APRIL 21, 2015 VOLUME 86, ISSUE 26
’ 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
Opinions Page 3
Arts & Entertainment Page 4
Sports Page 6
News Page 8
LionsRoarNews.com
NCAA responds to infractions by ex-coach BY JAY LOVE Sports Editor
For the second time in less than three years, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has found Southeastern guilty of violations and has imposed punishments on the university. The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions released a report on April 9 that claims there were multiple infractions made by the Southeastern Women’s Volleyball program in 2013. “This case centered on impermissible athletically related activity that took place outside of the institution’s declared playing season during the spring and summer of 2013. It also included impermissible lodging and tryouts for prospective studentathletes. A former head women’s volleyball coach arranged and, in some instances, observed the impermissible athletically related activity,” stated the NCAA in the report. While the head coach was not in attendance for all of the illegal practices and workouts, the report claims a volunteer assistant acted as a coach during the period in question. “Much of this impermissible activity also involved a former volunteer assistant women’s volleyball coach. Because of her activities and involvement, the former volunteer assistant women’s volleyball coach became a countable coach under NCAA legislation, a status that the head coach knew,” stated the NCAA in the report. Punishments stemming from the violation vary from fines to probation. Included in the penalties is a $5,000 fine the university must pay and restrictions on recruiting as imposed by the university. Southeastern also must educate coaches and all athletic department faculty on proper NCAA rules and regulations. The ruling extended the current probation of the university one extra year, with it currently set to expire Dec. 9, 2018. There was not much argument to the punishments set forth by the NCAA. According to the report, Southeastern agreed with all violations that were accused, while Geno Frugoli, who was the head coach at the time of the violations, agreed with all but one violation. “The institution agreed with all five of the violations set forth in this decision and the corresponding violation levels. The former head women’s volleyball coach substantially agreed with four of the five violations, including that he failed to fulfill the NCAA legislated responsibilities of the former head women’s volleyball coach,” stated the NCAA in the report. Southeastern Athletic Director Jay Artigues released a statement addressing the violations and findings by the NCAA. “Southeastern Louisiana University received final confirmation by the NCAA Infractions Committee that stemmed from self-reported violations related to recruiting and practice irregularities in the university’s women’s volleyball program during the spring and summer 2013,” said Artigues.
see NCAA pg. 6
The Lion’s Roar / William Schmidt
Students from Southeastern joined together with students from other Louisiana schools to put an end to state budget cuts to higher education. Currently there will be an estimated 1.6 billion shortfall to the budget for higher education.
College students rally at state capitol BY WILLIAM SCHMIDT Opinions Editor
University students from all over the state rallied together on the footsteps of the State Capitol with one goal: to get legislation to stop budget cuts to higher education. The Higher Education Demonstration took place on the third day of the state Legislator’s 2015 session, Wednesday, April 15. About 150 students from different schools set aside their differences and participated to voice their concerns with the estimated 1.6 billion shortfall
for higher education. Students not only showed concern for the current budget crisis, but they were also thinking of the future. “Higher education is a really big deal to me. After I get a degree, I am totally getting another degree,” said sociology graduate student Paul Strickland. “I think everyone should have an opportunity for higher education.” Students at the demonstration were also concerned their future careers may be affected by future university budget cuts. “The reason that I came to
this demonstration was because higher education plays a very important role. Not only am I a student, but my parent works for the university,” said senior general studies major Regan Cascio. “I want to go into higher education administration. Without the proper funding, I won’t be able to accomplish that goal.” Nursing is one of the programs offered at Southeastern that feels the pressure of budget cuts. To show their support to stop budget cuts, nursing majors wore their scrubs to make a
statement of how important the higher education fund is. “We know the nursing program might be one of the programs cut if they take more money out of Southeastern’s budget,” said senior nursing major Danielle Frey. Nurses have the ability to change lives, but they need the education to help change those lives as well as to become nurses. “There is already a nursing shortage,” said senior nursing major Alivia Stewart. “We are here. We are going to change your lives, but you have to help
us change ours. We just have to get these education cuts gone.” Though Southeastern students wore their colors showing their Lion Pride, they stood next to rival colors with pride. “To me it was really beautiful [that all the universities came together,]” said Cascio. “In reality, we are all competing for funding. The fact that we were able to come together, despite being rival schools, it was really amazing.” Stephanie Travis, current
see RALLY pg. 8
City of Hammond considers smoking ban for public spaces BY HEATHER JEWELL Staff Reporter
The Lion’s Roar / Maria Goddard
From left to right, Mahesh Khanal, student worker for Campus Activities Board and junior computer science major; Hunter Moran, student worker for Auxiliary Services and sophomore general studies major; and Margaret Little, administrative assistant in Auxiliary Services, move boxes of supplies from Mims to the newly renovated War Memorial Student Union.
Offices relocate from Mims to union BY MARIA GODDARD Staff Reporter
After two years of construction, the large-scale move of major offices in Mims Hall to the newly-renovated War Memorial Student Union is underway. Mims Hall became the center of most of the university’s student services offices due to renovation of the Student Union. These offices are now relocating to custom-designed rooms. Most of the building is accessible now as the pathway through what used to be known as the “Student Union Mall” has been reopened. Now, with increased proximity between
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frequently sought-after offices, student travel will be significantly reduced. “We’re trying to make it a one-stop that you need for all the different things,” said Jim McHodgkins, assistant vice president for student affairs. “This is the hub of the campus, and so you try to put the student areas together.” The formerly-painted green and gold “S” has now been replaced with a more modern cement design. The steps are textured for safety. Phase One of the construction of the Union began with the new food court on the first floor, the Mane Dish on the second and the ballroom on the third.
Phase Two was signaled by the refurbishing of the opposite side. This included the old food court being made into the new bookstore, the former ballroom on the second floor transforming into four multipurpose meeting rooms and the offices being remodeled. Unfortunately, due to a fire during construction, the re-opening of Subway and Popeyes is behind schedule. The first four offices that have settled in the Union are: Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs in Student Union Room 2409, Disability Services in Room 1304, Student Conduct in Room 1305 and Shuttle Services in
see RELOCATING pg. 8
Weather Tuesday H 80 L 58
With the intent to protect non-smokers from the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke, the city of Hammond will be holding a public hearing today to discuss their proposition of banning smoking in all workplaces and public spaces within the city limits. The ordinance was originally proposed on April 7. The areas banned would include all hotel and motel rooms, private clubs, 5 feet of space outside any public buildings’ entrance, outdoor shopping malls, recreation areas and outdoors in multifamily residential complexes. If passed, the police would take responsibility of enforcing the ordinance. Any violators caught would be fined $50. Any business owners who allow smoking within their establishment will be fined $100 on the first violation, $200 on the second violation and $500 on the third violation [all within a calendar year] and will also be subjected to the possibility of losing their license. “As an owner of a run and
fitness store, as well as a health screening company, I’m for a smoking ban. My concern would be enforcement and the responsibility of a business to police it [as well],” said Mark Franatovich, owner of Perfectly Fit Sports. According to The Detroit News, when the University of Michigan conducted a study in 2012 on the effects of the May 2010 Smoke Free Air Law, which banned smoking in bars and restaurants, the results indicated that there were no negative impacts on the businesses. Hammond is not the first city to attempt to take a step in eliminating the air of tobacco smoke products completely. In fact, many studies have been conducted in larger, well known cities, such as New York City, San Jose, San Antonio and Chicago to name a few. After the city of New York’s smoke-free law went into effect, cotinine levels in restaurant and bar workers were decreased by 85 percent on average. Six restaurants in Grand Rapids, Michigan were monitored before and after the
see SMOKING pg. 8
Reminders Wednesday H 85 L 66
This week will feature Fais Do Do, Strawberry Jubilee, Rec Fest and Swamp Bowl. See pg. 2 for more information.