The Daily Reveille 4-20-16

Blakeney not to enter NBA draft, will return for second season at LSU, page 5 University professor receives 2016 SEC Professor of the Year award,

page 4 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

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Volume 121 · No. 61

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ADMINISTRATION

Roy King fired; Llinás named interim Tiger Band director

BY STAFF REPORTS @lsureveille

Following an administrative leave which lasted roughly two weeks, the University has fired Tiger Band director Roy King, citing the results of an investigation related to “adherence of policies, procedures and financial safeguards meant to protect Tiger Band and LSU” as the basis for King’s ousting.

King worked with the marching band for 18 years and served as assistant director of bands for several years before permanently taking over as band director in fall 2010.

In a previous interview with The Daily Reveille, King’s attorney, Jill Craft, described the

investigation and administrative leave as “an absolute travesty” and a “witch hunt.”

At the time, she said she believed King had been placed on administrative leave because he refused to allow “certain folks with the LSU School of Music” to access Tiger Band money, specifically referencing stipends reserved for the Golden Girls and Color Guard.

In a statement to The Daily Reveille following the announcement of King’s administrative leave, LSU Media Relations Director Ernie Ballard said the action was not “as a result of any alleged dispute between Tiger Band and the School of Music.”

The firing follows the delivery of a petition with roughly 1,500

signatures to LSU President F. King Alexander and Gov. John Bel Edwards on April 11. Members of the “TIGER BAND FANS FOR ROY” Facebook page, who include parents, alumni, students and current band members, also wrote letters to University administrators and lawmakers supporting King and encouraging them to protect his job.

Once news of the firing broke, members of the Facebook page expressed their frustration through posts including, “I’m so sick and upset over this whole thing” and “I stand behind Roy and his character 100 percent and I am disgusted over many things.”

HASKELL WHITTINGTON / The Daily Reveille

see KING, page 2

Roy King [left] will be replaced by assistant director of bands Dennis Llinás, who will serve as Tiger Band’s interim director.

LGBT

LGBT activists give State of the Union address

HOT POTATO

BY TRENT PARKER @trentparker_TDR

Kitchens on the Geaux volunteers bagged more than 25,000 pounds of potatoes on Tuesday to donate to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, page 2 ANJANA NAIR / The Daily Reveille

Panelists from multiple oncampus and community LGBT organizations met at the LSU Women’s Center Tuesday evening for the LGBT State of the Union, which included discussion of recent developments and plans for the future of Louisiana.

“If you are someone who is driven to try to make a difference, there’s a lot of room for you to do that here,” said Equality Louisiana research and policy coordinator Corinne Green.

Converting one of the vacant offices next to the Women’s Center into a dedicated LGBT center, removing the requirement for Tiger Cards to use student’s birth names and properly labeling gender-neutral restrooms were among the reforms suggested.

Attendees also spoke of a lack of communication and difficulties in holding entities like the University and Student

see ADDRESS, page 4

page 2 KING, from page 1 A GoFundMe account also popped up on Tuesday night aimed at offering financial support to King and his family and helping out “with any daily expenses.”

At 5 p.m., roughly an hour after the announcement went public, Tiger Band members gathered for a closed meeting with Manship Director of Bands Damon Talley to discuss the news and plans to move forward.

Gabrielle LeJeune, a University sophomore who has been a member of the band’s Color Guard since she first came to LSU, said Tiger Band musicians and performers were in a state of disbelief following last night’s meeting, during which little was revealed beyond the name of the band’s new interim director, assistant director of bands Dennis Llinás.

“Whenever we got the news, we were just in shock,” LeJeune said. “Everybody just really wanted definite answers.”

The Daily Reveille

Though LeJeune described King as “another dad” to band members, she said they are in good hands under Llinás’ fornow temporary direction.

“Everybody really likes him,” she said of Llinás. “He’s a real nice, people person.”

King’s tenure as head of the “Golden Band from Tigerland” was marked by several successes for the program and its director. The Tiger Band was ranked as one of the top marching bands in the nation by the Huffington Post in 2012, and King was

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

named Band Director of the Year in 2013 by the Epsilon Chapter of the Phi Beta Mu international bandmasters fraternity.

King, a University alumnus, received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Wind Conducting degrees from LSU. His successor, Llinás, earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Florida International University and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin.

CAMPUS LIFE

Kitchens on the Geaux hosts fourth annual potato drop

BY BETH CARTER @bethie_carter Thanks to student efforts, Baton Rouge residents will soon have access to over 25,000 pounds of sweet potatoes.

Kitchens on the Geaux, a student organization on campus, hosted its fourth-annual Potato Drop on the LSU Parade Ground on Tuesday. The sweet potatoes were donated by Garber Farms in Iota, Louisiana, after they were deemed too “cosmetically imperfect” to sell at supermarkets.

Lily LaGrange, an economics freshman and president of the organization, said the event was a great way to raise awareness of food insecurity in Baton Rouge.

“The main purpose of it is to show that hunger insecurity doesn’t really discriminate,” LaGrange said. “We’re just trying to bring that to light and show that this is happening in our backyard.”

With help from the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, the St. Andrew Society and student volunteers, Kitchens on the Geaux assembled around 2,500 bags of sweet potatoes to be distributed around the city.

The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank collects around 9 million pounds of food each year. Virginia Archer, the food bank’s food acquisition coordinator, said the Potato Drop is a large factor in collecting such a large amount of food.

The food bank will distribute the sweet potatoes to various Baton

Rouge organizations, including St. Vincent de Paul, Boys Hope Girls Hope and the Bishop Ott Shelter.

Archer said by collecting the potatoes, Baton Rouge residents will not only eat, but will eat healthily. “[The food bank] isn’t just about providing calories — it’s about nutrition too,” Archer said.

Food insecurity among University students has also become an issue that the food bank takes interest in. Archer said the Potato Drop raises awareness of resources for students like the food pantry started by the dean of students in 2013.

Biological sciences sophomore Muhammad Yahya was one of the more than 75 volunteers at the Potato Drop. He said he believed the event was a great way to make students conscious of food insecurity.

“It’s good for the LSU community to raise awareness of this issue,” he said.

Although Kitchens on the Geaux has been on campus for the past five years, the organization has all new leadership and recently rewrote its bylaws. LaGrange hopes the development of the club will help make it a prominent student organization.

The club has begun exploring options regarding food waste at the University and is looking into pairing with the food bank once again to possibly collect excess food from the campus dining halls in the future.

“Forty percent of food in this country goes to waste, so we’re trying to shed some light on that, as well,” LaGrange said.

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ANJANA NAIR / The Daily Reveille

At the Kitchens on the Geaux potato drop on April 19, University students bag potatoes on the Parade Ground to be delivered to the Baton Rouge Food Bank.

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The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 STAFF

page 3

Candy grams sold to be delivered to students during dead week

BY TIA BANERJEE @tiabanerjee_ The LSU Staff Senate candy gram sale hopes to help students through dead week and finals by providing a sweet treat.

The Senate is selling candy grams for $2. Those ordering can pick from Skittles, M&M’s, Hershey’s bars and Snickers, along with an encouraging note, Staff Senate president Tammy Millican said.

Orders are being taken until Thursday. Candy grams will be delivered April 25 to students and April 29 to faculty and staff.

“This would just be a way to encourage and have a little fun with faculty and staff and students,” Millican said. “Having something delivered to you, a candy bar with a little note to it, seems like a good idea.”

This will be the third time Staff Senate has sold candy grams. The proceeds from the sales go toward Staff Senate’s Fee Support Scholarship fund, Lynn Livingston, former Staff Senate president who brought up the idea, said.

The Fee Support Scholarship, created in 2006, aids University staff members who are pursuing a degree from the main campus. The scholarship covers one three-hour graduate or undergraduate level course for the fall or spring

semester, according to the LSU Staff Senate website.

In its first year, Staff Senate sold 314 candy grams, Livingston said. Now, Staff Senate typically sells around 400-500 candy grams, with sales increasing each year. Purchases come mostly from faculty and staff, but the number of student purchases is increasing as more students find out about them, Millican said.

The idea of selling candy grams originally came from a United Way of America fundraiser held by Residential Life.

The idea worked well within Residential Life and seemed like it would be easy to transition to Staff Senate, Livingston said.

“It was successful, it was easy, it brought a lot of smiles to folks’ faces,” Livingston said.

Associate Vice President for Accounting Services Donna Torres has bought candy grams every time they have gone on sale and has bought more than $200 worth over the years.

Torres said she buys them for her staff, other units that her department works with and for people around campus she works with regularly as a thank you for being part of the team.

“It’s just nice to get a surprise in your inbox that you know someone appreciates what you do,” Torres said. “I know I love when I get them.”

JAVIER FERNÁNDEZ / The Daily Reveille

LSU Senate Staff is selling candy grams to boost finals week morale on campus.

POLITICS

Johns amends body camera bill amid criticism, concerns

BY JACK RICHARDS @JayEllRichy Committee members and media representatives Tuesday convinced Sen. Ronnie Johns, R-Lake Charles, to amend his Senate Bill 398 which, in its original form, would effectively exempt all body camera footage from public records requests.

The committee plans to hear the bill again next week in when opponents hope it will contain specific exemptions rather than Johns’ blanket protection.

The Louisiana Press Association, represented by First Amendment Attorney Scott Sternberg of New Orleans, opposed the bill, saying the wording is too broad and would require concerned individuals or the news media to sue to get any body camera footage instead of negotiating amicably with police.

Johns said both law enforcement and those who hold them accountable understand the privacy concerns that motivated the bill. He said he would likely use Florida’s law as a guide, where private residences, medical facilities and other private areas are specifically exempted, instead of the blanket exemption currently in SB 398.

Alexandria Police Chief

Loren Lambert said the bill would protect the privacy of individuals who are in embarrassing or compromising public situations. He gave the examples of a young woman who passed out in the bathroom of a movie theater because of a diabetic condition and of a domestic dispute among family that does not result in criminal action.

Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, raised concerns about transparency of police departments. She brought up the recent incident at Baton Rouge Earth Day where a bystander’s video appeared to show a police officer punching a 16-yearold whose hands are behind his back.

“Police officers make mistakes, and they have bad behavior at times,” Peterson said. “In 2016 there’s a reason we ask for body cameras.”

Thirteen states currently have laws that impact how much access the public has to police body camera footage, according to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. In Texas, body camera footage is legally prohibited from being tampered with or released to the public before “all criminal matters are adjudicated,” unless the release would serve a police interest.

Sen. Norby Chabert,

R-Houma, asked, hypothetically, whether the body camera footage of a crawfish boil at his house where there was a noise complaint could be requested under

current law.

Sternberg noted that while there is no provision in the Louisiana public records law, Chabert might still have a case for

privacy. Sternberg said there is a judicially recognized exception to the public records law for people who have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

JACK RICHARDS / The Daily Reveille

From left, Alexandria Police Chief Loren Lambert, Sen. Ronnie Johns, R-Lake Charles, and Lake Charles Police Chief Donald Dixon testify before Senate Judiciary B Committee on Tuesday in support of exempting all body camera footage from public records requests. Johns, the bill’s sponsor, agreed to include less all-encompassing language before resubmitting it.

The Daily Reveille

page 4 FACULTY

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Chemistry professor wins 2016 SEC Professor of the Year

higher education.”

Through Warner’s contributions as a scientist and mentor, College of Science Dean Cynthia Peterson said the chemistry professor has become a “cornerstone” of the department.

She said his successes in teaching make him a role model for students and peers, alike.

“Thanks to his commitment

to increasing diversity in STEM fields, the LSU Department of Chemistry now leads the nation in the number of Ph.D graduates from historically underrepresented groups,” Peterson said.

In addition to the graduate class he teaches each year, Warner extensively researches ionic liquids he calls “GUMBOS,” an acronym for “group of

uniform materials based on salts.” From this research, Warner discovered GUMBO compounds kill only cancer cells during chemotherapy.

Warner said preliminary lab results suggest the compounds will work in real life as well as they did in the petri dish. With a handful of patents pending in the area, he said right now is a “very

exciting time” in his field.

Despite his contributions to the department’s materials initiative, Warner said his favorite part of the job involves teaching. However, he said he considers the two primary aspects of academia synonymous on many levels.

“Research should teach students how to create new knowledge,” Warner said. “What better form of teaching than to create new knowledge?”

In his role as an administrative vice president, he said he has generated more than $30 million for the University through various initiatives and programs for students.

As hundreds of students look to him as a mentor, Warner said he receives emails from former students and colleagues a few times a month, thanking him for his guidance and assistance.

Though he does not have much left on his professional bucket list, he said he strives to help fellow members of the University community find a way.

“I’m a country boy from Bunkie, Louisiana, and there were people in my life who helped me find a way,” Warner said. “In my opinion, that’s what life is about — trying to help others.”

‘We’re here for LGBT students,’ but then you hear from them once a year,” Spectrum president Courtney Murr said. “It’s incredibly frustrating that people only have time to talk to us when they

want to get elected.”

Only one of the 59 student senators has made significant efforts to work with the LGBT community, said Qroma copresident Megan Gilliam.

At the state level, successes

by LGBT activists include monitoring the legislature to organize responses to new bills early the legislative process.

A bill proposed by Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, HB-542, was quickly withdrawn after voters made hundreds of phone calls to her office protesting it as encouraging discrimination against trans people, Green said.

The original text of the bill allowed employers to “provide for the regulation of dress code and sex-specific titles and names; to provide that restrooms be segregated based on the sex designated at birth.”

“The national organizations … said it was the worst anti-trans bill they’d ever seen,” Green said.

“We killed it in less than sixteen hours.”

Despite the issues with HB-542, the state is still in some ways ahead of many of its

Southern counterparts, Green said.

“We haven’t had the problems you’ve seen in North Carolina or in Mississippi,” Green said.

Green attributed this to strong activism by LGBT groups, the election of Gov. John Bel Edwards and the local culture being a little more accepting than those of other southern states.

Attendees lauded an executive order by Edwards protecting state workers against being fired over their gender and sexual identity as a major improvement.

However, acts of violence against trans people continue to be an issue, Green said, with two recent homicides having occurred in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

“I constantly feel like I’m going to be mauled or attacked just because I’m walking in the street presenting how I want to present [my identity],” community activist Joseph Coco said.

BY CAITIE BURKES @caitie1221 While at Southern University in the 1960s, the chemistry department chair noticed a knack for science in Isiah Warner, a promising undergraduate from Bunkie, Louisiana. After encouraging Warner to pursue chemistry as a field of study, he challenged his protege with an ambitious task — receive a Ph.D before his 30th birthday.

“What’s a Ph.D?” Warner asked.

Nearly 50 years later, Warner boasts not only a Ph.D in analytical chemistry from the University of Washington, but professional titles ranging from LSU’s Vice President for Strategic Initiatives to Howard Hughes Medical Institute professor. His 24 years of service to the University, combined with his cutting-edge research in chemotherapeutics, earned him the SEC Professor of the Year award at this year’s conference.

According to the LSU Media Center’s website, the award is given to one Southeastern Conference faculty member “whose record of teaching, research and scholarship places him or her among the elite in

ADDRESS, from page 1 Government accountable for implementing promised changes.

“Student Government … will preach acceptance and [say]

NICHOLAS MARTINO / The Daily Reveille

Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Professor of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Isiah Warner was named 2016 SEC Professor of the Year.

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CATHERINE SEDDON / The Daily Reveille

Community activists discuss issues facing LGBT people at the University and in Louisiana on April 19 during a LGBT State of the Union panel at LSU’s Women’s Center.

Sports

page 5

Midweek Moderation

ZOE GEAUTHREAUX /

The Daily Reveille

LSU junior infielder Kramer Robertson (3) after successfully running to first base on March 5 during the Tigers’ 15-1 win against Fordham at Alex Box Stadium.

Tigers stay loose as they host proven Southeatern Louisiana team

A

BY JAMES BEWERS | @JamesBewers_TDR

little while back, LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri had a discussion with long-time friend and Chicago Cubs Assistant General Manager Randy Bush.

Per manager Joe Maddon’s instruction, Bush told Mainieri the Cubs didn’t take pregame batting practice for roughly 10-straight days last season. Instead, the Cubs just arrived at the stadium to play the games during the “dog days of summer,” Mainieri said.

“Sometimes, less is better in this sport because it mentally taxes you so much,” Mainieri said. “You got to

give them a chance to relax.”

Chicago ended the 2015 regular season with thirdstrongest record in the major leagues and appeared in the National League Championship Series.

After an “intense” practice prior to a deflating midweek loss McNeese State, Mainieri, like Maddon, realized it was time to do something he’s done before — ­­­­ keep things light.

After all, the Tigers (25-11, 9-6 Southeastern Conference) are coming off three straight SEC series

wins, including a sweep versus Missouri.

Before every weekend series, the Tigers go through a football-like walkthrough, where situational baseball particulars aren’t usually emphasized.

“We have 20 games remaining in a 56-game schedule,” Mainieri said. “If we’re not good at that stuff by now, then something’s wrong. It’s more important, at this point, to have them energetic on game day, not so much where they burn up all their energy at practice.”

The relaxed, fun practice is something junior

see MIDWEEK, page 11 MEN’S BASKETBALL

Antonio Blakeney to return for sophomore season

BY CHRISTIAN BOUTWELL @CBoutwell_TDR

Freshman shooting guard Antonio Blakeney has decided not to continue to “test the waters” in the NBA Draft process and will return for his sophomore season, LSU announced Tuesday afternoon.

Blakeney was required to submit paperwork to the NBA

by April 24, but decided to not go forward with the predraft process and will partake in LSU’s spring strength and conditioning drills on campus.

“After consulting with my coaches and with my family, I

have decided to return to LSU averaged 30.8 minutes among all contests. for my sophomore season,” “A l t h o u g h “It is in my best Blakeney said in I finished the a press release. interest to return and year strong and “I can further posted a solid improve my skill continue to improve season, it is in set in different my best interas I strive and est to return and areas to become even more effec- prepare to be the best continue to imtive for my team prove as I strive I can be.” in the future.” and prepare to Blakeney, a be the best I can two-time SEC be,” Blakeney ANTONIO BLAKENEY Freshman of said. “This will Freshman shooting guard the Week, averalso allow me to aged 12.6 points continue with per game and 3.4 rebounds in my schoolwork and continue his rookie season. The Sara- to move forward on my college sota, Florida, native started 24 of 33 games as a Tiger, and see BLAKENEY, page 11

HASKELL WHITTINGTON / The Daily Reveille

LSU freshman guard Antonio Blakeney (12) moves through Florida defense toward their basket during the LSU 96-91 victory against the Florida Gators on Feb. 27 in the PMAC.

Congratulations to the 27th Annual Class!

Leadership LSU 2016 Laeh Alexander Laplace, LA

Annie Alvelais El Paso, TX

Alesia Anderson New Orleans, LA

Chase August Lafayette, LA

William Baumgardner Fort Worth, TX

Elizabeth Borda Metairie, LA

Vani’Tra Braud Garyville, LA

JoLena Broussard New Iberia, LA

Tori Callais Denham Springs, LA

Anna Davis Baton Rouge, LA

Jessica DeJan-Moore New Orleans, LA

Nicole de la Fuente Beaumont, TX

Devin Dufrene Holden, LA

Ashley Folse Boutte, LA

A. Nichole Fusilier Lawrenceville, GA

Adam Grashoff Mandeville, LA

Megan Harper Stevensville, MD

Allison Herrera Kenner, LA

Jordan Hicks Lebeau, LA

Bryce Benzine Baton Rouge, LA

Ariel Bergeron Houma, LA

Matthew DePaula Allen, TX

Maria Do New Orleans, LA

Samantha Jensen Orange County, CA

Ashleigh Jones Baton Rouge, LA

Danielle Kelley Zachary, LA

Hannah Knight Baton Rouge, LA

Katherine Latham New Orleans, LA

Evan Loukadakis Mansura, LA

Kaci McClure Dallas, TX

Geena Marano Las Vegas, NV

Tori Marcel New Orleans, LA

Lindsey Miller Baton Rouge, LA

Michael Moore Plano, TX

Zackari Murphy Shreveport, LA

Briana Nelson Baton Rouge, LA

Cara Oliver Metairie, LA

Adrienne Ourso Baton Rouge, LA

Heidi Pittman Lafayette, LA

Jane Ashley Raborn Winston-Salem, NC

Victoria Roberts River Ridge, LA

Taylor Simien Lafayette, LA

Alison Schreckengast Raceland, LA

Jade Spears Baton Rouge, LA

Kathleen Smith Baton Rouge, LA

Mary Catherine Srofe Slidell, LA

Chauncey Stephens Gonzales, LA

Darnell Theriot Houston, TX

Caroline Thriffiley New Orleans, LA

Sarah Treadaway Gretna, LA

Paige Vaughn Fordoche, LA

Bianca Webb Atlanta, GA

Katherine Wempe Brooksville, FL

Kristen Wesson Watson, LA

Erin Wilbanks Denham Springs, LA

Niara Woods New Orleans, LA

Jenna Zeringue Luling, LA

Brandon Hinton Wynne, AR Practicum Intern

Marciel Whitehurst San Antonio, TX

Each spring, the Office of the Dean of Students recognizes twelve outstanding seniors who “contribute positively to the life of the campus and surrounding community.” These individuals, in keeping with the University’s Commitment to Community, also hold themselves to the “highest standards of academic, personal, and social integrity; practice justice, equality, and compassion in human relations;” and “respect the dignity of all persons and accept individual differences.”

The Office of the Dean of Students

Commitment to Community Louisiana State University is an interactive community in which students, faculty, and staff together strive to pursue truth, advance learning, and uphold the highest standards of performance in an academic and social environment. It is a community that fosters individual development and the creation of bonds that transcend the time spent within its gates.

introduces the

Tiger Twelve class of 2016

To demonstrate my pride in LSU, as a member of its community, I will: accept responsibility for my actions; hold myself and others to the highest standards of academic, personal, and social integrity; practice justice, equality, and compassion, in human relations; respect the dignity of all persons and accept individual differences; respect the environment and the rights and property of others and the University; contribute positively to the life of the campus and surrounding community; use my LSU experience to be an active citizen in an international and interdependent world.

The continued success of LSU depends on the faithful commitment by each community member to these, our basic principles.

Adopted as a Statement of University Position on behalf of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College Community on the fifth of May in the year 1995.

Jonathan Brown Iowa, LA Mass Communications

Sarah Lungaro Lake Charles, LA Biological Sciences and Biochemistry

Maria Munoz Centerville, OH Landscape Architecture

Atianna Cordova

Katie Hogan

New Orleans, LA Architecture

Choudrant, LA Biological Engineering

Andrew Mahtook

Tori Marcel

Kat Latham Metairie, LA Public Relations

Andrew Mullet

Lafayette, LA Finance

New Orleans, LA Psychology

Folsom, LA Biochemistry and Spanish

Heidi Pittman

Chauncey Stephens

Joe Zerkus

Lafayette, LA Elementary Education

Gonzales, LA Elementary Grades Education

Fayetteville, GA Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Opinion

page 8

Master of None LSU is not financially ready for a new Master Plan MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL CLARKE PERKINS @ClarkePerkins

THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander speaks with writers on Thursday, August 20 in the System Building.

A

s students, we all want to see our campus prosper through innovation, and the University’s Master Plan allows that to happen. However, is now the right time to begin implementing such a plan?

In 2003, the University finished its first Master Plan and received approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors. The purpose of the master plan was to come up with ideas for physical innovation that would better the campus through the next 20 years.

The Master Plan has been updated many times since 2003.

Last October, the University announced it was in contract with NBBJ, the firm selected to create an updated Master Plan.

NBBJ will use the 2003 plan and LSU’s strategic plan, Flagship 2020: Transforming Lives as a framework for the update.

A 78-page PDF presentation shows the exact campus-wide ideas NBBJ plans to implement.

They plan on bringing ideas to residential life, dining, architecture, landscape, transportation, parking and numerous

other areas.

“Development on campus has progressed rapidly since 2003 and the current and upcoming development is unprecedented,” said Roger Husser, director of LSU planning, design and construction. “Whereas the 2003 Master Plan identified how the campus might look in 50 years, we need to know how we should strategically grow in the next five to 10 years.”

The Master Plan is astonishing. However, now is not the time.

I’m not sure if the perfect time for such a plan will ever come, considering that this is Louisiana — the state that can never seem to balance its budget.

But, I’m sure a better time than the one right now will come along. We must prioritize.

Husser said the campus is looking for ways to grow within the next 5-10 years, meaning construction for many of its projects would have to begin relatively soon. The University is not ready for that right now.

The Daily Reveille EDITORIAL BOARD

Quint Forgey Carrie Grace Henderson Joshua Jackson Rose Velazquez William Taylor Potter Cody Sibley

Editor in Chief Co-Managing Editor Co-Managing Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Opinion Editor

Just a few months ago, everything hit the fan. Students were told they may lose TOPS, faculty and staff were told they may lose jobs and the University was told it may lose state money.

LSU President F. King Alexander sent an email last week outlining how we should remain alert and concerned as the legislature’s special session doesn’t end until June 6. He’s correct when he says many things can change until then.

The loss of TOPS will result in students breaking their backs to cough up the money the state would normally allot them. There is no wiggle room here. There is no room for some new random charge on our fee bill or a raise in tuition that will go toward funding this extravagant plan.

Not now.

Not to mention, NBBJ isn’t creating this plan for free. I could only imagine how much a global architecture company with headquarters more than 2,000 miles away in Seattle, Washington would charge.

An entire website is dedicated to the LSU Master Plan. On the website, you can give your ideas, see the projected timeline of the process and view the calendar of events in which you can participate.

One event, the “Master Plan Open House,” will be held in the Student Union on May 3. There, students can ask questions and get more information regarding the plan.

According to the website, we are in phase one right now.

The Master Plan is projected to be in its final phase by this time next year. This process is moving quickly.

LSU should’ve been more mindful of the contracts they committed themselves to.

I understand what a contract is, and that it’s probably too late to back out or hold it off.

But administrators should have considered holding off several months ago when the contract was first signed with NBBJ.

Master Plan Phases PHASE I Data Collection, Analysis, and Needs Identification January 2016 – May 2016 PHASE II Alternatives Exploration, Concept Development, and Testing June 2016 – September 2016 PHASE III Final Recommendations, Phasing/ Prioritization Strategy, Final Deliverables October 2016 – May 2016

Clarke Perkins is a 20-year-old political science sophomore from New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Quote of the Day “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Activist Oct. 2, 1869 — Jan. 30, 1948

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

page 9

Candy, the cigarette- and soda-addicted chimpanzee, deserves new home BURNT TO A CRISP GARRETT HINES @GarrettH_TDR Candy the Chimpanzee in her current condition is not up to any monkey business.

In fact, she can’t be.

Since Candy is a chimpanzee, she doesn’t have a tail like monkeys do. Also unlike monkeys, chimps like Candy have shoulder blades suited for swinging from tree to tree, according to the nationally-recognized, Louisiana-based Chimp Haven.

She’s also an unhappy, cigarette-smoking, Coca-Coladrinking animal stuck in a cage at Dixie Landin’ in Baton Rouge.

Chimps are innovative creatures who walk on two feet in the wild and make tools for hunting and survival. They need mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy or else they’ll suffer from loneliness, depression and boredom.

A judge is set to issue a summary judgement in April 2017 on Candy’s condition.

If the judge rules on the behalf of Animal Legal Defense Fund, then Candy could finally be set free from her torturous

photo courtesy of ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

A summary judgment on Candy’s condition is set to be issued in April 2017. solitary confinement. However, waiting an entire year for a ruling could hurt Candy in the long run. Her health can’t wait as her dignity is waning along with her remaining years.

At Dixie Landin’, Candy the Chimp isn’t stimulated at all. Independent observers and chimp experts have repeatedly recommended a slew of changes to

increase her happiness.

The first thing they recommended was removing her access to smokable cigarettes and to replace her CocaCola supply with water.

The cigarette-smoking aspect of this story is alarming by itself.

Patrons used to toss lit cigarettes into her cage,

and she modeled human behavior and became an avid smoker.

Members of the Haynes family, who own Dixie Landin’, state they do not refuse to offer her water, but instead “provide Candy exclusively with CocaCola,” claiming that Candy does not like water. Visiting primatology experts, however, claim that “Candy has readily accepted and drunk water offered to her.”

A chief concern and the main point of contention between animal rights advocates and the Haynes family has been the relocation of Candy from her cage to a more suitable location.

Animal rights advocates want to move Candy to The Chimp Haven, which is southwest of Shreveport in Keithville.

Jane Goodall, a well-known primatologist, has endorsed this move.

“We have several female chimpanzees in their late 50s, and they’re doing fine,” Cathy Willis Spraetz, president and CEO of the enclosure, said.

If Candy is moved, she could fulfill the National Research Council’s Committee on Long-term Care of Chimpanzees recommendation that “all

chimpanzees in long-term situations should be housed minimally in pairs and preferably in social groups of three or more compatible individuals.”

The Haynes family doesn’t want to move her because they think using a tranquilizer will kill her. She frequently loses her bowels when she sees a needle, and they’re afraid injecting her with something will cause cardiac arrest.

They also cite her veterinarian’s statement that she needs to remain where she is currently located, but this of course comes with its own bias.

Regardless of competing claims, it seems clear that Candy is not thriving in her cage, rocking back and forth in one spot as she has no outside stimuli. This family lost the privilege to be considered compassionate caregivers when they didn’t put a forceful stop to her smoking cigarettes.

Moving her to the Chimp Haven is the right decision to make, both legally and morally, and hopefully the judge will rule this way.

Garrett Hines is a 21-year-old political science senior from Monroe, Louisiana.

2016 Senate race could determine Louisiana’s future ENTITLED MILLENNIAL CODY SIBLEY @CodySibley The presidential election might be the hot-button issue this year, but we shouldn’t forget about the all-important congressional races in 2016.

Louisiana will choose its next senator in November. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., decided to retire after his embarrassing performance in Louisiana’s 2015 gubernatorial election, meaning our race is wide open. Two of the people running are currently in the U.S. House of Representatives, which means their seats are also up for grabs. Get ready for a statewide power vacuum.

Five Republicans and three Democrats are running for the open seat, and under Louisiana’s election laws, all candidates are put on the same ballot in November. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates proceed to a runoff election in December.

Unlike the 2014 midterm election, in which Bill Cassidy destroyed Mary Landrieu, 2016’s election coverage is almost nonexistent. Because of this, coupled with the fact that everyone in the state is running for senate, the Louisiana senate race will almost certainly advance to a runoff. Whoever makes it to

the second round of elections is entirely up to you.

I know Congress isn’t as glamorous as the presidential race, and we’re spending most of our energy preparing for nuclear war if Donald Trump wins the election. But congressional races can be just as consequential as the presidential one.

None of the presidential candidates can accomplish any of their promises without support from Congress. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ tuition-free college proposal won’t go through without a massive congressional makeover, nor would Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall.

The congressional seats are vital for the president to execute his or her plans. But, aside from national issues, we need a senator that’ll bring Louisiana’s issues to the forefront of the conversation.

Coastal erosion, climate change, ocean acidification, infrastructure and continuing to rebuild New Orleans are all important topics for Louisiana’s survival. We need a senator who’s able and willing to stand up to the oil and gas companies because, quite frankly, our landscape can’t take anymore of them ruining our environment.

Have you heard of the dead zone in the gulf? It’s an area along Louisiana’s coast with low oxygen levels. Because of that,

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 12, following a Republican policy luncheon. From left are, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., McConnell, and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas. sea life can’t thrive, ruining our state’s fishing industry. We can argue over whether this is a state or federal problem, but I’d much rather spend time resolving it instead. And having a senator fight to eradicate the dead zone is better than the alternative.

On economic issues, we need a senator able to fight for the working people. Louisiana is a poor state with low-income people. Big-business legislation doesn’t help Louisiana or its residents. We need a senator who can

stand up to large corporations so that we can funnel the money used to subsidize corporations into social programs that benefit everyone.

Louisiana’s residents would benefit from single-payer healthcare and tuition-free college more than any other state. Given the state’s consistent cuts to healthcare and higher education, Louisiana probably shouldn’t have full monetary control over those programs anyway. More federal dollars going to the state

and its people could reduce the burden of budget cuts on Louisiana’s low-income residents.

Getting wrapped up in national news is easy and tempting, but Louisiana has its own problems. We need to use this election to figure out how this political atmosphere will affect our great state.

Cody Sibley is a 20-year-old mass communication sophomore from Opelousas, Louisiana.

page 10

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ACROSS Joke around Alaska’s Palin Wooden shoe Hawaiian island Maximum allowed or minimum required “__ you lost your mind?”

Puncture Skeptic Truman’s monogram Large tubs Provide with fresh weapons Bleacher levels Apple computer Giggle’s sound Wood-shapers’ machines Mistake Thin sugary coating __ tree; cornered Make a tiny cut Halted and didn’t move Read quickly Cheap metal The Chicago Tribune, e.g.

“Beauty and the __” Pompousness Misgivings Calico or pooch Wood hole filler Valuable thing Golfer’s pegs Greek Letter Usurers Mix in a bowl Theater box Blockhead Hockey disk Asterisk Sulks __ for; requests

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48 Chimney residue 49 Long tale 50 Journey 52 Not well 53 Irritates 55 That fellow 56 Commotion 57 Hot tub

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 MIDWEEK, from page 5 shortstop Kramer Robertson became accustomed to with the two previous LSU teams, experienced squads that were used to success.

“Everything is a lot easier when you win,” Robertson said.

“It’s nice to have a light practice with shorts. We’re not taking it easy. It’s still going to be intense.

It’s a lot less taxing. Good things happen when you win, so we’re going to continue to try to do that.”

Much like the Cowboys, the Lions (26-11, 13-2 Southland Conference) have proven to be no typical midweek pushover.

The fellow in-state opponent — which features the top hitter in

The Daily Reveille

the nation, Jameson Fisher — has on the verge of going to the NCAA a pair of wins against Tulane and tournament. This team has played good competition a victory against Tennessee. all year long.”

Despite a nonwith “Sometimes, less is no Starting conference series more than defeat against No. better in this sport two innings from 24 UL-Lafayette, sophomore rightS o u t h e a s t e r n because it mentally hander Doug NorMainieri will Louisiana pumtaxes you so much.” man, meled the Ragin’ use a handful of Cajuns in Game 2, pitchers tomorrow 16-5. against the Lions’ PAUL MAINIERI “Although they top-75 offense, LSU baseball coach may not be these hoping to get several relievers massive, footballname schools that everybody work that didn’t appear in the kind of knows who they are,” said Missouri series.

LSU used as many pitchers hitting coach Andy Cannizaro, “those are all outstanding base- (four) in Game 3 as did in the first ball teams that are either win- two games of the series combined, ning their conference or they’re which gives Mainieri reason to

page 11 use right-handed relievers like junior Riley Smith, sophomore Jesse Stallings and freshman Caleb Gilbert.

“I think we would probably had a little bit different approach had we had to tax our staff,” Mainieri said. “But, really, the bigger challenge we had was just

getting some guys some work this past weekend because, No. 1, all three starters went six innings and then, No. 2, we had two three-inning bullpen performances that were awesome. By the time we got to the seventh inning of Game 3, I had only used five pitchers.”

BEACH oUt THERE.

WINGATE JONES / The Daily Reveille

LSU sophmore pitcher Doug Norman (21) pitches during LSU’s 9-4 victory against the University of New Orleans on March 16.

HASKELL WHITTINGTON/ The Daily Reveille

LSU freshman guard Antonio Blakeney (12) plays Florida during LSU’s 96-91 victory against the Florida Gators on Feb. 27 in the PMAC.

BASEBALL

SOFTBALL

--------------------------------------

--------------------------------------

degree.”

Blakeney scored 20 or more points in eight games during the 2015-16 season.

“We’re excited about Antonio Blakeney’s decision to return for his sophomore season at LSU,” said LSU coach Johnny Jones in the release.

“His return will automatically give us another prolific scorer and the experience factor that is needed as we continue moving forward for next season.

We will work diligently to help him continue to improve this offseason as he strives to be the best.”

--------------------------------------

BLAKENEY, from page 5

TRACK & FIELD

vs. SOUTHEASTERN LA vs. NORTHWESTERN ST. LSU ALUMNI GOLD April 20 • 6:30 p.m.

April 20 • 6 p.m.

vs. MISSISSIPPI ST. vs. SOUTH CAROLINA April 22 • 7 p.m.

April 23 • 6 p.m.

April 24 • Noon

April 22 • 6 p.m.

April 23 • 6 p.m.

April 24 • 1 p.m.

April 23 • Noon

The Daily Reveille

page 12

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

SOFTBALL

Three seniors to continue on with professional softball careers

BY MARC STEVENS @MarcStevens_TDR When discussing professional sports leagues, undoubtedly the National Football League or the National Basketball Association are among the first mentioned.

But there exists another, lesser-known league — National Pro Fastpitch.

The NPF, formerly known as the Women’s Pro Softball League, is a professional softball league.

When its regular season opens on May 31, a flurry of LSU Tiger alumnae will be in the dugouts.

As the LSU softball team sat in Mugshots Bar and Grill on April 14 in Starkville, Mississippi, seniors Kellsi Kloss, Sandra Simmons and Bianka Bell learned their softball careers would continue as the trio were three of 40 softball players selected in the NPF’s annual collegiate draft.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled and happy for Bianka, Kellsi and

Sandra, as they have exemplified what it means to be LSU Tigers that play the game the right way,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “It has been an honor to coach them, and I look forward to watching their careers continue to grow not only as professional athletes, but also amazing young women.”

Kloss was the first LSU player off the board. The Chicago Bandits took her with the No. 17 overall pick.

Simmons’ time came just six selections later at No. 23, when the Akron Racers snatched the infielder.

The Pennsylvania Rebellion selected Bell at No. 36.

Kloss and Simmons will likely join their respective teams when the collegiate softball season concludes. But Bell, at least for this summer, said she will continue playing with USA softball.

Bell and Kloss have grown from rookie sensations into leaders for the team, and they are two

of the best hitters in LSU history.

Bell is the program leader in home runs with 53, while Kloss sits at third with 36 homers.

Kloss was a first-team All-SEC in 2015 and smashed 13 home runs as a junior.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to play with this organization, while also being so honored that they believed in me and that I deserved the shot to be a professional athlete,” Kloss said. “It’s humbling to know that I’m going to be surrounded by so many of the athletes that I and so many others have looked up to … I cannot wait to join the team later this summer.”

Simmons has grown into a focal point in the Tigers’ defense. In 2015, she was named to the SEC’s All-Defensive team after recording a .975 fielding percentage and notching 333 putouts throughout the year.

She has started all of the 230 games in which she has appeared

and has developed as a solid hitter at the plate. Simmons is currently tied for second on the team, maintaining a .339 batting average.

“I would not have had this opportunity without the help of the many teammates and coaches who have spent so much time with us and pushing us to be the very best we can be,” Simmons said.

“Through faith and hard work, this moment has been a dream come true and I am so thrilled to have been selected and I cannot wait to play with some of the best softball players in the world.”

Since Kloss and Simmons were drafted by different teams, this season will end an eight-year stretch the duo has played alongside each other. Prior to their arrival at LSU, they were on the same travel softball team together.

They said they have grown close over the years, which makes the separation bittersweet, Kloss said. But she is happy for Simmons and that they will both play at the

next level.

“The NPF is an amazing opportunity for so many young women to be role models for so many who play our game,” Torina said. “These women deserve the opportunity to play a professional sport.”

JAVIER FERNÁNDEZ / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior infielder Bianka Bell (27) stands in the rain during game two of the Tigers’ 1-0 victory against Longwood University on March 1.

Tigers hopeful to keep offensive momentum going

BY JOSHUA THORNTON @ JoshT_TDR

After winning its first Southeastern Conference series since April 3 last weekend, the No. 14 LSU softball team aspires to keep its National Championship hopes alive.

Fresh off a series win against Mississippi State, the Tigers (32-13, 7-11 Southeastern

Conference) are hoping to use momentum gained from the series win versus the Bulldogs against the Lady Demons, (24-18, 7-11 Southland Conference) beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in Tiger Park.

The road back on the right path could be easy for the Tigers, as eight of their final 11 games are in Tiger Park, where they’ve posted a 21-8 record so far

this season.

“Like Southeastern [Louisiana] last weekend, just get our confidence back up, hit the ball and hopefully it’ll take us forward to South Carolina,” said LSU senior third baseman Bianka Bell.

The Tigers started the season as the third-ranked team in the country in the Coaches Poll and were picked by many to contend for a national title during

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the preseason.

Last year’s team only had 14 losses en route to its Women’s College World Series third-place finish.

This season, though, doesn’t match 2015’s success.

The Tigers are only one loss away from matching the amount of losses in 2015.

Regardless of their record, LSU second baseman Sahvanna Jaquish plans on ending the season with a championship.

“Ending strong,” Jaquish said.

“That’s all that matters. Last year we had a winning streak and we came out strong. Still, we had a great season and ended up third overall, but we want to be number one.”

At times this season, the Tigers flashed their offensive capability, scoring 30 runs in a game earlier in the year.

But on April 3, the team also began a lingering offensive slump, when they scored more than five runs only twice in 10 games.

The Tigers went 5-5 during the stretch and were shut out

three times.

Even though the team has gone through a rough patch, LSU coach Beth Torina knows the success her team is capable of producing.

“We’ve shown we can win a lot of different ways,” Torina said.

“We shown we have a lot of talent and ability and skills. We just have to put it all together.”

LSU enters the matchup with the Lady Demons undefeated in midweek games, boasting a 25-2 record against nonconference opponents this season.

But the Lady Demons’ lineup has hit a total of 43 homers this season, which ranks first in the Southland Conference. They also harbor a 1-0 record versus SEC opponents — including 7-1 against nonconference competition.

To senior second baseman Sandra Simmons, LSU isn’t overlooking the Natchitoches, Louisiana, team at all.

“They have beaten some teams,” Simmons said. “They’ve beaten Mississippi State, they’re a good competitor and we’re going to have to prepare for them.”

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WINGATE JONES / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior infielder Sahvanna Jaquish (2) bats during LSU’s 0-2 defeat against the University of Kentucky on April 11 at Tiger Park.