The Reveille 3-9-20

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ELECTION COLLECTION Three Student Government presidential, vice-presidential candidates describe their initiatives befor the Mar. 9 election.

ENVISION

INDEPENDENT

REACH

A lot of our initiatives are us continuing to raise our voices and let the administration know these are problems on campus.

SOPHIA

I want to come back to Student Government to hopefully make a 180 and focus at the base level on the students.

We worked hard on reaching out to communities and people that have never been reached before.

POLLMAN

Envision Vice Presidential Candidate

DESH GASKINS

HANNAH BARRIOS

Independent Presidential Candidate

Reach Vice Presidential Candidate

Read on

page 2 NEWS

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Upperclassmen will no be able to live in traditional residential halls in order to accommodate first-year students

ENTERTAINMENT

p ag e 5

Manship graduate Lindsey Duga has her books published through Scholastic during their 100th year anniversary

SPORTS

p ag e 9

LSU basketball says farewell to its four seniors who helped completely transform the program.

OPINION

p ag e 11

LSU is much too lax about safety; something must be done to make students feel safe on campus at night.

L SU Re ve i l le.co m @l s u r e ve i l le

page 2

LSU SG Campaign Series: Three presidential, VP candidates discuss campaigns, initiatives

BY JOANNA CLARK @front_row_jo The LSU Student Government election season culminates with an all-day voting period on Tigerlink on Mar. 9. Students will have the option to choose between three presidential and vice presidential candidates.

“Envision” Ticket LSU Student Government (SG) presidential candidate Mi’Kel Granville and vice presidential candidate Sophia Pollman are running on the “Envison” ticket and aim to be agents for change.

Mass communication junior Sophia Pollman has never been involved with Student Government, primarily because she had never heard of it until a year ago.

This is political science junior Mi’Kel Granville’s third year in SG. He originally got involved because he wanted to leave an impact, and he was his high school’s student body president.

The pair believes having one candidate not involved in SG will be beneficial because it gives them a different outlook.

“Having my perspective of students not in Student Government is going to bring a change to the administration and a different outlook of what’s really going on in the heart of our campus, not just the usual demographics that are always met each year,” Pollman said.

Granville and Pollman said 70% of their campaign staff are not a part of SG. The pair included students from different backgrounds in an attempt to show students don’t have to be in SG to be great leaders.

“We’re trying to stress that Student Government is traditionally an [exclusive] group. We want to make sure it’s [inclusive], and people have a voice,” Granville said. “We’re so unique, and unique is power.”

Pollman feels that completing their many initiatives is highly possible because they get the opportunity to work with University administration. She predicts some initiatives may be more difficult to accomplish than others because of funding.

“A lot of our initiatives are us continuing to raise our voices and let the administration know these are problems on campus,” Pollman said. “That’s the biggest step, raising your voice.”

If Pollman could only complete one initiative, she would choose to make LSU ADA compliant by the end of next year. She is passionate about this because she has had the opportunity to work with visually impaired students on campus, and the University is one of the only SEC schools that is not ADA compliant.

“LSU is a top notch university, and it blows my mind that we don’t have all the resources needed for those students,” Pollman said.

The most important initiative to Granville is bringing back the president’s cabinet. The president’s cabinet unites the presidents of all student organizations to let students know they are all working together.

When Granville first approached Pollman with the idea to run, she was skeptical because she was still not sure what SG was. She eventually accepted after Granville explained he wanted a running mate outside of SG that could help him reach different demographics.

“I initially decided to run after seeing everything the school had to offer and everything it lacked,” Granville said. “With this campaign we bring that different perspective and dynamic, and that’s why I reached out to Sophia, to bring a new perspective.”

“If we don’t get [initiatives] all worked through or we just get them started, we leave them for the next people and give them our plan to continue it,” Barrios said. “Because some things can’t be accomplished in a year.”

Barrios’s personal favorite initiative is to allow students to pay off parking tickets with cans donated to the food pantry. Cox’s favorite is the Collegiate Recovery Program.

“At LSU a lot of students deal with substance abuse,” Cox said.

“Some of my best friends have dealt with substance abuse and had to leave school because of that. Having an outlet for students to deal with their addictions and get better while being able to stay at LSU, having these services on campus instead of pushing students off is important for the student body.”

“Reach” Ticket Cox first decided to run after a friend proposed the idea to him.

LSU Student Government At first he found the concept ripresidential candidate Stone Cox diculous, but as time went by he and vice presidential candidate couldn’t stop thinking about it.

“I knew there was stuff that I Hannah Barrios are running on the “Reach” ticket on a platform wanted to see change on campus.

I ultimately of sustainability, accessibilwas like, “If I 2020 SG ELECTION ity, inclusivity want to see all VOTING INFORMATION these things and health and safety. get done, and Mechanical all these people are believengineering WHEN ing in me, why junior Stone Monday, Mar. 9 not do it,?’”

Cox and English and poCox said. “I’m WHERE litical science passionate junior Hannah about serving Tigerlink, accessed Barrios have the students, through myLSU been involved why not at in SG at the least put myUniversity since they were fresh- self out there?” men. Cox has worked in Student This is when he approached Senate and the Executive Branch Barrios about it. Barrios had conand Barrios has worked in Col- sidered running for vice presilege Council and the Executive dent in the past, but wasn’t sure Branch. Cox and Barrios said she would actually pursue it. their experience in the organiza“We have worked so hard to tion sets them apart because they create a staff, community and know what they’re working with. ticket from day one that we would “Student Government is a be proud of and want to show the very simple idea in terms of ad- student body,” Barrios said. “We vocating for all students’ behalf, built that, and I’m really glad that but how SG works can be very I said yes to doing this.” complicated at times,” Cox said.

“Having that experience is going Independent Candidates to allow Hannah and I to hit the ground running from day one LSU Student Government rather than trying to figure out presidential candidate Desh Gashow it works while also trying to kins and vice presidential candidate Hayden Robert are running accomplish all our initiatives.”

Cox and Barrios are running independently on a platform of alongside almost 80 other stu- diversity, equality, sustainability dents representing all 12 senior and health and wellness. colleges, making their ticket the If elected, this will be politilargest and most diverse. The cal science junior Hayden Robpair attributes this to their out- ert’s first experience with Student reach team and ability to unite Government. Sports administration junior Desh Gaskins is also students.

“We worked really hard to new to SG, aside from his two build an inclusive, diverse ticket weeks with Freshman Leadership that hits so many different areas Council his freshman year. The of campus,” Barrios said. “We pair intends to use their leaderworked hard on reaching out ship and work experience around to communities and people that campus if elected.

“I want to come back to Stuhave never been reached before.”

The candidates have nu- dent Government to hopefully merous initiatives all centered make a 180 and focus at the base around the concept of “powerful, level on the students,” Gaskins purposeful and possible.” said. “Making sure the students

are advocated for and everyone feels they can work collaboratively.”

The pair are running without a campaign team, ticket name and social media pages to preserve authenticity. Gaskins and Robert’s primary campaign method has been walking around the Student Union and having genuine conversations with students to show the pair is easily accessible.

“A lot of social media people get behind a screen and put all these great things, but when you ask them about it, they’re like ‘I didn’t have time to think about it’,” Robert said. “You need to think about these things in advance so you can push your initiative.”

The candidates have created four major initiatives to support their platform: diversity, equality, sustainability and health and wellness.

To support diversity Gaskins and Robert plan to talk to senior colleges about requiring a women and gender studies elective for all majors.

To increase equality on campus, they want to combat the high cost of living on campus and ensure all students have the opportunity to live in the dorm of their choice.

“I worked in Herget Hall, and you can tell the people that live there were like ‘I don’t want to live here, but this is the cheapest option,’ and that’s not fair,” Robert said. “Some people really wanted to live in their Residential College, but it was so expensive.

I don’t necessarily think that’s fair just due to income reasons.”

For sustainability, the pair wants paper straws offered in the Student Union and a brief tour of different recycling stations around campus added to freshman orientation They also hope the University will go paperless in classrooms as much as possible, but they feel this would take a while to establish.

“Most of our initiatives are conversation based and about gaining support,” Gaskins said.

“At least knowing the conversation is beginning and the administration is on our side in terms of support.”

Gaskins approached Robert a few months ago with the idea to run for SG president and vice president. Robert was quick to agree and said she didn’t have a second thought while making her decision. Gaskins said they have a genuine connection; Robert has his back, and they work well as a team.

Since Gaskins and Robert are running independently, they do not have a ticket name. However, if they did they would choose to name their ticket “Believe.”

“Both of us believe in the work that can be done here,” Gaskins said. “We believe in the students, we believe in administration, we believe in every aspect functioning effectively and efficiently.”

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NEWS LSU dorms RECYCLE RESPONSE restricted

page 3

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

LSU responds to video of trash, recyclables dumped into same truck

BY TAYLOR LANDRY @taylor.landry A University student recorded a phone video of a waste management truck mixing garbage and recyclables at Nicholson Gateway on Feb. 14. Executive Director of Facility & Property Oversight Tammy Millican said the University has since taken steps to investigate the situation.

Nicholson Gateway has a partnership between the University and a private company, RISE. Waste and recycling services at Nicholson Gateway are not part of the LSU contract, according to Millican.

The University has Republic Services on contract for garbage and recyclables pickup for the next five years. However, Millican confirmed the truck in the video belongs to Pelican Waste & Debris, the University’s previous garbage and recycling service vendor. RISE currently uses Pelican Waste to service the Nicholson Gateway area.

“We sent the video and the news story to RISE, and they were just as upset as we were when we reviewed it,” Millican said.

According to Assistant Director of Campus Sustainability and Property Oversight Sarah Temple,

the University contracted Pelican from 2017 until the 2018-2019 academic year but switched to Republic when Pelican informed the University that it could not renew the contract. The company was reportedly losing money on recycling and could not offer the University the same rates as Republic.

“I would have been very surprised if [mixing of recyclables and waste] happened on one of our sites,” Temple said. “Republic told us that what happened in that video is a fireable offense.”

Temple said as Residential Life builds more residential halls, there will be more private partnerships with the University. The University does not determine what waste management company is used in private partnerships.

“When we contacted [Pelican] I wanted to let them know that we knew what had happened and that we did not appreciate it,” Temple said. “When we brought the situation up to Republic, there was a discussion on more proactive training to be sure nothing

like this ever happens on their part.”

Temple said her department is doing everything in its power to make sure recyclables are disposed of correctly.

According to Temple, custodians receive special training on the recycling

process. The process of determining whether a bag of recyclables is suitable to be sent to the recycling facility involves looking inside of the bag to ensure that the contents are not contaminated.

“An entire bag of recyclables can be contaminated by spoiled food, so it is really important that people are conscious about where their trash is going,” Temple said.

According to Millican, the department created a reward program called “caught you green-handed.” It was created to promote proper recycling procedures by rewarding custodians who were caught properly handling recycled items. Custodian caught “green-handed’’ would receive a gift card and a certificate.

Campus Sustainability additionally hires student workers to collect recyclables from the outside bins.

Student workers are also trained on what can be recycled to ensure recyclables are not brought to landfills.

Millican said sustainability issues on campus should be reported to the Department of Campus Sustainability.

to firstyears

BY CAITIE ZEILMAN @caitiezeilman Upperclassmen will no longer have the option to live in traditional residence halls, according to LSU Residential Life.

The decision was made to accommodate new University requirements for first-year students, according to Residential Life Associate Director of Communications and Development Catherine David.

LSU began requiring all firstyear, full-time students to live on campus in fall 2018. The University defines these students as anyone who has graduated from high school and not attempted any college coursework, excluding dualenrollment courses.

First year students with a ZIP code within a 50-mile, in-state radius of campus are not required to live on campus. Other exclusions could apply to students who are disabled, married or over the age of 21.

First-year students who live on campus their first year have

see DORMS, page 4

FACULTY

Late interior design professor remembered as ‘inspiration’

BY KATHERINE MANUEL @kmanuel_2 The LSU community recently lost a mentor and inspiration within the interior design department who will be honored through an interior design scholarship in his name.

University Professor John Campbell, 74, died Feb. 19. He began teaching at the University in 2009 in the College of Art and Design. Outside the University, Campbell practiced interior design for over 40 years and recently was named Fellow of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Campbell’s design career began early in his life when he would paint with green car paint with other kids in his neighborhood, according to his obituary.

Campbell graduated from Louisiana Tech in 1969 with a BFA and post-graduate studies in interior design, his obituary read.

Prior to his career at the University, he taught interior design and virtual design technology at the University of Idaho and interior design at Washington State University from 1999 to 2008.

“[Campbell] was a devoted husband, friend, mentor, teacher, interior designer, author and artist who loved his family and the Catholic Church,” his obituary read.

Interior design sophomore Morgan Curtis first met Campbell when she took his introduction to interior design class and got to know him in his studio class last semester.

Curtis described Campbell as “happy-go-lucky.” She said he cared for his students and wanted to make class a welcoming environment for them. When he saw students upset, Curtis said he always tried to cheer them up. “[Campbell] was constantly in a good mood and constantly looking for the silver lining, and not letting things frustrate him,” Curtis said.

Campbell left a strong impact on Curtis, and she described him as her “go-to professor.” She planned to have him be her mentor for her senior capstone. She said Campbell taught her the importance of learning throughout the entire process, and not worrying about perfection.

“I truly believe [Campbell]

COURTESY OF JOHN CAMPBELL

was one of the best professors I’ve had so far and probably will have,” Curtis said, “He loved what he did as an interior designer and brought that into a teaching setting.”

Curtis said Campbell left the same impact on her classmates, even those in other studio classes that he would sometimes visit.

After class, Campbell often

took Curtis to his office to show her what projects he was working on so she could improve her projects. “[Campbell] was very attentive to my work, and he cared,” Curtis said. “It was obvious that he cared.”

Curtis said Campbell was very focused on the aspect of handson interior design projects. He

taught his studio class alongside Professor Phillip Tebbutt, who focused much of his teaching in computer programs.

Tebbutt considered Campbell to be a good friend, colleague and “drinking buddy.” Tebbutt first met him at the University when Campbell was hired 10

see CAMPBELL, page 4

Monday, March 9, 2020

page 4 DORMS, from page 3 increased grade-point averages, retention rates and graduation rates, according to Residential Life. It can also improve the transition from high school to college.

The size of freshman classes are increasing, according to David.

The University welcomed its largest freshman class in fall 2019 with 6,126 first-year students enrolled. This surpassed the previous record of 5,809 in fall 2018.

The decision to limit traditional residence halls to first-year students only is in response to these factors, David said, but upperclassmen still have the opportunity to live in on-campus apartments.

“This natural progression through campus housing is the result of more than doubling our upper-class apartment inventory with the opening of Nicholson

CAMPBELL, from page 3 years ago, and they got to know each other through teaching in the same department. “[Campbell] was just a very generous man of his time,” Tebbutt said. “He wasn’t a man of big gestures, but he kept plugging away at the little important things, all the time. That’s how I’ll remember him.”

Gateway Apartments in 2018 and the growing incoming freshman class sizes,” David said.

On-campus housing for upperclassmen includes East Campus Apartments (ECA), West Campus Apartments (WCA) and Nicholson Gateway Apartments.

International studies major and

WCA residential assistant Layla Elkhan said she understands why the University is restricting upperclassmen from living in traditional residence halls,but finds it unfortunate for some students.

“I do find it unfair to upperclassmen that do enjoy the traditional res[idential] hall experience,” Elkhan said. “Also, there aren’t enough

apartments on campus to house all upperclassmen that do wish to live on campus, so taking away the residence halls as an option for them is unfair. Especially for those who have scholarships or don’t have a car.”

Marketing senior Steve Dewhurst lived in ECA in the spring of 2019.

He said he enjoyed the perks of living on campus, but the apartments can be expensive.

“Living in an apartment is an awesome experience,” Dewhurst said. “However, it’s more expensive than the dorms, so students who come from lower income families could run into some problems with being able to afford it.”

David said Residential Life is comfortable with where it stands.

“We are now able to accommodate a University live-on requirement for first-year students while still offering the campus lifestyle to sophomores and up in our apartments,” David said.

Elkhan said the demand for dorms would not be so high if the University lowered the sizes of its freshman classes.

“They could just lower their acceptance rate but, you know, the more the merrier,” Elkhan said.

Tebbutt said Campbell was inspirational for many students and was the “hook” that pulled students into the program through his introductory class. “[Campbell] did make a connection with a lot of students and that continued on whilst they were in the program,” Tebbutt said. “That was fairly evident at his service when all the students from five, six, seven, eight, nine

years ago-- some of them flew in from Denver, some of them from California--came. It was pretty amazing that somebody could have that impact on someone’s career.”

Campbell was a founding member of the Louisiana chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and pushed LSU students to organize a chapter at the University. He was recently

inducted into the College of Fellows.

Induction into the College of Fellows is awarded to less than 1% of those with an ASID membership and is the society’s highest honor, according to the ASID website.

Campbell was also the eigth registered interior designer in Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers at his ser-

vice, funeral attendees were asked instead to make a donation to a fund for the John Campbell Scholarship of Interior Design.

“He would be more than happy to be the benefactor of some great opportunity to some up and coming students,” Tebbutt said.

Campbell’s service was Feb. 27 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, and his internment was Feb. 28, where Tebbutt was a pallbearer.

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page 5

HEALTH

LSU international study abroad cancelled through Aug. 17 REVEILLE STAFF REPORT LSU officials announced Friday all planned international study abroad programs will be cancelled through Aug. 17 due to worries about the coronavirus, according to the Advocate.

Students in non-contaminated countries may continue their studies until new travel advisories say otherwise, according to the University.

“After careful consideration and with the health of our

academic community top of mind effective immediately we are restricting international travel of faculty, staff and students,” LSU officials said in a statement.

Students in countries labeled “Level 3” and “Level 4,” such as China, Italy, Iran and South Korea, were asked to return and self-quarantine for 14 days.

The U.S. State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advised citizens to not travel to these

countries.

Students who have returned from countries labeled “Level 3” and “Level 4” are also prohibited from returning to campus during the 14-day period of self-quarantine. Employees and students must also present a release from their personal physician or the Student Health Center to return to the school.

Students and faculty members who bought airline tickets should contact Academic Programs Abroad for reimbursement. LSU

officials have also reported that they are working with the Bursar’s office to reimburse fees that were paid.

LSU Interim President Tom Galligan issued a statement urging students to review travel guidance from CDC or the U.S. State Department and to “use your best judgment.”

“Remember that limiting your travel isn’t about protecting yourself, it’s also about protecting those around you,” Galligan said in a statement.

THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

The Student Health Center sits on LSU’s campus on Monday, April 2, 2018.

HEALTH

LSU cancels spring break trip to China, requires self-quarantine

BY JACOB MATHEWS @Jacobbdm24 The University cancelled a spring break trip to China because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to University officials.

University students studying in Italy and China also returned from their trips and must selfisolate for 14 days, according to LSU Media Relations Director Ernie Ballard.

The University is continuing to work alongside local, state and federal health officials to monitor the developments of the virus, according to Ballard, and

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is continuing to update University officials. There are currently no confirmed cases in or around campus.

The University also cancelled all its upcoming summer study abroad trips on Mar. 5.

Harald Leder, the director of the University’s Academic Programs Abroad, spoke to the group of students scheduled to participate in the Media & Politics in Europe study abroad trip this summer on Mar. 5, Manship School of Mass Communication professor Robert Mann said.

Leder informed the group of the trip’s cancellation, as well as the

cancellation of all study abroad programs scheduled for this summer.

Coronavirus spreads similarly to the flu, so the CDC is recommending that people should wash their hands often, avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, cover their mouths while coughing and staying home if they are sick. University officials also ask that sick students contact the LSU Student Health Center immediately.

The effects of the virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

In more severe cases, particularly those in persons with underlying severe and chronic health issues,

infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Although the virus hasn’t spread to Louisiana, University students are still being affected.

International studies junior Annabella Johsnon was disappointed that her year abroad in China came to an abrupt end.

“I thought I had three more months with the people and the country that I loved, and I’m angry that the coronavirus took that from me,” Johnson said.

Johnson arrived in China in August 2019 and had to leave in February 2020, although she was

not initially scheduled to return until the end of the spring semester.

Students like Johnson are required to self-quarantine for 14 days and not return to campus unless they are asymptomatic for that period. Students who travel back from countries with lower level infection rates such as Italy are required to monitor symptoms for 14 days. All students are also asked to go to a doctor immediately if they have symptoms and to avoid contact with anyone.

“Even though I knew it was for my own safety, I was devastated to be told I have to leave China,” Johnson said.

As of Sunday afternoon, 33 states have confirmed cases of coronovirus. The University continues to monitor the developments of the virus, with no confirmed cases in or around campus.

Monday, March 9, 2020

page 6 POLITICS

Lawmakers question Gov. Edwards’ pay raise plan for staff

BY MELINDA DESLATTE The Associated Press BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards’ plan to give nearly $1 million in pay raises to his staff, cabinet secretaries and other political appointees ran into questions Tuesday from state lawmakers who noted Louisiana’s long list of needs.

Rep. Gary Carter, a New Orleans Democrat, said he was concerned to learn about the pay hikes while the governor’s 202021 budget proposal recommended a $500,000 reduction in the state dollars sent to parish senior citizen centers.

“It’s hard to justify to my seniors how we’re going to cut their funding as it relates to nec-

essary services” while the governor is giving salary boosts, Carter told Desireé​Honoré Thomas, an assistant commissioner with Edwards’ Division of Administration.

“Help me understand that,” Carter asked her.

Thomas replied: “I think the governor proposed those raises because he had people who had been working for four years with no adjustment to pay.”

Republican and Democratic lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee scrutinized the raises as the panel started digging into the details of Edwards’ $32 billion budget proposal for the financial year that starts July 1.

Rep. Dustin Miller, an Opelou-

sas Democrat, questioned whether the raises are appropriate.

“We do have big needs in infrastructure and other departments, he said.

The Edwards administration in February provided The Associated Press with a list of more than 150 top-level political appointees who have already received or are in line to receive the salary increases. State lawmakers also received the list.

The raises come in the Democratic governor’s second term as he faces none of the budget gaps that he grappled with across his first term. A package of tax hikes passed two years ago stabilized the state’s finances.

The Edwards administration said most of the salary increases

are 4%.

More than a third of the raises — about $368,000 in annual salary hikes for governor’s office workers and employees in the Division of Administration — started the day after the governor was sworn in to his new term in January, according to information provided by the division.

Another $553,000 in pay increases for cabinet secretaries and their chief deputies will take effect July 1 with the start of the new budget year and are included in the governor’s budget proposal.

A handful of cabinet-level officials whose salaries already topped $200,000 — such as Commissioner of Administration Jay

Dardenne, Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson and Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson — aren’t in line for pay hikes. Edwards’ Chief of Staff Mark Cooper refused a raise after working on the salary analysis and recommending the pay raises to the governor.

Edwards’ staff and political appointees aren’t the only state workers getting raises.

Thousands of rank-and-file state employees known as “classified employees” are in line for pay hikes, under a redesigned pay scale system Edwards approved in 2017. Also, pay raises for judges, parish district attorneys and assistant district attorneys were approved by lawmakers last year.

POLITICS

Louisiana clinic prepares for Supreme Court abortion fight

BY REBECCA SANTANA AND MARK SHERMAN The Associated Press SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — The Hope Medical Group for Women in northern Louisiana fields phone calls every day from anxious pregnant women who ask if abortion is still legal and if the clinic, one of only three that provides abortions in the state, is still open.

Despite the protesters who sometimes gather outside, the threats that forced the clinic to board up all the windows and the repeated restrictions put upon abortion providers in this staunchly anti-abortion state, the clinic stands. Abortion remains legal in Louisiana and elsewhere in the United States. But a Supreme Court case set for arguments Wednesday could lead to the clinic’s closure and, more fundamentally, a retreat from protecting the right to abortion that the high court first announced in 1973.

The case is just one in a series of high-stakes disputes the more conservative court, now with two appointees of President Donald Trump, is expected to decide by late June as the 2020 election campaign gathers steam.

“We’re fighting this as hard as we possibly can. And for now, all three clinics are still open. And for now, abortion is still legal in all 50 states,” said Hope’s administrator, Kathaleen Pittman.

Pittman tries to keep her focus on the women who come through the door every day — generally poor women who are forced to travel increasingly longer distances as other clinics in Louisiana and neighboring states have closed. Pittman estimates as many as 80% of the women who come in get financial assistance to help pay for the abortion.

They travel from 200 miles or even 300 miles away and from neighboring states to do a statemandated counseling session and then return another day to have

ANDREW MIERAS / The Associated Press

The Hope Medical Group for Women is located in Shreveport, LA on Feb. 20. the abortion, Pittman said.

“I’ve been here for 27 years.

And the constant refrain we hear regarding the reason for terminating a pregnancy has always been primarily lack of financial resources. People are broke,” she said. “It’s the women who have the least that are going to suffer the most.”

Anti-abortion groups, the Trump administration and members of Congress hope the court will take its first steps to roll back protections for abortion and uphold a Louisiana law that would require doctors at abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. “This case is about the health and safety of women,“ said state Sen. Katrina Jackson, a Democrat who sponsored the 2014 law.

More than 200 members of Congress, almost all Republican, suggest in a court filing that the court could go further and overrule the landmark 1973 Roe v.

Wade decision.

States have passed dozens of abortion restrictions in recent years, including measures that would ban abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. Those

laws have so far been blocked by courts.

The issue of abortion providers’ relationship with local hospitals is familiar to the high court because in 2016, the court struck down a similar law from Texas.

The only thing that has changed since then is the makeup of the Supreme Court, notably Trump’s appointment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to take the place of the retired Justice Anthony Kennedy. Trump pledged to appoint “pro-life justices” and his opposition to abortion has been crucial to his support among socially conservative voters.

The outcome, though, will likely come down to the vote of one man, Chief Justice John Roberts. Roberts has mainly voted in favor of abortion restrictions, including joining the dissent in 2016 that would have upheld the Texas law. But he cast the decisive vote a year ago to prevent the Louisiana law from being enforced while the legal case played out.

Roberts did not explain his vote. But it is extremely rare for a justice to cast the key vote in a case at a preliminary stage and

then vote the other way later on.

A trial judge had said the law would not provide health benefits to women and would leave only one clinic open in Louisiana, in New Orleans. That would make it too hard for women to get an abortion, in violation of the Constitution, the judge ruled. But an appeals court upheld it in 2018.

The clinic appealed to the Supreme Court.

As recently as 2011, there were seven abortion clinics in Louisiana, according to the New Orleans Abortion Fund, which raises money to pay for women who want to have an abortion.

Two doctors perform abortions at the hospital, Pittman said.

One has admitting privileges and the other does not. A third doctor, who also does not have admitting privileges, rotates in as needed. If the law were to take effect, the one doctor with the admitting privileges has testified he would not continue as the lone doctor performing abortions in northern Louisiana, which would force Hope to close.

On a recent day in February, the clinic waiting room was filled with women — some alone and

some who appeared to be accompanied by friends, partners or relatives. Oil paintings with occasional pieces of abortion rights artwork or signs covered the waiting room’s walls. A small sticker pasted to the receptionist’s window read “Mind Your Own Uterus.” Outside the clinic, a small sign read “Please do not feed (or speak to) the protesters.”

There were no protesters on this cold and rainy day but just a few blocks away a tall billboard, one of the many across the state, asks women to “Choose life” and gives them a number to call for help.

Two women at the Hope clinic who agreed to speak to The Associated Press said they did not want their names used because of the stigma around abortion.

One was a pregnant woman who already has a year-old daughter. She said abortion is morally wrong, but that she cannot take care of another baby. She questioned why anyone would want to force a woman to have a baby she didn’t want and worried those children will be mistreated.

The other pregnant woman is 27 years old. She drove about three hours from southern Louisiana for her counseling session.

She knew almost immediately when she found out she was pregnant that she wanted to have an abortion, she said, because she did not feel ready physically, emotionally or mentally for motherhood.

She feels strongly that women shouldn’t be forced to have children if they’re not prepared and able to give them all the love and attention that children deserve.

If the Shreveport clinic and others in the state were to close, she worried about how she or others could access abortion.

“I think I’d find a way, but it would be much more difficult and much more just exhausting and stressful,” she said. “And I think women are going to do this no matter what. So ... why not help us?”

ENTERTAINMENT STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:

page 7

Kaylee Valencia riles up student voters with LSU Geaux Vote

BY TANER MORGAN @taner_morgan LSU Geaux Vote President Kaylee Valencia is among the wave of students politically roused by the 2016 presidential election in their formative years. The urgency and speed of (past) current events made her recognize the world’s unwillingness to wait for her to grow up and get ready to make change.

“I felt very powerless as a 16 year old not being able to cast my ballot for what I believed in. That motivated me to dive into the complex political process,” Valencia said. “I wanted to understand everything there was to know about politics so that I could maximize my ability to make change even if I couldn’t vote.”

Valencia shares her fundamental passion for political efficacy and civic engagement through the university’s student-run Geaux Vote initiative. Her work provides opportunities beyond registration and voting access. Interested students gain access to the resources and network of people that foster a strong political presence through firsthand interactions.

“I think the most rewarding thing is when a student feels informed and empowered to engage in the political process as a result of Geaux Vote’s effort.”

Valencia’s time with the organization sharpened her own skill set for inspiring quieted political voices by participating in a civic engagement gathering at the Harvard Institute of Politics Campaign Conference. Regular interaction with like minded advocates through such programs keeps her fresh in the rapidly changing political realm.

Valencia’s work largely re-

volves around involving and inspiring others to join her in making their voices heard. This combined effort keeps her work focused on helping the people she works with rather than her own political elevation.

“I love finding new opportunities to serve the passion projects of others,” Valencia said. “I think one of my biggest sources of inspiration comes from seeing others engage in what they’re passionate about.”

After years of study and practice of political involvement, Valencia takes part in the political process like how her 16-year-old self fantasized. She organizes and stimulates the previously unspoken voters among her colleagues to act on a unified front.

Valencia’s current undertaking on campus is condensing and unifying the multitude of organizations with similar goals to promote civic engagement. Despite minor differences, gathering under one flag and sharing resources would advance their shared goals.

Valencia is a sophomore earning a triple degree in political science, sociology and mass communication in order to continue her efforts on a larger stage post-graduation.

Kaylee Valencia’s work has directly increased the pool of votes and voices in university student government elections and the presidential election of 2020, according to Geaux Vote’s records for voter registration.

Valencia’s actions are meant to alleviate the mystery and complexity behind making change through political processes when a voter’s goals are sure. Her understanding of the system enables her and others to most effectively bring about change.

courtesy of KATIE VALENCIA

LSU Geaux Vote President Kaylee Valencia stands on campus promoting the Geaux Vote campaign.

Manship graduate Lindsey Duga fulfills dream of being an author

BY MELISSA KIM @officialmelkim Special to the Reveille The University’s alumna Lindsey Duga’s dreams are packaged neatly in bookstores and book fairs. As a 2012 advertising graduate, she has two young adult books and one middle-grade book published during Scholastic’s 100th year anniversary.

The publishing, education and media company is best known for its book fairs. Her dreams have come true, but she will not stop there.

Duga started writing her first young adult book while studying at LSU. She later earned her advertising degree from the Manship School of Mass Communication. Since 2018, Duga has had

three books published, and she said she is writing more.

Duga’s “The Haunting” is now available on Scholastic’s website. Her second Scholastic book, “Ghost in the Headlights,” is scheduled to release in spring 2021.

In an interview with students in the Journalism Building on Feb. 12, she talked about her writing process. Writing time was used as a treat for herself during her studies at LSU. “As a college student, I think my personal care and my escape was my writing,” Duga said.

She now writes on a schedule set around her account director role with Gatorworks.

Gatorworks is a Baton Rouge digital marketing agency. Duga previously worked for the compa-

ny as an executive assistant, project manager and account manager. She feels financially secure and emotionally supported as Gatorworks and her authorship support each other.

“I’ve been there for seven years,” Duga said. “They’ve always been just very supporting about [my writing] because I’ve proved that I can do both and it not affect one role or the other.”

In addition to her job at Gatorworks, Duga also spends up to 20 hours a week writing fiction.

Her first Scholastic book was published on Feb. 4. Duga recounted the excitement children feel going to Scholastic’s book fairs and the pride authors feel providing content for such events.

“That’s the dream for a lot of authors. And it was definitely my

dream because my book is now next to Goosebumps on those flyers and it’s very very cool,” Duga said.

Duga’s favorite parts about being an author are the opportunities to speak at schools and visit book fairs. Both activities are time-consuming, but she enjoys connecting with children and her fans. She plans to continue working with Gatorworks while furthering her writing career.

“If you love something, you’ll find a way to make it work,” Duga said.

Duga originally created fantasy worlds for her readers to find their escape. She now lives the dream with them, fighting difficult battles, casting magical spells and finding true happiness.

courtesy of LINDSEY DUGA

Lindsey Duga has been writing novels since her time at LSU.

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4 Head monk 9 19th-century U.S. president 13 Flag color 14 Salt water 15 Big cat 16 Swiss capital 17 Uproar 19 Cheap container 20 Too self-confident 21 Moses’ birthplace 22 __ of; informed about 24 Plato’s “T” 25 Dangers 27 Tears to bits 30 Actor Jeremy 31 Trickery; deception 33 Woolly mama 35 Wildebeests 36 Songbirds 37 Entreaty 38 Stealing or coveting 39 Old word for female collegians 40 Housekeepers 41 Brother of Princes Charles & Andrew 43 Department store chain 44 Suffix for meteor or quartz 45 Distance across 46 Bell’s invention 49 Piano exercise 51 Little __; small digit 54 Creamy sausage 56 Mysterious sky sights 57 Think __; ponder 58 Overdo the role 59 Litter members 60 Opposite of admit 61 Pulled along behind 62 Gore & his dad DOWN 1 Little nipper 2 Do a 180 3 Man cave 4 Detests 5 Lee or Willis

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SPORTS LAST DANCE

page 9 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

LSU routs Georgia 94-64 on an unforgettable senior day

BY ANTHONY MOCKLIN @Anthony_mocklin LSU basketball’s senior day was something the players, coaches and fans will not soon forget. Honoring seniors Skylar Mays, Marlon Taylor, Marshall Graves and the late Wayde Sims, the Tigers routed the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday 94-64 to close out the regular season.

LSU finished with a 21-10 record and tied with Auburn for second place in the Southeastern Conference with 12 SEC wins.

The 2020 Senior Class received standing ovations during the pregame honors. Sims was honored by his parents, who were also recognized at halftime for the presentation of a scholarship in Wayde’s name by Hancock Whitney and the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

LSU put on an offensive clinic against Georgia. The Tigers hit 11 three-pointers on 21 attempts and had 19 assists on 34 baskets.

Taylor led all scorers with a career-high 30 points shooting 10-for-17 from the field followed by May’s 19 points and six rebounds.

“I was trying to give the team everything I could,” Taylor said. “I had a good feeling early on. Today was a special day. It was my last game in the PMAC, so I had to go out with a bang.

I’m happy I got to finish it out with my brothers. It was a tough journey.”

Graves was placed into the starting lineup for the first time in

Women’s Hoops falls to South Carolina

BY RECE BEAUGH @Recebeaugh

ter story. That’s the only story that comes close to how Marlon

After defeating Florida 7359 on Thursday, Mar. 5, in the SEC tournament, LSU was set to face Mississippi State on Friday, Mar. 4. The Tigers faced the bulldogs only once earlier in the season, a game which they lost 64-60 in Starkville. Unfortunately, Friday night’s result was not as close as LSU lost 7949 and were eliminated from the conference tournament.

“This is a tough loss for us.

It’s going to sit a little bit longer in the pit of our stomach,” said LSU head coach Nikki Fargas. “But I will say I was proud of this group coming back after yesterday’s win and playing 20 minutes of really good basketball, really high-level basketball.”

Although the Tigers struggled offensively, there were a few bright spots on an otherwise tough night. Junior guard Khayla Pointer led the team with 14 points while also adding four assists and three rebounds. Junior center Faustine Aifuwa finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Junior forward Awa Trasi scored eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Tigers.

For the Bulldogs however,

see MEN’S, page 10

see WOMEN’S, page 10

AURIANNA CORDERO / The Reveille

LSU senior guard Skylar Mays (4) dribbles the ball during the Tigers’ 79-76 loss to Kentucky on Feb. 18, in the PMAC. his career on senior day. Graves, who had played with Sims’ scholarship for the last season and a half, hit a three-pointer with 44

(Sim’s number) seconds left to extend the Tigers’ lead to 32.

“Man, that’s perfect,” Mays said. “You can’t end it on a bet-

BASEBALL

LSU bats continue rebound in Saturday’s blowout victory

BY JARED BRODTMANN @therealjarbear_ After a rough offensive weekend in Houston, the LSU offense found their groove again back home in Alex Box Stadium. With 12 runs on 12 hits, the Tigers won Saturday’s game against the UMass Lowell River Hawks, 12-2.

The downpour started in the first inning with a couple of two-out walks from Daniel Cabrera and Cade Beloso. Mitchell Sanford came to the plate with confidence and drove in his first RBI with a base hit up the middle.

In the second inning, LSU continued their momentum set by Friday night’s 11-run performance. A lightning-fast sequence was catalyzed by a

Giovanni DiGiacomo base hit, who advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt and then stole third. Collier Cranford converted on DiGiacomo’s activity to earn him his first RBI of the year. Cabrera then drove him in with an RBI single.

Cabrera continued his strong day at the plate in the fourth with an RBI single to score two more runs. The junior right fielder is batting .365, has 10 RBIs, and leads the team in walks with 12.

“I’m not trying to do too much,” Cabrera said. “I know the doubles, the homers; they come, so I’m just going up there with an approach and sticking to it.”

The floodgates opened in the fifth. The Tigers put up five runs in the inning, headlined by

DiGiacomo’s two-run single to score Beloso and Sanford. DiGiacomo has been on a tear this season, hitting .367 and adding five stolen bases.

“I’m pretty comfortable right now,” DiGiacomo noted. “I’m just seeing it and feeling good.

I’ve really been working with Eddie Smith on just trying to be more consistent and more relaxed and just seeing the ball better, and I think it’s been working really well.”

Cranford came through again in the sixth inning with another RBI single. He finished with three hits on the night, as well as five RBIs total so far this weekend.

The Tigers were aided by five errors committed by the River Hawks and received ten free baserunners on six walks and

four hit-by-pitches. This gave LSU batting plenty of opportunities to convert the runners into plated runs. LSU scored in a

variety of ways in the game, but a major key to Tiger run pro-

see BASEBALL, page 10

ABBY KIBLER / The Reveille

LSU baseball freshman Alex Milazzo (2) prepares to bat during LSU’s 7-4 victory against Indiana in Game 2 on Feb. 15, in Alex Box.

page 10

Monday, March 9, 2020

BASEBALL, from page 9 duction was pressure on River Hawk pitchers caused by their baserunning activity from the bottom of the order.

“When you got guys like (DiGiacomo and Cranford), especially with speed and with them on the base paths, it makes the pitcher a little more nervous,” Cabrera explained. “They’ve got to throw more fastballs for the guys in the top of the order so they don’t steal. It puts a lot more pressure on their defense with guys with their types of speed.”

LSU was bolstered by strong pitching performances from starter Landon Marceaux and relief pitcher Jaden Hill, and the

WOMEN’S, from page 9 it was business as usual on offense. Rickea Jackson led the team with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Jordan Danberry scored 18 points while grabbing five rebounds and Myah Taylor had 10 points and added eight assists.

Jackson’s play was the talk of the night and even gained praise from Fargas.

“I thought Jackson’s play was huge. We didn’t match what she was doing on the floor. They played scrappier and harder.”

Mississippi State also played well on the defensive end of the

offense gave them more than enough cushion to pitch with confidence and ease throughout the evening.

Marceaux had a season-high eight strikeouts in five innings of work and earned the win for the Tigers. Hill delivered a stellar four inning performance, as he picked up three strikeouts and did not allow a hit.

“I thought [Marceaux] pitched really outstanding and we were able to get him out of the game after five innings, which is something I wanted to do to keep his pitch count down, make sure he’s good and healthy for next weekend,” coach Paul Mainieri said.

“He was very efficient and threw the ball really well.” Main-

ieri added about Hill. “When you have two pitchers like that go out there, it makes it hard for the other team.”

The series win marks LSU’s third of the season, and the Saturday victory puts them at 10-5 on the year. Next up for the Tigers is the final game of the series Sunday, a midweek home game Wednesday against South Alabama, and the start of SEC play next weekend against #8 Ole Miss in Oxford, MS. With the consistent strength of LSU’s pitching thus far, the Tigers have been searching for the same with their bats. Friday and Saturday’s performances are a welcome sign that those hopes may come true.

floor. They held LSU to 31.6% shooting on the night while State shot 52.3%. They had seven blocks, eight steals and forced the Tigers to commit 16 turnovers as opposed to the Bulldogs’ eight.

“They [Mississippi State] are one of the best teams in our conference and in the country with their defense,” said Pointer. “When you give a team like Mississippi State turnovers and transition points, that’s what they’re good at; that’s what their game is.”

LSU will have a break between now and the NCAA tournament.

“We have some time to take some days off, but we want to make sure we’re practicing and working on the things that challenged us this week,” Fargas said about what she and the team will be up to during their stretched break. “We want to make sure we’re getting this group ready as best we can.”

The Tigers will now have to wait for the NCAA selection show to find out when their next game will be. The show airs on Monday, March 16 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. LSU is currently projected to be a nine seed in the NCAA tournament.

MEN’S, from page 9 played today. I’m just so happy for these guys.”

Sophomore Javonte Smart also recorded his first career doubledouble, scoring 13 points and dishing 10 assists. Smart, who typically runs the offense at point guard for LSU, took a back seat in favor of the seniors on Saturday.

“I wanted to let the guys do their thing, whatever they had to do,” Smart said. “It was their last night in the PMAC so obviously we wanted to win it. Skylar and Marlon had a big night tonight to help us win.”

Defensively, LSU held Georgia to 36.2 percent shooting and only allowed three triples. Mays hopes the Tigers’ defensive ef-

forts can carry into the SEC Tournament when they face South Carolina, Arkansas or Vanderbilt Friday night around 8:30 p.m. on SEC Network.

“We are a dangerous team when we get things going, come out the right way and think of defense first,” Mays said. “I think they only scored 64 points today, so when we think defense first, we are one of the better teams in the country. We definitely have some momentum going into the SEC Tournament, and we are looking to do big things in Nashville.”

After a senior day in which his spirit was undeniably with them, Sims continues to live through the Tigers. He always has and always will.

AURIANNA CORDERO / The Reveille

LSU junior center Faustine Aifuwa (24) shoots the ball during the Tigers’ 61-55 win over Vanderbilt on Feb. 27, in the PMAC.

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OPINION

page 11

LSU needs to help students feel safe on campus at night GRACE UNDER FIRE GRACE PULLIAM @gcpulli The closing shifts I often work at my on-campus job run well into the night. Since all of the parking lots closer to the building I work in are either paid or reserved for tags I do not have, these occasions often mean that I have to walk for 1015 minutes to the closest commuter lot in the dark just to get to my car.

Of course, that’s not to mention the two days a week that my night classes put me in a similar situation: a young woman, venturing alone in the dark, armed with nothing but a pocket-sized can of pepper spray and a vague notion of self-defense techniques.

Baton Rouge ranks high among the most dangerous plac-

es in the U.S. In Baton Rouge, the crime rate is over two times the national average, and I have roughly a one in 106 chance of being a victim of assault. I am more acutely, excruciatingly aware of this statistic especially when I’m walking across an empty, pitch-black campus, and unfortunately, there isn’t so much as a working streetlight in sight.

I love the University, of course. I love the magnolia blossoms and the old, fussy oaks and the way the sun winks through the canopy in spring. By daylight the University is idyllic, a home, teeming with unabashed, joyful life. But by nightfall, it becomes a labyrinth.

The path to my car is steeped in shadows. The sidewalks are unpatrolled and poorly lit. Most nights, there’s no police presence to even give the illusion of security. Then there are the cameras posted around campus;

dubious at best, and completely defunct at worst, as we learned from the Reveille’s January news article.

Despite constant statements from the administration announcing plans to roll out new and improved safety measures over the years, nothing seems to have actually changed. I feel no safer now than I did as a freshman in the fall of 2017. If anything I feel less safe, having heard of the horrific on-campus assaults of countless young women like myself, especially with the attempted kidnappings and incidents in recent years.

I watch the nightly news.

I know how this whole thing ends. A young woman, alone and in the dark...If not tonight, then it might be tomorrow night or the night after that.

I love the University. But as a woman, I don’t feel protected here. I’m willing to bet that any one of the 17,000+ female stu-

CARTOON BY ETHAN GILBERTI

dents currently enrolled at the University would say the same thing if given the chance.

This Women’s History Month, I keep wondering: is anyone

even listening to us?

Grace Pulliam is an 18-yearold creative writing junior from Zachary, Louisiana.

LSU was right to cancel summer study abroad trips EVAN ON EARTH EVAN LEONHARD @evan_leonhard The world is in a fever-fueled frenzy as COVID-19, better known as coronavirus, sweeps across the globe, eluding effective treatment.

Institutions and organizations are bracing for the worst as a plethora of major public events have been canceled across the country in the hopes of limiting exposure to the virus.

The University canceled all planned international study abroad programs through Aug. 17. It revealed its plan to quarantine students and faculty who are returning from infected countries. With hundreds dead and thousands infected, I don’t think anyone would argue that this epidemic should be handled with the upmost seriousness and urgency.

Many of the precautions taken by institutions like the University seem reasonable in light of the virus’ rapid proliferation and relative unpredictability. However, I cannot help but think that a decent amount of the widespread panic, best seen in the selling-out of medical masks and the hurricane-style rationing of water, are overblown and irrational reactions, spurred by a ceaseless surge

of overstated media headlines.

The public’s dismay over coronavirus is especially striking when the virus’ statistics are compared with those of a more familiar illness, like the flu. There have been approximately 100,000 cases and 3,000 deaths officially attributed to coronavirus. This is especially interesting when you take into account that the flu, something we hear about every year and are desensitized to, has had a particularly deadly season this year, producing more than 19 million cases, killing around 10,000 people and hospitalizing close to 180,000 people. Yet, no one seems to be even moderately concerned about dying from the flu. Maybe if the media had constructed months of a lethal flu season narrative, people would be more upset about it.

A case like coronavirus, which is both new and relentlessly publicized, is almost perfectly designed to linger in people’s minds.

At first glance, the numbers associated with coronavirus do not seem particularly ominous from a global perspective. However, the rapid spread of the virus is concerning.

“The fact that this disease has caused illness, including illness resulting in death, and sustained person-to-person spread is concerning. These factors meet two

of the criteria of a pandemic. As community spread is detected in more and more countries, the world moves closer toward meeting the third criteria, worldwide spread of the new virus,” according to the CDC’s Coronavirus Risk Assessment.

I don’t think there is any debate as to whether coronavirus is a serious threat that needs to be assessed immediately. It is. However, the nearly apocalyptic suggestions of many media outlets and their viewers’ subsequent panic attacks are an entirely different story.

Any negative story could signal nationwide panic if covered enough in the news. This is hardly an exaggeration. In a Guardian article, Steven Pinker, a professor of psychology at Harvard University, explained that “people estimate the probability of an event or the frequency of a kind of thing by the ease with which instances come to mind. In many walks of like this is a serviceable rule of thumb. But whenever a memory turns up high in the result list of the mind’s search engine for reasons other than frequency—because it is recent, vivid, gory.”

Ultimately, I think the University is making the right decision with the quarantine for students returning from abroad. Apart from the obvious and understand-

REVEILLE ARCHIVES

LSU has posted health advisories around campus to make students aware of how to keep themselves safe during the outbreak. able concern of the virus spreading to other students, I can’t imagine the chaos that would ensue if a case were to appear on campus.

As for the study abroad cancellations, I have mixed feelings. It’s self-evident why the administration would terminate programs in places like Italy and East Asia where the virus is at its worst.

However, it seems a little overcautious to call off all the summer programs. I presume the Univer-

Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Caleb Greene Brittney Forbes Baily Chauvin Anna Jones Rachel Mipro

Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Opinion Editor

The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

sity thought it better to cancel than to be responsible for a pack of students in the midst of an epidemic abroad.

To be cautious, even slightly overcautious, is one thing, but we shouldn’t let the repetitiveness and sensational nature of the news trick us into paranoia.

Evan is a 19-year-old English and philosophy major from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Quote of the Week “Keep your vitality. A life without health is like a river without water.”

Maxime Lagacé

Canadian hockey player January 12, 1993 — present

page 12

Monday, March 9, 2020

Tigerland is terrible, students should go to real bars YOUR BEST BRETT BRETT LANDRY @bmlandry3 In an effort to relate my opinions to the University student body and not exclusively speak about conservative politics, an important issue must be brought to light: Tigerland makes absolutely no sense.

For those who are drop-dead supporters of the Tigerland experience, it is worth questioning if they have been to any other bars, ever.

Abduction is a much greater concern in Tigerland than in any other Baton Rouge bar scene. It shouldn’t be forgotten that in February 2019, a criminal posed as a ride-share driver to attempt to kidnap a woman in the Tigerland area. Furthermore, the criminal who attempted to kidnap the woman escaped, showing the lack of security there.

Even if one manages to avoid criminals, there is still little appeal in this concentrated neighborhood of bars. On a good night, the entire parking lot is packed like a can of sardines, sometimes smelling just as ripe. Drunken patrons weave in and out of oncoming traffic, and it is common to see people sprawled on the ground so intoxicated they can’t move. And that is only what someone can see from the parking lot.

Taking a walk into the actual bars is a nightmare on its own.

Aside from Fred’s, which is a bit more exclusive, has more room and invites bands to perform, the bars leave one questioning if that is what Sodom and Gomorrah looked like right before they were destroyed with brimstone and fire.

The same mumble-rap songs are blared ridiculously loud, half the people in the bars are under 21, and people are rounding third base in front of God and everyone in the bar. Usually, some guy next to you feels inclined to light up a cigarette even though the air is already so thick you can cut it with a knife. The only reason people feel inclined to stay is to get the value out of the cover price at the door.

The only advantage people have in going to Tigerland is that it is a walkable distance for many people living around the south side of campus. When comparing Tigerland with actual grown-up bars, any college student will realize they are missing out.

Bars downtown actually have the convenient technology of air conditioning and heating, keeping the establishment at a comfortable temperature. Louisiana is generally not the forefront of technological innovation, but the first modern air conditioning unit was built in 1902, so Tigerland can be expected to keep up.

WE’RE STUDENTS AND WE CAN

CARTOON BY ETHAN GILBERTI

Real bars don’t mysteriously leave white shoes an uncomfortable shade of mucky brown. Real bars have drink specials that are not glorified jungle juice or vodka shots, and don’t make you pay just to get in the door. Furthermore, downtown Baton Rouge bars are not packed with a bunch of different fraternity groups as if it were a college-themed remake of “West Side Story.”

Honestly, if people are search-

ing for the highly coveted “college experience,” then they should explore Tigerland, have a terrible time and risk being ticketed by the undercover cops handing out MIP’s like confetti at a football game. But time spent at any university should be more than just following the well-traveled path, especially the one that leads to Tigerland.

People should want to be more than the average student who spends their nights down Bob Pet-

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tit Blvd, and go explore the other facets of Baton Rouge. They should immerse themselves in one of Louisiana’s most influential cities and make the most out of Baton Rouge nightlife. In the worst-case scenario, more white shoes will be kept white and the air conditioning will be at a decent level.

Brett Landry is a 21-year-old political communication senior from Bayou Petit Caillou, Louisiana.