The Daily Reveille - February 28, 2014

OPINION: The idea of America without racism is a myth, p. 13

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Lady Tigers fall on senior night after failed late surge, p. 5

Reveille The Daily

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 101

thedailyreveille

Lifeand Death Mardi the

@lsureveille

thedailyreveille

lsureveille.com

Staff Writer

Beads

photos by CHARLES CHAMPAGNE / The Daily Reveille

The history, future of a crowd favorite “Throw me something, Mister!”

This ubiquitous cry can be heard throughout the entire city of New Orleans during the Mardi Gras season.

Though the “something” can refer to various trinkets, toys or snacks, more

Alcohol, drug tests possible for faculty James Richards

Gras

Entertainment Writer

UNIVERSITY

Associates must provide consent

of

Will Kallenborn

Friday, February 28, 2014

often than not, the primary goal for parade-goers is beads. Mardi Gras beads are an essential part of New Orleans society that has permeated the culture of the city in an extraordinary way.

More so than floats or king cakes, BEADS, see page 15

University researchers may find themselves subject to random drug and alcohol testing, after three University offices expanded their lists of “safety-sensitive” positions.

Vincent LiCata, professor of biological sciences, said he became aware of the expansion when Human Resource Management sent him and his colleagues an email telling them to notify their research associates and postdoctoral associates that they must provide written consent to the random testing.

Prior to the expansion, only researchers who dealt with “dangerous” chemicals were screened, LiCata said. The change expanded the screenings to all research associates, he said.

The offices with expanded lists include the Office of Human Resource Management, Office of Risk Management and Office of Environmental Health and Safety To put the expansion in PRIVACY, see page 11

BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY

Truck stop tiger raises legal controversy in Grosse Tete Groups attempt to free Tony the tiger Deanna Narveson Staff Writer

The phrase “free Tony the tiger” can mean two different things for the 13-year-old Siberian-Bengal living at the Tiger Truck Stop, only 25 minutes down the interstate from the University’s iconic

Mike VI. For animal rights activists, freeing Tony means moving the nearly 500-pound tiger to a new home, one where truckers and travelers aren’t looking through the bars of his enclosure.

However, for Tony’s caretaker and owner Michael Sandlin, freeing Tony means keeping him in Grosse Tete, La., where Sandlin has kept him since he was a cub.

Sandlin said typically when exotic animals like Tony are

removed from their long-time homes, they do not live for longer than a few months to a year in their new habitats.

Like the University’s Mike, Tony lives alone in his enclosure and has a heated and air conditioned space to sleep, which was added because of complaints made by animal rights activists, said Darryl Taylor, one of Tony’s caretakers.

TONY, see page 11

CHARLES CHAMPAGNE / The Daily Reveille

Tony the tiger peers out his habitat Thursday at the Tiger Truck Stop located in Grosse Tete, La. Tony has sparked debate among activists.

The Daily Reveille

page 2

TODAY’S FORECAST

Nation & World

Friday, February 28, 2014

NATIONAL

STATE/LOCAL

University president reveals rape story Lawsuit holds industry accountable The Associated Press

Sunny HIGH 67 LOW 56 sunrise: 6:31 a.m. sunset: 6:02 p.m.

Saturday HIGH 76 LOW 58

Sunday HIGH 75 LOW 60

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Facing criticism for a remark she made about sexual assault, University of Iowa President Sally Mason on Thursday discussed her own experience of being accosted by a stranger when she was a college student.

Mason opened a campus forum on sexual assault issues as her job appeared to be on shaky footing, following a week of protests among students calling for improvements to the university’s handling of rape allegations.

The protests gained traction after Mason told the student newspaper earlier this month that ending sexual assault was “probably not a realistic goal just given human nature and that’s unfortunate.” Mason has since apologized for the remark, but student critics said it reflected the university’s lack of commitment to preventing rape and a lack of sensitivity toward victims.

Speaking to about 200 students Thursday, Mason said that when she was a student in Lexington, Ky., a man in a trench coat grabbed and groped her before she was able to fight him off and get away. She said the attack “left me shaken” but that

The Associated Press

BENJAMIN ROBERTS / The Associated Press

Meagan Thies, a 2011 University of Iowa graduate, speaks about her experience of sexual assault during a campus forum Feb. 27 in Iowa City, Iowa.

she had no clue where to turn for help.

“I never want a young woman on this campus, ever in her life, not to know where to go if something like that happens to them,” Mason said.

The Iowa Board of Regents on Thursday scheduled a special meeting for Friday to hear an explanation of the earlier remark from Mason

and to meet behind closed doors to discuss her performance. Board members had considered replacing Mason in 2012, but backed off after leaders of students, faculty and staff groups came to her defense.

After the forum, Mason told reporters that she has a lot of work to do and looked forward to explaining her plans Friday to regents. She said this week has been difficult.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Supporters of a south Louisiana flood control board’s lawsuit against scores of oil and gas companies over erosion of coastal wetlands announced plans Thursday to fight legislation they say could undermine not only the lawsuit but the political independence of the board.

Sen. Robert Adley’s bill, filed for this year’s legislative session, would give Gov. Bobby Jindal power to reject an independent committee’s nominations for membership on the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East.

Jindal opposes the lawsuit filed last year against 97 oil, gas and pipeline companies by the SLFPA-E.

INTERNATIONAL

Troubled country lacks revolution The Associated Press CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — It is hard to find toilet paper or flour in oil-rich Venezuela these days and the country is plagued by some of the highest inflation, murder and kidnapping rates in the world.

Clashes between protesters and security forces loyal to the president have left 16 dead, and a telegenic opposition leader has been thrown in jail.

But don’t expect a Ukrainestyle street revolution anytime soon in this South American nation, where the frequently outmaneuvered

opposition hasn’t united behind a single strategy or managed to broaden its appeal beyond the largely middle-class, educated followers it’s had on its side all along. The man they are up against, President Nicolas Maduro, has a near-complete grip on the military, broadcast media and institutions from congress to the judiciary after 15 years of socialist rule.

That could change if the protests continue and unrest gets further out of hand. But for many Venezuelans, the opposition’s two highest profile leaders are still viewed as part of an elite detached from the working class life.

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

#LSULIVINGEXPO

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-34 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.

ALEJANDRO CEGARRA / The Associated Press

An opposition demonstrator holds a poster that reads in Spanish “They are killing us” outside the Venezuelan Military Industries (CAVIM) in Caracas, Venezuela.

The Daily Reveille B-16 Hodges Hall • Baton Rouge, La. 70803

Kevin Thibodeaux • Editor in Chief Morgan Searles • Managing Editor Wilborn Nobles III • Managing Editor, External Media Gordon Brillon • News Editor Zach Carline • Deputy News Editor Rebecca Docter • Entertainment Editor Spencer Hutchinson • Sports Editor Trey Labat • Deputy Sports Editor Erin Hebert • Associate Production Editor Zach Wiley • Associate Production Editor Megan Dunbar • Opinion Editor Connor Tarter • Photo Editor Chris Vasser • Multimedia Editor Natalie Guccione • Radio Director Katelyn Sonnier • Advertising Sales Manager Ashley Porcuna • Marketing Manager

Newsroom (225)578-4810 • Advertising (225)578-6090

The Daily Reveille

Friday, February 28, 2014

school of science

page 3

LSU ornithology department is one of the world’s largest Renee Barrow Contributing Writer

The Museum of Natural History in Foster Hall has many interesting exhibits in the front room, but what’s behind the scenes can be more astounding.

The museum houses more than 169,000 bird specimens, making it the fourth largest universitybased collection in the world, after Harvard, Berkeley and Michigan, according to the museum website.

Glenn Seeholzer, biological sciences doctoral candidate and researcher at the museum, said the ornithological research they conduct on the specimens has two major goals: determining which bird species exist and where they are distributed.

“Everything we know about the natural world comes from collections like this,” Seeholzer said.

Seeholzer said museums like the University’s collect and preserve specimens for years not knowing how they will be used in the future.

Michael Harvey, biological sciences doctoral candidate and museum researcher, said while many of the same 19th century methods are used to collect specimens, new technology has become available for specimen analysis.

Today, researchers like

Seeholzer and Harvey can use specimen tissue collected decades ago and supercomputers to collect data to learn about anything from dietary habits to genetic composition.

Using such data allows them to create phylogenetic trees, which are like maps of a given specimen’s origin, Seeholzer said.

“We use DNA sequences to understand relationships between bird species and history of populations,” Harvey said.

Harvey said gathering genetic data is less expensive now than it was a decade ago.

“LSU is at the forefront of using these techniques,” Harvey said. “We’ve had people from other universities come here to learn.”

New technology allows them to dig deeper than ever before. The department is still planning expeditions and processing specimens that were collected in the 1980s in new ways.

Daniel Lane, research associate at the museum, said a type of brown bird specimen was collected in 1961 and labeled as a Hauxwell’s Thrush.

It was not until 2011, through genetic research and using phylogenetic trees, that the department was able to classify the brown bird specimen as a Varzea Thrush, rather than a Hauxwell’s Thrush,

Lane said.

Currently, they are studying a new group of specimens from Brazil. Like their ongoing work in Bolivia and Peru, the data could lead to conservation recommendations, Harvey said.

“This is the best collection in about 100 years to come out of Brazil,” Harvey said.

The department has a long history of research and conservation in South America, including the discovery of two new birds in the 1970s, according to the website.

Expanding upon their South American success, the museum’s researchers are planning a “big day” event in Peru this October to raise money for the department and to learn more about native birds.

“A big day is when a team of birders sees how many species they can see in 24 hours,” said Mike Harvey, biological sciences Ph.D candidate. “It usually goes from midnight to midnight.”

Harvey said Ted Parker, former University researcher, also called a young birding phenomenon, was a part of the team that set the record for most species seen during a bid day event for 331 species in one day.

“He could go into a rainforest and basically just stand there and

event

Visiting professor shows students the beauty of math in nature Panya Kroun Contributing Writer

In a field known for abstract theories and technical rigor, University professor Gestur Olafsson wants everyone to know math is beautiful.

He and the University’s chapter of Vertical Integration of Research and Education (VIGRE), for which he serves as project director, brought Satyan Devadoss, a mathematics professor at Williams College, to campus for a two-day colloquium on finding creative solutions to nature’s most complex and elegant puzzles.

“Nature poses many interesting and complicated questions that mathematicians set out to solve,” Olafsson said.

Devadoss led two discussions during his visit to the University.

On Wednesday, he used a variety of three-dimensional puzzles, including various models of cannonballs, to show undergraduate students how to pack space efficiently.

“Math is really about playing with toys and using them to solve big, beautiful questions,” Devadoss said.

On Thursday, Devadoss used a collection of bright and colorful images and devices to welcome

graduate students to the world of particle collisions. Devadoss said many of nature’s most beautiful features are formed by novel particle interactions. These formations, which include smoke trails and bee hives, have inspired the creation of many man-made inventions that define the modern age.

“DNA sequencing, origami, cardiograms and especially robotics — all of these things are rooted in the patterns of nature,” Devadoss said.

Although Devadoss lectured at the colloquiums, he also encouraged his audience to participate in the discussions and to attempt to solve some of the puzzles he presented.

Mark Davidson, the colloquium committee’s faculty advisor, said VIGRE routinely invites guest speakers to the University to show undergraduate students the practical results their educations can yield. The guests are selected by a panel of graduate and undergraduate students who work to make all participants feel more comfortable about interacting with prominent figures in mathematics.

“We want to show students what’s going on in the world of math and how they can be a part

of it,” Davidson said.

Guests are selected based on the breadth of research they conduct and how well their research will engage their largely student audiences. Devadoss was selected for his enormous body of research and his innovative philosophy on math and science.

“Shakespeare’s known for his poetry, and Picasso’s known for his paintings — we need mathematicians to be known for their art too,” Devadoss said.

Devadoss conducts much of his research on computational geometry. He studies the math of physical objects. He has used his research to create new ways of visualizing data, describing and finding new species, making DNA easier to study and crafting origami. He has lectured painters, programmers and Pixar animators, and he wants to bridge the gaps between art and science and undergraduates and professionals.

“I want people to know about the big, important ideas in math, and I think that’s what a lot of students get out of these talks,” Devadoss said.

Contact Panya Kroun at pkroun@lsureveille.com

CHARLES CHAMPAGNE / The Daily Reveille

The LSU ornithology department has one of the largest collections of bird genetic material in the world. This Paradise Tanager, Tangara chilensis, is one of many species located in the department’s collections.

tell you the bird species by their songs,” said Robb Brumfield, professor of biological sciences.

Harvey said he is looking forward to the department attempting to beat a world record, set by another LSU researcher.

“Everyone knows about LSU for football, but LSU’s also

known for having one of the best museum programs in the world,” Harvey said.

Contact Renee Barrow at rbarrow@lsureveille.com

FEBRUARY

28 EVENT CALENDAR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014 7:00 PM

LSU Baseball - Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field - LSU Krewe of Centurions Parade - Downtown Metairie Krewe of Lyra Parade - Downtown Covington Krewe of Morpheus Parade - Uptown - New Orleans LSU Softball - Tiger Park - LSU LSU Gymnastics - Pete Maravich Assembly Center Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers - Blue Nile

8:00 PM

Hot 8 Brass Band - Belle of Baton Rouge Comedy Sportz - La Nuit Comedy Theater Greg Schatz - Buffa's Bar & Restaurant The Royal Rounders - Buffa's Bar & Restaurant Herlin Riley Quartet - Snug Harbor-New Orleans Paul Sanchez - Chickie Wah Wah Vagabond Swing - Artmosphere

9:00 PM

Jesse Dayton - The Blue Moon Fat Boy South - Paragon Casino Resort BLT Ball - Southport Hall Hunt D Radio - The Roux House True Spin - Boudreaux & Thibodeaux's Charlston Bourgeois - Boudreaux & Thibodeaux's Party at Joe's - Lava Cantina Brian Hyken and the Wanderlust - Gasa Gasa Sofa Kings - The Station Sports Bar and Grill Killer Whale - Mud and Water M.J. & The Redeemers - Phil Brady's Bar & Grill Local H - The Spanish Moon Cuban Fire - The Varsity Theatre

10:30 PM

Friday Night Stand Up Open Mic - La Nuit Comedy Theater Pine Leaf Boys - The Blue Moon Son's of Fathers - Chelsea's Cafe Led Zepplin 2 - House of Blues New Orleans Snow Tha Product - House of Blues New Orleans

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

The Daily Reveille

page 4

greek life

Friday, February 28, 2014

Phi Delta Theta house mom looks after members Jaquelyn Masse Contributing Writer

To some, she is known as Teri Meyer, but in the Phi-Delta Theta house she is Mama T. Meyer is currently the fraternity house mother of Phi Delta Theta for her second year. She is one of the few fraternity house moms who actually live on the University campus, inside the fraternity house.

“There’s been a lot of fun and a lot of laughs,” Meyer said. “It’s fun being part of their lives as they go through this college experience.”

After working in retail for 30 years, Meyer wanted to do something different with her life.

At her previous job, a co-worker suggested she become a fraternity house mother.

“I was like ‘Fraternity house mom? Seriously?’” Meyer said Out of curiosity, Meyer started to read about the position and thought it could be fun. She decided to apply online and was scheduled for an interview with the Phi Delta Theta president shortly after. Within a week, Meyer was notified that she would be the new official house mother.

At first, Meyer was nervous about meeting all the fraternity members.

“They brought me into a chapter meeting and introduced me to everyone. It was a little intimidating, but they were all

welcoming and sweet,” Meyer said.

When she told people about her new job, she received a few strange reactions.

“My mom laughed and said if anyone could fit in with them, it would be me,” Meyer said.

Inside the house, Meyer has her own small apartment with a living room, bedroom and bathroom. Meyer lives in the fraternity house for free and is paid for her position as house mother.

Some of her duties include cleaning, laundry and occasionally cooking.

Meyer sometimes worries about interrupting the members, but she said she is always there to help out her boys.

“If they need me, I can give them a Band-Aid or if they rip their pants I can help them fix it.”

Meyer said she shares many memories with the Phi Delt fraternity men.

“One time we saw some mice run by the house and both me and the boys screamed like girls,” Meyer said.

Phi Delta president Brian Rees said Meyer attends many fraternity events, such as bus trips and formal.

“Last year Mama T came to our formal in Pensacola, and we had a great time hanging out at the beach,” said Rees.

Meyer has also formed relationships with several other fraternity moms and dads. She

CHARLOTTE WILLCOX / The Daily Reveille

Teri Meyer is one of LSU’s Fraternity House Moms. Meyer has been the Fraternity House Mom for Phi Delta Theta for two years.

attends meetings with fraternity moms and goes to dinner with them.

Meyer has only been a fraternity mom for two years, but that didn’t stop previous Phi Delta Theta President Tyler Loga from

alumni

Alumnus discusses coastal erosion and the oil industry in new book Theriot focuses on La. wetland loss Fernanda Zamudio-Suarez Senior Reporter

In 2008, University alumus Jason Theriot stopped his boat in an oil pipeline canal along the bayous of Southern Louisiana.

He noticed a sign that said not to anchor or dredge. He realized oil and natural gas had changed the land he and his family had known, and he set out to learn more.

In his new book “American Energy, Imperiled Coast: Oil and Gas Development in Louisiana’s Wetlands,” Theriot tells the story of how energy development and environmental change have shaped of Southern Louisana.

“Southern Louisiana is mazed with a lace of canals built by the oil and gas industry to get access to this area,” Theriot said.

“Canals have become a major feature of the landscape.”

Theriot was working toward a doctorate in energy history at the University of Houston. He

was curious about the way canals were built and the topic became the subject of his dissertation, which turned into his book.

Canals were built to accommodate pipelines that stretched to the Northeast, and as energy consumption increased, so did the pipeline infrastructure. The canals, however, contribute to wetland loss through saltwater intrusion, which kills freshwater vegetation in the bayous, Theriot said.

Though pipelines and canals have helped build the area’s economy, they changed the way Southern Louisianans lived with the problem of coastal erosion.

“We’ve always had a little camp on the bayou. I’ve seen the area change dramatically,” Theriot said. “It’s a history book, but it also has a lot to do with people.

Their voices help tell the stories.”

He wants readers of his book to understand the affect of the oil industry on Southern Louisiana and the need to prioritize restoring the coast.

Theriot said several research components of the book came from University research. When the geologist and environmental

scientists came together, they presented the coastal erosion problem, Theriot said.

Given the state and the University’s importance in the book, Theriot decided to publish the book, his third, under LSU Press.

The book will be released in March.

“There was really no question, I wanted to keep it in the backyard,” Theriot said.

Contact at Fernanda Zamudio-Suarez fsuarez@lsureveille.com

nominating his Mama T as house mom of the year.

“It takes a special person to be a house mom, I’ve seen multiple house mothers, and she goes above and beyond,” said Loga.

Meyer said since her son

has grown, she finds herself happier in the presence of youth once again.

Contact Jaquelyn Masse at jmasse@lsureveille.com

newly named administrators College of Business

College of Agriculture

Richard White Jr. has been named the new dean of the E. J. Ourso College of Business, according to a University news release. White served as the interim dean for the college after Eli Jones left in 2012 to work as dean for the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business.

White is one of a number of new deans to be selected recently, including Cynthia Peterson of the College of Science and Joel Baines in the School of Veterinary Medicine. He follows Peterson as the second internal candidate selected this year to a dean’s position.

Jane Cassidy, vice provost for Human Resources and Facilities Management, worked with the search committee. She said even from the early stages of the process, White looked like the best fit.

Being an internal candidate brings certain advantages and challenges, Cassidy said. On one hand, a person can already know everybody and how things are run, on the other hand, sometimes people want a fresh face, she said.

Cassidy said White made hard decisions as an associate dean and interim dean but still retains the support of the faculty, showing his leadership skills.

White’s appointment as dean begins Apr. 1, pending Board of Supervisors approval.

Mike Burnett has been named executive associate dean of the University College of Agriculture, a new position for the college.

Burnett has served at the University for 33 years, most recently as the director of the School of Human Resource Education and Workforce Development, and she served as committee chair for more than 160 master’s and doctoral students.

The addition of Burnett to the College of Agriculture follows the consolidation of the administrations of the college and the LSU AgCenter by the Board of Supervisors in September 2013. The goal of the merge was to unite the agriculture programs to better serve students Burnett, who started in the position on Jan. 13, said he hopes to help the college’s 10 departments as they undergo structural changes this semester.

Burnett said one of the things currently being worked on is the expansion of distance-learning opportunities for students, which is a delicate thing because of the laboratory time required for many aspects of their degree programs.

Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_news

PHOTOS: Go to lsureveille.com to view a gallery of last night’s women’s basketball game.

Sports

Friday, February 28, 2014

BASEBALL

Sewald resigns from school Chandler Rome Sports Writer

LSU sophomore pitcher Mitch Sewald has resigned from school and is no longer a part of the Tiger baseball team, coach SEWALD Paul Mainieri told reporters Thursday.

Sewald served a four game suspension to begin the season as punishment for a drunken driving arrest in November. Since the suspension, he had not recorded an appearance for the Tigers.

“It’s personal reasons and that’s all I’m going to say about it,” Mainieri said. “He did dis-enroll and I’m not exactly sure what his future plans are.

Let’s just classify it as personal reasons.”

The Archbishop Rummel product had two appearances in relief last season, pitching 3 1/3 innings with three strikeouts and allowing two unearned runs.

Contact Chandler Rome at crome@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @Rome_TDR

page 5

FOOTBALL

72-67

Missed Opportunity Plaisance, Kenney fall on senior night Tommy Romanach Sports Contributor

RICHARD REDMANN / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior guard Jeanne Kenney (5) and senior forward Theresa Plaisance (55) embrace during the alma mater Thursday after the Lady Tigers’ 72-67 loss to Tennessee in the PMAC.

Coming into Thursday night, senior forward Shanece McKinney said LSU needed something to wake itself from a four-game losing streak.

This awakening seemed to come in the form of a second half surge Thursday night. But by then, it was too late to repair the damage done from a dreadful first half.

LSU (18-10, 7-8 Southeastern Conference) came back from being down 21 points at halftime, but Tennessee (23-5, 12-3 SEC) made the plays and stops late to hold on for a dramatic 72-67 victory to hand the Lady Tigers their fifth consecutive loss on three LSU seniors’ last regular season game in the PMAC. “[The game] showed a team that didn’t give up, showed a LOSS, see page 10

LSU confirms Peveto return David Gray Sports Contributor

Bradley Dale Peveto has been named LSU special teams coordinator and defensive assistant, according to a statement released by the school on Thursday. News of Peveto’s return to the Tigers broke last week, but the official announcement was delayed until Thursday.

Peveto returns to LSU after a one-year stint with Kentucky, where he was special teams coordinator and safeties coach. Prior to his arrival at Kentucky, Peveto was the head coach at Northwestern State.

Peveto was the Tigers’ special teams coordinator from 2005 to 2007. He was part of LSU’s run to the national championship in 2007, and he helped produce two FirstTeam All-Southeastern Conference performers that same year: placekicker Colt David and punter Patrick Fisher.

During this span, he also served as linebackers coach, where he helped develop All-American Ali Highsmith. In 2008, he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator, a position he held for one year before being named Northwestern State’s head coach.

Contact David Gray at dgray@lsureveille.com

BASEBALL

Yale series is redemption chance for several Tigers Lawrence Barreca Sports Writer

When LSU welcomes Yale to Alex Box Stadium for a threegame series this weekend, it will be an opportunity to rebound.

The Tigers (7-1) tasted defeat for the first time this season on Tuesday when No. 10 University of Louisiana-Lafayette rolled into Baton Rouge prior to a torrential downpour sweeping the city.

ULL entered the sixth inning with a 4-1 lead, and the game was called after a thunderstorm cancelled play, handing LSU the loss.

LSU junior southpaw Cody Glenn (1-1) tossed four innings of three-run baseball, surrendering five hits and striking out one in 75 pitches.

Though Glenn struggled in his second start of the season, LSU coach Paul Mainieri decided to insert the left-hander

into the Sunday slot in the rotation this weekend. Freshman lefthander Jared Poche’ will start on Tuesday at Northwestern State.

Mainieri said he didn’t see Glenn’s start against the Ragin’ Cajuns as a poor outing.

“Cody didn’t struggle that much,” Mainieri said. “I didn’t think his two-seamer had the movement or the sink it normally has. I think he was throwing harder than I’ve seen him throw in a long time. Unfortunately, when the throw’s hard, his fastball seems to straighten out a little bit.”

Glenn, whose fastball normally hits speeds in the high 80mph range, relies more on mixing his pitches and having a solid defense behind him than being a high-strikeout thrower.

On Tuesday, senior third baseman Christian Ibarra failed to handle a bad hop, causing ULL to

PLAYER TO WATCH QUICK HITS

ANDREW STEVENSON

· Sophomore centerfielder · .381 batting average · At least one hit in every game with an at bat this season

build its lead to 3-1 in the top of the fourth inning.

LSU senior outfielder Sean McMullen said being sound defensively is pivotal.

“We know Cody and [junior left-hander Kyle] Bouman aren’t going to get all the strikeouts that [junior Aaron] Nola might get, but we believe in ourselves defensively,” McMullen said.

YALE see page 10

TAYLOR BALKOM / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior infielder Christian Ibarra (14) fields a ball Tuesday during the Tigers’ 1-4 loss to ULL in Alex Box Stadium.

The Daily Reveille

page 6

basketball

Friday, February 28, 2014

Tigers not worried about top-ranked Florida

Mike Gegenheimer Sports Writer

For the LSU men’s basketball team, the season is far from over.

The Tigers have played 27 games, but Saturday could be the toughest test for a team still fighting for room on the NCAA Tournament bracket.

Life outside the PMAC has been unkind to the Tigers in recent weeks, but things won’t get any easier when LSU hits the road to take on No. 1 Florida in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday.

“Every team can be beaten,” said LSU junior guard Anthony Hickey. “A lot of No. 1 teams have lost. … You don’t have to go out there, and just because they’re No. 1, be all nervous. Just go out there and have fun.”

The last time Florida lost a game in the O’Connell Center, former LSU coach Trent Johnson was still at the helm of the Tigers.

The Gators are currently on a 32-game home winning tear, the second-longest active streak of its kind in the country and haven’t lost since March 2012 when eventual national champion Kentucky dealt a 74-59 blow.

“I know [Florida is] going to be hyped up, the crowd is going to be involved, but that’s something you should want as a college basketball

player,” Hickey said. “To go into somebody else’s home — that’s what we’re going to do.”

LSU is on a streak of its own, losing six consecutive games on the road.

Despite the string of road losses, LSU coach Johnny Jones remained optimistic about the way his team responded to the setbacks, and he looked forward to meeting Florida on Saturday.

“The No. 1 team in the country, it doesn’t get any better,” Jones said.

“It’s a college basketball game and you have an opportunity to be in a venue playing at the highest level, and that’s what you look for. It’s certainly going to be a challenge, but that’s one you look forward to.”

One of the primary challenges Florida presents is four out of the Gators’ five starters are seniors compared to LSU’s one in Shavon Coleman, who has only been starting since fellow senior Andre Stringer was moved to the bench at the beginning of Southeastern Conference play.

Hickey said the Tigers are prepared for a team like Florida, but being prepared isn’t the same as playing at maximum level.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve played our best yet, but were going to continue to get better,” Hickey said.

“This game is going to show where we stand. The No. 1 team — this is

PLAYER TO WATCH Quick Hits · .378 3-point field goal percentage · 34 steals

Scottie Wilbekin

· Averaging 13.5 points per game

who you want to play against.”

The Tigers are coming off two of their best outings of the season despite losing to Kentucky last Saturday.

LSU took the No. 17 Wildcats to the brink of overtime in a 77-76 loss Saturday and then held Texas A&M to under 50 points Tuesday for its best defensive showing of the season.

“We just have to come back even stronger,” said LSU senior forward Shavon Coleman. “Florida is next on our list, and we’re looking to prepare for them the best we can and have plenty of energy for them and hopefully get a win.”

Contact Mike Gegenheimer at mgegenheimer@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @Gegs_TDR

Angela Major / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior guard Anthony Hickey (1) shoots the ball Wednesday during the Tigers’ 68-49 victory against Texas A&M in the PMAC.

The Daily Reveille

Friday, February 28, 2014

gymnastics

page 7

men’s tennis

Team tests No. 1 ranking Tigers look to sweep Lady Tigers face Missouri tonight Marcus Rodrigue Sports Contributor

If collegiate gymnastics is a game of perception, then No. 1 LSU is winning.

Associate head coach Jay Clark introduced the concept of the game of perception last season when the coaching staff met to discuss the team’s philosophy.

With only five schools having ever claimed a national championship, the Tigers (7-3, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) sought to place themselves in the conversation among elite squads.

LSU’s midseason résumé has done just that, with a slew of high road scores pushing the Tigers to a No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2005. Now that LSU has made its presence felt across the country, it must maintain its image against Missouri at 7 p.m. tonight in the PMAC. “In a sport that is so subjective, it’s important that you start quickly and be very consistent,” Clark said. “That’s how you win the battle of perception, not just in the eyes of the fans or the judges but even in your own minds. We had to shake off any apprehension about saying what it was that we want to accomplish and be able

to clearly state that we want to go after a championship.”

Missouri (6-4, 0-3 SEC) is the first non-ranked opponent to meet LSU in a dual-meet since the Tigers’ season-opening victory against Centenary on Jan. 10.

LSU’s 197.470 regional qualifying score is almost three points better than Missouri’s, but senior allarounder Sarie Morrison doesn’t expect a weaker opponent to cause a lapse in focus.

“We might have more of an edge and focus because we are No. 1 right now, and this team has never done that,” Morrison said.

“It’s giving us this extra boost of energy with the hype from all the fans. We know now that we’re the best in the country.”

Tonight’s meet marks the end of an arduous month-long road stretch for the Tigers, during which they competed at No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 3 Florida.

Two days after blowing past No. 13 Arkansas, LSU decisively defeated the Sooners, 197.650197.325. The Tigers scored a school record 197.875 team score just six days later at the Metroplex Challenge despite finishing second in the four-team field.

LSU lost to the Gators by half a point to close its road swing, but the time away from home allowed the Tigers to gain valuable experience and grow closer as a team.

“We know we’ve been sticking to our process and doing what

we’re supposed to be doing,” said junior all-arounder Rheagan Courville, the No. 1 gymnast in the nation. “It’s great to see it all come together because it’s a momentum you get when you see you’re hard work is paying off.”

Though LSU proved its worth away from Baton Rouge, the road took a physical toll on the squad.

Junior all-arounder Jessie Jordan, the No. 1 beam performer in the country, battled a sore back for the past few weeks, and an aggravated Achilles’ tendon injury kept junior all-arounder Britney Ranzy out of the vault lineup against Florida, according to LSU coach D-D Breaux.

Clark called the battle of perception an ongoing process, and taking down Missouri is the next step for the Tigers. With a relatively easy slate for the three weeks leading up to the SEC Championship, LSU is aiming to tip the scale of perception even further in its favor.

“The consistency and the high level of difficulty throughout the season is what has put us here,” Breaux said. “What we need to do now is eliminate the small deductions and the things keeping us from a 198. That’s an achievable, attainable score for us, and that’ll be our goal for the next three weeks.”

Contact Marcus Rodrigue at mrodrigue@lsureveille.com

Thanks

doubleheader match Jack Chascin Sports Contributor

The LSU men’s tennis squad is set for doubleheader action Friday when they take on both Kentucky and the University of New Orleans at W.T. ‘Dub’ Robinson Stadium.

The action is set to begin at 3 p.m. when the Tigers play No. 25 Kentucky before resuming action at 7 p.m. against UNO. After an up-and-down loss to Michigan on Feb. 21, head coach Jeff Brown is looking forward to getting back on the court for Southeastern Conference play. “[Kentucky] is a rival of ours,” Brown said. “We’ve gone back and forth with them. … We’re looking to use the energy of the home match and the crowd to build enough of a lead.”

Kentucky has dominated the match up for quite some time.

LSU fans would have to look back to 2008 to recall the last time the Tigers defeated Kentucky on the court.

Brown said Kentucky is more experienced in some areas, but if the Tigers can get out to a good enough lead before the experience can settle in, they could be successful.

With the UNO matchup set to open serve at 7 p.m., the Tigers will have little time to rest after

their Kentucky match.

The team hopes to use the doubleheader to showcase the talent of junior Chris Simpson who was named SEC Men’s Tennis Player of the Week Wednesday.

Simpson has not lost a singles or doubles match since Jan. 26, leading to a 6-1 record in singles matches this season.

“He’s had a really good year this year,” Brown said. “I think the difference with him this year is he is more aware of his opponents’ weaknesses and seems to be able to jump on people a little more.”

Simpson will be pitted against Kentucky senior Tom Jomby, the No. 14 ranked player in the nation.

Simpson is no stranger to battling the nation’s best, as he defeated nine ranked opponents last season. Most notably, he defeated the No. 3 player in the nation at the time, Mikelis Libietis from Tennessee.

Simpson will look to take that experience into Friday’s match to pull off another impressive victory in his career and for the Tigers when they take the court at 3 p.m.

Friday at W.T. ‘Dub’ Robinson Stadium to kick off the double header.

Contact Jack Chascin at jchascin@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

page 8

Softball

Friday, February 28, 2014

LSU to play Harvard and Jackson State in doubleheader Morgan Prewitt Sports Contributor

After a successful stretch in the Mary Nutter Classic last weekend, the No. 22 LSU softball team returns to Tiger Park to play Harvard (2-3) and Jackson State (5-9) in the Purple and Gold Challenge.

After hitting eight home runs and beating two Top-15 teams in California last weekend, the Tigers hope to see some more homers launched over the fence.

“We’ve won some games with power and we’ve won some games more predominantly with speed. It’s so fun when both are working together,” said senior outfielder Jacee Blades.

The Tigers’ lineup has produced 49 hits and scored 33 runs in their last five games.

While the offensive firepower steals the show, the Tigers’ defense has been solid, with an average field percentage of .973, which ranks seventh in the Southeastern Conference.

PLAYER TO WATCH Quick Hits · Home Runs: 5 · RBIs: 15 · On base percentage: .483 Bianka Bell

Against Harvard, the LSU lineup will face junior pitcher Laura Ricciardone, who was named the Ivy League Pitcher of the Week in the first week of the season after her performance in Harvard’s first five games in the Florida Gulf Coast round robin tournament.

In the Florida Gulf Coast tournament, Ricciardone recorded a 1.50 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched.

Junior infielder Emily Gusse leads Harvard in batting average, on base percentage and is tied for most hits. Gusse was recognized

as the Ivy League Player of the Week the first week of the season.

The LSU bullpen averages a 2.44 ERA and is led by freshman pitcher Baylee Corbello, a nominee for SEC Freshman of the Week and SEC Pitcher of the Week last week.

In her 4-0 weekend, Corbello recorded 17 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched, culminating in a 2.04 ERA for the weekend.

“The wins last week over top teams give me all the confidence in the world to play anyone,” Corbello said.

In the second game, LSU will face Jackson State, which allowed 17 runs in its last two losses.

Jackson State is led offensively by senior infielder Lauren Aikens, who has 8 RBIs and 13 hits in her first 38 at-bats of the season.

Though Jackson State has only hit one homer this season, it has stolen 22 bases resulting in 34 runs.

The success of the Tigers’ pitchers makes the defense more

TAYLOR BALKOM / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior outfielder Jacee Blades (23) slides into second base Feb. 15 during the Tigers’ 1-2 loss to South Alabama in Tiger Park.

determined to make plays to help out the pitchers, Blades said.

The Tigers start the action at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at Tiger Park, where they look to continue their

recent success.

Contact Morgan Prewitt at mprewitt@lsureveille.com

Baton rouge community

Couple demonstrates committed fandom to LSU Tommy Romanach Sports Contributor

Most fans only watch from the sidelines and cheer during games while their favorite team controls the outcome. The money they spend for merchandise and the games they attend are their contributions to the teams they adore.

But there are those who go beyond the average call of duty — fans like Wayne Leader and his wife Diane.

“We just enjoy sports more than anything,” Wayne said. “It’s a way to get away from other things in life, and we can just enjoy ourselves. We feel it’s an obligation to demonstrate that passion.”

The Leaders are members of Lady Tiger Elite, a group that provides operating funds to promote and support the LSU women’s basketball program. The couple joined the group in 2003 to better show their affection for the team.

For the Leaders, however, the passion for the purple and gold travels far beyond the hard court.

The Leaders began their fixation with sports as an outlet from work, spending weekends at any football game they could attend.

They became hooked, and the two have now gone 38 consecutive years without missing a single LSU football game — home or away.

Around 2000, the couple began to branch out to other sports, joining Lady Tiger Elite and similar programs for football, men’s basketball, softball and baseball.

Although their attendance is not perfect, they find it essential to go

to any postseason tournament.

“Once the postseason rolls around, you can forget about it,” Wayne said. “We are going to be there. It does not matter what the location, we’ll make the trip.”

Diane still has fond memories of 2006, when the men and women’s basketball teams made the Final Four, and their fandom was put to the ultimate test. Despite both events coming on the same weekend, the two were prepared to travel between

Boston and Indianapolis, the sites of each tournament, as many times as possible.

Wayne said it was “unfortunately” easier than expected, with the Tigers and Lady Tigers going down in their semifinal matchups.

The Leaders’ donations have led to improved facilities and locker rooms for the Lady Tigers.

Wayne said he is fortunate to have the money to make these donations, and he takes pride in having the chance to support a

program that has been so central to his life.

Through the years, the couple have made friends with Lady Tiger alumnae, including Nikki Caldwell, Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles. Wayne said the team has always welcomed Lady Tiger Elite members with open arms.

The best thing about their sports-filled lives, however, has been getting to know fans just like them within Lady Tiger Elite.

“We have met many fans only through basketball, football or through LSU sports period,” Wayne said. “The relationships we’ve made with these people can’t be put to words. I cherish every game with them.”

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

LSU. EDU/ILOVEME #LSUILOVEME

Keep a gratitude journal. Each week, reflect on the positive things in your life, such as experiences, people, or personal gifts. Write down five of these in a journal.

The Daily Reveille

Friday, February 28, 2014

track and field

page 9

Jasmin Stowers has a chance to break record Taylor Curet Sports Contributor

During the Southeastern Conference championships, countless athletes from 14 Southeastern Conference schools will be settling into their starting blocks thinking about the opportunity that lies ahead: a chance to qualify for the NCAA Championships on March 14.

But for LSU senior hurdler Jasmin Stowers, opportunities lie beyond the finish line and the track.

At this weekend’s 2014 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Stowers has the chance to make history as the first athlete in conference history, male or female, to win four straight SEC Indoor championships in either the 55-meter or 60-meter hurdles.

But Stowers’ real goals grow beyond her success on the track.

“With Jasmin, I think that there’s really that focus in academics and being a collegiate athlete,” said LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver. “But she has more aspirations to go to graduate school than she has to be a professional track and field athlete.”

If hurdling doesn’t turn into a profession, Stowers’ career goal is to become a dietician because she said proper nutrition is something both athletes and nonathletes can benefit from.

Academics always finishes first in Stowers’ mind. The Pendleton, S.C. native has carried the classroom success she held at Pendleton High School to LSU, being named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll twice.

Both her athletic and scholastic abilities have shaped the person Stowers is today. And the honors she’s received have been endless since Aug. 17, 2007 was named “Jasmin Stowers Day” in the town of Pendleton, S.C. “I was given a key to the city,” Stowers said. “It felt really good at the time. I know some people had that honor before so to be one of those people I felt blessed.”

Stowers’ potential to be a role model as a student and an athlete has made Shaver’s four years as her coach a special experience, he said. Her hard work and perseverance have been tested and proven on and off the track, most notably when she came back from a hamstring injury suffered in 2013’s Battle on the Bayou in Baton Rouge.

After pulling up in a 100-meter dash during the April 13 event, Stowers rehabilitated and was able to compete in the SEC Outdoor Championships a month later. Although she wasn’t able to defend her two-time crown in the 60-meter hurdles, Shaver said it was “miracle” to even see her make the NCAA Final.

Stowers battled adversity, and that molded her into a leader. Being the only 60-meter and

100-meter senior hurdler on the women’s team, Stower’s character has evolved since her freshmen year.

“I’ve definitely seen myself grow,” Stowers said. “I’ve become a better leader for the team and also know what it takes to do well in the SEC because it’s a very competitive conference. I had to step up this year to be an example for the younger freshmen.”

If not for the injury in 2013, Stowers may have added three straight outdoor crowns in the 60-meter hurdles to the three straight indoor titles she owns, a record currently tied with former Lady Tiger Lolo Jones, who set it from 2002 to 2004. While it’s an honor for Stowers to be mentioned in the same sentence as Jones, an Olympic hurdler, Shaver said it is well deserved.

“I really do believe that in the next two competitions, if everything goes well, I think [Stowers] could end up being our school record holder,” Shaver said. “So that means that she would have run faster indoors than Lolo

Jones did as a collegiate. In their own ways, they’re very unique and special and both of them were very good students and very good athletes for our program.

We’re proud of both of them.”

Stowers remained humble when asked about all of her accolades and comparisons to Jones. Breaking records means nothing if she’s not helping LSU win its thirteenth SEC Indoor Championship.

And when the 2011 Women’s Freshman Runner of the Year and five-time All-American is asked about the future, she is more focused on the present and the SEC Championships. “[Becoming an Olympian] has always been an aspiration of mine,” Stowers said. “I’m just trying to get through this year and see how fast I run. Hopefully I’ll be capable of doing that in the future.”

Then-senior Kimberlyn Duncan (left) sprints during the 4x100 meter relay as then-junior Jasmin Stowers runs up behind her April 13, 2013.

Stowers has the possibility of breaking a record by being the first person to win four straight Indoor Track and Field championships for the 55-meter or 60-meter hurdles.

Contact Taylor Curet at tcuret@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille Archives

BECOME A

STUDENT MEDIA MANAGER

NOW HIRING editor of the daily reveille STATION MANAGER OF KLSU Application materials EDITOR OF GUMBO YEARBOOK WWW.LSU.EDU/STUDENTMEDIA STATION MANAGER OF TIGER TV Submit to: B39 Hodges Hall by march 17 EDITOR OF LEGACY MAGAZINE EDITOR OF Digital Media info Must be a full time lsu student in good academic standing

page 10 LOSS, from page 5

team that stayed together and obviously showed a team that was able to come back from adversity and potentially put themselves in position to win.” said LSU coach Nikki Caldwell.

Tennessee controlled the first half from the first possession, quickly running out to a 12-2 lead. Fifty percent shooting from the field and 34 combined points from teammates Meighan Simmons and Cierra Burdick gave the Lady Volunteers a 42-21 lead at half.

LSU’s stars struggled to keep up in the first half, as senior forward Theresa Plaisance and senior guard Jeanne Kenney combined for just 13 points on 3-of-15 shooting. In the locker room at the break, Kenney had a moment with Plaisance that helped click the tandem back in gear.

“Jeanne knows me really well, so when she came up to me and basically told me, ‘This is our half. We are not going to go down like this.’” Plaisance said.

“That’s what did it for me.”

The duo combined for 28 points in the second half, helping inspire one of the Lady Tigers’ most impressive runs of the season. The team took everything

possession by possession, cutting the lead to single digits with 6:20 left and tying the game with little more than three minutes to play.

A major reason for the turnaround was the concentration to take care of the ball. After committing 11 turnovers in the first half, LSU committed just one in the second.

High energy plays on defense pumped up the crowd and propelled the team throughout the comeback. Kenney said the emotion from players and the crowd made her proud to play the game.

After trading baskets for two minutes after LSU tied, the most important play came with just one minute left when Simmons made a 3-pointer to put the Lady Volunteers back up five. Tennessee coach Holly Warlick said the shot was risky but was a testament to the player Simmons is.

The Lady Tigers will have to transition quickly as they hit the road this weekend to take on Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Sunday afternoon. The Crimson Tide has displayed its share of highs and lows, dropping two games to Auburn while winning at Kentucky.

The Crimson Tide is led by junior guard Daisha Simmons,

The Daily Reveille

Friday, February 28, 2014

who leads the team in assists while also putting in 13.4 points and 5.1 rebounds. Caldwell said Simmons is one of many guards for Alabama who can shoot the ball very well.

More importantly, the team will look at this game as a way to channel themselves as the Lady Tigers head into the postseason.

“This team has it in them,” Caldwell said. “They have a resillency about themselves, they have a competitiveness about themselves, and they have a determination about themselves.”

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

Richard Redmann / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior guard Jeanne Kenney (5) drives to the goal Thursday after the Lady Tigers’ 72-67 loss to Tennessee in the PMAC.

Tune in to trivia for a chance to win!

L Richard Redmann / The Daily Reveille

S

LSU senior forward Theresa Plaisance (55) hugs Mike the Tiger Thursday after the Lady Tigers’ 72-67 loss to Tennessee in the PMAC.

yale, from page 5

“We don’t try to put too much pressure on ourselves and stick to the fundamentals.”

Freshman second baseman Kramer Robertson — who made a key base running mistake and an error that led to a ULL run — will also get the chance to redeem himself against Yale on Friday.

Mainieri said Robertson will start Friday night at second base, while junior Conner Hale will play first base.

“You’re going to make mistakes in baseball, and you’re not going to be perfect every game,” Robertson said. “It’s not my first error I’ve ever made, and it’s not going to be the last. It’s all on how you respond.”

Friday’s contest will be Yale’s season opener. Ivy League programs don’t begin their respective seasons until the first

weekend of March.

Last year, Yale finished 1325, but the Bulldogs closed out the season with five straight victories against Dartmouth and Brown.

The last time LSU played Yale was in a 7-1 Bulldog victory in 1908.

“Yale is as experienced as [ULL],” Mainieri said. “They’ve got their entire pitching staff back, and they’ve added a really good freshman arm. Those kids are very mature and very confident. They’ll come out here, and they won’t be intimidated.”

Contact Lawrence Barreca at lbarreca@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @LawBarreca_TDR

K

K IN G LISTEN TO 91.1 KLSU TO WIN! lsureveille.com/klsu

U

The Daily Reveille

Friday, February 28, 2014 TONY, from page 1

Taylor said Tony eats 20 pounds every day of specialized big cat food made from a blend of meat and vitamins, which is less food than the 25 pounds per day Mike eats, according to Mike the Tiger’s website.

“We get truck drivers that come through here saying that they remember when their own parents would bring them here to see the tigers,” Taylor said. “There are people who may never see a tiger if they didn’t come through.”

Sandlin said the truck stop has housed tigers in its fenced enclosure since 1988, when he bought Toby and Rainbow, a breeding pair that lived to be more than 20 years old and had a total of 13 cubs over the 19 years they lived at the truck stop.

“LSU is not a stranger to criticism about Mike,” Sandlin said.

“The only thing that lightened their load is their habitat, which quieted

PRIVACY, from page 1

perspective, LiCata said in an email, a research associate conducting mass communication research may be subject to random drug and alcohol screening if their title is research associate.

LiCata defined research associates as people paid, most often through grants, solely to conduct research at the University. He pointed out the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, which he estimates

page 11

the complaints against LSU.” habitat because he’s a male tiger, In 2006, Louisiana legislation and if the state legislation would regarding the exhibition of exotic allow, he would have gotten a matanimals changed, and Sandlin lost ing partner for him. Sandlin said his permit to exthe fact that his hibit the large fe- ‘There are people who tigers produced line. While Tony may never see a tiger healthy cubs in the was still legal unpast, which Sandif they didn’t come der federal law, lin sold or traded Sandlin needed with other breedthrough.’ an exemption for ers, shows they Tony issued from were happy and Darryl Taylor the Louisiana Dehealthy. one of Tony’s caretakers partment of Wild“My employlife and Fisheries, one that he said ees, on two occasions, have caught the University received for the animal rights people using the flash housing of Mike. on their cameras to try and upset According to the Animal him,” Sandlin said. He mentioned Legal Defense Fund’s website, that those who oppose their possesTony’s enclosure puts him at risk sion of Tony say he looks sad. for adverse health effects because According to ALDF’s website, of truck stop fumes and his pacing the case for Tony’s freedom, in one of his habitat. The ALDF sued the meaning or the other, remains up in Louisiana Department of Wildlife the air. and Fisheries in 2010 for unlawfully issuing Sandlin a permit for Contact Deanna Narveson at his tiger.

Sandlin said Tony paces his dnarveson@lsureveille.com

Tony the tiger plays in his habitat Thursday at the Tiger Truck Stop located in Grosse Tete, La.

fund 90 percent of research in the U.S., have no requirements similar to the University and have rejected such policies when brought up.

Postdoctoral associates will also be included in the expansion.

LiCata said postdoctoral associates will go to another university for more experience after receiving their doctorate, much like physicians complete a residency at a hospital before venturing out on their own.

A.G. Monaco, associate vice chancellor for Human Resource

machinery, handling dangerous chemicals and driving around campus, Cope said, research associates and postdoctoral associates are not likely to be in a risky position, Both LiCata and Cope said they think the expansion is an abuse of Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure.

LiCata submitted a resolution to the Faculty Senate for the Dec. 5 meeting, titled “A Call for Protection of Privacy Rights of LSU Staff.” At the February Faculty

Management, provided a list of positions considered “safetysensitive,” which did not include postdoctoral associates or research associates, Licata said. Those two were added orally, at a meeting of Human Resource Management representatives, making the status of these positions more ambiguous, LiCata said.

One of the concerns motivating the expansion is insurance, said Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope. Although there are concerns with people operating heavy

CHARLES CHAMPAGNE / The Daily Reveille

Senate meeting, Monaco addressed some of the concerns and planned a meeting to speak with the sponsors of the resolution, Cope said.

The meeting should happen before the March 18 Faculty Senate meeting so they can have some progress to report, LiCata said. He said he is hopeful about resolving the issue, because “the administration has been very responsive to the faculty senate.”

Contact James Richards at jrichards@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

page 12

WEB COMMENTS

Opinion

Friday, February 28, 2014

In response to Andrew Stolze’s column, “Opinion: Cronyism proves state, economics must be separate,” one reader had this to say: “Do you not think that the big businesses will kick their leashed politicians into ensuring that they still remain as the most successful business with minimal competition and max profits? Capitalism is the world of opportunism where one would take all advantage of any chance they have available to better themselves in any way, with all apathy toward the jobs, families, and other businesses, both established and aspiring alike, that they topple and destroy in their wake. The average person who “votes” them in does not have any sort of power or control over what the politician says, does, advocates, or supports; it is the big businesses that gave them the funding to get elected in addition to the many bribes and free trips to New York every week to ensure that the politician listens solely to the monetarily and politically deep pocketed big businesses.

No matter what we demand the politician do, even if we manage to get Crooked Carl removed from office before, during, or after his term ends, we are just going to elect Corrupt Chuck and his other equally money hungry buddies to take Carl’s place in our laughably optimistic hope that they fix the problems we, as average Americans, must face in this economy, while they gladly accept the collar and leash, roll over obediently, and fall into the same pattern of big business teat sucking that come about because of this magical thing called greed bolstered and fleshed out by the oh so all amazing capitalism!!!!!!!

We will never be able to separate state and economics because of the irreparable systematic flaws we have in place already. It’s a nice, lofty hope and dream, but as long as we keep electing more and more politicians, all of whom reciprocate the overwhelming support from the same disgustingly rich companies that we are trying to drag down to some remote degree of fairness and equality, we certainly aren’t going to get anywhere.”

– Misanthropist The Daily Reveille wants to hear your reactions to our content. Visit lsureveille.com, our Facebook page and our Twitter account to let us know what you think.

The Daily Reveille Editorial Board

Kevin Thibodeaux Morgan Searles Wilborn Nobles III Gordon Brillon Megan Dunbar

Editor in Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor, External Media News Editor Opinion Editor

Check out our weekly opinion vlog at lsureveille. com/videos.

Parading Around ANNE LIPSCOMB / The Daily Reveille

The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff choose their favorite parades.

SidneyRose Reynen

I don’t like parades. I’d prefer to never get pelted with plastic beads by white people who reek of beer. A plus side to parades though: those free plastic cups. However, I do enjoy parading around LSU campus in a new outfit. No one throws things at you then.

Justin Stafford

I have only attended quaint community parades. I find them to be pleasant in a small-town America kind of way. I love the sight of the people gathered together and the children on their parents’ shoulders. The sound of young laughter as they catch a string of beads is fantastic. It takes me away for a moment from the hustle and bustle that consumes the world.

Andrew Stolzle

I’ve never had a more positive Mardi Gras experience than when I was in the third grade. Since the highlight of my days usually centered around “Spongebob” and a McFlurry with M&M’s, catching gigantic beads and shiny doubloons was almost an out of body experience. But now, I’d rather quarantine myself in my own room instead of marinating in streets filled with cheap beer, musk and rejection.

Megan Dunbar

Olympia is hands-down my favorite parade. The super krewes are great and bring back fond memories. But as a Northshore native, I have to give kudos to the parade showcasing the St. Paul’s band in all its finery. It’s like Mardi Gras lite, with just a little bit of drunken debauchery in front of the thousands of downtown Covington art galleries instead of stately St. Charles Avenue homes.

Eli Haddow

Growing up in New Orleans, there was no better childhood memory than walking from school on Jackson Avenue to my grandmother’s house the Friday afternoon before Mardi Gras. There, I would sit through a couple of hours of CNBC, eat cold Popeyes and await the coming of Hermes and Le Krewe D’état. The eager anticipation of the rest of Mardi Gras, as well as the ensuing week off of school, made that night more enjoyable than Christmas Eve itself. Couple that youthful sentiment with the taste of stale-ish McKenzie’s king cake without icing and nothing could compare.

Samantha Bares

I’m pretty loud and adamant about catching the coolest beads and other useless knick-knacks at parades. I don’t flash anyone, or anything, but I definitely yank the mile-long strands out of the air before it can land on some poor kid’s sensitive head. We all know this holiday is for the benefit of the children, after all. But my favorite parade runs from my front door to the garbage can, beads in hand. Mardi Gras is fun in the moment, but introduces way too much clutter.

Jose Bastidas

The mass of heavily intoxicated grownups and the overpriced cab fares of my first Mardi Gras last year were automatically overshadowed by my favorite parade, Bacchus.

I’m not one to compete, let alone beg, for people on floats to throw beads and other stuff at me. So when I was standing in the crowd and a toy pig dropped to my hands, I knew I had to treasure it forever. His name is Herman, and yes!

It grunts.

Jana King

Having spent four years in high school marching band, Mardi Gras parades are not my fondest memories. Each year I marched about 30 miles total, toting a heavy silver mellophone and dressed in a hot, sweaty uniform. My first year in college, I took Mardi Gras weekend off — avoiding New Orleans at all costs. This year will be my first experience on the sidelines, and I’m hoping it’s a good one.

Annette Sommers

My first parade was last year, about a week before the actual holiday. My friends and I flashed our best “throw me something, mister” smiles, which quickly faded as a parade of nudity and, to put it nicely, vulgar figures drove by. It just so happens that was Krewe du Vieux, and I was scarred for life.

Or at least until I witnessed Bourbon Street nightlife, Mardi Gras edition, a week later.

Ryan McGehee

The best for me was the Mardi Gras Day parade in Gheens, La. In the days leading up to it, I helped construct the float a buddy of mine and his family were riding on, most of which was a drunken blur. Say what you will about New Orleans, but they can absolutely throw back some booze in Gheens.

During the parade, I spent my time in a lawn chair in the back of a pickup getting pelted with hundreds of beads.

Editorial Policies & 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. 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-26 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 Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

Quote of the Day “When it’s time to party we will always party hard.”

Andrew W.K. musician May 9, 1979 — Present

The Daily Reveille

Opinion Seussical in schoolsical Racism, USA

Friday, February 28, 2014

page 13

Columnist pays tribute as Theodor Suess Geisel’s birthday approaches.

BLUE COLLAR SCHOLAR Justin Stafford Columnist

You’ll have a new friend now but a lot still to learn.

Don’t stop, there are new friends around every turn!

College is a big new world with many things to try.

Be safe and smart, but don’t let it pass you by.

Dr. Seuss’ birthday is not far away.

Do you remember what his books say?

You too may find green eggs and ham are all right.

You will never ever know until you take just one bite.

Most of you read them as wee little tots.

If you look at them closely, you will learn a lots.

You may get too wild like Thing 1 and Thing 2.

But no cats in hats may be around to help you.

You have grown into a college student.

You are smarter now and much more prudent.

Too much play is surely not best.

If you mess up, clean up and then rest.

You surely recall the Grinch and “Horton Hears a Who!” Now you might wonder how that pertains to you.

That talking fish in the bowl is the voice inside you.

You can listen to it when you don’t know what to do.

Let’s look at the lessons and morals within.

You can use them now just like you did then.

This chapter of your life is full of study and flow.

If you love what you do, oh, the places you’ll go!

Open up “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.”

You’ll find you can befriend anyone you wish!

You can be anything you want, if you just try.

There are no limits, not even the sky.

Some of your pals might enjoy biology.

Don’t forget students of sociology!

Some will live in city flats and some in condos on beaches.

No one is greater, not even Star-bellied Sneetches.

We can all agree on one thing for sure.

There are many sick people and we need a cure.

In the end, “who is better than who” is a silly game.

One can climb Everest or teach, but they’re both the same.

We can all take hold of someone’s hand.

Let’s join together and take a stand.

Don’t leave anyone out, oh, no one at all!

A person’s a person, no matter how small.

You are wise Who boys and smart Who girls.

You can all work together to change the world.

A Horton may hear and you may not see.

Give him a chance and how right he may be!

There might be a Grinch who has a small heart.

That doesn’t mean he can’t play the part.

Did I ever tell you how lucky you are?

To live where you live and be who you are.

Show him kindness to change his ways.

It might take years, months, weeks or days!

You’ll run into problems and get into a pinch.

You’re a brave LSU student, there’s no need to flinch.

He will then see he’s not so different from you.

You both can start doing that job that you do.

So keep in mind ole’ Dr. Seuss.

He’ll be there to help you, he’s always of use.

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904.

Justin Stafford is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from Walker, La.

ANNE LIPSCOMB / The Daily Reveille

The myth of post-racial America OFF WITH HER HEAD Jana King Columnist

Editor’s Note: This is the first column in a three-part series discussing racism in America. This column contains language that may be offensive to some readers.

Maurice Williams’ participation in a class community service project at a local thrift store came to a halt when a worker at Connections for Life accused him and his friend of stealing.

After several conversations, the owner of the store apologized and allowed the two students to return to finish their community service hours. But that didn’t erase the racial bias that Williams continues to experience.

“The woman had no proof that we had taken anything,” Williams said. “All she had was the color of our skin and a bias against black people.”

Racism is no longer tied exclusively to hatred or violent attacks against members of a race. It has become a system in which one race triumphs over another. It is a learned system that has led me to become a 19-year-old, southern Louisiana racist.

As I talked to Williams, a general studies senior, I felt ashamed of being white, but I realized my individual apology won’t help anything. When prejudice has gotten to the point of political and economic oppression, those things won’t change because individuals claim not to be racist.

Claiming race is biological and unchangeable assigns characteristics to people based on things they can’t control. And it has helped to rationalize white supremacy.

In the time of slavery, we developed a system of meaning to rationalize identifying Africans as property. The same rationalization contributed to the brutal genocide of Native Americans.

These factors explain why racism doesn’t work both ways. While any individual of a different race can hold a prejudice against me for being white, their opinion does not hold power over me. It doesn’t make it more likely for me to be arrested or not to get a job.

My personal prejudices accomplish that and more. It’s a mistake not to be critical of all forms of racial prejudice, but it’s an even bigger mistake to assume that all forms of racial prejudice are equal.

We claim to live in a post-racial America, but we live in an America where Sarah Palin can post to Facebook on Martin Luther King Jr. Day that President Obama should honor

the civil rights leader by no longer “playing the race card.”

It’s funny, however, that no white person claims the race card in times when it’s convenient to be white. Would a white student complain about flying under police radar? No, we only claim that the race card exists when it negatively affects us.

Bryan McCann, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies, researches and teaches crime and public culture.

And he wishes the race card would be played more. The more people who point out every instance of racial inequality, the more attention is brought to the issue.

McCann cited LSU emergency alerts as an example.

“If you’re a black male on campus when that text goes out, it might not be talking about you explicitly, but it’s talking about you,” McCann said. “If LSUPD drives past you, they’re probably going to back up. You can’t say that about other students,” We have coined the term “race card” as a way to avoid listening to a black individual’s protests to how society treats them, which is something we should all be ashamed of.

When I spoke to Williams about racism and how it affects him as a black male, it quickly became apparent that the young man’s anger was centered around one factor — a lack of communication about racism.

He said it’s necessary, first and foremost, for people to see this is a discussion worth having. We’ve all seen the Confederate flag. We’ve heard derogatory language. And while we may not mean it in the same way slave owners meant it in the 17th to 19th centuries, it doesn’t change the fact that at one point someone created these symbols of oppression.

“We’ve decided that only black people can say nigger,” Williams said. We’re not going to say you can’t raise the confederate flag, but we’re not going to have either on the front page of the school paper.”

It’s time for us to put aside the personal integrity that we cling to when we say “not to be a racist, but...” and admit that yes, I am a 19-year-old learned southern Louisiana racist. But I will actively fight that miseducation. We all have to actively fight this learned system.

To stagnate in this fight is to remain a racist America.

Jana King is a 19-year-old communication studies sophomore from Ponchatoula.

Contact Jana King at jking@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @jking_TDR

The Daily Reveille

page 14

Tsunami Baton Rouge is looking to add two experienced and energetic servers and one host to its team in the coming weeks. Servers must have at least 1 yr serving experience.

Please apply in person between 12pm-4pm Tuesday through Thursday. ________________________ Server Assistants Needed Ruth’s Chris Steak House 4836 Constitution Ave ________________________

ROLY POLY Now hiring friendly faces part time all shifts.

Please apply at 4500 NIcholson Drive Ste. E. in Southgate. ________________________

Looking for someone who is interested in the construction business. Help on new construction jobs and maintenance on existing homes.

Work is located around LSU areas. Call 225-757-0250 ________________________

Interested in Health and Fitness Industry?

Exercise equipment sales Co. looking for full/ part time applicants for retail sales/ deliveries and service. Apply in person at 9603 Airline Hwy. (B.R.) ________________________

Sunday afternoons work with nearby homeowner on construction project and landscaping work. 288-1769. ________________________ HELP WANTED Part Time/ Flexible hours after 3pm. Must be able to work with your hands Call 225-7260425 for further details ________________________ Physical Therapy Technician – out patient clinic in Baton Rouge seeking outgoing, compassionate, reliable, customer service oriented individual to join our staff. Great work environment! Experience desirable but not required. Fax resume to 225-768-7373, or e-mail to information@kleinpeterPT.com ________________________ Part time afternoon counter clerk needed!!

Welsh’s dry cleaners on the corner of Perkins and college dr.

Flexible schedules. Great for students. Apply in person. 928-5067 ________________________ “Office Furniture World”/ Coursey Blvd.B.R. Dependable people to assemble and deliver office furniture. Will train and work with school schedule. Pay-DOE. Send resume dennis@ofwbr.com. By Appointment Only. ________________________

CHILD CARE & PROGRAMS COORDINATOR- P/T Coordinate, organize, develop, and supervise before/after school care sites, holiday and summer camps, family nights, teen and other school age programming events. Previous experience working with youth/childcare is preferred. Microsoft Excel exp. Part-time 2228 hrs/wk. $8-$9.00/hr DOE. Current CRP/First Aid Cert or ability to be certified by the Y within first 30-days of employment. Must pass B/G check and drug screen. Contact Eddrick Martin @ (225) 344-6775 or apply in person to Baranco-Clark YMCA, 1735 Thomas Delpit Dr., Baton Rouge, LA. ________________________ WANTED: SWIM INSTRUCTORS: Crawfish Aquatics; Louisiana Total Swim Program, Part Time Afternoons-April. Full Time Summer. If you are highly motivated, great character, hard working, we can teach the rest. Send resume to:swimminglessons@ crawfishaquatics.com ________________________

We have an excellent opportunity available for a College Sales Representative to begin an exciting career in the dynamic world of educational publishing covering the surrounding areas of Baton Rouge, LA + New Orleans, LA. ---------------------------------- At Pearson, sales representatives work on local college campuses developing relations with faculty members and bookstore personnel selling educational resources including print and online materials. In addition, our sales representatives also communicate closely with our marketing and editorial teams in developing new projects for publishing in national and local markets as well as driving sales of all existing products. --------------------------------------- We are looking for talented salespeople to engage our customers and help us to continue to grow the business, connecting professors in the territory with our products. Specifically, the disciplines that our sales reps focus on include humanities and social science (HSS). -------------------------------------- What this opportunity offers: • $45-55K base salary plus an annual bonus target, based on sales performance • Extensive on the job training • Fully maintained company car and all travel expenses • Excellent benefits package including full medical/dental/vision coverage. • Outstanding opportunities for advancement into sales management, technology management, marketing or editorial within the US as well as internationally. -------------------------------------- Most importantly, this job offers you the opportunity to MANAGE A TERRITORY LIKE IT’S YOUR OWN BUSINESS. You’ll learn aspects of marketing, retail, customer development and the business cycle and be directly compensated for your success.

(Interested applicants who are Organized, Competitive and Ambitious should email their cover letter and resume!) --------------------------------------- Successful candidates for the position must demonstrate: • Academic excellence; including a BA/BS with a minimum 3.4 GPA preferred • Evidence of top achievement in several aspects of your educational, extracurricular or professional background • 1-4 yrs successful sales or other professional work experience helpful, but not mandatory • Motivation: the drive to achieve beyond what is expected daily • Technological proficiency in regards to being able to present and demonstrate software programs • Excellent time management, organizational skills, and interpersonal communication. • Valid driver’s license & good driving record ------------------------------------ To learn more about this amazing company and its products for the higher education market, please visit our websites at: www.pearson.com | www.

pearsoned.com | www.pearsonhighered.com ------------------------------- IF INTERESTED, WE INVITE YOU TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST ONLINE THROUGH THIS LINK: http://pearson.jobs/baton-rouge-la/ sales-representative-hssl-baton-rougeneworleans-la/43433880/job/ ________________________ Childcare Center afternoon position 2:30 - 5:30, M - F. Experience with and love of children a must. . Great job for student: no nights or weekends! Send resume or an email stating your interest to : cdsofbr@hotmail.com ________________________

Friday, February 28, 2014

ing the highest standard of cleanliness of the guest rooms. Clean and prepare guest rooms and public areas by meeting our established standards.

LAUNDRY ATTENDANT & DRIVER process the hotel’s laundry by folding, stacking and storing linen in compliance with hotel standards. Class D driver’s license is needed for driver applicants.

If you want to join our dynamic team you will enjoy competitive salary, benefits, paid time off and a 401 (k) plan e-mail your résumé to jobs@wampold.com Flexible hours, weekends and nights are required.

New Year, New Fun Job! Great Starting Pay! Flexible Schedules, Scholarships and Internships available. Customer sales/service. Full training provided. All ages 17+ Apply Today! 225-803-8982 workforstudents.com ________________________ HIRING STUDENTS! *$16 STARTING PAY* Customer sales/service. PT/FT available with very FLEXIBLE schedules. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY, will train- gain VALUABLE experience for your resume! Apply ASAP for best chances!

225-921-9673 earnparttime.com ________________________ John`s Pro Window Cleaning is looking for 2 part-time window cleaners (20-30 hours per week). Must have reliable transportation and be prepared to work as early as 6 am. No experience necessary.

Must be completely honest, in good physical health and completely self-motivated (references required). Great working conditions, flexible hours and great pay. Start at 10.00 an hour with significant monthly raises (17.00 an hour within first 7 months). Great opportunity for college students.

To apply call Judy at 225-927-6748 between the hours of 9-5 ONLY. DO NOT call cell number mentioned in message. ________________________ Albasha Restaurant is now hiring for part time hostess and waitstaff. Please come in to apply.

We are located at 2561 Citiplace Court Baton Rouge, LA 70808. ________________________

Our hotel sets the standard in business travel, day after day. We are looking for energetic individuals who are passionate about customer service to join our team.

We are seeking out dedicated individuals for the following positions: FRONT DESK AGENT must exceed our guest’s expectations and ensure revenue optimization through check in/out while assuring to the attentive coordination of hotel services for our guests.

NIGHT AUDITOR perform the duties of a Front Desk Agent and complete, balance and file night audit reports on the various areas of the hotel to provide accurate, timely information in accordance with cash handling, credit card processing and accounting policies and procedures.

BARTENDER will be responsible for delivering excellent guest experience in our bar area by missing drinks for both guests and servers.

Other responsibilities include the complete set up and break down of the bar area.

HOUSEKEEPING staff are expected to exceed our guest’s expectations by maintain-

3BR,2-5Bth,WD, 5268 Brightside view Dr.,No.4, lsu Area Call -766-7258, OR 2681273 $900/mo ________________________

Efficiency type apartment. Separate kitchen and bathroom. 1 block from LSU lakes.

Internet, utilities, W/D included. $850 per month. 225-921-3222 ________________________ 348 W Parker, 2 and 3 bedroom duplex, washer and dryer,courtyard and pets OK some utilities included. Between Burbank and LSU south gate. $950-1200 call 225-615-8521 or 225-892-8517 ________________________ One BR/BA for male student Spring and/or Summer 2014. $629/mo includes utilities.. call/text 337-501-3115 ________________________ 1200 SQFT. HOUSE FOR RENT. 2 BR W/ OFFICE, 2 FULL BATHS, W/D HOOK UPS, 2 CAR CARPORT, TREE SHADED GRASS COMMON AREA, QUIET, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD CLOSE TO LSU. 950.00.

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ONLY. CALL: 931-4250 ________________________ Now, Accepting Deposits for Summer/Fall Move Ins. Lake Beau Pre Townhomes, Arlington Trace & Summer Grove Condos 2 & 3 Bedrooms .

Dean & Company Real Estate 225-767-2227 www.deanrealestate.net

ROOMMATE NEEDED! (female) Furnished kitchen, dining, and living room, 2 car garage with a covered back porch!

Barely 10 minutes away from LSU campus!

Please call (318) 210-1444 ________________________ 1 ROOMMATE NEEDED: 4/2 House/Garage EXTREMELY NICE Nicholson Lakes

Sub.$600 month/$200 Deposit. No pets. Utilities pd. Call 225-270-6034

Singer (also bar owner) looking for drummer, bass, guitar, keyboard players to play 80s alternative. Owns bar to practice in. Call 225-400-9760.

HIGHLAND ROAD 3 bedroom 2 bath brick house many amenities $129,900 why rent 225-767-2292

Friday, February 28, 2014 BEADS, from page 1

Mardi Gras beads have become a significant aspect of New Orleans life. Beads can be seen throughout the year hanging from phone lines and strung up in trees as remnants from the previous year’s revelry. But during the season, the beads are a constant reminder of what Mardi Gras means to the city.

Carnival season begins on Twelfth Night, Jan. 6, and continues until the big day of Mardi Gras. Throughout this time, dozens of krewes hold their annual parades. Each parade lasts only a few short hours, but over the course of these events millions of pounds of beads are thrown to the excited masses.

To most, beads are only important during the season and quickly lose their luster when the parades have stopped rolling. But the beads travel a long way to arrive in the Crescent City and their lives continue on well after Fat Tuesday has passed.

The history of Mardi Gras beads begins in the 1950s with string beads made of glass primarily made in Czechoslovakia. Alan Philipson, who organizes the beads and throws for the Rex parade and who’s family was the first in the bead business in New Orleans, said the Czech bead was immensely popular but quickly died as the cost of production was too high.

Philipson said the market then jumped from Czechoslovakia to Japan with the popularity of the much cheaper “bugle bead,” which is made out of tubes of glass, before again shifting to China where almost all of the modern production occurs.

He said the founding of super krewes like Bacchus and Endymion had a major effect in the ever-changing roles of beads. The high demand for large quantities of beads that these parades brought made them mass quantity throws as opposed to collectors’ items.

“At different times, doubloons and cups have overtaken beads in popularity, but it always comes back to beads,” Philipson said.

The current popularity of the Mardi Gras bead is undeniable.

According to an article by the Los Angeles Times, an estimated 25 million pounds of beads are thrown each year. But what happens to those beads after Mardi Gras?

Many end up in the streets.

Each year, the parades leave a massive quantity of garbage in their wake. Much of that trash comes from the beads, which are so common that few will pick ones up that fell on the ground. Cleaning these beads can be a massive hassle, but groups like Downtown Development District of New Orleans work hard to return order to the city.

Richard McCall, director of operations for the New Orleans DDD, said its cleaning teams use large manpower and a variety of methods to return downtown New Orleans to its normal state after the parades. Because of the efforts of the DDD, downtown is generally returned to its regular state by early morning on Ash Wednesday.

Yet, the large amount of garbage produced by the parades remains a problem.

In recent years, groups have

been making efforts to cut down on the amount of bead waste produced by instigating bead recycling programs.

The Arc of Greater New Orleans, an organization that works with people with intellectual disabilities, runs a program that turns donated beads into a useful service. The program provides jobs for people with disabilities who recycle the beads for resale to various other parades. Margi Perez, the recycling coordinator for the Arc, said they sell on average 120,000 pounds of beads every year, and they have already surpassed those numbers this year.

“People are becoming more conscious of the fact that beads need to be recycled, so they are catching more,” Perez said. “If more people can do this, then the landfills will see a lot less plastic and Mardi Gras will be better for everyone.”

Many are beginning to consider how Mardi Gras beads can change to make a less harmful effect on the environment, while still keeping the charm they are known for.

New Orleans parade manager Katrina Brees founded I Heart Louisiana in 2012 to re-evaluate the eco-friendliness and future of the Mardi Gras bead.

While most beads are made of plastic and contain a variety of environment-damaging chemicals, to reduce the environmental footprint of parades, Brees has started producing handcrafted beads made of aluminum and recycled paper clay.

These beads are more individualized collectors’ items than mass throws, and Brees hopes it will be a continued trend.

“We are designing beads that will end up in someone’s jewelry box. That is our goal,” Brees said.

“We want high fashion items. Our items are not being designed in a sweatshop half a world away, they are being designed by someone who understands the trends going on in New Orleans right now as far

The Daily Reveille

as jewelry and fashion.”

Brees is using iconic New Orleans symbols like the fleur-delis and the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board water meter to give these new beads a local flair.

Though beads may change, to Philipson, they are an essential part of Mardi Gras and will remain that way for as long as New Orleans celebrates the holiday.

“Beads have a natural magnetism to them,” Philipson said.

“I don’t think it’s stopped and I don’t think it ever will. Beads will change, they’ll get tired of some beads, but they’re always going to want beads.”

Contact Will Kallenborn at wkallenborn@lsureveille.com

page 15

[Above] Mardi Gras beads hang from a tree Thursday on the side of North Sixth Street.

[Left] Pride masqerade beads sit on display Tuesday at Beads By The Dozen located in Metarie, La. [above] ANGELA MAJOR, [left] CHARLES CHAMPAGNE / The Daily

FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 28, 2014

THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Winslet and Mulgrew 6 Close a door angrily 10 Meanie 14 Nation called “The Boot” 15 Back of the neck 16 Carameltopped custard 17 Beauty spots 18 Floored 19 Helvetica or Times New Roman 20 Ghosts 22 Cold period in history 24 TV’s “To __ the Truth” 25 Walk leisurely 26 Watery part of the blood 29 Possessed 30 Popular dog breed, for short 31 Took illegally 33 Sunflower __; healthy snack 37 Finished; done 39 Large sea duck 41 “Phooey!”

42 One who walks along the shore 44 Ease; relax 46 African antelope 47 Crouch in fear 49 Lament 51 Fall month 54 Parisian papa 55 Chauffeur 56 Unsuited pair 60 University of Notre __ 61 Book assigned in a literature course, often 63 Boise’s state 64 At any time 65 Actor Nolte 66 Poison 67 Cincinnati team 68 Trevino’s pegs 69 Pigs

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 23 25 26 27 28 29 32 34 35 36 38

DOWN Delaney and Kardashian Sitting on Saga Selects by vote “All __ go!”; signal to begin Get tangled Rules Make fun of Highway’s dividing strip Insulted Rub it in Stove Go in Gladden Hints to actors Sugary Farm vehicle Etna’s output Not up yet More ancient Refueling ship Consequently Carvey or Plato Astonish Gets well

Reveille

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

(c) 2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

40 43 45 48

Bumpkins Royal vestment Allows “If it __ for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all” 50 Grassy area 51 More bizarre

52 Desire strongly 53 Like a threeminute egg 54 Chooses 56 Small rodents 57 Hired vehicle 58 Goatee’s place 59 Sharpen 62 Dessert choice

page 16

The Daily Reveille

Friday, February 28, 2014