Politics: Jindal’s budget draws criticism from lawmakers, p. 3
Softball: Bulldogs steamroll Tigers, 12-0, p. 7
Reveille The Daily
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Dancing the day away
Baseball: Tigers sweep Fullerton in weekend series, p. 7 Monday, March 14, 2011 • Volume 115, Issue 105
STUDY ABROAD
Program lacks minority students Claire Caillier Contributing Writer
photos by SHAINA HUNTSBERRY / The Daily Reveille
[Left] Plantation Day participants demonstrate how to spin cotton Saturday. [Above] Renaissance Cadienne dance group president Harry Leonard participates in a traditional Cajun dance. The event showcased Cajun heritage and culture.
French culture, traditions abound at BREC’s Magnolia Mound Plantation Day Emily Herrington Contributing Writer
Residents, tourists and visitors of all ages received a blast from the past Saturday as they basked in colonial French culture at BREC’s Magnolia Mound Plantation Day. Magnolia Mound Plantation, located just minutes from the University’s campus off Nicholson Drive, hosted hundreds of guests for a free celebration of the plantation’s French heritage. Plantation Day featured Cajun music, dancing, tours of the building, demonstrations of
colonial skills, jam sessions, traditional games and a French conversation room. The event exhibited what times were like when French immigrant Armand Duplantier owned the plantation in the early 19th century, said Clarence Moritz, Cajun disc jockey and activities coordinator. “We want to take history from then and share it with young people now,” said Danieta Stewart, member of Louisiane Vintage Dancers. The group demonstrated dances from the early 1800s Regency/Empire Era including waltzes, reels and circle dances.
Volunteers donned era costumes from the “Jane Austen period” that included floor-length skirts, long-sleeved blouses and bonnets for women and flowing shirts and slacks for men, most of which were homemade, Stewart said. The Renaissance Cadienne, a folklorictheater troupe based in Lafayette, also offered a dance performance and lessons on Cajun waltzing. President Harry Leonard shared techniques to avoid kicking dance partners and stepping on toes. PLANTATION, see page 15
See a video from Saturday’s Magnolia Mound Plantation Day celebrations at lsureveille.com.
The number of white college students who study abroad is significantly disproportional to the number of minority students, especially African-Americans, according to a new study. Mark Salisbury, director of Institutional Research and Assessment at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., is the head author of a paper published this month that pertains to the growing gap between white and minority students studying abroad. According to Salisbury, the paper is part of ongoing research in the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education, a group that checks on higher education promises to students. “Higher education diversity is increasing, but the diversity in study abroad programs is at a dramatically slower rate,” Salisbury said. Harald Leder, LSU director of Academic Programs Abroad, said ABROAD, see page 6
ELECTION WATCH: A series looking at the SG presidential race
Caffarel, Robison vow to ‘protect the voices’ of students
Editor’s note: Ticket series will be printed in alphabetical order according to the presidential candidates’ last names. Andrea Gallo Staff Writer
Candidates of the “NOW” ticket for Student Government president and vice president say they want to “protect the voices” of students on campus and ensure equal opportunities for all students. SG presidential candidate Aaron Caffarel, current speaker pro tempore, and vice presidential candidate Sen. Alli Robison, UCAC, say they’ve tried to place themselves into the shoes of others as members of SG Senate. Both voted in favor of SG’s
recent resolution to form a black caucus and the resolution to add “gender identity and expression” to the nondiscrimination clause of the equal opportunity policy. Caffarel said his experience in SG Senate gives him an “overarching” broad experience both within the legislative branch and with other branches. Caffarel and Robison said though this is only Robison’s second semester of involvement in SG, her involvement in Senate and “passion for serving students” supplement her short experience. Caffarel and Robison said they’ll concede their personal priorities if elected as president and vice president under their ticket. Caffarel, a mellophone player in the University’s Tiger Band, said he would “retire” from the
band if elected because the time constraints are “not conducive” to fulfilling his presidential duties. Robison, an LSU Ambassador, said she would finish the spring semester as an ambassador but take alumna status next fall if elected vice president. Caffarel said the best way for SG to gauge students’ wants is to hold the senators accountable for interacting with students from the colleges they represent. He said senators fill the role of a “trustee or delegate.” “We need to place a priority on the delegate aspect,” he said. Caffarel and Robison outlined changes they would make to current SG President J Hudson and SG Vice President Dani NOW, see page 15
BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
Student Government presidential candidate Aaron Caffarel, left, and vice presidential candidate Alli Robison discuss their campaign Thursday in Hodges Hall.
The Daily Reveille
Nation & World
page 2
Monday, March 14, 2011
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
STATE/LOCAL
Natural disasters make meltdown in Japan plant ‘highly possible’
Cockpit locked down, authorities contacted over praying passengers
Endangered plants flourish at Nicholls State University Farm
KORIYAMA, Japan (AP) — Japanese officials were struggling Sunday with a growing nuclear crisis and the threat of multiple meltdowns, as more than 170,000 people were evacuated from the quake- and tsunami-savaged northeastern coast where police fear more than 10,000 people may have already died. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said that a hydrogen explosion could occur at Unit 3 of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex, the reactor that could be melting down.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Pilots on an Alaska Airlines flight locked down the cockpit and alerted authorities after three passengers conducted an elaborate orthodox Jewish prayer ritual during their Los Angeles-bound flight. Airline spokeswoman Bobbie Egan says the crew of Flight 241 from Mexico City became alarmed Sunday after the men began the ritual, which involves tying leather straps and small wooden boxes to the body.
THIBODAUX (AP) — You may know it as a Toothache Tree, Hercules Club or Southern Prickly Ash, but researchers at the Nicholls State University Farm know this spiky-barked tree as Zanthozylum clava-herculis. Those lumps or warts on the tree’s bark can make it look like a large spiked weapon hence the name Hercules Club. Its nickname as the Toothache Tree comes from the numbing chemicals released when the leaves or bark are chewed, leading to its use by American Indians and early settlers as medicine. Zanthozylum clava-herculis is one of the newest plants among the 20 species at the University Farm.
Moroccan riot police disperse unauthorized violent protest RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Riot police have broken up an illegal protest in Casablanca by several hundred people, including many supporters of Morocco’s best-known Islamist movement. The state-run MAP news agency says members of the banned Islamist group, the Justice and Spirituality movement, gathered on a Casablanca square and “tried to start their march with violence” Sunday. An Interior Ministry official told The Associated Press that about 50 protesters were arrested and four officers injured.
MARK BAKER / The Associated Press
A man and his dog are scanned Sunday for levels of radiation in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
Gadhafi’s forces drive rebels from one of last strongholds BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — Moammar Gadhafi’s forces swept rebels from one of their final strongholds with hours of searing waves of strikes from warships, tanks and warplanes on Sunday, but the insurgents claimed they moved back in after nightfall. One rebel said that after their initial defeat, opposition forces destroyed armored vehicles and captured dozens of fighters from Gadhafi’s elite Khamis Brigade in the oil town of Brega, driving others back into the town’s airport.
Non-profit group seeks forest restoration to cleanse planet COPEMISH, Mich. (AP) — Redwoods and sequoias towering majestically over California’s northern coast. Oaks up to 1,000 years old nestled in a secluded corner of Ireland. The legendary cedars of Lebanon. A nonprofit organization called Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is rushing to collect their genetic material and replant clones in an audacious plan to restore the world’s ancient forests and put them to work cleansing the environment and absorbing carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas largely responsible for global warming.
La. authorities say text leads to a battery arrest and a drug arrest MONROE (AP) — Louisiana authorities say a text message caused a fight that led to the arrest of two people – a woman charged with aggravated battery and a man charged with possession of marijuana. An arrest report by the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department said 25-year-old Jamie A. Howard and 24-year-old Rodriquez L. McGee got into a fight Saturday over a text message McGee received from his child’s mother.
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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
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The Daily Reveille
page 3
POLITICS
Legislators criticize Jindal’s budget
of certain bills because a budget necessarily relies on certain predictions and assumptions. He sparred with legislators over how much one-time money the budget uses to pay for reMatthew Albright curring expenses, a practice for Chief Staff Writer which the administration has preGov. Bobby Jindal’s pro- viously been criticized. Rainwater and other adposed executive budget drew sharp criticism Friday morning ministration officials have said from several members of the the budget relies on less oneJoint Legislative Committee on time money than previous budgets. But legislators said the the Budget. “I’m trying to find the differ- administration wasn’t counting certain proposals ence between real in that total. money and imagThey espeinary money,” in cially focused on the budget, said Jindal’s proposal Sen. Lydia Jackto sell several son, D-Shrevestate prisons. port. “This is the Jindal’s proworst kind of posed plan cuts money we can more than $1 bilSen. Lydia Jackson use to plug the lion from the state budget,” said Sen. D-Shreveport budget, draws on Eric LaFleur, Dcountless proposed efficiencies and reductions Ville Platte. “We’re just going to programs throughout the state to have to pay back this money and includes no new general fund later.” LaFleur argued paying a cuts to higher education and no private company to hold prisonnew taxes. Jindal presented his proposal ers won’t save the state any real to the press Thursday afternoon, money in the long term. The proposed prison sales but Friday’s meeting marked its official unveiling, which drew so also faced scrutiny from legislamany people that several backup tors who were concerned private rooms had to be used to accom- prisons would be less safe, pay modate the crowds in addition to fewer employees less money and provide fewer rehabilitation prothe main meeting room. Several committee mem- grams for prisoners. “I know there’s a concern in bers, mostly Democrats, grilled Commissioner of Administration the public about [the prison proPaul Rainwater and his aides dur- posal],” said Rep. Mack “Bodie” ing the four and a half hour-long White, R-Denham Springs. meeting. They argued Jindal’s budget assumes passage of several pieces of proposed legislation, most notably a constitutional amendment that would shuffle money to fully fund TOPS. “I think this budget is unconstitutional,” said Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans. Peterson was among several legislators who criticized the budget for using what they called “contingencies” to balance the budget. The TOPS amendment, for example, can only be passed with a two-thirds vote of the Legislature and a statewide vote. “What happens if [the Legislature] or the people don’t pass this amendment?” Peterson demanded. “You won’t have TOPS fully funded.” Rainwater argued that, if the amendment doesn’t pass, other efficiencies and cuts will be found to fully fund TOPS. “This administration is committed to fully funding TOPS,” he said. Rainwater said it wasn’t unreasonable to assume passage
Lawmakers: Plan assumes too much
‘‘
‘I’m trying to find the difference between real money and imaginary money.’
7:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m. Noon, 3:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m.
Each committee member who spoke at the meeting raised several concerns about the budget. Several said the budget’s focus on “self-generated” higher education funding would lead to drastic tuition and fee increases that might scare off students. “You’re not doing more with less,” Jackson said. “You’re doing it with more. You’re doing it with increased fees, which are taxes in my opinion.” A small crowd of protesters wearing T-shirts that read “divided we fall” attended the meeting, crowding the hallways until they were escorted out. They then protested on the Capitol steps, chanting “We are not for sale” and waving signs criticizing the prison sale proposal. Chancellor Michael Martin said in a statement Friday that administrators are “optimistic” about the budget’s implications for the University. Still, he made clear “we have a lot of work to do over the coming days and weeks to understand exactly how the University’s budget will be affected.” Martin also encouraged faculty, staff and students to attend the Chancellor’s Forum at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Shaver Theatre in the Music and Dramatic Arts Building. Martin said he would update the campus community with any new details administrators may have about the proposed budget. Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com
BLAIR LOCKHART / The Daily Reveille
Jindal’s budget adviser, Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater, presents the 2011-12 executive budget at the State Capitol on Friday.
Monday, March 14 Shady’s
Free drinks 8-10 $1.50 High Life 50 cent shots all night Come have a drink, Don’t be a DiCK
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The Daily Reveille
page 4
HIGHER ED
PETS
Provost addresses University’s future
the governor’s office has become much more open to talking about the budget. He said communication is key in the continuing fight for the institution’s prestige. “It’s not a great university if Catherine Threlkeld all it cares about is being a voContributing Writer cational school,” Hamilton said. University Provost and Ex- “Our job is to fight and have it ecutive Vice Chancellor Jack not happen.” Hamilton stressed A budget on Friday the improblem the Uniportance of operversity always ating efficiently faces is in unand saving money funded mandates, for the future of created from inhigher education creased costs of in a visit to the retirements and Atlas Foundation, health insurance a Turkish cultural programs. Hamcenter in Baton ilton said these Rouge. costs directly afJack Hamilton Hamilton fect students. said the Univer- provost, executive vice-chancellor “If the [direct sity needs greater levels of mon- student impact] is $10 million, etary freedom to compete in the it won’t ruin LSU. If the DSI is marketplace. $20 million, it will be a serious, “We have to have a model like a great university that has some control over price and some control over cost,” Hamilton said. Hamilton said one way to raise money is to increase tuition but also to maintain aid to students who wouldn’t be able to attend the University otherwise. “LSU needs to be affordable. It doesn’t make sense to go to LSU for $848 a semester,” Hamilton said, “because that’s what it is if you’re on TOPS.” Hamilton also said faculty members need to take on greater workloads, and deans should be responsible for their budget. He said by doing so, deans would “make better decisions because [they’re] accountable for every dollar and penny.” Hamilton said past provosts have been “amazed at how great LSU is.” “LSU should be way better,” Hamilton said. “It’s not going to be there until we change the workloads.” Hamilton said the approaching legislative session is critical to the University’s future, and
Hamilton: ‘LSU should be way better’
DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
Dogs and their owners participate in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s 18th Annual Great Rover Road Run on Saturday. The event raised awareness of pet obesity.
Animal and owner race promotes health Kevin Thibodeaux Contributing Writer
The whistle sounded, and all bets were off. It was more a “rat terrier race” than a rat race to the finish down Skip Bertman Drive, with some participants sprinting, others jogging and a few competing in dresses. The 18th annual Great Rover Road Run, held on Saturday to raise awareness for animal obesity, featured a one-mile fun run for pet owners and their pets to compete in together. And, as participants crossed the finish line, it was the human owners — not their four-legged counterparts — who were out of breath. In addition to the “sprint,” the event also featured a five-kilometer run across campus from the Vet School to the UREC. Pet Olympics were held after the races finished, and awards were given to dogs for the fastest fetch, the smallest contestant, the fastest tail wag, the highest jump, the best trick and the best dressed. Gretchen Morgan, the director of annual giving and alumni affairs, has been helping coordinate the road race for four years, but said it was the students who were in charge of organizing the event. All proceeds from the event go to the Student Chapter of American Veterinary Medical Association, which Morgan said helps in continuing education for students. Sarah Ainsworth, a Baton Rouge resident who ran the race with her dog Angel, said the pair prepared for the event by running two miles every day. “I would chase after her while she was chasing after a golf cart,” Ainsworth said. Katrin Saile, Vet School assistant professor of companion surgery, volunteered at the race and handed out tags to the runners as they crossed the finish line. Saile said she sees a lot of obese animals in her job and tries to raise awareness by getting pet owners to pay attention to animal diets. Saile said obesity can have as many detrimental effects in animals as it
Monday, March 14, 2011
does in humans. Morgan said animal obesity can cause knee and back issues in pets as well as diabetes. “Both diet and exercise is critical,” Morgan said. “Exercise is especially important because it gets you active, as well, whether it’s walking the dog or throwing the ball. It also helps you socialize.” Lindsey Pelych and Sara Bercier, second-year vet students who helped coordinate the event, said about $7,000 was raised from sponsors, but some of it was used to pay for shirts and other expenses of the event. Pelych said obesity can also cause animals to be more prone to heart disease. “We try not to say ‘obese’ because people love their pets,” Pelych said. “We say they are ‘very well cared for.’” Baton Rouge resident Elizabeth Kelsey, who has competed with her dog, Prada, in the road race for eight years, said she didn’t have any problems keeping her dog under control. “She likes to run fast. I have trouble keeping up with her,” Kelsey said. Amanda Fulton, Baton Rouge resident, said she walks her dog Nigel two to three times a week but had trouble keeping Nigel under control in his first official race with other pets. “I had to keep him on a tight leash because he wanted to chase the other dogs,” Fulton said.
Contact Kevin Thibodeaux at kthibodeaux@lsureveille.com
‘‘
‘We have to have a model like a great university that has some control over price and some control over cost.’
serious problem,” Hamilton said. “North of $20 million, we have to ask ourselves questions of financial exigency.” Tevfik Eski, CEO of the Pelican Educational Foundation — a nonprofit that runs charter schools in the state — said he attended Hamilton’s talk because the success of state higher education is important to his line of work. Eski said he works often with University students, and he wants to maintain close communication with other educators. “When you look at the news every day, you see budget cut issues, and I believe he is going to address these types of issues,” Eski said.
Contact Catherine Threlkeld at cthrelkeld@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Monday, March 14, 2011
page 5
CAMPUS LIFE
Students convene on LSU campus for orientation workshop Celeste Ansley Staff Writer
More than 1,700 students, graduate students and professionals from nine states gathered at the University this weekend to compete and learn orientation strategies at the 36th annual Southern Regional Orientation Workshop. This year’s three-day event included competitions in skits, song and dance, T-shirt and banner creation and spirit. Students also attended networking and educational sessions and a social in the PMAC. SROW is the National Orientation Directors Association Region IV conference, which includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina, according to a news release. Some of the institutions walking away with first-place awards were: Northwestern State University for best song; Nicholls State University for best skit; University of North Carolina at Wilmington with best dance and large group spirit; Clark-Atlanta University in medium group spirit; and Elon University with small group spirit.
Millie Elder, LSU sports administration sophomore and SROW student assistant, said institutions bring their versions of LSU’s Ambassadors to learn ways to improve orientation programs. Alicia Neto, SROW attendee from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, said ULL is walking away with “new ideas on how to facilitate our orientations.” Quentin Jones, who also attended with ULL, enjoyed the social festivities at this year’s SROW the most. Barrett Allen, LSU public relations senior and SROW student assistant, said more than 95 Ambassadors volunteered to help at SROW. “It’s a huge responsibility for Ambassadors,” Allen said. Kelli Webber, LSU Office of Orientation assistant director and SROW host chair, said hosting the event was a campus-wide effort, including Student Life, the Office of Orientation, First Year Experience, Campus Life, Dining Services, University Auxiliary Services and Facility Services. Webber said it cost $95 per student and $100 per professional to attend SROW, and fees included
SOCIAL MEDIA
Keep La. Beautiful finds uses for Facebook Rachel Warren Staff Writer
After the launch of a new Keep Louisiana Beautiful campaign, litterbugs can find their messes caught on a new kind of candid camera — LitterCam. LitterCam is part of KLB’s latest anti-littering campaign that reaches audiences through social media like Facebook and Twitter. On its Facebook page, KLB asks fans to post photos of litter they see in the state and encourages others to comment on them. Whitney Breaux, KLB representative and University alumna, said the organization is using digital billboards, local talk shows and radio spots as promotion tools, but this is the first time it has used social media. Breaux said the LitterCam campaign launched at the beginning of February but has picked up speed in recent weeks. She said KLB’s Facebook page has seen an increase of more than 300 fans since the campaign launched. Melanie Peck, KLB Affiliate Services Coordinator, said the campaign’s purpose is to shed light on the litter problem in the state. She said the campaign’s visual impact will have more of an effect on residents than traditional methods. Breaux said that’s the main reason KLB chose to create the LitterCam campaign. “It takes a lot to change people’s behaviors,” she said. “This puts litter in all of our faces.”
Breaux hopes the campaign will encourage people to stop littering and support the organization’s cause. “We’re trying to create advocates,” Breaux said. “‘Anti-litterbugs,’ you could say.” Breaux said social media has become increasingly important to KLB’s work, and the organization has a bit of a reputation for being ahead of the curve. “They were actually the first Keep America Beautiful affiliate to start a [Facebook] page,” she said. In addition to raising awareness, the LitterCam campaign will alert KLB volunteers and associates to problem areas in the state Peck said. She said volunteers notify affiliates in each city as photos are uploaded so areas can be cleaned up quickly. “We have a huge affiliate network,” Peck said. “We try to be pretty active in responding to the photos.” Randy Ott, German and Spanish sophomore, said he doesn’t think the University is immune to litterbug infestation. “It’s definitely a problem on campus,” he said. Ott said he thinks the University should provide more trash cans and recycle bins to encourage students to throw away their trash instead of leaving it on benches or dropping it on the ground.
Contact Rachel Warren at rwarren@lsureveille.com
seven meals and a slew of souvenirs. Allen said institutions prepare for six months for SROW, and as the host school LSU has been planning since the bid was received in 2009. Chris Landry, SROW volunteer, submitted the bid for LSU. Landry said the proposal showcased some of the University’s facilities and presented the theme “Let the good times roll!” “We wanted to give a taste of what Louisiana has to offer,” Landry said. CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille
Contact Celeste Ansley at cansley@lsureveille.com
Jake Landry and Carly Woitha of LSU laugh during the start of SROW. Orientation leaders from colleges across the country gathered to exchange ideas during SROW.
The Daily Reveille
page 6
SCIENCE
Astronomy professor gives ‘view’ of Chandra X-ray Observatory Rachel Warren Staff Writer
Groups of Baton Rouge residents gather each week at the Highland Road Park Observatory to hear lectures that are out of this world. Robert Hynes, assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, spoke Friday about the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which was first launched into space in 1999. Hynes explained Chandra’s discoveries are somewhat different from what the average person would expect. “We all kind of dream of X-ray eyes and what we could do with them,” Hynes said. “But the reality is a little bit different.”
Hynes explained that the Xrays Chandra detects allow NASA to observe the remnants of exploded stars — something that wasn’t even believed possible until the observatory launched. He said past observational techniques gave NASA fuzzy photos that were difficult to see. Chandra offers high resolution and sharp, clear details. Hynes’ lecture included a PowerPoint presentation of a few of Chandra’s dazzling images, at which he said he never gets tired of looking. “I’m an astronomer,” he said. “I like looking at pretty pictures.” Christopher Kersey, manager of the observatory, said he enjoyed Hynes’ talk because Chandra has
ABROAD, from page 1
he does see a difference in the number of white students who study abroad compared to minority students. “It depends on how you define minorities. African-American students are very few [in the program]. Different minorities constitute a larger amount,” Leder said. Leder said some of the more common minorities in study abroad programs are Asians and Hispanics. Salisbury found the dominant marketing technique of study abroad programs nationally is stressing the importance of gaining a deep crosscultural experience. “White students who think that obtaining a cross-cultural experience in college is important are highly likely to study abroad. African-American students who think the same thing are not any more or less likely to study abroad,” Salisbury said. The data gathered by Salisbury and his team revealed studying abroad appeals to white students more because of the emphasis on acquiring a cross-cultural experience outside the national borders. “Telling an African-American student you have to go across the planet to get a cross-cultural experience is like telling a native of Louisiana to go to New York City to get a good gumbo,” Salisbury said. Salisbury’s conclusions from the research suggest adjusting the marketing techniques to reach the minority audience. Leder said research shows minorities are in programs that are not conducive to studying abroad, like science and engineering majors. “The rarest of all [students studying abroad] is a male AfricanAmerican engineering student,” Leder said. Katrice Albert, LSU vice provost of Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach, acknowledged in an e-mail that minority participation in the University’s study abroad programs is low compared to their white counterparts, but she encourages all students to participate as a critical part of student development.
Murlonda Webb interdisciplinary studies senior
‘I guess it depends on your background. ... It is not a minority factor. It is a cultural factor.’
“Many students of color may be discouraged from studying abroad because of the costs associated with tuition, program fees and living expenses. Similarly, there may be fear and anxiety related to studying abroad,” Albert said in an e-mail. Jonathan Daisy, an AfricanAmerican business junior, said he would not feel comfortable studying abroad. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving home and my family,” Daisy said. “I would feel out of place as a minority.” Mike Wilson, an AfricanAmerican anthropology alumnus, studied abroad in Sweden in 2003 and 2004 and is now affiliated with the Peercorps Network as an international project coordinator. Wilson said a possible reason why minority students do not study abroad is because of fear. “There is a fear among some minority students, especially
never been discussed at one of the observatory’s lectures. Kersey said the lectures have been held every Friday for years. He said he thinks it’s important for the observatory to offer the speeches because there isn’t much scientific education available to adults in Baton Rouge. “We pride ourselves on having physics and astronomy lectures for an adult audience,” he said.
Read more about the observatory at lsureveille.com Contact Rachel Warren at rwarren@lsureveille.com
Brian Morris
sociology graduate student
‘Some students are brought up in a culture where [studying abroad] is not valued.’
African-American students, that they will be met with racism that they cannot handle. They feel they are diving into a sea of whiteness, and they will stick out, and people will talk about them,” Wilson said. Wilson said his study abroad experience benefitted him greatly. “I thought that with a study abroad experience, I could potentially be a global citizen,” Wilson said. “It increased my confidence and my ability to interact with people of different backgrounds.” Leder said he sees the importance of encouraging more minority students to study abroad, and he visits the African American Cultural Center to promote study abroad programs. “We are aware that we need to reach out to those who are underrepresented,” Leder said. Contact Claire Caillier at ccaillier@lsureveille.com
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tiger Feed: Read blogger Ryan Ginn’s notes on about LSU’s 10-2 win against Cal State Fullerton
Sports
Monday, March 14, 2011
page 7
FALL OF THE TITANS
SOFTBALL
Georgia pounds Tigers, 12-0 David Helman Sports Contributor
the ball over first base and into the stands, trying to pick off Jones. Junior center fielder Mikie Mahtook belted an RBI single to left field after a sacrifice fly brought in another run, and junior shortstop Austin Nola squirted an RBI single past junior second baseman Anthony Trajano, stretching LSU’s lead, 7-0. “When you’ve got a team on your heels, you just need to go for the blow that gives you the
Just five games into Southeastern Conference play, and the LSU softball team has already seen the best competition it will face all year. The results, however, have been far from positive. Just two days after they were swept by No. 2 Florida, the No. 21 Tigers (15-10, 0-5) tried their luck against No. 1 Georgia (19-1, 3-0), only to be swept away again. The 0-5 start in SEC play is LSU’s worst opening in school history. “We knew coming into the weekend that we would have to play our best softball to be successful against a very tough Georgia team that plays extremely well at home,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard in a news release. “Unfortunately, the Tigers weren’t up to the challenge.” The Bulldogs emphasized the sweep Sunday with a 12-0 runrule victory that saw them jump ahead immediately with a fiverun first inning, followed closely by a seven-run third. The Tigers were only able to manage two hits on the afternoon, which ended early when the game was called by run rule. Sunday’s defeat was the most lopsided of a series that got progressively worse as the weekend
CAL STATE, see page 11
GEORGIA, see page 11
BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
LSU first baseman Grant Dozar successfully dives into third base Sunday as Cal State Fullerton third baseman Joe Terry commits an error during the Tigers’ 10-2 victory.
Ott becomes LSU all-time saves leader as team sweeps Cal State Fullerton Rowan Kavner Sports Writer
The No. 16 LSU baseball team narrowly missed an opportunity for a sweep last weekend. It wasn’t going to let this one slip away in front of an actual weekend crowd of 27,194 — the largest in Alex Box Stadium history. No. 6 Cal State Fullerton (86) committed at least three errors for the third-straight day and was swept Sunday for the first time since 2008 as LSU (15-1) buried
the Titans, 10-2. “I’m just so proud of the kids,” LSU coach Paul Mainieri said. “They showed tremendous composure and poise in a very highly promoted, highly touted series.” The Tigers went ahead, 2-0, in the first inning for the thirdstraight day. “Skip Bertman always refers to that as the inevitable two,” Mainieri said. “Somebody always seems to give up two runs in the first inning.” Fullerton committed three
of its four errors in the bottom of the second inning as LSU poured on five runs and chased junior pitcher Colin O’Connell. Junior first baseman Grant Dozar and junior catcher Jordy Snikeris both reached on errors to start the inning. Dozar and Snikeris pulled off a double steal, a rare feat for a first baseman and catcher. Freshman second baseman JaCoby Jones poked a single to right field to extend LSU’s lead to 3-0. Snikeris crossed home plate soon after as O’Connell launched
FOOTBALL
Quarterback contest takes center stage at spring practices Michael Lambert Sports Writer
The long-awaited debut of the LSU quarterback show was unveiled Saturday. Media flocked to see their first glimpses of the trio of quarterbacks — sophomore Zach Mettenberger and seniors Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee — who all shared snaps in the limited media opportunity during Saturday’s spring practice. The first two days of spring practice did little to lock in the quarterback depth chart, but some clarity was brought to the hazy situation. Incumbents Jefferson and Lee are using their past years of experience to their benefit. Jefferson, who started 26 games for LSU, hasn’t been
publicly named the starter, but he has the upper hand with three years of playing time. Lee only has nine starts at LSU while Mettenbeger joined the team a few months ago. “The experience under our belt has helped us for our first day,” Lee said Friday after the team’s first spring practice. Mettenberger, the largest of the three quarterbacks at 6-feet5-inches and 250-pounds, drew praise from his teammate. “Zach can definitely throw the ball. He’s a big kid so he’s got that going for him,” Lee said “Competition only makes you better.” LSU coach Les Miles said little to settle the quarterback dispute. “Both guys that are veteran looked to be veteran,” Miles
said. “Jefferson looks much better.” Mettenberger has his own share of college experience, leading Butler Community College to the Junior College National Championship Game last season. “[Mettenberger’s] going to be a nice addition to us,” Miles said. “We’re a team that can throw and catch, and he gives us advantages there.” Though the quarterbacks are in a fierce competition, junior wide receiver Russell Shepard made one thing clear — there’s harmony among the three. “They’re coming together as one,” Shepard said. “At the end of the day you have one quarterback. A lot of times you SPRING, see page 11
DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
LSU sophomore quarterback Zach Mettenberger throws in spring practice on Saturday. He will compete for the starting job against seniors Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee.
The Daily Reveille
page 8
Monday, March 14, 2011
2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament 1 Ohio St.
1 Kansas
16 Round 1 #1
16 Boston U.
ROUND 1: Dayton, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
8 George Mason 9 Villanova 5 West Virginia
East, March 15 12 UAB 12 Clemson
Southwest, March 15 12 UAB 12 Clemson
East, March 16 16 UT-San Antonio 16 Alabama St.
Southeast, March 16 16 NC-Asheville 16 Ark.-Little Rock
Tulsa, Okla.
8 UNLV 9 Illinois 5 Vanderbilt
12 Round 1 #2
12 Richmond
Denver, Colo.
Tampa, Fla.
4 Kentucky
East
13 Princeton
Newark, N.J.
6 Xavier
FINAL Houston
Southwest
4 Louisville 13 Morehead St.
San Antonio, Texas
6 Georgetown
April 4
11 Marquette
11 Round 1 #3
Cleveland, Ohio
3 Syracuse
Chicago
3 Purdue
14 Indiana St.
14 St. Peter
7 Washington
7 Texas A&M
10 Georgia
10 Florida St.
Charlotte, N.C.
Chicago
2 North Carolina
2 Notre Dame
15 Long Island
15 Akron
NCAA Champion
Round 2 March 17-18
Round 2 March 17-18
1 Duke
1 Pittsburgh
16 Hampton
16 Round 1 #4
Charlotte, N.C.
8 Michigan
Washington, D.C.
9 Tennessee
9 Old Dominion
5 Arizona
5 Kansas St.
12 Memphis
West
13 Oakland
12 Utah St.
Final Four
Tulsa, Okla.
4 Texas
Anaheim, Calif.
Houston April 2
Tucson, Ariz.
Southeast
6 St. Johns
11 Missouri
11 Gonzaga
Washington, D.C.
Denver, Colo.
14 Bucknell
7 UCLA
10 Penn St. 7 San Diego St.
3 BYU 14 Wofford
7 Temple
15 N. Colorado
4 Wisconsin 13 Belmont
New Orleans, La.
6 Cincinnati
3 Connecticut
8 Butler
10 Michigan St.
Tucson, Ariz.
Tampa, Fla.
2 Florida 15 UC Santa Barb.
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Daily Reveille
page 9
FOOTBALL
Lesser-known players given chance to impress at Pro Day has garnered all of the attention since declaring for the NFL draft. Peterson, who isn’t running during Pro Day, continued to gain national exposure after running a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the Michael Lambert combine, the second-best time Sports Writer overall. Former LSU special teams “He’s got nothing else to standout Dan Graff claimed he prove,” Detillier said. “I wouldn’t was one of the fastest players on workout again [at Pro Day]. He’s the team during proven everyhis four seasons thing athleticalwith the Tigers. ly.” The stopESPN draft watch will do expert Mel Kiper the talking today Jr. lists Peterson while he vies for as the No. 1 prosa job in the NFL pect on his Big during LSU’s Pro Board. Mike Detillier Day. Detillier said local NFL draft analyst Former LSU mid-round playplayers seeking a ers like wide recareer at the next level will get ceiver Terrence Toliver, running their initial chance to show off back Stevan Ridley and defentheir speed, strength and foot- sive lineman Pep Levingston still ball knowledge to representatives from the NFL. Eight former Tigers already made their first impressions during the NFL Combine a couple weeks ago in Indianapolis, but now the attention turns to the smaller-name players who are projected as late-round picks or undrafted free agents. “Pro Day’s most important for the later round or even free agent types,” said Mike Detillier, local NFL draft analyst. “You’ve seen a lot of the early-round picks, but you haven’t seen the middle-round “You have guys.” to stand o n - tBhee s- fi ideel ds out so that measurables, a scout Detillier said Day gives remembers Pro NFL coaches that when the opportunity learn about he was to the character in Baton of possible fuRouge, ture players. “Most im‘That guy portantly, those really coaches and looked general managers will be good.’” able to have a Mike Detillier little sit-down time with the local NFL draft analyst respective coaches from the schools and pick their brain,” Detillier said. Detillier said low-profile players like Graff, punter Derek Helton and running back Richard Murphy must grab the attention of the NFL scouts if they want a future on Sundays. “You have to stand out so that a scout remembers that when he was in Baton Rouge, ‘That guy really looked good,’” Detillier said. Graff said he understands the importance of making the most of the limited exposure during Pro Day. “I know some coaches might know of me,” Graff said. “I’m just trying to go out there and try to make a name for myself. Hopefully after Pro Day they’ll further investigate who I am.” Cornerback Patrick Peterson
Mid-round players could improve stock
‘‘
“Pro Day’s most important for the later round or even free agent types.”
have some things to show on Pro Day. “There’s a lot of receivers bundled in that second, third round,” Detillier said. “Toliver’s got to prove he can catch the ball well.” Ridley, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds at the combine, wasn’t utilized much as a receiver out of the backfield at LSU, only recording 17 catches in his career. “He needs to show he can catch the ball,” Detillier said. “He hasn’t been thrown the ball a lot. That’s one thing to watch with him.” Detillier said Levingston has climbed the draft ranks more than any other former Tiger. “There’s a lot of buzz around him,” Detillier said. “The thing that Pep can bring to the NFL is his versatility. He can play both end and tackle.”
Detillier said Levingston could go as high as a fifth- or sixth-round pick. Follow Michael Lambert on
Twitter@TDR_Lambert. Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
page 10
Monday, March 14, 2011
GOLF
GYMNASTICS
U-Club gains praise from competition
Crimson Tide on road
Lady Tigers finish 6th at LSU Classic Tigers drop finale to Injuries force LSU to make substitutions
Chris Abshire Sports Contributor
While the LSU women’s golf team couldn’t capture a title at the LSU Tiger Golf Classic this past weekend, the redesigned University Club golf course drew championship praise from competing players and coaches. For the host No. 5 Lady Tigers, the three-day, 54-hole event ended in a sixth-place finish after LSU began Sunday’s final 18 just four strokes out of the lead. LSU coach Karen Bahnsen said the new par-72, 6,250-yard layout — used for women’s tournaments — earned rave reviews in its first time hosting a collegiate tournament since re-opening in August. “[The other coaches] all said it was a championship-level course, and they’ll be bringing their teams back in the future,” Bahnsen said. Bahnsen said blustery conditions during Saturday’s second round led to some high scores for many teams, including LSU. “The conditions were rough on Saturday,” Bahnsen said. “[The wind] really didn’t blow other than that, but we were in the late wave [Saturday] and faced the greens after they had dried out and firmed up.” After a second-day team total
Rob Landry Sports Contributor
ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille
Megan McChrystal smacks a ball down the fairway Friday on the 11th hole during the LSU Golf Classic at the newly redesigned University Club golf course.
of 17-over par 305, the Lady Tigers posted a final-round team score of 8-over par 297 but couldn’t move up a crowded leaderboard. “[The players] fought hard [Sunday] and kept their composure, but we’ve still got to eliminate some mistakes late in the round,” Bahnsen said. However, no one appeared capable of catching No. 26 Arkansas on Sunday, as the Lady Razorbacks carded a sizzling 1-under par final round of 287 to run away with the team title by seven strokes. “I heard some complaining from a lot of my players about the greens early this week, so I made it a challenge for them, and they answered on a tough course against a great field,” said Arkansas coach Shauna Estes-Taylor.
Top-ranked senior Megan McChrystal entered the third round just two shots off the lead, but early struggles, including two double bogeys, left her scrambling for a 3-over par 75 that led to a tie for fifth. Freshman Austin Ernst ended the tournament with an even-par 72, but her first two rounds of 77 and 80 kept her from seriously contending. Overall, LSU had five players in the top 30 individually, but Bahnsen said her team still lags this spring. “We hit on all cylinders in the fall, and that hasn’t happened this spring,” Bahnsen said. “We’ve got to get better 4th and 5th scores each day.” Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com
There’s an old adage that bad news comes in sets of threes. The No. 22 LSU gymnastics team can attest to its truth after Friday night. The Tigers (3-9, 0-6) suffered injuries to sophomore Ericka Garcia, freshman Sarie Morrison and freshman Maliah Mathis during their 196.950-194.750 loss to No. 2 Alabama. Mathis suffered an abrasion to her cornea in one eye before the meet began but was able to compete in the meet. She scored a season-high 9.90 on the vault and a 9.875 on the floor exercise. Morrison injured her ankle on her vault landing despite posting a 9.90 on the apparatus. She was unable to compete on the floor or balance beam. Garcia went down with the most serious of the three injuries. She tore her ACL on the floor exercise and didn’t compete on the beam. “It was one of those nights when you get lemons and you
have to make lemonade,” said LSU coach D-D Breaux. “This was a tough meet for us to fight through.” The injuries forced the Tigers to make substitutions on the beam and insert sophomore Janelle Garcia and freshmen Casey Duval and Sarah Zoldos. Zoldos posted a 9.80 but Garcia and Duval both struggled, going 9.00 and 8.90, respectively. Alabama (11-1, 5-1) didn’t have any issues, winning all five individual titles. The Tigers will be able to use Friday’s score in their Regional Qualifying Score for the season, finally dropping the 193.350 from the season’s opening meet. “It wasn’t what we needed, but we have to figure out what we can do now and push forward,” Breaux said. LSU will have an opportunity to improve its RQS on Saturday when it will compete in the Southeastern Conference Championships meet in Birmingham, Ala.
Contact Rob Landry at rlandry@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Monday, March 14, 2011 CAL STATE, from page 7
good lead,” Mainieri said. “Our kids seem to have got a knack for that.” O’Connell, who had a 0.82 ERA entering the game, surrendered four hits, six runs and his first walk of the season in 1 1/3 innings. “Anytime you get the starter out early, that’s always big,” said sophomore designated hitter Raph Rhymes, who was one of six Tigers with a stolen base Sunday. The Titans chipped away with one run in the fifth inning and another in the seventh inning, but the lead was insurmountable. Mahtook brought in the ninth and 10th Tiger runs in the eighth inning on a rope up the middle, scoring junior left fielder Trey Watkins and Rhymes. “You have to keep on plugging away throughout the game
GEORGIA, from page 7
went on. The Tigers hung with Georgia on Friday, rallying to score two runs in the seventh inning before ultimately succumbing, 6-3. “It’s not the outcome that any of us want, but I saw some very good things against a very talented Georgia team,” Girouard said Friday night. But the Tigers couldn’t build on that performance, as the team’s Saturday game was a harbinger of things to come. The Bulldogs scored in all four of their innings of the second game before run-
SPRING, from page 7
get a lot of tension, but there’s no tension in that room.” Mettenberger isn’t the only new addition to the 2011 squad. Offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe and special teams coach Thomas McGaughey made their debuts this past weekend. McGaughey, a former special teams coach for the New York Giants, drew praise from the players for his energy in the first couple of practices. “We loved him,” said senior linebacker Karnell Hatcher. “He hyped us up before practice. He’s coached a lot of great players, so I know he could do a very good job on this level with us.” On the injury front, sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery and senior safety Brandon Taylor wore green noncontact jerseys Saturday. Montgomery, who was expected to be held out of practice until fall, is ahead of schedule while recovering from a knee injury and participated in some drills Saturday. Taylor hurt his foot against Alabama. Junior cornerback Mo Claiborne wasn’t held back Saturday and is also ahead of schedule after injuring his ankle during the Cotton Bowl Senior offensive guard Josh Dworaczyk (knee) and sophomore safety Eric Reid (ankle) were absent from drills, but neither appeared to be long-term injuries.
and not get complacent,” Mahtook said. Senior pitcher Ben Alsup (3-1) surrendered two runs in 6 2/3 innings to get the win, and sophomore pitcher Jimmy Dykstra tossed two strikeouts in two hitless innings to end the game. Friday night’s opener contained more stellar starting pitching as freshman Kurt McCune gave up one run in six innings, and junior pitcher Matty Ott closed the 7-6 comeback win to become LSU’s all-time saves leader with 30. “It’s definitely something cool to get it in such an exciting game like this,” Ott said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.” LSU surrendered four combined runs in the sixth and seventh innings to fall behind, 4-3, and retaliated with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. After the Tigers took a 5-4 lead on a single and a catcher’s interference, Dozar looped a
two-run Texas Leaguer to left field for his first hit of the season. “I just tried to get the bat on it,” Dozar said. “With the infield playing in, I knew it wasn’t going to take much.” The Tigers followed suit Saturday with a 7-6 win after another strong eighth inning. Fullerton tied the game, 6-6, in the top of the eighth inning before junior third baseman Tyler Hanover drew a bases-loaded, full-count walk to bring home the eventual winning run for the Tigers. “It was a total team effort,” Mainieri said. “They all battled tooth and nail right to the very end.”
ruling LSU, 8-0. Georgia feasted on the Tigers’ pitching staff, evident in weekend’s high scores. Sophomore pitcher Rachele Fico, who has endured a brutal month since starting the season 3-0, bore the worst of the brunt. The Bulldogs dinged Fico for nine hits and six earned runs in her six innings of work Friday and then knocked her for four hits and five runs in a one-inning outing Sunday. LSU’s other pitchers didn’t fare much better in the series, as junior Brittany Mack surrendered nine hits and seven earned runs
in two appearances. Freshman Meghan Patterson pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up six hits but only two earned runs. The Tigers travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to face Southern Miss on Wednesday, but LSU’s next conference matchup is against No. 23 Kentucky. “We have a talented group of players, and we’ll have to regroup after this rough stretch,” Girouard said. “There’s still plenty of ball left to be played in the season.”
The Tigers will return to the field Tuesday for their first practice in full pads. Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter@TDR_Lambert.
Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com
Follow Rowan Kavner Twitter@TDR_Kavner.
page 11
on
DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille
Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com
Contact David Helman at dhelman@lsureveille.com
LSU senior pitcher Ben Alsup winds up to pitch Sunday during the Tigers’ 10-2 victory against Cal State Fullerton at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers took the series, 3-0.
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
page 12
SHOW ALL COMMENTS As usual, our website, lsureveille. com, has been absolutely buzzing with reader comments. Check it out today, and let your voice be heard.
Regarding The Daily Reveille article, “Student arrested for weekend assault,” readers had this to say: “@wbrz citer: The article says he turned himself in, not that he admitted to any crimes brought against him. Turning yourself in is a routine thing to do when the cops are looking for you, whether you know yourself to be guilty or (especially) innocent. The fact that he showed up to be booked indicates that he’s complying with the law, not wantonly breaking it.” -Anonymous “Only charged with simple robbery? He physically attacked and assaulted the girl.” -Anonymous
“‘Police can’t be everywhere at once’ LSU should invest in police- alert poles that can be found on almost any other college campus.” -Anonymous “This message goes out to ALL you lazy LSU Security Guards involved in this case.......’ Fail to plan.....Plan to fail’!!! If all you readers pay close attention this ‘bad’ arrest you will see that it was to simply set all the school’s students and staff mind at ease.... Wrong answer Campus Security!!!! You should be ashamed to call yourselves police officers!!! Tabor says ‘incidents like this will happen again’!!!! What a bad arrest (most likely)? A robbery? or both?!!!” -Anonymous “He would have never have this! I know him and he is the most sweetest guy who would ever
meet and wouldn’t hurt a fly! The girl picked him from a lineup...really???? I think she needs to take a better look!!” -Anonymous
not equal conviction. It’s sad that just because he is arrested, he is automatically presumed by the general public to be guilty.” -Anonymous
“Yeah this dude is guilty like LSU is great at basketball. But thanks media for blowing things out of proportion and thanks lsupd for such great police work. Boy you guys sure work quick don’t you.” -Anonymous
“I agree with Anonymous... The Reveille should spend less time reporting on puppy parks and try asking LSUPD why this guy isn’t being charged with assault, battery, or something more serious. Oh wait, it’d take a real reporter to think to ask that one... What about his status with the school? Yall didn’t think to ask the Dean of Students or someone how these cases are handled or if someone who is a threat to other students can still attend LSU? Does this thug live in a residence hall? Should a violent mugger and thief be allowed to live in a dorm with other students? Oh, look, a cute dog! playing at a park! who cares about that whole ‘stu dent safety thing’ now, I only care about fluffy canines being cute.
“Let’s all assume he’s guilty, please. He hasn’t even gone to court. This is a publicity stunt to make LSU PD look like they do more than eat doughnuts and sip coffee.” -Anonymous “The author and readers of this article would do well to remember that this young man is innocent until he is proven guilty. Arrest does
Monday, March 14, 2011 -DontBeLazy “My boyfriend is Camden Marcotte’s roommate. Camden has an alibi, yet somehow he is guilty. Camden doesn’t own a black-andwhite shirt described in the LSU text message alerts, yet somehow he is guilty. DOWN WITH INCOMPETENCE!” -Just Look Me Up on FB “He wasn’t at the scene, and I personally knew him. And he was at the dorm with friends chilling. Just bad timing on his part with the camera scene.” -Anonymous
Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
WALKING ON THIN ICE
Avoid car idling: It is guzzling more than gasoline Searching a sea of sedans for that empty spot in the back of the lot, then walking the stretch to the store entrance makes idling an appealing option. After all, finding a parking spot for a two-minute trip into the convenience store is anything but convenient. It takes keen eyes and a learned driver to find that close parking spot. But to park somewhere without even restarting the car — that’s an art. Unfortunately, it’s not an art many environmentalists or even mechanics consider particularly “beautiful.” According to the California Energy Commission, it’s bad for your engine. Research indicates excessive idling can damage the main components of the engine like cylinders and spark plugs. But even more importantly, every two minutes of idling wastes about as much fuel as driving one mile up the road. Coming from California, I realize gas down in these parts is significantly cheaper than that in my home town (by about 50 cents a gallon). But regardless, is that really any reason to waste? We’ve heard so much about fossil fuels being irreplaceable and that we’re running out — and here we are wasting it in a parking lot. Sure, one person leaving their massive pickup on for five minutes in front of Blake Hall may not seem like a huge deal, but consider
this: The average large truck gets anywhere between 10 and 15 mpg. That means that for every five minutes the driver is idling, they waste 52 cents going nowhere. But even 52 cents is nothing compared to the environmental and health impacts of toxic pollutants. The CEC says idling is linked to increases in asthma, cancer and Priyanka Bhatia diseases of the heart and lung. Columnist But it’s the environment that’s paying the real price. According to the Department of Energy’s website, fueleconomy.gov, every gallon of gasoline burned produces 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, as tailpipe emissions mix with oxygen in the air. And police cruisers might be the worst offenders. Equipped with many gadgets, LSUPD’s Sgt. Blake Tabor says he idles in his cruiser because much of the equipment requires power from the car. The principle of car idling may exist for many reasons, but many are just a result of laziness. Just turning off the engine and parking may be unappealing and unrealistic, so here are some other options to reduce your carbon emissions from GreenYour.com —
The Daily Reveille
an online guide to greener living: Put your car in neutral when you do need to idle, which produces fewer emissions and is easier on your engine. Shorten the warm up. Whether it’s fiery hot or freezing cold, cars only need about 30 seconds of idling to warm up before driving.
So for the rest of us, sans a police car or a super cool Batmobile, ending the idling is as easy as turning the key. It’s also a wonderful place to start making a difference for the environment and a great way to start caring for your oversized shiny pet.
Priyanka Bhatia is a 19-year-old pre-veterinarian major and environmental management systems minor from San Jose, Calif. Follow her on Twitter@TDR_PBhatia. Contact Priyanka Bhatia at pbhatia@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
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 CommuniEditorial Board cation. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, Sarah Lawson Editor-in-Chief 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 Robert Stewart Managing Editor, Content number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily ReveilStephanie Giglio Art Director le reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the origiSteven Powell Managing Editor, External Media nal 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 evDevin Graham Opinion Editor ery semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
Quote of the Day “One can’t understand the Christian Right and similar movements unless one sees them as reactive.”
Peter L. Berger American sociologist March 17, 1929 — Present
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
Monday, March 14, 2011
ROCKING THE CRADLE
page 13
Don’t hold your breath for an end to violence in Egypt After weeks of violence culminating in a dictator’s resignation, peace in Egypt hangs by a thread about the neck of a military council. Journalists, commentators and even locals in Egypt were proud to say the Jasmine Revolution followed through without the burning of a flag or church, bereft of the stereotyped and demonized radical Islam. Renewed political and sectarian violence, however, has brought with it a series of reality shocks for the hopeful Egyptian youth and global spectators like ourselves. The first shock came March 4 after an imam in the Egyptian town of Soul ordered the murder of all Christians, leading to the burning of a Coptic Christian church. The arson was in response to the discovery of a love affair between a Christian man and Muslim woman. The violence escalated when the Coptic Christians peacefully protested the burning and lack of
legal protection, angering Muslims who reacted violently once more and left 13 dead and 140 injured in the clash. A derivative of religious fundamentalism, sexism also remains problematic among the Egyptian populous. One of the most inspirational facets of the initial protests in Tahrir Square was the participation of women who felt empowered to be allowed to voice a political opinion — or an opinion at all, for that matter. For Women’s Day on March 8, though, women protesting for equal rights in Tahrir Square were chased out by heckling, harassing and groping men telling them to return home where they “belong.” The military eventually intervened and escorted women out of the square in an attempt to curtail further violence. Such abominable acts give belated credence to former President Hosni Mubarak’s war against religious extremism in Egypt.
Underscoring the irony of a military council working for peace, another reality shock took place Wednesday as violence befell the lingering protesters’ encampment in Tahrir Square. The violence came by the hand of the military itself accompanied by more than 100 civilian supporters in an effort to clear the square once and for all. Clayton There were Crockett Columnist no reported casualties in the skirmish, but the act is a clear indicator that the revolution is far from over. President George W. Bush’s idea of cultural condemnation to violence and oppression re-emerges amidst Egypt’s newfound chaos, and cynicism is inevitable. Bush was right in saying no
one is culturally condemned to violence, and the revolutions have given all witnesses reason to believe this to be true. After all, the sweeping unrest across the entire region was almost unanimously secular and democratic. The implications of these recent rash acts cast a large grain of salt into the equation. As mere spectators an ocean away, the protests in Egypt looked deceivingly popular to us. The protests have been said to involve anywhere from a half million to 2 million protesters. We forget, however, that Egypt is a nation of 80 million, a large portion of which are not only poor but were subserviently loyal to Mubarak. The demographic of the rallies makes a large difference, as well. The youth was the most active group involved, distorting outside viewers’ perceptions of the aims of the Egyptian people. With the success of Mubarak’s resignation behind them, a sense
of empowerment is certainly well founded, but the problem is that the predominantly secular youth is not the only group feeling empowered and seeking to stake claims in the new Egypt. An air of instability in the rubble of the regime seems to be beckoning all groups to make their voices heard and their actions farreaching, resulting in the aforementioned violence. The root of the problem is made evident by the religious and intolerant violence taking place, and I await the day decades from now when the protesters who called for a secular Egypt are venerated for recognizing it. Clayton Crockett is a 19-year-old international studies freshman from Lafayette. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_ccrockett. Contact Clayton Crockett at ccrockett@lsureveille.com
VIEW FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL
Guantanamo Bay about to face a necessary concession Tufts Daily Editorial Board Tuftts Daily
MEDFORD, Mass. (UWIRE) — President Barack Obama rescinded his 2-year-old directive banning military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay on Monday. In a new executive order, Obama clears the way for resuming military trials at the naval base. This is regrettable, considering the president campaigned on — and committed to, once taking office — closing Guantanamo within a year of his inauguration. Still, the concession is a prudent one. Guantanamo is a nearly impossible issue, one that may be black-and-white in moral terms but is very gray in practice, and the reforms that the president has included in his most recent order alleviate much of what Americans have found so distasteful regarding the military base. In order to deal with the 172 prisoners currently detained at the naval base, the new executive order reinstates a system allowing prisoners to be tried by military courts. Numerous obstacles have stood in the way of trying prisoners in civilian court and have forced them into legal limbo and indeterminate detention. The new executive order remedies this by allowing prisoners either to be tried on-site by a military tribunal or to make a plea bargain. Because many of the detainees were tortured in an effort to obtain information, evidence gained from such tactics would be thrown out of court, weakening the prospect of conviction. The new order attempts to solve this problem by requiring compliance with international treaties barring inhumane treatment. But a fundamental problem
remains: Because evidence obtained under duress is inadmissible — even in these military tribunals — the government faces a “Sophie’s choice” between releasing or illegally detaining people it reasonably believes to be terrorist threats to the United States. This is the fundamental problem of Guantanamo, and the Daily does not profess to have a ready solution. Perhaps most important of all, the order establishes a process of periodic review by several federal agencies of the prisoners’ threat to our security. This will decide whether prisoners should be tried, released or transferred to a thirdparty country. Reviews of each detainee must occur within one year of this order and at least once every three years after that. In the sea of difficult options the administration faces, this step is laudable in that it gives detainees at least some framework for legal recourse. Nonetheless, the new executive order fails to address many core issues pertaining to Guantanamo. The reinstatement of military tribunals merely reopens an avenue that is widely considered less desirable than civilian trials. Administration officials have insisted that the president remains committed to closing the base in the near future, but the order sheds little light on when that will be. And because Obama made it clear the order only applies to current and not future detainees, it is unclear how the base will be used in coming years. The administration faces only bad options when it comes to the detention camp, and it is commendable that Obama has acknowledged his mistake in prematurely steering away from military tribunals.
Nonetheless, the new decision has left the long-term plans for Guantanamo up in the air. We do not hold the answer. But if it is indeed Obama’s intention to close Guantanamo, we can only hope that
his administration devises a wellthought-out plan of action before making yet another promise to the American public. Commendable as this executive order is, it is far from resolving an issue that has
remained a sore point in the United States for years. Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
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The Daily Reveille
Monday, March 14, 2011 PLANTATION, from page 1
New York resident Linda McIntyre followed Leonard’s instructions and said learning to Cajun dance was “as easy as walking.” She said she hopes to bring Cajun culture to New York when she returns. Renaissance Cadienne has traveled to France, Quebec and Belgium to share Louisiana’s traditional songs and dances, Leonard said. “Our focus is to preserve Cajun culture,” Leonard said. Throughout the day, the French language conversation room hosted by the University’s French Department received a steady stream of visitors stopping by to chat in French. Adelaide Russo, French studies professor, said people of all skill levels, including a group from Quebec, visited the room to polish
NOW, from page 1
Borel’s administration. Caffarel said he wants to change the organization of the executive staff, particularly in the department of First Year Experience and that he saw “room for improvement” in dealing with the budget cut situation. Caffarel said he wants to further fight the crisis by developing solutions with state and government officials. Caffarel said he will advocate budget cut proposals from the Department of Economic Advising within SG. Some of his major concerns are ensuring “constitutional and statutory reform,” consolidating the various boards of education along with the number of four-year universities in the state and pushing for more autonomy of each university. While Hudson and Borel have said they support tuition increases, Caffarel said he would look to a tuition increase as a last resort. Aside from fighting budget cuts, Caffarel and Robison said some of their possible solutions to increase voter turnout and lessen student apathy regarding SG are their initiatives for “SG in the Quad,” “Bengal Bonus” and the “Students’ Pushcard.” Caffarel said SG in the Quad will differ from Hudson and Borel’s “Straight Talks” because while Straight Talks emphasize
their French and engage in casual conversation. Cajun music dominated the atmosphere with sounds of fiddles audible from all over the plantation grounds. Event-goers enjoyed a performance by the Choupique Cajun band and had opportunities all day to participate in Cajun-music jam sessions. Musicians, including Alex Adams, chemical engineering senior, sat in a circle on the grounds playing fiddles, guitars, accordions and cello. Adams, a New Iberia native, plays guitar and accordion and said he enjoys playing Cajun music because he was submerged in the culture growing up. Younger musicians also had the opportunity to jam Cajun style at Clarence’s Cajun Music for Kids, hosted by Moritz. Children played accordions, fiddles, products like Scantrons and blue books, SG in the Quad would be one day each week when Caffarel and Robison work in the Quad with their laptops and cell phones instead of in the Union’s office. “It’s important for them to see you at work,” Robison said. Robison said Bengal Bonus could increase the University’s low voter turnout because it aims to increase student participation in smaller athletic and cultural events. Bengal Bonus would be similar to the priority points system in that students will gain points when they attend athletic or cultural events deemed Bengal Bonus opportunities by SG. Once students accumulate a certain number of points, they will be eligible for prizes. The Students’ Pushcard, for which Caffarel said he has already received ideas, will focus on initiatives recommended by other students. Robison said everything on her and Caffarel’s pushcard is “110 percent” feasible.
Hear more from Caffarel and Robison at 5:20 p.m. on KLSU. Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com
washboards and triangles. Children played traditional games like Native American ring toss. The game is made of a circular buffalo leg bone attached to a wooden stick by a string. Children also enjoyed tossing a toy made from a corn husk, competing in an egg-cracking contest and building wooden boxes in the plantation’s carpentry shop. Julia Hooker, Baton Rouge native, sold handmade soap and demonstrated how it was made in colonial times. “A mark of a good housewife
page 15 was if she could make good soap,” Hooker said. Soap is made from a combination of lye and animal fat or vegetable oils, Hooker said. The mixture is cooked for four hours then poured into a mold where it sits for 30 days, Hooker explained. Tracy Comeaux demonstrated the process of spinning wool into thread and explained the evolution of the spinning wheel. “Spinning is therapeutic for me and is a way to preserve my ancestors’ heritage,” Comeaux
said. “Not many people in this generation can say their grandmothers spun their own thread.” Demonstrators also presented traditional forms of basket and pottery making, wood works, weaving and blacksmithing. “We want to share the culture so it doesn’t go away,” said Marty Ernewein, LVD member.
Contact Emily Herrington at eherrington@lsureveille.com
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The Daily Reveille
Monday, March 14, 2011