lsureveille News Blog

Some may wonder what the large structure currently being erected on the corner of Highland and Raphael Semmes Roads is. I can tell you with confidence that it is the coolest combination of concrete and steel that I have ever seen.

I was able to take a tour of the bookstore, currently under construction, Wednesday morning. I was not expecting to be affected by this tour. I was just focused on finding out the layout of the bookstore and some of the features that will be included.

But after taking one step into the pantheon of concrete and steel, I was blown away. Maybe I was impressed because I have never seen a bookstore so large. I believe the new bookstore has a wow factor unlike any other building on campus.

I am genuinely excited to see the opening of this bookstore. I don’t want to use any of the features at this point. I just want to be able to stand in the completed library. While I walked through the corridors of the under-construction bookstore, I could imagine rows of books around me.

Students should be excited, too.

If perusing technology store or drinking Starbucks coffee isn’t a student’s “cup of tea,” he or she will surely be impressed by the breathtaking view from the top of the tower connecting the 700-parking-space garage and 50,000 sq. ft. garage.

From the top of the tower, I could see for miles. If there is a study area put on the top floor of the tower, I will immediately change my favorite study spot from Middleton Library to the top of the tower. How could I pass on an opportunity to study in what will soon be the most scenic area on campus?

Being the first student to tour through the under-construction library is an honor. But more than anything, it sparked my appetite for the grand opening at the end of this year.

I was told by Bookstore Manager that a plane will be hung from the center of the library’s ceiling. If this happens, I may just bring an inflatable mattress to the bookstore and never leave. I am officially dubbing myself the first bookstore fan-boy.

Josh Bergeron
Contributing Writer 

What can $40 million buy you?

Apparently not too much.

I recently got the chance to tour the E.J. Ourso College of Business’ Education Complex, which officially opens tomorrow, and I wasn’t too impressed, to say the least.

While all of the aesthetics of the building are nice and fun to look at, I feel like the complex doesn’t live up to its promise. I was told the design blends the traditional styles of campus buildings with new, modern designs.

The rotunda is a massive circular behemoth that stands at one end of the new complex. At the other is an auditorium that will host guest lecturers.

Everything in between is mostly a blur.

The classrooms, which all seat either 60 or 120 students, all look the exact same. The desks feature electrical outlets and internet connections for laptop computers.

There are independent rooms for students to gather and work on projects. There is one room that will feature a stock ticker that aims to give students real-life, hands-on experience with the business world. The rotunda will house a CC’s Coffee for Christ’s sake!

Is it useful? Yes.

Was I expecting more? You bet.

The classrooms all look the same. The independent study areas are nice, but the building certainly does not have the state-of-the-art technology everyone involved with the project keeps raving about. The Business College already has a room with tickers that give students real-life, hands-on experience. CC’s Coffee will only be another bullet point on a long list of coffee locations on campus.

To say I’m let down is an understatement.

But I may be talking too soon.

I was told that on Friday, the complex will be handed over to the College of Business, which will then go in and provide furniture and equipment to the classrooms.

There could be an ace up E. J. Ourso’s sleeve.

But as for right now, the new Business Education Complex only feels like an unnecessary use of the state’s and donors’ money on the College of Business’ part while the University is struggling to stay afloat as the Louisiana flagship school.

Kevin Thibodeaux
Contributing Writer 

Obsession. Addiction. What factors go into causing these emotions? Why can’t we shake the feelings? What makes us so attached to feelings, concepts and people that we can’t get off the mind even though we know we are doing harm to ourselves?

I am my biggest critic. I criticize things about myself that usually go unnoticed by most people.

Laurel Key is an attractive woman with a pretty smile and she’s easy to talk to. I would have never guessed that she suffers from addiction and an eating disorder.

I think it is safe to say that she is her biggest critic as well.

When I interviewed Laurel, she was an open book. She shared her experience with me like I was a friend. It showed me that she had come to terms with her weight obsession and addictive personality. It showed me she accepted who she is.

Laurel struggled through rehab and treatment facilities but certain emotional and environmental factors triggered relapse and triggered more self-criticism.

Why are we so critical of ourselves? Why do obsess over body image and why do we become addicted to things we know aren’t good for us?

I ask a lot of questions that I don’t have the answers to.

But I think Laurel Key said it best today in her — It’s personal.

We all have our own reasons for doing what we do. But it is solely up to us to discover those reasons and find out if they are worth the criticism, risks and consequences.

Jacy Baggett,
Contributing Writer

Budget cuts, budget cuts, budget cuts.

Every time Gov. Bobby Jindal has unveiled his budget in the past few years, higher education administrators have groaned and winced knowing what’s ahead.

But this year, we could see a change.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille)

Jindal’s chief of staff announced that not only will Jindal take higher education off the table to be cut, but is actually trying to give $100 million to universities as part of his new retirement plan.

Too good to be true?

We won’t know for sure until the actual budget is seen tomorrow, but be prepared for another legislative session full of tricks, drama and political brinksmanship.

This $100 million is contingent upon the legislature passing it. We saw what happened when Jindal played a similar game last year, when he said he would not make cuts to higher education, but left much of its funding to loopholes the legislature had to close.

Not to mention that the chancellor and LSU’s legislative liaison are saying that LSU has a lot of friends in the legislature this session after elections. That could make quite an interesting dynamic as LSU competes against other universities for funding.

Will LSU be cut again? I think the answer is yes, but it won’t look like it on the surface – I imagine it will be a much deeper, complicated, formulaic type cut that you have to dig to find.

That’s our job. We’ll do the digging. And we’ll be on guard as the budget battle begins.

Andrea Gallo
News Editor

Hearing the shouts of angry evangelicals, my senses tell me to walk away from Free Speech Alley at all costs to avoid any sort of confrontation or discomfort. I would expect to have a similar reaction when given the opportunity to sit down and talk to one.

But to my surprise, I found my experience with George Smock rather calm.

George Edward Smock, better known as Brother Jed, preaches Friday in Free Speech Plaza as students protest around him. Photo by Xerxes A. Wilson.

The preacher, known as Brother Jed, answered my phone call and proceeded to answer all of my questions in a peaceful way.

The man who is usually spotted shouting to the roof tops about students being damned to the depths of hell was anything but angry or aggressive. Throughout our conversation, Smock remained unruffled. A passionate man, Smock only emitted feelings of hope that he can save students.

He believes the confrontational approach captures the attention of college students, but I would disagree. If Smock approached his preaching methods in the calm demeanor I experienced, students would be more likely to receive his message.

Although I strongly disagree with Smock’s brand of “confrontational evangelism,” talking with him allowed for me to have a better grasp on his beliefs. I was able to look into the mind of a man who is driven by repentance.

Don’t get me wrong, I had to bite my tongue a few times. But, as a journalist, I respect the right to free speech, no matter what ludicrous things may be said.

In the end, behind the shouting and angry sentiments, Brother Jed is just a man trying to help others. He may be blinded by his own beliefs, but all he wants is for students to live a godly life.

However, I could do without the offensive phrases he yells as students pass by. No one wants to see a sign that says “you deserve hell,” especially on a Monday.

Lauren Duhon
Staff Writer

The next time you go to Hooters of Baton Rouge, ask for Brittany Farmer.

Farmer, a 21-year-old waitress, was selected to be one of the 16 Hooters Girls competing for the title Hooters Dream Girl. The competition took place in Aruba over the course of a week and was made into a TV show on SPEED and Fuel TV.

Photo by Alyssa Sirisophon / The Daily Reveille

In Hooters world, Dream Girl is a big deal. Of every Hooters girl in every location worldwide, only one gets the right to be called Hooters Dream Girl.

And even though most of us have never heard of the Dream Girl title, I think it’s a pretty impressive feat.

There are thousands of Hooters girls around the world, all of whom are hot (which is basically a job requirement), and being considered the best one must mean they’re something special.

Farmer of Baton Rouge seems like a perfect candidate. She’s a sweet Southern belle who seems humble and down to earth. She’s friendly with customers and knows her stuff — carrots are not on the menu, she assured a mistaken co-worker.

And she’s hot too.

She can pull off the tight tank/neon booty shorts/wig-wam sock combo with ease.

I interviewed her in the middle of a post-lunch shift, and every time she had to take care of a customer, she apologetically scurried off.

Farmer seems like she’s good at her job and she’s a modest girl. From the looks of her sultry bikini photos, she’s not a bad model, either.

Hooters is unarguably tacky, but it offers young women numerous modeling opportunities and chances to advance and make a name for themselves. Farmer moved from Natchez to Baton Rouge at 18, and a few years later, her face is on a billboard.

Hooters’ wings aren’t bad either — which is obviously the No. 1 reason people go to Hooters.

Emily Herrington
Staff Writer