June 7 Press Conference
On June 7 the LSPA students participate in a press conference featuring three local professionals: two LSU employees and the East Baton Rouge District Attorney.
Hillar Moore III, East Baton Rouge District Attorney
The East Baton Rouge District Attorney is instrumental in the attempt to reduce homicides. Hillar C. Moore III is working to decrease crime is with the Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination (BRAVE) program. Since the initiation, the city has experienced fewer homicides annually.
BRAVE speaks directly to one of Moore’s main concerns for Baton Rouge, the biggest city in Louisiana replacing New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2006.
“Why are people killing each other?” asked Moore, a graduate of Southern University’s Law Center.
Moore and his team of researchers from Louisiana State University analyzed homicides from 2011 and 2012. They wanted to determine who was involved, why they were, and where the problem areas were.
The research showed violent groups exist throughout Baton Rouge. This has made it possible to target individuals within these groups to help reduce homicides.
After this data was gathered, Moore was part of a group of East Baton Rouge Parish officials and Louisiana State University employees that began the Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination program. BRAVE has seen success since its institution in 2012.
The researchers identified the most violent groups in Baton Rouge. Thirty-two gang-like groups were discovered. These groups differ from actual gangs because they are smaller and neighborhood based. Gangs are considerably larger and more organized.
BRAVE used call-ins, or meetings with the program’s representatives, to reach out to known group members. Some were accessible because they were in prison or on probation. Others were mailed invitations.
“We believe that you are an influential member of [a] group,” Moore said he said to the group members at the call-in. “You can use your leverage, your influence on getting a message back to your group members.”
BRAVE wanted group members to know they had resouces to help improve their lives and get off the street.
Moore said that, “word got out of what we were doing.”
“Put your gun down. Take our help.”
Some did. Some didn’t.
Debra Coltharp, LSU Horticulturalist
The dwindling bee population is an issue that concerns scientists worldwide. Louisiana State University Horticulturist Debra Coltharp is worried as well. Therefore, LSU has discontinued the use of bee-killing chemicals.
Coltharp said she does not like using chemicals at all. Instead, she prefers organic methods of growing plants. Unfortunately, completely chemical-free landscaping is impractical on the campus.
“It’s pretty much the only way we can function,” said Coltharp concerning chemical use.
Neonicotinoids, a compound commonly found in insecticides, will never be used on campus plants. When used incorrectly, the chemical makes the plants’ pollen fatal.
“You can’t tell that this plant has been treated, but the bee can,” Coltharp said. Bees die after they ingest pollen from plants treated with neonicotinoids.
Fortunately, Louisiana State University will not contribute to the rising death count of bees.
Kenneth Miles, Assitant Vice Chancelor for Academic Affairs & Executive Director, Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes
The Executive Director of the Academic Center of Student Athletes at Louisiana State University is working to bridge the gap between athletes and their peers. Kenneth Miles wants to eliminate the misconceptions surrounding student-athletes.
LSU provides student-athletes with specialized services and athlete-dedicated buildings. A cafeteria, an academic center with tutors and separate dorms are a few examples. It is not surprising that there are people who see these extras as unfair to the remaining students.
“These are perceptions that define reality,” said Miles, on the issue of student-athletes receiving more amenities than the average student.
Miles tries to educate people on the necessity of these services. Busy practice schedules keep athletes out late. That’s why student-athlete facilities stay open later.
Athletes are also being held to a higher academic standard. Miles wants athletes to realize there is more to life than sports.
“The commercialization of student athletes now, in my opinion, is ridiculous,” said Miles.
Since beginning his work at LSU in 2008, Miles has risen the football graduation rates from 54 percent to 70 percent. By partnering student services across the University, athletes have a supportive foundation willing to give help when it is needed, a foundation previously nonexistent.
“The decisions that you make do have an impact,” said Miles. It’s a good thing his decision was to help athletes at LSU.