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FACULTY ENGAGE

LSU president defends DEI language removal as professors dissent.

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LSU professors question shift to engagement at Faculty Senate meeting NEWSROOM

BY TYLER LAULAND, OLIVER BUTCHER & CROSS HARRIS @tlauland, @oliverbutcher73 & @thecrossharris LSU President William F. Tate IV addressed the university’s abrupt shift from diversity, equity and inclusion language to “engagement” at Wednesday’s Faculty Senate meeting, responding to concerns voiced by professors.

The university has removed DEI language, including its diversity statement, from several of its websites in recent weeks.

And in early January, Tate announced the Division of Inclusion Civil Rights & Title IX would drop “inclusion” for “engagement” in its name.

Much of the erasure occurred quietly but drew a loud response from some members of the LSU community, many of them faculty.

Tate spoke broadly on his office’s choice to move away from DEI language to favor “engagement” at the Faculty Senate meeting, echoing many of the same explanations given in recent weeks.

Some professors used the opportunity to air their discontent about the shift and how it would affect the future of the university.

Faculty Senator Roy Heidelberg, an associate professor in the E.J. Ourso College of Business, criticized how Tate’s office had handled the change.

“I’m struck by the irony that this move to engagement happened without any engagement,” Heidelberg said.

In May, Tate said, the university launched a survey to look at employment engagement, and in September, it launched another survey to look at alumni engagement. Both surveys, Tate said, led them in the direction that engagement was the university’s biggest issue.

Heidelberg questioned the university’s interpretation of engagement and how they had decided it was needed.

“I can tell you that active engagement is a very weak definition of engagement, not only that but the idea that a survey was used to get our feedback is another incredibly weak structure of engagement, and I’m really concerned about what the implications of this change are going to be,” Heidelberg said. “...I would love to have more engagement, but based upon this actual creation, it doesn’t seem like that’s a real sentiment of what’s going on here.”

Other concerns included the possible effect the change would have on funding for grant research.

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LSU President William F. Tate IV discusses the change of wording from “inclusion” to “engagement” in the Division of Engagement, Civil Rights and Title IX Jan. 24 at a Faculty Senate meeting inside the Woods Auditorium on LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge, La. at LSU in the department’s 20 years of existence, she said. She was recently awarded a grant and said she was worried the removal of words like “inclusivity” would reduce the likelihood faculty such as herself would be hired, thus depriving the university of potential research funding.

“Without the word inclusivity, the idea that we are giving equal access and opportunities, people who are from marginalized groups, I would not be here,” Redfield said. “That research would not have been funded.”

Todd Woodward, LSU’s vice president of marketing and communications, attempted to assuage such concerns by emphasizing how engagement can empower researchers and how getting caught up in word definitions could be harmful.

“The idea of engagement, it really does matter,” Woodward said. “It really does matter, and if I had to sit down and write a grant proposal…it would be to talk about the real life experiences and the ways in which we really help people thrive and succeed here, and not necessarily just around the words and definitions...”

Some have drawn a connection from the early January inauguration of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and LSU’s early January removal of online DEI language. The university has denied this connection.

“The Republican Party in Louisiana and Gov. Landry have expressed hostility towards diversity, equity and inclusion programming, and I think that

LSU is responding to the political reality that it now exists in,” political science professor Belinda Davis said in an interview with the Reveille.

Tate insisted at Wednesday’s Faculty Senate meeting, as the university has previously, that the change in language wasn’t related to politics. He said the shift away from DEI language to “engagement” came as an initiative to improve the university as a whole.

“I can say with certitude that no elected official. . . has contacted me about anything in relation to this office or anything related to our strategic plan,” Tate said. “I have not heard from them before this, and I have not heard from them after this.”

He did, however, speak to wide-ranging disputes over the language and its political nature.

“There’s been quite a bit of national discussion. . . and to pretend like it hasn’t been politicized would be naive with a bunch of Ph.d’s and J.d’s,” Tate said. “It has been politicized.”

Tate also said that he would be “remiss” to not acknowledge that his office had been closely following the legal changes unfolding throughout the country, including the recent Supreme Court ruling that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions processes.

“We most certainly have paid attention to the ripple effects,” Tate said. “It has happened to campuses across the country, and we are keenly aware of it.”

Tate said the large-scale changes in language had “noth-

ing to do with” professors’ individual research, but qualified that statement later on.

“If you have a program that you are worried about and are wondering if you can actually do it, I think you should talk to the general counsel’s office. . .if it’s deemed legally defensible, keep rolling,” Tate said.

“If not, it’s probably a linguistic twist, and you need to change that language and maybe a few principles.”

Tate said that the university was “definitely committed to a diverse student population, as well as faculty and staff,” despite the removal of its diversity statement and the word diversity from much of LSU’s online presence.

To begin his talk on the university’s new engagement language, Tate asked the Faculty Senate to imagine that they had the same “charges” to improve the university as he has. Increasing four-year graduation rates, increasing post-graduation employment rates, increasing the number of applications, increasing awareness. The list went on.

“It’s a hard charge,” Tate said.

He then told the Faculty Senate that his questions had not been “symbolic,” and that he wanted the Senate to tell him how they would achieve those goals.

Only a few of the faculty senators gave quiet, somewhat confused responses, before one member used the word “engagement” in answering him.

“Bam!” Tate shouted. “That’s what you would do.”

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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.

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NEWS TITLE IX LAWSUIT

University of Louisiana System subpoenas journalist’s communications

BY PIPER HUTCHINSON |Louisiana Illuminator An attorney representing the University of Louisiana System in a lawsuit from a former student wants a court to force a journalist to turn over their communications that weren’t included in a published report. The system also wants to force the reporter to divulge information in court about what his source shared regarding sexual assault allegations.

The journalist, USA Today investigative reporter Kenny Jacoby, has published a series of blockbuster investigations into Title IX failures at Louisiana universities, including within the UL System and at LSU. The section of federal civil rights law prohibits sex-based discrimination in education.

Jacoby’s award-winning investigative reporting on Louisiana’s institutions of higher education has been cited by numerous policy makers during years of highlevel discussions on reforming how schools respond to and prevent sexual misconduct.

“I think that anytime a government agency, including a school like UL, sends a subpoena for a reporter, it should be the exception, and a really narrow exception at that,” First Amendment attorney Scott Sternberg said.

The subpoenas, issued in Oc-

tober and November 2023, are related to Doe v. Board of Supervisors, a case in which a former Louisiana Tech student sued the UL System, LSU and Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government. Her lawsuit was filed after her accused rapist was permitted to transfer from LSU to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and then Louisiana Tech despite numerous sexual assault allegations against him. None of the campuses where his incidents were reported communicated with other schools about it, according to the lawsuit, constituting a violation of state law.

Victor Daniel Silva transferred from LSU weeks after being accused of sexual assault, but the lawsuit notes the university did not disclose that information to his new university, UL Lafayette.

There, police records show he was arrested for sexual assault the same year and accused of sexual assault by three women over the next three years, before he transferred to Louisiana Tech. University officials in Ruston declined to investigate sexual assault allegations against him, as he dropped out after being reported, according to the lawsuit. Despite the arrest and allegations, Silva has never been charged with a sex crime, Jacoby reported.

Jacoby’s investigation into Silva

page 3 STUDENT LIFF

Student accepted into program in China

BY SARAH WALTON @sarahrosewalton

against him, one for communications with Doe, the plaintiff’s pseudonym, and one for him to testify about his communications with the student.

A judge quashed the first subpoena for the communications between Jacoby and his source last month, but the subpoena for him to testify is still pending.

Jacoby declined to be interviewed for this story because of the pending subpoena but shared some of his concerns in an affidavit filed in the case.

A recent graduate of LSU marked a first for the university when he was awarded a prestigious scholarship to study in China.

Harper Doerr, an LSU Ogden Honors College alumnus, was recently named a Schwarzman Scholar, becoming the first in LSU history. He will live in Beijing, China, and complete a fully-funded master’s degree at Tsinghua University.

A news release from the honors college called the Schwarzman Scholar program “one of the world’s most prestigious graduate fellowships.”

Doerr, who is from Baton Rouge, is one of 150 scholars this year; the class includes students from 43 countries and 114 universities, according to the honors college.

The program was “designed to meet the challenges of the 21st Century,” according to the Schwarzmann website. One of the reasons for its founding in 2015 was to decrease tension between China and the United States.

In a phone interview, Doerr said the news still hasn’t settled in completely. He said he is glad to be

see TITLE IX, page 4

see STUDENT LIFE, page 4

CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE

A photo of Keeny Hall at Louisiana Tech University from September 2016.

— and the universities that did not follow a state law that required them to communicate about sexual misconduct — involved interviews with seven women who accused Silva of assault, as well as university officials, police officers, prosecutors, lawmakers and a deep dive into numerous pages of public records.

Sternberg pointed out there are some cases where a reporter can be subpoenaed, but they are extremely rare, especially when it comes to unpublished information, as is the case with Jacoby. Two subpoenas were issued

SOCIAL ISSUES

LSU students react to new ban on gender-affirming care

BY SARAH WALTON @sarahrosewalton On Jan. 8, LGBTQ+ civil rights organization Lambda Legal announced a lawsuit against the state of Louisiana on behalf of five families seeking to block a ban on gender affirming care for minors in the state.

Joined by Harvard Law School’s Center for Law and Policy Innovation and Louisiana law firm Schonekas, Evans, McGoey & McEachin LLC, the legal consortium alleges that Act 466 “is unconstitutional under the Louisiana state constitution and that it violates the rights of transgender adolescents and their parents to dignity and equal protection under the law,” per a public statement.

The act, which took effect Jan. 1, will stop minors from receiving any form of gender-affirming care.

This includes puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery. The Association of American Medical Colleges say gender-affirming care is “designed to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity.” Sometimes,

GREG LAROSE / Louisiana Illuminator

A transgender Pride flag is covered with the words “Hands Off Trans Youth.” Hundreds of people gathered March 31, at Washington Square Park in New Orleans for a march to mark Transgender Day of Visibility. that care can just be counseling.

The law has caught the attention of LSU students.

“I think trans kids deserve to make decisions about their healthcare with their parents, just like in any other case surrounding children and healthcare,” said mass communication major Ella Uffman.

Giselle Rauda, a history freshman with a concentration in secondary education backed the lawsuit.

Rauda said, “My view on this is that they should sue the state since they are denying a human person their right to gender-affirming care. In the end, it’s not up to the state to decide; it’s the

actual person since they are the ones being affected by this.”

Gender-affirming care is often sought by those experiencing gender dysphoria, a condition described by the National Health Service as “a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity.”

It adds, “this sense of unease or dissatisfaction may be so intense it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life.”

According to a study from 2020, “82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves, and 40% have attempted suicide, with suicidality highest among transgender youth.” A different study found that “genderaffirming medical interventions were associated with lower odds of depression and suicidality over 12 months.”

Former Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed the bill in July but was overridden by the state Legislature.

“I firmly believe that the legislature has overstepped its author-

ity and is interfering in critical healthcare decisions that only parents should make in consultation with their children and their children’s physicians and psychologists,” said Edwards in a message documented by PBS. Computer engineering freshman Claire Bonius said in a phone interview, “I think that it is great that transgender youth are taking a stand and suing the state for restricting their rights. The government should have no say in what type of health care is accessible for citizens. Leave them alone!”

Louisiana is not the first state to try to ban gender-affirming care, and it likely won’t be the last. According to the Human Rights Campaign, there have been “more than 125 gender-affirming care bans,” around 30 anti-trans bathroom bills, around 45 anti-drag ban bills and “more than 100 anti-LGBTQ+ curriculum censorship bills.”

According to Reuters, multiple U.S. district courts have stopped laws like Louisiana’s anti-gender affirming care ban citing the 14th

see TRANS ISSUES, page 4

Thursday, January 25, 2024

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the first Schwarzmann Scholar from LSU but hopes he is not the last.

“I hope someone sees that I did this and decides to apply themselves because it’s not a super commonlyknown program,” he said. “I am super grateful to represent LSU and I hope that it inspires other people to continue of that same path or do things in a similar realm”.

Doerr was an ambitious student at LSU. He triple majored in political science, philosophy, and sociology with a concentration in criminology, according to the honors college. He said what prepared him the most is always trying to be the best version of himself.

His Sigma Nu fraternity brother Charlie McKenzie called Doerr’s acceptance to the program “another accolade he can put on his shelf

that he has so completely deserved due to his hard work and diligence towards everything he has ever had on his plate.”

McKenzie, a biological sciences senior minoring in psychology, said Doerr’s leadership has had a positive impact on their fraternity.

“Harper is an obviously impressive person on paper, but just as impressive in real life,” McKenzie said. “You’d hardly expect someone from LSU to earn a distinction of such high merits like Schwarzman, but the way that he has carried himself and succeeded for the past 4 years has made him entirely deserving of such a great honor.”

Doerr said he applied to the scholarship on a whim. When he became a finalist, he buckled down and practiced for the interviews with his friends and at the Olinde Career Center. He credited Tommy

Karam, a distinguished instructor in the business college, with helping him succeed.

Doerr advised those who want to pursue the scholarship to be “completely honest about yourself in all aspects” and to be as genuine as possible.

“It worked out for me,” he said. “...If they accept you with your flaws, you know you’re in the right place.”

The program will be Doerr’s first time out of the country outside a school trip to Canada. The new environment is the most exciting and stressful part of the program for him, and he looks forward to the opportunity to learn from it, he said.

He said he will probably go to law school after he returns, but he added that he will always be open to new, unexpected experi-

Harper Doerr, who graduated from LSU in December 2023, is the first Schwarzman Scholar from the university.

ready ruled against one of the subpoena raises concerns for the validity of the other, Sternberg said.

“The judge has already quashed one subpoena, and i’d be interested to see if a governmental agency can justify sending a subpoena to a reporter, not just any reporter, a reporter who did a really consequential story… to send that reporter a subpoena, is a very consequential decision, so I’ll be interested to see what the judge says next,” Sternberg said.

Subpoenas against reporters

are sometimes necessary when it is the only way information pivotal to a case can be brought to light.

The first subpoena was quashed because the student had already provided her text messages with Jacoby, and an attorney representing the UL System could not provide more reason than speculation for arguing the information provided was insufficient, U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison Claire wrote in her opinion.

Jim Henderson, president of the UL System at the time the sub-

poenas were issued, pointed out attorneys handling the case were assigned by the Louisiana Department of Justice to represent the state Office of Risk Management and were not system attorneys.

“I don’t question the legal strategy of the attorneys that were assigned to us,” Henderson said.

“Attorneys will frequently seek information in a variety of ways, and it’s part of the judicial process where courts will weigh in on that and determine whether a particular request is appropriate or not.

And that’s the beauty of our legal system.”

Still, Henderson, himself a former journalist, was sensitive to the press freedom concerns, especially in light of the system’s role in educating Louisiana’s future journalists.

“Certainly press freedom is important to the work of journalism in a broad sense,” Henderson said.

“And, you know, from an academic perspective and certainly from a professional perspective, I have always been a proponent of that.”

TRANS ISSUES, from page 3

CHINA, from page 3

Amendment and the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law.

Claire Hambrice, a mass communications major, said, “I definitely think the parents should get to decide, and they have every right to sue the state for banning access to gender-affirming care.

Everyone has freedom of speech and a right to what they believe and need. Trans kids should get the same care that other kids get.”

“I believe trans healthcare should be a course of action between the patient and/or parent and their doctor,” said political science freshman Katie Rabalais.

The fate of the Act remains unclear at the moment. The case will be taken up by the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans.

TITLE IX., from page 3 “As a journalist, I have ethical obligations to my sources,” Jacoby wrote. “It is an essential aspect of my job to build trust with sources, even more so for highly sensitive subject matter like sexual assault.

I would not be able to do my job as an investigative reporter if sources did not believe that I would honor my confidentiality agreements. To me, this is both a legal matter and a matter of principle.”

The fact that a judge has al-

ences like becoming a Schwarzman Scholar.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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THIS WEEKEND IN BR SUNDAY AT 9:30 A.M.

King Cake Mardi Gras Door Hanger Create Studios

26 JANUARY

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Create Studios is hosting a Mardi Gras door hanger-making class where participants can add their own personality to their home’s front door. Participants are given a wooden king cake and can enhance it with wooden text and paint colors. This event is from 6–8 p.m. at 546 Bienville St., and tickets are $35.

Mardi Gras Mambo North Boulevard Town Square

JANUARY

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Spend your Saturday running a mile, 10k or 15k in downtown Baton Rouge at the Mardi Gras Mambo. All races start and end in the North Boulevard Town Square, and events begin as early as 8 a.m. Entry costs are between $25 and $60.

Want to see your event in The Reveille?

Email information to editor@lsu.edu.

27

JANUARY

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SATURDAY AT 8 A.M.

FRIDAY AT 6 P.M.

BY CLAIRE THERIOT @ClaireTheriot2

King Cakes and Bingo Eloise Market and Cakery Eloise Market is hosting a king cake making class for all ages with bingo, games and fun prizes for winners. During the class, participants can learn how to roll their own king cake, pick their own filling and decorate it to bring back home. This event runs from 9:30–11:30 a.m. and 3–5 p.m.

Tickets are $40.

DIY Disco hosts Mardi Gras fascinator party with local milliners

BY CLAIRE THERIOT @ClaireTheriot2 While sipping on glittery cocktails and laughing with friends, crafting customers at DIY Disco glued feathers and tied bows to their Mardi Gras fascinators.

DIY Disco, a craft and cocktail bar, hosted a Mardi Gras-inspired fascinator making class with Chapeaux, a festive millinery company, on Thursday. Crafters had professional instruction and materials provided for them; all they had to do was run with the Mardi Gras spirit.

Jennifer Loftin and Karla Coreil, the owners of Chapeaux, create custom fascinators— formal headpieces that originate from Europe— and host parities to help others do the same. The two reached out to DIY Disco after noticing they had the same audience: women looking to enjoy themselves and get crafty.

Loftin said they found DIY Disco in a local publication and had been looking for the right opportunity to collaborate since.

“We need more collaboration

across the crafting community,” she said.

Chloe McMahon, owner of DIY Disco, said she’s always looking for new events to host to create community and form friendships. During a typical DIY Disco party, people can reserve a time to come in and choose their own crafts and drinks.

They have the option to choose from 20 crafts and are given instructions and a box of supplies for their chosen activity. Parties are typically 3 hours long, so participants can go at their own pace and chat with new people.

McMahon said these parties help bring people together, specifically women who have similar interests.

“I want to host these niche events that are particular to women,” she said.

The combination of funky drinks and even funkier crafts creates an environment where people on all ends of the creativity spectrum feel like they can be comfortable. McMahon said people of wide-ranging artistic abili-

ties come to DIY Disco, and create things she had never thought of.

“It’s cool seeing people come in who aren’t particularly crafty,” she said. “You get to see such a wide range of people’s thoughts and creativity.”

McMahon said she loves being in the Mid City area because she can bring in students from LSU, people living downtown and older members of the community.

For Loftin and Coreil, the two values of Chapeaux are to celebrate life and create a community. Loftin said it has been exciting to bring people together from throughout Baton Rouge and elevate birthday parties or sorority events by making and wearing headpieces.

The two have been friends for years, throwing costume parties and crafting together. After COVID-19 cooped them up, Loftin said they were thinking of ways to engage with others.

They came up with the idea of a party fascinator business at an airport in 30 minutes. Loftin said their idea was to combine

the formal British tradition of fascinators with festive Louisiana traditions.

With jobs that don’t allow them to show off their creative abilities very much, Loftin said Chapeaux is the perfect thing to help her and Coreil make that a possibility.

“One day I told Karla ‘I’ve had the worst day, I just need to make a hat,’” Loftin said.

More than 30 of the two women’s hat designs went to the Kentucky Derby in 2023, and they were also featured milliners at the Louisiana Derby.

“While it’s common for women to wear fascinators at the derby, we want to create a culture where we can wear our fascinators to Trader Joe’s or the football games,” Loftin said.

For their partners, women provide all the materials such as flowers and ribbons, sourced from London, and feathers from the Garment District in New York.

She said she loves seeing people create their own headpieces because no two are alike and everyone gets to show their imagina-

tion through their creation.

“We always say ‘If you don’t love it, you are not finished yet,’” Loftin said.

COURTESY OF CHLOE MCMAHON

page 6

LSU women’s basketball junior guard Aneesah Morrow (24) looks up at a free throw Nov. 30 during LSU’s 82-64 win against Virginia Tech at the Pete Maravich Assembly

Thursday, January 25, 2024

The LSU women’s basketball team runs out on the court Jan. 21 before LSU’s 99-68 win over Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

LSU women’s basketball junior guard Last-Tear Poa (13) looks to make a pass Jan. 21 during LSU’s 99-68 win over Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly

SHOWDOWN

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Women’s basketball players tip off Nov. 30 during LSU’s 82-64 win against Virginia Tech at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Photos by Erin Barker and Morgan Cook

LSU women’s basketball freshman center Aalyah Del Rosario (23) tries to keep possession of the ball Jan. 21 during LSU’s 99-68 win over Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

LSU women’s basketball graduate student transfer guard Hailey Van Lith (11) handles the ball Jan. 21 during LSU’s 99-68 win over Arkansas in the Pete Maravich

Facing off against the Gamecocks, the Tigers look to give South Carolina its first loss of the season Thursday inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

LSU women’s basketball freshman guard Mikaylah Williams (12) dribbles the ball Jan. 21 during LSU’s 99-68 win over Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

LSU women’s basketball freshman guard Mikaylah Williams (12) reaches for the ball Jan. 21 during LSU’s 99-68 win over Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly

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Some Interest!

Need a ride to the MSY or BTR Airport? Or to a special event for your group? Tiger Mama Transport LLC. is a local family owned & operated Passenger AIRPORT Transport Company, that has safely transported thousands of LSU students to and from the MSY and BTR AIRPORTS, 24/7, for 5 years running. During Mardi Gras, we also run transport to and from the New Orleans MSY airport 6 times a day/night (students uber to parade grounds) on Feb 2-4 and Feb 9-14 ($70 one way not $200+ that UBER will charge).

We also transport larger groups (7-15) for special occasions in BR, Nola or other cities at very reasonable rates. We stay booked and have been serving the LSU community for years, so let us do the driving and Text us at 225-252-7155 for a link to our Transport Request Form to reserve your spot. Geaux Tigers!

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SPORTS TOP-10 BATTLES LSU prepares for South Carolina

BY TYLER HARDEN @ttjharden8 The drastic increase in recognition of women’s college basketball will be on full display in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Thursday.

At 7 p.m. C.T. No. 9-ranked LSU will be welcoming the topranked South Carolina to town; a matchup full of prominent players, coaches and personalities.

The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN. An hour before the game starts, ESPN will be holding its College Gameday show in the arena. This is the first time in Mulkey’s coaching career that College Gameday has been to one of her games.

“I think it sends a message to the LSU administration. You’re getting a return on your investment,” Mulkey said. “Scott [Woodward] needs to poke his chest out and say, ‘I’m doing right, I’m doing right by females, and I’m doing right by this institution.”

Along with College Gameday making an appearance, ticket sales are as high as what would be an expensive ticket for the College Football Playoff National Championship. According to Seat Geek, tickets are being sold for prices as high as $4,224. This

page 9 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Keys for the game vs. South Carolina

BY TRE ALLEN @treday0314

for either category.

This season, Cardoso averages a double-double. She’s the team’s leading scorer with 13.3 points per game, along with 10.7 rebounds per game. She’s also third on the team in assists with 2.4 per game and almost three blocks per game. Being that she’s a center, she gets involved all-

It will be a top-10 showdown on Thursday as the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks will be on the road to take on the 18-2 LSU Tigers.

This will be one of the biggest matchups of the year, as both teams had some of the highest odds of winning the national championship before the season started. The last time these two teams played, South Carolina ended up blowing out the Tigers 8864 at home.

The Gamecocks’ defense caused havoc for LSU as the Tigers shot 40% from the field and 20% from three. There were only two players in double digits for the Tigers: Alexis Morris, who graduated, and Angel Reese, who had an inefficient 16 points, shooting 33% from the field.

However, both teams are different now, and this game will be in one of the most hostile environments in women’s basketball at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The Tigers added key players

see BATTLE, page 10

see KEYS, page 10

ERIN BARKER/ The Reveille

The LSU women’s basketball team huddles together Jan. 21 during LSU’s 99-68 win over Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La. marks a rapid growth in women’s basketball compared to even just two years ago.

South Carolina is undefeated once again; it’s in a similar spot to last year when the Tigers and the Gamecocks squared off. In that matchup, the Gamecocks dominated, winning the game 88-64.

While both teams were very different at the time, and the

game was played in a different place, there are familiar faces.

One of those familiar faces from South Carolina is 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso.

Cardoso’s role on the team has increased significantly from last season. Last season, she was the team’s third leading scorer, and was second on the team in rebounds per game. She also didn’t average in double figures

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Column: Mikaylah Williams key against South Carolina

BY CABE BOND @PrezBond LSU women’s basketball is going to have to leave it all on the court Thursday night.

South Carolina is arguably the toughest opponent the program will face this year; every player will have to give it their all. From the bottom-up, South Carolina is a stacked team.

Starters like Kamilla Cardoso show pro potential; backups like Chloe Kitts have game-altering ability. Even the freshmen, like MiLaysia Fulwiley, have shown draftable talent.

Luckily, the Tigers possess an equally stacked roster with arguably the best freshman in women’s basketball. The Bossier City product has been one of the best scorers in college basketball, between both men’s and women’s college basketball. Mikaylah Williams is LSU’s X-factor and will need to be heavily involved if the Tigers want to win.

Simply put, the game needs to flow through Williams.

Angel Reese is arguably the most valuable player to the Tigers, but she’s going to have her

hands full. The Gamecocks can match her size. Starting center Cardoso and backup center Sakima Walker are 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-5, respectively.

Cardoso is averaging 2.9 blocks per game, which is seventh most in the country, and her 6-foot-3 teammate Ashlyn Watkins is only two spots behind her, averaging 2.8 blocks per game.

The Gamecocks have great defenders, but LSU has great scorers.

Reese, Flau’jae Johnson and Hailey Van Lith are three names who have become the face of LSU’s women’s basketball, and rightfully so. All three players that would be No. 1 scorers at almost any other program in the country. However, all three players might not even be the best scorer on their team.

Williams has already proved she’s one of the best scorers, not only for the Tigers, but in all of women’s hoops. Shooting 50% from the field and 44.4% from three, Williams is dangerous

ERIN BARKER / The Reveille

see WILLIAMS, page 10

LSU women’s basketball freshman guard Mikaylah Williams (12) dribbles the ball on Jan. 21 during LSU’s 99-68 win over Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.

page 10

BATTLE, from page 9 around in the offense.

The Angel Reese vs. Cardoso matchup will be arguably one of the most looked at in Thursday’s matchup. While Cardoso has the height advantage by four inches, their playstyles are very different. Reese will have to force Cardoso to be physical, but Cardoso’s height and lengthiness may prevent Reese from making any moves in the paint.

Cardoso was a big part of last year’s Gamecock squad coming off the bench. In fact, South Carolina had to replace all five of its starters. But they’ve had no problem doing that.

“Obviously they don’t have the players that they had last year. They lost a lot,” Mulkey said. “South Carolina just re-

KEYS, from page 9 such as Hailey Van Lith, Annesah Morrow and true freshman Mikaylah Williams to go along with Reese and Flau’jae Johnson as they combined for roughly 46 of the 92 points.

Meanwhile, South Carolina is ranked No. 1 in the country, led by 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso who is averaging a double-double along with almost three blocks per game. South Carolina also has all of its starters averaging double digits and shooting a combined 52% from the field and 44% from three.

WILLIAMS, from page 9 from anywhere on the court.

Now, she’s been put into the perfect position to succeed. With the Gamecocks accounting for LSU’s top three, Williams will have more looks.

In the post, she’s able to use her 6-foot frame to match the physicality from defending bigs, then use her guard-like speed and handles to maneuver around them and score. On the perimeter, her size elevates her shot, giving her cleaner looks to the basket.

She’ll have plenty of opportunities, and if she capitalizes off them, she could not only solidify

Thursday, January 25, 2024

loads…they just put the next man up.”

Including Cardoso, South Carolina has five players averaging double-digit points per game.

With Cardoso being the centerpiece of South Carolina’s post play, the Gamecocks operate guard-heavy outside of her.

Malaysia Fulwiley, Te-Hina Paopao or Bree Hall can have the hot hand at any given time for the Gamecocks. In South Carolina’s last three games, each of the three guards led the team in scoring for one of the games.

Paopao averages 12.5 points per game, Fulwiley averages 11.7 points per game off of the bench, and Hall averages 10.6 points per game.

Chloe Kitts is also a force in the paint next to Cardoso, as she

averages 10.1 points per game along with 6.6 rebounds.

Last season, along with Cardoso, Raven Johnson was a frequent option off the bench for the Gamecocks. She’s now transitioned into a starting role, as she averages 9.3 points per game, leads the team in assists with 5.3 assists per game and 3.9 rebounds per game. She also leads the team in steals at 2.4.

While it isn’t to the degree of last season, South Carolina’s depth gives it the edge on several occasions.

The Gamecocks have 10 players that average more than 10 minutes of play per game. They have seven players that play over 15 minutes per game, but no player on the team averages 30 minutes or more per game.

To compare that to LSU, the Tigers have three players that play 30 minutes or more per game: Aneesah Morrow, Mikaylah Williams and Hailey Van Lith. If rounding up is a factor, then LSU would have five players in that category, as Reese averages 29.3 minutes per game, and Flau’jae Johnson averages 29.8.

For LSU’s bench, just two players average over 10 minutes of play per game: Last-Tear Poa at 21.1 minutes per game and Aalyah Del Rosario with 12.3 minutes per game.

South Carolina’s depth has been and will be a difference maker in close games. LSU hasn’t had that luxury of rotating fresh bodies in and out late in the game, but South Carolina has operated that way all season.

There are many pieces to this game to keep an eye on, both on and off the court. That’s why ESPN College Gameday is there to see it all, and ticket prices are at an all-time high.

For LSU, it’s a chance to see where the team really stands, against the toughest opponent it may see all season. Things have worked out up to this point, but they haven’t been perfect. On Thursday, the Tigers need to get as close to perfect as possible.“South Carolina is as good, in my opinion, as they were last year with new players.

No one seems to have found the formula to beat them,” Mulkey said. “And just like we will try to do, the same thing a lot of other teams do, and that’s to try and upset them.”

If the Tigers want to win this game, there are a couple of things they have to do: Everyone needs to contribute LSU s a top heavy team with many stars in the starting lineup and a young and inexperienced bench. The starting five need to get going early.

In the loss against Colorado, the whole starting five except Williams started slow and struggled to score. In the loss against Auburn, Van Lith and Williams couldn’t get it going either.

LSU can’t afford to have its starting lineup not be able to put up points similar to last year. It’s

going to be a hard matchup for Reese being guarded by someone the size of Cardoso, and Williams will be getting a lot of attention with her scoring ability. This means that Morrow, Van Lith and Johnson are going to have to step up big.

Move the ball With players like Van Lith and Williams who are ball-dominant, the offense can tend to get stagnant from time to time. This can lead to the offense looking sloppy and forcing up a bad shot.

With South Carolina’s great defense, which ranks No. 5 in scoring defense, it’s important to move the ball and make sure everyone

gets a touch.

There have been times when the guard play needed improvement to move the ball and run the offense. Van Lith is a strong player, but as the point guard, she needs to find a way to take control and command the offense.

LSU has two great post players in Reese and Morrow. If LSU can move the ball and initiate the offense properly, it will keep South Carolina on its toes.

Stay out of foul trouble There have been multiple times this season where the starting lineup had someone in foul trouble. Players who play 30 minutes

per game and barely get subbed out will pick up a decent amount of fouls, but in a game like this where the Tigers will need every starter, they can’t afford to foul out.

This means not wasting fouls to prevent points, having to be early on rotations so you are not out of position and overall being disciplined on defense. It will also affect the way the offense runs.

Reese is an aggressive post player, very physical and always looking for contact. If she gets into foul trouble, her game is hindered and will force her to play uncomfortable.

herself as the team’s No. 1 scorer, but also be the tipping point that causes the Tigers to win.

Williams also has a chance to separate herself from the rest of her freshman class. Fulwiley, who was the No. 13 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, has been one of South Carolina’s best scorers.

While she has yet to become a full-time starter, Fulwiley has still averaged 18.6 minutes per game. She’s a guard just like Williams, which means they’ll most likely be matched up at some point throughout the game.

If Williams can neutralize Fulwiley, the Gamecocks would lose their third-best scorer, or if

Williams offensively dominates Fulwiley, South Carolina might bench her for someone more defensively talented to limit Williams; this, again, would strip them of their third best scorer.

Williams and Fulwiley’s defenses are both solid. Williams averages roughly 1.7 steals per game but only has 0.2 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Fulwiley averages less steals per game at roughly 1.5, but has significantly more blocks per game at 1.1.

While Fulwiley might have the edge defensively, Williams is by far the better scorer.

Williams scores 16.5 points per game, which is 4.8 points more than Fulwiley’s average,

while shooting at almost 2% more than Fulwiley from the field.

She loves to work in the midrange, taking nearly eight shots there per game. Typically, players who work in the midrange stay there because they lack ability on the outside. However, this is not the case for Williams.

As mentioned previously, she is 6 feet tall, which means when facing 5-foot-10 guards such as Fulwiley, Williams is automatically shooting higher than the defender.

Her size is a major reason why she has shot 44.4% from three, much higher than Fulwiley’s 33.9%. In general, trying to force her to the perimeter would

be a defensive mistake.

Shooting more from the field is impressive. But, including that she also takes more shots than Fulwiley while still averaging higher percentages from both the field and three, Williams is clearly a much bigger offensive threat.

The Tigers are going to have to play their best ball if they want to finally beat South Carolina. Williams will be a major key to that potential success.

She’s coming off a hot game against Arkansas where she shot 64.3% from the field, 60% from three and finished with 21 points.

The Tigers’ success will be dependent upon her carrying that momentum into the matchup.

ERIN BARKER / The Reveille

LSU women’s basketball freshman guard Mikaylah Williams (12) dribbles the ball Jan. 21 during LSU’s 99-68 win over Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.

ERIN BARKER / The Reveille

LSU women’s basketball freshman guard Mikaylah Williams (12) reaches for the hoop Jan. 21 during LSU’s 99-68 win over Arkansas in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.

OPINION

page 11

Letter to the editor: Party politics hinder infrastructure progress

BY DUSTIN GRANGER @twitter The I-10 Calcasieu Bridge project’s recent “costume change” under Louisiana’s new Gov. Jeff Landry exemplifies how partisan politics can eclipse public interest. This saga, dating back to 2017, saw former Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson and former Gov. John Bel Edwards propose a toll-free bridge, a plan the GOP majority leader axed in committee to deny the Democratic Governor a “win.”

Fast forward to 2021, President Joe Biden, backed by mostly US Congressional Democrats, earmarks $5.8 billion for Louisiana infrastructure projects over five years, covering bridge funds. Yet the Louisiana GOP heavily resisted this plan in Congress.

Finally, last year, Gov. Edwards’ bridge proposal was scuttled and delayed again in committee, this time by the Southwest LA GOP legislative delegation. Now, under newly

elected GOP Gov. Jeff Landry, this initiative suddenly reemerges, virtually unchanged but heralded as groundbreaking.

This week’s SWLA Chamber event cameo by the new governor, ostensibly celebrating the bridge’s commencement, was more political theater than infrastructure focus.

It’s a glaring reminder that in politics, appearances often overshadow substance. These developments, feasible seven years ago sans tolls, were hindered by GOP obstruction. This episode is a cautionary tale about how political gamesmanship can stall progress, emphasizing the need for leaders who value public welfare over partisan agendas.

Ultimately, the I-10 bridge is more than a structure; it’s a symbol of the costume changes in politics, where leaders’ true intentions are often cloaked under layers of political maneuvering.

Dustin Granger is a former candidate for Louisiana State Treasurer.

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Leftists should suck it up and be satisfied with 99% Hitler SERIOUSLY KIDDING FRANK KIDD

@FK446852315 Editor’s note: The following column is satire.

“If there was an election where the only two viable candidates are Hitler and Hitler but 1% less bad, you are morally obligated to vote for Hitler but 1% less bad,” wrote X user Jacob Unruh (@JacobUnruh333). His tweet caught fire, as it eventually got the phrase “99% Hitler” to trend on the app.

The statement refers to the idea of damage mitigation. Centrist democrats argue that President Joe Biden isn’t perfect, but he will do less damage than Donald Trump. Childish progressives, on the other hand, argue that if the two options are undesirable, it’s better to focus attention on other methods of enacting political change.

The 99% Hitler post was widely mocked by silly leftists for being narrow-minded in approach, and it also raised questions about the hypotheti-

AP PHOTO / Evan Vucci

President Joe Biden speaks about student loan forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. cal dollar store Hitler. Did he only want to take over 99% of the world, or did he believe in a slightly higher carbon tax? Was he a bit looser in his views of racial purity, or did he believe in funding public education over supporting charter schools?

In a hypothetical election between the two Hitlers, liberals would rightly throw their

full support behind the lesser of two evils. They’d lead a huge movement to vote for 99% Hitler and then push him left through public pressure. Simple-minded leftists would criticize them for ignoring any other possible course of political action and attack the system they claim is unjust for producing such options.

Liberals would wear shirts

with swastikas missing a tiny chunk to represent the difference between the two Hitlers.

The generic brand Hitler campaign would make money hand over fist from Democrats that would buy merch to proudly show that they’re nothing like the horrific monsters 1% to the right of them. They’d proudly wear the edited swastika and their 2.999th Reich gear all around town.

If full-on Hitler were able to win, only to be defeated by discount Hitler four years later, centrist Democrats would celebrate by partying in the streets and drinking all night. They could rest easy knowing that the concentration camps may not be closed down, but at least the smoke coming from them would be rainbow-colored. They’d feel comfortable knowing that there would be more female faces in the SS. They could rejoice at the idea of a more inclusive racial extermination, which is really all one can ask for.

Being cynical about liberals’ capitulation in this hypothetical election is easy, but what’s more productive is understanding

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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.

that the only option in this situation is to vote for markdown Hitler. Leftists have to give up their pointless show of political petulance and realize that the prospect of 100% Hitler is far worse.

Imagine a scenario where a foreign ethnostate was, say, doing a genocide. Having a president that supports that while his party is shown to be vehemently against it by polling would be unfathomable.

The election is binary; there’s no point in questioning or opposing a system that produces such options. In this scenario, the only moral thing to do is to support bargain bin Hitler.

Biden shouldn’t run from this reality. He should hire Unruh to lead his initiative, since he’s already done such a great job producing an enticing message for the campaign. Unruh would be incredible at showing progressives that the best they can ask for is the lesser of two Hitlers.

Frank Kidd is a 22-year-old LSU graduate from Spring field, Virginia.

Quote of the Week “If you let a smile be your umbrella, you’ll end up with a face full of rain.”

George Carlin American comedian 1937 — 2008

Thursday, January 25, 2024

page 12

The TikTok beauty community is detrimental to the youth GARRETT’S GAVEL GARRETT MCENTEE

@9are_bear The concrete fact that impossible, unattainable beauty standards rule the hearts of mankind is not a shocking revelation to anyone. The concrete fact that these standards evolve and change as mankind grows is also not a shocking revelation. The concrete fact that these standards are harmful and stupid is, once again, nothing shocking.

However, I doubt a single soul could’ve predicted the impact that a spinoff of Musical.ly could’ve had. TikTok took the world by storm, and its creators quickly formed content niches. Makeup, skincare and luxury became a ruling trio on the platform, easily grabbing viewers’ attention with the allure of beauty and wealth.

But, as with all things, capitalism came into the picture when TikTok launched the TikTok shop in September. This “innovative” way of shopping is, in essence, the same as most other fast fashion/quick consumer shops, boasting several coupons and products recommended by your favorite influencer. Yippee.

It should be noted that for the most part, the TikTok beauty

GRAPHIC BY JACOB CHASTANT

influencers were relatively tame before the era of TikTok shop.

Most influencers just did product reviews or GRWM (get ready with me) content.

But now, with TikTok shop, influencers are turning big profits through promotion of products they use (and some they don’t) by linking them in the caption of their videos. This in itself isn’t horribly crooked (though it does

promote rampant consumerism from companies who don’t care about the environment).

The issue comes in when you account for the horribly toxic cesspool that is the current beauty niche of TikTok. Every video goes along the lines of, “Are you boy pretty or girl pretty? Use this product if you’re boy pretty!” Or, “If you’re not using this product, you probably look like you’re

putting makeup on a pig! Make sure to buy it so you aren’t an unlovable ugly beast!”

Influencers have realized that if they classify and diagnose every little thing, they can then offer a product or tool that will “solve” your disgusting face.

These influencers could rival Shakespeare with how many words and phrases they’ve created. A few of the most absurd

ones include, but are most certainly not limited to, mewing, mogging, maxing and (insert the most peculiar animal) pretty.

Perhaps the worst part of all this is that it’s not just the elderly (20+) falling prey, it’s the youth.

Actual tweens are emptying their tiny, change-ridden pockets to try to look like their favorite influencer who has diamond-plated veneers and millions to invest in themselves.

Children are crying to their parents right now because they got mogged in school. Children are crying in their beds because they think they look like piglets.

Children are crying because they feel ugly. Children.

These children are basing themselves off of TikTok standards, which is its own problem, but they’re also at such a ripe young age, being exposed to the fatal capitalistic wheel.

And that just sucks.

It’s foolish to say that TikTok is the originator of this complex.

Self-hate is a billion dollar market, but I wouldn’t call it foolish to say that it’s never been this widespread in the youngest of our youth. And there’s realistically nothing we can do.

And that just sucks.

Garrett McEntee is an 18-yearold English freshman from Benton.

Sephora kids have got a rude awakening waiting for them ISABELLA’S INSIGHTS ISABELLA ALBERTINI

@BasedIsabella Millennial and Generation Z kids grew up playing with toy cars, Lego and dolls.

Today’s Generation Alpha children play with $68 makeup products.

Now known as “Sephora kids”, these little 10-year-old girls have skin care routines more elaborate than teenage influencers. And it’s not James Charles-esque makeup looks that they go for. It’s “clean girl” looks, using products containing retinol and other anti-aging substances.

Makeup stores like Sephora and Ulta aren’t stores for children, and makeup and skincare products aren’t toys. They’re intended for older consumers, and can have harmful and lasting consequences if used by children.

The skincare and makeup brand Drunk Elephant has become the most popular among little girls, as seen in videos all over TikTok. The brand doesn’t sell glittery eye shadow palettes or colorful lip gloss, the makeup that girls of past generations bought at Claire’s and played with at home.

Drunk Elephant sells products intended for 25-year-olds and had to make a statement regarding children using its products.

The brand made a statement on

GRAPHIC BY JACOB CHASTANT

its Instagram page addressing the effects its products can have on children: “Many of our products are designed for all skin, including kids and tweens… Stay away from our more potent products that include acids and retinols— their skin does not need these ingredients quite yet.”

According to dermatologist Sharon Wong in a Vice interview, “Before the teenage years, skin is still

really sensitive. It’s still really thin.”

“With anti-aging products like retinols, you could compromise their skin barrier and make their skin more sensitive,” Wong said.

“Sensitive skin is actually quite difficult to treat, so you may be causing downstream problems. Other things like vitamin C–yes, it helps build collagen, but why would a 10-year-old need collagen? You only start losing it in your mid-to-

late 20s.”

There have also been multiple complaints from Sephora and Ulta workers, some of whom have even quit, due to the rude and disrespectful behavior of these children.

Many have taken to TikTok to recount their experiences. Videos showing the messy and destroyed makeup displays at these stores are going viral. Children come in, try all the products they want and

leave a mess behind.

This is not just another fun game or toy but actual formulas that can be damaging to a 10-yearold child’s skin. Even if the parents are OK with spending hundreds of dollars on things their children don’t need (all toys can be seen that way), they need to realize that the children are still viewing these products as toys first, chemicals second..

Although it may seem harmless for little girls to play “grown up” and wear Lululemon leggings and own a variety of Stanley cups, putting on anti-aging cream is not just a game. It can lead to bad results.

And because this is a recent trend and not enough years have gone by, the results of these products on children are unknown.

Most of these products haven’t even been tested on children, as they were never the intended audience.

Many parents just cave in and get their children what they want, but disrespectful behavior, if accepted anywhere, should be reserved for toy stores, not makeup stores.

Brands are clearly profiting off this new trend, but when these children grow up and see the bad results, it may lead them to swing the complete opposite direction and end up turning against these brands.

Sooner or later, it’ll come at a cost.

Isabella Albertini is a 23-year-old mass communication junior from