FEBRUARY 24, 2015 VOLUME 86, ISSUE 20
’ THE LION S ROAR 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
A Student Publication
Campus Life Page 2
BY WILLIAM SCHMIDT Staff Reporter
The debate for net neutrality has been in heated discussion since Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler made a proposal for new rules about the laws of net neutrality back in April. What emerged was a debate of people on two sides of a fence, for net neutrality and against net neutrality. In 2010, the FCC set laws to stop speed-traps on the internet or in other words, the speeding up of some websites, slowing down of others or blocking a website all together. Since then, companies such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon have been trying to get rid of net neutrality. To not have net neutrality would allow these corporations to have full legal right of deciding the speed of web content based on the original source, ownership or destination. Other companies such as Facebook, Google or streaming agencies like Netflix believe the Internet is a public good and should be regulated as one.
Opinions Page 3
At this time, Internet providers are allowed to charge content companies to provide direct access to their networks which speeds up streaming and download speeds for broadband customers. According to the savetheinternet.com website, “net neutrality lowers the barriers of entry for entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses by ensuring the Web is a fair and level playing field.” Ultimately the FCC has control of what happens with net neutrality due to how the FCC is set up to be an independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress. According to the fcc.gov page, the FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The commission is the United States’ primary authority for communications law, regulation and technological innovation. In April, Wheeler had proposed a plan that would allow large corporations such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon to create pay-to-play fast lanes.
Arts & Entertainment Page 4
Due to a public outcry from political figures and the public, Wheeler shelved his original proposal. Currently, organizations such as the Save the Internet Campaign, the Free Press, the Free Press Action Fund and people banning together online are making their voices heard on how they want net neutrality to be ensured for the future. In an address by Barack Obama, he stated that, “an open Internet is essential to the American economy, and increasingly to our very way of life.” Furthermore in the address, Obama stated that, “The FCC is an independent agency, and ultimately this decision is theirs alone. I believe the FCC should create a new set of rules protecting net neutrality and ensuring that neither the cable company nor the phone company will be able to act as a gatekeeper, restricting what you can do or see online.” As of now, Wheeler has adapted a proposal for net neutrality that falls under Title II of the Telecommunications Act, originally suggested by Obama in an address to the people Nov. 10, 2014.
Sports Page 6
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However, some people believe that Wheeler’s proposal is not all it is hatched out to be and specific details of how this bill could still hurt the consumer are being left out. “Net neutrality is a bill being pioneered by the FCC, and it is not exactly what they tell us it is,” said junior engineering technology major John “Forrest” Duplantier. “It’s essentially this idea of policing content so that all of it is ‘lawful’ and ‘equally treated,’ which truthfully means that the people who are creating the bill and paying for it are going to be getting more attention. This is a terrible thing for the average Internet user because it is going to make the Internet more expensive than it already is.” Wheeler’s full intentions for net neutrality and how they will fall under the Title II of the Telecommunications Act has not officially been released as of publication date. Voting for Wheeler’s proposal is set to take place on Feb. 26 and Wheeler describes the rules as, “the strongest open internet protections ever proposed by the FCC.”
Sorority makes prom dreams a reality BY SARA PATRICK Editor in Chief
For the fourth year in a row, girls in Tangipahoa Parish who cannot afford to attend their high school prom will have the opportunity to pick out a gown and accessories for free. Project Prom was started in 2012 by Hammond natives Rachael Rolling and Elizabeth Durham as a way to give back to the local community. Over the years the local project has grown through partnerships with Southeastern’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority and Four Seasons Cleaners owner Melissa Mally. “We believe that prom is something that everyone should have the chance to experience,” said Shelby Szelei, a freshman biology major and member of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. “We want to help these girls to have that special prom night that they will remember forever by taking the monetary burden off of their shoulders and providing them with a formal outfit fit for a princess.” Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority volunteered for the first annual event in 2012. The sorority then partnered with the co-founders again in 2013, and the sorority was named the primary sponsor of Tangipahoa Project Prom in 2014. The sorority will be hosting the fourth annual Project Prom on March 14. Girls invited to the event have been referred by guidance counselors due to exhibiting excellence in and outside of the classroom. This year girls from Livingston Parish are also being invited to the event.
Psychologists suggest new stage of development: ‘emerging adulthood’
“When they come to our event, they are given their own personal shoppers who help them pick out an outfit consisting of a gown, accessories, shoes and more,” said Szelei, a member of the local philanthropy committee. “The most exciting part is that it is all free of charge.” Alpha Sigma Tau is currently accepting donations for Project Prom. The sorority is looking for new or gently used formal dresses, formal shoes, accessories, purses, hair/nail appointments and other prom necessities. The sorority accepts monetary, business sponsorships and gift certificates, which will go toward purchasing additional options to enhance the girls’ experiences. Donations can be dropped off to Downtown Cleaners in Hammond at 2000 Anita Blvd., KSLU in D Vickers Hall or Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority House behind the University Center. The sorority will be collecting donations until March 13, the day before the event. “We would love to have donations as soon as possible so we can organize everything,” said Szelei. “We are appreciative of any donations because this event is made possible by the generous donations of local businesses, individuals in our community and churches in the area.” The sorority encourages college students with gently used dresses they can no longer wear to donate them and help make high school prom dreams come true across the parish. “It is saddening to know that some young and beautiful women are not able
BY MELANIE MANN Staff Reporter
As more individuals pursue higher education than ever before, contemporary American society faces major changes. One psychologist argues this cultural shift has profound impact on development in young adults, bringing about a distinct new stage of development between adolescence and adulthood. Jeffrey Arnett, a research professor in the Department of Psychology at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, suggested a new stage of development occurring between the ages of 18 and 25 called “emerging adulthood.” According to his research, this stage of development includes the exploration of identities, instability in work and relationships, pursuing independence and feeling as if life holds many possibilities.
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Courtesy of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority
Alpha Sigma Tau members volunteer to help high school girls pick out the perfect dress, shoes and accessories when they come in for Project Prom. Girls with financial needs in Tangipahoa Parish are chosen by their guidance counselors for excellence in and outside of the classroom. to go to their own prom just because they cannot afford to,” said Szelei. “Hopefully
with our help, they will be able to have the night that they have always dreamed of.”
“In previous times, we’ve had child development as a specific point of development, and then we go right into adult development,” said Dr. Holly Kihm, assistant professor of family and consumer science. “There was something missing that was in between… In contemporary societies, we have a lot more adolescents remaining in the adolescent category because they are not considered fully independent adults yet. Part of that is because we have many individuals going to college, and so while you’re taking on more responsibilities, you may not be 100 percent responsible for all your expenses.” According to Kihm, this newly defined stage of development has many benefits for some individuals. Because the transition from adolescence to adulthood is more gradual, emerging adults are not burdened with all of life’s responsibilities at once. They can take this time to adjust
to adulthood, make mistakes with fewer consequences and explore different options before solidifying major life decisions. However, prolonging adulthood can also be problematic. Emerging adults who have extensive financial support from parents during this stage of development may find it difficult to become fully independent. It is more common in contemporary American society for youth to “boomerang” and return to their parents’ house after leaving. On the other hand, individuals from low income households, or from families who are unable or unwilling to support them through emerging adulthood, may be forced into adulthood much earlier than their peers. “We’re expecting [individuals from low income households], once they’re age 18, to enter an adult-focused workforce, which
Weather Tuesday H 57 L 42
see ADULTHOOD pg. 8
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Budget shortfall suspends pay raise BY WILLIAM SCHMIDT Staff Reporter
Over the current 20142015 fiscal year, the Louisiana Revenue Estimating Conference met and confirmed that significant oil-price driven shortfalls is expected. Due to this shortcoming, the state budget has been negatively affected which led to a $103 million shortfall and a projected $1.6 billion shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year. During the annual fall convocation for faculty and staff that took place on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, President John L. Crain mentioned the possibility of a faculty and staff raise. Due to the unexpected budget crisis, currently a raise is not possible because of state fiscal instability. According to an email release by President John L. Crain on Feb. 13, “Given current fiscal uncertainties, I believe we must defer action until the state budget picture becomes clear. While I realize this is disappointing for everyone, circumstances dictate that we proceed cautiously and exercise fiscal prudence.” With the delay of giving the faculty and staff a raise, the Administration and Finance are also preparing for the upcoming fiscal year. “While plans to meet the reductions in the current fiscal year did not include reductions to higher education, we must exercise extreme caution as we move through the final months of the fiscal year should something change,” said Vice President of Administration and Finance Sam Domiano. “Delaying such actions also provide time to better understand the impact to higher education for the upcoming fiscal year.” The faculty and staff of Southeastern are not the only ones feeling the repercussions of the state budget shortfall. Erin Cowser, the director of Public and Governmental Affairs, encourages the students and supporters of Southeastern to speak up to legislators about higher education as they prepare a course of action. “Our resources in terms of travel, supplies, maintenance and personnel continue to be severely strained,” said Cowser. “As always, we are being extremely prudent with the finances we do have. The unfortunate postponement of raises is one example of the precautions we must take when facing the possibility of millions more in state funding cuts next year.” With The midyear budget reductions were approved by the legislative committee on Friday with a green light to Governor Bobby Jindal’s plan to close a the midyear budget gap. As of now, these plans do not appear to include reduction for higher education. Jindal’s budget proposal to be released on Friday will include longterm budget proposals.
Reminders Wednesday H 49 L 35
The Lions baseball team will travel to Baton Rouge to play LSU this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.