The Daily Reveille — March 2, 2009

SNAPSHOT

lsureveille com Log on to see contestants for “So You Think You Can Dance.”

ENTERTAINMENT University student travels to New York to work during fashion week, page 11.

STILL ROLLING

Tigers outscore Central Florida, 40-6, in three-game sweep, page 7.

THE DAILY REVEILLE Keeping with the Pack WWW.LSUREVEILLE.COM

Volume 113, Issue 99

Monday, March 2, 2009

ECONOMY

Vet School measures up to SEC competition with affordibility, quality education country at graduating students who successfully enter the profession.

Contributing Writer It’s also one of the most affordable At its open house last month, schools in the Southeastern ConferLSU School of Veterinary Medicine ence.

The Vet School, one of only 28 students demonstrated the equine vet schools in the treadmill, handled country and one birds of prey and ‘The reputation of of six in the SEC, reptiles and helped favorably visitors put their a school is usually compares to other schools in hands inside a fistumore based upon the the SEC and nalated cow. despite its But this experesearch prowess.’ tionally, low ranking in the rience isn’t everyU.S. News & World thing students get Peter Haynes Report list of vetfrom the Vet School erinary schools.

Vet School dean — students also get The Vet School a solid education at ranks 22nd out of 28 schools on the an affordable price.

Statistical evidence indicates the U.S. News & World Report list. Vet Vet School is one of the best in the VET, see page 6

By Matthew Barnidge

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NAVLE PASS RANK:

IN-STATE TUTITON: • Auburn- $12,250 • LSU- $12,669 • Miss. St.- $13,156 • Georgia- $13,222 • Tennessee- $15,348 • Florida- $21,041

ERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille

Bret Martin Jr., first-year veterinary medicine student, displays a hawk named Hillary on Feb. 7 at the Vet School open house. The hawk is part of the Raptor Rehab Program.

• LSU- 98.6% • Georgia- 98% • Miss. St.- 94.4% • Florida- 92.1% • Auburn- n/a • Tennessee- n/a

US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT RANK: • Florida- 11th • Georgia- 12th • Auburn- 14th (tied) • Tennessee- 14th (tied) • LSU- 22nd • Miss. St.- n/a

Libraries evaluating publication usage

By Natalie Roy Contributing Writer

From the glossy, model-covered pages of Cosmopolitan magazine to scholarly debates of literary journals, LSU Libraries is gauging faculty use of publications to ultimately decide what stays and what goes from Middleton Library’s bookshelves.

LSU Libraries is conducting a faculty survey from Feb. 9 through March 12 to evaluate how publications are used to determine which subscriptions may be cut in light of upcoming budget cuts.

Nancy Colyar, assistant dean of libraries, assures students that “as long we know it’s being used,” the title will have a place in Middleton.

According to Colyar, the library is more concerned with the addition of new titles than the discarding of old ones.

“We don’t have a target list of what we want to get rid of or ... add,” Colyar said. “We would like to have a list of new titles ... faculty wants so TITLES, see page 6

BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY

Water-skiing squirrel performs in Baton Rouge crawled out of her mom’s button-up shirt, hopped on a pair of water skis attached to a remote-control boat and took a lap around the six-inch deep heated pool.

Twiggy is a YouTube sensation and tours all across the world promoting water safety and Progressive Boat Insurance.

Spectators could see Twiggy live in action all weekend at the Baton Rouge Log on to see Boat and Sports photos and Show at the Baton video of Twiggy.

TWIGGY, see page 6

Twiggy to appear on two TV shows

By Leslie Presnall Staff Writer

Entertainment .........11 Opinion ................... 16 Classifieds ............... 18

Broadcasts

Index

Sports ....................... 7

7:20 a.m.

8:20 a.m.

Noon 3:20 p.m.

4:20 p.m.

5:20 p.m.

Weather

KIM FOSTER / The Daily Reveille

Twiggy performs during the Baton Rouge Boat and Sport Show on Saturday evening at the River Center.

The crowd waited anxiously for the chance to see a world-famous water skier this weekend.

After a brief introduction and applause, Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel

lsureveille.com TODAY SUNNY

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KIM FOSTER / The Daily Reveille

Twiggy is a water-skiing squirrel that promotes water safety at events.

TUESDAY MOSTLY SUNNY

WEDNESDAY MOSTLY SUNNY

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THE DAILY REVEILLE

Nation & World

PAGE 2

on the web

LSUREVEILLE.COM

WORLD NEWS

Israel threatens painful response to Gaza rockets

FRIDAY’S POLL RESULTS

Did you receive the emergency text message Thursday morning?

Falling oil prices stymie Iraq’s security, military spending 130 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE POLL.

TODAY’S QUESTION:

Which LSU basketball team has surprised you more this season?

GO TO LSUREVEILLE.COM TO CAST YOUR VOTE

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

BAGHDAD (AP) — Falling oil prices will force Iraq to cut back on military spending, leaving questions about whether it can handle tasks such as protecting oil platforms in the Gulf once the American pullout is complete, a top U.S. commander said. Iraq’s leaders now have to decide where the cuts will be deepest: arms, patrol boats or air power — all of which the country needs to create a fully functioning security force.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Ehud Olmert threatened a painful response to Palestinian rocket fire menacing southern Israel, suggesting Sunday that the blistering offensive against Gaza Strip militants fell short of its goals. The prospect of heightened hostilities in Hamas-ruled Gaza cast a pall over a week of crucial diplomatic activity, including an international conference designed to drum up billions of dollars to rebuild the heavily damaged territory. With a new Israeli government to take office within weeks, however, it wasn’t clear how sweeping the country’s response to the rockets would be.

NATION, STATE AND CITY BRIEFS

Washington state to allow ‘dignity’ deaths

TODAY

monday, march 2, 2009

bcm dinner & tnt worship Every Thursday night. Dinner (free) at 7:15pm.

TNT Worship Service at 8:00pm. The BCM is at the corner of Highland & Chimes. All LSU students invited! lsubcm.org Genesis Tutoring-free!

Monday-Thursday 5-9pm in 326A Student Union For more information call 578.4339

Place your occurrence today! Deadline: 2 business days before occurrence is intended to run. Occurrence must be placed by noon.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Terminally ill patients with less than six months to live will soon be able to ask their doctors to prescribe them lethal medication in Washington state. But even though the “Death with Dignity” law takes effect Thursday, people who might seek the life-ending prescriptions could find their doctors conflicted or not willing to write them. Many doctors are hesitant to talk publicly about where they stand on the issue, said Dr. Tom Preston, a retired cardiologist and board member of Compassion & Choices, the group that campaigned for and supports the law. “There are a lot of doctors, who in principle, would approve or don’t mind this, but for a lot of social or professional reasons, they don’t want to be involved,” he said.

TED S. WARREN / The Associated Press

Dr. Robert Thompson poses for a photo Tuesday. Thompson, a cardiologist in Seattle, voted for the “Death with Dignity” law.

Analysis: In Texas, will DEQ set to close down gambling raise its head? in-house laboratory NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Don’t look now, but the recession may be about to take an unexpected bite out of Louisiana’s gambling business. For the second time in recent years, a serious drive is afoot in the Texas Legislature to legalize casino wagering — a move that, if successful, would mean trouble for riverboats and race track casinos that dot Shreveport-Bossier City and Lake Charles. They’ve cashed in on Texas gamblers since the 1990s. Last week, some Texas lawmakers proposed establishment of up to 12 casinos.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards.This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes which may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille.com.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free.

To purchase additional copies for 25 cents, please contact the Office of Student Media in B-16 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and semiweekly during the summer semester, except during holidays and final exams. Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, La., 70803. Annual mail subscriptions are $115. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Daily Reveille, B-16 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, La.,70803.

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Officials at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality say they are looking into shutting down an in-house laboratory or sharing lab and operating costs with other state agencies to save money. DEQ undersecretary Vince Sagnibene says the in-house laboratory has become a luxury the department can no longer afford. Sagnibene says sharing a laboratory or closing the current DEQ lab will not only be a more efficient use of money, but will also help prevent DEQ from having to lay off employees.

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MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 3

RESLIFE

Pentagon to become gated community this summer Safety concerns reason for project

By Alice Womble Contributing Writer

The Pentagon, a shortcut for some and a place to relax and hang out for others, will soon require card access which will only be given to residents.

This two-year project is nearing completion and is expected to be put into effect this summer.

The new gates are a result of concerns about the traffic going through the Pentagon from previous residents. Students’ safety is the primary priority, according to Residential Life officials.

During football season there is a lot of traffic in the Pentagon with numerous tailgaters camping in the area. The gates are designed to give students a third level of security, according to As-

sociate Director of Residential students need to do laundry.

Life Karen Rockett.

“It’s really a hassle and is “There are three lines of se- inconvenient when I’m trying to curity — the room door, the front do my laundry,” said Courtney door and now the gate,” Rockett Fabiano, undeclared freshman. said.

“The gate by the Mini Mart is reAngela Compton, kinesiol- ally heavy.” ogy freshman, along with other In addition to security, the current residents gates are intended views the new to help build a gates as a probsense of commulem. nity, according to “I feel like ResLife commuwe’re in prison,” nications manager Compton said.

Jay High.

“It’s not like dorm “Some stulife anymore.” dents see it as an Angela Compton Scott Scribinconvenience, kinesiology freshman er, kinesiology but the whole idea freshman, said is to make the stuthe gates won’t keep people out dents feel like they have their of the Pentagon. own space,” High said. “This “If people really want to get was all done with the students in in, they’ll find a way in,” Scriber mind, and we hope it is received said. in the way it was intended.”

Many Pentagon residents also When the project was first see the gates as a problem when conceptualized two years ago,

‘‘

‘I feel like we’re in prison. It’s not like dorm life anymore.’

ENVIRONMENT

Students compete to save energy Participants reduce their carbon footprint

By Peter Hubbs Contributing Writer

Residential Life and the members of the Environmental Conservation Organization have teamed up to start Unplug — an on-campus energy conservation competition — during the month of March.

The competition asks students to pledge to reduce their carbon footprints — or daily things that make an environmental impact, said Rachel Guillory, Sierra Student Coalition campus organizer.

“Since some dorms are older and less efficient than others, students will compete against the energy levels from March of last year,” Guillory said. “The residence hall with the lowest percentage of last year’s levels wins.”

ECO plans on a large participation rate for the competition af-

ter convincing Kodak to provide free flash drives for students from the winning residence hall, Guillory said.

ECO also added incentives for RAs to sign up more students by giving $10 in paw points to the RAs from the residence hall with the most student pledges, said Meredith Soniat, ECO copresident.

“Our goal is to have half of all on-campus students or around 2,250 residents to pledge for this competition,” Soniat said.

ECO started this competition after following the example of schools like the University of Texas-Austin, and they hope to make it an annual event, Soniat said.

“I hope it can be a pilot program that gets bigger and bigger each year,” Guillory said. “We’ll just save more energy and money as time goes on.”

Guillory said she would like to see the money they save placed in a revolving fund.

This revolving fund could provide money to help refurbish environmentally outdated dorms

and fund green projects on campus, Guillory said.

ECO and the Freshmen Leadership Council will read the energy meters at residence halls between March 6 and April 3, according to the Residential Life Web site.

ECO will announce the final results at the University’s Earth Day celebration April 24.

Contact Peter Hubbs at phubbs@lsureveille.com

student perspectives as well as other perspectives were taken into consideration, Rockett said.

The project, which physically began during the Christmas break, cost around $90,000, Rockett said. The money came out of ResLife’s budget, and there were no additional student fees.

Because access to the Pentagon will be given to residents, the Pentagon can no longer be used as a shortcut.

West Campus Apartments resident Danny Walley said he’s incredibly disappointed with the prospects of taking a longer way to class.

“I walk through [the Pentagon] every day, more than once a day,” Walley said. “The other route will make a 10-minute walk a 15-minute walk.”

The gates were designed to match the architecture of the Pentagon and of the surrounding buildings.

Chase Bouchie, theatre freshman, said he cuts through to the Pentagon to go to Broussard hall but doesn’t think it will be a big deal.

“I won’t like it when they put the card access in, but it’s not a big deal,” Bouchie said. “The gates look nice.”

Despite some negative student reactions to the gates, the gates are a balance between convenience and security, High said.

Contact Alice Womble at awomble@lsureveille.com

PAGE 4

THE DAILY REVEILLE

monday, march 2, 2009

POLITICS

Recent speech could cost Jindal political capital at home Address was ‘void of any ... imagination’

By Nate Monroe Contributing Writer

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s response to President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night drew harsh responses from critics on the left and right — with many concluding it was a botched introduction of one of the Republican Party’s most promising future leaders and potential presidential candidate.

But the speech’s hostile rhetoric toward federal government intervention and the stimulus has also drawn the ire of state and local lawmakers — a tarnish to Jindal’s reputation at home and possibly emboldening the state Legislature.

The style of Jindal’s speech was

“not as disturbing as the substance,” said Robert Mann, political communication professor and former communications director for Gov. Kathleen Blanco.

Mann said the speech was “void of any kind of imagination” and intellectually dishonest.

In the speech, Jindal criticized “dependence on government” to solve the nation’s economic problems, a message Mann said is hypocritical given Louisiana’s reliance on federal aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the incoming funds from the recently signed stimulus package.

“If [the stimulus] is generational theft, he needs to have the courage to tell the federal government to take a hike,” Mann said.

Jindal recently decided to reject $98 million in stimulus money aimed at expanding unemployment benefits, claiming the money would

BILL FEIG / The Associated Press

In his office at the Louisiana Governors Mansion, Gov. Bobby Jindal works on the Republican Party response to Pres. Barack Obama’s speech last Tuesday.

force Louisiana to change a law that would eventually result in higher taxes for businesses once the federal money was gone.

But the state is still slated to receive billions from the stimulus — and Mann said Jindal’s rejection of the relatively small amount aimed at unemployment benefits is a largely symbolic gesture, “red meat,” for the GOP base.

Jindal’s refusal of the unemployment funds, and his hostility toward the stimulus package, highlighted during his speech Tuesday, has invited criticism at home.

Some local lawmakers and political opponents have spoken out against the governor’s decision to reject stimulus funds.

“Bobby Jindal needs to focus on the needs of Louisiana, not his political ambitions,” said Scott Jordan, spokesman for the Louisiana Democratic Party.

Jindal’s speech wasn’t without its defenders.

“All Bobby Jindal did was tell us what conservatism is; he used his own life story to do it; he talked about the American people making the country work. He had it all,” said Rush Limbaugh, nationallyrecognized conservative radio host.

Limbaugh emphasized Jindal’s conservative credentials, dismissed the stylistic criticisms of the speech and said the chief critics were Democratic partisans.

“The Governor told us tonight that ‘the strength of America is not found in our government. It is found in the compassionate hearts and en-

NATION

NFL players missing since Sat.

By Christine Armario Associated Press Writer

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper were among four boaters missing Sunday off Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Coast Guard and Smith’s agent said.

Smith and Cooper were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass on Sat‘They’ve urday morning a fishing assured me for trip and did that they’re not return as the deploying expected, Coast Guard said Sunday. all Crews used available a helicopter resources.’ and a 47-foot boat to search Ron Del Duca a 750-square Corey Smith’s agent mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday.

Cooper owned the boat and he and Smith had been on fishing trips before, said Ron Del Duca, Smith’s agent. The pair had been teammates on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004.

The Coast Guard said the two others were aboard, identified as Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler,

but they did not provide other details.

The St. Petersburg Times on its Web site identified them as former University of South Florida players. Calls to the school by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.

Smith, 29, had 30 tackles, including three sacks, and an interception in 12 games last season for the winless Lions. Smith, who is 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, also played for the San Francisco 49ers and played college ball at SEARCH, see page 12

terprising spirit of Americans.’ I could not have said it better myself,” said Roger Villere, chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, in a statement.

More than lawmakers are concerned about the stimulus money.

Chancellor Michael Martin watched the stimulus debate closely, hoping the bill would provide significant funds for higher education.

Martin’s impression of the bill overall was “OK,” saying he was pleased about the “generous” measure for students, like increasing Pell grants, but that he would have “loved to see more investment in higher education.”

As for Jindal’s refusal to accept stimulus money, Martin said he is waiting to see more specifics, like the final size of budget cuts, before he makes a judgment — but until then, Martin said he’s willing to give Jindal the benefit of the doubt.

Mann said the politics of the stimulus are tricky for Jindal — turn-

ing down more of the federal dollars would likely result in action by the Legislature to override Jindal, while not speaking out against the massive federal spending bill could cost Jindal credibility nationally.

Mann said the speech set back Jindal’s national reputation and has made him “less intimidating” to the state Legislature.

“There was already blood in the water from the pay raise issue,” Mann said. “There’s even more now.”

But Mann said if Jindal can admit to screwing up the content and delivery of his speech — as well as demonstrate a capacity for humorous self-deprecation — Jindal can limit the fallout from his ill-received address.

“We’re going to find out if he can take a punch,” Mann said.

Contact Nate Monroe at nmonroe@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

PAGE 5

ACADEMICS

Students expect high grades for class attendance Study says parental pressure may be reason

By Joy Lukachick Staff Writer

William Demastes is used to teaching in a large classroom with some students looking at Facebook, doing crossword puzzles or just sleeping.

The English professor said some of his students complain to him about a low grade, feeling they deserve higher marks for attending class.

“Attendance itself shouldn’t be a guarantee of a passing grade,” Demastes said. “Attendance is a good thing, but has to be more than that.”

Demastes is not alone in experiencing the attitude from students who think doing

minimal work should result in a and 40 percent said they deserved good grade, according a recent a B for completing the required study by researchers at the Uni- reading. versity of California, Irvine.

Students who expected the The study, “Self-Entitled higher grades were more likely College Students: Contributions to have parents pressuring them of Personality, Parenting, and in their performance, the study Motivational Facsaid. tors,” suggests Emily Elliott, more students in ‘A component of the class psychology prorecent years exfessor, suggested is engaging in the pect high grades students develop material, not just after putting little the mindset from effort into the physically being present.’ high school where work. the students don’t Ellen Greenhave the option of Maribel Dietz berger, lead auskipping class. history professor thor of the study, The level said she was no of responsibility longer commenting on her work changes from high school to colwhen contacted by The Daily lege, Elliott said. Some students Reveille. But in a Feb. 17 report may think learning occurs like a in The New York Times, she said sponge, and if they are just in the the study found one-third of stu- room they can absorb the infordents surveyed said they expect- mation, she said. ed B’s just for attending lectures, Demastes said in the English

‘‘

BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY

Dementia research comes to La. Institute to attract federal grants for study

By Debra Lemoine The Associated Press

(AP) — For Louisiana residents diagnosed with dementia the closest research centers for accessing the latest, and the experimental, treatments are Houston and Birmingham, Ala. That is about to change.

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center has launched a new research effort into dementia called the Institute for Dementia Research and Prevention.

The goal of the institute is to attract federal grants to study dementia in order to better diagnose it and find ways to treat and prevent it, said Jeffrey Keller, associate executive director for basic research at Pennington and director of the new institute.

"The people of Louisiana deserve more than what they have now in regards to dementia," Keller said.

Approximately 100,000 Louisiana residents have been diagnosed with age-related dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, he said.

In October, the state Board of Regents gave a one-year conditional approval for the development of the institute.

As director, Keller's main job in the first year is to find the private funding needed to put the institute on the path toward its research goals.

There are no grants to seed research initiatives, so private money is needed to build research infrastructure, such as smaller-scale studies, that will attract the major federal grants or pharmaceutical drug trials, Keller said.

Keller also said the institute must make connections in this first year among the local Alzheimer's disease support networks and local doctors.

So far, the idea of local dementia research has been well received among Alzheimer's groups, particu-

larly the prospect of attracting clinical trials, said Ruth Fontenot, director of public affairs and advocacy for the Louisiana chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

"People are desperate for clinical trials," Fontenot said, adding that her organization has already provided a grant to Pennington for dementia research.

The overall aim of the institute is threefold: to identify how and why dementia develops by establishing a longitudinal study of 400 to 600 healthy people age 60 and older, to have a platform to study potential drug or nutritional therapies for preventing and treating dementia and to serve as a community resource to educate caregivers, doctors and the public about the disease.

In the first year, Keller said, he hopes to raise at least $100,000 and begin enrolling the first volunteers for the longitudinal study. The institute will also host its first free community seminar on March 6 and a scientific conference on Nov. 3.

"The good news is I'm starting from the ground up," Keller said.

"The bad news is I'm starting from the ground up."

A major goal of the proposed long-term study of hundreds of Louisiana's aging volunteers is finding a way to definitively diagnosis dementia, Keller said.

"We have to have human research to fill in the gaps of what we don't know," Keller said.

The only way to definitively

diagnosis Alzheimer's disease versus another form of dementia is to do an autopsy, Keller said. People are typically diagnosed with "probably" or "possible" Alzheimer's once other reasons for their mental decline are ruled out by their physician.

In his studies, Keller said, he is dissecting hundreds of brains of people thought to have Alzheimer's only to discover in the autopsy after their death that they had another form of dementia or brain characteristics of multiple types of dementia, Keller said.

Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com

Department most teachers have a certain expectation for a paper, and students sometimes think a high grade will automatically result if they ask for help during office hours. “[Sometimes] the effort is there ... but if the product isn’t up to par then the grade results,” Demastes said.

In Demastes’ English 2148 class of more than 200 students, about 60 percent come to class every day, he said. Usually the students in class will receive higher grades then those who skip, Demastes said.

But the good students aren’t as concerned with attending for a high grade, he said. Those students want to learn, and the good grades follow.

Megan Miclette, secondary English junior, said she has learned what classes can be skipped to keep her grade con-

sistent. Miclette said she doesn’t expect a high grade from attending class, but she scores higher on a test when she takes her own notes.

Maribel Dietz, history professor, said she has panicked students who say, ‘I was hear everyday but made a C!’” Dietz said after talking to the shocked student, she discovers they usually didn’t read outside books or take adequate notes in class. Dietz teaches a freshman and a senior-level class, and she said the freshman class has the tendency to have the attitude.

“A component of the class is engaging in the material, not just physically being present,” Dietz said.

Contact Joy Lukachick at jlukachick@lsureveille.com

PAGE 6 VET, from page 1

School Dean Peter Haynes said the ranking isn’t based on any empirical data.

“What you [have to] understand is that the way the U.S. News & World Report works is that it’s an opinion poll,” he said. “There are no analytical data used.”

Haynes said the U.S. News & World Report pollsters send out three questionnaires to each school: one to an administrator, one to a clinical veterinarian and one to another professor. The faculty are asked to rate their school based on opinion.

Perhaps a more telling statistic is the school’s pass rate on the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam, or NAVLE, which serves as the profession’s entrance exam.

The Vet School reports a 98.6

TWIGGY, from page 1

Rouge River Center.

Twiggy is the adopted stage name of many water skiing squirrels who have been performing for the past 27 years, traveling in the U.S., Canada, Bermuda, Paris, France and Germany. She has appeared in numerous books, magazines, newspapers, movies and commercials.

Lou Ann and Chuck Best, from Deltona, Fla., rescued Twiggy I in 1978 when a hurricane blew her away from her nest. The baby squirrel quickly became part of the family, going to the roller-skating rink, camping ­and water skiing with the family.

Chuck Best bought his daughter, Lalainia, a remote controlled boat for her birthday, but their family friends teased him constantly since he spent all his time playing with it. He joked he had to learn to drive the boat so he could teach the squirrel to ski as a way to calm the jeers.

Chuck Best made Twiggy her first pair of water skis out of Styrofoam. Soon after, the local newspaper published the first news story on the water skiing squirrel in May 1979.

TITLES, from page 1

that if and when we get the money, we’ll already have those titles on hand. So we’re looking to get a new list of titles ... more than anything.”

The survey requires faculty members to list at least five titles they “consider essential to their research or teaching.”

Also, new areas of study in the University will undoubtedly call for the addition of new titles and resources, which the library wants to obtain with the help of the surveys, Colyar said.

Since the survey doesn’t include student responses, students who use the library’s resources should talk to their faculty advisor.

“We aren’t surveying the students directly because, hopefully, what they are using ... relates to what [their] faculty member or professor will include [in the survey],” Colyar said.

Students who do independent research or reading that requires specific titles not included in a faculty member’s list should notify a professor and suggest adding it to the survey list, Colyar said.

Some undergraduate students, like Brent Jeansonne, sociology junior, think problems will eventually

THE DAILY REVEILLE

monday, march 2, 2009

percent pass rate for last year’s graduating class.

“We are very proud of the [nearly] 99 percent pass rate of our students by the time they graduate,” Vet School associate dean for student and academic affairs Joseph Taboada said in an e-mail. “It is a reflection of the education that they get and how hard they work.”

First-year vet student Anna Ozio agrees a Vet School education at LSU is a challenging program.

“It’s very concentrated,” she said. “You get information poured on you. But it’s worth it.”

Haynes said he thinks the U.S. News &World Report rank is largely based on the reputation of the research faculty and not of the students’ achievements.

“Generally, the reputation of a school is usually more based upon

the research prowess ... than it is based upon ... the achievements of the students,” he said. “Based upon the quality of our students and the comparative data, we should probably be considered a middle tier school.”

First-year vet student Stephanie Rutherford said the school provides students with an education that’s applicable to real-life scenarios.

“It’s cool when you get out and see the practicality of what you’re learning,” she said.

Another area where the Vet School compares favorably to other SEC schools is the cost of education. The Vet School charges about $12,500 per year for in-state residents and about $35,000 per year for out-of-state residents. The only other SEC school with comparable tuition rates is Auburn, which charges in-

state residents $12,250 per year and out-of-state residents about $36,800 per year.

“We are third lowest in the Southern Region Education Board,” Taboada said in an e-mail. “We have worked to try to balance keeping tuition affordable with maintaining adequate funding. The relatively low tuition makes a vet school somewhat more accessible to the average student, but most will still need to take out loans to finance their education.”

A third area where the Vet School compares favorably to other SEC schools is the cumulative undergraduate GPA of its admitted students. The Vet School’s class of 2012 boasts an average GPA of 3.76. U.S. News &World Report leaders Florida and Georgia brought in classes with average GPAs of 3.52 and 3.56, respectively.

The Vet School’s enrollment rate is about average for schools in the SEC. In the last class, LSU enrolled 84 students.

Admission to the Vet School is competitive — 713 students applied for admission to the Vet School in fall 2008, giving the school an admission to application rate of only 11.78 percent. Haynes said the school could only expand its admission rates if the school also expands its facilities and faculty.

Taboada agreed, saying the limited admission rates to schools nationally present a problem for the profession.

“There is a nationwide shortage of veterinarians, and all the schools are at maximum capacity,” he said.

“The whole thing mushroomed by accident,” Lou Ann Best said.

“The news media got a hold of it and went crazy.”

Chuck and Lou Ann Best traveled around the world with Twiggy until 1997 when Chuck Best had a heart attack and drowned saving the life of his stepfather. Lou Ann Best canceled the other shows but started touring again with Twiggy IV when fans flooded her with phone calls.

“We’ve incorporated water safety into the show,” she said. “We just want to make a difference. My goal is to get Twiggy to be the national spokesanimal for water safety like Smokey the Bear is for fire safety.”

Twiggy always wears a lifejacket hand-made by Lou Ann Best to encourage children and adults to wear their lifejackets at all times when around water.

“There’s a message that needs to be gotten out to the people, and Twiggy can do that,” Lou Ann Best said.

Twiggy skis behind the remotecontrolled boat with two plush squirrels — one “driver” and the other a “spotter.”

Today, Twiggy and Lou Ann perform in about 20 shows annually

in front of millions of spectators.

Twiggy has been on several TV shows, including Animal Planet’s “Behind the Clip” and “The Most Outrageous Animal Acts.” She was also featured on “Good Morning America,” “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” “Late Night with David Letterman,” and in the movies “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Down to Earth” and “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.”

Lou Ann Best said training a squirrel to ski is like training a husband — give them lots of love and affection and tell them the same thing over and over.

“There are a few different steps,” she said. “But it’s usually just a lot of repetition.”

Lou Ann Best begins by introducing each squirrel to the bathtub to let them get comfortable with the water.

Eventually, she introduces the squirrels to the boat, getting them familiar with the noise and vibrations.

Then, the squirrels start to work on riding the skis.

Twiggy VI, which is on tour now, is Lou Ann Best’s “strongwilled child.”

“It took quite a few years [to

train],” she said. “This one is eight years old. She hasn’t been skiing very long.”

Lou Ann Best has had as many as 18 pet squirrels at one time. Usually the squirrels are rescued after a hurricane or bad rain storm, she said.

Lou Ann said she doesn’t teach every squirrel to ski, but she has taught the trick to two French

poodles, a black cat, two miniature horses, an armadillo and a toad frog.

They even taught a squirrel named Ollie to jet-ski.

“Twiggy just seems to capture everybody’s heart,” she said.

arise.

“I don’t see how [the library] can do this reorganization without surveying the students,” Jeansonne said.

Jeansonne said many students may not be aware of the survey or might have professors who won’t respond to the survey, which will eventually cause problems for students who need titles the library had

previously discarded.

And this concern isn’t completely groundless, Colyar said.

“Right now we don’t have a lot of faculty who’s answered the survey,” she said.

Contact Natalie Roy at nroy@lsureveille.com

Contact Matthew Barnidge at mbarnidge@lsureveille.com

Contact Leslie Presnall at lpresnall@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Sports

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

MEN’S BASKETBALL

PAGE 7

Tigers secure SEC title with victory against Kentucky LSU gets first win at Wildcats since ’89

By David Helman Sports Writer

ED REINKE / The Associated Press

LSU senior guard Marcus Thornton drives past Kentucky’s Kevin Galloway on Saturday during the second half of the Tigers’ 73-70 win against the Wildcats.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Lady Tigers win fifth straight

Few in Rupp Arena could have expected junior forward Tasmin Mitchell to sink the shot that beat Kentucky on Saturday.

Not normally a 3-point shooter, Mitchell drained his second 3-point attempt of the evening with just seconds remaining to lift No. 18 LSU past Kentucky, 73-70.

The win gives the Tigers (254, 13-1) the Southeastern Conference regular season championship outright — their 10th overall —

and marks their first win against Kentucky (19-10, 8-6) in Rupp Arena since Jan. 14, 1989.

The Tigers have not lost in SEC play since Jan. 11 and have secured the conference title with two regular season games remaining. By contrast, LSU started SEC play 0-5 in 2008, finishing eighth in the final standings with a 6-10 record.

“I don’t want to say it’s unbelievable,” LSU coach Trent Johnson said in a postgame radio interview. “Because for me, it’s what I expect.”

Luke Winn, Sports Illustrated college basketball analyst, said LSU probably won’t rise higher than a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament despite being “head-

and-shoulders” above the rest of the SEC. “Everyone is skeptical because of the lack of doing anything in non-conference play,” Winn said. “It’s almost like they have two identities ... so they aren’t in the greatest situation with seeding.”

But Winn still sees the Tigers making noise once they advance to the tournament.

“They’re very athletic, and they have two players with Final Four experience, plus a very good shooter in Marcus Thornton,” he said.

Mitchell finished the night with 21 points and eight rebounds, MITCHELL, see page 15

HOT SWINGS

By Rachel Whittaker Sports Writer

LSU’s women’s basketball team already clinched a bye in this week’s Southeastern Conference tournament before its game against Ole Miss began. But the Lady Tigers wanted more in their final regular season contest.

LSU (17-9, 10-4) accomplished just that, winning its fifthconsecutive game and clinching the No. 3 seed in the tournament with a 59-48 win at Ole Miss (1613, 5-9) on Sun‘I would day.

The Lady not have Tigers also at- dreamed tained their seventh-straight we could season with at do this least 10 confer- with these ence wins. kids.”

LSU coach Van Chancellor Van Chancellor said he couldn’t women’s basketball be happier with coach the performance and what his young team has achieved.

“If you’d have told me when we were 5-4 [in SEC games] and we had Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and all of them to play, I would have never thought this would be possible today,” Chancellor said in his postgame radio show. “I would not have dreamed we could do this with these kids and play this good defense.”

LSU held Ole Miss to just 29 percent shooting from the field in its fifth SEC road win this season.

BYE, see page 15

photos by ERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille

Junior outfielder Jared Mitchell [left] and junior first baseman Sean Ochinko [right] bat Sunday during the Tigers’ 16-0 win against Central Florida in the third game of the series at Alex Box Stadium. LSU beat the Knights, 13-4, on Friday and 11-2 on Saturday.

LSU outscores UCF, 40-6, in series

By Casey Gisclair Chief Sports Writer

With wind chills dipping into the mid 30s, LSU’s bats were red hot Sunday at Alex Box Stadium.

Thanks to first-inning home runs by sophomore outfielder

Leon Landry and junior outfield- ieri. “And that’s what happened er Jared Mitchell, LSU exploded in that first inning.” for eight runs in Mitchell led the opening frame the way for LSU en route to a 16-0 offensively on win against CenSunday and was tral Florida.

2-for-2 with a pair Log on to see “When we’re Sunday’s game of home runs and clicking and ev- against UCF. five RBI. eryone is swingMitchell also ing the bat well, stole a base in the it can be a sight to game to improve see,” said LSU coach Paul Main- to 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts

lsureveille.com

on the season.

The junior outfielder said he drew his inspiration Sunday from his teammates who shared in the offensive outburst.

“The bats are working a little bit right now,” he said. “Guys are coming through and are hitting well right now.”

The Tigers recorded 17 hits for the game, and 10 different players got a hit.

HITS, see page 15

PAGE 8

THE DAILY REVEILLE

FOOTBALL

monday, march 2, 2009

TRACK AND FIELD

Top recruiting prospect Brown Lady Tigers finish visits LSU but makes no decision second at SEC Indoors RB to make his choice March 16

By Michael Lambert Sports Contributor

The spotlight on prized high school running back Bryce Brown grew brighter as the Scout.com No. 1 recruit visited Baton Rouge this weekend.

Brown spent the weekend visiting the LSU coaching staff, players and campus.

The Scout.com five-star recruit arrived in Baton Rouge on Friday and told Potentialplayers.com, the Web site representing the recruit, he liked how the LSU coaching staff was planning to use him.

The running back and his father met for dinner with LSU coach Les Miles and toured the Cox Communications Center for Student Athletes Saturday.

“This is the best Academic Center that I’ve seen on all my visits,” Brown said on Potentialplayers.com. “I like their plan for all students, not just the football players.”

The Wichita, Kan., native also met LSU offensive line coach Greg Studrawa.

“Coach [Studrawa] went over their daily strength program and showed me how he would help me be the best I could be,” Brown told the Web site.

Brown talked with Miles about the Southeastern Conference and Brown’s possible role as a Tiger.

“We discussed the success and the competition in the SEC and how they get their players ready for the next level,” the running back told the site. “I was very impressed and intrigued by what LSU had to offer, and it made me think about what I could offer them.”

Brown did not sign on National Signing Day on Feb. 4 and has yet to make a decision. He was a long-time verbal commit to Miami, but his relationship with the Hurricanes has been rocky.

Brown’s brother, Arthur Brown Jr., is a linebacker for Miami but may be unhappy playing for the Hurricanes, according to Sonny Shipp, Louisiana recruiting analyst for Scout.com.

Bryce Brown has not made an official visit to Miami and had planned to visit Miami next weekend, but a death in the Brown family may change those plans.

The delayed decision of the running back has caused controversy, and legal charges may be

next.

Bryce Brown’s mentor, Brian Butler, who runs Potentialplayers. com and has been a spokesperson for Brown, is under NCAA investigation, according to The New York Times.

Potentialplayers.com initially charged customers for updates on recruits but has since changed its policy.

Bryce Brown would be the second running back in LSU’s 2009 recruiting class, joining fivestar running back Michael Ford of Leesville High School.

The 6-foot running back rushed for 1,872 yards and 30 touchdowns at Wichita East High School his senior season.

“The [LSU coaching] staff would definitely like to have another running back,” Shipp said.

“He would come in and provide some depth.”

LSU, Miami, Kansas State, Tennessee and Oregon are the top contenders for the prized running back. according to recruiting experts.

Bryce Brown plans to announce his choice March 16 at the Kansas Hall of Fame.

Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com

Men place sixth, Holliday wins 60m

By Rowan Kavner Sports Contributor

The LSU women’s track and field team took the lead late Sunday at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships but could not hold on, finishing in second place behind Tennessee with 105 points this weekend at Kentucky’s Nutter Field House.

The men’s team finished in sixth with 64 points.

The Lady Tigers finished in the same spot they started the final day of competition, while the Tigers improved their standing after entering the last day tied for ninth.

However, the Tigers’ 64 pointfinish was only one point behind Auburn and South Carolina, who finished tied in fourth with 65 points.

The Arkansas men’s team (130 points) defeated second-place Florida (102) by 28 points, while the Lady Vols won the women’s competition with 111 points.

LSU junior Trindon Holliday won the men’s 60-meter dash with a time of 6.58 seconds, and junior Samantha Henry won the women’s

60-meter dash with an NCAA championship automatic-qualifying time of 7.21 seconds, .01 second faster than Tennessee junior Lynne Layne (7.22).

The sweep by Holliday and Henry gives LSU back-to-back sweeps in the 60-meter dash at the SEC Indoor Championships.

Henry went on to win the 200-meter dash (23.45 seconds), again ahead of second-place Layne (23.53 seconds).

“Samantha really kicked it into another gear this weekend,” said LSU coach Dennis Shaver in a news release.

Freshman Rachel Laurent broke her own school record in the pole vault with a jump of 14 feet, 1/2 inch, becoming the first Lady Tiger in school history to win the conference championship in the event.

Sophomore Walter Henning also broke his own school record, remaining undefeated in the weight throw for the season with a toss of 74 feet, 5 1/2 inches.

Freshman Robert Simmons won the 400-meter dash, finishing in 46.22 seconds.

Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com

monday, march 2, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 9

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 10

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

NBA

West’s 32 leads Hornets to road win against Nets New Orleans sweeps season series

picked off for his second steal in the closing seconds.

“It’s an inbounds play we run too,” Paul said. “Devin is under the goal and you know he’s comBy The Associated Press ing up to the top to get the ball.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) I tried to deny him and they hit — The quick hands of Chris Paul Brook Lopez. Of course, Devin helped the New Orleans Hornets is going to get the ball back, so I steal a victory from the New Jersey reached a hand in there and tried Nets. to smack it away.”

David West scored 32 points The Nets turnover turned into and Paul made two key steals in a pair of free throws by Rasual the final minute in the Hornets’ Butler with 9.6 seconds left that 99-96 win Sunclinched the win day night. for the Hornets.

“We made “It’s frustratsome extra-efing,” Harris said. fort plays,” West “We had two turnsaid. “We knew overs late, didn’t this was going to get good shots be a tough game at the basket and for us, the way they got great New Jersey had shots. We played David West been playing. We fabulous all game Hornets forward wanted to come long, the energy in here and try to was there. The steal one. Guys stepped up and point-guard play has to be better made some big plays for us down late in the game.” the stretch defensively.”

Butler had 22 points for the Especially Paul.

Hornets, who extended their winWith the Nets leading by one ning streak to four. Offensively, with a minute remaining, Harris Paul finished with 14 points and turned the ball over to Paul, who nine assists. hit a 19-foot jumper to give the Harris and Vince Carter each Hornets a 95-94 lead. had 26 to pace the Nets, winners On the Nets’ following pos- of their two previous games. session, Brook Lopez tried to “We let the game slip away,” force a pass to Harris that Paul Carter said. “We played a pretty

‘‘

‘We knew this was going to be a tough game for us, the way New Jersey had been playing.’

solid basketball game but in the fourth quarter we had some mental lapses.”

Harris also had 14 assists while Jarvis Hayes added 13 points.

Paul made two free throws at the end of the third quarter to give the Hornets a 76-75 lead.

New Orleans threatened to break the game open early in the period, jumping out to 58-45 lead when West sank a fade-away jumper. The Nets regrouped as Harris poured in 15 points in the quarter and Carter added 11.

The game remained tight until right to end, with West carrying the offensive load for the Hornets with 14 points in fourth quarter. In contrast, Carter and Harris only had two points each in the last period.

The contest featured a showdown between two of the leagues best young point guards. While Harris had the statistical edge this time, Paul and Hornets had edge where it counted most, sweeping the two-game season series.

BILL KOSTROUN/ The Associated Press

Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com

New Orleans Hornets’ guard Chris Paul [left] shoots over New Jersey Nets’ forward Sean Williams during the third quarter Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. The Hornets beat the Nets, 99-96.

THE DAILY REVEILLE

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

Entertainment

PAGE 11

MUSIC

RHA, LSU Late Night host band competition

Working in style University student goes to New York for industry’s trend-setting fashion week

By Jack LeBlanc Entertainment Writer

Erin Williams was rubbing elbows with celebrities and dressing super models while her friends were studying for tests and getting ready for Mardi Gras.

Williams, textile, apparel design and merchandising senior, spent the week leading up to Fat Tuesday working at fashion week in New York.

Fashion week is an industry event where designers display their latest collections in runway shows.

Fashion weeks determine what’s “in” and what’s “out” for the season in various fashion-oriented cities like New York, Paris, London and Milan, Italy.

Williams spent this past fashion week working for Allison Brod Public Relations, a New York-based public relations agency which represents three designers and several celebrities.

Williams arrived in New York before fashion week and spent the days leading up to the festivities handling RSVPs and seating for the three designer’s shows and deliverFASHION, see page 14

photos by SAHIR KHAN / The Daily Reveille

Erin Williams, textile, apparel design and merchandising senior, cuts patterns for a dress Saturday. Williams spent a week in New York helping plan designers’ shows.

By Ben Bourgeois Entertainment Writer

From ’90s covers to acoustic performances, students saw it all at LSU Late Night.

The Residence Hall Association, in conjunction with LSU Late Night, hosted Last Band Standing in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Student Union on Friday.

The band MeloMania took first place with Radio Ink and Lucas Hernandez placing second and third, respectively.

Other performers included Waiting on YesJosef ‘We made terday, Rowe, Austin [Radio Ink] Basham and The Chill. two weeks With perago ... so formances going into the we wanted early hours of to play.’ Saturday, the packed crowd Brad Standige never showed finance senior and signs of slowing down.

Radio Ink singer K e l l i Cravey, finance sophomore, was excited to see student bands at such a packed venue.

“It gives them the opportunity to play in front a bunch of people,” she said.

Tyler Willis, business management sophomore, said he was excited to see a variety of acts performing.

“I’m looking forward to listening to all the bands and see how they are,” he said. “I’m glad they’re able to do their own thing.”

The bands also enjoyed performing at Last Band Standing.

BATTLE, see page 14

DANCE

Dancers compete in harsh cold Winner to audition for FOX TV show

By Nichole Oden Contributing Writer

Perkins Rowe was buzzing with excitement Sunday as young dancers competed for a chance to audition in front of the producers of FOX’s hit show “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Fox44 hosted the contest, and the winner received a guaranteed audition in front of the producers of “So You Think You Can Dance” on

March 16 in Memphis, Tenn., along with a round trip flight to Memphis provided by Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.

In the end though, Daniel Masterson, teacher at Jean Leigh’s Dance Academy, won.

“It feels great to win,” Masterson said. “I was nervous, but I came here thinking that I had a good chance. I just wanted to show everyone everything that I have to offer.”

This won’t be Masterson’s first time auditioning for “So You Think You Can Dance.” In season three Masterson made it all the way to

the top 20 but was then sent home.

“That gave me a good taste of what I needed to do,” Masterson said. “This time I’ll know what to expect.”

Despite the possibility of a free trip and national recognition, not many people took advantage of the opportunity.

Only 10 contestants braced the cold and auditioned in front of the three judges ­­— Molly Buckman, Garland Wilson and Leonard Augustus Jr. Buckman is the co-owner of DANCE, see page 14

MEGAN J. WILLIAMS / The Daily Reveille

Daniel Masterson, Jean Leigh Academy of Dance teacher, competes Sunday in Perkins Rowe for a guaranteed audition for FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance.”

PAGE 12

THE DAILY REVEILLE

monday, march 2, 2009

ART

University Women’s Center showcases local artists Event highlights some gender issues

By Catie Vogels Entertainment Writer

In correlation with Women’s History Month, the University Women’s Center is sponsoring an exhibit in honor of women’s achievements.

The exhibit is the 16th annual Women in the Arts Gallery, a thought-provoking art exhibit to celebrate women, Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. at the Shaw Center for the Arts.

Sharbari Dey, event coordinator and graduate assistant, said the event is a crucial part of Women’s History Month.

The gallery, which will feature more than 20 artists from across Louisiana, is a collection of more than 30 pieces of paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photographs and collages that celebrate women. The gallery is free and open to the public, and there are no dress requirements.

Debangana Banerjee, graduate print making student, has three pieces in the show: one oil painting, one water color painting and one etching.

Banerjee said the event is important because it’s a place where gender issues can be brought up.

“Including an art show in the celebration of Women’s History Month obviously lends another

SEARCH, from page 4

North Carolina State. He lives in Richmond, Va. Del Duca called Smith one of the “good guys” of the league and was planning to start visiting teams as a free agent this week.

He said he has spoken with Smith’s family and is also in touch with Coast Guard officials.

“They’ve assured me that they’re deploying all available resources to look for these guys and get them back,” he said.

Cooper, 26, has played five seasons with the Buccaneers, Seahawks, Jaguars, Steelers and Raiders. He appeared in 26 games with the Buccaneers in 2004 and 2005, recording 30 tackles.

He has played sparingly since as he has bounced between teams, appearing in 13 games and recording 10 tackles. Cooper, who is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, played college ball at Washington. His hometown is Mesa, Ariz.

Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, said seas were about 2 to 4 feet Saturday morning and increased to 3 to 5 feet in the afternoon.

Late Saturday night, a small craft advisory was issued, when winds were around 20 knots and seas were up to 7 feet or more.

There were no thunderstorms in the area.

Davis said the water was “extremely rough and choppy”

dimension to the concept,” Banerjee said.

But Banerjee said the gallery should be open to all artists, regardless of gender.

“I believe the theme and the perception of an artist is the important issue here,” she said.

Banerjee said she felt Women’s History Month is important because it “can be a stage to express thoughts on women’s social, cultural, educational and economic conditions.”

Joanne McMullen, retired University administrator, is also in the gallery with two crocheted wire pieces.

McMullen said Women’s History Month is important because it celebrates women in our time, and women’s artwork should be celebrated.

“While I don’t believe that one’s gender impacts upon creativity, I do believe that women’s art explores beauty, even that found in the ordinary,” McMullen said.

University students said events like these that celebrate women are important.

Cameron Tinker, computer science freshman, said it would be interesting to see the art gallery.

“It’s important for women to know they can express themselves as equally as men express themselves,” Tinker said. “Women are a very important figure in society.

It helps to see things from a woman’s point of view as opposed to a man’s.”

on Sunday afternoon.

Lions spokesman Bill Keenist and Raiders senior executive John Hererra said the teams are monitoring reports.

Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com

Samantha Dupaquier, civil engineering freshman, said she would also be interested in going to the exhibit.

“I like art displays, and I think the motivation for this one makes it even more special.” Dupaquier said.

While the Women in the Arts

Gallery is a big part of the University’s celebration of the month, the Women’s Center has a monthlong calendar of events that center around women and their achievements.

“We hope that these programs inspire women at LSU and in the community to motivate them-

selves and others around them through their creative talents, volunteering, opinions, life experiences and peer group interactions,” Dey said.

Contact Catie Vogels at cvogels@lsureveille.com

monday, march 2, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 13

MUSIC

Matt & Kim to play Spanish Moon Brooklyn natives tour across the US

By Ashley Norsworthy Entertainment Writer

Through complete coincidence, Matt & Kim have managed to make their way from a one bedroom apartment to touring across the country.

The unconventional twopiece punk/dance duo from Brooklyn, N.Y. will be visiting The Spanish Moon on Wednesday.

The couple has been dating for six years and has been playing music since 2004.

“It was by accident,” said Matt Johnson, frontman and keyboardist for the band. “I found this keyboard. It was so old, and I thought it looked pretty cool. I figured I should learn how to play it.”

Kim Schifino picked up the drums when a friend showed her how to play.

“Kim was really into drumming,” Johnson said. “When drummers would play she would be really interested in it and always watch them.”

Schifino still plays on the same hand-me-down drums she learned on, which has its origins with the Blue Man Group.

Soon after they picked up their respective instruments, a friend of the couple discovered their musical ability and talked them into playing their first show.

“We put together three songs, and we didn’t have a band name,” Johnson said. “We might just have had good friends who were nice to us, but everyone seemed to enjoy our first show.”

By happenstance, Matt & Kim were formed and were asked by other bands to play at their shows.

“It was the same way when we went on our first tour,” Johnson said. “We had no idea what we were doing. It was all an accident.”

Wednesday won’t be the band’s first visit to Baton Rouge.

They have played shows at the Spanish Moon three times, most recently at F Yeah Fest last June.

Johnson said they were able to make good money off the band “pretty early on,” but paying the bills wasn’t so easy before the creation of the musical pair.

Johnson did freelance film jobs, and Schifino was a nanny.

“Freelance film work is stressful as hell,” Johnson said.

“And Kim was basically raising a 2-year-old and newborn. She’d come home completely beat.”

The couple still lives in the one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn they had before the creation of the band, and they still share a cell phone.

“We shared a twin bed for four years,” Johnson said. “We just got a full. It’s one step into adulthood. But we still don’t have

health insurance.”

Luckily, things have started to look up for the duo. Their newest album, “Grand,” was released in January and is No. 3 on Rolling Stones’ College Radio Top 10 Albums.

“I think it’s awesome,” Johnson said. “Everything was by accident. Some bands set goals, but we never look at things like that.”

Johnson said “every step forward” is an accomplishment.

“To be on some sort of chart, that’s a success,” he said. “I’m very appreciative. It blows my mind.”

Matt Markerson, former University student and fan of Matt & Kim, plans to attend the show Wednesday. He said he has all of

the band’s releases.

“Their album ‘Grand’ is my favorite one,” Markerson said.

“It’s more evolved from the last one.”

Markerson appreciates the band’s unique sound and performance style.

“It’s a good change of pace from the crap you hear on the radio,” he said. “I just hope I get to hear the song ‘Daylight.’”

Doors will open Wednesday at 8 p.m., and the show will start at 10 p.m. Tickets are $12.

Contact Ashley Norsworthy at anorsworthy@lsureveille.com

Pluckers wing bar $14.99 All You Can Eat Wings and $3 Pluckers Lemonade.

If you don’t like our wings, we’ll give you the bird.

Mellow Mushroom pizza Bakers $5 Domestic Pitchers $6 Abita Pitchers

9:00-10:30pm Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist 12:00-1:30pm Vicky Christina Barcelona 7-8:30pm Palo Alto

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 14 FASHION, from page 11 ing outfits to celebrities’ hotels.

“I would get an RSVP from Jennifer Love Hewitt or Tim Gunn from Project Runway, and secretly, I just wanted to write down all their contact information,” Williams said with a laugh.

Williams said once a celebrity committed to attending, it was her responsibility to provide them with clothes, get them a car, make sure their flight was on time, ensure their hair and makeup were perfect and confirm they weren’t seated by someone they didn’t like.

“The celebrities’ requests are pretty pathetic sometimes,” Williams said. “But it was a blast.”

Williams was supposed to be back sooner, but her bosses asked her to stay longer and work backstage and in the audience during the fashion shows.

“I actually had to pull the paparazzi off Paris and Nicky Hilton and Amanda Bynes,” Williams said.

“It was crazy. I was thinking, ‘I am

their size. How am I going to protect ogy professor, said the time Williams these girls from these crazy photog- spent working firsthand in the fashraphers?’” ion industry will help her find a good Working for a public relations job. company was a bit of a change for “It provides an opportunity to Williams. At previous fashion weeks, practice skills in real-life settings she spent most of and gain invaluher time working able experience and the week before insight,” McRobfashion week helperts said. “It will ing designers with instill confidence the preparation of in her, and help her the collection. to compete for a “I just wanted future position, as to get experience well as provide viErin Williams with all facets of tal contacts.” textile, apparel design and the industry,” WilMcRoberts merchandising senior liams said. “My said the majority focus is design, so I would love to of fashion, apparel, and merchandisultimately design. As far as starting ing students participate in fashionout, I am not expecting to have my oriented internships in either their dream job, and I really like event junior or senior year. planning, too.”

Williams gained her first conWilliams said she would love tacts in New York through the Unito move to New York and work after versity two years ago when she graduation, but she is worried be- traveled with a group of classmates cause it seems like everyone is get- to New York to meet the designers ting laid off right now. for menswear clothing line Duckie Lisa McRoberts, human ecol- Brown.

‘‘

‘I just kept in touch.

They kept seeing my face and realized I wasn’t some flake.’

guys. You have mad skills,” Augustus said about the duo’s perforDancer’s Workshop and a profe- mance. sional-in-residence for the UniverAfter “Rhythm, Flash, Soul” sity’s theatre department. Wilson is performed, there was a string of the co-founder and artistic director contemporary routines. Among the of Of Moving Colors Productions, contestants who danced in contemand Augustus is an award winning porary style was Jordan Brejean, dancer and chorekinesiology freshographer. man.

A temporary “I think I did dance floor was set all right considerup in front of the ing I made it all Cinemark Theatre. up on the spot,” People shopping Brejean said. couldn’t help but Brejean’s notice the commofriend Katlyn Leonard Augustus Jr. tion, and as the day Johnson performed dancer and choreographer went on the audiright before her and ence grew. received wonderThe first act of the day was a ful praise from the judges. Johnson, hip-hop duo from Lafayette who University High School senior, was called themselves “Rhythm, Flash, nervous despite her good critique Soul.” Tyler Wilson and Terrance because she thought the cold may Morgan used a combination of have affected her performance. dancing and comedy to impress the “I think I did well, but my feet judges and entertain the audience. were really cold,” Johnson said.

“I have to give it up to you After all the contestants had

DANCE, from page 11

‘‘

‘I have to give it up to [Rhythm, Flash, Soul. They] have mad skills.’

performed the judges left to tally up the scores and determine a top five. After some deliberation, the judges announced Tyler Wilson, Jake Guidry, Katlyn Johnson, Daniel Masterson and Kendall Washington as the top five. The top five were given a two-hour break and at 4 p.m. returned to perform a second time.

The top five came back and brought all their energy and heart for their second performance of the day. The judges were blown away by each of the five, making the final decision extremely difficult.

“Among the three of us, we have each judged many competitions but this was one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make because they all have such great talent,” Buckman said.

Contact Nichole Oden at noden@lsureveille.com

BATTLE, from page 11 Chris Melhado, international trade and finance freshman and singer for Waiting on Yesterday, said playing at Last Band Standing gave him motivation to get better.

“This band only formed a month ago, and this gave us something to shoot for,” he said.

Brad Standige, finance senior and singer for Radio Ink, said Last Band Standing was the band’s first live performance.

“We made this band two weeks ago and heard about this, so we wanted to play,” he said. “It’s a good way to meet other musicians.”

Bands who wished to perform were required to have at least one member who was an on-campus resident, said Kandace Tyler, RHA Area Director, in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille.

The first, second and third place winners won $150, $100, and $50 shopping sprees to Guitar Center, respectively.

The top-three bands will perform April 23 at the RHA Crawfish Boil, Tyler said.

Contact Ben Bourgeois at bbourgeois@lsureveille.com

EMMET BROWN / The Daily Reveille

Radio Ink performs in the Student Union on Friday at Last Band Standing, a joint effort between Residential Hall Association and LSU Late Night.

“One of the designers said they needed help dressing models backstage,” Williams said. “No one really said anything, so my hand shot up. I kept in touch with them and flew back to New York for fashion week.”

Once in New York, Williams’ determination kicked in.

She showed up on the doorstep of designer Jill Stuart with her resume in hand.

They hired her, and she ran errands and dressed models for both designers for the next two season’s fashion weeks.

This past summer, Williams got an internship with Jill Stuart and met contacts from Allison Brod while working there.

“I just kept in touch. They kept seeing my face and realized that I wasn’t some flake that wouldn’t come back,” Williams said. “I guess

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009 they kind of grew to trust me, and that’s why they wanted me to deal with their clients.”

Williams said the trick to good networking is persistence.

“You can’t let them forget you,” Williams said. “You just have to keep going back and contacting them yourself.”

Williams said she would love to work in Europe next summer but isn’t sure what’s going to happen after graduation.

“I’ve found out how rewarding it is whenever you have an idea, and actually make it, and there is nothing else in the world exactly like it.” Williams said. “That’s what got me. That creative aspect really poked me.”

Contact Jack LeBlanc at aleblanc@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009 MITCHELL, from page 7 but all eyes were on senior guard Marcus Thornton in the game’s final minutes. Thornton fought his way to 19 second-half points and five second-half rebounds after scoring just four points before halftime.

Thornton, not sophomore point guard Bo Spencer, advanced the ball up the court with the game tied at 70 and less than a minute to play and fought off a double team and passed to Mitchell with 10 seconds remaining.

With all five Kentucky players and all 24,411 in attendance

BYE, from page 7 Freshman forward LaSondra Barrett led LSU with 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting, scoring in double figures for the 16th time this season. The three-time SEC Freshman of the Week started 5-for-5 to open the second half.

Junior guard Allison Hightower played 39 minutes Sunday after enduring cramps in the second half of LSU’s 63-61 win Thursday against Tennessee. After starting just 3-of-11 from the field in the first half, she finished with 12 points and tied a career high with seven assists.

Perhaps the bigger story of

keyed on Thornton, Mitchell drained the game-winner.

“I think as a coach, I have to let those guys go out there and just play,” Johnson said.

The Tigers’ conference title nearly slipped away from them.

LSU led by as many as 12 points in the first half and eight by halftime. Kentucky started the second half with a 26-8 run to take a 10-point lead with just 10 minutes remaining.

“We were not going to give up,” Mitchell said in a news release. “Even when we were down 10, we kept playing hard.”

Thornton came to life with

‘‘

‘I think as a coach, I have to let those guys go out there and just play.’

Hightower’s day was her defense, we had to stop Thomas to win the as she held Ole Miss junior guard game. Hightower was the best deBianca Thomas to 12 points and fensive player in the SEC today.” no 3-pointers on LSU start4-of-10 shooting. ed fast in the Thomas scored first half, going 25 points and five on a 6-0 run in 3-point shots in the first 1:26. the Rebels’ win But Ole Miss Thursday against came roaring Vanderbilt. back with a Chancellor 10-0 run of its said containing own with 13:20 Van Chancellor Thomas was a neleft. women’s basketball coach cessity for LSU to That was come out on top. the first time “Thomas has more range than the Lady Tigers trailed during their I’ve seen in a long time,” Chancel- winning streak, and it only lasted lor said. “No question in my mind, for 1:24 as they responded with an

‘‘

‘To finish third with this group of kids is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.’

fense throughout the series and went a combined 17-for-22 with LSU scored 14 runs in the 14 RBI in the weekend.

With the offensive outburst, first three innings of the game before replacing seven of their nine Ochinko raised his batting average from .125 to .429. offensive starters.

But the Tigers also got solid The insurance was plenty enough for sophomore pitcher pitching throughout the weekend, Austin Ross, who threw 6 shutout especially from Friday’s starter,.

Sophomore Anthony Ranauinnings and struck out 10 batters.

“He threw extremely well,” do, went 6 1/3 innings, striking Mainieri said. “He threw down in out 10 hitters to improve his record to 2-0 on the the zone. He had season. a good slider, and Sophomore he pitched fantasDaniel Bradshaw tic baseball.” pitched 3 2/3 inFreshman nings and allowed Randy Ziegler, one run on Satursenior Louis day.

Coleman and The dominant sophomore Ben Paul Mainieri series spoiled the Alsup pitched the LSU baseball coach homecoming of seventh, eighth Central Florida and ninth innings head coach Terry Rooney and asto complete the win for LSU. The only LSU starter to play sistant coach Cliff Godwin.

Rooney spent the past two the entire game was sophomore outfielder Chad Jones, who hit seasons as Mainieri’s pitching the first home run of his career in coach at LSU. Despite three-straight lopthe bottom of the eighth inning.

Mainieri said he is allowing sided losses, Rooney said he is Jones, who will miss 20 midsea- proud of the way his team played son games, to get as many at bats this weekend and is also proud of as he can before spring football the progression of LSU’s current players. practice begins.

“I told our guys that we just “The more at bats he gets, the better he’s going to be,” Mainieri went toe-to-toe with the No. 1 said. “I know sometimes it’s a ranked team in the country,” little frustrating to watch him, Rooney said. “And our kids never because he gets fooled by some gave up ... But give credit to LSU pitches or he swings and he misses, but you just have to let that kid keep playing.”

Sunday’s game was a continuation of a dominant series for LSU. The Tigers had little problem in the opening games of the series, winning Friday’s game 13-4 and Saturday’s game 11-2.

Sophomore shortstop DJ LeMahieu and junior Sean Ochinko powered the LSU of-

HITS, from page 7

‘‘

the Tigers facing their second could guard me.” double-digit deficit in the past 10 With seven top-25 teams days. The Tigers’ falling this week, leading scorer the Tigers’ win shot 5-of-8 from provides a good the field and 3-ofopportunity to ad4 from the free vance further into throw line for the national con16 total points sciousness. and grabbed five “LSU probrebounds in the ably has a shot Trent Johnson game’s final 10 at the 10-11-12 LSU basketball coach minutes. range next week “I got in a with all the teams groove in the second half, and going down in front of them,” I didn’t feel like I could miss,” Winn said. “Plus you have to take Thornton told the Associated momentum into account.”

Press. “I didn’t feel like anyone ESPN college basketball

‘When we’re clicking and ... swinging the bat well, it can be a sight to see.’

for an outstanding performance this weekend.”

Contact Casey Gisclair at cgisclair@lsureveille.com

8-0 run.

LSU led, 28-22, at halftime and by as many as 17 points in the second half. Ole Miss cut the lead to 7 with six minutes remaining, but Hightower fired off a jumper and a layup, and the Lady Tigers would not trail again.

“I thought we needed this win to make sure we have a good shot to make it to the [NCAA tournament],” Chancellor said. “To finish

PAGE 15 analyst Digger Phelps said Saturday night that Johnson should be National Coach of the Year. Winn agrees Johnson is on the short list of contenders.

“He has to be considered the slam dunk SEC Coach of the Year,” Winn said. “If people were making a top-five list for National Coach of the Year, Trent would probably have to be on it.”

Contact David Helman at dhelman@lsureveille.com third with this group of kids is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.”

LSU will play its first game of the SEC tournament Friday against the winner of Thursday’s game between Mississippi State and South Carolina.

Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Opinion

PAGE 16

OUR VIEW

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

Library’s survey without student response is ineffective Surveys — although not always efficient — are the most effective way to gauge the opinions of members of the University community.

Departments on campus base important decisions all the time on the results of various surveys and questionnaires.

And usually, the most important component to those surveys are student responses.

Somebody should tell that to LSU Libraries officials.

LSU Libraries is conducting a faculty survey through March 12 to examine how different publications are used. The survey is being done to help determine how new and existing subscriptions to certain publications should be handled.

But the survey lacks one vital aspect — student opinion.

Nancy Colyar, assistant dean of libraries, said students aren’t being surveyed directly because “... hopefully, what they are using ... relates to what [their] faculty member or professor will include [in the survey].”

Let’s be real — the relationship between professors and students isn’t a close one, so why would University instructors know what publications benefit students the most?

It’s fair to say most classes that require a significant amount of research are relatively small. And maybe those professors have a personal relationship their students.

But this survey should also go straight to the source with deciding what publications are useless and which ones are essential.

LSU Libraries should conduct a different survey to find out the needs

and wants of the students. Then the two surveys should be compared and a compromise should be made.

Students are what matter most on this campus. LSU Libraries should keep that in mind.

Contact the Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com

COMMON CENTS

Both sides mischaracterize the Great Depression In this economic crisis, no historical example has been more frequently cited than the Great Depression.

With no battleground states left to fight over, pundits have instead concentrated their energy on recasting the 1930s into a fable with a moral supporting their ideology.

Valid theories must pass two basic tests. They must be logically consistent and empirically verifiable.

They have to make sense, and they have to match the facts.

Unfortunately, the recent retellings of the Great Depression fail to clear these hurdles.

Several right-wing commentators claim the New Deal actually made the Depression deeper and longer. Prosperity, in their eyes, did not come until World War II. Allegedly, the war improved the state of the economy after production was nationalized to keep up with

the war effort. Yet it is Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s early nationalization policies Republicans criticize.

WWII was powered by economic interventions of greater scope and scale.

To criticize the New Deal for nationalization and then praise the war effort for greater nationalization is to argue that your friend made an unhealthy choice when he started drinking coffee but made a healthy choice when he started mainlining heroin.

The government interventions of the war may have supported a cause Republicans now idolize, but this doesn’t change their unquestionably negative affect on the economy.

Americans not fighting for their lives on a foreign shore endured rationing, forced monopolization and a lower standard of living.

World War II was, at best, an unfortunate necessity, and its

benefits were not economic.

Where the Republicans’ story fails to be logically consistent, the Democrats fail to match the facts.

Most left-leaning pundits claim the New Deal eased the Great Depression.

It’s hard to find evidence this was the case.

In 1929, the unemployment Daniel Morgan rate was only Columnist 3.2 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

By 1931, the Great Depression had pushed this number to 15.9 percent. Despite the multitude of government programs that FDR enacted under the depressing umbrella of the New Deal, unemployment in 1940 was 14.6 percent, and the Depression

was still ongoing.

By 1940, Gross National Product per capita — a measure of wealth created per citizen — was only $916, just barely above its 1929 level.

Not only did the New Deal fail to lift America out of the Depression, there is evidence it actively hindered recovery.

All else held equal, an increase in a government’s expenditures beyond its revenue results in decreased private investment. Instead of spending money on capital investments that will increase consumption, investors spend their money on government bonds to finance the deficit.

From 1930 to 1940, net private investments was negative $3.1 billion after subtracting depreciation.

By 1940, 70 percent of all metalworking equipment was more than a decade old, according to a paper by Robert Higgs entitled “Regime Uncertainty.”

The result was a decrease in productivity — a normal source of improvements in standard of living.

Any tax — whether it be on income, sales or capital gains — is a disincentive on economic activity.

The tax cuts that followed WWII — unlike the piles of money labeled “tax cuts” toward the end of George W. Bush’s presidency — further encouraged productive actions, and the result was sustained growth.

Unfortunately, this lesson doesn’t benefit either the Republicans or the Democrats, both of whom favor increases in government spending.

Daniel Morgan is a 21-year-old economics major from Baton Rouge.

Contact Daniel Morgan at dmorgan@lsureveille.com

NIETZSCHE IS DEAD

Political bipartisanship is not a ‘process argument’ With the dire straits our nation currently finds itself in, President Obama and Congress have scrambled to put together a plan to halt America’s financial crisis.

Disregarding the stakes, Congress descended again into what has become its only mode of operation — entrenched partisan warfare.

Despite several olive branches Obama offered to the Republican Party, the stimulus package he proposed was fought bitterly at every turn and was eventually passed along strictly partisan lines.

Yet the Republicans are in no way the only ones at fault here.

Democratic Congressional leaders — specifically Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi — has blatantly cast aside any pretense of cooperation.

“Washington seems consumed in the process argument of bipartisanship, when the rest of the country says they need this bill,” Pelosi told

reporters at a Democratic retreat.

“We must have a bill [quickly].”

Apparently Pelosi believes that bipartisanship is an abstraction that must be discarded in favor of practical concerns. This is a dangerous position for someone of her power to hold.

Bipartisanship is a concept that gets tossed around a lot in political discussions, and it can sometimes seem like an ideal with little practical value. But Pelosi and the rest of Congress would be well served to strive for it.

The argument Pelosi and many Democrats make is that Republicans have had their turn to lead, and they failed, and now it’s their turn.

“Yes we passed the bill. Yes we won the election,” Pelosi added.

In her mind, the Democratic victories in November amount to a mandate, and Republicans, by challenging the party’s decisions, are

THE DAILY REVEILLE Editorial Board

KYLE WHITFIELD TYLER BATISTE GERRI SAX DANIEL LUMETTA MATTHEW ALBRIGHT TRAVIS ANDREWS ERIC FREEMAN JR.

Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, External Media Opinion Editor Columnist Columnist Columnist

ignoring the will of the people.

Unfortunately for the speaker, this isn’t how politics works.

One of the most fundamental truths of a two-party system is that the two are supposed to balance. Instead of trying to pass a bill along rigid partisan ideological lines, the two parties should attempt a compromise.

The way Congress has ran the past few years, “compromise” has become a dirty Matthew Albright word.

Columnist The unspoken arrogance behind Pelosi’s disregard for non-partisan cooperation is the underlying belief that her party is absolutely right on every issue.

On the surface, this seems logical — if someone has a position on

something, it’s no stretch to believe that position is right.

The problem isn’t with believing you’re right, but with believing you’re perfect.

The purpose of an opposition party is to keep the party in power honest, to find and reveal flaws in a plan, then work to rectify those flaws.

When the party in power disregards the protests of the minority, it has no check on its ideology or practice. Nobody knows this better than Pelosi, who led her party through the Bush years, where that administration and its loyal Congress trampled the Democrats and proceeded to enforce partisan policy decisions – policy decisions that led to the mess the Democrats now inherit.

As Einstein famously said, “insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.”

If Pelosi — who should know

better than anybody the consequences and frustrations of partisan power — really wants to fix problems, she should put aside her history with the Republicans and reach across the aisle.

Republicans must break their long-held habits and do the same.

Bipartisanship is more than a process argument – it’s a necessity.

It’s the best way to make sure the policies our government pursues are sound – and the best way to remedy the ills that were caused largely by a lack of cooperation in the first place.

Matthew Albright is a 20-year old English and political science major from Baton Rouge.

Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com

EDITORIAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES

QUOTE OF THE DAY

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.

“This is what bipartisanship looks like; constant rubbish from both sides of the aisle.”

George F. Will American news commentator May 4, 1941 - Present

THE DAILY REVEILLE

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009

JUXTAPOSED NOTIONS

Opinion

PAGE 17

State takeover of EBR parish schools best option Shoving public schools into the Recovery School District is ordinarily frowned upon, but in the case of the eight failing schools under the jurisdiction of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, such action is sorely needed.

Many believe this rescue mission is long overdue — especially Louisiana Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek, who initiated the absorption of the “utterly failed” schools.

The fact that these schools are fumbling is hardly news to those who have spent their lives here.

For years, residents of the EBR school district have avoided being subjected to the zoning by either paying for private schooling, homeschooling their children or — in the case of the fairly new Central City — redefining city bounds to break free of the chokehold of the system. The detrimental nature of EBR schools is

notorious among the locales, and this reputation unfortunately spurs many to go to great lengths to keep their children from coming in contact with EBR education.

A takeover may not be ideal even in this case, but it is certainly preferable to letting the schools drain taxpayers as a byproduct of poor school board management.

The state takeover, which will take effect July 1, was deemed necessary by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education back in January, mainly because the eight schools have failed to meet academic standards for four years running.

The schools in question are slated to be run as private charter schools answerable to the state, which means the schools will be held accountable while being allowed flexibility to implement more effective teaching methods.

This is the correct step to take in

order to improve those schools – by improving the quality of education, rather than simply altering standards to make results appear better on paper.

R e c e n t l y, however, the EBR system has approved a new ruling that panders to this abhorrent, cheating method of grade Linnie Leavines mongering, perColumnist haps in a desperate attempt to save their failing schools from state absorption.

The system accomplished this by implementing a shift to a 10-point grading scale, thereby making it easier for a student to make high grades in an already substandard school.

EBR parish backed up this change by claiming this new ruling will give students a better shot at a

TOPS scholarship. Had the former bar been left, it would’ve resulted in “a loss of as much as $1.5 million in scholarships and missed opportunities,” according to Emmanuel Caulk, assistant superintendant for the EBR schools who defended the schools in an interview with The Advocate earlier the month.

While this is true, all this copout does in terms of improving education is make scores simply appear better on paper – the quality does not improve at all. This cheats students out of a decent college preparatory education, not to mention taxpayers out of their money.

If an EBR student cannot earn and maintain TOPS under normal circumstances, it is all too likely he or she will lose it once in college.

And any public scholarship that does not ultimately result in a student with a marketable degree is essentially a waste of public money on an

irresponsible individual.

The lowering of the bar is a clear indicator of the incompetence of EBR schools, in any case. The fact remains that eight of the schools in EBR parish are substandard, despite this legalistic attempt to persuade state officials and the public otherwise.

EBR schools have had four years to clean up their act and they’ve clearly failed. State takeover is the best option, the one with the best interest of the Louisiana’s public education at heart.

Linnie Leavines is an 18-year-old mass communication major from Central City.

Contact Linnie Leavines at lleavines@lsureveille.com

METAIRIE’S FINEST

Sciences proves bikinied women are sex objects The cold weather may finally be slipping away, and sweaters will soon be swapped for swimwear.

As per the norm, Sports Illustrated recently released its annual swimsuit edition, full of — you guessed it — women in bikinis.

Many decry this edition and other magazines like it, claiming the images do nothing more than turn women into hammers — a tool for men to accomplish a goal (though that goal is not hammering). Many also say magazines like this are the reason men see women as sex objects in the first place, and were it not for the slow entropy of our society, women might never be seen as objects.

This is tough to prove beyond simple logic. Until now, that is.

A recent Princeton University study proved men see bikini-clad women much like they see screwdrivers and pipe-cleaners, according to CNN.

Spanish Town’s ‘McMosque’ float offensive I attended the seamless revelry that was the Spanish Town parade.

Every year, Baton Rouge enjoys a fun, family atmosphere at this event, and this edition was no exception; but for one particular krewe, this parade marked an opportunity to display zealotry, hate and ignorance.

The krewe of “Wasted” rolled with its “McMosque” (subtitle “Over 90 million severed”) float Saturday, complete with a crew of men and women adorned in

This means a few things.

First, opponents of these magazines are correct that men see these images as not just objects but actually as tools. The study showed “the brain areas associated with handling tools and the intention to perform actions light up when viewing images of women in bikinis.”

“Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” may never sound as innocent again.

The results of the study also offer another interesting tidbit — men may have actually evolved to see bikini-clad women as objects as a means of proliferating the race, Darwin-style.

“The way that men may depersonalize sexual images of women is not entirely something they control.

In fact, it’s a byproduct of human evolution, experts say,” according to CNN. Back when wooly mammoth was reining the earth, men would

have been looking for a fertile mate without the help of Reggie’s or Match.com.

But we live in a society that doesn’t need to proliferate itself merely to subsist, and magazines like this are doubtlessly obstructing women’s rightful place in society as more than c h i l d - b e a r e r s Travis Andrews and sex toys.

Columnist With information as starkly scientific proving what has always been argued, perhaps industries like Sports Illustrated and pornography — however important for the progression the film industry it may be — should give a second thought to what they peddle.

They won’t.

But the situation seems even more dire when looking at

black shrouds, headdresses and tunics.

Its décor included numerous ethnocentric and socially offensive slogans. One phrase boldly proclaimed, “Jesus Loves You, Mohammed Thinks You’re an Asshole.” The crew shouted at parade-goers in mock Arabic, and pantomimed sarcastic terror related scenes.

I was so offended that I nearly forgot to shoot the atrocity as it chugged by.

Though I was at first in awe of the audacity and belligerence of the float and its crew, I was even more ashamed by the loathsome masses that laughed at and cheered for this “waste” of a krewe.

One needn’t be a scholar to see just how horribly inaccurate

this mockery of a culture is and why it is unacceptable to display publicly.

Further, it takes the shape of a city-sanctioned event that is close to the hearts of a local community.

The Krewe of Wasted should formally apologize to the Muslim community in Baton Rouge, and the committee of Spanish Town should be reprimanded for allowing such a disgrace to parade through the streets of our great city.

a “supplementary study on both male and female undergraduates [that] found that men tend to associate bikini-clad women with first-person action verbs such as I ‘push,’ ‘handle’ and ‘grab’ instead of the third-person forms such as she ‘pushes,’ ‘handles’ and ‘grabs.’

They associated fully clothed women, on the other hand, with the third-person forms, indicating these women were perceived as in control of their own actions,” reported CNN. A reigning view exists among college males, it seems, that feminism theory is ridiculous, pedantic, over the top, patronizing and unnecessary. The reason is two-fold: No one likes being told they act like animals, which is often how feminism is perceived by college-aged males.

The second is that college-aged males love naked girls.

It’s hard-wired in.

These discoveries won’t change

anything.

The porn industry will remain, and the swimsuit edition will continue to be released on an annual basis, all breasts PhotoShopped bigger while all tummies are PhotoShopped smaller until reality can’t even trigger these areas of the brain.

And columns like this will continue to be written, and scientists will continue to prove that columns like this are, at least somewhat, correct.

But these days information is our only real power. And now that information is based in cold hard facts.

So we’ll continue to throw it out there and see what happens.

Travis Andrews is a 21-year-old English: creative writing major from Metairie.

Contact Travis Andrews at tandrews@lsureveille.com

Bridge to nowhere

Brian Pavlich international studies senior

Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com

REX BABIN / The Sacramento Bee

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225.927.5080 !BAR TENDING! Up to $300/Day. No Experience Necessary. Training Provided.

Age 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 xt127 D I G I TAL MEDIA NEWSLETTER. Sales & marketing assistant. Work on database with sales people. Requires phone, office, computer skills and attention to detail.

Flexible hours. e-mail jobs@riderresearch.com or fax 225-769-7166 DON’T MISS THIS OPPOR T U N I T Y! Now hiring for all positions at the following locations: JEFFERSON 7615 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge 70809 PERKINS ROWE 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd.

Baton Rouge 70810 “Flexible schedules & Benefits for Full Time Associates” Please apply in person during regular restaurant hours.

Equal Opportunity Employer MANSURS ON THE BOULEVARD GREAT COLLEGE JOB! RESTAURANT NOW HIRING SERVER ASSISTANTS AND HOSTESSES. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. ALSO NEED EXPERIENCED WAIT STAFF. MUST BE ABLE TO WORK A FEW DAY SHIFTS AND WEEKENDS. APPLY DAILY @ 5720 CORPORATE BLVD. 225.923.3366 WHO’S YOUR PAPA? Papa Murphy’s, the Official Pizza of YOUR LSU Tigers, is NOW Hiring!

Team Leaders Team Members Apply at any Papa Murphy’s Store Please mention you saw our ad in The Daily Reveille!

Papa Murphy’s is locally owned and operated by Arkel Food Service

GET PAID CASH AND REWARDS for taking online surveys. www.

CashToSpend.com SWIMMING LESSONS INS T R U C T O R S NEEDED Great Part Time Afternoon Spring Semester Job-Full Time Summer Job- Great Pay! CRAWFISH AQUATICS, Louisiana’s Total Swim Program- If you are highly motivated, hard working, we can teach you the rest. Please fax resume to 225-706-1636 or e-mail to swimcraw@bellsouth.net TENNIS INS TRUCTOR Lamar Tennis Center - USTA Tournament experience a plus. Work with after school junior program, summer camps. jwahlborg@ymcabatonrouge.org 225.612.2420 DRUSILL A SEAFOOD is now hiring...wait staff, bartenders, bussers, cashiers and kitchen help. Apply in person at 3482 Drusilla Lane.

TJ RIBS NOW HIRING SERVERS AND BUSSERS. APPLY IN PERSON - 2354 S. ACADIAN THRUWAY, BATON ROUGE, LA. **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER** NOW HIRING Dow Westside YMCA is hiring fitness floor staff. Must be working on a Kinesiology degree. Please contact Rebecca Solomon at rsolomon@ymcabatonrouge.org or 225.687.1123 Y OUTH FUN-FITNESS INS T R U C T O R S Exerfit is looking for high energy, responsible instructors to run fitness/game oriented classes for youth. Spring/summer jobs available. Fax resume to (225) 7061634.

SURVEY TAKERS NEEDED: Make $5-$25 per survey. www. GetPaidToThink.com SURVEY RESEARCHERS NEEDED!! LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab is now hiring survey researchers for weekend and night work only. Must have a clear speaking voice, be friendly, willing to communicate with people over the phone, and to follow set procedures. Pay is competitive, $79/hour. Flexible hours! Great place to work! Prior experience a plus but not required.

Contact Kathryn Rountree, Operations Manager, krount1@lsu.edu to set up an interview.

JEFFERSON BAPTIS T CHURCH is seeking Sunday Morning paid nursery workers from 8:30am- 12:30pm. Contact Casey at 225.923.0356 STUDENTPAY OUT S. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue. 100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys.

S TUDENT WORK Local BR company expanding Fast! *$15.00 Base/appt* Flexible Schedules No experience nec Customer sales/ svc Conditions Apply Ages 17+ Apply NOW 225-927-3066 www.collegestudentwork.com

INTERVIEWING IN NOL A for Katrina Recovery. Join our LSU Sociology Research Team to conduct interviews of residents in New Orleans neighborhoods.

Saturday trips to New Orleans, with full day of work. $9/ hr with free round-trip transportation. Interesting, meaningful teamwork on community recovery.

Contact David Maddox, dmaddo1@lsu.edu

BAR TENDER HELP NEEDED Looking for bartender help at The Oaks @ Sherwood Golf Club. If interested call Blaine.

225.955.1603

INTERNSHIP AVA I L ABLE Looking for an intern to assist with accounting & tax related projects. Computer/ General Office Skills Business/ Accounting Majors Strong MS Office & Excel Skills Email

I M M E D I A T E O P E N I N G S ! Wo r k a r o u n d your present school/work schedule!

Emp discounts avail/emp ins avail/d.d a v a i l . A p p l y i n p e r s o n T O D AY. M c A l i s t e r ’ s Deli 6808 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge L A

225-810-4000 WEB DESIGNER Looking for entry level web designer/ developer with HTML/ CSS experience. Flexible hours. Apply online at http:// jobs.immense.net THE COTTONPOR T INSUR ANCE Agency, LLC, has an opening for a full time licensed insurance producer in the West Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee area.

Insurance knowledge and experience a plus. Applicant must have great customer service and great communication skills.

Please send a resume and a completed application to: P. O. Box 1050, Brusly, La. 70719. Attention: Drew. Applications can be picked up at any location of The Cottonport Bank or accessed online at www.thecottonportbank.com. We are an equal opportunity employer. ****ATTENTION**** ACCOUNTING Business Majors Incredible Job Opportunity!!!! Now Hiring Part-Time

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009 Accounting Assistant Work Directly Under the Controller of the Largest Supplier of Bedding in the Southeast. Great experience. Flexible Hours Competitive Pay Please email resume to: Rhonda@mdserta.com 225.231.1240 P A R R A I N ’ S S E A F O O D R E S T AU R A N T Now Hiring Waitstaff, Host, and Bar Positions Apply Mon - Fri 3225 Perkins Rd 225-381-9922 P A R R A I N ’ S S E A F O O D R E S T AU R A N T Now Hiring for All Kitchen Positions Apply in Person Mon - Fri 3225 Perkins Rd 225-381-9922 HELP WANTED LUNCH CREW BARTENDER 244 LAFAYETTE FLEXIBLE HOURS APPLY N PERSON

THE DAILY REVEILLE

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009 NEED HELP CONTROLLING HUNGER? The purpose of this study is to determine if a breakfast drink made with a natural product will help reduce hunger and prevent over eating. Looking for females ages 18-50. Earn up to $120. Call NOW 225.763.3000 EARN EXTR A MONEY Students needed ASAP Earn up to $150 per day being a mystery shopper No Experience Required Call 1-800-722-4791 GOLF COURSE HELP NEEDED Looking for individuals intersted in working at The Oaks @ Sherwood Golf Club. Cart/Range duties mostly. Call Blaine. 225.955.1603 BOYS & GIRL S CLUB Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® Servant Leader Intern For Summer 2009 Interns are responsible for the front-line care and nurturing of children. Excellent leadership development opportunity at the historic CFD Alex Haley Farm in TN. Strong appreciation and understanding of individual cultural history. Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to character, humility and servant leadership. www.brclubs.org 225.383.3928 FOR SALE TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. U N I T S R E A D Y F O R S P R I N G & F ALL 2009!!

Brand new 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units for s a l e s t a r ting at $124,900. Ask about our Guaranteed Buy -Back Program!!

3000 July St. 225-346-505 5 www . t i g e r m a n o r. c o m Location.

Location.

Location... Star t Living.

G ATED 3 BED 3 BATH CONDO Close to campus, pool, tennis court, covered parking, workout center, corner unit For Lease or Sale 225.614.7077 3/3 CONDO INCOME PRODUCING Gated: 3/3 1700SF $206,000 Almost New. The Gates At Brightside. 1.5 from campus. Income producing while your student lives free. 407-353-0564 Susan FOR RENT CHATEAU DU COUR IN TIGERL AND Large 2 BR 1 B in gated complex..7722429 mckproperties.com 2BR/2BA - NEAR TOWNE CENTER 7550 LaSalle Gated Condo, Balcony, Granite Countertops, Wood and Travertine Floors, Stainless Appliances, 10ft Ceilings, Walk In Closet, W/ D Included, and much more! $1,250 mo. Call 225.413.0482 TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. U N I T S R E A D Y F O R S P R I N G & F ALL 2009! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedrooms available.

R e s e r v e y o u r u n i t t o d a y ! Wa l k t o c l a s s !

3000 July St. 225-346-5055. www . t i g e r manor.com Location. Location. Location... Star t Living.

1 B R / 1 B A F O R L E A S E ! M U S T SEE!! $950/mo includes all utilities including electric, cable & internet. All appliances are included! Gated community. across from city park. www.keyfindersbr.com 225.293.3000 RENT FREE FOR MARCH! Student roommate wanted for apt. near LSU on Brightside. The BLOX. 2 bed. furnished, modern, C A/ H, pool, finess room, bus line to LSU, W & D. Looking for a “chill” roommate. $487.00 mo. If interested please e-mail or phone 985-8458049 or 985.778.9344

FOR RENT !!!! L A K E B E A U P R E LAKE BEAU PRE TOWNHOMES 2 BEDROOMS $1250.00 TO VIEW ALL RENTALS GO TO WWW. KEYFINDERSBR. COM 225.293.3000 CRESENT CONDO FOR LEASE Luxury 1 bedroom condo with unbelievable ammenites for lease, at the Cresent at University Lake, $1500 a month.

Please contact: 225.678.0133 WALK TO L SU 1 and 2 BR FLATS and TH, pool, laundry center. University View Apartments on West Parker. Call Hannah 767-2678. NO PETS. ROOMMATES R O O M M A TE NEEDED AS A P to share 2br/2bth off Highland w/ male student. $395/ month, all utilities except electricity free. Now through July. avenez1@tigers.lsu.edu

P RI VATE BR/BA IN SOUTHG ATE!!! $650 for own bed/bath. FEMALE only. Available MARCH 16. email ghall2@tigers.lsu.edu FEMALE ROOMMATE 2br2ba townhouse Sharlo off Brightside. Now through end May June or July. $475 plus 1/2 utilities.

Julie at mjlap04@cox.net MAS TER & REGUL AR BEDROOM pvt bath $370. Reg. room $260. Nice house.

W&D. Alarm etc. No lease needed. $250 deposit. 225.921.1209 PERSONALS *TIRED OF BEING HEAR T BROKEN* Smart, shy, Independant LSU Junior girl looking to hang out with a nice, smart, sensible, cute guy for friendship or possibly dating. damselindistress86@gmail.com LF1M Gay gaming male seeks other gamer guy.

PAGE 19 Those that play together stay together! lsugaymer@gmail.com

With Love! prince28charming@gmail.com

HELLO BOYS! I’m a 21-year-old looking for someone special to play with- I’m super cute and tons of fun. I love me some burly men so facial hair is a must. Give me a call, big boys! 985.351.6040

I WANT TO BE YOUR DERIVATIVE so I can lie tangent to your curves. Nerdy ndn chick seeking an intelligent and attractive conversationalist. Ladies only, please—I’m tired of natural logs approaching the asymptote. sheenyinabottle@hotmail.com

BOOT Y HUNTER Looking for a cute pirate to shiver me timbers. Ask me about my Midnight Madness. Find out at www.themidnightmadness.com

SEARCHING 4 SOULMATE 20yo Asian guy seeking masculine guy 18-23 to date.

Races open. I’m a sweetheart! tigerboy1988@gmail.com

SEEKING CHARITABLE, outdoor loving individual. Must love animals and the occasional hiking or camping trip. Drop me a message at HighpointingForAmerica.org *BE MY LOVE* Tall, Dark & Handsome, Brown, LSU Junior looking to hang out with and possibly date an outgoing, smart & independent girl. Join me over Coffee!

MISCELLANEOUS W W W. T H E T I G E R N O T E S . C O M Not All Notes Are Created Equal Buy 2 Exam Packs 12.99 ea Get 1 Free

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monday, march 2, 2009