like Ash Wednesday, Briggs said. “I’ve always wanted to have an activity downtown during the week that showcased the Shaw Center,” Briggs said. Briggs said people attending Music at Mid-Day are welcome to bring their own lunch or order to-go at one of the downtown restaurants working with the Shaw Center, like Kingfish.
The restaurants won’t deliver food to the Shaw Center, but 5 percent of lunch purchases at Music at Mid-Day will be donated to the Shaw Center, Briggs said. Briggs said the event is part of the Shaw Center’s mission to be a catalyst for the redevelopment of downtown Baton Rouge. “We’re hoping to be a little more visible downtown as an art venue,” he said. And many Mid-Day performers are or were University students, Briggs said. University alumnus Ben Herrington performed Wednesday at the first installment and will be performing often in the future. Other artists include Josue Ramirez, Ryan Foley, David White and Brian Gallion. Ramirez, a music arts doctoral student, said students should familiarize themselves with musical performances like Mid-Day because music is a big part of college culture. “Try to go to the concerts, opera productions and theater plays,” he said. “You won’t regret it.”
Ramirez and his partner, pianist Oscar Rossignoli, started performing together this semester and will perform at Music at Mid-Day on Nov. 10 and 17. Ramirez said he and Rossignoli are excited to play for the patrons of downtown Baton Rouge. “We have been practicing classical music as well as a variety of jazz standards,” he said. “It will be a varied repertoire for the nice people there to enjoy while they dine.” Ramirez and Briggs said people should check out Mid-Day if for nothing more than a cheap, unique date. “It’s a free concert,” Briggs said. “We want folks to take advantage of the beautiful Shaw Center, sitting alongside the mighty Mississippi and enjoying some beautiful music.”
Contact Ferris W. McDaniel at fmcdaniel@lsureveille.com
VIDEO GAMES
New game releases highly anticipated Andrew Price Entertainment Writer
November is finally here, and for video gamers that means the release of some of the most highly anticipated titles of the year. This month marks the release of Activision’s long awaited followup “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” as well as Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.” Xbox is also releasing its realtime motion capture device, Kinect, this month, allowing gamers to incorporate movement in a way that was only previously through a Nintendo Wii. Fans of the game “Red Dead Redemption” will soon be fighting zombies in the new “Undead Nightmare” add-on. Christmas is sure to be expensive with so many new games to keep players glued to the couch. CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS The 7th installment of the immensely popular “Call of Duty” game series, “Black Ops” is a firstperson shooter set during the Cold War era. Anyone who plays COD knows multiplayer is where the best
action is, and “Black Ops” promises an even more dynamic multiplayer than “Modern Warfare 2.” New features include a money system, where weapon upgrades are purchased with “COD points” rather than acquired through experience. Points are earned after each match, and extra points can be acquired by playing the new game types — wager matches, which allow players to gamble on what place they will finish, and challenges that can be purchased for large rewards. Ultimately, if “Black Ops” wants to achieve the level of success and adoration that “Modern Warfare 2” did, the multiplayer must live up to its hype. Allowing players to customize their weapons load-outs is a great idea, but it shouldn’t put players uninterested in wage or contract matches at a disadvantage.
ASSASSIN’S CREED: BROTHERHOOD The third installment in this revolutionary game series, “Brotherhood” picks up where “Assassin’s Creed 2” left off, following the story of Desmond Miles as he relives his assassin ancestors’ lives. “Brotherhood” is a continuation of the rich
story in the single player, and will also include the series’ first attempt at a multiplayer. In the multiplayer, players are assigned another player to assassinate and must hunt their target while they themselves are hunted. Though known for its rich storyline, “Assassin’s Creed” has traditionally been criticized for its repetitive game play. The variety in the game has steadily improved, but a solid multiplayer would really help “Brotherhood” stand out among its peers. KINECT Kinect is a real-time motion capture device that will be available as an addition to the Xbox 360. Game play will be similar to the Nintendo Wii, but the biggest difference is that Kinect will actually translate your movement to your on-screen avatar — or at least that’s what’s been promised.
Read more about Kinect and other games at lsureveille.com Contact Andrew Price at aprice@lsureveille.com
DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
Ben Harrington and Brad Walker (left to right) perform at the Shaw Center for the Arts downtown Wednesday as part of Music at Mid-Day.
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
LOCAL MUSIC
Prom Date releases new album Sat. Band to perform at Spanish Moon Chris Abshire Entertainment Writer
“Clock Out,” the much-anticipated first official EP from one of Baton Rouge’s most buzzed-about local bands, will finally be released on Saturday night at the Spanish Moon after months of fundraising and years of thrilling live sets. While the indie-pop quintet has been around for four years, Prom Date’s popularity has received a substantial boost in the last year, helped by a lauded performance at Groovin’ on the Grounds last spring and the band’s consistently sprite live shows around town. For long-time fans of the band, the EP includes four songs from the band’s demo, but all are drastically different from their previous recordings. “The songs just sound more filled out now and more mature,” said keyboard player and vocalist James Fuller. “We had many more resources available to us to record these tracks, so these songs people have gotten to be so familiar with since our demo will also have string sections and horns accompanying our traditional sound.” Fuller said the band will incorporate these instruments into upcoming live shows. “We felt these songs deserved something special and different, so a part of that is incorporating our new toys — the horns and strings — into our live setup,” Fuller said. Also, the EP will feature two brand new songs — title track “Clock Out” and “Molehills” — which Fuller actually said began with “an accordian and some country influences,” before changes led to the song’s final version on the EP. Fuller also mentioned the EP is split between what he described as more traditional Prom Date songs and a more orchestral or electronic style. “We love our electronic music, and our style already veered
File photo
Prom Date performs at Groovin’ on the Grounds on March 20 in the PMAC. The band will release its second album “Clock Out” at the Spanish Moon on Saturday.
toward some aspects of orchestral pop anyway, so we really wanted to take the chance to incorporate those styles more into our song writing,” Fuller said. While the finished product features lots of bells and whistles, Prom Date had to do some serious fundraising to make the EP possible. The band partnered with the Kickstarter project, which sponsors and helps fund “creative and ambitious endeavors,” according to its website. So Prom Date had one month, July, to raise $2,000 in contributions through its Kickstarter profile. If it failed to reach its goal, the band would not receive any of the money. Through intense social networking and a passionate local fan base, the band raised nearly $2,700 in just one month, making the “Clock Out” EP possible. Set donation totals also came with numbered incentives. For example, if someone donated $20, he or she received a physical copy of the EP, a digital release of the title track more than a month in advance and a digital copy of the band’s original demo. “We were looking for a way to get funding for recording and to do it right,” Fuller said. “The Kick-
starter partnership just worked out so well for us, and it’s kind of crazy that there was actually people out there that wanted to help you make and fund crazy, creative stuff.” Prom Date also had to make a decision whether to keep playing as a band, with several members recently graduating and one of the band’s vocalists, Brett Burke, residing in New Orleans. “Finishing college always brings up big decisions for anybody, but playing music is what we really want to do right now, so we’re willing to dedicate ourselves to it,” Fuller said. As for Saturday’s album release party at the Spanish Moon, Fuller said the band saw the place as a natural fit to host the occasion. “We’ve played numerous memorable shows there in the past, and I, personally, have been to so many great ’80s nights at that place,” Fuller said. “We adore the energy the crowd has there, and that’s so important when you’re sharing new material.”
Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com
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The Daily Reveille
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Reveille
Ranks
MUSIC * MOVIES * BOOKS * TELEVISION
The Widowers
Matt and Kim
N.E.R.D.
Phantom Party Records
Fader Label Records
Star Trak Entertainment
The Widowers’ funky indie-rock album “Central Discount,” out Nov. 16, takes listeners on a technicolor ride through some interesting musical madness and is definitely an album worth checking out, especially considering the band hails from Baton Rouge. The stellar, get-up-and-get-your-dance-on tracks make for a fun time even between album and listener alone. The Widowers’ sound is solid, fresh and has a sexy vibe that cannot go unnoticed. Overall, the album is impressive and has this listener’s vote as a great new release.
From the first track, Matt and Kim’s third full-length album, “Sidewalks,” is an addictive powerhouse of sound and fun. Tuba, tambourine, chimes and xylophone join the ever-present keyboard on various tracks, and though still present, Kim and her drums seem to take a backseat. The innocently optimistic lyrics accompany the beats and synthesizers perfectly. The first single, “Cameras,” captured the No. 20 spot on the iTunes Alternative Chart only an hour after its release. Tracks of interest also include “Block After Block” and “Good for Great.”
At 14 tracks, “Nothing” is like a Tuesday-night party — having a good time without partying too hard. Many songs use live instruments instead of the electronic-club production N.E.R.D. is known for, which adds depth and gives the album a cohesive, contemporary feel. Songs like “Hypnotize U” and “Hot-n-Fun” serve as indicators of how members of N.E.R.D. have grown as producers. While songs like “I See the Light” rack up skip counts, others like “Perfect Defect” show the versatility in an N.E.R.D. LP.
CATHRYN CORE
MORGAN SEARLES
KITTU PANNU
7 Walkers
Brian Eno
Saw 3D
Response Records
Warp Records
7 Walkers is a blues rock band formed by New Orleans guitarist Papa Mali and legendary Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann. Its self-titled debut album is dedicated to New Orleans and attempts to combine blues rock with the Big Easy’s flair. The result is what one would expect from the former Grateful Dead percussionist — a slow, hippie-fied album with all the familiar sounds of New Orleans music. “7 Walkers” is pleasant to listen to but nothing to write home about, and it comes dangerously close to boring.
Producer Brian Eno, best known for his work with Talking Heads and U2, has created an instrumental record in a genre he practically invented: ambient electronic. The tracks are more compositions than traditional songs, as gentle keyboards swirl behind electronic blips and ominous guitar chords. While this sense of darkness is no surprise, it’s slightly disappointing considering Eno’s association with some of rock’s most uplifting music, like Coldplay. “Small Craft on a Milk Sea” can’t be accused of a lack of focus because Eno is too good of a pop producer to lack accessibility.
“Saw 3D” is the final chapter in the long and bloody series of “Saw” movies. The movie is neither scary nor thrilling, and the gore is expectedly bad. With unrealistic blood, guts and blades occasionally jutting out of the screen, the 3-D aspect of the film is almost pointless. One high point is the writers actually crafted a semi-sensible plot and tied up some loose ends. After seven films, the “Saw” franchise may finally have come to an end, but another movie wouldn’t be surprising because of the movie’s somewhat openfor-interpretation ending.
ANDREW PRICE
CHRIS ABSHIRE
FERRIS W. MCDANIEL
Central Discount
Sidewalks
Nothing
[B+] [A+] [B]
7 Walkers
Small Craft on a Milk Sea
Twisted Pictures
[C+] [B] [D]
Editor’s Pick Ghostland Observatory Codename: Rondo
Trashy Moped Recordings
[C+]
Electro-rock duo Ghostland Observatory is known more for frenetic live performances than studio recordings, and “Codename: Rondo” illustrates why. While the band has tight electronic production down to a science, there’s no substance beyond that. Distracting vocal manipulations mar several songs, and the songwriting leaves something to be desired. Though there are enjoyable spots on tracks like “Give Me The Beat,” the album falls short of Ghostland’s previous efforts.
RYAN BUXTON
Entertainment Editor
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010 TIPITINA’S, from page 11
attribute that increase, at least in part, to being involved with the Co-Op,” Souvignier said. Local metal band Thou has used the Co-Op studio to record five songs, two of which appeared on the band’s EP a year ago. Thou’s bass player, Mitch Wells, described the software and recording equipment in the small studio as “great.” “We brought in this friend of ours from Oakland to help us mix the sound in our recordings, and he was able to use all the material we recorded there like it came from any high-end recording studio,” Wells said. Wells called the ability of local artists to access a place like Tipitina’s “crucial” and said the Baton Rouge music scene is “pretty lucky to have the Co-Op as a cheap, viable recording option.” “We have met a lot of bands from touring all over the place, and if you go elsewhere, bands either have to pay lots of money for official studio time or scrounge some money together and do it yourself,” Wells said. While the title of the Co-Op indicates a focus on music, both McRight and Souvignier said a strong segment of the membership comprises other digital-media professionals. “Media is not just these isolated outposts of music people or film people,” Souvignier said. “Media is a continuum, and someone who has a job in entertainment will need access to and skills in all different forms of the current digital media.” Tipitina’s is also in the process of finding a building in Baton Rouge to convert into a practice and rehearsal space for musicians, according to Souvignier. A fire that destroyed The Caterie in January also damaged the rehearsal space for dozens of bands. “We’ve got a small amount of money from the state earmarked to spend on a rehearsal space, and we have identified a property that we hope to turn into a 50-room practice facility for local musicians,” Souvignier said. While Tipitina’s is a 501-C3 operation — partially funded by the state and mostly by private donors — Souvignier said the CoOp system’s state funding is being reduced to “almost zero” in 2011. “We already don’t have much of an advertising budget, so we rely on working with nonprofits, like KLSU actually, and some volunteers to get our name out there,” McRight said. Souvignier acknowledged the Co-Op system is vulnerable when relying so heavily on private donations but said Tipitina’s is working to change its business model. “We’re working very hard to become better at self-funding this project because the state funding is diminishing so quickly, but things like the live music venue in New Orleans are a step in the right direction to continue our mission,” Souvignier said.
Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com
looked kind of messy and pretty pale,” Emas said. “The last time, “They were super nice young he left The Office right as it was filling up. He just seems like a men.” While the production team really quiet person who keeps to for 100 Monkeys was filming the himself.” Ashley Greene and Joe Jonas music video, some of the patrons frequent Fred’s Bar in Tigerland started to notice, Martin said. “We did a shot in the back by and are usually accompanied by the bumper cars, and we had to get other “Twilight” cast members, two security guards to make sure Emas said. “I feel bad because I know my nothing got out of hand,” Martin said. “If somebody spots one, they friends pull out their iPhones and tell the world about it on Twitter snap pictures of the actors when they are out,” and Facebook.” Emas said. Kasey Emas, Katie Harvey, creative writing ‘Twilight’ Sightings in BR project coordinasenior, said she • Fred’s Bar in Tigerland tor for the Bahas met several • Tsunami on Third Street “Twilight” cast • Halloween Express on Bluebonnet ton Rouge Film Commission, bemembers. Emas Boulevard said she met Kel- • California Pizza Kitchen in Perkins lieves filming will help raise Baton lan Lutz a couple Rowe Rouge’s profile. times around Ba• Urban Outfitters in Perkins Rowe “All of the ton Rouge. “He is re- • Boudreaux and Thibodeaux’s on films that are in the area bring a ally cool,” Emas Third Street great deal of direct said. “The first • The Office on Third Street into time I met him • Baton Rouge State Fair on Airline [spending] Baton Rouge and I was a stand-in Highway its businesses,” for a movie he was working on with Samuel L. Harvey said in an e-mail. “[We] Jackson. I didn’t recognize him offer a discount to the films while as a ‘Twilight’ actor until another they are shooting. It’s a wonderful stand-in told me after we talked gesture on behalf of the local businesses and a great grassroots way for a good 30 minutes.” Emas said Lutz and many of to display the hospitality of Baton the producers were nice the last Rouge to our guests.” Since “Breaking Dawn” protime she ran into them at The Ofduction began, Harvey said her fice, a bar on Third Street. “We were at The Office, and office has been inundated with they were just drinking and having inquiries about extras casting, a good time,” Emas said. “When but BRFC doesn’t handle extras we were hanging around their placement. “We get calls and e-mails daitable, [Lutz] was dancing with my friends and buying everyone ly from Baton Rouge to even as far away as Brazil,” Harvey said. shots.” Emas said she has also met Robert Pattinson, who is less of an Contact Kittu Pannu at extrovert than Lutz. kpannu@lsureveille.com “Both times I ran into Rob, he
TWILIGHT, from page 11
Ford said she wanted to be involved in the production because undergraduate students, with the of the issues it involved and beexception of the director. cause it granted her an opportunity Hebert said the opportunity to play a lead role. to work with these actors has been “As a plus-size woman myself, the best part of directing the pro- the roles that usually come my way duction. are supportive roles,” Ford said. “Despite the fact that I’ve “Most plays are not to have the directed 10 shows, this is my fa- main character be plus-size. And vorite group of also I think this designers I’ve ever play speaks to evworked for,” he eryone. It’s about said. “There is a feeling comfortlevel of sophisticaable in your own tion and polish in skin, and it shows that no matter who all aspects of their you are and what performance and design.” you weigh, everyTheatre senior one has issues.” Sarah Ford plays CommuniHelen, the lead cation disorders Neal Hebert female character. sophomore Carol director, ‘Fat Pig’ Ford said playing Ann Bryant, who an emotionally vulnerable charac- saw the play, said it was bluntly ter has been an interesting process. truthful. “Helen is not hard to relate “It raised a lot excellent points to,” Ford said. “She has a lot of about social issues,” Bryant said. joy, and it’s been fun to play those “They didn’t try to make the submoments. Finding the joy in her ject romantic or beautiful. They makes it worthwhile.” just put it the way it is. The actors Hebert said the actors have did a really good job. The funny been enthusiastic about the produc- characters had me laughing, and tion from the beginning. the sad parts had me tearing up.” “The actors have been incredibly willing to go places emotionally that I thought would be very difficult for them from the first Contact Morgan Searles at read-through,” Hebert said. “We all msearles@lsureveille.com believe in this show very strongly.”
FAT PIG, from page 11
‘‘
‘What will make people want to see this play is that it’s about things that LSU students and people deal with every day.’
page 15
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
page 16
OUR VIEW
Hudson, Borel hurt credibility with autograph Let’s revisit the energies of Student Government President J Hudson and Vice President Dani Borel in the past weeks. After failed attempts of contacting Gov. Bobby Jindal and a fruitless meeting Oct. 14 where Jindal pawned off his executive council on Hudson and Borel instead of showing up himself, the pair went on the war path. Within days, apparently fed up with Jindal ignoring their attempts at reaching him for answers about the state’s budget, Hudson shot letters to multiple U.S. newspapers in cities Jindal was visiting on a whirlwind Republican campaign tour. He called the governor out for ignoring the budget crisis in his own state and begged him to “fix your state’s serious problems.” Hudson’s message even turned cynical at times, calling Jindal’s political travels a move toward a 2012 presidential bid. The next day, Jindal’s camp put out a lengthy Facebook post that asked students for their take
on the way the state is funding higher education. And immediately elicited a response from Hudson. “I believe that [state officials] are incorrect when they state all universities are delivering less value than the students deserve,” was his response, though he asserted whatever progress the University has made is now being threatened by the budget cuts from the state. Hudson and Borel met with legislators after that — House Education Committee members John Bel Edwards and Patricia Haynes Smith — who both criticized Jindal for his handling of higher education’s crisis. But the dynamic duo wasn’t satisfied. Hudson and Borel continued to hound Jindal, pressing him for accountability and answers for students concerned about their education. On Oct. 28, SG’s ultra-secretive “WhatNow Lsu” event unfolded into students writing letters to Jindal and legislators, and
a similar campaign the next day in Free Speech Plaza was meant to culminate in Hudson and Borel hand delivering the letters to Jindal at the Capitol. When they arrived, Jindal wasn’t there to meet them, so they held onto the letters until he agreed to see them. They finally met with the governor Monday at an event in Denham Springs, and they confronted him with the letters. They took the brief encounter with a grain of salt, saving the real issues for a meeting with him and Chancellor Michael Martin the following day at the Governor’s Mansion. Boy, what a few angry letters during a fundraising campaign can do. Hudson and Borel went from being ignored by Jindal’s office to a personal invitation to the Governor’s Mansion. Hudson and Borel took the opportunity to hand him 700 student letters and to press him on whether he’d attend a University forum with legislators to discuss
budget cuts, to decipher the rationale for the Board of Regents’ funding formula and his plan for bettering our campus. Jindal’s answers may have been noncommittal at best, but at least the pair made headway in opening a different type of budget cuts conversation — one between the governor and students. “This isn’t a publicity stunt. This isn’t, ‘Hey, let’s get a picture with Jindal,’” Hudson told The Daily Reveille after the meeting. “This is saving higher education and saving LSU.” But just when it seemed our student leaders had objectively put their charges (the University and its students) first, Borel did just what a starstruck politician with a personal agenda would do. She asked Jindal to autograph the photograph featuring herself, Jindal and Hudson together on the previous day’s Daily Reveille cover. So much for keeping a safe distance from the subject of the pair’s supposedly harsh scrutiny.
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
The Jindal Count: 22 Something just doesn’t seem right with Borel asking Jindal — the man she and Hudson have been fervently challenging about budget cuts for weeks — for an autograph, like a giddy tourist in Disney World. “I think Jindal is a good politician. I think he’s done some great things,” Borel told The Daily Reveille on Wednesday. “I don’t think that’s necessarily the case for higher education. It doesn’t mean he’s a man I don’t admire. I mean, it’s not every day you get to meet the governor.” But even with that explanation, the meetings with Jindal appear to be more the culmination of a networking exercise than a tough front against government apathy to higher education. And to think, we had just started to trust the hardlining duo to convey to the governor what LSU students really think. What now, LSU? Contact the Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com
SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE LOST
Putting a price on professors could solve buget cut woes Though I was born and bred in Louisiana, I can’t help but admire the state of Texas, particularly for its recent stance on budget cuts. To be fair, our neighbors to the west have had their fair share of gaffes in recent years. The Andrea Yates fiasco was unforgivable, and I still haven’t decided if I can forgive the Lone Star State for bringing us the Bush family. But overall, I reluctantly have to admit I’m grateful to our friends to the west. After all, any place capable of breeding Drew Brees should be held in a similar regard as Nazareth. While Louisiana politicians and higher education officials twiddle their thumbs and wait for some sort of Brees-like miracle to blow on through, Texas is taking action in the nationwide collegiate funding crunch. And rather than skirting around the issue subjectively, as the University and Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration seem to be doing, Texans are coming out guns blazing by putting prices on their professors’ heads. According to a report in the
Wall Street Journal, the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System recently put out a 265page profit-and-loss statement for each of its faculty members. The statement analyzed faculty salaries against students taught, Cody Worsham tuition generated and reColumnist search grants obtained. The move has received mixed reviews in the state, ranging from praise for its emphasis on productivity to criticism for its limited measurements and time frame. The results are quite interesting, however. For example, one metric in the report compares professors’ salaries to the number of students they teach. While some non-tenured professors were paid less than $100 per student, others cost more than $20,000 per student. Even more striking are the actual cash flow figures from the
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
report. The three most profitable departments at the university were chemistry, history and English. Considering the significant criticism liberal arts programs are enduring, especially the University’s own English department, it’s incredible to see the fundgenerating potential within those fields of research. And while the specific figures from A&M don’t directly apply to LSU itself, the schools have quite a bit in common. Both are the flagship universities of their respective systems, both are A&M institutions, and both are large public universities suffering from a shortfall of funding — Texas A&M is preparing for $60 million in cuts and reallocations for next year. Criticize the move all you want for its questionable criteria and relatively small window of time, but at least the report is an objective measurement of productivity within the Texas A&M System. It makes me wonder why we haven’t done anything similar. I fail to see why the flagship
university one state over, which has more students and more faculty, can put out such a report but our University can’t. It wouldn’t be too difficult to calculate the figures. Hell, if an Aggie can do it, a Tiger can do it. Perhaps the University doesn’t have the data for such a report. Maybe A&M is simply more pragmatic about budget cuts and wants real, definite answers for why its universities aren’t as productive as they can be. Maybe A&M is simply working harder to find real solutions to a complex issue. While I hope that isn’t the case, the alternative is worse. Perhaps the University doesn’t want the public to know these figures because figures like these are powerful. They provide a standard index for judging which professors are providing more value to their colleges. Figures like these reveal the best and the worst of university employees, and if the worst are tenured professors or certain administrative puppets, the public
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.
outcry could get ugly. But enough speculation — consider this a University-wide challenge. Let’s look at the example set in Texas and apply it here at home. Let’s throw away stigmas of subjectivity and actually look at budget cuts from an objective stance by valuing our professors — and better yet, our administrators. If nothing else, it will at least give us a common ground for discussion of a pretty scary matter. Otherwise, it’s going to take a miracle even Breesus himself couldn’t pull off to save our institution. Cody Worsham is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Cworsham.
Contact Cody Worsham at cworsham@lsureveille.com
Quote of the Day “People living deeply have no fear of death.” Anais Nin French author Feb. 21, 1903 - Jan. 14, 1977
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
SHOCKINGLY SIMPLE
Opinion
page 17
Marshmallows might have everything to do with success
Pinning down exactly what qualities ensure success is a tricky business. Success is defined and measured in so many different ways it’s hard to even bring the subject up. But in our capitalist society, we can at least say perception of success is heavily influenced by our bank account. For the sake of argument, we’ll say success comes from having a good education, a good job and a clean criminal record. Now comes the even more contentious question of what quality determines success. Is it an innate ability like intelligence or talent, or can it be learned and practiced to perfection? Strangely enough, one of the best indicators of future success just might be the ability to not eat a marshmallow. In the late 1960s, Walter Mischel of Stanford University conducted an experiment hoping to discover at what age children develop the ability to delay
gratification. He took children ages 4 to 6 and put them in a room with a marshmallow. Mischel told each child they could eat the marshmallow, but if they waited until he came back they would get another marshAndrew Shockey mallow. Columnist What followed was complete agony for the children. Some kids would shove the marshmallow in their mouths as soon as the door closed, while others would sit, stare at and even sniff the marshmallow, trying desperately to hold out against temptation. In the end most of the children ate the marshmallow, but about a third of the kids successfully resisted the puffy white treat until Mischel returned 15 minutes later. Mischel analyzed the data
and concluded age does affect our ability to delay gratification. However, the really interesting results would come a few years later. Many of the children from the experiment went to school with his daughters. In the following years their classmates would come up in conversation. Eventually, Mischel noticed a trend. The children having a hard time in school usually had eaten the marshmallow. Fascinated by this idea, Mischel began a series of followup studies, which have continued to this day. The first followup took place 10 years after the initial experiment and involved SAT scores. Incredibly, Mischel found that students who waited for the second marshmallow outperformed students who ate the marshmallow immediately by more than 200 points. Over the years, Mischel has conducted dozens of follow-up studies and come up with some
pretty incredible results. Not only are kids who waited more likely to attend college and get good grades, but they also have a lower body mass index, a clean criminal record and a higher annual income. The marshmallow experiment suggests the most important quality for determining success isn’t intelligence or talent but the ability to delay gratification. Children who were able to put up with temporary discomfort in exchange for a future reward are now more successful in almost every measurable way. The ability to delay gratification may be the key to success, but it doesn’t mean people with poor self control are doomed to failure. The kids who waited didn’t do it because their brain told them they didn’t want to eat the marshmallow. Every child was tormented by the treat — some were just better able to resist its allure. Everyone has this
ability to some extent, but the key is practicing it. In modern America, instant gratification is king, and patience is more scarce than ever. The inability to delay gratification has a hand in everything from rising credit card debt to the mortgage meltdown. Most of us would rather sacrifice tomorrow to get our results today, but in the long term, waiting is almost always better. So the next time you want to go out the night before an exam, at least try not to eat the marshmallows. Andrew Shockey is a 20 year-old biological engineering sophomore from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Ashockey.
Contact Andrew Shockey at ashockey@lsureveille.com
EAT LESS, LEARN MORE
Political parties, campaigns limit government efficiency Saddened liberals can pull out the tissues, and crazy conservatives can rest easy — the House is won. I wish I could tell you who won exactly, because it might predict the successes of America for the next two years. All I can tell you is that Republicans “won” the House and nearly leveled the scales in the Senate. Matt Lousteau Of course I Columnist understand the implications this has on the civics of the situation, but it means little for the country besides percentages shifting closer to 50 in the bicameral legislative body. Tea Partiers are claiming victory in the battle to take back America, and left-wingers are calling for a resurgence of the passion that got them to Washington back in the good ole days of 2008. No matter what, it’s all a giant crock. Of the four labels used to describe the political landscape, zero of them had a purpose. It’s the same meaningless type of thought process that equates skin color, nationality or any characteristic to another characteristic — correlation is not causation. Democrats and Republicans both have a national platform, but why? Perhaps it’s so they can unify themselves to trick uniformed voters into perpetuating the broken system that has put us in this mess.
I stumbled upon the debate between senatorial candidates Charlie Melancon and David Vitter last week, and it was truly entertaining. Melancon was prepared and ready for what Vitter had in store. Vitter, on the other hand, sounded like a broken record caught in the headlights. When reporters asked Vitter whether or not he violated the law with his involvement in a prostitution ring in D.C. in 2007, he squirmed for about a minute without giving a yes or no answer. The moderator even stopped Vitter after he claimed he couldn’t make the judgment to inform him that he has a law degree. Vitter never answered, but he didn’t need to. Why? A friend pointed it out to me — neither his ethical nor moral standings make him qualified to legislate, especially for economic issues. Every bit of this sentiment make sense. Even if Melancon gave Nancy Pelosi the finger in session, that big blue “D” in front of his name makes him a liability to voters in Louisiana on election day. With party clout and campaign money at stake, voters have every reason to assume every other politician will do what their party requires of them in lieu of what actually serves voters. That being said, voters don’t have any legitimate source of candidate information. Campaign ads are blatantly exaggerated, worth less than Vitter’s “escorts.” The big red “R” is what got the ethically crippled Vitter elected, not any of his stances on issues. All voters heard was how he is a
Republican backed by the Tea Party, and in these economic times, any party other than Democrat is golden. I still don’t know Vitter’s true stances, and I hardly know Melancon’s after the hour-long debate. Government has become both a dream and nightmare for a marketing major — where people buy products with zero research but turn on a dime because of who knows what. If our elected leaders really wanted to make government more efficient and effective, they would do a few things:
First, eliminate parties. Parties replace logic and reason with “strategic” self-serving decisions to promote bodies that do nothing but polarize America. Second, eliminate campaigns — the money-sucking, marketing debacle that displaces public scrutiny from subjects worth investigating. Meg Whitman poured 150 million of her own dollars into her campaign for governor of California alone, which is respectable, but that money would be much better off somewhere else. Campaign money isn’t spent
to inform voters — it’s spent to persuade voters. Ignorant democracy is doomed, and that’s where America is headed — even if you think the House is won. Matt Lousteau is a 21-year-old mechanical engineering senior from LaPlace. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Mlousteau.
Contact Matt Lousteau at mlousteau@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
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The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010 FANS, from page 1 said, adding that students probably don’t have enough time to get intoxicated. With the Alabama game comes a larger crowd, so officers will be looking out for certain activities, Tabor said. “We’re always on our toes and ready for big games like Alabama. If you look at our schedule, it’s by far the biggest game we’ve had at home this year,” he said. “Obviously, with these bigger games, there are things we are more aware of.” Tabor said officers will be looking out specifically for ticket scalpers and underage drinkers because of the size of the game. Arrests for MIPs vary from game to game, Tabor said, but the more popular games often have the higher numbers. The Mississippi State game had the largest number of MIPs issued so far this season with 20 people arrested, both students and non-students, Tabor said. There were 16 for the West Virginia game, six for the Tennessee game and 15 for the McNeese State game. Tabor said undercover officers are also located inside the stadium to look for alcohol. “We try our best to stop everyone at the gates, but unfortunately we can’t catch everyone,” he said. An LSU cheerleader was struck in the head with an empty whiskey bottle Oct. 2 during the Tennessee game, resulting in her having to get stitches, according to Pauline Zernott, LSU spirit coordinator and cheerleading coach. “People were excited that we had won, so they started throwing cups and bottles,” she said. “It was like a rain shower of things coming down.” But Zernott said the incident was not a common occurrence. “They haven’t had a game like that in years,” she said. “There was a lot of emotion involved, and they just got careless and started throwing whatever was in their hands.” Zernott said LSU fans compare well to other schools’ fans, but they do stand out in their involvement. “The one way our fans really stand out is how they participate with each of the downs,” she said. “You really don’t see that around other schools. Overall, we really have great fans, and they play a major role in pumping up our team.” Misused ID cards and student intoxication are the biggest problems the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability sees, according to Jennie Stewart, assistant director. Stewart said first-time offenses can result in something as simple as a reflection essay, while serious repeat offenders may be asked to leave the University. The most common problems inside the stadium are arguments among fans and disturbing the peace by public intoxication, according to Casey Rayborn Hicks, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman. But Hicks said LSU fans aren’t an abnormally rowdy bunch. “LSU fans are no more rowdy than fans in any other venue,” Hicks said. “They are just more passionate.” Contact Sarah Eddington at seddington@lsureveille.com
THUGGIN, from page 1
don’t live in those areas,” Route said. Michael Steele, civil engineering freshman, said he has heard of the DVD, but it doesn’t make him feel unsafe in Baton Rouge. “I’m not too worried about it,” Steele said. “I don’t really go into those parts of town.” Steele said he thinks police should try to investigate the people on the DVD. “[They should] watch them and see what they’re doing,” Steele said.
AAUP, from page 1
instructors, most of whom have been at the University for more than seven years, should have received more advanced notice that their contracts would not be renewed. The letter is the third such complaint this year. The AAUP blasted the administration in February for not renewing Ivor van Heerden, the marine sciences professor who made national headlines for his post-Katrina criticisms of the Army Corps of Engineers’ maintenance of the New Orleans levees. The group claimed the administration had Ivor van Heerden fired
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Sgt. Don Kelly, Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman, said BRPD had “absolutely no reaction or comment or desire to speak about” the video. Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSU Police Department spokesman, said he doesn’t believe the DVD signifies any threat to students on campus. Jackson said the producers of the DVD claim the people involved are actors, but he doesn’t believe it. He said he believes the producers made that claim to put residents at ease.
“It’s been going on,” Jackson said. “You just woke up to it.” Route said he received mixed responses to the original video when it was released. “A lot of people liked it, but we did get some negative feedback,” Route said. “You can’t really have one without the other.” Jackson said he doesn’t agree with people who say the DVD encourages violence. He compared the DVD to movies like “Scarface” and “Takers” and said its purpose is entertainment, not to encourage crime.
“I like those movies. It’s not like I’m going to go out and rob anyone,” he said. “It’s just a show.” Jackson said his store will carry both the original DVD and its sequel because he thinks it’s important for the community to know what’s going on. “It’s going to be big,” Jackson said. “It’s going to be bigger than the first one.”
because those criticisms could have endangered federal funding funneled to the University through the Corps. The AAUP’s argument in the new complaint echoes the argument in the van Heerden case — by the association’s reading of LSU policy, both van Heerden and the foreign language 14 were tenured, protecting them from abrupt firings. The University stringently denied that van Heerden had tenure when he was let go. A federal judge denied van Heerden a preliminary injunction in March that would have saved his job, arguing the University could legally fire him. The AAUP is also
investigating a case involving biology professor Dominique Homberger. In April, University administrators suddenly removed Homberger from teaching an introductory biology class after her students had unusually low class grades. Homberger sponsored a Faculty Senate resolution passed Tuesday echoing the AAUP’s call for the professors to be reinstated and claiming administrators violated the instructors’ due process rights. “A budget crisis should not be an opportunity for the administration to make major structural changes to the university,” the resolution said. Faculty Senate President Kevin
Cope says it’s unusual for “an academic institution of this stature to face this many complaints in so short a time.” Though the AAUP doesn’t have any legal power, Cope said it has moral and political authority. “The administration has made all sorts of promises and led people to believe their jobs are more secure than they really are,” Cope said.
Contact Rachel Warren at rwarren@lsureveille.com
Read a PDF of the AAUP’s letter at lsureveille.com Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com
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The Daily Reveille
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010