BASEBALL: Tigers defeat Southeastern 7-3 at home, p. 5
Reveille
OPINION: Venezuelans’ rights at stake in uprising, p. 12
The Daily
VOLUME 118, ISSUE 95
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On Board
Thursday, February 20, 2014
STATE
Poll: La. favors higher wages Jindal doesn’t fare well in survey Quint Forgey Staff Writer
to do this together, but we’re also getting people to pledge money to the Leukemia Society for every mile we ride, so that’s pretty great too,” Prince said. Prince recruited his team of longboarders from all over the city. Some of the riders are former surfers, and some of them belong to the University’s longboarding club, a loose knit group of college students who ride through and near campus. According to David Wynot, biology junior
A recent survey conducted by Public Policy Polling shows a majority of Louisianians are in favor of enacting a $10 state minimum wage, legalizing medical marijuana and recognizing domestic partnerships for gay couples. University political science professor Robert Kirby Goidel acknowledged public opinion in Louisiana is moving in the direction of the poll, but stressed not to place too much importance on the results. “What really matters is not opinion in a poll, but what voters do in an election context,” Goidel said. Sam Gordy, environmental
LONGBOARD, see page 15
POLL, see page 15
TREY MCGLOTHIN / The Daily Reveille
[From left to right] Bryan Prince, David Wynot and Ben Bryan prepare for a 111-mile longboarding trip from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. The trek is slated to begin March 29.
Panya Kroun
Longboarders plan 111-mile journey to New Orleans
Contributing Writer
Longboarding has gained a lot of traction in Baton Rouge. Students push and carve their way along University sidewalks to get to class and gather in Free Speech Plaza when school ends to ride in a less restricted environment. According to Baton Rouge resident Bryan Prince, though, some riders prefer a more open range — and on March 29, these skaters will glide across the historic River Road all the way from
Baton Rouge to New Orleans. “You probably have to be kind of crazy to do the whole long distance thing, but it’s pretty awesome,” Prince said. Prince is the mastermind behind the 111-mile journey from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, a long distance trek he lovingly calls the Battle Through Da Bayou. Prince created the event to bring long distance longboarders and land paddlers together, and so far 12 other people have pledged to join him on his expedition. “It’s cool just to get all the people who like
ADMINISTRATION
Conflicting views of smoking ban policy on campus arise James Richards and Jacquelyn Masse Staff Writer and Contributing Writer
The University has conflicting interpretations of a state law mandating public education institutions develop smoke free policies for their campuses by August. So far, many on the campus were under the impression that the University was required to go smoke free in August. But this may not be the case, according to a resolution presented at Tuesday’s Faculty Senate meeting by Charles Delzell, Faculty Senate member and associate chair for instruction of the mathematics department. The resolution, titled “Correcting and Replacing the ‘Smoke Free Campus’ Committee,” said
discussion over whether the University is required to ban smoking has been suppressed. The resolution did not make it to the discussion period, while another resolution titled “Support for a Tobacco-Free Campus” was tabled for further discussion at the March meeting. To meet the requirements of the law, Student Government Speaker Pro Tempore Trey Schwartzenberg said University President F. King Alexander must approve a policy to take effect Aug. 1. But the content of that policy is still to be determined. Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope said Act 211, the law mandating public post-secondary education institutions develop smoke free policies for their
campuses, does not specify the wording of the policy. He said by the letter of the law, a “rogue university” could develop a policy mandating everyone on campus smoke. Cope pointed out, though, the intent of the law is clear in the desire to discourage smoking. Ryan Landry, coordinator in the Office of Academic Affairs, said Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Stuart Bell sent a message to smoke-free campus committee members in September, stating the University must develop a “smoke-free campus policy.” According to Landry, Bell went on to say the law stops short of mandating a smoke-free campus. TOBACCO, see page 15
CHARLES CHAMPAGNE / The Daily Reveille
A cigarette butt sits below a no smoking sign in front of Middleton Library. The plan for a smoking ban on campus has been met with differing opinions.