HAMMOND, LA
FEBRUARY 5, 2019
S O U T H E A S T E R N L O U I S IA NA U N I V E R S I T Y
L I G H T S
O U T
JACOB SUMMERVILLE STAFF REPORTER
On Monday, Jan. 28, the university and the surrounding Hammond area were impacted by a power outage. The power in several buildings on main campus was disrupted, and by 1:44 p.m., classes and most food services were canceled for the remainder of the day. Byron Patterson, director of the Physical Plant Services, explained how the university’s main campus lost power. “An Entergy representative informed the university that it resulted from a tree that fell across lines near Berry Town Market,” said Patterson. “Since the power was disrupted along railroad lines, the Entergy repair had to be coordinated with railroad officials, resulting in a lengthy repair. The university
had to close the main campus on Monday afternoon as a result.” Patterson discussed how this affected buildings on campus. “The tree caused the lines to short out creating a phase imbalance, which impacted equipment in several buildings that will require repair and/or replacements,” shared Patterson. “In some cases, such as Meade Hall, the equipment shorted out, causing smoke in the facility. The building was evacuated until it could be confirmed that there was no danger to occupants. Several other buildings also required evacuation during the event.” The evacuation of Meade Hall started from a phone call, according to Lt. Patrick Gipson.
Gipson stated, “Officers were dispatched to Meade Hall in response to a report of someone smelling what they described as ‘an electrical burning smell,’ and someone said they saw a small amount of smoke coming out of a window. Officers, fire department personnel and maintenance personnel determined the cause was an electric motor experiencing a malfunction.” Sabrina Anzalone, an administrative assistant in Meade Hall, was in the building during the power outage. She recalled what she experienced around 11:20 a.m. that Monday. “The fire alarms didn’t go off,” said Anzalone. “So, we had someone smell the smoke, and so the dean went upstairs. He’s the building coordinator, and our
graduate student went upstairs and evacuated everybody from upstairs, and he evacuated everybody from downstairs.” The Physical Plant Services has not made a statement about the fire alarms. Kaitlyn Hughes, a junior double majoring in political science and criminal justice, explained that she was at the Mane Dish waiting on her sister Camryn Hughes, a sophomore athletic training major, at the time of the outage. “They couldn’t cook anything,” said Kaitlyn Hughes. “We were just sitting there wondering what happened.” By the time Camryn Hughes arrived, the Mane Dish had started to close. “They were up there before
me, but I went up there, I didn’t get any food at all,” shared Camryn Hughes. According to an Entergy representative, a second power outage that evening occurred because the train station needed to use the restored power to temporarily operate. Amanda Kitch, a senior communication major, was not happy about the outages and explained how her workplace was affected. “I work for Gnarly Barley Brewing, and they experienced several power outages through the event, which is kind of a bummer because we’re dealing with thousands of dollars of equipment and product,” shared Kitch. “So, that was kind of scary.”
Knowing the right way to cross Losing gluten: what
A sign on the corner of N General Pershing St. and W University Ave. directs pedestrians to utilize the underpass since there is not an established crosswalk running across W University Ave. University police have ticketed pedestrians for not abiding by this rule. JACOB SUMMERVILLE/THE LION’S ROAR JACOB SUMMERVILLE STAFF REPORTER
Students and visitors should remember to travel across University Avenue only using the pedestrian underpass. Since there was an increase in students crossing University Avenue last semester, a news release titled “Pedestrian Safety... Your Safety Matters!” included a reminder from the University Police Department to utilize the pedestrian tunnel. Dr. Eric Summers, vice president for Student Affairs, explained the progressing
issue and what procedures are being enforced to alleviate the problem. “Students that crossed illegally were traveling to and from area apartments, local businesses and to parked vehicles,” explained Summers. “Since crossing a roadway without a marked crosswalk is not only dangerous but unlawful, university police began issuing citations to any student found crossing outside of crosswalks. That will continue, and we have also added signage to direct students to the tunnel.” According to Richard Davis Jr., the Student Government Association president,
SGA set aside $19,594 between 2010 and 2015. Davis described the negligence of students not using the underpass as “unfortunate.” “Former students agreed to spend nearly $20,000 of their fees to improve the underpass,” said Davis. “So, we are definitely doing a disservice to them by not using it to the fullest potential.” Last semester, there was a pedestrianinvolved fatality on University Avenue that took the life of a university student. Davis shared that pedestrians need to use the underpass, but that drivers should always look out for those who choose not to. “Saving time by crossing a busy avenue is and never should be worth your life,” said Davis. “I would also encourage those who are driving along University Avenue to always be aware of those pedestrians who may cross the street and to always abide by the speed limit.” Summers also gave a word of caution to students that extends to all traffic areas on campus. “I would urge students to always use the pedestrian tunnel when crossing University Avenue and to only cross streets at designated crosswalks,” explained Summers. “Students should also look both ways before entering crosswalks, never assuming that a driver will give them the right of way. Most importantly, they should put down distractions, like cellphones, when crossing roadways.”
Office of Student Engagement still looking for a director MADELINE CANCIENNE STAFF REPORTER
The Office of Student Engagement is currently searching for a permanent director. When Pam Rault, the previous director of OSE, moved to University Housing, Angela James served as an interim director of OSE for nearly a year and a half while also managing her position as director of the Office of Disability Services. Now returning to solely handling her responsibilities in disability services, James feels the team was productive during her time in OSE. “I think we got a lot accomplished during the time I was there,” shared James. “We opened the Tinsley Hall student area, opened the Lion Central
Info Center, increased student activity, and learned how to engage all students.” Macey Crovetto, coordinator for Greek life and student organizations, reflected on her time working with James. “I was only here for the last six months that she was here under the director role,” explained Crovetto. “The thing I love about Angela is that she has this very welcoming personality, especially when coming into Greek life with all of these new hazing laws. I was incredibly overwhelmed, and she would tell me I was doing a great job, and she was always there for me. She was just a wonderful support system.” Crovetto hopes the next director will carry out the OSE’s goal of engaging with students by forming relationships with students.
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“The better you know your students, the more able you are to serve them,” said Crovetto. “So, as far as looking for a director, that’s something that we’re prioritizing, someone that’s on the ground with the students, making sure that we’re doing everything to provide you all with what it is you want because that is our job, to make sure that you guys feel like you have a reason to be involved with Southeastern and we are giving you all of the tools and resources to find different ways to get involved that fit your specific interests, personality, schedule.” Crovetto shared that the OSE office staff is a close team, so she hopes the new director will be a good fit for the operation. “We are a really tight-knit team,” stated Crovetto. “We spend a lot of time together.
We are friends, and we laugh together, cry together sometimes when things are getting crazy, so you really want somebody that is going to be part of that family and really commit to this team and to this university because it’s something that means a lot to all of us.” Dr. Gabe Willis, interim dean of students, will assist the OSE in a more hands-on manner until the position is filled. “Now that this position is vacant, Dr. Willis has stepped in and really gotten to know each one of us,” shared Crovetto. “One thing he said to me was, ‘When we hire this new director, I want to be familiar with the position and because I want to know what it’s going
see OSE, pg. 2
Index
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Campus Life ................................2 Opinions ....................................3 A&E ...........................................4
Horoscope, Crossword, Sudoku ...5 Sports & Fitness ..........................6 News .........................................8
campus has to offer DIAMOND HOLLINS STAFF REPORTER
For students who have a gluten sensitivity or intolerance, dining services provides options to address their dietary restrictions. Richard Pugh, interim marketing coordinator of The Mane Dish, stated that The Mane Dish supplies options for students on campus with an aversion to foods containing gluten. “Our premier restaurant The Mane Dish provides ‘made without gluten-containing ingredients’ options for guest with celiac disease and gluten intolerances,” said Pugh. “These items are available upon request daily but are oftentimes implemented into our regular menus.” According to Pugh, The Mane Dish has specialty items available. “The Mane Dish has glutenfree hamburgers and hot dogs as well as gluten-free pasta,” shared Pugh. “We do, however, often have vegetables, rice and meat dishes that are made without gluten-containing ingredients.” Pugh discussed why it is imperative for the university to have these gluten-free options available to students. “It is important for us as the food service provider to cater to the dietary needs of all of our guests,” stated Pugh. “Whether it be for religious, dietary or other reasons, we strive to provide food that is alive with flavor and nutrition that nourishes the body and allows our guests to succeed.” Christina Martin, an instructor for family and consumer sciences, discussed specific bodily sensitivities to foods that contain gluten. “There’s no true gluten allergy,” said Martin. “However, wheat allergies do exist along with celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that can lead to very serious health consequences including malnutrition if gluten Stay Connected With Us! Like and follow @lionsroarnews.
is consumed. Celiac disease is rare, only affecting one percent of the population.” For students who do not eat gluten, certain foods should be avoided. “Someone following a gluten-free diet should avoid wheat, barley and rye as gluten is a type of protein found in these grains,” explained Martin. “This includes a large number of our staple-grains in the U.S. such as refined or whole-wheat bread and pasta. Other sources of gluten include most crackers, biscuits, baked goods, cakes, cookies, pies, flour tortillas, pizza and beer.” Martin also outlined a list of foods that can be consumed. “There are a lot of foods that can be consumed by those following a gluten-free diet though,” shared Martin. “These foods include vegetables, fruits, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, meat, fish, poultry, dairy, rice, quinoa, nut flours, soy, oats that haven’t been processed in the same plant as other glutencontaining grains and, of course, products marketed as gluten-free.” Pugh explained that the fact that the university has glutenfree options on campus shines a light on the dedication the university has in ensuring every student is satisfied. “The comfort and safety of our guest are our top priorities,” stated Pugh. “Providing options for students with dietary restrictions shows that we are committed to each and every guest’s well-being and success.” If a guest expresses a dietary restriction, necessary steps are taken at The Mane Dish. “We instruct our staff to refer them to the executive chef,” shared Pugh. “The chef can answer any questions or concerns a guest may have concerning the day’s menu but can also help customize a menu if needed. These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis.”
Volume 90, Issue 19 A Student Publication www.lionsroarnews.com lionsroar@southeastern.edu