The Reveille 1-27-22

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T hu r s d ay, Ja nu a r y 27, 2 022

MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille

A tube leads into a garbage can on Jan. 18, to collect any water leaking from the roof of the LSU Library in Baton Rouge, La.

LIBRARY LEAKING

NEWS

LSU Library continues to experience severe infrastructure problems.

Read on

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p ag e 3

Gov. John Bel Edwards’ budget proposal includes higher education faculty raises and Title IX money.

ENTERTAINMENT

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New music venue Chelsea’s Live continues to host concerts, another makers mart and more to do this weekend in BR.

SPORTS

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Read about how LSU Swim & Dive honored its seniors at the final home meet of the season.

OPINION

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“Improved infrastructure is only part of the solution to a safer campus, but it’s one so easily in reach.”

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

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ROOF REPAIRS

LSU Library roof ‘beyond expected life,’ needs $450,000 in repairs

BY MADDIE SCOTT @madscottyy

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Editor-in-Chief LARA NICHOLSON

Note: Louisiana legislators will decide what to do with a significant surplus of cash available to the state in the next legislative session in March. Ahead of the session, The Reveille is dedicating a string of stories looking at LSU’s infrastructure. This is the second story in the ongoing series.

On the fourth floor of the LSU Library, bookshelves are covered in plastic tarps, and purple garbage cans collect water from the leaking roof.

“The roof is already beyond its expected life,” Roger Husser, Assistant Vice President of Planning, Design and Construction, said. “It needs to be replaced, of course.”

Built in 1958, the library is supposed to be demolished and replaced per LSU’s 2017 campus master plan. But students, faculty and Student Government members have grown impatient with the current state of the building.

“Our long-term plan is to replace the entire building in a new location per the Campus Master Plan, but we can’t just let the current library leak and fall apart,” Husser said, “so we’ve prioritized funding to address the roof in a

B-16 Hodges Hall Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. 70803

Managing Editor ENJANAE’ TAYLOR Digital Editor JAYDEN NGUYEN News Editor JOSH ARCHOTE Deputy News Editor BELLA DARDANO Sports Editor JOE KEHRLI Deputy Sports Editor PETER RAUTERKUS Entertainment Editor GIDEON FORTUNE Opinion Editor CLAIRE SULLIVAN MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille

A tube leads into a garbage can to collect any water leaking from the roof of the LSU Library on Jan. 18 in Baton Rouge, La. temporary fashion in hopes that the entire building will be replaced in coming years.”

Husser said he hopes the new library’s construction is “years

MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille

A tarp protects books from dripping water which collects in the garbage can on Jan. 18, in the LSU Library in Baton Rouge, La.

away, not decades.” Until then, the priority is keeping the current one from falling apart. The new roof for the library is a top priority on LSU’s list of deferred maintenance needs, which totals over $630 million.

The new roof should be coming within the next eight to 12 months, Husser said, and will cost $450,000, according to LSU’s deferred maintenance list, which totals over $630 million.

On Nov. 9, a Student Government resolution under the name Resolution 2 that calls for LSU to prioritize construction of a new library, passed with unanimous support in the Senate. A similar bill was passed in 2019.

“Our new head coach just signed the largest college football contract of all time, meanwhile the LSU library is flooding in the basement and leaking on the fourth floor,” said political science and economics junior Miles McLendon.

McLendon, a student senator for Humanities and Social Sciences, understands the university deals with limited funding from the state, but he hopes lawmakers will allocate more money for a library during the next legislative session in March. Louisiana received higher education budget cuts following the Great Recession in 2008.

“There’s a reason why when I took a tour of LSU as an out-ofstate student, they did not take me to the library,” McLendon said.

“Now I know why.”

Sam Staggs, Student Government chair of Academic Affairs and author of Resolution 21, said she wants to see the university prioritize a new library over other infrastructure projects.

Deferred maintenance, which Husser described as a massive

problem, will take precedence over new construction of the library for now.

“We’ve begun to prioritize that deferred maintenance in all of our capital projects as part of our strategic capital plan,” Husser said.

The 2017 campus master plan is a comprehensive framework of renovations, constructions and demolitions to campus infrastructure looking decades into the future.

In it are plans for a new library located near the T-33 aircraft display and destruction of the current building.

Sometimes referred to as the “Learning Commons,” the area plans to be the new geographical center of campus.

Donna Torres, chief financial officer of the university, said the new library will have fewer books and more resources for research.

There are also plans to move student resources, such as the Center of Academic Success and testing centers into the new library, so that all student resources are accessible from the same area.

“There’ll be places for collaboration for students to meet, work on projects and more technology,” Torres said. “It will not be the stacks of books that we have in LSU.” The LSU Library, formerly known as Middleton Library, has a long history of being in a seemingly constant state of disrepair. The basement of the library, which houses government documents and microfilm archives, has experienced water damage multiple times, with water seeping in during rainfall.

LSU’s deferred maintenance list includes a $1-million project to waterproof the basement. In total, the library needs $2.7 million in repairs.

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CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS The Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that 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 email editor@lsu.edu.

ABOUT THE REVEILLE The Reveille is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication.

A single issue of The Reveille is free from multiple sites on campus and about 25 sites off campus. To obtain additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall or email studentmedia@ lsu.edu. The Reveille is published biweekly during the fall, spring and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. The Reveille is funded through LSU students’ payments of the Student Media fee.

NEWS BUDGET PROPOSAL

page 3 CONSTRUCTION

Indian Mounds committee drafts plan

BY CORBIN ROSS @CorbinRoss5

a press conference. “How do we get off the bottom of those lists?”

His answer: education.

“Education cures a lot of ills,” Edwards said. “I think we have a once-in-a-generation and maybe once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in some respects, to move our state forward.”

Commissioner of administration Jay Dardenne will present the plan to the Joint Legislative Committee on the budget on Jan.

The Indian Mounds Education and Protection Committee drafted plans to reroute Field House Drive, establish a website promoting the mounds’ history and begin fundraising efforts for the roughly $6-million project during their second meeting on Friday.

Interim Vice President and Provost Matt Lee and vice president of the Civil Rights and Title IX office Jane Cassidy attended the meeting.

“The Mounds, to me, have always been a historic part, but it’s only more recently that we’ve really come to appreciate not only their significance as an LSU treasure, but their significance as a national and international treasure which makes this project even more important,” Lee said.

The LSU Indian Mounds, located on Field House Drive across from The Pentagon, are at least 6,000 years old and likely served a religious and social function for the Native Americans who built them.

LSU geology professor Brooks Ellwood believes bone fragments previously found in the Mounds suggest the structure is one of the oldest man-

see BUDGET, page 4

see MOUNDS, page 4

MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards discusses the Omicron variant on Dec. 3 during a press conference inside the Louisiana State Capitol on North Third Street in Baton Rouge, La.

Edward’s budget plan includes university faculty raises, Title IX money

BY PIPER HUTCHINSON @PiperHutchBR Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards unveiled his executive budget Monday for the upcoming legislative session in March.

Here’s a breakdown of how Edwards’ administration wants to see the state’s excess funds spent: • $1.1 billion for critical infrastructure — including a $500-million Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge — statewide improvements to water and sewage sys-

tems that would also cost about $500 million and $100 million for the I-10 bridge in Lake Charles.

• A $1,500 pay increase for K-12 teachers, a $750 pay increase for support staff and $43 million for early childhood education.

• $31 million for faculty pay increases at colleges and universities and $97 million for further higher education funding, including money for more Louisiana universities to open Title IX offices.

• $108 million for deferred maintenance on public buildings.

• $550 million in federal funds from the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which was depleted during the pandemic.

This investment will get the fund back to its statutory requirement of $750 million, avoiding triggering a tax on businesses, Edwards said.

“For decades, Louisiana has been on the top of too many bad lists and the bottom of too many bad lists,” Edwards said at

ACADEMICS

Dean’s list eligibility lowered to 12 hours starting fall 2022.

BY MADISON SCOTT @madscottyy LSU students taking 12 hours of coursework will be eligible for the Dean’s List starting in fall 2022.

Interim vice president and provost Matt Lee signed Student Government Resolution 3 in September, lowering the requirement from 15 hours to 12 for students who earn a 3.5 to 3.9 GPA in a given semester. The President’s List, which requires a 4.0, still requires students to be taking 15 hours.

“We might try to do President’s List next,” said Miles McLendon, an author of Resolution 3 and SG vice chair of Academic Affairs. “We are just testing the waters with the Dean’s List.”

Student Government Resolution 3 was authored by Sam Staggs, Jamie Bridges, Jace Canafax, McLendon and Clint Parr. It

passed the Student Senate with heavy support.

Prior to the passage of the bill, LSU and Texas A&M were the only SEC schools that required 15 hours of coursework for acceptance on the Dean’s List.

It wasn’t always this way. LSU Faculty Senate passed a resolution in 2004 that changed the requirement from 12 to 15 hours. It went into effect in fall that year.

Although students taking 12 hours are full-time students, Faculty Senate thought raising the requirement for Dean’s List would motivate students to take more classes and graduate on time.

McLendon said the SG resolution makes LSU more consistent on TOPS, as students taking 12 hours are still eligible to receive TOPS funding.

He said SG members agreed it was unfair and irrational that CAILIN TRAN / The Reveille

see DEAN’S LIST, page 4

LSU students taking 12 hours will be eligible for the dean’s list starting in fall 2022.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

page 4 BUDGET, from page 3 25, as required by the state constitution.

While the governor is required by law to present a budget, the Republican-controlled legislature ultimately gets to decide what the final bill looks like.

Edwards emphasized that he only wanted to use these onetime funds fr one-time expenditures.

“The first budget that I inherited, the last six months of that budget year, more than $800 million in one time money plugin for recurring expenditures,” Edwards said. “We didn’t and we don’t want to create those types of problems again.”

Edwards said that he believes the budget is one that the legislature can easily support. Earlier this month, Senate President Page Cortez indicated support for using some of the $1.6 billion excess on the state’s infrastructure problems, including deferred maintenance on public buildings.

The state had a $1 billion surplus in the last fiscal year. After constitutional requirements are met, there will be about $400 million to spend at the legislature’s discretion.

At the time the surplus was announced, Dardenne indicated that about $133 million would go to deferred maintenance, but due to higher-than-expected trans-

MOUNDS, from page 3 made structures in the western hemisphere but peer-reviewed research has not substantiated this claim.

The Indian Mound committee has been split into three subcommittees: messaging and education, design and fundraising. Chairs of each subcommittee presented further plans.

A website explaining the history and significance of the mounds could be up and running this semester, according to Jewel Hampton, chair of messaging and education. The website will also have a link for people to donate money to the committee’s initiatives.

The subcommittee also discussed communication plans like making video interviews with students and alumni with Native American heritage about the importance of the mounds, making the mounds a regular stop on campus tours and presenting information about the mounds to local K-12 schools, including augmented reality presentations.

They also discussed the possibility of LSU athletics mailing information about the Mound’s importance and preservation to their season ticket holders. The mounds suffer damage on home game days, when fans, especially children, play on the mounds.

After numerous incidents of vandalism, including students sledding down the Mounds, LSU built a chain link fence around the historic site to keep students and visitors from further

portation needs, he is calling for slightly less.

LSU has over $630 million in deferred maintenance needs.

Some of the largest projects include repairs to the Renewable Natural Resources building’s foundation, air conditioning fixes

money dedicated annually to infrastructure projects, so when we get a surplus I consider that a priority for a one-time investment that will continue to pay dividends for decades,” Cortez said.

All in all, Edwards seemed

DEAN’S LIST, from page 3 some full-time students can get a 4.0 GPA, yet not make the Dean’s List nor the President’s List if their hours fall below 15.

“We think 12 hours and 15 hours—we don’t think that’s always a good benchmark on how good you’re really doing,” McLendon said.

Leadership and human resource development freshman Maddi Boshra didn’t realize the requirement was 12 hours. When she decided to drop a class early in the semester, Boshra was no longer eligible for the Dean’s List

“Juggling work-life balance, and if you throw in a job and schoolwork, is going to get stressful.”

MADELINE COSTA

MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille

Kinesiology freshman

Louisiana Govt. John Bel Edwards answers questions from the audience concerning COVID-19 on Dec. 3 during a press conference inside the Louisiana State Capitol on North Third Street in Baton Rouge, La. for Pleasant Hall and $2.7 million for the LSU Library.

Cortez also told the USA Today Network that he supports using these one-time funds for infrastructure projects.

“Traditionally we haven’t had

optimistic about the budget.

“I am extremely bullish on the future of Louisiana,” Edwards said. “I think the budget proposal that we just unveiled supports being bullish on the future of Louisiana.”

despite having a GPA above a 3.5.

“People always say for TOPS and for full-time students that the requirement is 12 hours,” Boshra said. “I figured I’d be fine.”

Boshra wished it had been

damaging the structure from last spring. The committee was formed to find ways to further protect the Mounds and keep the site an attractive historical destination.

“Our goals are to inform LSU and the greater community about the historical, cultural and geological significance of the mounds, develop clear guidance

of the Coast and Environment.

LSU is planning a path through campus which will be called Tiger Walk, running from the north to south gates across campus as part of LSU’s 2017 master plan, which plans development and infrastructure projects decades into the future.

Gregory LaCour, chair of the Design subcommittee, said the

site. The Mounds could be surrounded by a low barrier with bushes in front of it, restricting students from entering.

Seeded meadow native grasses are planned to cover the Mounds and will only need to be cut roughly twice a year, reducing the amount of lawn care needed, which is contributing to their degradation.

CHYNNA MCCLINTON / The Reveille

A car passes by the Indian Mounds Jan. 26 on Field House Drive in Baton Rouge, La. on how to respect and protect the mounds and communicate the opportunities and benefits of funding for these initiatives,” said Sibel Bargu Ates, chair of the committee and associate dean of academics at the College

path will likely pass the Indian Mounds.

Current plans include moving Field House Drive at minimum 10 feet back to give the Mounds more space, with a walkway separating the road from the

“We hired CARBO landscape architects to help us come up with a concept for the Indian Mounds, specifically in how we address the need to preserve them, to recognize them as a sacred space and to give honor to

brought to her attention when her counselor allowed her to drop below the hour requirement. With the new requirement, she believes the system is more consistent and doesn’t see why anyone would be against it.

Kinesiology freshman Madeline Costa feared her classes would drop below 15 hours, however, she still made the Dean’s List this past semester.

Although Costa is in favor of the resolution, she sees that it may be a “detriment” if students decide to take 12 hours and have to drop a class, then losing TOPS and Dean’s List requirements.

Students may have to take an additional semester to compensate in that case.

Because of this risk, Costa still plans to schedule 15 hours every semester.

“If it was still 15 and those students were very high achieving and those students are working extremely hard and extremely long hours, they’re not going to want to take just ‘fluff’ grades,’” Costa said.

Costa defines ‘fluff’ classes as general education requirements students have already fulfilled, and continue to take a related class to fulfill credit hours. Yet, credit hours should not reflect a student’s effort, she said.

“Juggling work-life balance, and if you throw in a job and schoolwork, is going to get stressful,” Costa said. them as well as to allow people to enjoy them from a distance,” LaCour said.

Plans also include a raised viewing platform that will swoop over the barrier, LaCour said.

When the committee last met in November, the plans were estimated to cost $4 million. That number is likely closer to $5 or $6 million now, though nothing will be finalized until tribal leaders approve the drafts.

No committee members were willing to give a timeline of the project’s development. Because of that, Emily Kline, chair of the Fundraising subcommittee, said money-raising efforts will be focused on messaging and education until the designs are finalized.

Kline said their most immediate goal is to work with LSU Athletics to have the Indian Mounds website connected to the Athletics website once it goes live.

Both mounds have suffered significant damage due to people climbing on them and lawncare.

Mound A is composed of a mushier sort of soil filled with water. As pressure is exerted on the mound, it begins to cave inward, causing the mound to become lumpy and deformed on the surface. Mound A has already been significantly deformed from students trespassing and LSU mowing the grass on it.

Mound B has suffered less damage since it’s made of more secure soil, but is still subject to erosion as students walk and slide down it.

ENTERTAINMENT

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THIS WEEK IN BR

Want to see your event in The Reveille?

Email information to editor@lsu.edu.

BY EMMA JACKIMOWICZ @emmajackimowicz

FRIDAY

JANUARY

28

TH

Mock Orange Chelsea’s Live Visit the freshly-opened music venue, Chelsea’s Live on 1010 Nicholson Drive, to see Indiana-based indie rock band Mock Orange perform for their “The World is a Mess Tour” on Friday, Jan. 28.

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Maker’s Market Electric Depot Go to Electric Depot at 1509 Government St. to visit the first of many pop-up tents of the year on Saturday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Get ready to welcome back a slew of different artists, bakers and other artisans to the Maker’s Market.

SATURDAY

29

JANUARY

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“I Am HER” Vision Board Party Inspirit Her Bring your aspirations to life with the “I Am HER” Vision Board Party held by Inspirit Her at 9704 Greenwell Springs Road on Sunday, Jan. 30. The event goes from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. with tickets available on Eventbrite for only $20.

Ongoing Event

SUNDAY

LSU Annual Blood Drive | LSU SHC

JANUARY

30

Go to Tower Drive next to Free Speech Alley on campus to participate in the LSU Annual Blood Drive. This weeklong blood drive is sponsored by various companies in order to raise money in support of Louisiana local hospitals and students in need.

TH COURTESY OF STAYHAPPENING.COM

Thursday, January 27, 2022

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Thursday, January 27, 2022

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GRAND OPENING

DYLAN BOREL / The Reveille

Two LSU students wave battle ropes Jan. 26 at the UREC Outdoor Fitness Space.

DYLAN BOREL / The Reveille

An LSU UREC instructor demonstrates squatting a kettlebell Jan. 26 at the UREC Outdoor Fitness Space.

DYLAN BOREL / The Reveille

An LSU student expresses relief after finishing multiple sets Jan. 26 at the UREC Outdoor Fitness Space.

The LSU UREC held a ribbon-cutting eremony Wednesday for its new Outdoor Fitness Space

DYLAND BOREL / The Reveille DYLAN BOREL / The Reveille

An LSU student pulls on a resistance band Jan. 26 at the UREC Outdoor Fitness Space.

DYLAN BOREL / The Reveille

Three LSU students jump on and off of plyo boxes Jan. 26 at the UREC Outdoor Fitness Space.

DYLAN BOREL / The Reveille

Two LSU students alternate kettlebells Jan. 26 at the UREC Outdoor Fitness Space.

Three LSU students wave battle ropes Jan. 26 at the UREC Outdoor Fitness Space.

SPORTS LSU Gym ‘IT STARTED TO Notebook: Tigers SINK IN’ back in action

page 8

GYMNASTICS

BY HANNAH REHM @HannahRehm12

SAVANNA ORGERON / The Reveille

LSU and Texas A&M swimmers dive into the pool Jan. 22 during LSU women’s 111.5-181.5 loss against Texas A&M at the LSU Natatorium in Baton Rouge, La.

LSU Swim & Dive honors seniors at final home meet against Texas A&M

BY MACKAY SUIRE @macthetiger Despite the cold and windy weather this past weekend, LSU’s Natatorium was full of enthusiastic spectators as the Tigers hosted Texas A&M for their Senior Tribute meet. The fierce competition between the Tigers and the Aggies provided a huge push for fans and families to encourage their favorite athletes.

Despite both the women and

men’s swim teams coming up just short of securing a win, the final home meet of the season was exactly how graduating seniors imagined it.

For senior diver Anne Vilde, this meet meant so much more than just her last time officially competing in the Natatorium.

It signified the end of countless achievements and opportunities that she has collected over the last years. This meet also signaled the ending of the many years that she spent

practicing and competing on the boards with her little sister, Helle Tuxen, a sophomore diver on LSU’s roster.

“Honestly, at first, I was going into this meet with the mindset of it being just like any other meet,” Vilde explained. “I was excited, but I’m just getting tired. But then whenever we did the Senior Tribute, I looked over at my little sister and she started tearing up. Whenever she started crying, I started crying. It was definitely emo-

tional.”

It was at this meet that Vilde realized just how much her little team had grown. Through coaching changes on the swimming staff, a seemingly neverending pandemic and multiple injuries, LSU’s diving team has become nearly untouchable.

“We have definitely matured and we have such a good dynamic,” Vilde said about her team. “Coach Doug has always

see SWIM, page 9

In a season that has already seen so many ups and downs, the LSU gymnastics team is scheduled to experience its first regular meet this Friday against Georgia.

After having the last two meets postponed due to COVID-19, the team’s trip to Georgia for its first SEC road meet seems to be a go.

This season has already had its share of difficulties with illnesses and injuries affecting both the Tigers and their opponents.

“We’re chomping at the bit to get ready to go,” said LSU Head Coach Jay Clark.

Despite all the challenges already faced early in this season, Clark said the “silver lining” is the gymnasts have had the chance to heal.

Injury Update Haleigh Bryant, the sophomore All-American and 2021 NCAA vault champion, has been dealing with an injury since the team’s first meet against Centenary, affecting her ability to push off and run. Clark said that while she will not be completely ready to go on all four events, she will definitely be back

see GYMNASTICS, page 9

BASKETBALL

Men’s Basketball Notebook: injuries, direction and adjustments

BY PETER RAUTERKUS @peter_rauterkus LSU men’s basketball is coming off a tough week, having now lost three games in a row, and is looking to get back on track going into the second half of conference play.

The Tigers are most recently coming off a loss on the road against Tennessee.

“I thought it was as poor as we’ve played all season,” Wade said.

This week, LSU will travel to Fort Worth on Saturday to take on TCU in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge.

Injury Update Xavier Pinson missed his fourth game in a row last weekend against Tennessee and still appears to be on a day-to-day timeline with his knee injury. Wade listed him as doubtful to play against Texas A&M, but says that he has been working out and could play in a limited role. Darius Days is another player who has been battling injuries as he re-aggravated his ankle injury against Tennessee that he originally sustained in the game against Alabama. Wade said that Days will be

a game time decision for the game against Texas A&M and said that there is a “50/50” chance that Days plays in the game.

Personnel Update Despite some of the struggles, Wade had high praise for sophomore point guard Eric Gaines who has had the task of filling in for Pinson during his absence. Gaines has struggled with turnovers and adapting to the change in pace since taking over the starting job, but Wade believes he will only benefit from the experience.

“There’s no substitute for game experience,” Wade said when talking about Gaines in his new role.

“It’s tough when you’re learning on the job.”

Wade talked about how Gaines’ struggles have mainly come from him just not being used to the kind of workload he’s had since becoming a starter. He said Gaines is best in short bursts and said that he can’t play at the pace he wants when he’s asked to play over 30 minutes per game.

see BASKETBALL, page 9

CHYNNA MCCLINTON / The Reveille

LSU men’s basketball freshman center Efton Reid (15) points to the Arkansas bench after scoring Jan. 15 during LSU’s 65-58 loss against Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on North Stadium Drive in Baton Rouge, La.

Thursday, January 27, 2022 BASKETBALL, from page 8 “It’s like asking a middle reliever to start a game and go nine innings,” Wade said when talking about how Gaines is adjusting to his role.

In other personnel news, Wade also confirmed that Tari Eason will start in Days’ place if Days is unable to play.

Adjustments and Direction Despite the recent losing skid, Wade still didn’t seem to have any concern over the direction of the team. It’s obvious that the team has not been at full strength for a couple weeks now, so a lot of the struggles can be attributed to that.

However, until that point, adjustments will have to be made and

page 9 Wade alluded to that after losing to Tennessee.

“The time is now to make some changes, so we’re going to make some changes going into Wednesday,” Wade said after the game.

Wade added that these changes would have to do with personnel and offensive play calling, but did not add any further clarification over what we might see differently, come Wednesday night. The general feeling from Wade is that this stretch will be beneficial and that the team will be even better at the end of the season because of it. LSU is undefeated this season when everyone is healthy and active, which takes a lot of the pressure off the team going into the final stretch of the season.

GYMNASTICS, from page 8 on bars and, possibly, vault.

“There is a shot that we get both her [Bryant] and Kiya [Johnson] in the all-around for Auburn next week, which would be tremendous,” said Clark.

This would be great news for Tiger fans hoping to see their entire team back in action in the PMAC next Saturday to face Auburn and their star Olympic all-around gold

took home the title of SEC Freshman of the Week after her very first meet, will be back for another stellar performance in her first-ever college road meet.

“What we saw in that meet was stunning,” said Clark when asked about Johnson.

He said that while she may overthink things in practice like the LSU great Kennedi Edney, Johnson just seems to “light up” during a competition.

PETER NGUYEN / The Reveille

LSU gymnastics freshman all-around Tori Tatum performs a floor routine Oct. 26 in the LSU Gymnastics Training Facility in Baton Rouge, La

CHYNNA MCCLINTON / The Reveille

LSU men’s basketball players stand in a huddle on Jan. 15 during LSU’s 65-58 loss against Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on North Stadium Drive in Baton Rouge, La.

SWIM, from page 8 managed to keep up his expectations, which is why we are one of the best diving teams in the country. We want to be good as a team, and that has become our main focus.”

After graduation, Vilde plans to apply to optical practical training to begin working in the states as an international student. She was planning on competing at the FINA World Championships held in Fukuoka, Japan, but the event was postponed for an entire year due to COVID-19. Because of this, Vilde says that she may take this time after the season ends to acquire some much needed rest.

“Maybe I’ll actually have a summer vacation,” she laughed.

“I’ve never had one of those before, so that will be nice.”

Across the Natatorium from the diving boards were six swimmers who were also honored this past weekend. Among them was senior Jack Jannasch, who had a vastly different perspective of the meet after announcing to his teammates that he would be taking a fifth year at LSU. Due to the effects of COVID-19 on college athletes across the nation, many were given the opportunity to obtain an extra year of eligibility — an opportunity that Jannasch refused to pass up.

“I’m so excited about next year,” said Jannasch. “The direction this program is going in just has me so excited, to a point where I didn’t want to miss out.”

medalist Suni Lee. Clark also said that Sami Durante, one of LSU’s returning fifthyear seniors, will be available for all events against Georgia if needed after being injured on her bars routine against Centenary.

KJ Johnson, Aleah Finnegan KJ Johnson, the gymnast who

“She just lets it fly,” said Clark.

This could finally be the week for the much anticipated debut of Aleah Finnegan, the younger sister of celebrated LSU gymnast Sarah Finnegan, in her first collegiate meet. It is not clear how many events to expect her on, but fans can look forward to seeing her

plained. “We’ve gone through a lot, you know, and we’ve had that big coaching change recently. We’ve kind of stuck together through all of that and it is really sad to see them go.”

pus, the few home meets for the Tigers haven’t always been accompanied by a large crowd.

This meet, however, was different.

“It’s just been tough with

SAVANNA ORGERON / The Daily Reveille

LSU and Texas A&M swimmers dive into the pool Jan. 22 during LSU men’s 146-154 loss against Texas A&M at the LSU Natatorium in Baton Rouge, La. While Jannasch is staying, he still finds it upsetting to realize that his teammates and fellow classmates will be leaving.

“I love my class, and I love the people in my class,” he ex-

Before the graduating seniors move on they were able to experience an atmosphere in the Nat like any other. Due to COVID-19 regulations and conflicting athletic events on cam-

the past few years being affected by COVID, but having that many people show up and allow us to get that energy from them felt so normal,” he said.

“You could tell that the energy

shake off freshman jitters by competing on Friday.

Week Three Rankings Not competing for two weeks has caused LSU to drop in this week’s RoadToNationals.com rankings from No. 5 to No. 6 with just the first meet’s score of 196.950 to create their average.

Georgia, ranked No. 36, has an average meet score of 194.488 and is coming off a loss to Florida last Friday.

“Georgia has always had a great environment over there, similar to what we have here in the PMAC, but that’s exciting for our kids,” said Clark, who himself worked under former Georgia (legendary) coach, Suzanne Yoculan and as the head coach of the Bulldogs following her retirement.

Meet Makeups So far, LSU has not announced any meet makeups with Missouri or Arkansas after postponements due to COVID-19, but Clark has mentioned that makeups are being talked about but no decisions have been made.

As of now the gymnastics squad has not faced any SEC opponents, with their only opponent being Centenary. Although ,due to health protocols within programs, the Tigers under Coach Clark have been able to stay fresh and competition ready. Their last meet, an intrasquad matchup between Purple and Gold teams, was held virtually over Facebook Live were viewers were able to see that the team’s fresh talent and fanbase’s growing energy. As the Tigers enter their path to Athens, Georgia, Clark said the team is healthy and is expected to compete strongly. on deck was amazing. Everyone was having so much fun and I think it really showed in the way we swam.”

The Tigers plan to utilize that intensity from this past weekend as a catalyst for success in the final competitions of the season. These competitions, the SEC Championships and NCAA Diving Regionals, are undoubtedly the most important, and they are quickly approaching. With about 20 days to go until the SEC matchups, both the swimming and diving teams are continuing to focus on fine tuning their performances. As the Tigers have prepared immensely for the physical aspects of these upcoming competitions, Jannasch’s main message to his teammates focuses more on their mentalities.

“My message to the guys is really just to trust the process and trust what we are doing,” he explained. “We have a great staff, and they know what they are doing, so the biggest thing is to have trust in what they are giving us and what they are doing for us.”

Coming up for the Tigers is their journey to the Jones Aquatic Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, where the SEC Championships will take place.

Fans can tune in live at home through the SEC Network. Day 1 of the event begins on Feb. 15th, at 10 a.m.

Classifieds

page 10

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OPINION

page 11

Students deserve to feel safe on campus at night SULLY’S SCOOP

CLAIRE SULLIVAN

@sulliclaire

I avoid walking alone on campus at night whenever possible. The noise and vibrancy of campus fades away with the sun, leaving behind poorly lit, eerily quiet streets.

But one night last semester, after spending a little too much time cramming for a chemistry exam, I decided I needed to get out of my apartment and headed to the LSU Library.

The trip there was uneventful, but the trek back reminded

me why I avoid campus after dark.

As I headed back to my apartment, I thought I heard a car slow behind me — I reassured myself I was probably just being paranoid.

I picked up my pace and kept on my way, but soon the low rumbling behind me was too obvious to ignore. I passed an anxious glance to my left, where a car eased to a stop. Anxiety rushed through me, but maybe the driver just needed directions, I told myself.

“You trying to get some d—?” a man yelled out from the driver’s seat.

My thoughts shattered in the

darkness. I remembered the pepper spray I had in my bag.

And then I remembered I never took a moment to learn how to use it.

A road a few hundred yards away bustled with cars, but we were enveloped in a pocket of shadows, unseen by any passing drivers.

He repeated his question, and I mumbled a “no” that came out much more shaky than I had hoped. The man pressed once more; I shook my head while staring into the concrete.

To my relief, he started his car and disappeared down the corner in the span of a moment. I caught my breath and continued

forward once again, this time much more quickly.

Though this incident was relatively minor and, thankfully, ended safely, I returned to my apartment incredibly frustrated—frustrated at the man, at the dark street and at the justification of my anxieties.

For as long as I’ve been at the university, students have expressed similar frustrations about feeling unsafe on campus at night. Yet, as I enter my fourth semester here, there has been little noticeable improvement to these repeated concerns.

Though it may seem small, if the university cannot prioritize a relatively simple safety issue

such as lighting, why should students have faith in larger-scale culture changes?

If the university can find a $100-million replacement for former head football coach Ed Orgeron after a few bad games, surely it has the time and money to address what amounts to years of safety complaints from students.

Improved infrastructure is only part of the solution to a safer campus, but it’s one so easily in reach—if only the university would choose to prioritize it.

Claire Sullivan is a 19-year-old coastal environmental science and political communication sophomore from Southbury, CT.

Learn from history: Save LSU Library’s illustrious texts DRAKE’S TAKES DRAKE BRIGNAC @drakebrignac The LSU Library may be a far cry from the Great Library of Alexandria, but they share two notable qualities: an immense, diverse collection of human knowledge and a slow decline.

Since January 2020, 115 volumes have been damaged and removed from circulation after water leaked through the library’s decaying roof, according to LSU Libraries Director of Communication Marcela Reyes Ayala.

This phenomenon is reminiscent of basement flooding in 2018, which damaged the library’s microform collection—a stockpile of scaled-down, vintage documents that require specialized reading equipment. Replacing those specialized records may pose a unique challenge because most were “not issued by the Government Printing Office,” Reyes Ayala said.

The LSU Library is the modern progeny of the tradition that established the Great Library. Resting between the LSU Library’s brutalist exterior and asbestosfloored interior is an elaborate collection comprising 2.6 million volumes—more than half of the university’s entire collection.

Like the Great Library before it, the collection includes disciplines ranging from the sciences to the arts in almost any language, from almost any time period imaginable.

DRAKE BRIGNAC / The Reveille

A shelf of books is coated in debris Jan. 18 in the LSU Library.

From the distinct microfilm referenced by Reyes Ayala to rows of academic journals, decades-old research and carefully-preserved pamphlets, there’s something for everyone at the LSU Library.

For me, the accessibility of primary sources is an essential part of working through my senior thesis. When looking for essay sources as a junior, I left the library with more books than I ever intended or needed to use.

Walking and searching the third floor, I found Louisiana laws from the 19th and 20th centuries and original civil rights era pamphlets from both the progressive Southern Regional Council and the segregationist White Citizens’ Councils. The vast collection of knowledge at the heart of our campus beats even the most ad-

vanced Google search.

Although, on the fourth floor, 720,081 volumes that could benefit thousands of students from English majors to STEM minors are at risk of water damage. Protecting the information once coveted by the scholars of the Great Library—science, medicine, language—is a half-inch thick fiberboard ceiling. And, of course, strategically-placed plastic sheets.

Water leaking into the fourth floor of the LSU Library, like the fire that marked the beginning of the end of the Great Library, is a warning about the building’s future.

During the Alexandrine Civil War, Julius Caesar’s battle tactics unintentionally incinerated countless volumes—a calculated move that secured a military vic-

tory at an unfathomable cost. One could say the university makes a similarly calculated move by covering entire sections of the fourth floor with plastic while it carries out maintenance elsewhere. And yet, unlike Caesar, the university does not sit idle, unconcerned with the fate of the library.

“About 40 working hours were spent cleaning and drying out books that were affected by water,” Reyes Ayala said. “We also hired student workers who work in the stacks, and, since we reopened in August of 2020, we have hired three or four student workers who manage risk areas and shift books as needed.”

Tightly holding the university’s purse strings and long ambivalent about facilities maintenance, the Louisiana State Legislature

Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Lara Nicholson

Editor in Chief

Enjanae’ Taylor

Managing Editor

Josh Archote

News Editor

Bella Dardano

Deputy News Editor

Claire Sullivan

Opinion Editor

The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University.

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

truly makes the decisive, calculated moves that determine the library’s future.

Admittedly, the state’s refusal of funding is not as destructive as Caesar’s unplanned conflagration, but Caesar was an ancient general acting in the heat of battle.

On the other hand, our modern state legislature, sworn to serve the public, refuses to act—or acts against our interest—as they literally stare the problem in the face.

And, while the number of damaged volumes seems small, the state legislature’s neglect has an immeasurable cost.

“Keep in mind that ‘cost’ in financial terms is a narrow way of thinking about this,” Reyes Ayala emphasized. “LSU Library collections include invaluable and unique volumes that are difficult to quantify in monetary, cultural, and historical value.”

Short-term political victories are not worth the risk of lost knowledge and impeded academic progress. The time, money, resources and effort that developed the LSU Library, unlike the Great Library, should not be diminished by the steady, avoidable decline of its collection.

The state legislature needs to realize that their Library of Alexandria is smoldering. If they refuse to act, they should at least tell their students and scholars to use—or save—the knowledge that’s left while they still can.

Drake Brignac is a 21-year-old political communication and political science senior from Baton Rouge.

Quote of the Week “What can you do with a guy who takes an hour and a half to watch 60 Minutes?”

Edwin Edwards

Former Louisiana governor 1927 — 2021

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