The Daily Reveille - July 15, 2014

OPINION: Twitter account shows complex bond between politics and social media, p. 7

Reveille

FOOTBALL: Wide receiver Rob Bolden planning to transfer, p. 3

The Daily

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 148

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@lsureveille

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Road Rage

lsureveille.com

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

TRANSPORTATION

UberX introduced to BR metro area

Changes to intersection help but don’t alleviate traffic problems

Will Cotchery II Contributing Writer

Burbank,” Wood said.

Initially, drivers were also having issues with the flashing yellow lights on Burbank Drive.

Wood said he saw two wrecks occur at the newly modified intersection Friday and heard of another happening because people assumed the intersection became a four-way stop.

Students looking for a cheaper post-bar transportation service are in luck.

UberX launched in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area Friday. UberX, or simply Uber, is a car care service that provides transportation at prices cheaper than taxi fares. The company’s partners drive mid-range or hybrid vehicles varying in colors and sizes, which seat up to four passengers.

Uber has already put some of their fares in place. A trip from I-10 and Government Street to the LSU Golf Course will cost $11.

Going from campus to the Mall of Louisiana will cost $18, and a ride from Chimes East to Chimes on Highland Road will cost $21.

According to Uber’s website, customers can download the mobile app to their smartphones, and Uber will connect them to the closest available driver in the area to pick them up. Because Uber is in its preliminary stages in Baton Rouge, availability will

TRAFFIC, see page 2

UBER, see page 2

CONNOR TARTER / The Daily Reveille

A newly erected stop sign stands at the intersection of Burbank Drive and East Boyd Drive. The signs were added in an attempt to ease traffic flow and congestion.

Paul Babineaux Contributing Writer

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has teamed up with the City of Baton Rouge to ease congestion at the intersection of East Boyd Drive and Burbank Drive, but not all drivers are in support of the changes.

After adding a middle turning

lane late last year, DOTD continued the Burbank renovation over the weekend when stop signs were placed on each side of East Boyd and the Burbank lights flashed yellow. This created a right-turn-only on East Boyd and allows the flow of traffic on Burbank to remain consistent.

Mallet said the change is crucial for fixing the safety and congestion problems of the area, but

many drivers have said the confusion has only added to the danger and confusion of the intersection.

University finance junior Frankie Wood said he lives in the University View apartment complex on East Boyd and the rightturn-only has been a disturbance when driving to campus.

“Now I have to travel in the opposite direction and use Jennifer Jean in order to turn left onto

TECHNOLOGY

Lab closes in Middleton Library Renee Barrow Staff Writer

Where they once sat at computers hamming away at research papers and engineering homework, students on the second floor of Middleton Library are now confronted with a large empty space.

The lab closed July 1, as per the Student Technology Fee Oversight Committee’s spring semester decision, Information Technology Services Communications and Planning Officer Sheri Thompson said in an email.

Some students say they think the lab closure may cause issues for

those who do not own a personal laptop or other device.

“It seemed like a lot of people used it, so I’m sure it’s causing a problem for a lot of people,” said computer engineering junior Thomas Santopadre.

Sociology junior Haley Paulish said she did not use the lab because she owns a computer, but not having the lab is probably frustrating for some students.

The second-floor space still houses the same tables and power cords as before and there are no immediate plans for changes, said Director of Library Communications and Publications Sigird Kelsey.

“This frees up more space in the library,” said Student Government President-elect Clayton Tufts. “This may be an opportunity for others to move into the library in the future.”

Center for Academic Success Director Melissa Brocato said there are preliminary discussions about the possibility of CAS moving into Middleton.

Brocato said increasing visibility would most likely lead to more students utilizing CAS, and its tutorial center is already located in Middleton.

A number of factors went into LAB, see page 2

SAM KARLIN / The Daily Reveille

The former computer lab on the second floor of Middleton Library closed July 1. Plans for moving the Center for Academic Success into the space are in the preliminary stages.

The Daily Reveille

page 2

State

Retirement workshops to be held at University Jennifer Vance

Contributing Writer

Teachers looking to retire soon can attend the Teacher’s Retirement System of Louisiana’s summer workshop today to learn about the various aspects of retirement.

The “Planning for Your Retirement” workshop will be targeted to teachers within five years of retirement eligibility or those considering a deferred retirement option plan.

Deputy general counsel for TRSL Katherine Whitney said the agency hosts various training programs for TRSL members, employers and programs on specific retirement topics.

Whitney said TRSL is dedicated to informing its members and providing and managing retirement programs for them.

This month, eight other workshops will be held throughout the state.

Retirement educator for TRSL Cliff Horn will be hosting the three-part program. The first part focuses on informing participants on the Louisiana retirement system and what defines eligibility, Horn said. Retirement eligibility depends on a variety of factors, including what plan you are in and when you became a member of one of the state’s public retirement systems.

The second part of the program will focus on how participants attain retirement eligibility and the paperwork required, Horn said. Paperwork includes but is not limited to the Benefit Request

Form, Application for Service Retirement, ISLB or DROP form and the Direct Deposit of Benefits form.

This section of the program will also focus on the types of retirement including DROP, initial lump-sum benefit and disability retirement.

Horn said the final part of the program will address Social Security and the benefits TRSL offers, which can be calculated with TRSL’s calculator.

“We want [teachers] to understand their retirement system and how it works,” Horn said.

The Advocate reported last year on the spike of teacher retirement, with the rate increasing to 25 percent. However, there has been a 13 percent decrease in retirements between the 2013 to 2014 fiscal years, Whitney said.

While the location can determine how many participants workshops see, Horn said attendance can range from 30 to more than 100 people.

Usually, participants can register at TRSL’s website for a workshop. Horn said that depending on attendance, walk-ins may be accepted. He said those who register on the website will receive the PowerPoints used in the workshop for participants to keep.

The program will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon today in the Capital Chamber Room of the LSU Student Union.

Contact Jennifer Vance at jvance@lsureveille.com

JULY

EVENT CALENDAR

15

TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014 8:45 AM

be momentarily limited, but slots open up by simply refreshing the app.

Tom Haynes, general manager of Uber New Orleans, said while Uber currently targets densely populated areas, it is beginning to move into some smaller markets.

“We think it will be a great way to empower local entrepreneurs and keep the economy moving, and we think we’ll see

lab, from page 1

the closure decision, Tufts said. Tufts was not a member of the STFOC when the closure decision was made, but members of the committee, including LSU Chief Information Officer Brian Nicholls, met with him to discuss the parameters, Tufts said.

Last fall, the STFOC conducted an online survey to collect information about how students use technology and its resources on campus. The

traffic, from page 1

But Mallet insists the changes to the intersection will make it more safe.

“The majority of all the accidents at the intersection occurred from vehicles turning left from East Boyd onto Burbank,” Mallet said. “Now drivers will only be able to turn right. This will also help open up the flow of traffic because there will be more distance between stoplights on Burbank.”

Mallet said the problem was drivers stopping at the flashing yellow lights, even though they do not signify to stop, and since then the city has agreed to turn the lights off to ease the confusion.

Mallet said once people get used to the changes, it will ultimately be beneficial for the safety and congestion of the intersection, and the lights will be removed completely.

The modifications began with the restriping of Burbank Drive last November, which added a center turning lane to the four-lane road.

DOTD Communications Director Rodney Mallet said the

demand from the consumer side as well,” Haynes said.

Formerly known as UberCab, the Uber service officially launched in San Francisco in June 2010. Since then, the company has raised over a billion dollars in funding from various donors, ranging from automotive companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar to the NFL Players Association, which donated funds to promote safer transportation for NFL players.

Brian Rees, business

junior, said he has experience with Uber and expects it to excel here. “[I] used Uber when I was in D.C. last summer, and it’s really convenient and nice, so I’m sure it’ll be a great service in Baton Rouge too,” Rees said.

survey concluded more than 90 percent of the 2,339 participants owned laptops.

Tufts said a broadcast email is the conventional way of getting in touch with the student body, but he hopes to physically engage with groups more often.

“I understand students who don’t believe it was effective,” Tufts said.

Still, Tufts said he is not apprehensive about possible blowback and

is working with the Office of Auxiliary Services to determine the best use for the third floor Union space, also open after a lab closure.

Tufts said there are other labs available on campus and it is the job of SG and ITS to inform students of their other options.

plan began by adding the turning lane to Burbank because a series rear-end accidents while vehicles tried to turn left onto East Boyd Drive.

“Burbank is a major thoroughfare, and we needed to implement

a course of action to create a safer solution that would also allow for a better flow of traffic,” Mallet said.

Contact Will Cotchery II at wcotchery@lsureveille.com

Contact Renee Barrow at rbarrow@lsureveille.com

Contact Paul Babineaux at pbabineaux@lsureveille.com

CONNOR TARTER / The Daily Reveille

Even with the addition of a turning lane and stop signs to the intersection of East Boyd and Burbank drives to allow better traffic flow, wrecks are still occurring.

Bayou Teche Museum Camp - Bayou Teche Museum

10:00 AM 10:30 AM 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 6:45 PM

Journaling Through Grief - Hospice of Acadiana Conference Center

7:00 PM

Tango Tuesday - Eiffel Society Team Trivia - George’s Place

7:30 PM

New Edition - Saenger Theatre

Storytime - Hammond Public Library Charlie Miller - The Little Gem Saloon Money Smart Classes - The Family Tree Evangeline Toastmasters - O’Charley’s

8:00 PM

Songwriters Night/ Open Mic - Atmosphere Kocktail Karoake - Goodfriends Bar Trapt and The Veer Union - The Varsity Theatre

9:00 PM

Woody pines - The Blue Moon New Madrid - The Spanish Moon

10:30 PM

uber, from page 1

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

The Yakiniku All-Stars: June Yamagishi, Jeffery ‘Jellybean’ Alexander - Chickie Wah Wah

For more information on LSU events or to place your own event you can visit www.lsureveille.com/calendar

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-39 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.

The Daily Reveille B-16 Hodges Hall • Baton Rouge, La. 70803 Sydney Blanchard • Editor in Chief editor@lsureveille.com Gordon Brillon • Managing Editor managingeditor@lsureveille.com Kevin Dupuy • Managing Editor, External Media externalmedia@lsureveille.com Ryan Lachney • Copy Editor Camille Stelly • Copy Editor Katelyn Sonnier • Advertising Sales Manager printmanager@lsu.edu Ashley Porcuna • Marketing Manager marketing@lsureveille.com Newsroom (225)578-4810 • Advertising (225)578-6090

Sports

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

page 3

FOOTBALL

The SEC of Tomorrow

Bolden to transfer before next season Staff Reports

BUTCH DILL / The Associated Press

Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive speaks Monday during the 2014 SEC Media Days on Monday in Hoover, Ala.

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive speaks of changes at Media Days TOMMY ROMANACH · Staff Writer

This week at the

HOOVER, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference is its own country in many ways, with revenue increasing every year and a large, devoted fan base. Monday morning in Hoover, Ala., it had its very own “State of the Southeastern Conference” address.

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive began the 2014 SEC Media Days on Monday with his annual address. Slive’s speech included a look back on the 2013-2014 season, a preview of upcoming projects and quotes from Dwight Eisenhower, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.

“Twelve years ago, when I became

SEC MEDIA DAYS

the commissioner of the SEC, one of my goals was to build a bridge to prepare the conference for its future,” Slive said.

“What we do today, how we handle our successes and meet our challenges will determine the SEC of tomorrow.”

Slive began the speech reflecting on the conference’s achievements of the previous year. The SEC’s accolades included seven national championships, six national championship runner-ups and several national individual awards.

The commissioner also joked the 2014 BCS National Championship was “just a minute too long.” Florida State defeated

TUESDAY 12-3:30 p.m.

3:40-6:40 p.m.

Auburn, 34-31, scoring a game-winning touchdown with 13 seconds left and spoiling the SEC’s bid for eight consecutive titles in the sport.

Slive said the conference is beginning to finalize its football scheduling format, something that has been a topic of debate in recent years. It will continue with the current eight-game conference schedule despite its addition of two teams in 2012.

The league is making an effort to improve non-conference scheduling SLIVE, see page 8

WEDNESDAY 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Steve Shaw SEC coordinator of officials Justin Connolly ESPN senior vice president of college networks

2-5 p.m.

LSU wide receiver Rob Bolden intends to transfer before the start of the season, Associate Athletic Director Michael Bonnette confirmed via Twitter on Monday night.

Bolden’s father, Rob Bolden Sr., did not reply to requests for comment.

Bolden, who transferred from Penn State in 2012, played quarterback before switching to wide receiver during spring practice.

He did not play in 2013 after sitting out the previous season as a transfer.

During the spring, Bolden ran drills as a receiver and was expected to play in that position for the 2014 season.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 209-pound senior was listed as the No. 3 quarterback behind sophomore Anthony Jennings and freshman Brandon Harris on the depth chart LSU released Monday. Bolden started 15 games during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Penn State.

Quarterbacks behind Jennings and Harris on the depth chart include freshman Jack Clise, junior Brad Kragthorpe and sophomore Brandon Bergeron, all of whom are walk-ons.

However, senior baseball player Jared Foster is expected to rejoin the football team as a reserve quarterback while still playing baseball, according to reports.

Foster was a member of the 2011 football team as a walk-on and received all-state recognition while at Barbe High School in Lake Charles, La. Foster did not respond to requests for comment regarding the report.

Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_sports

THURSDAY 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

2-5 p.m.

page 4

The Daily Reveille

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

The Daily Reveille

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The Daily Reveille

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Behavioral Intervention Group is looking for energetic individuals to provide Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to children who have been diagnosed with autism and/ or other developmental disabilities. Benefits, and a fun working environment.

Experience with children preferred.

Please email resume to admin@big-br.com. ______________________________

Gino’s Restaurant is seeking evening hostesses. Please apply in person between 2-5pm, Monday thru Friday.

4542 Bennington Avenue ________________________________

MOM&DAD NEED DATE NIGHTS! Occasional BABYSITTER for 5&2yr-olds. Great kids! Flexible schedule! Experience and References required.

225.916.4844. ___________________________ DANCE INSTRUCTOR Position available! GREAT PAY and FUN ENVIRONMENT! Afternoon and/or evening hours. Coincides with LSU holiday schedule. Dance training necessary but will train to teach. Additional benefits such as conventions and workshops available. Call 225-252-9257 ___________________________ HIRING early childhood afternoon teachers, hours a/b 2:00-5:30, need dependable, fun loving, patient teacher, send inquiries and/or resume to silverside@countrydayschoolbr.com ___________________________ Preschool located close to LSU campus is seeking part-time and full-time teachers for fall semester for Pre-K3 and Pre-K classrooms!

Please email your resume to cdshighland@gmail.com! ___________________________ Part-time Kennel worker/ receptionist position open at small animal hospital. Please apply in person at 1302 Perkins Road ___________________________

We are now hiring for FT/PT kennel techs. We are looking for energetic, reliable, hard working individuals to add to our team.

Please stop our Jefferson Hwy location to fill out an application.

Student-work: Customer Service Position: The successful candidate(s) will have excellent customer service & communication skills. To be considered for this position, the candidate must be in good academic standing with LSU & be available to work starting Summer 2014, including summers.

S/he must be willing & able to from 10am-2pm, as well as occasional evening for event support.

The candidate’s primary responsibilities will be in the area of the Enrollment Services front desk support, operational support, registrations, answering phones, and other duties as assigned. Skills required: Ability to work independently and as a member of a team; Strong commitment to service, accuracy, and follow-through; Excellent written and oral communication skills, including telephone skills; Skilled in interpersonal interactions; High level of computer literacy, including knowledge of common office applications (Microsoft office, email). Must have a valid driver’s license. If interested in this position, please send resume & a copy of class schedule to: cehr@outreach.lsu.edu _______________________________

Hampton Inn I-10 & College Drive is now hiring for part-time/fulltime Front Desk Agents 7AM to 3PM and 3PM to 11PM. Weekend shifts are a must. Previous service industry experience is a plus. Apply in person today at 4646 Constitution Avenue! ____________________________ EKG Technicians needed. Extensive on job training. Need hard working, responsible, energetic, medical career seeking students needing hospital experience. 18 yrs. old or older. After hours, weekends, holidays, overnights. $9 hr. Apply at www.southernmedical.com. Fax to 225-752-2614. _____________________________ After school program needs energetic, patient and flexible workers from 2:45 till 5:15pm. Email resume to MercyXday@ gmail.com.

____________________________

LA LPC Board of Examiners looking for a professional, organized, detail-oriented Data Entry Assistant. Individual must be a team player and self-starter with a passion for the protection of the public. Tasks include data entry, filing, and website maintenance. Please email résumé and cover letter to lpcboard@eatel.net. Anticipated start date is July 21st; 20 hours/week; $12/hr; 10 State Holidays; Annual and Sick Leave Included; No insurance or retirement benefits.

Runner needed for BR CPA Firm. 2025 hours per week. Hours are flexible.

Future internship potential. Accounting/Finance major preferred. Email resume along with the hours you are available to work to dcarter@psha.com

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Sharlo 2 bedroom 2 bath house recently updated available August 1st 1250.00 ___________________________

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Call (225) 274-5482.

Sharlo Subdivision - Brightside Area 3BR/2BA. $900 per month with W/D Now available. No pets Call (225)383-4064

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The Daily Reveille

Opinion

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

page 7

Rooming with friends can cause strained relationships JACKSON SQUARE Joshua Jackson Staff Writer As college students, one of our biggest worries coming to school is finding the right roommate. We fear having a roommate we think is strange, while some of us embrace the idea of making new friends.

Those who have that fear often decide to room with a friend as a safety net, but living with a friend may be the worst possible option.

The problem with sharing space with the homies is that we room with them because we know a few of their good qualities. Maybe they’re nice, clean or savvy in the kitchen, but that doesn’t qualify them to be the perfect roommate.

One of the first things to think about when living with a friend is how they kept their room at their previous home. A few trips to their house should tell you all you need to know about their cleanliness. If your future roommate has clothes all over their room, how do you think they’ll be when they’re on their own?

Also, don’t fall for that “it was a rough week” excuse. That week can turn into a semester really quickly. If you’re okay with finding five-dayold chicken in your microwave or the slow creep of your friend’s clothes onto spaces they don’t belong, then you’re braver than me and can stop reading now.

photo illustration by SAM KARLIN / The Daily Reveille

While rooming with friends may seem like a good idea, the strain of living in proximity with someone can damage a friendship.

Another factor to consider: that friend’s attitude when asked to do a certain task. Part of life is doing things we don’t want to. How can we live with someone who throws a fit when it’s their turn to wash the dishes?

Communication is vital to any relationship, including one between roommates. A roommate should be someone to whom we can say more than “hi” and “bye”. Living with someone we can talk to about our lives creates a healthy relationship.

Roommates should be able to talk civilly if something bothers them without making the situation hostile.

For example, one of my

roommates told me he would be passing through our apartment to drop off a package while on his way to New Orleans with some work friends.

I went out of town for the weekend, and he failed to tell me that they would drink copious amounts of alcohol and trash our apartment.

I must’ve missed the message that those same friends — who I’ve never met — would be sleeping in my bed, showering in my bathroom and using my towels and blankets.

It was all right because I enjoyed cleaning my apartment for five hours and explaining to the management that I wasn’t the one shooting bottle

rockets from our balcony.

The college experience helps a person learn a lot about themselves and the people with whom they associate. I wouldn’t say that everyone changes in college, but we become more comfortable with who we are.

We get the chance to join student organizations, get a job or study abroad while working toward our degrees. These experiences change our perspective on life and provide new friends and opportunities. Friends tend to drift apart at this point, and instead of understanding the situation, they can become bitter and hard to each other. Instead of being happy for one another, we find ourselves

upset that we’re losing a friend.

Making a decision on who to room with depends on how well one person knows the other, but more importantly how well a person knows themselves. I’ve seen friendships crash and burn when two or three friends live together.

During my freshman year, I met two girls who graduated from the same high school and decided to live together. One girl rushed while another got a job off campus. Slowly, they began to talk less and less, and they ended their friendship in a huge dispute at the end of the semester over a small miscommunication. The next semester, the two girls moved out of the residence hall and haven’t spoken since.

One of my closest friends would annoy me if we lived together. We’d also never get anything done. We’re saving our friendship and college careers by not living together.

If you prefer to live with a friend, make sure it’s either a close friend whose bad habits you’re aware of and comfortable with or a distant friend who you can deal with losing or possibly grow closer to. Things can change once a person is seen in their best and worst moments. As a roommate, be prepared for both.

Joshua Jackson is a 20-year-old theatre junior from New Orleans.

Contact Joshua Jackson at jjackson@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @Joshua_Jackson_

Social media exposes government’s online activity OFF WITH HER HEAD Jana King Contributing Writer While Twitter users took part in a global live-tweet of the World Cup last week, a Twitter bot came to life. Coded to scan IP addresses from Wikipedia edits, @congressedits has reported more than thirty cases of Congress members editing Wikipedia articles.

The first thing that comes to mind is a government attack on free press. But the most surprising part of account is that it isn’t all serious.

One tweet reported a member of Congress editing the official “Horse Head Mask” Wiki page to include the fact that President Barack Obama once shook hands with a man in a horse-head mask. Another tweet informed followers that a member of the U.S. Senate changed a

grammatical error in the “Step Up 3D” Wiki page. And of course there were many that involving tweaking politicians’ Wiki pages, no doubt in an attempt at a better public image.

Since the Internet became an integral part of our world, our government has begun using it as a resource to remind us to vote, get younger Americans involved and get themselves elected. It’s also rapidly developing a group of 20- and 30-somethings who spend a lot of time and energy developing tools like @congressedits, which allow citizens to view and criticize government activity.

The rapid spread of information propelled by social media is something to be both admired and feared.

There are a growing number of instances worldwide in which governments have been rebelled against because citizens use sites like Twitter and Instagram to spread information and truth of conditions to the

The Daily Reveille Editorial Board

Sydney Blanchard Gordon Brillon Kevin Dupuy Ryan Lachney Camille Stelly

Editor in Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor, External Media Copy Editor Copy Editor

outside world.

In America, we have free press.

But just as we here at The Daily Reveille commit ourselves to being an unbiased news source, we are human, and humans are never without bias. Printed media often show bias simply in selecting which information is printworthy.

If The Daily Reveille management chose to report that a group of art students were harassing the LSU president by disrupting campus activities instead of reporting on the silent protest exhibited by those students last semester, things could have very easily gone south for the group. However, the published story highlighted the students’ concern for building conditions, which informed members of the LSU community of a problem within itself.

If a professor, known on RateMyProfessors.com for being particularly difficult and hard on students, were to make fake accounts and be-

gin giving himself rave reviews, we would all be in trouble when it came time to take that freshman physics course.

But social media — media that are run of the people, by the people and for the people — will be more likely to remain unbiased, at least from biased availability of information.

However, we as millenials will continue to be picked on by our uncles and aunts who sit down each evening and watch FOX News, claiming that “the youth today” depend far too much on keeping connected. Don’t fret about their comments. They’ll be asking you how to change their profile pictures or delete an offensive post that’s getting them too much attention before too long.

Just as we cringe when a Facebook friend goes years back through our timelines and likes an old photo, politicians have begun cringing at their past stances on issues. The

Editorial Policies & Procedures

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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-39 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 Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

difference is we can delete posts from our private social media. Politicians are going to have to learn that once they say something or do something, they’ll be held accountable.

Let’s not allow those politicians who voted against birth control forget their public misunderstandings of female reproductive systems.

And don’t let any politician claim ignorance when they are questioned about an unpopular voting decision they made.

If they’ve got time to edit the “Choco Taco” Wikipedia page, they’ve got more than enough time to brush up on basic human anatomy.

Jana King is a 20-year-old communication studies junior from Ponchatoula, La. Contact Jana King at jking@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @jking_TDR

Quote of the Day

“It’s really hard to be roommates with people if your suitcases are much better than theirs.”

J. D. Salinger Novelist Jan. 19, 1919 — Jan. 27, 2012

The Daily Reveille

page 8

Football

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Collins added to Lombardi Award watch list Tommy Romanach Staff Writer

Senior left tackle La’el Collins was chosen as one of the players on the 2014 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List on Monday afternoon.

This is the second consecutive season Collins has been a candidate of the award.

The Lombardi Award is given annually to the top offensive

lineman, defensive lineman and linebacker in college football.

The winner will be announced during a ceremony Dec. 10 at the Bayou Music Center in Houston, Texas.

Collins has been a cornerstone of the LSU offense, beginning his freshman season when he was voted freshman All-American by CBSsports.com. The Baton Rouge native started in 25 of 26 games

during his sophomore and junior seasons, recording more than 60 knockdowns.

As the leader of the offense line last season, Collins earned second team All-Southeastern Conference honors his junior season. He was projected to be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, but opted to stay in school for his senior year.

Collins will be one of the three LSU players speaking Wednesday

at the 2014 SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala. He will be joined by senior linebacker D.J. Welter, senior running back Terrence Magee and LSU coach Les Miles.

Contact Tommy Romanach at tromanach@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @tro_TDR

SEC MEDIA DAYS

Florida improving after poor 2013 season

MARCUS RODRIGUE / The Daily Reveille

University of Florida coach Will Muschamp speaks Monday at the 2014 SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala.

Tommy Romanach Staff Writer

HOOVER, Ala. – University of Florida football coach Will Muschamp knows he’s on the hot seat.

But the Gators’ leader has made many changes since the dismal 2013 season, and he is confident they will pay off.

“There will be a lot of chatter about hot seat business — that’s part of it,” Muschamp said. “The way you combat that is having a good football team, which we’re going to have, and winning football games, which is what we are going to do.”

Muschamp and members of Florida’s team spoke Monday at the 2014 Southeastern Conference Media Days to preview their upcoming 2014 campaign. The Gators went 4-8 last season, marking the first time since 1990 the team

failed to reach bowl eligibility.

Muschamp said last season falls on his shoulders and he has a lot of confidence in this season’s team, calling it the most complete team he’s had while at the school.

The biggest hole last season came in the passing game, with the Gators throwing for only 171.2 yards in their eight SEC games.

Redshirt junior Jeff Driskel, Florida’s starting quarterback for 2014, struggled in three games last season before his year ended because of a leg fracture suffered against Tennessee.

The Gators responded in the off season by hiring new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper, an assistant at Duke who helped the Blue Devils reach the ACC Championship game last season. Driskel said the new offense is the polar opposite of what the team has been used to, with a stronger emphasis on scoring and having as many plays

as possible.

The new scheme and guidance from Roper has helped mold Driskel as the 2014 season nears, and the improvement is obvious to his teammates.

“Once you get an injury, you are just ready and you’re hungry,” said junior defensive end Dante Fowler. “It helped [Driskel] better as a player. He looked better, he’s the best I’ve ever saw him, he’s a student of the game, a very smart player. In my opinion, I think he is the best quarterback in the SEC.” On defense, the Gators will have to fill multiple holes in the secondary with the departures of defensive backs Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson. Muschamp said he has started young players in the secondary his whole career and is not concerned with it.

One of Florida’s returners is sophomore cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, who led the team

with 10 passes defended in SEC play. With the departures of Purifoy and Roberson, Hargreaves is ready to take a role of leadership within the backfield and defense.

But the Gators know people are still thinking about last season as the new one starts, and their mission is to change those thoughts.

“It was tough for the whole program, me included,” Driskel said. “I think there is a lot of people that are excited for this year. I don’t think we are motivated by the 4-8 season, I think we are a self-motivated group. But it’s in the back of our heads that we aren’t a 4-8 team, and we’re going to go show people that this year.”

Contact Tommy Romanach at tromanach@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @tro_TDR

SLIVE, from page 3

by assigning each team at least one non-conference opponent from either the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 or Pac-12 on an annual basis.

The conference will also undergo a change in college football’s post-season format. Under a new agreement, Slive said the Capital One Bowl will have the first selection of available SEC teams after the new college football playoff, the Sugar Bowl and occasionally the Orange Bowl.

The largest change will come after the Capital One Bowl, when the conference — not the bowls — will assign teams to a pool of six other bowl games.

“Before making the final decision, the conference will consult with our institutions and with the bowls,” Slive said. “But the decision will be ours.”

Slive laid out plans for the SEC Network, a television channel completely devoted to the conference, which debuts Aug. 4. The network is currently carried by Dish Network, AT&T U-Verse, Cox and Google Fiber, and Slive said there are “ongoing conversations with other major providers.”

The network plans to show five games in college football’s opening weekend and will have originated a game from every SEC stadium by the fourth week of the season. The Network will also show four new films as part of the “SEC Stories” documentary series, including a film on legendary South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier.

Slive said that while emphasizing athletics, education must remain at the core of what the SEC does. He used Florida basketball player Patric Young as an example for all student-athletes of someone who helped the Gators win an SEC title while also traveling to Africa to do community service.

The commissioner finished his address by talking about the structure of NCAA’s Division I and the need for a governing system that will provide more power to the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12. He said this new plan will seek to support its studentathletes with new provisions in scholarships.

Slive also said the SEC will need to consider alternative options if the NCAA does not reach a positive outcome.

“It’s an exciting time for me, for college sports and for the SEC,” Slive said. “The challenges that lay ahead in my view are not obstacles but really opportunities to form a bridge and to make the road to the future stronger for everyone involved in college athletics.”

Contact Tommy Romanach at tromanach@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @tro_TDR