Today in Print - October 28, 2010

SG launches letter writing campaign to protest higher ed budget cuts, p. 3 LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo gets noticed for interesting name, p. 7

Reveille The Daily

Volume 115, Issue 46

BOARD OF REGENTS

Final stages of GRAD Act passed Wednesday

www.lsureveille.com

Nicholas Persac

T

Contributing Writer

Staff Writer

LA GRAD, see page 5

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

Baton Rouge, New Orleans college students helped start national Jägermeister popularity

Sydni Dunn The Louisiana Board of Regents approved Wednesday the final stages of the LA GRAD Act agreement.

The comprehensive improvement plan is designed to increase performance, efficiency and accountability for higher education institutions statewide starting this year.

With approval by the Management Board and in concurrence with the LA GRAD Act, institutions raised their tuitions by 5 percent this fall, and the money collected from the increase has been held in escrow while awaiting today’s approval.

The LA GRAD Act, which was signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal in June, is a six-year voluntary program that includes four key performance objectives for the participating institutions — student success, transfer and articulation, workforce and economic development, and efficiency and accountability.

Play about Antarctic journey to run at HopKins Theatre, p. 11

Jägerbombed ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille

he drink’s ingredients are shrouded in mystery, and with a “dulling effect ... similar to the prescription drugs Valium and Quaalude,” one of the most popular liquors in the U.S. today got a jumpstart from Louisiana college students more than 20 years ago.

Jägermeister, a German-made spirit, grew into a national brand during the ’80s after a local newspaper article explained how college students in New Orleans and Baton Rouge took a liking to the drink because of rumors it contained more intoxicants than just alcohol.

“The college kids became very intrigued by that, and it became really cool down there,” said Kate Laufer, public relations director for Sidney Frank Importing Company Inc., which first received rights to bring the brand from Germany to the U.S. in 1974. Sidney Frank Importing still supplies the nation today. “Jägermeister is a brand that’s built around a lot of mystery, and it’s something that people will always mumble about.”

Though not officially distributed in the U.S. until 1974, Jägermeister found its way into one New Orleans bar as early as 1969 when immigrants would bring personal supplies from overseas.

“There were many German sailors coming through New Orleans,” said Kate Wimmer, general manager of Fritzel’s European Jazz Club, which opened on Bourbon Street in 1969 and was one of the first American bars to serve Jägermeister. “It wasn’t an alcohol to get drunk on.

They drank it after eating to alleviate the stomach and help with digestion.”

Then, for an unknown reason — perhaps bartenders at Fritzel’s or nearby bars jokingly serving it to college students because of the strong taste — it spread to a younger crowd, where rumors of deep intoxication

Read old coverage of the 1985 Jäger craze in BR at lsureveille.com.

JÄGER, see page 5

Marc Fraioli, owner of Fred’s Bar and Grill on Bob Pettit Boulevard, pours Jägermeister on Wednesday.

MUSIC

Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney to headline 2011 Superfest Zac Brown Band, Sugarland to perform Morgan Searles Entertainment Writer

SHAINA HUNTSBERRY / The Daily Reveille

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden talks Wednesday about the 2011 Bayou Country Superfest in Tiger Stadium. Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney will perform.

Country music lovers everywhere can begin shining their boots and straightening their hats — Bayou Country Superfest is returning in 2011 with Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Sugarland and Trace Adkins as headliners.

Bayou Country Superfest Producer and Director Quint Davis unveiled the lineup for the event, scheduled for May 28 and 29, 2011, at a news conference Wednesday in Tiger Stadium.

East Baton Rouge Mayor-Presi- can move it forward. Year two, here dent Kip Holden attended the confer- we are again.” ence and spoke about the success of Vice Chancellor and Director of the first festival and Athletics Joe Alleva its contribution to said he expects this the city. event to continue ‘[Superfest] is Baton Rouge for many years to developing a new, come. is changing scenery and making an ef“Some people significant tourism thought fort to be more than I was crazy one-dimensional, product for Louisiana.’ to allow it to come Holden said. to Tiger Stadium Pam Breaux “Our vision and let the event go was to take this secretary, Department of Culture, forward, but I had event and move it Recreation and Tourism for La. a feeling this was to a level and have going to be a great a signature event that people from event,” Alleva said. around the world would underStudents interested in country stand,” Holden said. “That, yes, give music are impressed by the acts the us a challenge. We can make it happen, we can put it together and we LINEUP, see page 5

‘‘

The Daily Reveille

Nation & World

page 2

INTERNATIONAL Death toll in Indonesian tsunami, volcano reaches more than 300 MENTAWAI ISLANDS, Indonesia (AP) — The death toll from a tsunami and a volcano rose to more than 300 Wednesday as more victims of Indonesia’s double disasters were found and an official said a warning system installed after a deadly ocean wave in 2004 had broken from a lack of maintenance.

Hundreds were still missing after Monday’s tsunami struck the remote Mentawai islands off western Sumatra, where officials were only beginning to chart the scope of the devastation. At least 311 people died as the huge wave, triggered by an undersea earthquake, washed away wooden and bamboo homes, displacing more than 20,000 people.

About 800 miles to the east in central Java, the Mount Merapi volcano was mostly quiet but still a threat after Tuesday’s eruption.

The eruption sent searing ash clouds into the air, killing at least

30 people and injuring 17. Among the dead was a revered elder who had refused to leave his ceremonial post as caretaker of the mountain’s spirits.

American actor released from custody after citizenship dispute VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Actor Randy Quaid and his wife Evi have been released from a Canadian detention facility after she was declared a Canadian citizen.

The Quaids were arrested last Thursday in a shopping area of a posh Vancouver, British Columbia, neighborhood and were subsequently jailed on outstanding U.S. warrants related to vandalism charges.

The Quaids are wanted in Santa Barbara, Calif., where they missed a court hearing Monday on felony vandalism charges.

The Canada Border Services Agency confirmed in a statement Tuesday that Evi Quaid is a citizen of Canada.

photo courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Indonesian Vice President Boediono looks at the bodies of the victims of an earthquaketriggered tsunami in Pagai Utara, Mentawai islands, Indonesia on Wednesday.

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

NATIONAL

STATE/LOCAL

Longest snake living in captivity dies Wednesday in Ohio zoo

3 officers fired from New Orleans Police Department on Wednesday

Gov. Bobby Jindal continues to garner high approval ratings

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio zoo said the longest snake living in captivity has died.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said workers found the 24-foot python Wednesday morning.

It died from an apparent tumor.

The snake, named Fluffy, held the Guinness World Record as the longest snake living in captivity.

It was about as long as a moving van and as thick as a telephone pole.

It weighed 300 pounds.

The 18-year-old reticulated python had drawn large crowds since the zoo got it in 2007.

Reticulated pythons are named for the cross-hatching patterns on their skin and average 10 to 20 feet long.

The largest recorded one was 32 feet, 9 1/2 inches long when it was killed in 1912 in Indonesia.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Three New Orleans police officers — two accused of mistreating police dogs and one charged with illegally shooting his gun — were fired Wednesday, said Superintendent Ronal Serpas.

Officers Jason Lewis, Nikia Adams and Patrick O’Hern were dismissed for violating department rules, Serpas said.

Lewis, a 13-year veteran, and Adams, an eight-year veteran, each pleaded guilty to animal cruelty.

O’Hern, who was on the force for 13 years, was fired for illegally discharging his weapon and drinking while on duty.

Lewis pleaded guilty last month to misdemeanor animal cruelty for the death of his police dog.

The dog, named Primo, was a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois. The dog was left in a closed police car where he apparently died of a heat stroke.

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal continues to have a high approval rating with Louisiana voters.

That’s according to a new poll

by Washington-based Clarus Research Group.

Sixty-three percent of the voters surveyed approved of Jindal, a Republican who’s been in office since 2008 and is running for reelection next year.

State election officials hope for a 35-percent turnout for Tuesday

TODAY ON lsureveille.com

(AP) — Louisiana elections officials are hoping turnout will reach 35 percent in Tuesday’s election.

If that expectation from the Secretary of State’s Office is met, that would be far short of the state’s last round of congressional elections in 2008, when a heated presidential election battle drove 65 percent of Louisiana’s voters to the polls.

Weather

FRIDAY 72 42

TODAY

Read a blog on the Saints’ struggling season so far.

Download an MP3 of “Steal You Away” by Randy Rogers.

High:

78

Watch videos about Zombie Day and costume ideas.

Low:

45

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Isolated T-storms

77 49 MONDAY 81 61

80 61

BRAAAAIIIIIINS @lsureveille, @TDR_news, @TDR_sports

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Multicultural Student Leadership Conference FREE! SIGN UP NOW! www.lsu.edu/aacc Saturday, October 30th 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Showtime At the Cotillion Auditions October 25-28 5:30-7:00 PM WCA Activity Center. Contact tyidin1@tigerslsu.edu DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Michael at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: officemanager@lsureveille.com

GRANT GUTIERREZ / The Daily Reveille

See photos of students dressed as zombies in a Snapshot on lsureveille.com.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards.This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes which may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified please contact the editor at (225) 5784811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille.com.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

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Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

The Daily Reveille

page 3

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Fall elections see low voter turnout

7:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m.

Noon, 3:20 p.m.

4:20 p.m., 5:20 p.m.

New letter-writing campaign launched Frederick Holl Staff Writer

Four Student Government election contests garnered votes from 620 students Tuesday, down from more than 1,000 students last year, according to SG Commissioner of Elections Billy Wright.

Only four of the 14 colleges had more candidates up for election than SG Senate seats to fill, DAVID LYLE / The Daily Reveille so students could only vote in four Justin Terracciano, biology sophomore, left, and Harrison Breaud, finance elections.

“The fall election is always sophomore, right, wait for results of the fall SG elections on Wednesday night. quiet. This semester we saw lower utes. You should write one, too.’” cisions and who will decide what our cuts are.” turnout, not just among the voters, Hudson said.

The Senate voted to override Hudson and Vice President but among the candidates,” said Speaker of the Senate Brooksie Dani Borel also appealed to the a Hudson veto on a resolution it members of both the executive had passed asking for an audience Bonvillain. and legislative with Gary Graham, director of Bonvillain branches to at- the Office of Parking, Traffic and said candidate tend and disrupt Transportation, to advocate for numbers should the Board of Su- fees on visitor parking to be lifted increase next sepervisors meeting after 4:30 p.m. mester after the Hudson said he vetoed the Nov. 6 about the Senate recently increase in the bill because Graham told him and changed its elecBorel the fee money from the visimidyear cuts. tion regulations.

“Essentially, tor spots was being used to pay Harrison Brooksie Bonvillain we’re going to fil- for the University’s forthcoming Breaud defeated SG speaker of the senate ibuster their meet- parking garage.

Curtis Elmore by “Dani and myself felt it was ing, and we need 35 votes for a full more important for students to Senate seat for the E.J. Ourso Col- your help,” Borel said.

Hudson and Borel also dis- have a parking garage then not lege of Business.

The four Senate seats for the cussed plans for a rally at the State pay fines at night in visitor spots,” College of Humanities and Social Capitol on Nov. 19, the day the Hudson said.

Sciences were won by Marcus Joint Budget Committee meets.

“If we are going to rally, we Alexander, Abbey Vaughn, David Jones and Aaron Caffarel. Roxana want to rally when people will be Contact Frederick Holl at Murphy, the only other candidate, there,” Borel said. “These are the lost with 11.2 percent of the vote. people who make the financial defholl@lsureveille.com The two College of Science Senate seats were claimed by Scott Sullivan, who received 50 votes, and Lesli Roussel, who narrowly defeated Justin Terracciano by four votes.

The University Center for Freshman Year election received the most votes for its seven Senate seats. Ryan Ehrhardt, Hilary Soileau, Chas Kelly, Sarah Beth Theriot, Lane Pace, James Brandon Woolf and De Andre Beadle garnered enough votes to get seats.

Ehrhardt led with 261 votes, and Soileau followed with 194 votes.

Students were allowed to vote for as many candidates as there were Senate seats available.

Chris Brady and Zac Thriffiley, who were both disqualified, received 113 votes each. Brencia Berry received 61 votes.

“A lot of people didn’t campaign. I think 620 voted for four ballots isn’t that bad,” Wright said.

At the SG Senate meeting Wednesday, the Senate unanimously passed an executive order from President J Hudson that devotes 10 minutes at the beginning of every meeting of the executive, legislative and judicial branches to writing letters to state officials about the University’s budget problems.

“If we are going to ask students to write letters, we need to have written letters ourselves so we can say, ‘Hey look, I’ve written my letter. It took me 10 min-

‘‘

‘The fall election is always quiet. This semester we saw lower turnout.’

Thursday oCTober 28

Pluckers Wing Bar Mon.: $14.99 All You Can Eat Wings and $3 Pluckers Lemonades Tues.: Kids Eat Free, $3 Mexican Beers and Margaritas Wed: Trivia at 8 pm, $4.50 Mother Plucker Mugs of Bud and Miller Thurs: $15.99 All You Can Eat Wings, $4.50 Mother Plucker Mugs of Bud Light and Miller Lite, $5.50 Patron Margaritas Sun: $3 Pluckers Specialty Shots

9-10:30 AM 12-1:30 PM 3:00:3:30 PM 5:30-6:00 PM 8:00- 9:30 PM 10:00-10:30 PM 11:00-12:30 PM

Twilight Beetlejuice Newsbeat Newsbeat Paranormal Activity Newsbeat on TTV Newsbeat on Ch. 19 Drag Me to Hell

The Daily Reveille

page 4

EVENTS

‘WhatNow Lsu?’ to be unveiled tonight Sydni Dunn Staff Writer

It’s been seen on the sidewalk, on the bus and on Facebook — but what is “WhatNow Lsu?” The mysterious campaign has been popping up all over campus, advertising “The Event” to be held tonight at 6 p.m. in the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes Auditorium.

“Without revealing too much of what the real reason behind ‘The Event’ is, students will take part in something big, and something that, to

our knowledge, has never happened on LSU’s campus,” an anonymous WhatNow Lsu spokesperson said via e-mail. “We feel it will be a start to something that will grow.”

The group said it chose to take a secretive approach to raise eyebrows and to catch students’ attention in the midst of all that is going on in the state and on campus. Students campuswide are questioning the movement and the theme of “The Event.”

“Maybe it’s something to do with budget cuts,” said Brandi Ducote, biology senior. “It seems to be what

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

EARLY BIRD GETS THE CANDY

people are talking about lately.”

The WhatNow Lsu group said it realizes some students are apprehensive about “The Event” because of the lack of information but guarantees it will be worth attending.

“We aren’t bringing them in to watch grass grow. There is a point,” the spokesperson said. “This is likely to be the start of something bigger, something students would see as interesting and worthwhile.”

Contact Sydni Dunn at sdunn@lsureveille.com

GRANT GUTIERREZ / The Daily Reveille

A University student paints a child’s face Wednesday during the Greek trick-or-treat on Sorority Row. Children walked around the row trick-or-treating at the Greek houses.

BUDGET CUTS

School of Veterinary Medicine cuts funding to laboratory Kate Mabry Contributing Writer

In order to combat recent budget cuts, the School of Veterinary Medicine will cut funding to the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the Arbovirus Testing Program.

The LADDL provides “surveillance of animal diseases that may impact public health” as well as “diagnostic infrastructure for animal agriculture in the state,” said Peter Haynes, dean of the Vet School.

The LADDL was historically a state-run laboratory, but the Vet School assumed full financial responsibility four years ago from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The program had long been underfunded, and the Vet School thought it could enhance the budget for the program, Haynes said.

“The School of Veterinary

Medicine did everything it could and has worked hard to maintain adequate funding for the laboratory, so it could maintain accreditation,” Haynes said.

The Vet School’s current funding must also cover the expense of the laboratory and when cuts are made to the school’s budget, the laboratory’s budget must also be reduced, Haynes said.

“We were not prepared to take away educational funds to support the laboratory,” Haynes said. “LADDL gets caught up in the ‘perfect storm’ that is affecting the funding of all of higher education in Louisiana.”

The Vet School is hoping to move the program back to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to separate the distinct academic and service roles of these programs, Haynes said.

Mike Strain, commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, said the department had

agreed to take back the lab but as of now the laboratory will not be allowed to transfer out of the University.

The department is “hoping to get the laboratory back on track” and is working to keep the lab going. Cuts to the lab’s funding are critical, Strain said.

It’s essential that the lab continues research on animal diseases like West Nile and rabies that can also affect the human population, Strain said.

“The program is synergistic with the [Vet School], but it maintains a separate identity,” Haynes said.

The Vet School is responsible

for the LADDL, and because higher education does not separate funding between the program and the school, the program’s mission is impacted by the cuts that are distributed to academic programs, Haynes said.

Haynes said he is concerned about future funding levels as the Vet School is “getting close to the tipping point.”

“The School of Veterinary Medicine and its professional program, research programs and our service to the state has and will continue to experience considerable adverse effects from the ongoing loss of state support, not unlike other academic programs on our campus,” Haynes said.

With a small number of students and an intense requirement for medical and scientific technologies, budget cuts are difficult to manage at the SVM, Haynes said. Together these create limited degrees of freedom within the current funding model, he said.

“The only thing that is certain is that there is so much uncertainty, and budget cuts are creating considerable anxiety throughout the campus and making plans for the future so hypothetical,” Haynes said.

Contact Kate Mabry at kmabry@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010 meetings with each participating campus to “drive the importance of an effective launch.”

Hunter-Reed said the baseline of the act is focused first on student success, aiming to increase educational attainment, completor percentage and graduation rates.

“There is a push nationally to increase attainment and find better ways to measure complete student flow,” said Tom Layzell, parttime Board adviser. “This is a well thought-out piece of legislation that will help move Louisiana in the

direction it needs to move.”

Fifty-two total measures will be tracked and evaluated, and institutions that demonstrate progress will be able to raise tuition by 10 percent annually.

In other action, the Board approved the 2011-12 budget request using the funding formula, a method that will be under review within the next few months.

prominence, according to Frank’s website.

Marc Fraioli, who owns Fred’s started.

“I think the reason why the bot- Bar and Grill on Bob Pettit Bouletle looks like it does is because it’s vard, said he served Jäger in 1982 meant to be more of a medicine with when he opened the bar. At the time, some alcohol in it,” Wimmer said of Fraioli also owned the North Gate bar the rumor’s origins and the drink’s Murphy’s, which is no longer open.

“I remember hearing of it, then original use.

The Morning Advocate, a Ba- people started asking for it, and we ton Rouge newspaper, recognized tried to stay trendy,” Fraioli said. “It was the worst-tastthe popular new ining drink, though. toxicant and in May People used to say 1985 published it tastes like Vicks an article debunkFormula 44 [cough ing myths about suppressant]. InJägermeister’s instead of running gredients including away from the fact prescription mediit tastes like crap, cines. college students “In Baton Marc Fraioli embraced it.”

Rouge, the liowner, Fred’s Bar and Grill Jägermeister quor has caught on among the younger crowd,” the contains 35 percent alcohol by vol1985 Advocate article said. “In New ume and includes a mysterious blend Orleans, the Jägermeister crowd in- of 56 different herbs, spices and cludes punk rockers, the traditional roots that create its notorious flavor.

“It’s not one of my favorite alcrowd at places like Fritzel’s and cohols, but I’ll still take the shot,” also at gay bars.”

Frank, whom Laufer described said Ryan Espey, agricultural busias a “creative genius,” saw an op- ness senior. “It’s really popular at the portunity to capitalize on the buzz. bars, and as I’ve gotten older and my He used quotes from the article in drinking increased, I can handle the national advertisements, bought bill- taste better.”

Today, Jägermeister is “the No. boards in Louisiana and sent one of the first team of Jägerettes — scant- 1 selling imported liquor and shot ily clad female promoters offering brand in the United States,” and employees at Frank’s business know samples — to area bars.

After advertising across the the tale of Louisiana kickstarting his country — even posting copies of importing company and the Jäger the Morning Advocate article above brand, Laufer said.

“We get asked for Jäger more urinals in bars — the brand began “rapid ascensions” to national than any other liquor for shots,”

Fraioli said. “It was ahead of its time for shots, and in my mind it kind of created that shot environment. By the ’90s and 2000s, shots gained momentum and became the ‘sexy’ and trendy drinks.”

Kyle Sorge, marketing sophomore, said he thinks Jägermeister became popular with current college students through advertisements and pop culture, like movies and the 2007 YouTube video “My New Haircut.”

“I thought that video was funny, so of course we tried Jäger,” Sorge said. “It’s definitely a lot different than any other liquor I’ve tried.

There isn’t another brand like Jäger with that high of [alcohol] proof that’s as easy to take.”

Republic National Distributing Company is now Louisiana’s exclusive distributor, with offices in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans and Shreveport. But when Frank’s business first gained supplier rights for the U.S., Wines Unlimited in New Orleans distributed Jäger across the state.

“I think New Orleanians caught on to it because it indeed had a way of getting you to the level of intoxication you couldn’t seem to get from other spirits. Whether it was real or imagined, who knows,” said Wines Unlimited’s chief operations officer Howard Brown, who began working there in 1988 when Jäger sales “were already an animal.”

LA GRAD, from page 1

Specific productivity goals have been set by each institution and will be evaluated by the Board annually, resulting in overall improvements throughout the six-year period.

The Board will then submit a report to the Legislature and governor.

All institutions are participating except the Health Science Centers, which will join in the spring.

Chief of Staff Kim HunterReed said the Board held individual

JÄGER, from page 1

‘‘

‘Instead of running away from the fact it tastes like crap, college students embraced it.’

Contact Sydni Dunn at sdunn@lsureveille.com

Contact Nicholas Persac at npersac@lsureveille.com

page 5 LINEUP, from page 1

event is bringing to the city.

Kinesiology freshman Rachel Debenedetto said she can’t wait for the 2011 Superfest.

“I think it’s a great lineup, and I am definitely excited to hear all those artists,” Debenedetto said. “I think it’s good for Baton Rouge. It’s different than other events that happen around here.”

The first Superfest was expected to bring 35,000 people into the stadium, Holden said, but the event actually saw an audience of more than 85,000.

Pam Breaux, secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism for Louisiana, said people from 47 states, Canada, the United Kingdom and U.S. military serving in Germany attended last year’s Superfest.

“This is developing a new,

significant tourism product for Louisiana that’s important for our economy and for the locals to have the opportunity to enjoy the Superfest,” Breaux said. “And Louisiana is the perfect location for a music event of this size.”

Also playing at Superfest are Luke Bryan, Billy Currington, Jason Michael Carroll, Lee Brice and Josh Thompson.

Zac Brown will bring his tailgate truck to Fan Fest, a celebration of music and food that takes place outside Tiger Stadium before both days of the festival, Davis said.

Tickets go on sale Nov. 10 and are available in one- or two-day passes, ranging from $50 to $500.

Contact Morgan Searles at msearles@lsureveille.com

page 6

The Daily Reveille

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

Sports

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

page 7

NCAA

SCHWEHMMING AROUND

Hornets should be exciting this year

LSU nets Graduation Success Rate of 74 Staff Reports In terms of the NCAA Graduation Success Rate, the Lady Tigers are trouncing the Tigers.

The report, released Wednesday, evaluates graduation success rates at all Division I institutions.

LSU earned an overall rate of 74. The rates were calculated from for students entering college from 2000 to 2003 and graduating within six years.

Women’s sports averaged an 82.8 rate, while the men managed a 71.85.

The football team registered a rate of 67, while the baseball team (54) and the men’s basketball team (50) did worse.

The cross country/track team (76), men’s golf team (80), men’s swimming (76) and the men’s tennis team (100) bested football coach Les Miles’ crew.

On the women’s side, the volleyball team took top honors with a 100-percent rate.

Following them were women’s swimming (94), women’s basketball (89), women’s golf (89), gymnastics (87), soccer (81), women’s tennis (75) and women’s cross country/track (71).

The softball team graded the lowest of the women’s sports at 60.

The overall score of 74 marks an improvement from LSU’s last GSR of 71 for the 19992002 cohort.

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

“A guy I worked with kept saying, ‘Barbara, you have to go see him play. He’s awesome,’” she said. “And I’m like, ‘I’m not going, I don’t want to see people knocking my baby around.’ I went to a game one night, and the whole game I was blocking my eyes. ... But he wasn’t getting knocked over by people — he was knocking over people.”

Mingo moved between safety, defensive end and linebacker in his senior year at West Monroe. He arrived at LSU two years later as a linebacker before making the switch to defensive end last spring.

Though Mingo did not see the field as a true freshman, his fame sparked around the LSU campus when he was nominated for “Name

This summer and early fall produced a lot of shakeups in the NBA that I most likely don’t need to go into.

We all know the stories of the overhyped and sometimes disgruntled superstars moving from one city to another while trying to get their pals to tag along.

There was almost one more story added to that list that Andy Schwehm would have left Sports columnist New Orleans in a wake of tears.

It was reported this summer Hornets star point guard Chris Paul was unhappy with the team and its direction. He wanted out.

And to be honest, I wanted him gone, too. If he didn’t want to be in New Orleans, so be it. Let him go, get some talent for him before his contract expires in a few years and move on.

Obviously, it’s an outrageous assertion on my part to think it would be a good thing for Paul to leave the team. Paul is one of the top three point guards in the game when he is healthy, as shown by his numbers last season before his knee injury (20.4 points, 11.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game).

But at the time, I was upset. I felt, in a sense, betrayed. I’m a huge

MINGO, see page 10

HORNETS, see page 10

MARTIN MCCALLISTER / The Daily Reveille

LSU redshirt freshman defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) launches himself into Mississippi State quarterback Tyler Russell (17) during the Tigers’ 29-7 win Sept. 18 against the Bulldogs. Mingo leads the team in quarterback hurries with four.

What’s in a Name?

Barkevious Mingo starts football career late but catches up quick Rachel Whittaker Chief Sports Writer

LSU redshirt freshman defensive end Barkevious “KeKe” Mingo was not supposed to play football.

At least that’s what his mother said when he was growing up.

She said football was too dangerous for Mingo and his brothers, Hugh and Hughtavious, so he focused on basketball and track until his junior year at West Monroe High School. At that point, the football coaching staff recruited Mingo after he finished competing at the state track meet in the 4x200- and 4x400meter relays.

Mingo took the bait, and his football career began at the Rebels’ 2007 spring scrimmage. Those two football seasons drew the attention

of LSU, where he played in all eight games this season. He notched his first career start at right defensive end against Auburn.

He is eighth on the team in tackles (22), tied for fourth in sacks (2.5), leads the team in quarterback hurries (four) and is tied for second in forced fumbles (two).

“I was a backup in the [West Monroe High School] spring game, and the guy in front of me broke his arm, so that’s why I got thrown in right away,” Mingo said. “Then I had a ridiculous amount of tackles, and the coach was like, ‘Please,’ I guess you could say. And then the rest was good.”

But Mingo’s mother, Barbara Johnson, was still too nervous to watch her son on the field because she was afraid to see him get injured.

AROUND THE SEC

Georgia Bulldogs, Florida Gators gear up for Cocktail Party Auburn keeps eyes on conference title Rob Landry Sports Contributor

The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party between Georgia (44, 3-3) and Florida (4-3, 2-3) this weekend has a much different feel to it, as both teams will enter the game unranked for the first time since 1979.

The two teams will play the game in Jacksonville, Fla., for the 77th consecutive time and will battle to stay alive in the chase for the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division championship.

Both teams are still chasing No.

20 South Carolina (5-2, 3-2), who will welcome Tennessee (2-5, 0-4) to Columbia, S.C., on Saturday.

No. 1 Auburn will try to keep its national title hopes alive as it takes on Ole Miss, while fellow SEC West foes Alabama and LSU take the week off in preparation for their Nov. 6 matchup.

GATORS SEARCH FOR THEIR BITE AFTER 3 LOSSES Florida is riding a three-game losing streak into the Cocktail Party, the first time it has lost three straight under coach Urban Meyer and its longest such streak since 1999. The Gators lost to Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State before having a bye last weekend.

“We’re anxious to get going after a disappointing three-game

stretch and to get ready for one of the best rivalries in college football,” Meyer said.

Florida may also have junior wide receiver Chris Rainey back in action following his indefinite suspension for his arrest on an aggravated stalking charge.

Meyer said Thursday would be the deadline for him to decide if Rainey would play and the decision would hinge on “if he’s done everything he’s supposed to do.”

GEORGIA BULLDOGS BARK UP THE WINNING TREE Georgia enters Saturday’s game riding the exact opposite wave of momentum as the Gators.

The Bulldogs have won three GEORGIA, see page 10

PHIL SANDLIN / The Associated Press

Florida junior wide receiver Chris Rainey gains yardage Oct. 17, 2009. Rainey was suspended indefinitely from playing after an arrest but may return to the field soon.

The Daily Reveille

page 8

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

RECRUITING

Bridgewater’s interest in playing with Tigers swells Mettenberger gets offer from Alabama Michael Lambert Sports Contributor

Miami Northwestern High School quarterback Teddy Bridgewater did this summer what most South Beach-area football players dream of doing — he committed to the University of Miami.

The Scout.com five-star gunslinger was set to once again inherit Jacory Harris’ position. He followed the current Miami junior quarterback to Miami Northwestern, which Harris led to state titles in 2006 and 2007.

Bridgewater, dubbed the crown jewel of the Hurricanes’ 2011 recruiting class, would join eight other players from his high school at “The U.” But the usually consistent 12mile prospect pipeline from Miami Northwestern to Miami may have a leak.

Shea Dixon, managing editor of TigerSportsDigest.com, said Bridgewater is not completely sold on Miami and is planning on visiting other schools, including LSU. “Bridgewater is still committed to Miami, but Miami hasn’t had the best season,” Dixon said. “He’ll probably look at some schools in December.”

Bridgewater’s top target on Friday nights, Miami Northwestern wide receiver Eli Rogers, recently decommitted from Miami.

Dixon said Bridgewater,

photo courtesy of TIGERSPORTSDIGEST.COM

Miami Northwestern High School quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who already committed to the University of Miami, is said to be considering LSU.

Scout’s No. 4 overall quarterback for 2011, has plans to visit LSU after his senior season with Miami Northwestern. Louisville, Florida and South Florida also remain on his radar.

“Before he committed to Miami, he always talked about LSU and the national exposure it gets,” Dixon said. “He always said that if he was going to go out of state, LSU would be one of the top on his list.”

Derek Ponamsky, Bayou Bengals Insider recruiting analyst, said

the feelings were mutual between LSU and the blue-chip recruit.

“LSU recruited him early on,” Ponamsky said. “Once he made his commitment, they still remained in contact. Once a player commits, it doesn’t mean his recruitment stops.”

Bridgewater has filled in nicely for Harris at Miami Northwestern, throwing for 2,546 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 192-pound quarterback also got it done on the ground, using his 4.6 40-yard dash

PHILANTHROPY

Athletic Dept. to host annual BOOzar

Erin Henley Sports Contributor

LSU student-athletes are getting a chance to show off their Halloween costumes while giving back to the community.

The LSU Athletic Department is hosting the 15th annual Halloween BOOzar on Thursday. Jade Bryan, LSU athletics assistant director for diversity, inclusion and civic engagement, said the free event is a fun, safe opportunity for children, but encourages families to do their part for the community and donate canned goods.

“The Halloween BOOzar is a night for the local kids to come out and have a safe and fun trick-ortreating experience,” Bryan said.

“It’s a free event that’s open to the public, but we are collecting canned goods at the door for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.”

Bryan said the event is a great opportunity for student-athletes to reach out to the community.

“The athletes get to serve as role models and interact with the kids,” Bryan said.

The LSU softball team has attended the BOOzar for the past 11 years. LSU softball coach Yvette Girouard said she makes attendance

mandatory for the team because she feels the event benefits the athletes as well as the community.

“I think it’s of the utmost importance,” Girouard said. “One, there’s always little kids looking up to the athletes, and two, if we want the community to participate and come to our games, we have to reach out and make the first gesture.”

Junior track athlete Barrett Nugent will be attending his third BOOzar. He said branching out to the community is a positive part of being a student-athlete.

“We all do our part for the community — every sport has their own different charity,” Nugent said. “We definitely do our part in track and field.”

Bryan believes the athletes enjoy participating in the event.

“I’ve heard from many of the student-athletes that this is their favorite community service event of the year,” Bryan said. “A lot of the teams get really involved. They all participate and often come dressed in costume with their team. They really look forward to it as a team bonding experience as well.”

Girouard agreed BOOzar presents a good opportunity for team bonding. The softball team, which Bryan named as last year’s best

dressed, always turns BOOzar into a team competition.

The team divides into four groups, and each group’s costumes are judged by the coaches. Girouard, who dressed as hip-hop star Flavor Flav last year, feels it’s memories like BOOzar that athletes will cherish most in years to come.

“We don’t want the experience to be just about practice and playing because years from now when they get together their memories aren’t going to be of a win,” Girouard said.

“Their memories are going to be of goofy things they did together.”

Contact Erin Henley at ehenley@lsureveille.com

speed to earn 400 rushing yards and Mettenberger, a former eight touchdowns on the ground as Georgia gunslinger, will visit LSU a junior. the weekend of the Tigers’ Nov. 20 Ponamsky said Bridgewater’s game against Ole Miss. His deciinterest in the Tigers stems from sion could come soon after the an opportunity to compete early for game because he plans on being an playing time at an elite Southeast- early enrollee and attending spring ern Conference school. practices.

LSU’s only scholarship signal “If Mettenberger commits, it’s callers this season are juniors Jor- over,” Scarborough said. “Some dan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. Ath- people think LSU may take three ens, Ala., quarterback Stephen Riv- quarterbacks. There could be a sceers has committed to LSU’s 2011 nario if one of those guys would class. want to come, but I don’t think “These guys all look at depth those guys would want LSU.” charts,” Ponamsky Scarborough said. “If you’re gosaid LSU offensive ing to a place with coordinator Gary ‘[Bridgewater] two senior quarCrowton and reterbacks, you see always talked about cruiting coordinaa clear path to the LSU and the national tor Frank Wilson visited Mettenfield.”

LSU wide exposure it gets.’ berger last week in El Dorado, Kan. receivers coach Shea Dixon Mettenberger and passing game also has offers coordinator Billy managing editor, from Arizona, Gonzales, who TigerSportsDigest.com Troy and Cincinserved as Florida’s wide receivers coach from 2005 to nati and will visit Texas A&M this 2009, has been in charge of Bridge- weekend.

Alabama joined the Mettenwater’s recruitment as well as other berger sweepstakes Wednesday, Sunshine State prospects. “[Gonzales] is well-respected extending an offer to the 6-footin the recruiting circles,” Ponamsky 5-inch pocket passer, according to said. “He came in late and swayed Scarborough.

Scout three-star recruits Car[freshman wide receiver] Kadron Boone to join LSU. He’s got a rep- dale Jones and Jacoby Brissett, who will be on campus for LSU’s utation as a tireless recruiter.”

Rivals.com recruiting analyst game against Alabama, are two Mike Scarborough said Bridgewa- other main quarterbacks LSU is ter’s final decision, which is likely still recruiting for 2011. to come closer to National Signing Day on Feb. 2, will be heavily based on junior college quarterback Contact Michael Lambert at Zach Mettenberger. mlambert@lsureveille.com

‘‘

The Daily Reveille

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

page 9

SWIMMING AND DIVING

Two swimmers leave team for undisclosed personal reasons Geyer: Lady Tigers will move forward Katherine Terrell Sports Contributor

Two members of the LSU swimming and diving teams have left the team for undisclosed personal reasons.

The Lady Tigers have been down two swimmers ever since Mary Beck and Morgan McGee informed coach David Geyer of their decisions to leave the team a few weeks ago.

“Morgan and Mary have swam since they were 4, 5, 6 years old,” Geyer said. “This is one of those sports where day in and day out, following that black line can

get tough.”

Geyer said their decisions didn’t necessarily shock him, but it still felt a little unexpected. He said the entire team had a meeting at the beginning of the season where he told everyone they needed to be completely committed.

“I told the whole team that it’s a new program and we’re moving forward,” Geyer said. “We need to make the decision — either we’re in or we’re out. There’s not really a gray area in between.”

Beck had a lot of expectations surrounding her following a brilliant high school career. Swimming World Magazine named her the National Female High School Swimmer of the Year in both 2007 and 2008.

Beck began her career at the University of California but

transferred to LSU after one season.

She broke numerous school records but had an up-and-down year.

Geyer said Beck has been dealing with personal health issues and had a hard time balancing that with swimming.

“She knows her potential. She knows her talent level — we all do,” Geyer said. “The battle she was facing day in and day out with that, I think she just didn’t want to do it anymore.”

Geyer said McGee also battled illness in the past year and hasn’t been able to get in the water as much as she would like. It just made for a frustrating beginning to the season for her, Geyer said.

Beck and McGee were two of the Lady Tigers’ best swimmers in the backstroke. Losing them hurts, Geyer admitted, but the team won’t

NBA

Paul leads Hornets past Bucks, 95-91

West, Belinelli led scorers with 22, 18 Brett Martel The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — Monty Williams convinced Chris Paul to give the Hornets’ new regime a chance, and Paul helped Williams win his debut as a head coach.

Paul had 17 points and 16 assists, and New Orleans held on for a 95-91 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night in the regular season opener for both clubs.

David West led all scorers with 22 points, while new starting shooting guard Marco Belinelli added 18 for New Orleans.

Carlos Delfino hit five 3-pointers and scored 19 points for Milwaukee, which led 72-67 late in the third quarter, but fell behind for good when Peja Stojakovic’s 3-pointer, his only basket, put New Orleans up 73-72 soon after.

Andrew Bogut had 15 points and 15 rebounds, but his night was ruined by 3-of-10 shooting on free throws, including six critical misses in the fourth quarter.

During the offseason, Paul had expressed dissatisfaction with the Hornets’ lack of competitiveness and said he’d be willing to accept a trade if the Hornets did not demonstrate a commitment to quickly becoming a contender in the tough Western Conference.

New Orleans looked solid

against a feisty Bucks squad with playoff expectations in the East. The Hornets led the entire fourth quarter, in large part because Paul closed out the third with a tough floater and 3 at the buzzer to make it 78-72.

Paul also made a clutch pullup jumper with 2:17 to go in the final period and added a couple free throws with 1:10 left.

Corey Maggette scored 16 for the Bucks. Drew Gooden had 15

points and 11 rebounds, and Brandon Jennings had 15 points and 10 assists.

The game kicked off a new era for the Hornets, who after missing the playoffs last season hired Williams, as well as new general manager Dell Demps.

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

dwell on it.

“We all move forward pretty quickly,” Geyer said. “To think otherwise or do otherwise is just going to hurt the team.”

Junior swimmer Samantha Goates swam in the NCAA championship meet with Beck and Goates and is a close friend to both of them.

Goates said Beck and McGee are happy about their decisions, and she sees their departures as a way

for the younger girls to step up.

“We have a group of girls here that are really quick,” Goates said.

“People are stepping up; the freshmen are stepping up to fill those roles. I think in the long run, people are happy, and we’re getting the job done.”

Contact Katherine Terrell at kterrell@lsureveille.com

page 10 HORNETS, from page 7

Hornets fan. As all of us know, fans get comfortable with what they have.

We never think that one day our superstar will leave, so when rumors swirl that perhaps that fatal day is near, we overreact.

For you Saints fans, just think if Drew Brees were to leave before his contract expires. It makes you shudder deep inside, doesn’t it? Well, that’s how I felt when the news of Paul came around this summer.

But things have changed since then. Now, just as much as Paul is claiming to love New Orleans (and I believe him) and that he wants to stay (I kind of believe that), I am back in my state of bliss knowing Paul is around for the time being.

How did general manager Dell Demps get that to happen?

It’s simple. To appease Paul, the Hornets had a large shakeup of their own. And “large” is probably an understatement.

A mere six Hornets on this

MINGO, from page 7

of the Year” in March.

Mingo began as the No. 4 seed in the 64-team tournament started by the Name of the Year blog, which was founded in 1983 with the mission “to discover, verify, nominate, elect and disseminate great names.”

Mingo was named the winner in April, beating Michigan graduate student Iris Macadangdang by a 5446 percent margin, as 1,147 of more

The Daily Reveille year’s roster remain from last year’s team: Paul, centers Aaron Gray and Emeka Okafor, guard Marcus Thornton and forwards David West and Peja Stojakovic.

This team is a skeleton of its old self that produced a lackluster 37-45 record last year, and that’s what has me so excited for this year’s squad.

It all starts at the top, as the Hornets have the youngest head coach in the league. At 39 years old, Monty Williams is going to bring passion (and hopefully a little bit of a defensive mentality) back to New Orleans.

Then it moves down to a couple of new starters in strong forward Trevor Ariza, who has championship experience with the Los Angeles Lakers, and shooting guard Marco Belinelli.

Belinelli will provide the Hornets with a solid 3-point dimension to the offense, while Ariza will provide speed, athleticism, decent defense and great all-around shooting.

The Hornets have also made moves to strengthen their bench,

adding backup point guard Jerryd Bayless, backup shooting guard Willie Green and a couple new centers (including the best name on the team, Pops Mensah-Bonsu).

This is a young team — only one player, David West, is older than 29 — that may make some mistakes.

But the Hornets will once again be fun to watch. Look for the Hornets to make an appearance back in the playoffs this year as the No. 8 seed against the Lakers.

And if you want my early Finals prediction, I’m taking the Oklahoma Thunder (yes, the Thunder) over the Boston Celtics. Just going out on a limb there. But as long as the Miami Heat don’t win I’ll be happy once again.

than 10,400 votes were cast in Louisiana in the final round.

“I voted a couple of times for him last year,” Hughtavious Mingo said. “It was a big thing at our high school. Everybody would vote for him. [Our names] are unique.”

Barkevious Mingo said his teachers were the people who showed the most enthusiasm during the competition, to his surprise.

“The teachers would get on and vote every day,” he said. “They

would say, ‘I voted for you, and I sent e-mails to all my friends telling them to vote for you.’ It was funny.”

Mingo’s mother said she derived the name Barkevious by adding the first three letters of her name, Barbara, to the name she liked, Kevious. His brothers’ names, Hugh and Hughtavious, were inspired by their father’s name, Hugh Jr., and they have two half-siblings named Hughmetrious and Hughlisha.

Hugh Mingo III, a junior

Andy Schwehm is a 21-year-old English and psychology senior from New Orleans. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_ASchwehm.

Contact Andy Schwehm at aschwehm@lsureveille.com

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

GEORGIA, from page 7

consecutive games following a dreadful 1-4 start to the season.

Led by the emergence of redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray and junior wide receiver A.J. Green, Georgia has resurfaced as a contender for the SEC East title.

Georgia coach Mark Richt said even if both teams were out of the running for the division crown, this game is still crucial to the season.

“Even if there was no true meaning as far as the Eastern Division is concerned, it’s still a very important game to our players and our fanbase,” Richt said.

AUBURN TIGERS: KINGS OF THE FOOTBALL JUNGLE Auburn garnered the nation’s top spot in the Bowl Championship Series rankings following its 2417 victory against No. 12 LSU last weekend.

But instead of basking in the glory of being No. 1, Auburn coach basketball player at Louisiana-Monroe, said Barkevious has made the family proud with his dedication to football. He said Barkevious “has a heart for the game.”

Hughtavious Mingo said the Mingo family has always been a tight-knit group, and one of their favorite things to do together is play video games.

Gene Chizik knows this weekend’s game against Ole Miss has potential to be a trap game.

“We have another tough conference game on the road,” Chizik said.

“This is an extremely good football team. They always find a way to fight and claw and scratch their way into the game.”

The Tigers are mostly concerned with how to stop Ole Miss senior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.

Masoli is a dual-threat quarterback, much like Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton, who can give opposing defenses fits.

Chizik compared Masoli and the Rebels offense to Arkansas’ offense in 2004 when the Razorbacks were led by quarterback Matt Jones.

“Masoli is an extremely talented quarterback who can get himself out of trouble in the pass game,” Chizik said.

Contact Rob Landry at rlandry@lsureveille.com

“He’s a laid-back person, probably one of the best people you’ll ever meet,” Hughtavious Mingo said. “He’s never judging anything.

We are a very close family. ... We all stick together.”

Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com

Check out The Daily Reveille’s Voodoo coverage, including exclusive Q&As with Hot Chip and Fleur de Tease, at lsureveille.com.

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

Entertainment

THE LIVING DEAD

page 11

LITERATURE

New events to replace La. Book Festival State Library hopes tradition will return Ferris W. McDaniel Entertainment Writer

ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille

A student attacks the camera Wednesday during Zombie Day, an annual Halloween event that invites students to dress as zombies and stalk the University’s grounds.

The popular Louisiana Book Festival in downtown Baton Rouge is being replaced this year by two new literary events scheduled for Oct. 30.

The programs will showcase prominent literary talent in Louisiana, including a program honoring Louisiana writer Ernest J. Gaines and those who have followed in his footsteps, said State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton.

Hamilton said the State Library, along with all state agencies, experienced a budget cut that affected the library’s staffing level but is looking at all available opportunities and has every intention to present the 2011 Louisiana Book Festival next fall.

“The State Library of Louisiana believes deeply in the literary heritage of our great state,” Hamilton said. “Through good times and bad, we have always worked hard to do what we can to highlight the tremendous literary talent in our state and to provide programming that brings this fact home to as many citizens as possible.”

The Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana is presenting the event “Continuing Literary Bloodlines,” which FESTIVAL, see page 15

THEATER

HopKins Black Box stages play about Antarctic exploration Production intended to inform, entertain Morgan Searles Entertainment Writer

Upon entering the HopKins Black Box Theatre, a visitor might notice that one of the usually matte black walls of the experimental venue has been painted stark white.

The temporary change of color sets the scene for the theater’s current production, “Beyond the Utmost Bound,” a play about the history of Antarctic exploration.

Serving as both a classroom and a theater for University

students, the Black Box is home to the performance studies area of the Department of Communication Studies.

Audiences come to the theater to see non-commercial work, said Patricia Suchy, associate communication studies professor and adapter and director of “Beyond the Utmost Bound.”

“One of the challenges has been figuring out how to get people from southern Louisiana to understand what 40 degrees below is,” Suchy said. “This play attempts to tell the story of Antarctic exploration. People could read about it, but the live theater is going to be entertaining.”

Suchy said she has been

studying Antarctic exploration for about 10 years, and she’s not done yet. The process of adapting a generally academic topic into theater has been her experiment.

“The process is like a scientist in a lab,” she said. “I have an educated guess, but I don’t know what will happen, and I don’t know if it will succeed.”

The play is adapted mainly from the text “The Worst Journey in the World” and focuses on Robert Falcon Scott’s Terra Nova expedition. Suchy said the play reflects her own reactions to the material she has read, and it references modern occurrences HOPKINS, see page 15

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

Actors perform a dress rehearsal of “Beyond the Utmost Bound” on Monday in the HopKins Black Box Theatre in Coates Hall. The play will run through Sunday.

The Daily Reveille

page 12

RESEARCH

Twenty-four percent of adults use apps

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

TWILIGHT ON THE BAYOU

Students use phones in different ways Kittu Pannu Entertainment Writer

Mobile phone application users tend to be younger and more educated than non-app users, according to Pew Research Center findings.

Only 35 percent of adults have cell phones with apps, while 24 percent of adults actually use the apps, the research found.

Though many adults have apps, the study showed one-third of adults with apps do not use them.

But Jared Edwards, political science senior, said he uses every app he owns.

“These apps complement certain things about the user,” Edwards said.

The University jumped on the bandwagon in 2009 and began researching ways to create an iPhone app. After two years of planning, the official LSU app was released this August.

Though the process was tedious, Price said he is happy with the results.

“There was a real commitment from everyone from the provost to the chancellor to do this, that they see the value of this project.” Price said.

The app is currently free on iTunes and has nearly 12,000 downloads so far, Price said.

“We have gotten a lot of positive feedback from students and faculty who have downloaded the app,” Price said. “With that, we are working to develop new processes like a Campus Transit live map, more course information and maybe even a walking tour of campus. The possibilities are endless.”

Android and BlackBerry LSU apps are still being developed, Price said.

Apps have heavily impacted today’s culture, said Morgan McAlister, business management freshman.

“People are sometimes playing on apps instead of paying attention to you when you are talking to them,” McAlister said. “But then apps make it easier to communicate with e-mails and other things.”

Other students are completely against using applications.

“I just don’t feel the need to use them,” said John Alty, accounting freshman. “I don’t really like them.”

According to the study, 34 percent of adults play games on their cell phones. Alty said these applications cause students to waste their time.

“I don’t get as bored easily,” Alty said. “My friends use them to play games in class, and they will use them for at least 45 minutes to an hour and a half every day.”

Other consumers, like criminology professor Edward Shihadeh, do not see the point of spending money on a smart phone.

ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille

“Twilight Saga” star Jackson Rathbone performs at Boudreaux and Thibodeaux’s with his band 100 Monkeys on Tuesday. “Twilight Saga” is filming scenes in Baton Rouge.

“I have a dinosaur LG flip phone,” Shihadeh said. “I have a computer at home and one at work, so there is no need for me to do anything on the go.”

Vivien Norris, accounting sophomore, said she uses apps to reconnect with friends.

“My favorites are Facebook and Words with Friends,” Norris said. “I get to see what my friends are doing, and it lets me get out of focusing on class for a few minutes.”

“I downloaded an app that converts Microsoft documents to PDF files so I can see them on my iPad,” McAlister said. “My

graphic by CAITLYN CONDON / The Daily Reveille

favorite app is my Chase banking app because I can check it easily.”

Thirty-six percent of people older than 50 do not know how to use an app, according to the study, but Price said apps can be crossgenerational.

“Last year, I was at a LSU baseball game and there was a lady sitting with her husband,” Price said. “Both had iPhones, and the lady had at least six pages of apps that she was using. They were about 60 years old.”

Contact Kittu Pannu at kpannu@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

page 13

THE BUX STOPS HERE

Night at the Myrtles Plantation makes for spooky Halloween fun The University may be home to Death Valley, but an even more sinister haunt lurks in nearby St. Francisville — the historic Myrtles Plantation, famous for being one of the most haunted homes in America.

Being scared isn’t my thing, and by that I mean I typically avoid anything intended to make me jump, gasp or become frightened in even the slightest way.

But in the spirit of Halloween, I decided to set myself up for some potential terror and spend a night at the Myrtles during fall break.

The plantation is a creepy place, especially at night. Enormous, moss-laden trees scatter the grounds and create an ominous feeling from the moment you enter the gate. The place looks like a picturesque postcard

from a Southern plantation, but I couldn’t forget the site is also home to a slew of violent murders and a handful of spirits who allegedly never left.

Stories of the Myrtles’ ghosts are as famous as the plantation itself. The most notable is that of Chloe, a slave who was temporarily an in-house servant, a coveted position because of the close proximity to the homeowners and their luxuries.

But when Chloe was caught eavesdropping, her master cut off her ear and banished her to the scorching hot kitchen. To earn back his good graces, Chloe devised a plan — she would poison a birthday cake to make the family ill. Because she knew the poison, she would also know the antidote. She planned to nurse

them back to health and find her way out of the kitchen.

Unfortunately for Chloe, t h i n g s didn’t go as planned. Instead, she killed several family members and was subsequently hunted down Ryan Buxton and hanged Entertainment from an oak Editor tree.

I can only speak for myself, but meeting the ghost of a woman who has lost an ear, been chased by a violent mob and hung from a tree doesn’t exactly seem like a good time. So it was with trepidation I began the evening by going ghost hunting.

I was not alone. It wasn’t ghosts who kept me company, but fellow poltergeist seekers.

The grounds were crawling with people eager to spot something strange. My ghost hunt was fruitless, but two other guests told me they had seen the face of a young girl in a window.

The paranormal activity didn’t pick up much during the rest of the evening. My stay was mostly peaceful, save for a few literal bumps in the night, including creaking doors and the sound of footsteps on the stairs.

I couldn’t be sure whether those were the sounds of fellow visitors or something more sinister, but it was creepy nonetheless.

I didn’t see any ghosts, but that doesn’t mean I think the legend of the Myrtles is all

superstition. A certain feeling lingered in the air that made me feel like humans weren’t the only presence in the house. Along with that fright factor, the valuable historic significance of the plantation home makes the Myrtles a must-see Louisiana destination.

And though I didn’t experience anything, I was told the next morning that one couple staying in the house heard a high-pitched scream in the middle of the night.

It was apparently enough to send them rushing to sleep in their car.

Though I would have liked to experience something for myself, I have to say — I’m glad it wasn’t me.

Contact Ryan Buxton at rbuxton@lsureveille.com

BAND SPOTLIGHT

Marcy Playground to rock The Roux House tonight Band known for ’90s hit ‘Sex and Candy’

Cathryn Core Entertainment Writer

Marcy Playground, the band behind the ’90s hit single “Sex and Candy,” is set to play a stellar show tonight downtown at The Roux House. The group, which consists of lead guitar and vocalist John Wozniak, bass player Dylan Keefe and drummer Shlomie Lavie, is prepared to conquer Baton Rouge in a night of musical mayhem for a $10 cover charge. Entertainment writer Cathryn Core recently spoke with Keefe about all things Marcy Playground, including the tour, changes in the music industry and “Sex and Candy.”

The Daily Reveille: How has the music industry changed since you first began playing?

Dylan Keefe: It changes constantly. The most obvious change from our first record is that back then, if you had a hit single, people would buy the

entire CD. It was like a commercial for the entire disc. But, fast forward to today, and at the best people will buy the one song or download it for free.

TDR: Marcy Playground has been around for quite a while now. Has your music changed since the ’90s?

DK: Woz [John Wozniak] and I met, and we were set to make this band happen. He’s always had his own sound and influences from a young age that didn’t pertain to what was going on outside. It’s not really directly influenced by the changing of the scene or the music. We decided what we liked back then, and we don’t change for what’s going on now. “Sex and Candy” is a good example. I like to think we’re somewhat timeless. We’re not trying to change as the time changes. We pretty much play stylistically the way we always

have. We’re not trying to fit in.

We’re not going to change our sound because of what’s popular today.

TDR: You released the hit single “Sex and Candy” back in 1997. How do you feel about the song today?

DK: I feel great about it. I’m glad it happened, glad [Wozniak] wrote it. It could have occurred in any decade. The sound isn’t specifically associated with the sound of the time. They recently played almost the entire song on an episode of “True Blood” at a very pivotal part in the season because it crosses the decades. We like to do that with our music.

TDR: In terms of technology and globalization, what is Marcy Playground doing to keep up with the changing music industry?

DK: Our latest record is a real reflection of the changes. We

released a whole bunch of tracks from our latest record to a music consortium and have people from all over the world remixing our songs, like other producers.

It’s people we’ve never met. It’s pretty groundbreaking, actually, and very different from our first record.

TDR: How do you feel about playing music in college towns like Baton Rouge?

DK: They are absolutely the best. They truly are. They kind of sneak up on us. We’ll really play just about anywhere, and our best shows are always in college towns. In fact, if it were up to me, we’d just play college towns.

TDR: Why do you think LSU students should attend your show?

DK: I think the majority of people who’ve never seen us live will be pleasantly surprised. I mean, you could stay home and smoke a bowl or come out to our show because you have a hunch or some kind of love for our music. No matter what, you’ll be totally taken aback by what kind of band we are.

Contact Cathryn Core at ccore@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

page 14

Reveille

Ranks

MUSIC * MOVIES * BOOKS * TELEVISION

Elvis Costello

Kid Cudi

Universal Records

G.O.O.D./Universal Records

“National Ransom” is music legend Elvis Costello’s new album, and it features artists Costello has previously worked with.

Collaborators include bands like The Imposters and The Sugarcanes, along with Vince Gill, Marc Ribot, Buddy Miller and Leon Russell. The album’s themes include hatred toward Wall Street in songs such as the title track. Most of the remainder of the album, like “Jimmie Standing in the Rain,” has an old, bluesy barroom sound.

While no Costello classic, the album is a solid and, at the least, entertaining hour of music.

Kid Cudi’s ambitious sophomore album “Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager” is a sprawling 17-track opus divided into five acts. Cudi picks up where he left off on his 2009 debut album, as he boldly reshapes genres and styles into a syrupy smooth drawl all his own. By incorporating brash rock sounds into his blend of strange hiphop beats, Cudi gives his harsh rhymes and lyrical chaos an appropriately disturbing edge.

Tracks like “Marijuana” and “Mr. Rager” cement the album as a collection of hip-hop’s best and most diverse pop tracks.

ANDREW PRICE

FERRIS W. MCDANIEL

CHRIS ABSHIRE

Deadmau5

Shakira

Taylor Swift

Bona Fide Productions

Sony U.S. Latin Records

Big Machine Records

“Animal Rights,” Deadmau5’s newly released single to be featured in the electro house producer’s upcoming album, features Wolfgang Gartner and gives listeners a small but enticing taste of the bound-to-be insane collection. With beats like the ones in “Animal Rights,” the album will undoubtedly dominate the hearts of house lovers. The track is everything a Deadmau5 devotee could hope for and more. Those who dare to download the delicious groove should prepare to destroy the nearest dance floor because “Animal Rights” will have listeners busting a move in no time.

As Shakira’s seventh studio and third bilingual album, “Sale el Sol” (“The Sun Comes Out”) does a nice job of showing off her strong vocal talents and the beauty of Latin rhythms. The songs are a mixed collection, ranging from dance to pop to meringue, but mostly stripped of the overly electronic effects of her previous album “She Wolf.” A new rock element creeps into a few songs, giving the album a dynamic effect. Tracks of interest are the first single off the album, “Loca,” and collaboration with Calle 13, “Gordita.”

From start to finish, Taylor Swift proves she is not just a fad on “Speak Now.” At 14 tracks, Swift wrote all the songs herself, and she’s the only artist who can get away with using lyrics like “wonderstruck” in the amazing tune “Enchanted.” Swift is unapologetic in calling out every guy and even girl who had wronged her this past year. Even when other artists like Kanye West attack her and say she does not deserve her Grammy, Swift releases an opus of an album that could resurrect the music industry.

CATHRYN CORE

MORGAN SEARLES

KITTU PANNU

Hereafter Warner Bros.

Clint Eastwood may not be toting around a giant revolver anymore, but his latest film packs a dramatic punch wrapped neatly inside a compelling drama about life and death. “Hereafter” is an observation on all people’s desire to understand the afterlife and how difficult it is to accept the loss of a loved one. Eastwood’s strength is in his ability to take this abstract concept and weave it into the story in a relatable, emotionally involving way that’s easy to grasp. “Hereafter” is a tear-jerking drama and a solid addition to Eastwood’s already impressive body of work.

National Ransom

Man on the Moon II

[A] [B-] [A-]

Animal Rights (single)

Sale el Sol

Speak Now

[A-] [A-] [A+]

Editor’s Pick Kanye West

Runaway video Roc-A-Fella Records

[B+]

Look out, Lady Gaga — Kanye West is trying to steal the music video crown with the 35-minute short film for his new single “Runaway.” The video is just like West: dramatic, showy and over the top. West lays it on a little too thick in “Runaway,” but his bravado pays off. The theatrical camera work is effective, and the most important part — the music — is as solid as anything West has done before.

RYAN BUXTON

Entertainment Editor

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

The Daily Reveille

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010 FESTIVAL, from page 11

will be held Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. in the Seminar Center of the State Library. The event is made possible by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.

The event will feature a panel discussion with the recipients of the Ernest J. Gaines Award — Jeffery Renard Allen, author of “Holding Pattern”; Ravi Howard, author of “Like Trees, Walking”; and Olympia Vernon, author of “A Killing in This Town.”

Gaines has been recognized for his achievement as a master novelist and short story writer with works like “A Lesson Before Dying,” which won the 1993 National Book Critics Circle Award.

The Ernest J. Gaines Award is designed to inspire and recognize African-American writers of excellence as they work to achieve high literary goals.

“Having read the work of Ernest Gaines over the years, I was honored to receive the award,” Howard said. “His work has been the focus of much attention from readers and scholars, and he truly is one of the icons of American literature.”

Each author will read a passage from his or her Gaines Awardwinning work and offer information about his or her future literary works, according to a news release

HOPKINS, from page 11

such as budget cuts and the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

“In my field, the thing we study and the way we study is performance theatre,” Suchy said.

“We’re changing the idea that you can only explain things with words.

We’re dancing history.”

The main components of the set are small, white wood boxes, built from scratch and arranged to form different elements in each scene, Suchy said. The boxes make the ship, supply depot and anything else with which the characters need to interact. A hand-cranked machine, built by one of the cast members, produces the wind sounds to accompany the Arctic scenes.

Cast member and communication studies graduate student Benjamin Haas plays Dr. Edward Wilson, a scientist who goes to research penguins and other biological studies at the pole. Haas said he got into character by researching Wilson’s writings and watching a documentary about Antarctica.

“Patricia has given us key insights into what these explorer fellows were like,” Haas said. “She’s been pointing us in the right direction to really give this production multiple dimensions. And she really values the things we had to say about our characters and treats us as peers.”

Suchy had assistance from colleagues, including Vince LiCata, a biological science professor and playwright, who read drafts of her script and offered feedback. “[Suchy] really likes to push the edges of theatre,” LiCata said.

“You could walk out of this and know more about Antarctica exploration than anyone you’ve ever met. But at the same time it’s enjoyable and exciting.”

John LeBret, manager of the Black Box Theatre, plays a

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

Louisiana Book Festival attendees visit vendors Oct. 17, 2009, set up in front of the Louisiana State Capitol. This year’s festival has been canceled.

for the event.

The Louisiana Writing Project and the Louisiana Center for the Book will honor the winners of two statewide writing contests, Louisiana Writes and Letters About Literature, at an awards ceremony at the State Library after the Continuing Literary Bloodlines event at 1:30 p.m., Hamilton said.

For Louisiana Writes, Louisiana students in grades K-12 were invited to enter poetry, fiction, nonfiction and French original writing.

The entries will be judged by teacher-consultants for the Louisiana Writing Project and Louisiana authors Ann Dobie, Darrell Bourque and Sharon Doucet, Hamilton said.

Hamilton said the Letters About Literature competition found students writing letters to the

authors of their favorite books telling how the books influenced their lives.

Though enjoyable new events have been planned in place of the Louisiana Book Festival, many people, including Howard, are disappointed by the festival’s absence this year.

Howard said he hopes Louisiana will push to bring the Book Festival back because festivals are important to careers of emerging writers. They provide exposure to more readers and are necessary to the growth of new writers and established ones.

contemporary character whose role is to connect the Antarctic explorations with current events and to act as Suchy’s voice.

“There are some ingenious ways of storytelling,” LeBret said.

“The play moves from real emotional scenes to funny scenes, and it’s unpredictable.”

“Beyond the Utmost Bound” premiered Wednesday and runs

through Sunday.

“It’s entertaining, funny, and it’s got a really accessible storyline for anyone who’s been scared off by the Black Box for their stranger productions,” Haas said.

Contact Ferris W. McDaniel at fmcdaniel@lsureveille.com

Contact Morgan Searles at msearles@lsureveille.com

page 15

The Daily Reveille

Opinion

page 16

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

LSU fans were embarassing in Auburn, Ala., this past Saturday To whom it may concern, I am a senior at LSU and have been to every away game (and home game) and have sat on the first row for every away game.

Being the dedicated Tiger fan that I am, I felt the need to make the sacrifice and be awake

at a time no man should be awake — much less doing something productive — and be at the Athletic Administration Building at 6 a.m., along with some other friends of mine on the day of, to pick up our tickets.

Anyway, on to the reason I wrote this letter.

This past weekend at Auburn I was pissed off that our beloved Tigers failed to play at their full capacity.

However, I was further dejected at a group of idiots that sat next to me.

There is a reason opponents hate LSU fans and why we have a bad reputation, and these guys were part of that problem.

Yeah, it’s cool to act

blackout drunk, act like you have ’roid rage or act like you’re better than everyone else sometimes.

But this was not the time nor place.

These kids proceeded to start a “slut” chant as some innocent young lady walked by on the field simply because she was wearing orange and navy.

These guys had obviously never been with a girl or know how to treat one.

It’s worthless people like this who piss me off.

And while we’re on worthless people, stop booing just because your favorite quarterback doesn’t go in for the drive.

Regardless if the guy I think should be in there goes in or not,

I want the quarterback that is in there to have the confidence to lead our team to victory.

It should be obvious to all by now that our head coach is an idiot and wants to play the twoquarterback gamble because he is too blind to see the clear choice.

So stop booing and doing the wave.

Your fellow Bogie’s Rat, James Myers Construction management senior

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

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

The Jindal Count

Days Bobby Jindal has ignored our concerns:

15

Will higher education hold any priority with the administration in the coming budget crisis?

Would the governor support a constitutional amendment to protect higher education and allow for more “across the board” cuts?

What message would the Governor’s Office have for students, faculty and administrators faced with this crisis?

SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE LOST

Jindal’s book indicates his ignorance of Louisiana concerns

For literary nerds like me, November is a big month.

Exactly 100 years after the death of the giant of American literature, the University of California Press is publishing the first volume of “The Autobiography of Mark Twain.”

U p o n Twain’s request, his autobiography has been on hold for a hundred years so as to restrain some of his more Cody Worsham Columnist torrid opinions until long after his — and his contemporaries’ — deaths.

But the century has passed, and now America will receive the complete canon of its greatest writer.

If any of you are looking to buy me a Christmas present, take note.

Not appearing anywhere near my Christmas list, however, are two other books slated for November releases.

The more touted of the two, former President George W. Bush’s “Decision Points,” could accidentally usurp Twain’s own memoirs as the funniest piece of literature since Al Gore’s incongruously named “An Inconvenient Truth.”

I’m surprised Bush could release a book so soon after his departure from the White House. I expected it to take a roomful of editors several decades to translate Bush’s own particular language into something coherent enough for publication.

If Dubya’s musings aren’t enough to tickle your nonfiction fancy, fret not, for our fearless governor is releasing his own book the next month.

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s “Leadership and Crisis” hits bookshelves Nov. 15, the same day as Twain’s Autobiography and just a few days after Bush’s.

The book was originally slated for a July release under the title “Real Hope, Real Change: New Conservative Solutions to Rescue America,” but was postponed for publishing after the Deepwater Horizon fiasco.

The timing of Jindal’s book release begs more questions than I have space to address, but it does give us some answers we’ve been looking for.

Jindal’s priorities are clear: He is looking out for himself first, with the condition of the state’s education system, economy and health care system only important in relation to his political career.

I’m not necessarily saying that’s a bad thing. There’s something to be said for looking out for numero uno. After all, if you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else.

But what really irritates me about Jindal’s attitude after his first two years in office is his hypocrisy.

As a fan of anarcho-capitalisim, I’m not so much annoyed with Jindal’s tax and budget cutting policies as I am his blatant political pandering.

Jindal has his eyes set on the presidency. There’s a gaping hole of leadership in the Republican Party, and by sticking to his conservative guns, putting out

The Daily Reveille Editorial Board Sarah Lawson Robert Stewart Stephanie Giglio Steven Powell Andrew Robertson

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, Production Managing Editor, External Media Opinion Editor

a nifty little campaign book and standing against the party in power, Jindal is poising himself to be among the Republican challengers to President Barack Obama in 2012.

But he won’t admit it. He won’t admit he’d rather spend his nights in the White House than the Governor’s Mansion. He hides behind his principles and says what he’s doing is the best he can for the state — though it is not.

What would be best for the state is for Jindal to sit down with Chancellor Michael Martin and discuss these issues. What would

be best for the state is for Jindal to visit the University and talk with students face to face about the issues facing higher education.

What would be best for the state are answers — even if we don’t like them.

If the higher education system is inefficient, tell us why. Then tell us how you are going to fix it.

Even if you don’t throw millions of dollars or a constitutional amendment to save our sinking Flagship, at least give us a legitimate reason.

If you can’t do that, you aren’t qualified to tell us anything about

“Leadership and Crisis” — you’re just another politician.

And politicians, as Mark Twain once said, are like diapers — they both need changing regularly and for the same reason.

Now there’s a man worth reading.

Cody Worsham is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Cworsham.

Contact Cody Worsham at cworsham@lsureveille.com

BEST AND WITTIEST

cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

Editorial Policies & Procedures The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author.

Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

Quote of the Day “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Lao Tzu ancient Chinese philosopher 6th century BCE

The Daily Reveille

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

EAT LESS, LEARN MORE

Opinion

page 17

In-class clickers cause more problems than they eliminate I haven’t taken a class that requires clickers since my freshman year, but this semester has reminded me of this technological farce.

Teachers are wasting their time and students’ money with the student response system, and clickers can’t compensate for teachers’ inability to academically inspire gargantuan classes. However, budget cuts and downplaying of general education classes have forced University students into enourmous class sizes in biology and landscape architecture with anywhere from 300 to 700 students.

Instructing three or four people who don’t care about what you have to say is challenging enough, so imagine 100 times the inattention.

To alleviate the situation, some genius applied the same technology that enables a contestant to “ask the audience” in “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” to the classroom.

For several years, the University has used the clicker response

system, but it seems to be as educationally effective as requiring students be drunk enough to drive into a building before entering the classroom.

However, clickers have adverse effects besides frustrated teachers and drunk and Matt Lousteau uneducated stuColumnist dents.

The intent of clickers is to encourage student involvement and attendance, but the system is backfiring. If you haven’t taken a class that requires clickers, attend one.

You will surely see lack of attendance and attention similar to that of classes that don’t employ the clicker system.

I’m sure there are statistics that can argue my point, but I base this statement on observations in my current clicker class.

In Dodson Auditorium, I sit

afloat a cushy seated skiff in the sea of electronic devices, which must be hidden from view because my teacher forbids the use of laptops or cell phones. Of course he misses most of them, but he occasionally catches rule breakers and fusses at them and makes them leave class.

Because general education classes are requirements and not integral parts of degrees, students have no incentive to care about these classes that are taken for an “easy A.” Forcing people to do anything is a path to resentment and ineffectiveness — not education.

Being well-rounded is certainly a desirable goal, and because this is a University and not a conservatory or technical college, gened classes are inevitable. But the value they add to our degree is currently laughable.

Besides being severely ineffective, clickers encourage large numbers of students to violate the Code of Student Conduct.

With an attitude of apathy or distaste toward these unimportant classes, students obviously don’t want to attend the classes with dreadfully boring lectures. However, students risk losing credit to avoid doing something they emotionally associate with punching themselves in the face. So what do they do? They share and trade misery.

If a group develops a rotation of sending a few people with a lot of people’s clickers, no one has to withstand the academic bore more than once or twice a week. Congratulations — you’ve just cheated.

In case you didn’t know, clickers count for credit in a class. So if you answer clicker questions with your friends’ clickers, you’ve been academically dishonest. It seems obvious, but the number of people in my class with three to 10 clickers across their desks indicates ignorance of or apathy toward the rules.

You can’t really blame them,

though. Attendance is the responsibility of students, not teachers.

In most classes it’s your choice whether or not you go, and the difficulty of the class determines the harm you endure by missing.

Clickers remove this choice, and they drive students to actions they shouldn’t have to take.

In these troubled economic times, clickers cost students $40 more than they should, and they create a worse learning environment than they encourage. The University would be better off without these time and money wasters.

Matt Lousteau is a 21-year-old mechanical engineering senior from LaPlace. Follow him on Twitter @ TDR_Mlousteau.

Contact Matt Lousteau at mlousteau@lsureveille.com

SHOCKINGLY SIMPLE

Country’s constant demonization of the obese isn’t fair

In light of America’s ever expanding waistline, demonization of the overweight seems to be at an alltime high.

A 2005 study in the journal Obesity asked college students to rank a set of pictures based on “whom they liked best.” The pictures included a person on crutches, one in a wheelchair, another with a facial deformity, someone missing a hand and an obese person. Across all races, sexes and weight classes, the obese person was consistently ranked as one of the worst.

Many re- Andrew Shockey searchers have Columnist also jumped on the demonizing obesity bandwagon.

Studies have blamed everything from global warming (increased fossil fuel use to carry heavier passengers) to car crash fatalities (obese men are more likely to die in car crashes). While some of this research is rigorous and relevant — for instance, studies on the effects of obesity on national health care costs — other studies rely on the flimsiest of justifications to prove why obese people are destroying the world.

Denigrating the obese doesn’t help people lose weight. It can actually have the opposite effect — overeating is often linked to depression or just plain old unhappiness.

Clearly, the obese are not completely blameless when it comes to their weight. Most cases of obesity can be explained by an abundance of calories and a sedentary lifestyle, but a growing body of research suggests the causes of obesity are not nearly as simple as we once believed.

According to a study in the journal Pediatrics, catching a cold can make children more likely to develop obesity. The study found obese children are more likely to possess antibodies from adenovirus-36, one of the hundreds of common cold viruses, than their normalweight counterparts. Because our immune systems develop antibodies as a response to infection, possessing the antibodies to fight a particular disease indicates an earlier infection.

It’s hard to believe a cold could cause obesity, and at first it seems much more likely that obese people are simply more likely to get sick.

However, other experiments with adenovirus-36 have supported the viral obesity hypothesis.

Researchers at Wayne State University injected rhesus and marmoset monkeys with the virus and compared their weight gain with an uninfected control group. The infected monkeys gained three times as much weight as the uninfected group even though all of the monkeys were given the same amount of food and exercise.

Evidence for a genetic cause of obesity is also beginning to emerge.

The basic hypothesis for why some people have “fat” genes is a mechanism for surviving starvation. For most of human history, people struggled to get enough calories to survive, but in the modern world people genetically predisposed to getting the most energy possible out of food are more likely to develop obesity than people with less efficient metabolisms.

Finally, there is an undeniable link between income and obesity.

It comes as no surprise low-income families are disproportionately

represented when it comes to obesity. After all, cheap food is rarely healthy food, and poor parents working multiple jobs usually don’t have the time to make healthy meals for themselves. Feeding a family on a tight budget is a lot easier on the Dollar Menu than in the produce aisle.

Obesity is one of the last health problems society says its OK to

mock. No one makes fun of people with bulimia, but no one seems to mind if you laugh at the fat guy. Personally, I blame people’s ignorance of the sometimes uncontrollable causes of obesity.

While I wholeheartedly admit many cases of obesity are caused by poor lifestyle choices and overeating, we shouldn’t vilify an entire group of people when we don’t

understand their condition.

Andrew Shockey is a 20 year-old biological engineering sophomore from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Ashockey.

Contact Andrew Shockey at ashockey@lsureveille.com

BEST AND WITTIEST

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Classifieds

page 18

To place your ad: Visit www.lsureveille.com and click on classifieds

Announcements

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Housing

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

Deadlines: 12 noon two school days prior to the print publication date

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For Rent

Services

should be all of the same PLUS too gay to function. :) ksigno1@tigers.lsu. edu IT’S GETTING COLD OUTSIDE, are you? Helping find my cute, sassy BFF a cuddle buddy. Males only. Must smell desirable. No creeps. Just cuddling... unless you’re in to Passion Pit, then she might be more willing. cuddlefuddle4evz@gmail.com ANY ARTSY OTAKU OUT THERE? Female artist looking for a cool, intelligent guy. Maybe we could watch anime, listen to some electronica and rock music, or draw together. Contact me at zenithsword@yahoo.com.

FRAT STAR SEEKING GDI FEMALE. Must have an intense hate for Nike shorts and leggings, over-sized Guy Harvey shirts, Game Day dresses, and party cups. email me at letsnotfrat@ yahoo.com

BURGIN APARTMENTS 175 Burgin Ave, Highland and Lee. 1br/1ba, $589/ mo, $400/dep. Call for appointment.

225.252.3163

SUNSHINE AND FUNTIMES Seeking dapper hipster boys for a double date picnic and hand holding. teamzissouisreal@gmail.com

BRIGHTSIDE PARK TWN Large 2br 2.5 bath. W/D, Pool. 1737 S. Brightside View 588-3070 or 955-6480

WANNA JAM METAL?! If you play guitar or bass, like some heavy sht, such as Megadeth/Metallica/Lamb of God, and want to join a band, then contact Joe at Jmurp33@tigers.lsu.edu

WALK TO LSU CAMPUS 2BR/1BA duplex newly remodeled $625/M McDaniel Prop 225.388.9858 TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. UNITS READY FOR Fall 2010 and Spring 2011!! Reserve Now! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedrooms available. Reserve your unit today! Walk to class! 3000 July St. 225-346-5055. www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living. 225.383.0143 LARGE HOUSE 4B/ 2B Safe area -large rooms -$1400 mo.+dep Call 318.573.5102 FOR RENT 3 BR 1 1/2 BA house next to campus. Fenced yard. Range, refrig., washer & dryer. Central heat, window A/ C. $960 per month. Pets OK. Deposit and lease. Available Nov. 20.

225.766.2963 HIGHLAND ROAD House - 3 br/2ba $1099/mo. 225.769.1079

STEWART/COLBERT RALLIES! anyone looking to go? Friendly male college student capable of critical thoughts and conversation looking to hitch a ride! If you have a car, then you gotta place to stay on me! Will split gas!

Contact me at niteon1thesun@gmail. co SEEKING HILLARY LOOK-ALIKE I love the environment, vegetables, recycling, books, gays, and protesting everything, so pretty much just a normal, run-of-the-mill democrat. If you want to meet up over a non-fat, dairy-free, sugar-free, caffeine-free latte’ and talk about how much we love taxation just send me an email at bdonne3@lsu.edu

Miscellaneous

Personals WE COULD BE JANICE & DAMIEN. I’m clever, hilarious, and nimble. You

ACT/SAT PREP CLASSES Come improve your chances to get your best score. $199 for registration.

Call (225) 757-8085

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

The Daily Reveille

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The Daily Reveille

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010