THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 VOLUME 118, ISSUE 100 Read everything about king cakes, from the tasty Mardi Gras treats to the increasingly popular alcoholic version, p. 9
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FACULTY
Counselor strives for diversity over years
PROBLEMS University sees increase in forged time sheets
Olivia McClure Senior Reporter
Appreciating the diverse races, cultures and traditions of University students is just as important as having respect for all the different ways they learn, according to Gwendolyn Snearl, an academic counselor in University College. Snearl, who was the University’s first coordinator of minority student affairs, received a Legends Award from the A.P. Tureaud Sr. Black Alumni Chapter in November. Snearl served as coordinator from 1991 to 2000, a position she used to encourage students to excel and make them feel part of campus. When Snearl became coordinator, she realized it was easy for
REESE PERKINS · Contributing Writer A sudden spike in payroll fraud at the University is raising questions about how departments around campus are handling payroll. In the past two months, there have been two reported cases of payroll fraud and two cases of attempted payroll fraud, according to LSU Police Department Spokesman Capt. Cory Lalonde. The first case was reported Jan. 16 after a student working for the chemistry department was suspected of forging her supervisor’s signature on 27 separate time sheets and collecting an income of approximately $9,000 over a year’s time. FRAUD, see page 15
photo illustration by CHARLOTTE WILLCOX / The Daily Reveille
SNEARL, see page 15
BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY
University may annex properties outside city limits Land would enter St. George limits Olivia McClure Senior Reporter
University officials are considering annexing a chunk of land that contains two LSU properties into the city of Baton Rouge. Innovation Park, which houses the Louisiana Business and Technology Center, and the Ben Hur Farm currently do not lie within Baton Rouge’s city limits. They do, however, fall inside proposed borders of the breakaway city of St. George.
If the land is not incorporated into Baton Rouge and St. George efforts succeed, LSU’s main campus would be forced to operate in two different cities. Ernie Ballard, LSU Media Relations director, said the issue first came to LSU President F. King Alexander’s attention at a recent Baton Rouge Area Chamber meeting. Annexation efforts are currently “nowhere beyond the general conversation stage,” Ballard said. The matter would have to be approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors, which does not meet again until late March. The annexation issue is not on the agenda for that meeting. The administration is unsure
what the effects of operating the main campus in two cities would be, Ballard said. He did point out that the city-parish provides water and sewage services to the University and cooperates on traffic and safety issues. Such affairs could be affected if another city government becomes involved. While Innovation Park is part of the main LSU campus, the Ben Hur Farm is operated by the LSU AgCenter, which owns land throughout the state. The two properties are located within minutes of each other and the University. Contact Olivia McClure at omcclure@lsureveille.com
LSU CAMPUS
A Ben Hur Farm B Innovation Park If the proposed St. George city plans go through, both University properties will lie inside St. George city boundaries. A
proposed city of
B
St. George graphic by ZACH WILEY / The Daily Reveille
The Daily Reveille
page 2
TODAY’S FORECAST
Nation & World
Thursday, February 27, 2014
NATIONAL
STATE/LOCAL
Religious bill vetoed after criticism Ex-coastal leader running for Congress The Associated Press
Sunny HIGH 56 LOW 35 sunrise: 6:34 a.m. sunset: 6:01 p.m.
Friday HIGH 67 LOW 55
Saturday HIGH 74 LOW 58
PHOENIX (AP) — Gov. Jan Brewer on Wednesday vetoed a Republican bill that set off a national debate over gay rights, religion and discrimination and subjected Arizona to blistering criticism from major corporations and political leaders from both parties. Loud cheers erupted outside the Capitol building immediately after Brewer made her announcement. “My agenda is to sign into law legislation that advances Arizona,” Brewer said at a news conference. “I call them like I see them despite the tears or the boos from the crowd. After weighing all the arguments, I have vetoed Senate Bill 1062 moments ago.” The Republican governor said she gave the legislation careful deliberation in talking to her lawyers, citizens, businesses and lawmakers on both sides of the debate. Her office said it received more than 40,000 calls and emails on the legislation, with most of them urging a veto. Brewer said the bill “could divide Arizona in ways we could not
The Associated Press
courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this photo tweeted by the office of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, Brewer vetoes Senate Bill 1062, a Republican bill that set off a national debate over gay rights.
even imagine and no one would ever want.” The bill was broadly worded and could result in unintended negative consequences, she added. The bill, backed by Republicans in the Legislature was designed to give added p,rotection from lawsuits to people who assert their religious beliefs in refusing service to gays. But opponents
called it an open attack on gays that invited discrimination. The bill thrust Arizona into the national spotlight last week after both chambers of the state legislature approved it. As the days passed, more and more groups, politicians and average citizens weighed in against Senate Bill 1062. Many took to social media to criticize the bill.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal’s former coastal protection adviser, Garret Graves, said Wednesday he is running for Congress this fall. Graves, a Republican, will seek the vacant 6th District seat, which stretches from Pointe Coupee Parish down into Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes and contains most of the metropolitan Baton Rouge area. “I’m all in,” Graves said in a statement. “We have a tremendous opportunity as a nation and state. In Louisiana, there is an overwhelming sentiment that we need effective representation to change the direction of Congress.” The announcement comes less than two weeks after Graves left the Jindal administration.
INTERNATIONAL
War games prompt U.S. warning The Associated Press KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia ordered 150,000 troops to test their combat readiness Wednesday in a show of force that prompted a blunt warning from the United States that any military intervention in Ukraine would be a “grave mistake.” Vladimir Putin’s announcement of huge new war games came as Ukraine’s protest leaders named a millionaire former banker to head a new government after the pro-Russian president went into hiding.
The new government, which is expected to be formally approved by parliament Thursday, will face the hugely complicated task of restoring stability in a country that is not only deeply divided politically but on the verge of financial collapse. Its fugitive president, Viktor Yanukovych, fled the capital last week. In Kiev’s Independence Square, the heart of the protest movement against Yanukovych, the interim leaders who seized control after he disappeared proposed Arseniy Yatsenyuk as the country’s new prime minister.
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) 578-4811 or email 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. Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, La., 70803. Annual weekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester weekly mailed subscriptions are $75. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Daily Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, La.,70803.
DARKO VOJINOVIC/ The Associated Press
Pro-Russian demonstrators wave Russian flags Wednesday during a protest in front of a local government building in Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine.
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The Daily Reveille
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Education
South Carolina schools punished for controversial assigned reading
page 3
What do you think about the budget cuts to these schools in South Carolina?
Deanna Narveson
‘I would be upset, but I wouldn’t do much.’
Staff Writer
South Carolina legislators want to cut funding from two public colleges because they assigned books about homosexuality as required reading for freshmen, according to the Associated Press. The AP reported the House budget-writing committee of South Carolina tentatively approved a spending plan for next school year last Wednesday, which would cut $52,000 from the College of Charleston and $17,142 from the University of South Carolina Upstate. The budget cuts equal the cost of the programs requiring the reading. Rep. Gary Smith of South Carolina said he made the proposal after college officials refused to give students an alternate option for required reading. He would not oppose the assigned books, “Fun Home” and “Living Out Loud: The Best of Rainbow Radio,” if they were a part of an elective course rather than a campus requirement, he said. Professor James Garand, who teaches in the LSU Honors College, said he had a close friend who was on the committee deciding the reading for one of the colleges, and the cuts might spur some self-censorship on the school’s part the next time they are selecting reading materials out of fear of further cuts. He said the course he taught last semester required students to read the book “Hot: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth,” which was about climate change, also a controversial topic. “State legislatures cut funding for things they find objectionable all the time,” Garand said. “They have shown displeasure and expressed it with the power of the purse.” Garand said the books are about a topic on the forefront of the political war happening in this country, and the issue in South Carolina may have been one of keeping higher education balanced politically to provide a well-rounded education. “It is a controversial topic right now, coupled with the perception that universities are hotbeds of liberal thinking,” Garand said. “People may believe this was an indoctrination issue.” Barbara Heifferon, director of the University’s writing program, was a tenured professor at Clemson University in South Carolina. Heifferon said she sees the funding cuts to these schools as an attack on academic freedom. “It’s not like these books are advocating or pushing people to this lifestyle,” Heifferon said. She said there will likely be some sort of comment from the citizens of South Carolina.
Andreana Tarleton
Nick Boholl mechanical engineering junior
Bruce smith / The Associated Press
The South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia, S.C, where legislators are debating cutting university funding over two books with gay themes.
Heifferon said in past years, the universities in South Carolina banded together to fight for certain issues, and she hopes the universities would be worried about these budget cuts and do the same now. Garand said while the legislature in South Carolina didn’t ban the books, they made things less pleasant for College of Charleston and USC Upstate, and
if a similar thing were to happen at LSU, the administration might say something, but would not attack the legislature because they provide the University with funding.
Contact Deanna Narveson at dnarveson@lsureveille.com
Michael Munro psychology senior
communication studies freshman
‘I don’t agree with the assignments because it’s like saying all freshmen should take a course on Buddhism.’
‘I think the state shouldn’t have a say in what things are and aren’t appropriate. It’s ridiculous.’ ‘I think it’s dumb but it wouldn’t bother me.’
Chase Lizana mechanical engineering junior
Union Ballroom March 19 11am –2 pm
FEBRUARY
EVENT CALENDAR
27
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 7:00 PM
Micah McKee and Little Maker - Blue Nile Drop the Needle - Chelsea's Cafe
7:30 PM
The Lost Gonzo Band - Manship Theatre, Shaw Center for the Arts
8:00 PM
Louisiana State vs. University of Tennessee Basketball Pete Maravich Assembly Center-LSU Open Mic Night! - The Station Sports Bar and Grill Tom McDermott & Aurora Nealand - Buffa's Bar & Restaurant Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet - Snug Harbor-New Orleans Purple Reign of Thrones - Gasa Gasa Allstar Comedy Revue - House of Blues New Orleans Zip Ties - The Varsity Theatre
9:00 PM
John Moreland - Mud and Water Blues Jam - Phil Brady's Bar & Grill Tom Fischer and Friends - Fritzels Jazz Club Lost Bayou Ramblers - The Blue Moon The Business - Lava Cantina Furr - L'Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge Reckless Kelly - House of Blues New Orleans DJ Mike Larry - The Spanish Moon
10:00 PM
Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet - Snug Harbor-New Orleans Bayou International Reggae Night with DJ T Roy - Blue Nile Niko Night Life - Eiffel Society
For more information on LSU events or to place your own event you can visit www.lsureveille.com/calendar
EVENTS Rockstar Racing “Business League Night” Get your team of 4 and race every month for a trophy & bragging rights! Not into the league game? Come in and get your 3rd race free! Come be a rockstar at Baton Rouge’s premiere indoor kart facility, Rockstar Racing!
National Chocolate Cake Day! February 27, LSU Dining Halls Come celebrate your favorite culinary concoction, chocolate cake, with LSU Dining! Because if you hate chocolate you probably hate America too.
LSU Libraries Civil Right Film Series, Thursday, February 27, 2014 Panel Discussion of all films 6:00 PM – Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church 185 Eddie Robinson, Sr. Drive Full film series details at http://www.lib.lsu.edu/sp/subjects/createdequal
The Daily Reveille
page 4
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Thursday, February 27, 2014
POLITICS
Vacancies addressed Holden yet to contact Woodard in by-law change Quint Forgey Staff Writer
Jacquelyn Masse Contributing Writer
Student Government made major changes to its by-laws and passed several resolutions during its meeting Wednesday night. The by-laws are the code SG follows that outlines procedures such as removing people from office and explains how the executive and judicial branches interact. One of the by-laws SG changed was the process of addressing vacancies in Senate. Previously, when there was a vacancy in Senate, college councils of each school chose an applicant they wanted the Senate to consider. Before the applicant was voted on the floor of Senate, the Rules Committee voted either favorably, unfavorably or no action. The new change states the college council can send its appointed candidate to be voted on the floor even if the Rules Committee votes against it. In his first proposal, Speaker Alex Grashoff proposed the change in the article allowing the council to have more power in deciding which senator will represent its college. If the appointed senate member by college council is denied by the Rules
Committee then the college council can re-vote its desired candidate automatically into senate. This change upset many Rules Committee members, such as Senator William Baumgardner. “I don’t want to exaggerate the mess we are in, rules are here to clean up that mess,” Baumgardner said. “There are times that us as Rules Committee know a little bit more than them.” Grashoff’s initial proposal barely lost with a vote of 21-22 but he proposed a second change to the article, the one that passed. Another by-law SG approved requires SG members to participate in an annually selected community service project. A resolution that passed through SG urges the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to add traffic lights from Bob Petit Drive to Ben Hur Road and the sidewalk from Lee Drive to Ben Hur Road. The Senators hope by doing so they would help protect students who are walking around at night.
Contact Jacquelyn Masse at jmasse@lsureveille.com
It has been more than a month since East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden announced in his State of the City address his plans to involve student government presidents in Baton Rouge with his administration “in working with us to assure young leaders’ viewpoints are incorporated in our forward planning.” However, University Student Government President John Woodard still has not heard from the mayor’s office concerning this planned collaboration. Woodard said he was not frustrated by the mayor’s lack of contact and he understands Holden has a rigorous schedule. “He’s got quite a long list of initiatives,” Woodard said. “The man’s busy.” However, the lack of correspondence between Holden’s administration and local student government presidents has not deterred Woodard from reaching out to the mayor’s office. Woodard said he called and spoke with William Daniel, Holden’s chief administrative officer, last week to discuss how the mayor’s office can better serve the needs of LSU’s campus.
TAYLOR BALKOM / The Daily Reveille
Mayor-President Kip Holden speaks to the media on Jan. 15 in Town Square in downtown Baton Rouge.
“I wanted to get on the same page,” Woodard said. “I wanted to have a better understanding of what the mayor’s office is trying to accomplish and see whatever the mayor’s office can do to help LSU.” Woodard said he and Daniel have yet to meet face to face. Holden acknowledged Wednesday he has not contacted the student government
presidents yet and said to “give me until after Mardi Gras” to take care of the issue. “I need to jump on that fast,” Holden said.
Contact Quint Forgey at qforgey@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille is hiring news writers! Please apply at lsureveille.com/application. CHARLES CHAMPAGNE / The Daily Reveille
Student Government Speaker pro tempore Trey Schwartzenburg discusses Wednesday the possibility of adding study tables in Middleton Library.
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Thursday, February 27, 2014
Sports
page 5
Familiar
TRACK AND FIELD
Foes
LADY TIGERS, see page 7
TRACK AND FIELD, see page 7
The Daily Reveille; [center, right] courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lady Tigers look for strength in game against Tennessee The game against the former mentor. The rematch of the team’s biggest win. The final home game in three players’ careers. The game that could stop a three-week tailspin.
Women’s basketball games don’t get more scripted than LSU’s match against Tennessee on Thursday night in the PMAC. But with new storylines mounting, coach Nikki Caldwell emphasized the work ethic that has gotten the Lady Tigers this position. “You go back to what made this
Sports Contributor
program special,” Caldwell said. “This program has been built on sweat equity of those who defended and rebounded the basketball.” LSU (18-9, 7-7 Southeastern Conference) will take on the Lady Volunteers
photos by [left] TAYLOR BALKOM /
Sports Contributor
Joey Giglio The LSU track and field team will begin its quest for the 2014 Southeastern Conference indoor championships today at Gilliam Indoor Stadium in College Station, Texas. After watching his track and field team practice without an indoor track available and battle unusual weather conditions, LSU coach Dennis Shaver greatly anticipates watching his team line up against SEC rivals to claim the conference’s best. “The only cause for concern is repetition,” Shaver said. “They are really going to have to hit it on the first opportunity because if you don’t hit it the first time, there will be no other opportunities at this meet.” The LSU men rank No. 16 in the nation, according to U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Five other SEC male teams rank above them: No. 1 Arkansas, No. 2 Florida, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 11 Mississippi State and No. 12 Alabama. For one LSU transfer, this meet will mark his first SEC Indoor Championship. Junior Vernon Norwood credits this competition as part of the reason he decided to attend LSU. “I’m just ready to compete this weekend,” Norwood said. “Sometimes I just lose sleep thinking about it.” Since debuting only three weeks ago at the Texas A&M Aggie Invitational, he has ascended in the rankings to become the nation’s fourth-ranked 400-meter sprinter. Norwood has also contributed to the NCAA’s No.2 4X400 relay team. Fellow junior Quincy Downing and sophomores Darrell Bush and Cyril Grayson make up the rest of the squad. Downing echoed Norwood’s statements and eagerly awaits the opportunity. “I’ve run in the best meets possible, and I believe that I am physically and mentally prepared to compete at a high level this week,” Downing said. “When the time comes, you got to put up or shut up.” As the men prepare for their biggest meet of the year, the LSU women maintain intense focus on the
LSU women’s basketball coach Nikki Caldwell [left] learned from her former coaches Holly Warlick [center] and Pat Summitt [right].
Tommy Romanach
LSU primes for conference meet
MEN’s BASKETBALL
Tigers stif le Aggies, 68-49 Chandler Rome Sports Writer
After a porous defensive effort in a loss in College Station 14 days ago, communication was key for the LSU men’s basketball team Wednesday as it switched to exclusively man-to-man defense. It wasn’t there at the start. Poor rotations and communication allowed four quick Texas A&M buckets and the Tigers quickly fell behind by eight. “Coach got on to us about communicating,” said LSU junior guard Anthony Hickey. His words translated to the court as the Tiger defense held the Aggies scoreless for a 10 minute stretch midway through the first half and rode freshman forward Jarell Martin’s hot hand in the second half to cruise to a
68-49 win in the PMAC. Looking lethargic at the start, the Tigers (17-10, 8-7 Southeastern Conference) fell behind by as many as eight in the first seven minutes behind a hot shooting start from the Aggies. But when the Tiger defense shored up after Jones’ instruction, the Aggie offense went cold with LSU using lockdown man-toman defense to rip off a 21-0 run, erasing an eight-point deficit and claiming an 11-point lead. “We didn’t do a great job of talking,” Jones said. “I thought we were playing hard, but we weren’t talking. As the game progressed … we continued to compete real well and got into the flow of the game.” Martin — appearing more patient and willing to wait for his shot — poured in 12 of his
game-high 20 points in the second half. He seemingly scored at will coming out of the halftime locker room, scoring seven straight points six minutes into the second half, creating separation from a determined Aggie squad. “I was letting the game come to me,” Martin said. “My team is really unselfish and they were getting the ball to me when I was open. I was very confident in myself and I knocked down shots and got to the basket.” The Aggies cut the lead to three with 17:37 to go in the game, but it was Martin’s run that stretched the lead to 12 and kept the Aggies at bay for the remainder of the evening. Martin joined junior forward BASKETBALL, see page 7
ANGELA MAJOR / The Daily Reveille
LSU freshman forward Jarell Martin (12) protects the ball from Texas A&M junior guard Jamal Jones (23) Wednesday during the Tigers’ victory against the Aggies in the PMAC.
The Daily Reveille
page 6
Thursday, February 27, 2014
NBA midseason Athletes choose ‘walk out’ songs winners and losers MUSIC
Taylor Curet
THE SMARTEST MORAN JAMES MORAN Sports Columnist With the NBA’s All-Star break in the rearview mirror, it seems like as good a time as any to hand out midseason awards. The usual suspects make their presence felt, while a few newcomers get their seat at the table as well. Most Valuable Player (MVP): Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder It was a close race with LeBron James, but Durant gets the nod because of the way he put the Thunder on his back when Russell Westbrook went down with another knee injury. Durant scored 30-plus points in 12 straight games earlier this season and is once again running away with the league’s scoring title, but the fact that Durant is an unbelievable scorer isn’t new. It’s more impressive that Durant has been able to keep Oklahoma City on top of the Western Conference after more than a month with Reggie Jackson and Serge Ibaka as his secondary scoring options. Durant was more aggressive attacking the rim without Westbrook. The Thunder are at their best when Durant doesn’t settle for perimeter jump shots, and it will be interesting to see if he stays assertive going forward now that Westbrook has returned. He is good enough to still win the scoring title settling for jump shots, but assuming he wants to add an MVP or NBA championship to his rÊsumÊ, putting his head down and going to the hoop is his best bet. Defensive Player of the Year: Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers When Hibbert came out of Georgetown, he may have been the softest 7-footer to enter the NBA in a long time. Since then, Hibbert has built himself into an elite interior defender and shot blocker. Now as physically dominant as he is large, the former Hoya anchors the league’s best defense, allowing just 91 points per game. The Pacers are currently sitting just ahead of the Heat in the East, and Hibbert’s presence in the middle is a big reason why. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year at the halfway mark and there isn’t anyone close to him. Coach of the Year: Jeff Hornacek, Phoenix Suns Heading into the season, Phoenix was projected to be among the league’s bottom-feeders, battling it out for the No. 1 overall pick in the next NBA draft. We’re nearly four months into the season, and if the playoffs started today, the Suns would be in. Considering Phoenix ranks near the top of the league in scoring with a roster of no-names headlined by
Goran Dragic, Hornacek is clearly doing something special as a ďŹ rstyear coach. Portland coach Terry Stotts is a legitimate candidate, but Hornacek should be a virtual lock for the award if he guides this Phoenix team to the playoffs. Rookie of the Year: Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers The 76ers are an absolute dumpster ďŹ re of a basketball team, but Carter-Williams has been the lone bright spot. He’s had a solid rookie season for a point guard, and since this is easily the weakest rookie class in years, that’s enough for him to be the Rookie of the Year in a runaway. Disaster of the Year: New York Knicks After entering the season looking to build on last season’s postseason success, the bottom has fallen out of the Knicks’ season in 2014. Currently sitting well outside the playoff picture, the Knicks have an unhappy Carmelo Anthony, an overpaid J.R. Smith and an aging roster. And did I mention their point guard was arrested last week on a series of felony gun charges? It’s like Isiah Thomas never left. The World’s Most Famous Arena is currently home to the league’s most dysfunctional mess. James Moran is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Beacon, N.Y. Contact James Moran at jmoran@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @Moran_TDR
Sports Contributor
LSU’s baseball team adopts a tradition that many ball clubs — high school, college and professional — have practiced over the years. As each Tiger batter walks to the plate in Alex Box Stadium, they are serenaded with the song of their choice. Whether it be one to pump up the crowd or one special to the player’s heart, every LSU baseball player owns a song for the season. But other athletes around the University’s campus would also enjoy walking to the tee box, starting line or on the court in rhythm to their favorite record. Though hypothetical, several Tigers disclosed their walkout songs and for many it wasn’t an easy decision. Freshman sprinter Tremayne Acy had to pull out his iPod and scroll through before settling on Rich Homie Quan’s “Man of the Year.â€? Stockhold, Sweden native and sophomore multi-event athlete Therese Jernbeck ďŹ ltered through all of her favorite ABBA songs before picking “Levelsâ€? by the Swedish artist Avicii. “I have too many good memories from that one,â€? Jernbeck said. “ABBA has some really good ones ‌ but you can’t really get the adrenaline pumping. Just when I think about [Levels] I’m like, ‘Yeah I’m ready.’â€? The decision was easier for women’s tennis player Skylar Holloway. The freshman didn’t stutter when she declared The Killers “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine,â€? as her favorite song. While many of the athletes picked their favorite songs or ones that pump them up, basketball’s
Tremayne Acy freshman sprinter, LSU track and field
“Man of the Year� - Rich Homie Quan
Therese Jernbeck sophomore multi-event athlete, LSU track and field
“Levels� - Avicii
Skylar Holloway freshman, LSU women’s tennis
“Jenny Was a Friend of Mine� - The Killers
Anthony Hickey junior guard, LSU men’s basketball
“No Quitter [Go Getter]� - Lil Wayne
Andre Stringer + Johnny O’Bryant III senior guard + junior forward, LSU men’s basketball
“Just Touched Down� - Big K.R.I.T.
Which of these songs would you pick as your walk out song? Vote online at lsureveille.com. junior Anthony Hickey thought about a more meaningful track. “Lil Wayne’s ‘No Quitter [Go Getter].’� Hickey said. “The one where he was talking about no quitting in life, no matter what comes to him.� Both senior Andre Stringer and fellow Mississippi native junior Johnny O’Bryant III announced their theme song would be from the Mississippi rap artist Big K.R.I.T.’s playlist. Of the non-baseball sports, basketball is the more realistic sport to employ a walkout song system. Stringer even suggested a
song to be played after a big shot or dunk. When asked if jamming to K.R.I.T.’s “Just Touched Down� after a slam dunk would hamper his transition defense, O’Bryant laughed and shook his head. “[Having a walkout song] would be something I really won’t forget once I leave here,� Stringer said. “That would be a good plan. That would be a lot of fun for me and my teammates.� Contact Taylor Curet at tcuret@lsureveille.com
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Thursday, February 27, 2014 LADY TIGERS, from page 5 (21-5, 11-3 SEC) tonight in the PMAC after losing four consecutive games. The latest downfall came when Arkansas — 4-9 in the SEC at the time — beat the Lady Tigers, 5753, at home Sunday. The major issues have come offensively, with the team’s scoring dropping significantly over the four game skid. But recently, the team’s chemistry has come into question, and Caldwell said it’s something that needs to come together soon. After the Arkansas loss, Caldwell talked about the difficulty of forming chemistry in recent years with things like cell phones and social media as possible distractions. Caldwell’s thoughts can be defended by both a mentor from the past and an opponent in the near future, Tennessee coach Holly Warlick. “These days, kids’ communication levels are a little different because they talk through social media,” Warlick said. “I don’t think teammates get to know each other as well as they should. It’s hard to communicate with that barrier of a phone between them.” Warlick and Caldwell go back to Nikki’s playing days in Knoxville, when Warlick was her position coach. The team was led by legendary coach Pat Summitt, who set an NCAA record for wins (1,098) as well as eight national titles. Warlick said Summitt demanded respect from her players and had the drive to lead her team to national titles, including a 1991 championship win with Caldwell. Warlick noticed Caldwell may not have been the most skilled player, but she made up for it with her knowledge of the game and work ethic. Caldwell was influenced by the discipline of Summitt, who taught Caldwell to never cut corners. The former Lady Volunteer said she learns new things from Summitt even years after her days as a player. “She challenged us in so many different ways that we did not even realize them until you were removed from the program,” Caldwell said. Caldwell secured her first victory against her Alma Mater on Jan. 2 when LSU beat the Lady Volunteers 80-77 for its biggest win of the
BASKETBALL, from page 5
Johnny O’Bryant III and senior guard Andre Stringer as the three Tigers in double figures — O’Bryant posting 15 and Stringer adding 11. As No. 1 Florida looms on the horizon and after perhaps LSU’s most backbreaking loss of the season at Kentucky, Jones said he was pleased with how his crew responded. “After [Kentucky] they were able to put it behind them and look forward to the next challenge,” Jones said. “I think they were able to do that tonight. Really impressed with our team.”
Contact Chandler Rome at crome@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @Rome_TDR
season. The game saw the Lady Tigers get out to a 16-point lead with less than five minutes left before letting Tennessee nearly come back, cutting the lead to one in the final minute. Sophomore guard Danielle Ballard led LSU to victory with 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. Ballard was key in the first half, scoring 17 of her team’s 40 points to keep the Lady Tigers within four at halftime. Ballard said she found things in the Lady Volunteers defense that allowed her to drive to the basket. “I noticed that Tennessee really doesn’t play defense,” Ballard said. “They have some good players that can play defense, but as a team they don’t play defense. You have to take it where their heart is at, and that’s in the middle.” Today’s game also brings another senior day, with forwards Theresa Plaisance, Shanice McKinney and Jeanne Kenney playing their final home game. Kenney and McKinney have reached the peak of their careers as seniors, with both notching highs in points and rebounds per game this season. Plaisance has stuck to her role as leader of the team, getting selected to two different watch lists for Player of the Year awards. McKinney said it would be a great feeling to beat Tennessee again on such a special night. Amid all the storylines, LSU has fallen into a tie for fifth in the SEC and needs a win for better placement in both the SEC and NCAA tournaments. Caldwell knows the only way for her team to move forward is through composure from all of her players. “Every year you have to look at the cohesion of your team. Every year your cohesion is going to be tested when adversity hits,” Caldwell said. “This group is a good group. They have the makeup. They are very capable of turning this around.” Contact Tommy Romanach at tromanach@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @tro_TDR
The Daily Reveille TRACK AND FIELD, from page 5
task at hand. At No. 14, the LSU women also have five SEC teams placed above them nationally: No. 2 Florida, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Arkansas, No. 6 Kentucky and No. 7 Georgia. Senior thrower Denise Hinton has been pleased with her team’s progress and said the team is prepared to prove itself not only to the SEC, but the entire nation. “The SEC is obviously the best conference in the NCAA,”
page 7 Hinton said. “We go from meet to meet and travel around the country, but there is nothing more intense than the SEC Championship.” For Hinton and fellow senior Jasmin Stowers, this season has been different after embracing their responsibilities as seniors. Coach Dennis Shaver still recalls younger days when they were hesitant to lead. “It’s been really awesome to see because those two in the past really needed to step forward to take on that leadership
role,” Shaver said. “[Hinton and Stowers] have done a great job stepping forward, and I can see that the kids really react to them.” “I try to talk with the throwers everyday and be a close group,” Hinton said. “Jasmin is one of the most humble and accomplished athletes we have on the team, and I still learn from her.”
Contact Joey Giglio at jgiglio@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
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Thursday, February 27, 2014
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Thursday, February 27, 2014
Entertainment
Royal treat
King cake shots a popular choice Panya Kroun
Contributing Writer
Local bakery carries on Mardi Gras king cake tradition STORY GERALD DUCOTE Entertainment Writer
Mardi Gras is rearing its masked head to Louisiana again, and for many it’s the equivalent of a fifth season. The trees begin sprouting dangling bead necklaces, and the smell of king cake wafts through the air. King cake is rooted in religion and steeped in Louisiana tradition. Because of the state’s strong Catholic influence, the treat’s name comes from the biblical three kings of the nativity.
page 9
Mardi Gras signifies the end of Carnival celebrations and the beginning of the Lenten season. The presence of parades, decadent foods and heavy debauchery suggests one last “hoo-rah” before a season of fasting and reflection. As one can imagine, a heavy desire for celebration equals big business for king cake manufacturers. Though there is a global presence for the baked good, Louisiana maintains a strong footing
PHOTOS ANGELA MAJOR Staff Photographer
in production. Across the state, bakeries fire up their ovens and gross order pink plastic babies to prepare for the springtime rush of king cake orders. Baum’s Fine Pastries and Chocolates is one of the many purveyors of the much-loved sweet treat. A.J. Baum founded Baum’s in Port Allen in 1934. The shop was moved to Main Street in
VIDEO ONLINE
Watch a king cake being made at lsureveille.com.
On Fat Tuesday, king cake is hailed as the chief of all desserts. It should come as no surprise that its alcoholic counterpart, the king cake shot, has built a reputation as the king of all Mardi Gras spirits. King cake drinks come in two distinct forms: the flamboyant gelatin shot and a more traditional flavored vodka shot. Every vendor of the cocktail infuses it with his or her own personal flair, but most king cake-flavored beverages are variations on these themes. Lucky Player Vodka, an upscale French distillery, holds the claim to selling the world’s first king cake-flavored vodka. Lucky Player uses only natural ingredients in its recipes, and while they’re moderately expensive at $40 a bottle, Lucky Player boasts that its brew has the most authentic king cake flavor available on the market. Taaka, a New Orleansbased company, also produces its own line of the festive alcohol for less than $20. SHOTS, see page 11
KING CAKE, see page 11
COMMUNITY
Parades set to roll as Carnival season approaches 1
2
ENTERTAINMENT
ANGELA MAJOR / The Daily Reveille
3
ONLINE CONTENT Read about the histories of the Spanish Town, Artemis and Zulu parades at lsureveille.com.
courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
[1] The Krewe of Zulu parade rolls through the streets of New Orleans. [2] A Krewe of Artemis member throws beads as she rides on a float. [3] The pink-washed Spanish Town parade is a Baton Rouge tradition.
EXCLUSIVE
THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES
page 10
Reveille Ranks
Bleeding Rainbow, “Interrupt”
Kanine Records
Bleeding Rainbow trickled into the music scene last January with the experimental lo-fi indie rock release “Yeah Right.” The band followed that album this week with “Interrupt,” a more traditional and polished effort that unfortunately lacks the quirky charm that made its debut so refreshing. The band uses two vocalists, Rob Garcia and Sarah Everton, to produce waves of soft nostalgia reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine on almost every song on “Interrupt.” This is fine, and the band could certainly do worse than emulate one of the greatest bands of the 20th century, but everything else on “Interrupt” seems recycled from another band, and the product is a bland amalgamation of old noises devoid of sincerity. “Interrupt” isn’t bad, but it’s not really worth listening to. PANYA KROUN
[ C- ]
Schoolboy Q, “Oxymoron”
Interscope Records
There are no contradictions within Schoolboy Q’s debut album, “Oxymoron.” The album is vulgar, aggressive and entertaining in a manner only Schoolboy Q can deliver. Songs like “Studio” and “Grooveline Pt. 2” are the California native’s rough attempts at love songs. The album focuses on topics Q knows best — gangbanging and drugs. Schoolboy Q doesn’t try to be a deep lyricist on “Oxymoron,” and by doing so, he clearly tells the story of his life. He is confident about the direction of his music, which is made evident in songs like “Man of the Year” and “Prescription/Oxymoron.” “Oxymoron” shouldn’t be compared to label mate Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City.” Q is an individual with a different style. The record is solid from start to finish inspired by West Coast flair reminisent of Snoop Dogg’s “Doggystyle.”
[ A- ]
Beck, “Morning Phase”
JOSHUA JACKSON Capitol Records
Fans of Beck can easily plot his career in an array of high points. With each album, he has been able to change his style, moving from novelty rap to folk to orchestral movements to club-worthy dance music. Throughout his 20-year career, the one constant in Beck’s style is his irregularity. He combines the twang of folk-rock with sweeping lightheartedness of symphonic music. Beck claimed “Morning Phase” to be the complementary work to his 2002 altrock opus “Sea Change.” The album’s lead single, “Blue Moon,” draws on Beck’s skills as a composer. His forceful singing is lifted upward by an ensemble of string work and angelic voices. As a whole, “Morning Phase” holds up against the bulk of Beck’s vast repertoire, but isn’t an album that goes above and beyond the call of his genius. It’s a record Beck newcomers should save for later, whereas the faithfully devoted should take with a grain of salt. GERALD DUCOTE
[B+]
“Thief”
Eidos Montreal
For a video game to be great, it needs to be a perfect storm of many different elements. Gameplay needs to be smooth and dynamic. The storyline has to be interesting and the graphics have to be up to par. It’s hard to condemn “Thief,” as it does not necessarily fail in any of these aspects, but it’s impossible to praise “Thief” in any of these. The graphics were particularly underwhelming, especially when played on the PS4, which is supposed to have the greatest possible graphics. It looked more like an early PS3 game. The gameplay boils down to running to the next preset button combination over and over again. With the new console generation, games are supposed to be bringing something new to the table. “Thief” may have been passable two console generations ago, but instead made me feel robbed of a good experience. WILL KALLENBORN
[ C- ]
Dierks Bentley, “Riser”
Capitol Records
While Dierks Bentley’s new album, “Riser”, includes a track titled “Sounds of Summer” this album won’t make it high on vacation playlists. The record does include some solid songs like the pre-released single “I Hold On,” along with “Say You Do” and “Hurt Somebody.” However, the other songs seem to fall short. The female back-up vocals seem awkward and oddly placed, like in the track “Bourbon in Kentucky.” While songs “Drunk on a Plane” and “Back Porch” seem like Luke Bryan-rejected party anthems, they fall short of being successful recordings. The album doesn’t make the cut of being a perfect playall-the-way-through kind of album. Instead, it has a couple of good tracks worth an occasional listen. While some songs will most likely make it to radio play, the album won’t replace the good country music that’s out there. MEG RYAN
[ C]
“Pompeii”
FilmDistrict
“Game of Thrones” star Kit Harington stars as Milo in the movie “Pompeii.” Milo is a slave gladiator who is in a race against time to save the love of his life before she marries into Roman nobility. The catch is he has to do so while his beloved city also falls apart around him. The movie’s love story during a historic, catastrophic disaster adds to the suspense throughout the movie. The visual effects of this movie are astonishing and make you feel as if the ash were coming straight toward you from Mount Vesuvius. The intense sword-fighting scenes and actionpacked film allows you to experience it as if the moviegoers are in the midst of war. Moviegoers will believe they are a part of one of the world’s most epic love searches and BRADLEY WILLIAMS disasters simultaneously.
[B+]
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, February 27, 2014
The Daily Reveille is hiring photographers! Please apply at lsureveille.com/application.
Thursday, February 27, 2014 KING CAKE, from page 9 Baton Rouge and later to Florida Boulevard in the 1950s. The shop has been passed from generation to generation of the Baum family and in 2003, Baum’s opened a secon location on Perkins Road. Like many shops, Baum’s uses a sweet dough for the king cakes. Cakes are made on a conveyor belt by a handful of decorators in a set up reminiscent of “I Love Lucy.” Baum’s ships cakes all around the country with complimentary beads inside a musical
box that plays “When the Saints Go Marching In” when opened. Carly Erwin, one of the cakemakers at Baum’s, said Mardi Gras season is the shop’s busiest time, mentioning she makes roughly 200 king cakes each day. General manager Suzanne Pryn figured Baum’s had made approximately 3,000 to 4,000 king cakes between shipping and in-store sales. Pryn also said the bakery’s most crucial period will be this Friday. After Mardi Gras, Baum’s will continue shipping king cakes until the end of the next week. Even though king cake is
The Daily Reveille a common product in Louisiana, Baum’s shakes things up by boasting roughly 20 varieties of king cakes. The most popular fillings are pralines, cream cheese and strawberries and cream cheese. This season, the bakery unveiled its latest creation: the maple bacon king cake. For more information on Baum’s king cakes, visit baumspastries.com.
Contact Gerald Ducote at gducote@lsureveille.com
ANGELA MAJOR / The Daily Reveille
Carly Erwin sprinkles colored sugar on top of a king cake Wednesday at Baum’s Fine Pastries and Chocolates on Florida Blvd.
page 11 SHOTS, from page 9
Taaka tastes less like cake and more like vodka and is a staple of many college students’ Mardi Gras diets. According to Jocelyn Miller, renewable resources senior, Pinnacle Vodka’s king cake concoction is a good selection for those on a tight budget, though its taste differs significantly from both Lucky Player’s and Taaka’s. “It’s like someone poured cinnamon in alcohol, but it’s good, and you can get it at Wal-Mart,” Miller said. The gelatin shot is often made with one of these flavored vodkas, but many people opt to use cinnamon-infused liquors or a more traditionally flavored spirit in their mixtures. King cake shots are made upon request at many destinations throughout Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, but no two bars ever make shots the same way. Some vendors use actual Jell-O in their drinks, while others form the base of the shot from condensed milk, agar or jelly. The most colorful shots in the city are sold at Chimes East, Big Mike’s Bar and Reginelli’s. Chimes East and Big Mike’s Bar infuse their shots with generous portions of alcohol. The shots at Reginelli’s are sweeter than most other recipes and, according to bartender Caitlin Lawless, they are excellent for people with a inclination for sweets. “I add a bit of food coloring for flair and, instead of an equal vodka to water ratio, I add a bit of lemonade to enhance the flavors,” Lawless said.
Lawless said she sells the shots quickly. She attributed their popularity to the heightened flavors of her recipe and compared the experience of drinking the shot to consuming a king cake in liquid form. “There’s also the appeal of finding the gummy bear we put in them,” Lawless said. The discovery of the gummy bear is both an homage to and a subversion of a tradition associated with the shot’s namesake. Prizes are often hidden within king cakes, and whoever finds it must usually provide their company with the next cake. Whoever finds the gummy bear in Lawless’ drinks is instead rewarded with a free shot. “It’s easy to make, and it’s a lot like an actual king cake, so a lot of people love it,” Lawless said.
LAUREN DUHON / The Daily Reveille
Reginelli’s Pizzeria on West Chimes Street offers a king cake jello shot during Mardi Gras season.
Contact Panya Kroun at pkroun@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
page 12
WEB COMMENTS
Thursday, February 27, 2014
In response to Annette Sommers’s column, “Fukushima nuclear disaster now an American problem,” one reader had this to say: “There isn’t a panic because there isn’t anything to be panicked about. This piece accomplishes one thing; it clearly displays the severe lack of science literacy in this state, even at its flagship university. First off, the damage to the Fukushima Daiichi reactors following the 2011 tsunami were of course a disaster for the nearby populace and Japan as a whole. But before you decided to scream fire in a packed theatre, you really should have researched the issue even a little bit. Second, the radioactive materials that would reach the U.S. from that event did so shortly after the event (the order of weeks to months). The radioactive materials that could move freely in the ocean and air didn’t wait around for almost 3 years to reach the U.S. Third, if you honestly believe yourself to be any sort of journalist.. CHECK YOUR SOURCES. You cite the ‘Centre for Research on Globalization’ as if it weren’t a think tank rather than a legitimate scientific agency. The author of the article you seem to be drawing from (Harvey Wasserman) is not a scientist, he is a journalist with vested financial ties to renewable energy and he has a history of anti-nuclear energy activism. ...” – Nathan The Daily Reveille wants to hear your reactions to our content. Visit lsureveille.com, our Facebook page and our Twitter account to let us know what you think.
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The Daily Reveille Editorial Board
Kevin Thibodeaux Morgan Searles Wilborn Nobles III Gordon Brillon Megan Dunbar
Editor in Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor, External Media News Editor Opinion Editor
FELIPE DANA / The Associated Press
Nilcea Furtado receives a free of charge radio-frequency treatment by Dr. Ana Paula (right) at the Brazilian Society of Aesthetic Medicine clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
‘Pretty Hurts’
Cosmetic surgery is not the solution to bullying
OUR LADY OF ANGST SidneyRose Reynen Columnist
Were you ever bullied as a kid? Maybe you should have gotten a nose job. Even though that sounds like an outrageous solution, the New York-based nonprofit organization Little Baby Face provides free plastic surgery for bullied middle and high school students. The Little Baby Face Foundation is teaching kids that if they want to stop being bullied, then they should change — not the bullies. Little Baby Face operated on a 14-year-old girl in 2012. They paid for surgery that she requested — an operation that would pin her ears back because kids at Ilse’s school had been referring to her as “Dumbo.” More recently, the nonprofit provided a 15-yearold with a rhinoplasty and a chin job. She was known by her classmates as “the girl with the big nose.” The teasing had become so intense and pervasive that she did not
attend school for three years, opting to be home-schooled instead. On its website, Little Baby Face says it was “born out of the desire to serve and assist children with birth deformities and their families that are without resources by providing them with the life-changing restorative treatments and surgeries free of cost.” It also claims to have “helped” more than 500 children with facial deformities since it was founded in 2002. While I certainly feel immense sympathy for these emotionally scarred children, I don’t believe this is the way to help them. There has to be nothing worse than submitting a request to this organization and then being approved for surgery. It’s almost as if the Little Baby Face Foundation is agreeing with the bullies’ thinking. This fascination with cosmetic surgery has invaded cities other than Los Angeles and Hollywood. Not only can these young children receive “life changing” operations, so can anyone in Baton Rouge. With a quick Google search, one can find that there are more than 30 different cosmetic surgery and dentistry offices within a 10
mile radius of the University. Feeling left out on such a large campus? Buy yourself a new face! Bullying is not a new phenomenon, nor is it one that affects only a small population of people. During my time in elementary, middle and high school, classmates made fun of everything from my bad acne to the size of my breasts to the fact that I wore glasses. This is not an experience unknown to most. The occurrence of bullying and the overall mean-natured spirit of children and adolescents is not something to blow off as being “just what kids do.” Teasing fellow students about their physical appearance perpetuates and demonstrates our unnatural obsession with beauty. Encouraging bullied children and teenagers to seek help in the form of cosmetic surgery is just letting the bullies win. They don’t learn anything from their mistakes or suffering, but hey – there’s a brand new nose involved, so why complain? Bullies are the ones who need to change their ways. Kids who think it’s funny to prey on classmates to make them feel alienated and ugly are what
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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.
needs to be corrected, not some young girl’s protruding ears. Although the Little Baby Face Foundation helps underprivileged children with facial deformities – real ones, not just noses deemed unattractively large – that hinder them from performing daily tasks or communicating, it’s a shame this has become an option for America’s youngest generation. Apparently, if the public has a problem with you, then you should do everything in your power to change yourself to conform to their standards. The attitude should not be “above all — be attractive.” Kids and adolescents should strive for better grades, more involvement in their communities and self-care rather than being aesthetically pleasing to everyone they meet. As Beyoncé says in her song “Pretty Hurts,” “It’s the soul that needs the surgery.” SidneyRose Reynen is an 18-year-old film and art history freshman from New Orleans. Contact SidneyRose Reynen at sreynen@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @srosereynen
Quote of the Day “Live one day at a time emphasizing ethics rather than rules.”
Wayne Dyer self-help author May 10, 1940 — Present
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Opinion
page 13
Riverside Towing is an unfixable disgrace NEUTRAL GROUND Eli A. Haddow Columnist They circle like vultures around the parking lots of Baton Rouge. They prowl like hunters up and down streets, looking for easy prey. They are the Riverside Towing fleet, and they have spoiled more than one LSU student’s day. Perhaps you parked at CVS when you were really going to The Venue, or maybe you parked in the law lot at 4:29 instead of 4:30. It seems there is always a tow truck at the ready to haul your car and your dignity for the hundreds of dollars it costs to retrieve it. Merchants who only want customers parking in their
meager number of slots often contract towing companies. While this is a legal and acceptable practice, Riverside takes it to a whole new level. This forces students to live in a constant state of paranoia when they park their cars, even when they have done nothing wrong. The lots in and around LSU have practically become the Wild West. But students aren’t alone in their opinion of the parking enforcers patrolling the blacktops. Unlike many cases – when students tend to overreact vociferously to actions they wrongly view as unfair – Riverside Towing has garnered its share of professional criticism as well. The Better Business Bureau gives the company a not-sosterling “F” rating. That is on a scale of A+ to F, by the way. It’s not a lie, with the
company’s haphazard method of swooping in at opportune moments and leaving owners astonished at just how quickly it transpired. The BBB cites a systematic disregard for customer input based on complaints filed though the website. It claims nine complaints have been filed against Riverside, and cites them for “Failure to respond to eight complaints filed against business,” in the very next line. The official complaints filed are just as you would guess. Customers who thought their cars were wrongfully towed showed up at the shadowy River Road compound and — if nothing more — just wanted their car back. One complainer said he or she approached the facility during business hours and was rudely told by an “employee” that Riverside was closed. The
filer asserted that this employee used intimidating language laced with obscenity. The car had been towed from the Summer Grove parking lot with a visitors tag affixed. While it’s not surprising to see these issues on actual business forums, it’s shocking how consistently Riverside Towing eschews the criticism it receives and uses its virtual hegemony over the streets of Baton Rouge to hurt the people who will suffer most: LSU students. It practices an unfair targeting of students on and around campus and, barring one exception, do not even think twice in addressing complaints filed in an orderly and professional context. However, when it comes to customer service – an issue that affects nearly all of the places LSU students frequent – it has absolutely nothing to
worry about in that we do not have any choice in giving them our business. Now, if this were a free market and consumers could choose whose services to use, Riverside would have gone kaput years ago. Therefore, it is solely up to the businesses that contract Riverside’s services to take into account the company’s shortcomings. That seems unlikely, at best. So until the Mississippi River overflows and submerges the vulture trucks, just park where the signs tell you. Eli Haddow is a 21-year-old English and history junior from New Orleans.
Contact Eli Haddow at ehaddow@lsureveille.com
Cronyism proves state, economics must be separate ATLAS HAS SHRUGGED Andrew Stolzle Columnist Suicide, poverty, corruption, deceit and robbery — this sounds like humanity’s worst-of-theworst list. However, each of these are consequences of cronyism. When the government lies in bed with businesses — whether they’re local shops or multinational conglomerates — the American people suffer greatly. Free enterprise and social mobility are two of the many characteristics that separate this nation from others and is what still attracts many immigrants today. While both are in serious decline, Congress and government administrations continue to transact backroom deals with companies involving millions of dollars. Whether deals are made to gain an economic advantage, to lobby for certain legislation or to prevent a scandal from going public, one thing is constant: almost every action between corporations and the government hurt future generations, specifically graduates. When existing businesses are successful in lobbying for federal handouts, the market becomes more volatile and more difficult for companies to start and grow, damaging the prospects for young job-seekers. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy granted Solyndra $536 million in an attempt to jumpstart the solar-panel manufacturer with hopes that it would lead the future in renewable energy. Just two years later, Solyndra filed for bankruptcy and quickly
disappeared along with its 1,100 employees. More than half a billion dollars was gone as quickly as it appeared. Corruption exists at the state level as well, especially in Louisiana. Our old friend Ray Nagin accepted a $23,500 trip to New York in exchange for forgiving George Solomon of his tax and loan penalties. He also accepted $60,000 in bribes from another man in 2008. This may all seem like the standard political chess game, and unfortunately it is. Too often the government, with the support of corrupt companies, creates a suffocating environment for new businesses, decreasing the competition and allowing for prices to skyrocket in fields like health care, cable and rent. The rising cost of living, exacerbated by a market that favors existing firms, disproportionately affects younger workers. Maintaining one’s health is a tremendous load. Those who already supply their own insurance know firsthand how ludicrous the prices are. If a provider wants to start up and expand service of insurance, they would be denied that right until the state allowed them to do so. In 36 states, including Louisiana, health care companies must wait for government approval before opening or expanding their facilities. The regulatory process turns many entrepreneurs away and stifles competition, creating an atmosphere that favors the existing firms — this is how monopolies begin. Even the business of burying the deceased comes with unnecessary mandates. Last year, monks at Saint Joseph Abbey in southern Louisiana defended their right to manufacture and
Paul Sakuma / The Associated Press
FBI agents stand guard outside of Solyndra headquarters in Fremont, Calif., on Sept. 8, 2011. The FBI are executing search warrants at the headquarters of California solar firm Solyndra that received a $535 million loan from the federal government.
sell caskets at prices cheaper than most retail sellers. Since casket prices reach upwards of $10,000, Saint Joseph is an attractive outlet for customers. But state law requires a license for selling caskets and mandates that they be sold at licensed funeral establishments. To both the monks’ and the consumers’ benefit, a federal appeals court overturned the law. Regulations exist in every field and in every state, delaying the rate of innovation and increasing the prices of everyday items. Existing businesses generally favor such legislation
because competition suffers and they are able to expand and raise prices without losing customers. Instead of arbitrarily blaming the usual scapegoats like capitalism or the free market, we need to advocate for the separation of state and economics. The only way to release cronyism’s grip on the economy is to eliminate the barriers that prevent new suppliers from starting up and expanding; these include licensing requirements and regulatory fees. Doing so will generate a healthier environment that offers better prospects for
graduates and lower prices for consumers. Or we can buy a private Caribbean island and start our own country. The sunsets look gorgeous there. Andrew Stolzle is a 21-year-old mechanical engineering junior from Baton Rouge.
Contact Andrew Stolze at astolzle@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @AndrewStolzle
The Daily Reveille
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Server Assistants Needed Ruth’s Chris Steak House 4836 Constitution Ave ________________________ Looking for someone who is interested in the construction business. Help on new construction jobs and maintenance on existing homes. Work is located around LSU areas. Call 225-757-0250 ________________________ SELA Aquatics is now hiring lifeguards, swim coaches, swim instructors, managers for several BR and NOLA country clubs for summer 2014. Apply at www.selaaquatics.com. ________________________ HELP WANTED Part Time/ Flexible hours after 3pm. Must be able to work with your hands Call 225-7260425 for further details ________________________ Vet assistant needed for animal hospital 15 min. from LSU. * Acadian Oaks Pet Clinic * 387-2462 ________________________ Part time afternoon counter clerk needed!! Welsh’s dry cleaners on the corner of Perkins and college dr. Flexible schedules. Great for students. Apply in person. 928-5067 ________________________ Associated Veterinary Services has job offerings for registered veterinary technicians or experienced veterinary assistants. In school applicants are welcomed to apply. ________________________ Part time, flexible hours. Knowledgeable in InDesign or Quark. Work on reports for small publishing company. Near Siegen & Perkins. ________________________ “Office Furniture World”/ Coursey Blvd.B.R. Dependable people to assemble and deliver office furniture. Will train and work with school schedule. Pay-DOE. Send resume dennis@ofwbr.com. By Appointment Only. ________________________
CHILD CARE & PROGRAMS COORDINATOR- P/T Coordinate, organize, develop, and supervise before/after school care sites, holiday and summer camps, family nights, teen and other school age programming events. Previous experience working with youth/childcare is preferred. Microsoft Excel exp. Part-time 2228 hrs/wk. $8-$9.00/hr DOE. Current CRP/First Aid Cert or ability to be certified by the Y within first 30-days of employment. Must pass B/G check and drug screen. Contact Eddrick Martin @ (225) 344-6775 or apply in person to Baranco-Clark YMCA, 1735 Thomas Delpit Dr., Baton Rouge, LA.
Now hiring FT/PT receptionist and kennel staff. We are looking for hard working, friendly, animal lovers to join our team. Please come by to fill out an application. 8380 Jefferson Hwy (225) 302-5926 ________________________ WANTED: SWIM INSTRUCTORS: Crawfish Aquatics; Louisiana Total Swim Program, Part Time Afternoons-April. Full Time Summer. If you are highly motivated, great character, hard working, we can teach the rest. Send resume to:swimminglessons@ crawfishaquatics.com ________________________ Tsunami Baton Rouge is looking to add two experienced and energetic servers and one host to its team in the coming weeks. Servers must have at least 1 yr serving experience. Please apply in person between 12pm-4pm Tuesday through Thursday. ________________________ ROLY POLY Now hiring friendly faces part time all shifts. Please apply at 4500 NIcholson Drive Ste. E. in Southgate. ________________________ Interested in Health and Fitness Industry? Exercise equipment sales Co. looking for full/ part time applicants for retail sales/ deliveries and service. Apply in person at 9603 Airline Hwy. (B.R.) ________________________
We have an excellent opportunity available for a College Sales Representative to begin an exciting career in the dynamic world of educational publishing covering the surrounding areas of Baton Rouge, LA + New Orleans, LA. ---------------------------------- At Pearson, sales representatives work on local college campuses developing relations with faculty members and bookstore personnel selling educational resources including print and online materials. In addition, our sales representatives also communicate closely with our marketing and editorial teams in developing new projects for publishing in national and local markets as well as driving sales of all existing products. --------------------------------------- We are looking for talented salespeople to engage our customers and help us to continue to grow the business, connecting professors in the territory with our products. Specifically, the disciplines that our sales reps focus on include humanities and social science (HSS). -------------------------------------- What this opportunity offers: • $45-55K base salary plus an annual bonus target, based on sales performance • Extensive on the job training • Fully maintained company car and all travel expenses • Excellent benefits package including full medical/dental/vision coverage. • Outstanding opportunities for advancement into sales management, technology management, marketing or editorial within the US as well as internationally. -------------------------------------- Most importantly, this job offers you the opportunity to MANAGE A TERRITORY LIKE IT’S YOUR OWN BUSINESS. You’ll learn aspects of marketing, retail, customer development and the business cycle and be directly compensated for your success. (Interested applicants who are Organized,
Competitive and Ambitious should email their cover letter and resume!) --------------------------------------- Successful candidates for the position must demonstrate: • Academic excellence; including a BA/BS with a minimum 3.4 GPA preferred • Evidence of top achievement in several aspects of your educational, extracurricular or professional background • 1-4 yrs successful sales or other professional work experience helpful, but not mandatory • Motivation: the drive to achieve beyond what is expected daily • Technological proficiency in regards to being able to present and demonstrate software programs • Excellent time management, organizational skills, and interpersonal communication. • Valid driver’s license & good driving record ------------------------------------ To learn more about this amazing company and its products for the higher education market, please visit our websites at: www.pearson.com | www. pearsoned.com | www.pearsonhighered.com ------------------------------- IF INTERESTED, WE INVITE YOU TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST ONLINE THROUGH THIS LINK: http://pearson.jobs/baton-rouge-la/ sales-representative-hssl-baton-rougeneworleans-la/43433880/job/ ________________________ Childcare Center afternoon position 2:30 - 5:30, M - F. Experience with and love of children a must. . Great job for student: no nights or weekends! Send resume or an email stating your interest to : cdsofbr@hotmail.com ________________________
Thursday, February 27, 2014
We are seeking out dedicated individuals for the following positions: FRONT DESK AGENT must exceed our guest’s expectations and ensure revenue optimization through check in/out while assuring to the attentive coordination of hotel services for our guests. NIGHT AUDITOR perform the duties of a Front Desk Agent and complete, balance and file night audit reports on the various areas of the hotel to provide accurate, timely information in accordance with cash handling, credit card processing and accounting policies and procedures. BARTENDER will be responsible for delivering excellent guest experience in our bar area by missing drinks for both guests and servers. Other responsibilities include the complete set up and break down of the bar area. HOUSEKEEPING staff are expected to exceed our guest’s expectations by maintaining the highest standard of cleanliness of the guest rooms. Clean and prepare guest rooms and public areas by meeting our established standards. LAUNDRY ATTENDANT & DRIVER process the hotel’s laundry by folding, stacking and storing linen in compliance with hotel standards. Class D driver’s license is needed for driver applicants. If you want to join our dynamic team you will enjoy competitive salary, benefits, paid time off and a 401 (k) plan e-mail your résumé to jobs@wampold.com Flexible hours, weekends and nights are required.
New Year, New Fun Job! Great Starting Pay! Flexible Schedules, Scholarships and Internships available. Customer sales/service. Full training provided. All ages 17+ Apply Today! 225-803-8982 workforstudents.com ________________________ HIRING STUDENTS! *$16 STARTING PAY* Customer sales/service. PT/FT available with very FLEXIBLE schedules. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY, will train- gain VALUABLE experience for your resume! Apply ASAP for best chances! 225-921-9673 earnparttime.com ________________________ John`s Pro Window Cleaning is looking for 2 part-time window cleaners (20-30 hours per week). Must have reliable transportation and be prepared to work as early as 6 am. No experience necessary. Must be completely honest, in good physical health and completely self-motivated (references required). Great working conditions, flexible hours and great pay. Start at 10.00 an hour with significant monthly raises (17.00 an hour within first 7 months). Great opportunity for college students. To apply call Judy at 225-927-6748 between the hours of 9-5 ONLY. DO NOT call cell number mentioned in message. ________________________ Albasha Restaurant is now hiring for part time hostess and waitstaff. Please come in to apply. We are located at 2561 Citiplace Court Baton Rouge, LA 70808. ________________________
Our hotel sets the standard in business travel, day after day. We are looking for energetic individuals who are passionate about customer service to join our team.
3BR,2-5Bth,WD, 5268 Brightside view Dr.,No.4, lsu Area Call -766-7258, OR 2681273 $900/mo ________________________
Efficiency type apartment. Separate kitchen and bathroom. 1 block from LSU lakes. Internet, utilities, W/D included. $850 per month. 225-921-3222 ________________________ 348 W Parker, 2 and 3 bedroom duplex, washer and dryer,courtyard and pets OK some utilities included. Between Burbank and LSU south gate. $950-1200 call 225-615-8521 or 225-892-8517 ________________________ One BR/BA for male student Spring and/or Summer 2014. $629/mo includes utilities.. call/text 337-501-3115 ________________________ 1200 SQFT. HOUSE FOR RENT. 2 BR W/ OFFICE, 2 FULL BATHS, W/D HOOK UPS, 2 CAR CARPORT, TREE SHADED GRASS COMMON AREA, QUIET, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD CLOSE TO LSU. 950.00. DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ONLY. CALL: 931-4250 ________________________ Now, Accepting Deposits for Summer/Fall Move Ins. Lake Beau Pre Townhomes, Arlington Trace & Summer Grove Condos 2 & 3 Bedrooms .
Dean & Company Real Estate 225-767-2227 www.deanrealestate.net
ROOMMATE NEEDED! (female) Furnished kitchen, dining, and living room, 2 car garage with a covered back porch! Barely 10 minutes away from LSU campus! Please call (318) 210-1444 ________________________ 1 ROOMMATE NEEDED: 4/2 House/Garage EXTREMELY NICE Nicholson Lakes Sub.$600 month/$200 Deposit. No pets. Utilities pd. Call 225-270-6034
We specialize in laptop repair. We also offer a variety of cell phone and tablet repairs at competitive prices. We can fix any problem and all brands. This includes Apple products, MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac ________________________ Singer (also bar owner) looking for drummer, bass, guitar, keyboard players to play 80s alternative. Owns bar to practice in. Call 225-400-9760.
Thursday, February 27, 2014 snearl, from page 1
minority students to arrive at the University and feel lost. Making sure students, especially freshmen, are made aware of how they can plug into the campus community and celebrating the accomplishments of minority students is important, Snearl said. Snearl said the most lasting effect of her tenure is the African American Cultural Center’s robing ceremony that still exists today. Students attend a ceremony the night before graduation during which their parents robe them with a purple and gold kente cloth, a traditional patterned fabric that originates from Ghana. The first ceremony was in 1996 and more than 1,500 students have participated. As coordinator, Snearl also started Genesis, a mentoring program for freshmen, and expanded Harambe, an orientation for incoming African-American students that celebrates their heritage and gives them a chance to explore on-campus activities. In the 1990s, some people at the University felt having a minority coordinator discriminated against the majority, Snearl said. Diversity on campus has come a long way, she said, and significantly more people now see the value of celebrating differences and discovering similarities not only between races and cultures, but also in learning styles. Snearl began her career at the University in 1981 in Student Support Services, a federally funded mentoring program for first generation college students, where she informed students who had no family tradition of attending college about the experience they were about to embark upon. It was there that Snearl said she learned about personalizing the LSU experience by tapping into students’ personal backgrounds and helping them capitalize on things they are good at and like doing. That is one reason Snearl, whose second job at the University was in Junior Division — now called University College — returned to academic counseling in 2000. Paul Ivey, executive director of University College, said because there are so many new administrators, “there’s some real value to the historical perspective and that people really understand how things came to be on this campus.” Knowledge of the University’s past is particularly important when setting goals. Ivey said University administrators, faculty and staff must understand how things used to be if they want to make the future better
for students. The University used to have open admissions. Because anyone who took the ACT test and applied could attend, there were more remedial programs on campus, which Snearl coordinated in the late 1980s. Snearl said some students just need to know someone is there who can help them and believes in them. “You can make it at LSU,” she often reminds students. The reward of being a counselor is seeing students enter senior colleges on campus and grow into successful young adults, she said. Plus, every year, a new wave of about 5,000 freshmen arrives, meaning the University is always changing and there are always people out there who need help. Students’ counseling needs are important to academic success, Snearl believes, while appreciation of their traditions fuels everevolving social aspects of the University. “Freshmen are important,” Snearl said. “They are the heart of LSU.”
Contact Olivia McClure at omcclure@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille fraud, from page 1
The chemistry department declined to comment on the incident. The second case was reported on Feb. 11 after a student working at the Louisiana Digital Media Center submitted false payroll sheets to his supervisor with forged signatures of approval, collecting $969 of false income. Last week, two student workers from the Cox Communications building were under suspicion of attempting payroll fraud, causing an investigation by LSUPD that revealed the two students were falsifying the hours on their time sheets to collect more pay. All four students were arrested and booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on felony charges for committing payroll fraud and falsifying public records. However, all four students are currently still enrolled in the University. K.C White, associate vice chancellor and dean of students, said students found in violation of the LSU Student Code of Conduct have the option to meet with a staff member of the LSU Student Advocacy and Accountability Department to explain their case. Any potential finding of responsibility would then fall within a range of outcomes such as
page 15 disciplinary probation or expulsion. Lalonde said student payroll fraud typically involves a suspect submitting their time sheets with their supervisor’s signatures forged onto the document or leaving the workplace immediately after clocking in for the job and then returning later to clock out. Lalonde said when a payroll manager realizes something is off in the record books, they typically have a suspect in mind before reporting the case to the authorities. “The police department will always have to investigate further to ensure that we have all the information and facts possible in any situation.” Lalonde said. “More often than not, you’re going to have some idea who the person is solely because of the fact that everything is on record by the supervisors.” Lalonde said the majority of payroll fraud investigations are spent not on who committed the fraud, but how the suspect committed the crime. Director of LSU Payroll Donna Dewailly said each department payroll division on campus has its own procedures of preventing payroll fraud within the system. Dewailly said incidents of
fraud are sometimes discovered by supervisors after the suspects receive pay for days they were never scheduled to work. Preventing payroll fraud is not an easy thing to do, but making the switch from paper to electronic time sheets could be safer depending on the situation, Dewailly said. Even though two of the four payroll fraud cases involve students forging signatures on their time sheets, Dewailly said “no student should have the opportunity to forge their supervisor’s signatures on their time sheets.” LSUPD remains ultimately unaware why the sudden spike in payroll fraud occurred and is unsure if the trend will continue to grow. Lalonde said it is difficult for LSUPD to directly combat payroll fraud on campus, but the department will do what it can to educate supervisors that deal with payroll documents on taking the extra time to verify the necessary paperwork involved with payroll.
Contact Reese Perkins at rperkins@lsureveille.com
FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 27, 2014
THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Holiday __; hotel chain 4 Deep hole 9 Golfer __ Mickelson 13 Harness strap 15 Mountainside 16 Comfortable wraparound 17 Wheel rod 18 Sweet granules 19 Leave out 20 Bring to an end 22 State of clutter 23 Extensive; wide 24 Afternoon rest 26 Skillful 29 Artist who painted a famous picture of his mother 34 Psychoanalyst Sigmund __ 35 Vane direction 36 Ms. Longoria 37 Keep __ on; watch closely 38 Actor __ Lee Jones 39 __ if; although 40 Flightless bird 41 Internal spies 42 Fragrance 43 Revealed the misdeeds of 45 Adjusts a clock 46 Obsolete 47 Express pentup frustration 48 Pocket bread 51 Well-known 56 Rowers’ items 57 Put forth, as effort 58 Cleansing bar 60 Make bootees 61 Hose down 62 Days of __; yesteryear 63 Notice 64 Spirited horse 65 HST’s predecessor DOWN 1 Tax-deferred retirement acct.
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 21 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 35 38
Teller’s cry Egypt’s river Help out Not tactful Meditative exercise Argument Peace On time Residence Wading bird “Why don’t we!” Fidgety Housekeeper __ Wednesday; start of Lent Run __; chase Play Counter an argument Ladies Sings with the lips closed Embankment Special __; big occasion Talks wildly Song for one Little children
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved
(c) 2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
39 Pure bliss 41 Singer Tillis 42 __ away; dismiss 44 Warm & comfy 45 Leased to a tenant 47 Song division 48 Jab
49 Somerhalder and McKellen 50 Journey 52 Way out 53 Trait transmitter 54 Housetop 55 Three feet 59 __ person; apiece
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The Daily Reveille
Thursday, February 27, 2014