Today in Print - February 23, 2011

Women’s basketball: Lady Tigers strong on defense, struggle to score, p. 9

W Policy: Official class drop date changed, p. 3

Reveille The Daily

www.lsureveille.com

Baseball: Tigers shut out UNO, 13-0, at home, p. 7 Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 • Volume 115, Issue 95

LSU Dining saves food with Project Clean Plate Andrea Gallo Staff Writer

The 459 and The 5 campus dining halls endorse Project Clean Plate, a program which reduces food waste and increases hunger awareness.

David Heidke, director of LSU Dining, said the University has been promoting Project Clean Plate with its partner, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

Charts detailing how much food is wasted per week are posted, currently reflecting 1,309 pounds of waste for the week of Feb. 7 and 1,037 pounds of waste for the week of Feb. 14. Heidke said items like napkins are included in the total.

If the University reduces overall waste by 20 percent, LSU Dining will donate to the Food Bank for every 5 percent reduction.

Amy Sellers, director of food procurement for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, said the University has donated basic items to the Food Bank, including rice, kidney beans, pasta, turkey, flour and sugar.

Sellers said the Food Bank is grateful to LSU Dining because the bank cannot exist without help from outside corporations.

“You reduce the waste, but you raise awareness,” Sellers said.

Students said they are pleased with University efforts to increase awareness and decrease waste.

Emily Hicks, biological sciences freshman, said she tries not to waste food and dining halls could reduce waste by labeling more items.

“We look around first to make sure we know for sure what we want,” Hicks said.

Glenn Carman, biological sciences freshman, said food could be conserved if the dining halls had a buffet organization instead of the current servicestyle setting.

“People could select the quantity they want,” Carman said.

Mildred Thomas works in the 459 and said she has been working with LSU Dining for 42 years.

She said the servers in the dining halls have certain-sized spoons to control portions so servers will not “overdo” serving food. Thomas said students can come back for seconds if they want more.

WASTE, see page 6

BOARD OF REGENTS

Biological Sciences program faces cuts

Xerxes A. Wilson Staff Writer

BLAIR LOCKHART / The Daily Reveille

[Top] Plates sit on a conveyer belt in The 459. [Bottom] A student makes a sandwich at The 5 on Tuesday.

Editor’s note: This is the eighth in a series of stories looking at 34 University programs under scrutiny. The Board of Regents, the body that oversees the state’s higher education system, labeled those programs “under-performing” on Jan. 26.

The Department of Biological Sciences will appeal to continue the master’s programs in biological sciences and biochemistry after being recommended for termination by the Louisiana’s higher education governing board.

James Moroney, chair of Biological Sciences, which administers both programs, cited the role the two programs play for the department’s robust doctorate programs and the limited cost the programs have as reasons for continuation.

“We are not aware of a single Ph.D. granting program in the country without a master’s degree program,” Moroney said.

The programs are among 34 labeled as under-performing in the Board of Regents’ review of Louisiana higher education. The University must either submit its plans to the Regents to consolidate or cut the programs or its appeal to keep the TERMINATION, see page 15

DIVERSITY

Nation battles college racism, slurs Brian Sibille Contributing Writer

Recent racial conflicts at colleges in the United States are not as severe at the University, students said, but less blatant racism does occur.

Two incidents recently occurred at the University of Alabama, according to campus newspaper The Crimson White. A member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity used a racial slur to insult a black student Feb. 4, and additional slurs written in chalk appeared across the campus the following week, reports said.

The Kappa Alpha Order at Georgetown College in Kentucky was suspended that same week after allegations that members used racial slurs against a minority student, a report from The Lexington HeraldLeader said.

Yet another incident occurred at the University of Missouri that week when a student graffitied racial slurs on a campus sculpture, according to a news release from Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton.

Niya Blair, African American Student Affairs coordinator, said though LSU has not experienced

recent incidents, the issue is always an important one.

“The University does not take these situations lightly,” Blair said.

“National incidents such as racial controversies and school shootings always catch students’ and administrators’ attention.”

Blair said situations at other schools spur staff at the Office of Multicultural Affairs to discuss how they would handle these problems.

LSU’s racial makeup has remained stagnant in the past few DISCRIMINATION, see page 15

graphic by CAITLYN CONDON / The Daily Reveille

The Daily Reveille

Nation & World

page 2

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

STATE/LOCAL

New Zealand earthquake death toll at 75 as searches continue

Wisconsin lawmakers take up bill to cripple unions of bargaining rights

Ice cream truck stopped and one arrested for marijuana in Houma

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Some screamed from inside collapsed buildings. One woman used her mobile phone to call her children to say goodbye. Others tapped on the rubble to communicate with those on the outside.

Search teams using their bare hands, dogs, heavy cranes and earth movers worked frantically Wednesday in one of New Zealand’s largest cities to find survivors of a powerful earthquake as officials raised the death toll to at least 75.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — With their Senate colleagues still in hiding, Democrats in the Wisconsin Assembly began introducing a barrage of 100 amendments Tuesday to try to stymie the Republican governor’s plan to strip unionized public employees of most of their bargaining rights.

Both houses of the GOP-controlled Legislature convened shortly before noon amid noisy protests outside the state Capitol that began more than a week ago in a showdown that is being watched nervously by organized labor across the country.

THIBODAUX (AP) — A complaint that something other than ice cream was being sold from an ice cream truck in Lafourche Parish led to the arrest of a Houma man.

Lafourche sheriff’s deputies jailed 19-year-old Jonathan Trahan of Houma. He was booked with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, The Houma Courier reported.

Deputies found the vehicle on a street in Mathews on Sunday.

No drugs were found in the truck, but deputies allegedly found 9 grams of marijuana and a glass pipe in Trahan’s pockets. Trahan was jailed on $5,250 bond.

MARK MITCHELL / The Associated Press

Rescue workers climb onto the fallen Pyne Gould Guinness Building in central Christchurch, New Zealand on Tuesday. Death tolls have reached 75.

Countries scramble to evacuate citizens from unrest in Libya

Deadly Mali stampede kills 35, hearses carry away bodies

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Governments scrambled by air and sea to pick up their citizens stranded

by Libya’s bloody unrest Tuesday, with thousands of people crowding the airport and a stadium to await evacuation and Egyptians gathering at the border to escape the chaos.

“The airport was mobbed.

You wouldn’t believe the number of people,” said Kathleen Burnett, of Baltimore, Ohio, as she stepped off an Austrian Airlines flight from Tripoli to Vienna on Tuesday.

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Hearses rolled in and out of Bamako’s largest morgue Tuesday as families came to retrieve the bodies of loved ones killed in a stampede during a religious ceremony in the Malian capital.

Sekou Toure, the morgue director, said 35 people had been killed in the deadly rush, which occurred in the capital’s main football stadium. All but three of the victims were female, and many were young girls.

Oregon congressman sent photos of himself wearing tiger costume PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon congressman says it was “unprofessional and inappropriate” to send pictures of himself wearing a tiger costume to staff members.

Democratic U.S. Rep. David Wu said Tuesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that the photos were taken while he was “joshing around” with his children in October.

One photo shows Wu wearing an orange and black striped tiger outfit with pointy ears and striped mittens.

Today on lsureveille.com Watch a video of student’s opinions of the bands chosen for Groovin’ on the Grounds on March 26.

See photos of ROTC training on the Sharp Shooter Blog.

Join us at flickr.com/groups/ thedailyreveillephotos

New Orleans Saints release tight end Jeremy Shocky after 3 seasons NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have released tight end Jeremy Shockey.

In a statement Tuesday, Executive Vice President and General Manager Mickey Loomis thanked Shockey for his contributions to the team and wished him the best in the future.

The Saints acquired Shockey in a trade with the New York Giants before the 2008 season.

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AT THE OL’ BALL GAME

Campus Housing Contract Renewal (CHCR)

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

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74 49

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

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Apartments (ECA & WCA) Open to ALL residents on campus to reserve a space in ECA or WCA and have the option invite one person to join them in their apartment

Black History Month Real Talk: No Homo Part II Thursday, February 24, 2011 Senate Chambers, 6PM Black History Month College Reunion Saturday, February, 26, 2011 LSU Parade Grounds, 12 PM-4 PM SPRINGFEST Team Leader Applications Available Now!

Access the application at www.lsu.edu/oma due by 4 PM, Friday, March 4

Black History Month Black Acedemic Perspectives Lecture Series

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 French House Grand Salon, 12 PM

DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Chase at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: officemanager@lsureveille.com

BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille

See photos of Tiger baseball fans in today’s Snapshot at lsureveille.com.

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The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

page 3

SCHEDULING

Drop without a ‘W’ date changed to 7 days after classes start Rachel Warren Staff Writer

Next semester, students will have an extra day to answer that crucial question: to drop or not to drop?

Thomas Rodgers, Student Government assistant director of academics, said University Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jack Hamilton signed the proposal Monday evening to change the date to drop a class without a “W” from six days after classes start to seven.

Rodgers said the policy will go into effect by at least fall 2012.

Rodgers said SG members plan to meet with the registrar next week and the Bursar’s Office in the coming weeks.

He said the meetings are necessary because the Bursar’s Office offers students a 90 percent tuition refund for classes dropped within a

Christine Wiley ISDS sophomore

‘[Dropping] is a big decision, especially when you’ve already put $100 into books.’

certain period, and that date will be pushed back to accommodate the new policy.

Rodgers said SG waited to schedule the meetings until after the changes were officially passed.

Rodgers said he’s excited the changes were passed because of the amount of time he and other SG members have invested in getting this accomplished.

“It’s nine months of hard work coming to an end,” he said.

Barret Marchive finance sophomore

‘You get extra time to think about it and process everything.’

Rodgers said it’s important for students to have more time to make a decision about whether they’ll drop a class.

“Every teacher is different,” Rodgers said. “You never know how a class will be until you take it.”

Jane Cassidy, vice provost for Academic Affairs, said she was impressed with the way SG accomplished its goal.

“You have really great student

leaders right now,” she said.

Cassidy said a major reason this policy is necessary is that under the old policy, Tuesday-Thursday classes only met twice before the date to drop without a “W” — not enough time for students to make an informed decision.

“The first day, most teachers just go over the syllabus,” she said.

“You don’t really get a feel for it.”

Cassidy said she hoped the new policy will make it easier for students to make crucial decisions.

Ophelie Marek, sociology and wildlife ecology senior, said she

could have used the extra 24 hours during her time at the University.

“I’ve been through all different levels,” she said. “The first day, no one really does anything.”

Marek said the extra 24 hours may give students more time in class, but it will also give them more time to get in touch with teachers and read the course materials to get a better feel for the course.

Contact Rachel Warren at rwarren@lsureveille.com

LEGISLATION

Texas to vote on campus gun bill Proposal similar to past La. efforts Matthew Albright Staff Writer

The Texas Legislature may soon allow students to carry concealed firearms on the state’s university campuses, state news reports indicate.

If passed, Texas would be the second state after Utah to remove restrictions that prevent faculty and students with concealed-carry licenses from bringing their guns to school.

Proponents have historically argued guns would allow students and teachers to defend themselves from shooters. Opponents argue such a law would only contribute to fear and danger on campus.

Louisiana has flirted with similar legislation for years. Rep. Ernest Wooton, I-Belle Chasse, proposed a campus gun law in the 2008 legislative session, the year after a shooting on Virginia Tech’s campus left 33 dead.

The bill passed the House committee he chaired but died on the House floor.

After the bill’s failure, Wooton promised to file similar legislation every year during his tenure, a promise he has fulfilled so far.

LSU’s campus itself also has a history of struggling with such legislation.

Student Government fiercely debated a bill that would have endorsed Wooton’s 2008 legislation. It passed the SG Senate after a tie-breaking vote by then-Senate speaker and president-elect Colorado Robertson but was vetoed by outgoing-president Cassie Alsfeld.

A similar bill in the 2009 session, proposed by current Senate Speaker Brooksie Bonvillain,

failed to pass a Senate roll call vote. Opposing legislation, which would have encouraged the Legislature not to pass Wooton’s bill, also failed.

Chancellor Michael Martin expressed discomfort with allowing guns on campus during the 2009 effort.

“I have not figured out how having concealed weapons on campus will in any way improve ... the safety of a university,” Martin said.

Martin’s complaints echoed those of many state higher education officials who said the bill was a bad idea.

Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com

Wednesday February 23 SHADY’S

Greek Night - Free cover for Greeks $5 mixed drink pitchers $1 shots Come have a drink, Don’t be a DiCK

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

3:00-3:30 PM Survivor Bush 4:30-5:00 PM Survivor Bush 5:00-5:30 PM The Ramen 6:30-7:00 PM Making Moves 7:30-8:00 PM The Ramen Repeat ch 19 8:00-8:30 PM The Ramen Repeat 9:30-10:00 PM The Ramen Repeat

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

Noon, 3:20 p.m.

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

The Daily Reveille

page 4

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

ACADEMICS

Students question value of degrees from canceled programs Sydni Dunn Staff Writer

As University degree programs are placed on the chopping block, some students are questioning their academic and professional futures.

The Board of Regents is currently reviewing 34 University degree programs that were identified as “under-performing” in January because of low graduation and enrollment rates. The programs will be extended, consolidated or terminated upon review.

Students currently enrolled in the degree programs at risk of termination have been told that, if eliminated, they will be able to complete their degree path and graduate in that subject.

But how much will a degree from an eliminated program be worth?

“Students will have to say, ‘I have a degree from a program that has been cut,’” Michelle Massé,

Kyle Marston

international studies sophomore

‘I don’t put value in the degree itself. I put value in the quality of my education.’

director of Women’s and Gender Studies, said Feb. 15. “It does, indeed, diminish the value of that degree.”

Massé said she is disappointed and frustrated on behalf of University students enrolled in under-performing programs under evaluation.

“I think they are being played with, and their rights to an education are being tampered with,” she said.

The WGS program will be consolidated into a concentration in liberal arts because of low-completion rates.

Lainie Clark business sophomore

‘It makes it seem like the degree wasn’t worth the time and energy.’

“It makes it seem like the degree wasn’t worth the time and energy,” said Lainie Clark, business sophomore. “It looks like it’s not important enough to keep.”

Clark said future employers might look into the program’s worth.

But Joan Gallagher, associate director for student services at Career Services, said employers typically look at the individual more than the degree’s history.

“It really depends on the field,” Gallagher said. “For something technical, like computer science,

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

On-campus housing contract renewals for fall 2011 in progress Emily Herrington Contributing Writer

Housing contract renewals for on-campus apartments are under way.

Today is the final day of the three-day process for renewing contracts for East and West Campus Apartments.

Students who want to renew contracts for residence halls may do so from Feb. 28 until March 3.

According to the Campus Housing Contract Renewal Guide, current apartment residents wishing to remain in the same rooms renewed Monday, and those desiring a different room in ECA or WCA renewed Tuesday. Today, all on-campus residents can reserve a space in an apartment, beginning at 3 p.m.

Jay High, communications manager for Residential Life, said current apartment residents who renew their contracts are guaranteed a spot for the following semester.

However, ResLife is unable to guarantee rooms in apartments for students who are moving from a residence hall into an apartment.

“Our advice for those who don’t get into apartments is to apply for a residence hall and wait for cancellations over the summer,” High said.

About 30 percent of residents typically renew their housing contracts, High said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, High said ResLife received 262 renewals.

ResLife expects to receive 1,300 to 1,400 renewals for both apartments and residence halls.

High said 1,170 rooms are available in on-campus apartments, but half the spots in WCA are designated for scholarship athletes.

Meaghan Hussey, kinesiology freshman, renewed her housing contract at WCA on Tuesday. She said she likes living in WCA because of the proximity to classes.

Hussey said the process was easy and residents were adequately informed. Her only complaint concerned traffic on the server.

“I had to wait 10 minutes to pick my room,” she said.

High said ResLife added additional servers in recent years to alleviate the problem.

High said incoming students who already applied for housing will begin selecting their rooms in residence halls April 12. They will choose from the rooms left over from returning students’ contract renewals.

Housing for fall 2011 is currently 95 percent full, and High expects to implement a standby list in early March.

Beginning in the fall, secondyear students living in residence halls will be required to have a meal plan, according to the Campus Housing Contract Renewal Guide.

Contact Emily Herrington at eherrington@lsureveille.com

employers may look into the degree more carefully, but for other majors it won’t be nearly as important.”

Gallagher said acquiring a degree from a canceled program should not affect its value in the short run.

She said employers will “look at you, not the status.”

“Program eliminations do not undermine the work students put in,” she said. “A degree is worth what you make of it.”

Gallagher said any student concerned about his or her future should look into internships in his or her field. She said it’s important to build a solid foundation and network, and if students establish a “strong footing,” there should be nothing to worry about for future job prospects.

“It is incumbent upon students to defend their programs,” Gallagher said.

Robbie Mahtook, business freshman, agreed, saying the degrees are still worthwhile.

“You’re still getting a degree that says you graduated from LSU,” Mahtook said. “Just because [the University] doesn’t have it anymore doesn’t mean it wasn’t here or it’s not as good.”

Kyle Marston, international studies sophomore, said while his degree program has not been cut, programs in his college have suffered. He said the programs at risk are still honorable programs.

“I don’t put value in the degree itself. I put value in the quality of my education,” Marston said.

Contact Sydni Dunn at sdunn@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

CRIME BRIEFS LSU baseball player didn’t hit this one out of the park LSU Police Department officers arrested a member of the LSU baseball team Feb. 14 for shoplifting in the Student Union.

Officers responded to a shoplifting complaint from the Union at 10:41 a.m., according to Sgt. Jason Bettencourtt, LSUPD spokesman.

When officers arrived, Tyler Jones, 21, of 1514 North 57th St. in Milwaukee, was detained in the shop manager’s office.

Bettencourtt said the manager saw Jones grab a drink and a bag of chips before leaving the area without paying. He said the manager approached Jones about the stolen merchandise, and Jones replied he stole them because he had no money.

Bettencourtt said Jones was transported to the LSUPD office before being released with a misdemeanor summons.

Jones was suspended for LSU’s opening baseball weekend against Wake Forest.

Man unaffiliated with the University parties too hard at Reggie’s LSUPD officers arrested a man unaffiliated with the University on Feb. 15 for driving while intoxicated.

Bettencourtt said officers were patrolling the area of Nicholson Road and South Stadium Drive when they saw a swerving silver Ford Taurus without a license plate.

LSUPD stopped the driver, Simon Freeman, 22, of 320 West Cherry St. in Opelousas, near West Chimes Street. Freeman was ordered from his vehicle and had to use the car to steady himself, Bettencourtt said.

The officer could smell alcohol on his breath, and Freeman’s eyes were bloodshot, Bettencourtt said. Freeman stated with slurred speech he had just left Reggie’s Bar in Tigerland.

The officer performed a field sobriety test, in which Freeman failed all three parts, Bettencourtt said. Freeman was then transported to the LSUPD office where he registered a 0.131 percent blood alcohol content.

Freeman was booked in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

storeroom key because there was no sign of forced entry, Bettencourtt said. Baker had been taking the key to the store room without permission, stealing the items and returning the key before anyone noticed, he said.

An LSUPD detective arrested Baker when he began his shift in the Union around 11 p.m., Bettencourtt said.

Baker was then transported to the LSUPD office for questioning, Bettencourtt said.

Baker admitted to the burglaries and was taken to East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, where he was booked on two counts of burglary, Bettencourtt said.

Facility Services custodian really cleans out the Student Union

LSUPD arrested a man unaffiliated with the University after responding to a stolen vehicle complaint near the Parade Ground.

Bettencourtt said a University student reported his vehicle had been stolen off Tower Drive on Feb. 15. The student had parked the vehicle near the Union before playing soccer on the Parade Ground.

The student told officers the car’s keys were left on the grass, Bettencourtt said. When the student went to look for the keys, the student saw they were missing along with the vehicle. The student also reported valuable merchandise within the vehicle, totaling about $1,500.

The officer entered the

LSUPD arrested a Facility Services employee Feb. 15 after discovering he had been stealing from LSU Dining.

Employees at LSU Dining reported items missing from their inventory stored on the second floor of the Union, Bettencourtt said.

The University installed surveillance cameras in the area to catch the culprit, Bettencourtt said.

The cameras filmed Heweth Baker, 54, of 588 West Roosevelt St., stealing items from the room on numerous occasions.

LSU Dining suspected it was an employee with access to the

page 5

OFF THE WALL

Man unaffiliated with University stole student’s car, bank card

CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille

Students flip through the selection of posters during a sale in front of the Student Union on Tuesday. The poster sale runs through Friday.

vehicle’s license plate number into the system, alerting officers to be on the lookout, Bettencourtt said.

Later that day, Baton Rouge Police Department officers stopped Samuel Good, 19, of 801 Harding Blvd., for a traffic violation and discovered the vehicle was stolen.

LSUPD detectives were called to the scene and processed the vehicle, Bettencourtt said. The police also drove by Good’s residence and saw a bicycle that was located in the stolen vehicle sitting outside of the home.

The rest of the merchandise was found inside of the house

after LSUPD obtained a search warrant, Bettencourtt said.

Good was arrested for possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of an access card, or bank card. Good had purchased a meal from Raising Cane’s and a pair of shoes with the student’s card, Bettencourtt said.

Good was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. Further charges are pending from LSUPD as well as BRPD, Bettencourtt said.

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

The Daily Reveille

page 6

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Limited regalia to be allowed for May commencement Celeste Ansley Staff Writer

Organization regalia will not be allowed during the May 2011 commencement ceremony, but implementing the policy will be tough because of an apparent lack of enforcement, according to a Faculty Senate committee.

The Commencement Committee, consisting of the Faculty Senate executive board, decided to implement the policy created by the Faculty Senate of 1992. The committee is also considering changing the color of the gown and having a separate ceremony where students can wear all other stoles and cords.

The memorandum, approved by the Faculty Senate in October, allows members of academic honor societies like Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa and African American Cultural Center and Latin honors to wear ribbons and stoles at the ceremony.

Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope said some groups on campus tell their members the memorandum isn’t going into effect, but it is.

Cope also said the Senate is by no means trying to diminish students’ achievements by enforcing the memorandum.

Cope said he spoke to the Student Government Senate about the finalization of the decision to enforce the memorandum after the SG Senate passed a resolution Oct.

WASTE, from page 1

Amber Steverson, political science freshman, said dining halls should make the waste bar charts visible when students walk into the dining hall instead of placing them where students leave their dirty plates before exiting.

Hayes Patrick, University Lab School student said the University’s decision to participate in Project Clean Plate could entice prospective students to attend the University.

“This is one of the small things that could affect recruiting,” Patrick said. “I can see all the great ways colleges give back to the community.”

Dining halls post Project Clean Plate signs featuring statistics about hunger, saying about 50,000 people rely on weekly food donations from the Greater Baton Rouge Food

6 urging the Faculty Senate to allow all regalia.

SG Vice President Dani Borel said while it has been finalized, no University departments have agreed to take on the responsibility of enforcing the memorandum.

Borel said a department would have to stand at the door checking students for banned regalia as they walk through the door, and departments have been hesitant to get involved.

Cope said students who disregard the integrity of the ceremony, especially when it is shown in pictures and on the news.

Joshua Goodrich, psychology junior, said if banning the regalia turns into a protest, it will take away from the ceremony.

But Lauren Horton, psychology senior, said being in an organization is part of a student’s time at the University and should be reflected in the ceremony.

“It’s a big part of the experience — it’s more than just academic,” Horton said.

Cope said the committee is looking into why the University gown color is black, but so far has found no reason except it is the “cheapest and cheesiest.”

Borel said the one aspect to be considered in changing the color of the gown is if the cost of the nearly $50 gown will rise.

Most stoles for academic honors are gold, so if the University was

Bank. Signs provide tips for ways to reduce waste, like exercising portion control and not getting dessert until after eating a meal.

Sellers said the Food Bank has partnered with LSU Dining for at least six years, and Project Clean Plate is not the only program LSU Dining employs.

Sellers said LSU Dining sponsors a program at the end of each semester where students donate leftover canned goods by placing them in barrels located in dining halls. Last year, LSU Dining baked a massive king cake that could not be used for the sesquicentennial celebration because of inclement weather, so the cake was donated to the Food Bank, Sellers said.

Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com

to change to purple gowns students would be wearing colors that mean something to them, Borel said.

Cope said the Commencement Committee is working to have a

ceremony to honor students’ organization accomplishments the day before the commencement ceremony, but has run into issues.

“There’s a lack of venues on

campus that can accommodate 300 to 400 people,” Cope said.

Contact Celeste Ansley at cansley@lsureveille.com

Tiger Feed: Read blogger Ryan Ginn’s notes on LSU’s 13-0 win against UNO on Tuesday at lsureveille.com

Sports

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

page 7

Groovin’ on the Mounds Playlist: LSU baseball players’ walk-up songs* 1. LF Trey Watkins - “Move It Like Bernie”

by Infinity “So Awesome” 2. DH Raph Rhymes - “Teach Me How to Dougie” by Cali Swag District 3. 2B JaCoby Jones - “Too Legit to Quit”

by MC Hammer

see full list at lsureveille.com

Sports Contributor

many players decided to go old school.

Freshman second baseman JaCoby Jones said he thought of his MC Hammer walk-up song two days before he had to turn in his choice.

“I was sitting in our adviser’s office, and I said something in a sentence that had ‘legit’ in it,” he said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, take “Too Legit To Quit.” That’d be perfect.’”

Sophomore outfielder Mason Katz strolls to the plate to Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music,” and junior outfielder Mikie Mahtook changed to House of Pain’s “Jump Around” this season after using Run DMC’s “Tricky” last year.

Mahtook said he stole the idea of “Tricky” from a Mississippi State player his freshman season and thought of using “Jump Around” halfway through last season.

Freshman Austin Ernst fired a final-round 72 to claim the individual title and lead the No. 4 LSU women’s golf team to a secondplace finish Tuesday at the Central District Invitational in Parrish, Fla. Ernst entered Tuesday’s third and final round three shots back of TCU’s Brooke Beeler following a 36-hole score of 3-under par on Monday.

After 11 consecutive pars to open the third round, Ernst carded back-to-back birdies on holes 12 and 13 and headed into the 18th hole with a three-shot advantage. “[Austin] was playing really steady golf all day, and early in the round she was knocking it stiff but couldn’t make a putt,” said LSU coach Karen Bahnsen. “She just had to stay patient and then finally broke through with some big birdies.”

Ernst’s only misstep was a double bogey on the par-4 18th, but her even-par round of 72 was enough to hold off the faltering Beeler by one stroke.

“She got into a really sandy lie on the 18th, and it was a tough shot to pull off, but she pulled [the win] out anyway.” Bahnsen said of Ernst. “We’re proud of her and thrilled with her performance these

TUNES, see page 11

GOLF, see page 11

graphic by STEPHANIE GIGLIO /

The Daily Reveille

LSU baseball players use a variety of walk-up music, from MC Hammer to 2pac Rowan Kavner Sports Writer

University students don’t have to drive to Tigerland to hear rock, rap, hip-hop and country music.

They need only go to Alex Box Stadium, where a variety of songs spout from the speakers as each LSU baseball player struts to the plate.

About a week before every season, players choose a song for their walk-up music.

“We give a lot of thought to it,” said sophomore first baseman Alex Edward. “Probably way too much, because it’s just about 10 seconds of music.”

Edward chose Drake’s “I Get Paper” after going with a country song last year, Rodney Atkins’ “These Are My People.”

“I liked the intro to it,” Edward said. “It kind

of mellows me out a little bit. It helps me relax, and I like the beat.”

For others, the choice was easier.

“I’m the kind of guy that it really doesn’t matter as long as it’s something good and everybody can get into it,” said junior outfielder Trey Watkins.

Watkins selected “Move It Like Bernie,” a song referencing the 1989 movie “Weekend at Bernie’s,” which now has a new dance craze associated with it.

“I kind of have to avoid myself from laughing when I go to the plate,” Watkins said.

He said he hadn’t heard the song until a friend showed him the YouTube video shortly before the season started.

“The first time I saw it we had to have played it 20 times on repeat,” he said.

While Watkins took a modern approach,

Freshman Ernst wins individual crown

Chris Abshire

4. CF Mikie Mahtook - “Jump Around” by House of Pain 5. SS Austin Nola - “Great Day to be Alive” by Travis Tritt *Opening day lineup

GOLF

BASEBALL

Tigers avenge 2010 loss to Privateers with 13-0 win Jones shuts out UNO in first start Luke Johnson Sports Contributor

The LSU baseball team stormed out of the gates looking like a team ready to avenge last season’s home loss to UNO en route to a 13-0 romp Tuesday night.

The Privateers upset LSU at Alex Box Stadium 7-4 last year, but in his LSU debut, junior pitcher Tyler Jones ensured the Tigers wouldn’t be embarrassed this year.

Jones had to watch his team and its stable of young pitchers dominate Wake Forest from the stands last weekend.

The transfer student from Milwaukee was suspended for the season opening series by LSU coach

Paul Mainieri for disciplinary reasons and missed his scheduled Sunday start.

“I broke team rules, and you’ve got to take your lumps,” Jones said.

“I felt like I had to go out there and prove myself, but I knew I was capable of that.”

If Jones was under any pressure to perform, he didn’t show it.

The Privateers couldn’t muster any offense against the Tiger hurler, not looking anything like the team that came into Alex Box last season and beat LSU. “My fastball was working, getting ahead of them early, getting them back on their heels, and then I could mix my slider,” Jones said. “I think I only threw one curveball and might have thrown a changeup.”

Jones notched five scoreless innings in his debut, tallying six strikeouts while only allowing three hits.

Jones didn’t need it, but the

Tigers provided him with a huge cushion from the start of the game.

LSU erupted in a six-run first inning that included a two-run double from junior outfielder Mikie Mahtook — his eighth RBI of the short season.

The double — a line drive down the third base line — was Mahtook’s first hit this year that didn’t leave the park.

But Mahtook wasn’t the only offensive star. Sophomore outfielder Raph Rhymes continued his torrid start to his first LSU season with a three-RBI performance.

Rhymes bumped his average up to .438 on the season with a 2-for4 effort and collected his first stolen base of the season.

“I didn’t think there was any way that [Rhymes would] put up the types of numbers he did at PITCHING, see page 11

BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior pitcher Tyler Jones throws Tuesday night during the Tigers’ 13-0 win against the UNO Privateers in Alex Box Stadium. Jones only allowed three hits in his debut.

The Daily Reveille

page 8

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Tigers to play Miss. State, attempt to end skid on road Bulldogs have won 4 in a row in series Rob Landry Sports Contributor

Motivation.

It’s the key word for the LSU basketball team right now.

The Tigers (10-17, 2-10) have little to play for on paper, as any chance at the NCAA Tournament would hinge upon a miraculous run to a Southeastern Conference Tournament championship.

But LSU hasn’t thrown in the

towel on the season just yet.

“Every game that we get closer to the tournament I just think of that Syracuse team with [Gerry] McNamara,” said LSU freshman forward Matt Derenbecker. “They weren’t predicted anywhere near the top of the Big East, and they wouldn’t have made the [NCAA] Tournament unless they won the Big East tournament. And they did it and carried momentum and made the tournament. I think we can do that.”

The Tigers can begin to gain that momentum Wednesday night when they travel to Starkville, Miss., to take on Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs (14-12, 6-6) have

won the past four matchups in the series, but LSU has won three of the past five in Starkville.

For the Tigers to be competitive, they will have to contain Mississippi State sophomore forward Renardo Sidney.

Sidney averages 13.6 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per contest.

In the two team’s previous meeting on Feb. 5 in Baton Rouge, Sidney scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

“We have to pick our poison,” said LSU coach Trent Johnson.

“When we played him here in the first game he didn’t go off for big numbers, but he was in position

where he could beat us.”

LSU had a chance to win the first matchup between the two teams this season when it had a 57-54 lead with 3:23 to play in the game but failed to score again. The Bulldogs went on to win 58-57.

“I still can’t believe we lost,” Derenbecker said. “It’s one of those games where you just feel like you’re in control the whole time, and you’re going to win. It really hurt to lose that game.”

The Bulldogs, who are currently in second place in the SEC West, are still battling to secure a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament.

Mississippi State coach Rick

Stansbury doesn’t want his team looking past LSU because of its lackluster record.

“I know this is an LSU team that has been in a lot of close games and just come up on the short end several times,” Stansbury said on a conference call. “But I know they went on the road last week at Ole Miss and basically led Ole Miss most of that game at Ole Miss, and that’s not easy to do. So they’re a very capable team.”

Contact Rob Landry at rlandry@lsureveille.com

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Derenbecker gains spotlight since starting SEC slate Freshman guard new face of team Michael Lambert Sports Writer

Attention is nothing new for Matt Derenbecker.

The charismatic LSU freshman forward was a local hero for Metairie Park Country Day School in Metairie, La. Derenbecker soaked up the limelight as the star of the Cajuns, securing a state championship in 2009 while teaming up with thenCountry Day senior and current LSU sophomore forward Eddie Ludwig.

“Everywhere we went people knew who we were because Country Day was an elite program, and we were the two elite players on the

team,” Derenbecker said.

Derenbecker steered his team to a title-game appearance his senior season without Ludwig and eclipsed the 3,000-point pinnacle for his career.

“The attention just got magnified when Eddie went to LSU,” said Derenbecker, who was a two-time Louisiana Boys Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year. “I was the guy everyone was looking up to.”

But Derenbecker was forced to take a back seat upon his arrival in Baton Rouge for summer practices, going from the face of a program to just another face among the masses.

“I didn’t know this summer when to speak up or when to stay quiet,” Derenbecker said. “That kind of hurt my game.”

The first-year player struggled to find his comfort zone in LSU’s offense during the beginning of the

SHAINA HUNTSBERRY / The Daily Reveille

Freshman guard Matt Derenbecker drives past a Florida defender on Feb. 20 in LSU’s 68-61 loss against Florida. Derenbecker’s personality has made him a team standout.

season. He came off the bench for every non-conference game, averaging only 4.7 points through the first 15 games.

“He was shocked at the speed of the game,” said LSU coach Trent Johnson. “It was an adjustment he had to make.”

Derenbecker responded in a big way after freshman guard Ralston Turner suffered a stress reaction in his foot, which caused Turner to miss the first five Southeastern Conference contests.

Derenbecker took advantage of the opportunity, notching five double-digit performances in the team’s first six conference games.

The 6-foot-7-inch guard impressed Johnson, and he remained in the starting lineup after Turner’s return. He is currently second on the team, trailing only Turner, with 9.5 points per game after Jan. 8.

And Derenbecker has once again become a media darling. The local product has been requested at nearly every media opportunity since his role increased through SEC play.

“I don’t think anyone doesn’t like [the media attention],” Ludwig said. “He hasn’t complained to me about it.”

The charming freshman has

become the closest thing LSU has to a team spokesman.

When asked about Derenbecker being the face of the team, Johnson was quick to point out the team-first nature of this season’s squad without any seniors.

“Last time I looked at the media guide there [were] 12 guys on it,” Johnson said. “Matt’s not shy, and he doesn’t lack confidence.”

LSU’s 2010-11 media guide features a team huddle, only showing the backs of the players.

But there is one player’s name who can be clearly made out — Derenbecker.

“I’ve been jealous of him,”

joked Matt’s father, John Derenbecker. “He has a much better presence and personality than I’ve had in my limited time on TV.” John also starred on the Country Day basketball team and suited up for Vanderbilt in the early 1980s.

“Matt’s always had a strong, outgoing personality,” John said.

“He’s never met a stranger.”

Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter @TDR_Lambert.

Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

SOFTBALL

page 9

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

LSU hosts Lady Tigers vying for No. 5 seed in SEC tourney still struggling McNeese LSU to score points ahead of road trip Rachel Whittaker Sports Writer

David Helman Sports Contributor

It would be hard to blame the LSU softball team for looking ahead to this weekend’s Cathedral City Classic.

The No. 20 Tigers (9-3) turned in a disappointing 2-3 performance during their first road trip this past weekend, and starting Friday they’ll be in Palm Springs, Calif., to face the likes of No. 3 Arizona and No. 14 California.

“We have a tough schedule in California, so obviously there are times when you’re going to look at that and be taken aback by it,” said freshman infielder Tammy Wray.

But before LSU can face off with the sport’s super powers, there’s one minor blip on the radar.

The Tigers host in-state rival McNeese State (2-8) today at 6 p.m. at Tiger Park.

“I don’t know if we can look past anybody after losing three games this weekend,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “I think everybody’s not happy with that — everybody knows we can do much better.”

McNeese has been a thorn in LSU’s side in recent seasons, snatching wins against the Tigers in each of the past two years — although LSU shut out the Cowgirls, 6-0, in last season’s NCAA regionals.

Few people have more to be disappointed about from the Tigers’ three-loss weekend than sophomore pitcher Rachele Fico.

She lost three games in three days, including a 1-0 loss to Houston in extra innings, despite limiting the Cougars to just one hit.

“The second Houston game, we were pitching a no-hitter going into the tiebreaker,” Girouard said.

“You can’t ask your pitcher to do too much more.”

Fico took another loss against Houston earlier in the weekend — also during extra innings. She gave up a mere two hits to the Cougars but picked up losses in both outings.

Fico said despite the lackluster results, the Tigers need to look forward.

“We just really need to put it behind us,” Fico said. “We have a very big week coming up starting with McNeese, and we cannot take them lightly.”

McNeese State is two weeks into its season but has yet to play a home game. Tonight’s game against LSU is its first game in the state of Louisiana.

Contact David Helman at dhelman@lsureveille.com

The LSU women’s basketball team won’t have a first-round bye in the Southeastern Conference tournament for the first time in 10 seasons.

But the Lady Tigers (17-11, 7-7) have a more pressing issue to deal with as they prepare for their final two games — at home against South Carolina on Thursday (16-11, 8-6) and Sunday at Tennessee (26-2, 14-0) — scoring points.

Defense has not been a hindrance for the Tigers in the past seven games, as they have held opponents to 55 points or less.

However, the team has only won three of those contests.

“It’s unbelievable.

I’m amazed by it,” said LSU coach Van Chancellor. “I’m not looking at [postseason scenarios]. What I’m looking at is finding us a way to score, trying to get better.”

LSU can enter the SEC tournament no higher than the No. 5 seed and no worse than No. 8. A win against South Carolina is crucial to have a shot at higher seeding because Tennessee, which has won 17 straight games, stands in its way to close the regular season.

ESPN women’s basketball analyst Carolyn Peck said the outcomes in the SEC tournament are uncertain.

EMILY SLACK / The Daily Reveille

Senior guard Katherine Graham dribbles past an Auburn defender Feb. 10 in LSU’s 5552 win. The Lady Tigers finish their regular season home slate against South Carolina.

“Tennessee has won 17 straight, but in a few of those, they’ve had major deficits they’ve had to overcome,” Peck said. “Throughout the regular season, different teams beat different people you wouldn’t expect. The SEC will be exciting and unpredictable. I think you have to throw records out the window.”

Peck said LSU’s résumé

going into the NCAA tournament has a few bright spots in the midst of its scoring woes. The Lady Tigers have “quality wins” at thenNo. 9 UCLA (55-53) and against then-No. 20 Georgia (47-41).

Peck predicted Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and Vanderbilt as locks to make the NCAA tournament from the SEC, while South Carolina, LSU and Arkansas sit on the bubble.

“I think the one on the outside looking in is South Carolina having only 16 wins now,” Peck said. “But they are tied with LSU in playing the most top 50 teams — they’ve both played 11.”

Peck said the benchmark to be in the conversation for an NCAA tournament bid is 18 wins.

“Either of them would have to get to the semifinals of the SEC tournament and have a good showing there, then it’s left up to the committee,” she said.

In the pivotal matchup between the Lady Tigers and Gamecocks, Peck said LSU has to find a scoring threat to coincide with its top defense. LSU is No. 1 in the SEC in scoring defense (52.3 points per game) and No. 2 in 3-point field goal percentage defense at 28.5 percent.

“LSU can [rely on its defense], but they’re going to need [junior forward LaSondra] Barrett to be offensive-minded, to score and make her presence felt,” Peck said. “It will be interesting to watch how many attempts they get at the free-throw line.”

Chancellor said it’s not hard to see where LSU is lacking, but it’s a matter of executing better offensively.

“We have to find a way to put the ball in the basket and make some free throws,” he said. “It’s not a mystery as to where we are.”

Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

page 10

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

RECRUITING

Out-of-state softball players feel comfortable at LSU that we make an offer to because this facility sells itself,” Girouard said.

For freshman third baseman and Somers, N.Y., native Tammy Wray, the appeal of a different climate was one of the most important factors in Hunter Paniagua her decision.

Sports Contributor “I knew right away coming The state of Louisiana has long from New York and it being so cold been regarded as a hotbed for college I wanted to go somewhere warm,” football and baseball recruiting, pro- Wray said. “So down south was my viding homegrown talent that serves first thought.” as the foundation of successful LSU Wray said despite being more teams. than 1,400 miles from home, she For softball, it’s a different story. never felt homesick. Girouard unOnly eight of the 20 players on derstands the importance of making LSU’s roster hail from the Pelican sure her players feel at home and State, with some coming from as far created a big sister program to help as Connecticut, New York and Cali- them adjust. fornia to make their collegiate homes Upperclassmen are assigned inin Baton Rouge. LSU coach Yvette coming freshmen to help them move Girouard said the team’s needs often in and familiarize them with their force them to look out of state. class schedules.

“We always want to sign the “It was definitely a culture best in-state kids,” Girouard said. shock at first, but I embraced it “Then we look at our needs, and it with open arms,” said sophomore just happens that pitcher Rachele Fico, a lot of these poan Oxford, Conn., nasitions are filled tive. “Upperclassmen by out-of-state reached out to all the kids.” underclassmen when Girouard we first got here. It said recruiting was really easy to adthe entire counjust coming to school try requires exdown here because we tensive hours had so many people to Yvette Girouard by the coaching show us the way.”

LSU softball coach staff. She said Fico said the famshe tries to atilies of her teammates tend several summer tournaments from Louisiana even took her in and throughout the country to keep an made her home-cooked meals. eye on certain players.

“They treat us like we’re their “We identify the players and then chase them all summer,” Girouard said. “We watch them play.

There are certain tournaments that we always go to every summer because the best players are there.”

When it comes to convincing recruits to move hundreds of miles to attend college, Girouard said LSU sells itself. Southeastern Conference competition and the Tiger Park facilities help draw recruits to Louisiana.

“If we can get them to make a visit to this campus, we basically are going to sign 95 percent of the people

12 players hail from outside La.

‘‘

‘We look at our needs, and ... a lot of these positions are filled by out-of-state kids.’

own family, their own blood,” Fico said. “Their families take us in and treat us like their own daughters. It’s really nice to have support from so many different angles on our team.”

The trend of out-of-state Tigers will continue next season. Girouard signed five players in the class of 2011 who hail from five different states — Florida, Texas, California,

Illinois and New York.

Contact Hunter Paniagua at hpaniagua@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 TUNES, from page 7

Whatever the reason for the change, it seems to be working for the Baseball America preseason AllAmerican, who belted four home runs last weekend.

“I don’t like the feeling of being really tense and jacked up when you go up there,” he said. “I like the crowd to kind of get into it, and I like

GOLF, from page 7

past few days.”

The Lady Tigers came into the final round with a slim lead against Texas A&M and TCU, but it was Iowa State, with four Lady Cyclones finishing in the top 13 individually, who overtook the Lady Tigers with a scorching final round total of 5-under par 283 to win the team title.

Bahnsen called the secondplace finish a learning experience for her team after late-round struggles throughout the 54-hole invitational.

“I felt like we didn’t finish well on the last three holes each round, so that was what ultimately kept us from winning, but we will be more prepared next time,” Bahnsen said.

Senior All-American Megan McChrystal, the No. 1 women’s player in the country, finished in a tie for third after a final round 73.

McChrystal seemed poised to make a back-nine charge for the individual title after birdies at holes 11 and 13, but consecutive bogeys on 16 and 17 doomed her chances late.

Sophomore Mary Michael Maggio posted a 76, and her threeday total of 223 was good enough for a share of 19th place.

Junior Jacqueline Hedwall improved her score by two shots each round, culminating with a finalround 73 to round out the Lady Tigers’ official scoring.

Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com

PITCHING, from page 7

LSU-Eunice, but he’s an RBI machine,” Mainieri said. “He’s a good hitter. He’s got a very compact swing, a line-drive type of swing with occasional power.”

The Tigers built a 12-0 lead by the end of the fifth inning and rested their starters from there.

The LSU pitching staff — a youthful enigma at the beginning of the season — has combined to post a 1.50 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 36 innings so far this season.

LSU dominated in all aspects, but the early-season performances of the pitching staff have been especially head-turning.

Mainieri also announced freshman pitcher Kevin Gausman will pitch Friday against Holy Cross, while fellow freshman Kurt McCune will pitch Saturday, and senior Ben Alsup will throw Sunday.

“I feel really good about this pitching staff, with the starters and middle relief and of course Matty [Ott] at the end of the game,” Mainieri said. “I think we’re going to be a very formidable pitching staff.”

Contact Luke Johnson at ljohnson@lsureveille.com

kind of a looser type of music.”

Junior shortstop Austin Nola takes a calmer approach to walkup music. He selected Travis Tritt’s “Great Day To Be Alive,” a country song he said he has listened to since high school.

“It’s one of my favorite songs,” said Nola, who used The Outfield’s “Your Love” last season. “I said, ‘If I can’t think of a walk-up song, then

“Great Day To Be Alive” is going to be a good one to go with.’”

A select few aren’t restricted to one song. Many two-way Tigers select different music at the plate than they do warming up on the mound.

San Diego native sophomore Jimmy Dykstra went with 2pac’s classic “California Love” when he pitches and The Game’s “Purp and Yellow,” a remix of Wiz Khalifa’s

page 11 “Black and Yellow,” when he hits.

Nola said former Tiger first baseman Blake Dean would change his walk-up music when he was in a slump.

“When he wasn’t hitting he’d change it back to what he had his freshman year or sophomore year,” he said.

This season’s LSU baseball team seems less superstitious. Most

Tigers said they plan to keep their songs for the entirety of the season.

Follow Rowan Kavner on Twitter @TDR_Kavner.

Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

Opinion

page 12

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Reader explains Tigerland dress code Written in response to Chris Grillot’s Feb. 22 column “A firsthand look at Tigerland’s discriminatory dress codes” First of all, let me say that I found your article regarding Tigerland’s “discriminatory” dress code very entertaining, as I do with most of The Daily Reveille’s opinion articles. I feel like you made a valid point, how most of the bars in Tigerland have a similar dress code, and how that may

upset certain people to whom this dress code may not apply. Those people, whoever they may be, have every reason to be upset, because let’s face it: Everyone wants to have a good time and go out with their friends every now and then. However, while I am not here to bash your article in any way, shape or form, I am simply going to explain to you why most of the bars in that area have such a uniform dress code.

I have experience working at two bars in Baton Rouge in my four years at LSU, not to mention my fair share of encounters at the different bars in Tigerland. In my time here, I have seen Tiger Bar turn into The Box and then The House; I have seen Heisman’s turn into Mike’s; I have seen

Shady’s go from a place no one really knew about to a Thursday night mainstay for several people. A big reason why Heisman’s failed my freshman year was because it was a place that “Jersey Shore-esque” dressed people frequented. I have seen, on countless occasions, innocent bystanders get called out by these guys and get jumped for no reason. When Heisman’s became Mike’s my sophomore year, it was more of the same thing. I can remember one night when I was picking up some friends from Mike’s when a random guy who didn’t like the way my friends dressed (polo, khakis, etc.) punched out my car window and ran off. It was absurd.

When I go out, I like to have

a good time, get a few drinks and catch up with friends. What Mike’s lacked was this type of atmosphere. It was filled with guys who went out looking for a fight at the end of the night. That’s when new management came in and cleaned house, also setting up this “strict” dress code more accustomed to the Bogie’s crowd.

Now, Mike’s is a very successful bar; although frequented by so-called “frat boys,” it does 100 times better financially than it did before.

What I’m getting at is that the reason many of these bars have this dress code is because they realize that if they get the fraternity and sorority crowd, they will draw in large groups of people that travel in packs

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 together and therefore make more money. If those people dressed like the cast of “Jersey Shore,” I’m sure that would become the norm in the dress code at these establishments. So in conclusion, I wouldn’t worry so much about what people dress like when they go out; at the end of the day, the bars are like anything else that operates in the service industry – they are a business and just want to have the best strategy available to stay in business.

Taylor Brett, mass communication senior

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

THE BOTTOM LINE

Blockbuster sells itself although economy is doing fine Several days ago, floundering movie-rental giant Blockbuster agreed to sell itself to debt-holders for $290 million, even though the economy is fine. Actually, it’s doing wonderfully.

A little background: Blockbuster has been in some deep trouble lately, filing for bankruptcy protection Sept. 23 and being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange around the same time.

Several factors led to its demise, but undoubtedly, Netflix and Redbox had plenty to do with it.

On the spiral down, Blockbuster has sold itself to Cobalt Video Holdco LLC for $290 million in a stalking horse bid.

Stalking horse bids work like this: Blockbuster gets an initial bid from a company (Cobalt LLC), and this initial offer ensures that auctioning for the company, when it begins, can’t be too low.

The term derives from an old hunting analogy. Hunters, being so clever as they often are, discovered a unique strategy for sneaking up on birds.

Rather unsurprisingly, if the hunter sneaks up on the bird, it will fly away, but if he walks behind a horse or cow, where his upper body is obscured, he can get quite close to the prey before firing.

The concept plays out in business and politics all the time, and Blockbuster is trying to make sure it receives a fair price for its assets when auctioning begins.

Many consider this a proverbial sign of the times — an iconic

representation of the last few years.

The 2008 recession, which was admittedly tough, has been done for nearly two years now.

The National Bureau of Economic Research says the global recession began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009.

Not only Devin Graham Opinion Editor is the recession done, it’s been done for quite some time.

But this issue reflects a larger misunderstanding about economics from the public. When politicians come up for re-election or a policy is debated, everyone becomes an armchair economist.

To be quite clear, economics is not a “hard science.” It’s not like math. Economies don’t always behave the way we expect them to, sometimes stubbornly doing just the opposite of what we intended or forecasted.

There’s a massive amount of debate and controversy involved in the field, so even for “experts,” it’s pretty tough to make clear, generalized calls.

So, when someone tells you “every economist says” or “every economist thinks,” you have my permission to stop listening. As a matter of fact, it’s your responsibility to do so.

So divided and complicated is the field of economics that its been dubbed the “abysmal

The Daily Reveille

science.” Harry Truman, our 44th president, famously stated he wanted a “one-armed economist.”

He thought economists too often stated, “On the one hand ... on the other ...”

In fact, many businesses are thriving despite the turmoil.

HoldCube, a Louisiana based company working in advertising

and marketing, for example, has grown from a 2006 revenue of $120,000 to $3.2 million in 2010.

That’s a three-year growth of around 2,567 percent, according to Inc.com — and right through the recession.

So when Blockbuster goes out of business, don’t complain about the economy. Just

go to Redbox.

Devin Graham is a 21-year-old business management senior from Prairieville. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_dgraham.

Contact Devin Graham at dgraham@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 CommuniEditorial Board cation. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, Sarah Lawson Editor-in-Chief 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 Robert Stewart Managing Editor, Content number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily ReveilStephanie Giglio Art Director le reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the origiSteven Powell Managing Editor, External Media nal 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 evDevin Graham Opinion Editor ery semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

Quote of the Day

“After Facebook it will be the little cameras that we have implanted into the palms of our hands, and we’ll be debating whether we should get them.”

Jesse Eisenberg American actor Oct. 5, 1983 — Present

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

CAMPUS-RESIDENT ALIEN

Opinion

page 13

Being away from TV, Internet is a survival experience My life as a graduate student and young professional has been hectic and busy. Suddenly, I find myself in a kind of social experiment where I’m gradually losing contact with my primary sources of information and entertainment.

It all started with not having a TV anymore. I moved to another apartment where cable was not included, so I decided not to pay for it — I’d have little time to watch it anyway.

Although I missed some stupid shows, especially during weekends (I barely remember what those are), missing the news is what bothers me the most.

But that was no big deal. Everything seemed to be going just fine. Classes, rehearsals, studying and practicing — everything demanded focus and time management, but all was still well.

In the middle of all that, checking news on the Internet, following up on e-mails and Facebook was enough to keep me wired into what we think is life, as shared by Internet and satellite connections.

This is how life is now, and I’m not just saying that because I’m a tree hugger that wants you to believe TV is bad because I can’t watch it and have made peace without it.

But my “liberation” didn’t stop with TV. For various reasons, some concrete and some not, I stopped reading news websites in the morning during breakfast.

During all those times I was reading online news, I could have read a textbook for a morning class discussion that was one hour away from breakfast.

Then again, maybe I wouldn’t

even do that. But just sitting with my coffee without looking at a laptop screen is good enough.

But as I told you, I’m not advertising a peace of mind by a passive, contemplative life.

Life for us is everything but that.

On top of TV and the Internet, I haven’t checked my Marcelo Vieira Facebook in Columnist three weeks — which is really becoming a survival experience. However, there’s nothing really wrong with my life so far.

Apparently, for a long time I was giving more value and paying more attention to things that are somewhat important —

but not crucial.

Moreover, not only can I focus more on all my tasks and appointments, I’ve realized it would be impossible to do if I were putting my mental efforts too enthusiastically into the sorrows of Egypt or Bahrain — although I admire what’s going on in those corners of our interconnected world.

The dynamics of your emotions and mental impulses change when you — voluntarily or forcefully — give up being “connected.”

For this short period of almost one and a half months, I feel differently about many things, especially people I know — and for the better, I have to say.

I’m not suggesting you engage in this extreme practice.

But I certainly recommend reflecting on the necessity of being

connected and wired all the time.

We already are in one way or another anyway, so there’s no need for cables and satellites.

In my life these days, everything revolves around music.

But I will go deeper into this adventure. I’ll try at least one week without Internet and then, even more dangerous, another one without a cell phone.

If I don’t get fired, I’ll come back and tell you how it went.

Marcelo Vieira is a 33-year-old jazz cello graduate student from Brazil. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_MVieira.

Contact Marcelo Vieira at mvieira@lsureveille.com

A BETTER PILL TO SWALLOW

Your child is fat, but don’t blame computers or television Tiny Tim is remembered as the small, harmless child from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Debilitated by rickets, this child was the physical embodiment of the downtrodden underclass of Victorian society.

But like many Victorian maladies, rickets is viewed as a vestige of a bygone era — it is a problem we think we no longer have to face.

On the contrary, rickets is finding its way back into modern society, causing frustration and astonishment once again in the medical community.

Caused by a vitamin D deficiency, rickets is a disorder that leads to the softening of the bones in developing children, which causes the trademark deformity of a rickets patient’s body.

Unlike most vitamins, the bulk of our vitamin D is synthesized through exposure to sunlight, and physicians are already drawing connections between the resurgence of rickets and lack of outdoor activity.

In the United Kingdom, where this disease is becoming a pressing issue, scientists have found dozens of children with signs of rickets.

While the United States may not be as historically lacking in sunlight as the United Kingdom, physicians are still concerned that we may soon experience rickets here in the U.S. Rightfully so, health departments in both countries are set to address such issues by educating parents and children about the need for outdoor activity and vitamin D supplementation.

However, I feel as though some may use this unsettling situation to push an agenda that has often been peddled in the past.

The concerned “do-gooders” of America are always ripe and ready to use authentic science to lambast elements of society that cater to indoor activity — video games, Internet and television.

Newspapers such as the United Kingdom’s Metro Chris Freyder published senColumnist sational headlines claiming “video games and social networking sites have been blamed for a shocking rise in cases of rickets in children.”

This claim was later found to be the result of a poor interpretation of a quote by a Newcastle University senior lecturer.

In fact, the Internet is rife with studies, articles and videos dedicated toward weaning us off digital entertainment, and they are all dead set on telling you that strokes, diabetes and obesity are the result of spending too much time on Facebook.

Arla Foods, a Swedish-Danish dairy producer, recently released a study that found spending all day “stuck in front of a box or on computer games” contributed to children not understanding simple concepts, such as the difference between wasps and bees.

It may be true we are spending on average more time indoors because of digital media, but does this necessarily mean our newfound hobbies need to be done away with?

Electronic media is still a driving force for good in society, but it is also shaping our experiences as both children and adults.

Undeniably, outdoor

activities are becoming less attractive to new generations.

Despite this, there is no valid reason to demonize electronic media or label it as something intrinsically harmful.

Therefore, it is our responsibility to counter any health issues that may evolve from our increased technological dependence with realistic, logical answers, rather than the creation of scapegoats.

Instead of shoving our kids outdoors with the hopes that something productive will occur,

we might find that true solutions lie in our ability to moderate what we do.

Our nation is enveloped in the Information Age and is experiencing trends in digital entertainment and media that most likely will not be curbed. We can use this as an opportunity to highlight the important roles nutrition, exercise and outdoor activity play in our lives.

Taking such messages and warping them into an agenda that aims to denigrate electronic media and recreation will only serve to

cause more frustration and confusion in our society.

Chris Freyder is a 21-year-old biological sciences junior from New Orleans. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Cfreyder.

For more on rickets, visit the New Spin Zone blog at lsureveille.com.

Contact Chris Freyder at cfreyder@lsureveille.com

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page 14

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The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 DISCRIMINATION, from page 1

years. Comparisons based on data from the Office of Budget and Planning show that from fall 2001 to fall 2010, the University experienced a 1 percent decrease of white students, 0.3 percent decrease of blacks, 1.3 percent increase of Hispanics and 0.1 percent increase of American Indians and Alaskan Natives.

Trends in enrollment are similar to racial population in Louisiana.

The white population in Louisiana has decreased 0.7 percent since 2000, according the results of the 2010 Census, and the black population had no change. But despite the small dip in the white population, white residents still outnumber all other races in the state with 2.3 million, compared to 1.5 million black residents in 2010.

The report shows drastic population increases for other minorities.

American Indians and Alaskan Natives are up 20 percent, Asians are up 28.1 percent, Native Hawaiians are up 58.3 percent and Hispanics are up 78.7 percent in the state.

Blair said the University is not exempt from racial incidents, but more precaution is taken at LSU than at other schools to prevent and handle these situations.

Many programs are held to promote equality — especially during

TERMINATION, from page 1

program funded by Feb. 28.

Moroney said the department graduates about four master’s students in biological sciences and one in biochemistry per year.

To be considered a low completer, a master’s program must have, on average, graduated fewer than five students annually in the past three academic years.

Moroney said the programs haven’t met the Regents’ requirements for graduates, but serve as an alternate option for doctoral students who may want to change course midway through their degree path. “[Cutting the programs will] definitely hurt our Ph.D. program,” Moroney said. “If you are a student trying to get a Ph.D., it is nice to have the two or three year option.”

Moroney explained that many students change focus or go to medical school during the five-year doctorate process. The master’s degree programs allow these students flexibility and is valuable when recruiting doctorate students, Moroney said.

“You would end up with an allor-nothing situation with the Ph.D., and that would definitely be a mistake,” Moroney said. “It is a very important part of the department, and it’s serving its purpose.”

Moroney said the master’s programs do not have any exclusive courses or instructors, so cutting them would produce no benefits.

“We would not change the makeup of our faculty at all,” Moroney said.

This is the first time the programs have been on the Regents’ low-completer list, although they have never graduated the required numbers. Moroney said the department has already gone through a period of consolidation from 12 undergraduate and graduate degrees to seven in the past decade.

Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com

Black History Month, she said.

Racism, however, is not always blatant, Blair said, and students often do not realize when subtle, nonforceful discrimination occurs.

“Not all problems are reported,” Blair said.

Jamal Griffith and Michael Schmitt experienced far-from-subtle racism recently in Tigerland.

Griffith, a black business management freshman, and Schmitt, a white computer science freshman,

said they were trying to enter a bar in Tigerland when a bouncer informed Griffith that his white shoes violated dress code.

Griffith said he changed into alternate footwear, but the bouncer told him there were no second chances.

Griffith said another night he was forced to remove a beanie identical to one a white individual was wearing.

Schmitt, however, said he sees no racism on campus.

page 15 Brittany Dupre, electrical engineering sophomore, said she agrees racism is not a problem on campus, but said she disagrees that dress codes in Tigerland are racist.

Garry Droze, black sports administration sophomore, said he has not experienced any racism either.

Racism will always be a problem, said Chris Eicher, electrical engineering freshman, but bar dress codes are not racially specific. “[Tigerland is] a private

establishment. If they want to exclude a certain race, that’s their right,” he said.

Blair said her office handles racism by facilitating constant conversation on the issue.

“If any students see discrimination, come and discuss with us,” she said.

Contact Brian Sibille at bsibille@lsureveille.com

page 16

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011