Reveille
BASKETBALL Tigers inspired by Mickey’s resilience page 5
The Daily
Thursday, February 5, 2015
lsureveille.com/daily
OPINION Fraternities and sororities should be held to same standards page 12
thedailyreveille
@lsureveille
Volume 119 · No. 85
thedailyreveille
Cut & Paste
LSU Student Government President Clay Tufts (left) and Alumni Association President Cliff Vannoy are launching a new campaign to get the LSU community involved in the current budget crisis.
Breaking Down the WISE Fund
The WISE Fund allocates $40 million to Louisiana higher education. $14 million was allotted to the LSU System. The University was set to receive $7.1 million, split three ways: 1. General Fund: $1.4 million received 2. Community Development Block Grant: $3.5 million to be received 3. House Bill 2: $2.2 million to be received
Upcoming budget cuts could affect WISE Fund
EMILY BRAUNER /
The Daily Reveille
Alumni Association, SG begin campaign against budget cuts
BY Rose Velazquez rvelazquez@lsureveille.com
BY Chloe Huff chuff@lsureveille.com
The presidents of Louisiana’s higher education systems agreed cutting core funding from universities will make the money received through the Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger Economy Fund obsolete, Tommy Smith, associate vice chancellor of Finance and Administrative Services and vice provost for Finance, said Wednesday. “They can’t come in and say, ‘LSU, we’re going to give you a $20
Everyone has a stake in the future of the University, or at least that’s the plan. The Alumni Association is teaming with up Student Government to bring together all members of “Tiger Nation” in an advocacy group to help stop the state’s potential $400 million budget cuts to higher education. The Alumni Association launched Tiger Advocates online on
see BUDGET CUTS, page 15
see ALUMNI, page 4
Construction
Pleasant Hall set to undergo major renovations $7 million in updates to be funded privately
BY Julian Schardt jschardt@lsureveille.com Pleasant Hall will receive a face-lift as the University attempts to create lasting first impressions on students deciding whether to make the University their future alma mater. Director of planning, design and construction Roger Husser said the project is in the early stages of planning, and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is the focus of the
proposed plans. Husser said the renovations have a budget of $7 million, and the money will be raised through private fundraising efforts. Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management David Kurpius said fundraising efforts started in Nov. 2014, and about $1 million has been raised for the project thus far. “We are hoping to finish up this year,” Kurpius said. “It’s one of the President’s top priorities.” Prospective students touring the University are met with grim, outdated conditions upon
entering Pleasant Hall, and it does not leave a good taste in their mouths, Kurpius said. The proposed plans include the creation of a plaza in front of Pleasant Hall, which Kurpius said will contain a more attractive and inviting entryway. “We need a highly branded, welcoming place where students and families don’t stand at a front desk counter and talk about their finances and their scholarships for financial aid where other people can hear,” Kurpius said. “There are appearance issues, privacy issues. The University needs to put its best foot forward, but
with this building we don’t.” Phase one of the project included the construction of the new Geaux Zone located on the first floor of the Student Union. Kurpius said the Geaux Zone will serve as headquarters for campus tours and will be used for the first time on Thursday. Phase two includes adding interactive as well social media elements to the Geaux Zone, Kurpius said. Kurpius said the next step of the plan includes moving the Math Lab and converting the space into admissions and
see RENOVATIONS, page 4
Haley Rowe-Kadow / The Daily Reveille
Students enter Pleasant Hall prior to its planned renovations.