The Daily Reveille - July 23, 2009

HEALTH Experts say daily activities can be used as forms of exercise, page 3.

ALEX BOX New stadium may receive more seating for next season, page 5.

BYRD COMEBACK

Former receiver Demetrius Byrd gets back into training after accident, page 5.

THE DAILY REVEILLE Volume 113, Issue 153

BUDGET CUTS

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Summer Edition

Welcome Back

Proposal pending Board approval

New ‘Live Oak Lounge’ to start opening process of renovated portions of Student Union

By Xerxes A. Wilson Contributing Writer

Campus depts. prepare for cuts

By Kyle Bove Senior Writer

While the University’s 200910 budget cuts plan awaits the Board of Supervisors’ approval on August 27, departments across campus are bracing for the effects of a $19 million reduction in state funding.

Among the effects outlined in the proposed plan are 24 layoffs and the elimination of 176 vacant job positions — numbers that could increase in the near future.

“As everything settles down and people start to implement budget cuts at the lowest level, more layoffs may come,” Chancellor Michael Martin said.

Martin said while faculty and staff members are left to deal with a slimmer budget and mandatory unpaid time off, the effect budget cuts will have on students this year will be minimal.

“It has always been our commitment to in whatever way possible minimize the effect on students,” Martin said.

The cuts aren’t severe enough to force academic colleges and CUTS, see page 3

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Blue inset lights line the ceiling, curved glass rails wrap around the seating area enclosing tiered rows couches and chairs while motorized projector screens descend from the ceiling. This is not the frumpy ’70s style Union students have become accustomed to, but a look at what the Union is to become.

The $84 million saga of Student Union renovations has lasted longer than most students have been on campus, but will reach a milestone with the opening of the Live Oak Lounge next week.

The Live Oak Lounge on

the first floor of the Union will be completed by the end of the week and will be opened Monday said Ken Bueche, associate director of the Union.

Students will enter the lounge on the first floor of the Union down the central hallway that goes past the barber shop.

The Lounge features three tiers of chairs, tables and couches facing three retractable projectors that will display movies or TV programming. There are also two large flat-screen plasma TVs for seats in the lounge that don’t have a clear view of the projector screens. The area also features wireless Internet and power outlets for students

AFTER

UNION, see page 3

BEFORE

lsureveille.com Log on to take a tour through the Live Oak Lounge.

GRANT GUTIERREZ / The Daily Reveille

Workers and building materials stand in the middle of the area that used to be the McDonalds in the Student Union on March 19.

GRANT GUTIERREZ / The Daily Reveille

The new ‘Live Oak Lounge’ in the Student Union will be opened to students Monday. An Einstein Bros. Bagels will open Monday, and McDonalds should reopen the second week of August.

BR COMMUNITY

Dinosaur event heading to B.R. Tickets for October shows go on sale Fri.

By Steven Powell Contributing Writer

GRANT GUTIERREZ/ The Daily Reveille

Actor Stephen Hershey lunges at the crowd in his baby T-Rex costume Tuesday at the Baton Rouge River Center.

Though they’ve been extinct for 200 million years, dinosaurs were back Tuesday at the Baton Rouge River Center.

The capital city was selected as one of many North American cities to host “Walking with Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular,” a theatrical production based on the

BBC television series. Representatives from the production visited the River Center to introduce the show and offer Baton Rouge a sneak peak.

The event included remarks from East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden; Paul Arrigo, President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Matthew Rimmer, performance coordinator.

“We’re the capital city — we deserve something like this,” Arrigo said. “Let’s get some dinosaurs in here, and let’s get some business for this city.”

In addition to the talks, audience members were visited by a baby T-Rex, a miniature version of the dinosaur robots used in the production, and saw a behind-thescenes, sneak-peek video of the show.

“We’ve never played in Louisiana,” Rimmer said. “The show is great for family entertainment, and Louisiana seems to be a good market for this show.”

Rimmer said “Walking with Dinosaurs” has been touring North America since July 2007 and is booked through the DINOSAURS, see page 3

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 2

INTERNATIONAL

Biden says US stands with Georgia TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — The Obama administration firmly supports Georgia, but President Mikhail Saakashvili must further encourage democracy, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday. Speaking at a banquet in the glass-domed dining room of Saakashvili’s $40 million presidential offices, Biden pledged backing for the country one year after its armed forces were crushed in a war with Russia. He said he wanted to send “an unequivocal, clear message to all who will listen and some who don’t want to listen, that America stands with you and will continue to stand.” This was a reference to Russia, which claims a sphere of influence over Georgia and resents its efforts to integrate more closely with the West. Biden, who flew to Georgia from Ukraine, is on a mission to reassure both former Soviet republics that the United States will not abandon them as President Barack Obama seeks to

improve badly strained ties with Russia. Georgia’s five-day war with Russia last August turned the small nation on the far frontier of Europe into the epicenter of the simmering conflict between Moscow and the West. Obama’s attempt to rebuild relations with Russia has raised concerns among some East European nations that the U.S. might sacrifice their interests for the sake of better ties with Moscow. Biden has been attempting to assuage those concerns on his four-day trip.

“As we reset the relationship with Russia, we reaffirm our commitment to an independent Ukraine, and we recognize no sphere of influence or no ability of any other nation to veto the choices an independent nation makes,” Biden said in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, earlier Wednesday. Biden received a hero’s welcome in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, where flag-waving Georgians lined the streets as his motorcade passed by. They held signs saying “Don’t Forget Us” and “No to occupation” — a reference to the Russian troops still stationed in two breakaway Georgian regions. The motorcade also passed George W. Bush Street, marked by a large sign with the former U.S. president’s picture.

NATIONAL

Deputy: No plans to investigate Roethlisberger RENO, Nev. (AP) — Law enforcement officials in Nevada have no intention of opening a criminal investigation into allegations that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger raped a woman at a Lake Tahoe hotel-casino a year ago, the sheriff’s department said Wednesday. Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Teresa Duffy said the accuser would have to file a criminal complaint to trigger an investigation into the incident the woman says occurred during a celebrity golf tournament last July while she was working as an executive VIP casino host at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. “The victim is the only one who can do that,” Duffy told The Associated Press. “Unless there was a third party that actually witnessed the incident, which according to the civil case, was not the case here.” The 31-year-old Nevada woman has filed a lawsuit saying the Super Bowl winning quarterback raped her in a hotel penthouse across the street from the golf course, a

Thursday, July 23, 2009

claim his lawyer vehemently denies.

She also accuses Harrah’s officials, including the casino’s chief of security, of orchestrating a cover-up of the incident she says she reported to him the next day. The lawsuit alleges Harrah’s officials worked to silence her and undermine her credibility rather than investigate her claims.

The woman, a native of Canada who had worked at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe hotel-casino since 2003, never went to outside authorities with her story, and it’s unclear why she decided to file the lawsuit seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars a year after the alleged incident. Her lawsuit says she didn’t file a criminal complaint because she feared Harrah’s would side with Roethlisberger — a friend of the hotel-casino’s regional president John Koster — and she would be fired. She said the security chief, Guy Hyder, told her she was “over reacting,” that “most girls would feel lucky to get to have sex with someone like Ben Roethlisberger” and that “Koster would love you even more if he knew about this.”

The lawsuit said she was treated between last August and December at five different hospitals for depression and anxiety stemming from the alleged assault, and returned to work each time after treatment.

TODAY ON

lsureveille com Read The Daily Reveille’s blogs, including the “Eye on the Budget” budget cuts blog.

STATE/LOCAL

Commander’s Palace chef wins seafood cook-off NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Chefs from across the country gathered in New Orleans to show off their skills in preparing seafood dishes at the 2009 Great American Seafood Cook-Off, and New Orleans culinary master Tory McPhail took the top prize. McPhail, executive chef of the acclaimed Commander’s Palace, nabbed first place among 15 contenders in the contest held last weekend and was crowned “King of American Seafood.” McPhail’s winning dish was a Creole seafood mixed grill, combining Louisiana sheepshead, shrimp and crabmeat.

Peter Fischbach, executive chef for Gourmet Dining Services at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, N.J., captured second place with a sea scallop, chili-herb grits and bacon dish; while Alaska’s Patrick Hoogerhyde, executive chef of WildFin Seagrill in Anchorage took third with a dish melding wild Alaska King Salmon with cranberry-infused birch syrup molasses.

Weather See a slideshow of the dinosaur show at the Baton Rouge River Center.

See a video about the ins and outs of exercising and eating healthy.

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Log on to see where to get a haircut and food, what the art gallery is showing and the best place to express your opinion on campus.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 3

University health experts offer students fitness tips Daily activity can be used for exercise

By Mary Walker Baus Contributing Writer

Even though bikini season is coming to an end, the never-ending struggle for students who want to lose weight or stay in shape continues.

Services offered by Wellness Education at the Student Health Center and Healthy Lifestyles at the University Student Recreational Center are available to motivate students to develop a sound mind and body.

“Any type of exercise is good exercise,” said Laura Stewart, assistant professor in the Exercise Physiology division of the Department of Kinesiology. “You don’t need to run 20 miles for a good day of activity.

You can take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk instead of drive. The more you integrate daily activity, the better you’ll feel.”

Stewart said students are more motivated to keep up with activities they enjoy rather than activities they feel forced to do for results.

Rebecca Ellzey, Healthy Lifestyles supervisor, personal trainer and Group X instructor, said she remembers feeling overwhelmed by

UNION, from page 1

to use with their laptops, Bueche said.

“In the Union, we have the big lobbies and open spaces but after looking at other schools’ student unions, we noticed we didn’t have any small spaces for students,” Bueche said. “Now we have a smaller, more quiet space out of the way for students.”

Monday will also see the opening of Einstein Bros. Bagels in the lounge, and other features will open in the coming weeks.

The Union’s McDonald’s will complete its move down the hall to the lounge area and open by the second week of August, Bueche said.

The lounge will also feature a billiards room featuring video games and a jukebox. Bueche said the billiard tables should come next week, and the room can open in the first week of August.

The Union’s ATM machines will also be relocated to the corridor

CUTS, from page 1

other departments to eliminate programs, but Martin is working with the Faculty and Staff senates to prepare for possible larger cuts down the road if Louisiana and the U.S. continue their economic struggle.

“The cuts are problematic if they are precursors to future cuts,” said M. Jayne Fleener, College of Education dean, in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille. “Most units will not be able to sustain programs and maintain faculty if the predictions for equal or greater cuts next year become a reality.”

The University’s proposed plan includes cutting the budget of academic units by an average of 3 percent, and the budgets of non-academic units by an average of 5 percent.

The College of Education is on

the UREC when she was a freshman, but said there’s nothing to be intimidated by.

“You can come to a Group X class where you’re with other people, and it’s an environment that motivates you to come,” said Ellzey, dietetics senior. “[Intramural teams] make the UREC less intimidating because you come with your friends.

With specialty courses, you get to know the [other students] because you’re with them every week.”

Alicia Rodriguez, nutrition sciences junior, said she works out at the UREC five times a week, doing a Group X class every week day.

“I like the classes because it keeps me motivated,” Rodriguez said. “I like the classes because it’s not repetitive and you see other people ... I like to keep in shape.”

Following the national guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine, Amy Kokemor, Healthy Lifestyles interim coordinator, said students should do 20 to 60 minutes of cardio at a moderate intensity level for three to five days a week. Kokemor said students should also have two to three days a week of strength training. She said two or three sets of eight to 12 repetitions are generally a good amount of strength training for the average student.

Many students, in their mission

to lose weight or stay in shape, often try to fix the specific problem areas on their body, such as love handles or muffin tops, but Kokemor said focusing on one area is unrealistic.

“We hate the term ‘problem area’ because it’s a common misconception that you can spot reduce,” Kokemor said. “You have to pair cardio to burn fat and do strength training to get the muscle in that area.”

Kokemor said switching up your cardio routine is a good way to keep burning fat and calories. She also said using the free weights instead of the machines gives you a more effective workout by engaging your core and using more of your body in the performance, while the machines isolate the one muscle group per exercise.

Portion control is Stewart’s second tip on fitness and health. She said because college students lose sight of the impact extra calories have because they are on their own and able to eat whatever they want whenever they want.

Vanessa Richard, registered dietitian in the Wellness Education department of the Student Health Center, said students tend to gain weight in college because of lack of sleep, late-night schedules, increased alcohol consumption, a new relationship with food without mom or

dad around and limited time to think about meals. “[Students should eat] general healthy balanced foods,” Richard said. “Lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains ... lean meats and low-fat dairy products ... [and] limiting your processed, high sodium, high fat dining out choices, fast foods, boxed processed foods.”

Richard said she teaches her students the plate method, which fills half of a dinner plate with a vegetable or plant-based food, a quarter of the plate with a lean meat and the other quarter with a whole grain or starch.

“A healthy eating plan allows

for all foods,” Richard said. “So if you want ice cream occasionally, a piece of chocolate occasionally or french fries every once in a while, that’s OK ... It’s just everything in moderation.”

Stewart’s last tip is to teach students to take control of their health and fitness.

“It’s definitely an ownership issue that I see with students,” she said. “You have to teach someone to take responsibility of their health.”

between the lounge and the back With the opening of the lounge entrance of the bookstore and acti- on Monday, the southside patio facvated July 31. ing the Memorial Oak Grove will A new computer lab featuring be opened for to students. For the 24 computer units with printing ca- last two years, the grove has been pabilities will open next week. fenced off while construction is The lounge will open Monday ongoing. Until proper lighting is inat 7 a.m. and will stalled in the grove, close at 9 p.m. students will only with the rest of the be allowed on the Union patio area, and the “The lounge, grove will remain West Hall and new fenced off. computer lab are Bueche said designed where lighting to ensure we can leave them safe night access Trey Duplechaie open 24 hours [a for students should day],” Bueche said. be installed before General studies senior “Once we feel it is the fall semester safe, we will open it 24 hours, and starts, giving students a south enif students use it for 24 hours and trance to the Union. funding is still available, it will stay Student Union Business Manopen 24 hours.” ager Dave Besse said he couldn’t The south entrance to the Union put an exact price on the lounge, but and the lounge are designed with said the renovations to the Union cameras and student ID swipe card will cost $83,693,000 in their enaccess so entrances into the area can tirety. be monitored for safety reasons.

“Go to other school’s Union

Web sites,” said Cherie Teamer political communications senior.

“They have a lot of things for students to do. Our Union is really behind so the money is all about attracting new students and the betterment of the University.”

Besse said $73,440,000 came from bonds and borrowing and $10,250,000 came from self generated funds and student fees.

Those student fees have been assessed for years and will be assessed as a $89 charge on students’ fee bill in the fall semester.

“I’m really mad because I have been paying for it, but I won’t be here to enjoy it,” said Trey Duplechaie, general studies senior. “They probably should have just charged incoming students.”

While the south side of the Union is beginning to look complete, the north and west sides are still under construction. Bueche said the west side of the Union is serving as a staging area for contractors continuing construction in the Union.

Bueche said the theatre is being extended slightly on the north side of the Union and being renovated for better sound reduction. The construction on the theatre should be complete in April 2010.

“After this [Live Oak Lounge], the biggest thing is the food renovations,” Bueche said. “Chartwells is going to spend about $2 million renovating and adding new places to the Tiger Lair.”

Besse said these renovations will take place beginning during December break and should be completed before August. There will be changes to the Tiger Lair serving area making it slightly larger, and tables and booths will be added to the eating area similar to the 459 Commons.

‘‘

‘I’m really mad because I’ve been paying for it, but I won’t be here to enjoy it.’

the heftier end of the cut spectrum, facing a 5 percent funding reduction.

Fleener said while the college is absorbing the cut mainly by eliminating vacant faculty positions, the effects are still serious.

“While on the surface it may appear vacant lines were ‘unnecessary padding’ and therefore not impacting programs, programs are affected,” Fleener said. “Because all units across campus have not had operating budgets adjusted for many years, we have had to carry programs and support programs, faculty and initiatives through maintaining vacant lines.

The cuts of vacant lines are directly going to affect program delivery and support, especially in programs that have field components, including internships.”

Richard Koubek, College of Engineering dean, said in an e-mail to

The Daily Reveille that engineering students will likely see fewer teaching assistant officer hours and less frequent offering of some elective courses after the college takes a 3 percent funding cut.

Kevin Cope, Faculty Senate president, said he is happy with the way the administration has handled the cuts.

“While no one welcomes reductions of any kind for any member or unit of the LSU community, the Faculty is convinced that Chancellor Martin is taking the right measures to protect the academic core of the University and to minimize suffering for the maximum number of persons,” Cope said.

Contact Kyle Bove at kbove@lsureveille.com

GRANT GUTIERREZ / The Daily Reveille

Rebecca Ellzey (left) leads students through a Group X class, “On the Ball.”

DINOSAURS, from page 1 end of 2010.

“People are amazed at how realistic the dinosaurs look,” he said.

“The reaction is always a sense of pure awe.”

The production uses 17 remotecontrolled dinosaurs — representing 10 different species — that range anywhere from 10- to 36-feet tall and weigh as much as 1.6 tons. The dinosaurs took six years and $20 million to create.

“Baton Rouge has seen a lot of revitalization downtown and is riding the crest for a destination city,” Holden said.

Arrigo said Baton Rouge is gaining recognition as a place for holding important events.

“Baton Rouge is moving into a good position economically and

Contact Mary Walker Baus at mwbaus@lsureveille.com

Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com showing that it’s raising its standards of living,” he said.

The show will run Oct. 2-4 and will offer six performances. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m.

Contact Steven Powell at spowell@lsureveille.com

PAGE 4

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Thursday, July 23, 2009

PLUCKERS WING BAR Monday: $14.99 All you can eat wings and $3 Pluckers Lemonades.

Tuesday: $2.50 Mexican Beers and Margaritas.

Wednesday: Trivia at 8. $4 Mother Plucker Mugs.

Thursday: $15.99 All you can eat wings. $4 Mother Plucker Mugs. $3 Margaritas and Pluckers Lemonades.

BOGIE’S Saturday July 25: Dash Rip Rock Band Ladies Night, Free Drinks until 10pm

RAVE MOTION PICTURES 07/24 - 07/26 Advance Tickets for “G.I Joe” Available

Mall of Louisiana 15 I-10@ Mall of LA Exit 225-769-5176

**G-FORCE (3D) PG 10:00, 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:50 **G-FORCE (2D) PG 11:00, 2:00, 5:00, 8:00, 10:50 **ORPHAN R 10:05, 1:10, 4:30, 7:40, 10:45 **THE UGLY TRUTH R 10:30, 1:20, 2:20, 4:10, 5:10. 7:10, 8:10, 9:55, 10:55 **HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE PG 10:20, 10:50, 11:20, 1:05, 1:55, 2:30, 4:05, 4:50, 6:45, 7:15, 7:55, 9:45, 10:15, 11:00 **BRUNO R 11:25, 5:05, 10:30 **I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER 2:05, 7:35 PG13 **ICE AGE DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS (3D) PG 11:05, 1:50, 4:40, 7:30, 10:20 **ICE AGE (2D) PG 10:25 AM ONLY **PUBLIC ENEMIES R 10:55, 2:15, 6:55, 10:25 **MY SISTERS KEEPER PG13 1:25 PM ONLY **TRANSFORMERS PG13 10:35, 2:25, 6:50, 10:40 **THE PROPOSAL PG13 10:10, 1:15, 4:20, 7:20, 10:10 **THE HANGOVER R 10:15, 4:25, 7:25, 10:35 ** UP (2D) PG 11:30 AM ONLY

Baton Rouge 16 I-12@ O’Neal 225-769-5176

**G-FORCE (3D) PG 11:00, 1:30, 4:00, 7:00, 9:30 **G-FORCE (2D) PG 11:30, 2:00, 4:30, 7:20, 11:05 **ORPHAN R 1:00, 4:25, 7:30, 10:40, 8:30 **THE UGLY TRUTH R 11:10, 11:50, 1:45, 2:30, 5:15, 7:05, 8:00, 9:50, 10:30 **HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE PG 11:!5, 12:00, 12:45, 3:00, 3:45, 4:15, 4:45, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 8:15, 9:45, 20:25, 20:45 **BRUNO R 4:40 ONLY **I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER 7:40, 10:55 PG13 **ICE AGE DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS (3D) PG 11:45, 2:15, 5:00, 7:25, 10:00 **ICE AGE (2D) PG 12:19, 2:40, 5:10 **PUBLIC ENEMIES R 12:25, 3:50, 7:10, 10:25 **MY SISTERS KEEPER PG13 11:25, 2:05 **TRANSFORMERS PG13 12:30, 4:10, 7:35, 10:10 **THE PROPOSAL PG13 11:20, 2:10, 4:50, 8:05, 10:50 **THE HANGOVER R 11:40, 2:20, 5:20, 8:25, 11:00 ** UP (2D) PG 12:15, 2:45, 5:30

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THE DAILY REVEILLE

Sports

THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009

PAGE 5

FOOTBALL

Schools cutting costs with media days

Box Seating

By David Helman Contributing Writer

opment. “If the University comes in and asks us for several millions of dollars, like we’re possibly anticipating, that could affect how we do anything for the next couple of years.”

The main area looking at seating expansion is right field, where options from more bleacher seats to a berm — a large grassy hill — are being discussed.

Nunez said adding more seats would be more of an opportunity than a necessity, and the Athletic Department won’t go too much higher in terms of additional seats.

“The wonderful thing that we have that’s a tradition here at LSU is to have it sold out, to see all our fans in there for a super regional or regional game,” Nunez said. “The last thing we want to do is inundate our stadium with all of these open seats that don’t fill up.”

New Tiger Park already has a berm

Across the country the long, dull grind of summer is being broken by college football media days — gatherings of coaches, players and press that each conference will hold sometime in the next week.

The Southeastern Conference’s media extravaganza began Wednesday, with 960 people registered as media members.

‘The But this summer’s pro- preregistraceedings will look much dif- tion numbers ferent for many for this year’s schools, as the event is the economic receshighest we sion has forced C o n f e r e n c e have ever had.’

USA, the Sun Belt Confer- Charles Bloom ence and sevSEC associate eral lower-tier commissioner of conferences to media relations eliminate formal gatherings in favor of less costly methods like webcam chats or phone teleconferences.

“It’s a sign of the times, not just financially but with regards to technology,” said John McElwain, Sun Belt Conference associate commissioner. “We looked into it months ago and wanted creative solutions to save money for the conference, its schools and the media ... A lot of eyes will be on us.”

But whether this new format becomes a national trend is yet to be determined. Charles Bloom, the SEC’s associate commissioner of media relations said it could be “a wait-and-see” situation.

ALEX BOX, see page 7

MEDIA, see page 6

Daily Reveille file photo

Athletic Department discusses options for more seating in the new stadium

By Robert Stewart Contributing Writer

GRANT GUTIERREZ / The Daily Reveille

[Top] The Athletic Department has discussed building a berm, or a grassy hill, in right field. [Bottom] There has also been talk of adding more suites.

The suites at the new Alex Box Stadium are now available for football tailgating, complete with a $25,000 price tag for a luxurious gameday experience.

And while an existing feature of the stadium will be used for a new purpose, new features may be added in the future to upgrade the season-old ballpark.

Several proposed projects for the new Alex Box Stadium, involving ideas ranging from a new Intimidator to more seating and grandstand suites.

All of these projects hinge on what the Athletic Department’s budget will look like for the upcoming academic year.

“We’re waiting to see how this budget crisis affects us here internally,” said Eddie Nunez, associate athletic director for operations and project devel-

FOOTBALL

Byrd continues to recover in Miami Former LSU star says he won’t make training

By Robert Stewart Contributing Writer

The April 19 car accident that injured former LSU wide receiver Demetrius Byrd is still a little fuzzy to the Miami native.

Byrd said he was released from Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami in late May after spending time in the intensive care unit, but he said he doesn’t

remember much from the accident.

“When I did wake up in the hospital, I was wondering what I was doing there,” said Byrd, whose speech was noticeably slow. “I was in a coma for like seven days, and to think about it now, I don’t even remember the accident. Just to know that you were in an accident — yeah, that was scary.”

Byrd became famous among Tiger fans in 2007 when he caught the gamewinning touchdown pass against Auburn in the last second of the game. LSU went on to win the BCS national championship that season, with Byrd hauling in 621 yards receiving and a team-high

seven touchdown catches.

His production dipped in 2008, only collecting 513 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The San Diego Chargers selected him with the No. 224 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft on April 26, less than a week after his accident.

Byrd said he has been staying in his hometown Miami with his mom but he has also spent some time in San Diego.

“I went to San Diego to see the doctors,” Byrd said. “I went there for a week.”

Byrd said he won’t make the start BYRD, see page 7

MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille

Former receiver Demetrius Byrd (right) celebrates a touchdown catch with former quarterback Andrew Hatch on Aug. 20.

PAGE 6

THE DAILY REVEILLE

FOOTBALL

Away game tickets distributed to 2,950 students out of 4,850 ’Bama, Georgia, Ole Miss most popular

By David Helman Contributing Writer

It wasn’t quite December 25, but last Monday was a sort of Christmas in July for LSU students.

July 13 was the day the LSU Ticket Office sent away game ticket notifications to hopeful students everywhere, with 2,950 of the 4,850 students who requested them receiving tickets.

“This was my first year buying away game tickets,” said Brittany Davis, mass communication junior.

“I was able to go to Florida last year, but it wasn’t my own ticket.”

More than 1,000 requests were made for both of the road games against perennial powers Alabama and Georgia, as well as a rivalry date with a surging Ole Miss team.

The Tigers’ tilt with Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide received 1,550 requests, the Georgia game received 1,250 requests and LSU’s Nov. 21 game against the Rebels garnered 1,050 requests.

MEDIA, from page 5

“There’s something to be said for having everyone in one place for three days to talk about the SEC,” he said. “Currently there is no discussion on changing the format ...

The preregistration numbers for this year’s event is the highest we have ever had.”

The Sun Belt held its first-ever media day using webcams on July 20 and 21, with coaches from its nine schools conducting live streaming interviews.

“This helps [coaches] because they don’t have to interrupt work to do this, they just get on their computer from their office,” McElwain said.

“We’ve also gotten a lot of positive response from the media because newspapers have been hit so hard ...

So we’ll be saving ourselves as well as the media some money.”

Despite the SEC’s success, it’s not just smaller conferences that could feel the crunch this season.

The Atlantic Coast Conference, one of the six members of the BCS, cut its event from three days to two, and moved it from Tampa, Fla., to Greensboro, N.C., to make travel easier for all 12 schools.

“It’s not something people are used to, but I think it’s something everyone can understand,” McElwain said. “Some people like to base their vacations around these trips, but we’re hoping to take it in a new direction.”

Even Ohio State and Michigan, two of the nation’s most profitable athletic departments, are publishing their media guides online as opposed to printing thousands of books.

“Big Ten athletic departments met earlier in the summer to talk about cost cutting — us and Michigan decided we might as well get the ball rolling on media guides,” said

Of these requests, 650 places were filled for each game — roughly half the number of requests.

Tim Messa, assistant director of Ticket Operations, said the tickets are assigned in accordance with Southeastern Conference ticket allotments, not stadium size.

“For SEC games, our allotment is about 7,000 tickets,” he said. “The number of student tickets really hasn’t changed over the past four or five years.”

All 650 requests to the Mississippi State game, as well as all 350 requests to the season opener at Washington, were granted.

Messa said the Ticket Office didn’t fill either allotment, however.

“The number of students going to the Washington game is actually less than that, because some students got two tickets,” Messa said.

“We could’ve sold more, but obviously the distance played a big factor in that.”

Priority points determined who received tickets and who didn’t. Students received 20 points for attending home games on the 2008 football schedule, five points for 2009 away games and the Tigers’ bowl game and two points for assorted

non-football events.

“I was really nervous that I wasn’t going to have enough priority points because I only went to a few other sporting events other than football games,” Davis said.

Another concern for prospective travelers is obstacles of the fall semester. Many students refrain from purchasing tickets in fear that the games will conflict with school assignments.

Justin Kirk, kinesiology senior, said he prefers to buy tickets closer to the date of the game.

“I don’t know what’s going to be happening, so I just don’t like to buy them in advance,” he said.

Kirk said he had enough priority points to order tickets but doesn’t mind paying higher prices. He has been able to travel to the 2006 Florida and 2008 South Carolina games by purchasing tickets using Facebook or other Web sites.

“I’d like to go to Georgia, and Ole Miss was another one,” he said. “It’s basically just a planning thing.”

Dan Wallenberg, Ohio State assistant athletic director. “Between the two of us we’re looking to save around $300,000.”

The move is one that not everyone is ready to make.

Michael Bonnette, LSU football’s sports information director, said the Tigers’ upcoming media guide is too important to fundraising to get rid of.

“Ohio State and Michigan both have more sports than we do — they have more books to make,” he said.

“Media guides are important to the Tiger Athletic Foundation because they showcase to donors exactly where their donations are going.”

This year’s LSU media guide is 208 pages and can be purchased for

$25. Bonnette said the Athletic Department may stop sending guides to recruits in order to “cut down on a lot of the number of books made.”

Bonnette also said SEC Media Days is “too big of an opportunity not to take advantage of,” in its current format.

“You get to be seen on a national scale as well as interact with 500 or 600 media members,” he said.

“But technology is changing a lot of things, so I won’t say it will never change ... It’s just a shame some conferences can’t do it because it’s very beneficial.”

Contact David Helman at dhelman@lsureveille.com

Contact David Helman at dhelman@lsureveille.com

Thursday, July 23, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Thursday, July 23, 2009 ALEX BOX, from page 5

behind its left-field fence.

“It’s one of those trends in baseball and softball that have always been a fan favorite because people go out there and lay out there on a towel and almost feel like it’s a picnic area,” Nunez said.

Nunez said the Athletic Department has looked at several options to put on top of a possible berm, including a patio and “some kind of water feature.”

“Everything has been looked at,” Nunez said. “The question at the end of the day is what is feasible as far as cost, and what is going to make the most sense for us as we move forward into the future with baseball.”

Nunez said the Athletic Department has done a cost-estimate study to see if more suites for new Alex Box Stadium would be feasible. There are 18 suites in the ballpark, available this past season for $35,000 each.

“The timing would probably be very difficult for us to start now and have it done by next season,” Nunez said. “Not to say that it’s impossible — it just would be difficult.”

LSU coach Paul Mainieri has also requested a larger batter’s eye for the stadium. A stadium’s batter’s eye is a solid-colored area usually behind the center field wall designed to help a batter see the ball against a contrasted surface.

“I guess it was something that just slipped through the cracks,” Mainieri said.

It turns out a bigger batter’s eye was accidentally overlooked by the Athletic Department, according to Nunez.

“Something was missed in translation,” Nunez said. “It’s actually two feet bigger than the old Alex Box Stadium, the batter’s eye, but not as big as coaches would like it to be.”

And then there’s the Intimidator, the billboard at old Alex Box Stadium that displays all the Tigers’ national championships.

“Everybody wants the Intimidator over there yesterday, and unfortunately before we do so, we’ve got to see how everything lays out,” Nunez said.

Mainieri said he also wants to see some kind of board to recognize accomplishments by the LSU baseball team other than just national championships.

“LSU’s been to the College World Series 15 times, and there’s six national championship flags out there,” Mainieri said. “Well then there’s nine teams that went to Omaha that aren’t being recognized.”

NO DATE SET FOR PMAC PRACTICE FACILITY Nunez also said the new PMAC Practice Facility will only be partially ready for the 2009-10 basketball season.

He said construction crews are behind on the team areas, but the gymnasium spaces should be ready

by October.

A July 13 report by The Advocate said the facility was supposed to be ready for the upcoming season.

But Nunez said the Athletic Department had only hoped to get the facility ready for the season and didn’t make it a requirement.

“The good thing right now is that they don’t need this to start the season off,” Nunez said. “The last thing we want to do now is skip steps to get something done just because we

needed to be in there by October.”

Nunez said contractors experienced some delays a couple weeks ago in receiving roofing materials and other supplies. But he said they have made up some lost time the last couple weeks thanks to better weather conditions.

“We’ve been able to get ahead on a lot of aspects where we were falling behind before,” Nunez said.

BYRD, from page 5

SOFTBALL ENTRANCE FACILITY Nunez also said the Athletic Department will look into adding a ticket office and entrance building for new Tiger Park. The ballpark only has a chain-link fence surrounding its outer-most perimeter.

“We pulled it out of the project because we didn’t want our contractors to really have to focus their efforts on that little building,” Nunez said. “This is a building that we’ll come back and add this hopefully this summer, maybe beginning in the fall.”

of Chargers training camp July 31, but he still hopes to make it out to San Diego by Aug. 20, two days before the Chargers’ second preseason game, to finish up his therapy.

Byrd said he didn’t break any bones in the accident but suffered a little brain damage. He said he had a cracked vertebrae but it has already healed.

“I’m doing all right. I’m getting better every day,” Byrd said.

“It’s a slow recovery.”

Byrd said he has stayed away from free weights, limiting himself to weight machines and simple exercises. He said he just got out of a neck brace about two weeks ago.

“I’ve been doing pushups and pull-ups and just working up slow,” Byrd said. “I’m doing dips and stuff, and I’m just starting off slow with it. My balance and coordination are off.”

Contact Robert Stewart at rstewart@lsureveille.com

Contact Robert Stewart at rstewart@lsureveille.com

PAGE 7

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Opinion

PAGE 8

OUR VIEW

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Timely construction projects part of give, take system

The construction on the the West wing of the Student Union finally appears to be near completion.

This means old favorites like McDonald’s, as well as new businesses like Einstein Bros. Bagels will be open and providing students with more on-campus food options.

While students will be understandably excited about this, the wing’s completion only signals that construction will soon close other

portions of the Union, including Tiger Lair in December.

There’s little doubt that the completely renovated Union will be a great improvement from the older version some students have as nothing but a distant memory and other students never knew.

But to get to that light at the end of the tunnel, we have to continue to suffer through closed portions of the Union now.

Unfortunately, most students

on campus now probably won’t be around when the Union is finally completed.

But the renovations being done in phases, which naturally makes the total project take longer than if everything were to be worked on simultaneously, at least allows students use of some parts of the Union at all times.

There was no McDonald’s for a while, but students could enjoy Tiger Lair. And now that Tiger Lair

is about to be out of commission, students can at least enjoy the return of McDonald’s and the addition of a few other businesses.

Students should try to consider this system as some sort of consolation.

But the University should do everything it can to complete renovations as quickly as possible under the current plans because plenty of students are currently paying for renovations that they will likely

never see the full benefit of — and administrators can’t expect more and more classes of students to pass through those circumstances happily.

The more students pass through and pay for something they never see, the more disgruntled graduates the University will send into the world with negative stories.

Contact the Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com

BURNS AFTER READING

Rising DWI rates among students a cause for concern

On July 1, Gov. Bobby Jindal followed up on his word to implement stricter public safety regulations by signing three new laws that increase the punishments against anybody found guilty of driving while intoxicated.

The legislation comes on top of evidence that the state has already experienced a steady reduction in the number of alcohol-related deaths during the last few decades.

However, since those numbers have started to level out recently, Jindal has made it clear that accepting the status quo is simply not enough.

“We are sending a clear signal that we will not tolerate dangerous, life-risking behavior on our roadways,” Jindal said.

One of the bills signed into effect was Senate Bill 166 by Sen. Reggie Dupre, D-Bourg, which strengthens current penalties for individuals convicted of DWI offenses while having a suspended license from a previous alcohol-related conviction. The bill calls for a minimum of 15 days of jail time for any person caught driving with a suspended license after a DWI conviction, with a maximum

sentence of 6 months.

The law goes on to say that if the license has been suspended for manslaughter, vehicular homicide or negligent homicide related to a DWI, a mandatory sentence of 60 days in jail will be required.

Jindal also signed HB 445 by Rep. Damon Baldone, D-Houma, which requires that intoxicated drivers lose their driver’s licenses if they refuse to submit to DWI testing. The new law doubles the suspension for refusing the DWI testing from six months to a year.

The final bill in Jindal’s DWI package is HB 444 by Rep. Jonathan W. Perry, R-Abbeville, which is designed to help streamline the process of bringing DWI offenders to justice.

The law explicitly prohibits defense attorneys from taking arresting officers’ statements before administrative hearings are held to decide if a DWI offender should be stripped of his or her license.

While the state has recently intensified its efforts to punish drunk drivers, the University’s Wellness Education Department has been working for years to educate students

on the dangers of binge drinking and alcohol abuse. So far, the department appears to be getting results.

A 2009 Alcohol and Drug survey by the CORE Institute at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill., showed that 48.8 percent of LSU students reported binge drinking within two weeks of the survey, down from 49.7 percent in 2007. Also, 10.5 Scott Burns percent of LSU Columnist students said they did not consume alcohol last year, up from 9.6 percent in 2007, according to The Daily Reveille.

Though the University’s numbers have improved lately, federal surveys indicate that the problems are only getting worse across the nation.

A recent study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found alcohol-related deaths, heavy drinking episodes and drunk driving have all been on the rise among 18- to 24-year-olds

during the last decade.

The proportion of college students in that age group who were killed in accidents related to alcohol use increased 3 percent per 100,000 — from 1,440 in 1998 to 1,825 in 2005. During the same time period, the rates of students reporting binge drinking and driving while under the influence increased 7 percent and 9 percent, respectively.

Specifically, the biggest increases were seen among 21- to 24year-olds, according to the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Some argue that the results indicate the success of state laws enforcing the legal drinking age of 21.

However, failure to effectively counteract these trends across the entire age spectrum has led to firmer legislation across the nation.

In 2000, only 17 states had set .08 as a blood-alcohol level upper limit for driving. Now, all 50 have adopted that figure. Despite these efforts, national trends have remained relatively stagnant, and the problems remain as evident as ever.

Alcohol-related car crashes kill someone every 31 minutes and in-

jure somebody every 2 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There is no doubt that increasing the safety of our roadways is critical for the protection of all citizens.

Everybody is liable to make mistakes. But at this point, it should be clear that harsher regulation alone won’t reverse these trends.

The best way to protect our community is to find more creative ways to prevent alcohol-related incidents, not merely worsen the punishment.

That’s why private citizens need to work together and come up with ways to reduce these occurrences through safety education programs and individual incentives, not to merely reprimand them through enhanced legislative action.

And, as always, this starts with holding ourselves and our peers responsible.

Scott Burns is a 20-year-old history and business junior from Baton Rouge.

Contact Scott Burns at sburns@lsureveille.com

SNAPSHOT

Escape the hell of classes, go to the Student Union School can really suck at times actually, most of the time. At these suckiest of times, I like to take a break and do something different, but I often find that these frequent desires for freedom fall right between two of my classes.

Does that mean I should ignore the call to be free because I don’t have time to venture off campus? I say no. And why should I when there is a pretty good escape close at hand — the Student Union.

Before you even walk in the

Union’s front doors, there is a show.

Free Speech Alley usually has one group or another yelling at students about something. My personal favorite is the “You’re going to burn in Hell” group. Those guys crack me up.

Say they aren’t there, walk through the doors and there is still a number of options available.

I am a big fan of food, and the Union is well equipped to provide a meal. Tiger Lair is home to a Pizza Hut, they daily Union Plate of warm

THE DAILY REVEILLE Editorial Board JERIT ROSER ELLEN ZIELINSKI

Editor Managing Editor

MATTHEW ALBRIGHT

Columnist

TRAVIS ANDREWS

Columnist

SCOTT BURNS

Columnist

SKYLAR GREMILLION

Columnist

food, Chick-fil-A and a few others.

And if you want to sit down and enjoy a meal like you would in a restaurant — the Magnolia Room is right upstairs. It has been closed all Zac Lemoine summer, but will Online Media Editor be back open in the fall.

Not hungry? Check out the art

gallery. There is a cool exhibit about comic books right now. I am not a huge comic book reader, but I like a lot of the super hero movies. It’s worth a look. There is always something neat, I really like the poster sales.

If nothing else, you can get a haircut. There have been several times in my three years at LSU when I have been in desperate need of a trim, and the Union barbershop has saved the day. And it is a barbershop where the barber uses the straight ra-

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.

zor after he applies hot foam to shave your neck.

Basically, the Union is, after all, the Student Union. Students, take advantage of your building and escape from lectures for a while.

Zac Lemoine is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Dry Prong.

Contact Zac Lemoine at zlemoine@lsureveille.com

QUOTE OF THE DAY “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.”

Rudyard Kipling British author Dec. 30, 1865 — Jan. 18, 1936

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Thursday, july 23, 2009

METAIRIE’S FINEST

Opinion

PAGE 9

Drugs pervade our society, probably not our lives

In the midst of a long-standing and long-failing “war on drugs,” we have slowly come to realize drugs pervade almost every aspect of life.

Maybe I’m naïve — I probably am — but it doesn’t seem like this is how it always was.

A couple days ago, I wrote a composition in my Spanish class.

My topic: the drug problem (or droga problema) in the United States and how I, as the new Secretary of State, plan to help reduce this issue.

That’s right. I’m the new Secretary of State. Run for your lives.

And maybe I feel like drugs are pervading everything because I am graduating, and it seems like most companies require some sort of pre-employment drug screening.

It makes sense. No company wants to hire someone who might be performing at a lesser capacity than they are capable of, and no company wants to be responsible for work-related injuries. Nonetheless, I’m suddenly having tests mentioned left and right as if I’m some dope fiend getting my fix in the back allies of Baton Rouge.

Then there’s television. Aside

THE SOAPBOX

Despite economy, NASA is a necessary expense As the 40th anniversary of the first landing on the moon passes by, the world looks to the stars.

Yet because of the recent economic times, and with widespread chaos and recession on a global scale, we are gloomily aware that our feet remain firmly on the ground.

As budget cuts and financial woes assail everyone from auto workers to University officials, many people have started to wonder if space exploration shouldn’t be put on hold.

Does NASA really deserve to exist while the government deficit blossoms?

Why should we continue to search for water on Mars while we still scrounge for oil — and while millions struggle daily for survival — back here on Earth?

These are certainly valid arguments, and they seem especially valid to University students tired of hearing about budget cuts.

However, space exploration serves purposes far more practical than the average observer is aware of.

First of all, space environments allow us some of the most precise

from all the places you expect to find drugs — the crime shows, things like that — there are the places you don’t: namely, ESPN. Athletes are using drugs left and right while we watch greedily from behind our televisions. And if the other programs on television have it correct, we’re probably sitting behind a huge bong or a tiny crack pipe.

And don’t think it stops there.

A recent study “found the air in Madrid and Barcelona is also laced with at least five drugs — most prominently cocaine,” according to MSNBC. Of course, cocaine was not the only drug found. No, there were also “trace amounts of amphetamines, opiates, cannabinoids and lysergic acid — a relative of LSD — in two air-quality control stations, one in each city.”

So, to recap, we are tested for drugs while applying to jobs, told we are probably doing drugs (along with our sports heroes) on television, and all the while some of the air we might be breathing will be filling our lungs with drugs.

And, not to be too graphic or unnecessary, but it turns out if we

have a sexual partner who might have a drug interest, we could be filling our veins with substances like cocaine without realizing it.

Yes, it turns out cocaine can be transferred through oral sex. Slate Magazine posed the question “Can you re- Travis Andrews ally ‘passively Columnist ingest’ drugs via cunnilingus?” and quickly answered “Yes.” In fact, “A 1996 paper suggests that chronic users might excrete a peak level of 0.01 milligrams of cocaine per gram of semen after the consumption of a particularly heavy dose,” according to Slate.

This isn’t something to worry about really, as the article continues to explain “Since a typical ejaculation contains around two grams of semen, it would take 10,000 precisely timed sexual encounters over that three-month stretch before a nonuser faced any risk of failing a drug test.”

Nonetheless, it is interesting and probably mostly unknown.

and practical research into climate change.

Observing how global temperatures and weather are changing allows us a more perfect picture of exactly what is going on — and how to combat it.

In addition, studying other planets allows us to open a history book of sorts, to see in detail the effects of climate change.

If Mars once contained water, its current barren state is a testament to the dangers of rampant climate catastrophe. And by studying how climate affected Mars, we can learn what is going on back here at home.

On a long-term scale, we are faced with a hard truth — at some point, humanity will absolutely have to leave the planet. Explosive population growth means the Earth is simply getting too small — and it means that we’re consuming resources far too heavily to be sustainable.

In other words, some or all of humanity will eventually leave this world behind.

This process will not happen overnight — if in 40 years we have only progressed from lunar landing to unmanned explorations of the nearest planet, imagine the time it will take before we are capable of colonization.

It may sound like science fiction — especially to, say, a GM worker who has lost his life’s savings — but it’s absolutely true.

Yet above these practical rea-

sons, we need look no further for justification than the years in which the historic lunar mission we now celebrate occurred.

When Neal Armstrong first looked at the azure Earth as it crested the gray horizon, he was looking at a world that was steeped in turmoil and conflict — and America was no exception.

America was embroiled in the struggle for civil rights, and a long and bloody war in Vietnam. Neal Armstrong’s world was far from serene — and this made his first steps and first words on the moon all the more significant.

Just as a man standing on the surface of the moon spoke of the triumph of the human spirit to a bitterly divided and highly tumultuous world, jaw-dropping photos of the dusty red sands of Mars are inspiration to a world that is tired of hearing news of riots and deaths and depressions.

This is why a space program is worth keeping even in hard economic times — not only does it provide for our future, but it provides moral inspiration for our present.

Her announcement is sending shockwaves through the political community and is causing even Republican figures to scratch their heads.

Matthew Albright Daily Reveille columnist

It should be noted that it is possible (while not probable) cocaine could be secreted through sweat during sexual contact and could technically fill arm hair with enough of the drug to test positive.

Again, this is not something anyone should necessarily be worried about. The chances are miniscule, and the cases are erratic. And how often will you be sleeping with someone who ingests large amounts of cocaine on a regular basis without your knowledge? Ahh, who knows, maybe that’s more common that my naïve brain will let on to.

Hell, if Bret Easton Ellis novels are any indicator, we should probably all hole ourselves up in our homes if we are that scared of drugs.

But it is interesting that it’s pretty much impossible to spend a normal day doing normal things and not come into contact with mention of drugs.

We fight a war against them yet are constantly reminded of their presence.

It’s a commonly known fact that Coca-Cola used to contain trace amounts of cocaine, and it isn’t like cocaine, opium and

Summertime is fun, but be safe in the sun The summer’s hitting its stride, and the sun isn’t taking a break anytime soon.

And, as someone who is about as white as white gets, I can tell you that it can be a dangerous world out there. As patronizing as it might seem to write about being safe in the sun — something I imagine most people in the sun are already doing — I am going to do that very thing right now.

Because, I guess, I need to follow my own advice.

Between trips to the beach, days spent with picnics on the Parade Ground and afternoons running around the LSU lakes, most students give themselves ample opportunity to be burned or poisoned by the sun.

This is not good.

And for more reasons than are obvious.

Of course there is the basic, unsightly and pretty painful aspect of receiving a sunburn, which appears as a blotchy red rash. In actuality, it is a burning of the skin caused by the greatest source of heat any human being will ever come into contact with.

In addition to the sunburns, we all — and by we all, I mean those

marijuana are not plants that grow naturally on the Earth’s surface.

But it is somewhat ironic that, during a time when drugs are fought both for and against in this weak “war,” their presence seems to sneak their way into every aspect of normal life.

In the end, if you like doing drugs, applying for jobs will be pretty difficult. If you don’t like doing drugs, it’ll be pretty easy to avoid usage. Nothing’s really changed.

Except for the fact that you won’t stop hearing about them for a long time.

At least not if stories like this one continue to be written.

But, it’s OK. I’m the new Secretary of State.

And there is a Spanish paper out there with all the answers to our war on drugs, just waiting to be discovered by the right American.

Hopefully that person is bilingual.

Travis Andrews is a 21-year-old English senior from Metairie.

Contact Travis Andrews at tandrews@lsureveille.com

who were cursed with having absolutely no pigment — have earned at one time in our life are the less common but still dangerous effects.

There is sun poisoning, which is exactly what it sounds like. Accompanied with nausea, aches, cramps, pain, weakness and a nasty sunburn, it’s something worth avoiding.

And to all those runners taking a spin around the lakes during midday, be careful that your muscles are not overtraining. Your metabolism is running much faster than wintertime just trying to keep you cool. Not to mention all the liquid you are sweating out that needs to be replaced at some point.

Then there’s the big kahuna of sun problems: skin cancer.

It doesn’t feel like reality, at this young an age, that skin cancer could quickly and easily destroy a life. It seems almost absurd to think that hanging out and throwing a Frisbee could lead to a painful road.

But it can.

That cannot be forgotten.

And it’s not like it’s hard to avoid these things. Wear a little sunscreen next time you pop outdoors or grab some long-sleeved clothes to cover your exposed skin.

It’s a patronizing thing to write, but we all forget sometimes.

Trust me. I’ve got the burn to prove it.

Travis Andrews Daily Reveille columnist

Log on to lsureveille.com to see what else the columnists are saying on “The Soapbox” blog.

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Must be able to work Tue & Thur. 4hr each

day. Hours are flexible around class schedule. For more information contact Sockit Studio 225-216-0167 Part Time Dental Office Help Needed for Highland Road Dental Office. Good opportunity for Pre-Dent and Hygiene Majors. 225.769.7640 !BARTENDING! Up to $300/Day. No Experience Necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 xt127 HELP WANTED Student Workers Needed to work at the Athletic Facilities/Maintenance and Events. Please contact Pam LeBlanc 225.578.0895 Now Hiring For FALL! Child Care Center near LSU now hiring for Fall Semester. Afternoon Teachers needed 2:30-5:30 Mon-Fri. 225.766.1159 Fashion forward children to junior boutique in Towne Center recently featured in US Weekly, is looking for fun, outgoing, fashion oriented employees to join our team. Experience preferred. Please contact Carri at The Little House and Co. Excellent pay and flexible hours. Must be able to work most saturdays till 5 and afternoons till 6.

225.757.6730 computer/system technician We are a small law firm looking for a computer/ system technician to maintain a network of about 20 computers and 3 servers.

Students are welcome to apply.

Job functions include: - Troubleshooting all equipment- Maintaining system and network security - Ordering, installing, and training on any new equipment and software needed Skills needed: - PC hardware and software troubleshooting (Windows XP) - Knowledge of Windows Server 2003, Terminal Services, Microsoft Exchange, and basic networking Please submit resume and salary history to katie@jlaw.net or fax to 225-208-1084. www.louiescafe.com Survey Takers Needed: Make $5-$25 per survey. GetPaidToThink.com ISDS Majors wanted for HelpDesk and Programming positions. Email resume to hr@bankers-bank.com After School Child Care For 7 yr old girl w/Autism who is friendly, loving, & fun - able to understand language, but not very verbal. Potty-trained. Pick up after school (3:15pm/Broadmoor Elem) to work on play/language skills for few hours. Pref majors - speech pathology, Spec. Ed., social wk. Will train. Reliable trans/clean driving record. Salary DOE, plus gas $.

225.620.8458 Part-time Office Clerk/Courier Small law firm located at entrance to CCLA seeking a part-time Office Clerk/Courier. Must work a minimum

of 20-24 hours per week.. Position available immediately.

Duties to include, errands, computer work, (Excel, MS Word, WordPerfect), accounting, and other office duties. Fax Resume to (225) 208-1084, or e-mail to katie@jlaw. net.

Coyote Blues Restaurant Now hiring for a new location. Applications being taken Monday-Fridays at 2450 S Acadian Thruway. Hiring All Postions. 225.329.2055 CERTIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHER The Baton Rouge International School is looking for a certified Kindergarten Teacher for the school year 2009-2010. Please send your resume at brisla@yahoo.com FT Project Assistant- Advantous Consulting, LLC is seeking a Project Assistant to assist our team with tasks related to Business Incentive Projects. Must have strong MS Office Skills, Time Mgmt./Organizational Skills, and a strong attention to detail.

Bachelor’s degree required. Email: jobs@ advantous.com P/T Receptionist / File Clerk needed for small BR law firm. Must be dependable, responsible, and MUST be able to work afternoons. Salary DOE. Prefer long-term (at least one year), not just one semester. Interest in law or law school goal desired. Email Resume’ and availability to LadyJayne@aol. com or fax: 756-5676 CERTIFIED SCiENCE TEACHER The Baton Rouge International School is looking for a certified science teacher for upper elementary and middle school for the 2009-2010 school year. Please send your resume at brisla@yahoo.com.

PBRC Study Do you struggle with concerns about your body size and shape?

Do your concerns about your body image affect your quality of life?

If yes, you may be eligilbe for “Bodhi Body,” a new, mindfulness/ meditation-based treatment program for body image concerns conducted at Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

You may be eligible if you are: Female Age: 21-45 Haven’t experienced any eating disorder symptoms in the past year Call Today 763.0939 or 763.3004 After School Care Provider Cypress Heghts Academy is a Pre-K through 8th grade private school in Baton Rouge. We are seeking part-time help in supervising our students in our after-school program.

Please email the principal at btrahan@ cypressheights.org 225.755.1558

For Sale

Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FALL 2009!! Brand new 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units for sale starting at $124,900. Ask about our Guaranteed Buy-Back Program!! 3000 July St. 225346-5055 www.tigermanor.com Location.

Location. Location... Start Living.

Furniture 5 Pc Dining $450, Coffee & End Tables and TV Stand $450 (matches Dining)... Sofa & Chair $300 pics avail. dageaux@sbcglobal.net 225.252.1877 225.252.1877 Paw Blankets July Only Sale of $34.99 Order online: www.purpleandgoldblankets.com

For Rent You Will Love williamsburg 4065 Burbank Drive. $475. No Pets. www. lsubr.com for picture and floorplan. 9781649.

LSU SOUTH GATES APT Walk to class. Downstairs: 2 BR 1 bath apt. w/ living & dining rooms. Hardwood floors, furnished kitchen. Avail. Aug 1st. $650 mo. plus deposit 4212 Oxford Ave corner of Parker.

225.924.1585 Tigerland 1 & 2 BR flats and TH. wdfloors, pool w/s paid $525 -$725 225.615.8521 FOR RENT NEW TWO BEDROOM TWO BATH CONDO; RENT IS $1,100.00 PER MONTH; 9 FT. CEILINGS, CERAMIC TILE FLOORING, ALL APPLIANCES INCLUDING WASHER/ DRYER IN UNIT; CONVENIENT TO CAMPUS, INTERSTATE AND SHOPPING 225.413.9800 For Rent in Brightside Estates 3BR/2B Condo Gated, Pool, Volleyball court, on bus route, 3 parking spaces call or email at Talbots@cox.net call 225.266.9063 Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FOR FALL 2009! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedrooms available. Reserve your unit today! Walk to class! 3000 July St. 225-3465055. www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living.

CHARMING VINTAGE 3B2BA COTTAGE newly renov, hrdwd fl thruout, W/D, CA/CH, ofstrt prkng, scurty mntring, yardman, bike to LSU, ap & lease. $990 225.344.1700 roommates wanted Nicholason Lakes.

4br/2ba furnished. 2 rooms available. $550.00mth/550.00 deposit. All utilities included (including wireless high speed internet). 225.933.8732 Sharlo House For Rent 2br/2ba; 2003 remodel with all appliances; 40’x40’ enclosed yard; $1200/ month. 225.405.9580 225.405.9580

Thursday, July 23, 2009

225.405.9580 FOR LEASE 561 East State St. #2 2BR/1BA $850.00.

View other available Rentals at www. keyfindersbr.com or call Keyfinders Realty 225.293.3000 Highland Road 3 br 2 ba $950-$1300 225.769.1079 IDEAL PLACE TO LIVE & STUDY Near Walk-Ons and Co-op Bookstore on Burbank. No Pets. Walk or bike to school.

On the LSU busline. Leave a message.

978-1649. www.keyfindersbr.com Houses, Condos & Apartments For Lease in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas.

Keyfinders Realty 225.293.3000 BRIGHTSIDE PARK TOWNHOMES. Pre-leasing for summer and fall. 2br 2.5 bath pool, w/ d. $900/ mth $500 dep.

955-6480 southlandpropertiesinc.com Chateau du Cour in tigerland Large 2 BR 1 B in gated complex..7722429 mckproperties.com 3 Bedrooms/2 Bath Condo In Brightside Estates. Gated community. Spacious upper unit. All appliances with washer & dryer.

Available August 1st. $1,500.00 a month with $1,500.00 damage deposit. Also available for purchase.

For more information, call 504-250-5555 3 Bed/3 Bath on Brightside $1650/ Month, Free Optional Monthly Maid Service!

2405 Brightside on LSU Bus Route Arlington Trace Condos Parking for 3 & All Appliances Included Available for 1 Year Lease Beginning August 1st. hollisleech@yahoo.com 310.989.4453 3 bed condo by lsu campus Burbank Estates On the Bus Route, 1/2 mile from campus 3 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms $1600 225.767.2227 www.deanflores.com 3bd2bahouse rent$1260 WESTHAVEN SUB 6 mi.from LSU on BURBANK lg.den/ kit, fenced yd.2car gar.504.481.5118 504.780.2583 LSU Area 3 BR / 1 Bath House Newly Renovated! Great location, Walk to campus. Inclds. hrdwd flrs, tile in kichen & bath, new frig., d/w & washer/dryer.

Large rms, Very nice!

Price of rent inclds. lawn care. $1100 w/ $500 deposit Drex Gomes Properties 225.928.2864 3bd 3ba LAKE BEAU PRE TOWNHOUS biggest unit. right by clubhouse. $1650 plus util. 713.248.9107 3Br/2ba Spacious Condo $1500/mo near LSU in Gates at Brightside.

Thursday, July 23, 2009 Gated community with pool. 504.908.8579 3BR/2.5BA 1500sqft $1125/Month South Brightside View Drive: On-Site Manager, Flexible Leasing Terms, Washer & Dryer, Ceiling Fans, Central A/ C, Near Bus Stop, Small Pets Allowed, Master Bedroom has it’s own Bathroom and Walk-In Closet 225.978.7400 1 BR/ 1 Bath Condo Very nice! Unique flrpln includes all appl. w/ washer/ dryer. Berber carpet & tile. Very convenient to LSU. Semester Lease Terms.

No Pets!

350 South Acadian Gallery Condos $495 w/ $350 deposit 225.928.2864 2BR - 4119 Burbank Available soon. www. lsubr.com for pictures and floor plan. No pets. 445-0039. Please leave a message.

Walk to LSU 1 and 2 BR FLATS and TH, pool, laundry center. University View Apartments on West Parker. Call Hannah 767-2678. NO PETS. WalK To Campus 1Br, 2Br, and Townhomes. Starting as low as $400.00. www. lsuwestchimesplace.com 225.346.4789 1 BR ON BURBANK -from $475 www.lsubr. com for pictures/ floorplan. 4065, 4243, 4118 Burbank. $300 deposit. No pets, not even visiting. Leave a message. 978-1649 1 Bd 1/2 ba Apartment for Rent available immediately, $901 water, cable, internet included, half off first month’s rent 225-933-9097 2 BD 1.5 Bath Cottage Close to LSU. Fenced back yard, private parking, 2-story, W/ D, $1,050/ mo. 7951 Bayou Fountain Avenue. Available August 1. 225.330.9286 or 225.757.0494.

1 BR 1 Bath Gated, Pool, Well lit parking, Brightside area, $650/mo, $650 Deposit, 1 Year Lease 225.752.7783 1 BR / 1 Bath Located in small, quiet complex. Great location! Walk to LSU Inclds. d/w, central a/h, semester lease terms. No Pets! $465 w/ $350 deposit Drex Gomes Properties 225.928.2864

Roommate Wanted HOUSE OFF HIGHLAND RD. Female needs two female roomates for 0910 year. New house, built last year.

Fabulous 3BR house off Highland, less than 1 mile from campus. Your own BR and Full Bath! $450/ mo each.

Call Jim Talbot (225) 927-2114 ROOMMATE NEEDED! Third roommate needed for a 3 bd/2 ba house in River’s Edge, off of Brightside! Rent is $425/ mo plus 1/3rd utilities. Great location!!

870.866.6000 ROOMmATE NEEDED Seeking roommate for 2BR/2.5B condo in Lake Beau Pre’.

Only $550 plus utilities!

Gated Community featuring luxury pool/ jacuzzi, game room, tennis courts, media room, gym, and only 2 miles from LSU. Email bbrow22@gmail.com for more details ROOMMATE NEEDED Roommate needed in a 3 br/2 bath house in Summerwood neighborhood. $390 a month with a private

THE DAILY REVEILLE office. Females preferred. Contact Brittny 601.297.2886 roommate needed New home located I-12/Millerville ten minutes from LSU. 2 rooms available. Rent @ 550/monthincludes all utilities. 225.278.7638 Roommate Needed Male roommate needed for house near LSU. Private bedrooms, baths, new construction.

Available 8/1/09. $500 mo/split utilities.

Call today for more info! 504.430.6278 Roommate Needed Male grad seeking roommate to share 2BR/2.5B Lake Beau Pre Condo Only $575 ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED!!

Gated, Pool, Gym, Tennis Court 225.247.0567 Roomate Needed to share 4BR 2B townhouse 1 mi. from campus. $500 dep $400mo/split utilities, covered parking 985.807.8400 Great Apartment Near Campus Need male roommate to share newly refurbished, nicely furnished apartment-2 bedrooms,1 bath, living room, dining room and all new full kitchen. Central AC and hard wood floors throughout. Rent averages $525 each including cable, utilities and high speed internet. Great view of LSU lakes, only 1 block away. Walk or bike to campus. No smoking/no pets.

225.938.1010

Personals LOOKING FOR: Non-fratstar. A guy who really knows how to use his cargo pockets.

A man who can describe himself with a cute graphic T. Gelled hair preferred. You can find me onstage at Reggies. Come by and buy me a Jager shot or shoot me an email. missindependent@gmail.com No summer love? Hopeless romantic looking for a cute girl who knows what she wants and likes to be treated well. If your idea of a nice night is a movie on the big screen and a bottle of wine, let me know.

504tigerguy@gmail.com English Tutor needed in Summer or whole year. Undergraduate or graduate students in English Department a must. Salary negotiable. bob_ysxiang@yahoo.com or

225.578.7621 Still seeking sugramama Sexy 22yo s/w/m looking for an attractive, adventurous cougar 25-42 years old. Do not be shy!

I will make your dreams come true. Tell me about yourself when you take me out for lunch! brokeinbr@gmail.com hey! You always seem to be walking to your car as I am walking to class. Last week you actually waved at me (I think it was at me!).

This has been going on for quite a few weeks, but we both get “surprised” looks on our faces every time we see each other.

Say “Hey!” next time we pass. looking for my match to fill the little opening in the jumbeled sock drawer of my heart. White female who is into snake charming, chainsaws & sealing envelopes with hot wax. Seeking male companion with high ACT score, high cheekbones and high self esteem. No Weirdos PLEASE! allthegoodonesweretaken666@yahoo.com LSU Guy Looking for love in all the wrong places.

Finally decided to put this up here. I’m 22 going to graduate next May. I need a sweet girl who is content being herself. I like movies, going out to dinner, traveling, and of course LSU Football.

Tigerlovin22@gmail.com girl needed for laundry and creation of tasty ice cream treats hungrymandirtylaundry@yahoo.com Seeking charitable, outdoor loving individual. Must love animals and the occasional hiking or camping trip. Drop me a message at HighpointingForAmerica.org SEARCHING 4 SOULMATE 20yo Asian guy seeking masculine guy 18-23 to date. Races open. I’m a sweetheart! tigerboy1988@ gmail.com

Miscellaneous You Could Win $25 just by registering at redsticklive.com by July 31. One winner announced Aug. 1. Info at redsticklive.com/ contest.html.

Car for sale--- 1997 Nissan Sentra 4 cyl,4 door, power, low mileage, good condition. $2,000.00 225.774.5863 225.774.5863

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Thursday, July 23, 2009