VOLUME 117 | ISSUE 17

COVID-19 Weddings on campus: creates new Are students interested? UL research Lena Foster CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ever thought about having a wedding possibilities on your college campus? It’s possible. David Reed Some facilities at the University of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Louisiana at Lafayette are available for wedding and reception rentals. While COVID-19 hindered most UL Lafayette utilizes on-campus aspects of life at the University of venues like the Student Union, Cypress Louisiana at Lafayette, it’s created many Lake Plaza and the Alumni Center new research opportunities for students to host weddings. Although they are and faculty. common social hang-out spots for According to Vice President for current and former students, these Research, Innovation and Economic vicinities are also known for providing Development Ramesh Kolluru and wedding-goers with a unique experience Assistant Vice President for Research, for their special day. Innovation and Economic Development “It ties to our heritage and our culture Kumer Das, UL Lafayette students with the Cypress Lake right there and the have tackled several research projects beautiful scenery,” Director of the Student brought about by the pandemic. This Union, Dawn Miller said. “It’s just really includes 3D-printing personal protective something that you’re not going to get equipment (PPE), such as masks, for local hospitals, researching quick and cost- from many places in Lafayette. It’s a effective testing methods for the Ragin’ quaint space that not many people have Photo via Alexis Wilson Cajuns football team and developing The Cypress Lake Plaza decorated for a wedding reception. taken advantage of yet.” technology to better track capacity limits Although weddings are not unusual on their wedding on our campus is cool,” up the venue according to the wedding in buildings. campus, according to UL Lafayette senior, Jasmine Hebert, a sophomore, said. date and party size, giving access to According to Kolluru, there were some Malesa Sinnasone, some students have These venues have a history that adds certain materials as well as parking, and initial hurdles to overcome with research thought about reasons couples choose to to the campus’s cultural background and accommodating the clients as needed. at the university, but the pandemic ended have their weddings on campus. significance. “When most people come in, they up creating additional opportunities for “If the couple that was getting married The Alumni Center was built by a say ‘Wow, I can’t believe this is a college students and faculty. met at UL Lafayette, then I could local and successful architect named A. campus.’” Wilson said. “So we’re not just victims of COVID-19, understand why they would have that. It Hays Town. He created the home for Although weddings are not unusual on like all of us are as a global society, right,” goes into everything with being alumni the Heymanns, a well-known family in campus, according to UL Lafayette senior, Kolluru said. “But we are on the frontlines and having that pride,” Hebert said. Lafayette, and now it provides the city Malesa Sinnasone, some students have of a solution in our giant global fight Students and faculty can agree that one with a centrally located historic landmark thought about reasons couples choose to against COVID-19.” of the main reasons for people having on the Senior Director of Alumni have their weddings on campus. UL Lafayette research of faster testing their wedding on the UL Lafayette Facilities and Special Projects’ campus. According to Holden, there would methods played a key role in the Ragin’ campus would be because of their According to the Senior Director of be interruptions from students since Cajuns football season last year, as they connection to their alma mater. Alumni Facilities and Special Projects, most of these places are their free space. otherwise would have been unable to meet “If they’re alumni and really love the Dan Hare, the building is beautiful and He believes it would not be fair to the the NCAA’s and the Conference’s testing requirements, Das said. university, then I don’t blame them for resembles a wedding cake. The grounds students. According to Das and Kolluru, the tests wanting a wedding there,” Sinnasone are pretty as well and are commonly used With it still being a college campus, commonly being used at the time were too said. for weddings. other events are still happening while expensive and took too long to produce “I guess they could take pictures by these weddings are going on. There “Obviously we are here to be a place results. the swamp or the Fleur-De-Lis fountain. to gather and celebrate with our alumni, haven’t been many complaints of They might also like the big oak trees. But The NCAA required athletes get students, and the university community. interruptions, according to Wilson, tested 72 hours before a game, and the I still don’t get it,” Dominique Holden, a But when our calendar allows for us to Miller, and Hare, however, warnings are senior at UL Lafayette said. standard tests being used at the time, rent it for these private events, it is really given to clients if there is another event PCR tests, often took over three days to However, some students still have a a transformation to a beautiful setting scheduled at the same time in a nearby hard time understanding why people produce results. They were also extremely for some really nice and memorable building. expensive, Kolluru said. would use a college campus as their ideal weddings,” Hare said. Even with the amenities and scenery wedding space. In response, UL Lafayette students and Wedding-goers have also provided for wedding-goers, most faculty began researching Loop-mediated “I don’t see why they would have a complimented the services that are students don’t see themselves as having wedding there. It just seems weird to me,” Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) testing. provided. Clients are given flexibility, their wedding at the university. From a This is a fast and cost-effective method of Holden said. versatility and freedom when it comes student perspective, it is still viewed as According to Alexis Wilson, the event testing large groups at one time. Thanks to to making their wedding how they want an educational institution instead of a these research projects, the university was logistics coordinator, most ceremonies using our facilities. potential dream wedding. able to implement LAMP testing for the are held outside and give guests an “We basically provide them with a “I wouldn’t. Because when I think of Ragin’ Cajuns football team and meet the authentic Louisiana background. Clients blank canvas and they can paint their UL, I don’t think of it as a place to have NCAA’s testing requirements. can also have, but are not limited to, the picture of how they envision it to be,” my wedding. It’s just weird going to The engineering department at the 8,000 square foot ballroom so guests can Hare said. school somewhere and also planning to university has been hard at work with move about the premises freely. The faculty and staff in charge of start your future there,” Sinnasone said. COVID-19 related research as well. “We have a really beautiful campus. So some of the vicinities assist by setting According to Das, the department to say that someone would want to have also developed a tool to count how many people are in a building at one time by keeping track of the number of people entering and exiting doorways. This tool is ideal for helping businesses obey capacity limits. During the PPE shortage early in 37 new COVID-19 cases last the pandemic, UL Lafayette students and faculty 3D-printed some for local hospitals. However, the shortage had largely ended by the time they finished this week, bringing UL total to 744 process. The Advance Student Research David Reed Experience, which launched during EDITOR-IN-CHIEF the spring 2020 semester, is a program designed to give undergraduate students There were 37 new COVID-19 cases more research opportunities. among students, faculty and staff at According to Director of the Student the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Center for Research Sherry Krayesky- last week, according to the university’s Self, the program was indeed hindered COVID-19 dashboard on Monday, Jan. 25 by COVID-19, but is now going along at 4:44 p.m. relatively smoothly. According to the dashboard, the One of the primary aspects of university has confirmed that 191 students the program is the Student Center and 124 faculty and staff members for Research, a central office where contracted the virus, and 429 students students can seek help finding research have told the university they’ve tested opportunities, and it hasn’t been positive. This means there have been a significantly impacted by COVID-19, total of 744 cases among students, faculty Krayesky-Self said. and staff at UL Lafayette. While many of the research Confirmed positive tests include tests Graphic by Cole Broussard opportunities offered through Advance taken by Student Health Services and Students in this category sent their results positive, and 25 students reported that are for STEM students, the program is also designed to provide research opportunities UL Lafayette Athletics, as well as tests to the dean of students themselves, they tested positive, according to the for students in the arts. submitted to the university’s human according to the dashboard. COVID-19 dashboard on Monday, Jan. 25 “But there’s another phrase, another resources department by faculty, staff and Last week, seven faculty or staff at 4:44 p.m. acronym STEAM, instead of STEM. And student workers. Self-reported tests were This is an ongoing story. Stay with the members tested positive. The university the reason it’s important is because it taken by off-campus health care providers. Vermilion for more updates. confirmed that five students tested includes the arts,” Krayesky-Self said.

News Sports Allons Allons GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT FLIP THAT BOOK KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

Despite a seemingly unstable job market, Amidst interest from other colleges, The closure of Flip that Book is a loss for Was Biden’s decision to cancel the some faculty members say graduating Louisiana head coach Billy Napier plans students and small businesses, according pipeline an environmental win, or will the students have nothing to fear. to stay with UL Lafayette. to Allons Editor Christian Janes. loss of jobs do more harm than good? PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 2 JANUARY 27, 2021 | THE VERMILION Police Reports Flip that Book set to Compiled by Morri Sampey Jan. 20 close, removing the UL l At 9:34 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the Student Union Bookstore in reference to a fraudulent debit card purchase. The officer met with the bookstore’s competition Bookstore manager. Eliana Bartlett university after initial use. “But at the end of the day, if you end up NEWS WRITER Jan. 19 buying the used book from us and selling l At 9:19 a.m., a UL Lafayette employee reported criminal damage to property. On Jan. 4, local bookstore Flip that it back, you would actually pay less Book announced their upcoming money for the textbook than you would The bricks on Bourgeois Tunnel had been spray painted. discontinuation on Facebook. According with Amazon.” to the post, the store will keep its doors McFarland shared the different Jan. 17 interactions he would have with l open until the end of the spring 2021 At 9:21 a.m., the University Police responded off-campus to a UL Lafayette semester. professors requesting books for their Flip that Book has specialized in classes. While certain faculty members employee’s home in reference to papers being placed in their yard. l textbook exchanges with local students would make an effort to find the cheapest At 11:13 a.m., an officer was flagged down by a complainant in reference to at a discounted price since 1987. A option for their students, other professors her bicycle front rim and tire being taken. The bicycle was locked up outside of would seek the best quality, no matter the family-owned business started by Carl Baker Hall. Montiville, the establishment offered price. custom textbooks, access codes, e-books, However, publishers will avoid solution manuals, study guides and publishing products in subject areas calculators at lower prices than those where their competition shows offered at official university stores. prominence. This leaves professors little Faculty remains hopeful While Flip that Book operates at many choice as to what content they should different universities, according to their request for their class. website, its main office is located in Some majors are more financially for student employment Lafayette. straining than others. Introductory “They have always been our math and science classes cost 85% more competition,” Tim McFarland, Director than introductory liberal arts courses, of the Ragin’ Cajuns Store, said in regards according to a Hatchet analysis in 2019. despite global pandemic to Flip That Book. “We were very aware Access codes play a hand in the Amelia Jennings broader field of study will find jobs more of them being down the street.” rising costs of products sold in college NEWS EDITOR easily, but UL Lafayette engineering Profits from the University of Louisiana bookstores as well. For a physical graduates are still in high demand. at Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajun stores are sent textbook, students only pay for research, Some students feel that their job According to Khattab, this is because directly back to the university’s budget, editing, production and distribution. opportunities have been threatened, but they are trained in both leadership and according to McFarland. The book’s Along with all of those factors, students the University of Louisiana at Lafayette encouraged to do internships. publisher decides how much the book also pay for the developmental process staff and administration say not to worry. “Engineering jobs are expected to grow by nearly 140,000 new jobs over will cost, rather than the university. with an access code, creating a more With COVID-19 still in existence and the next decade,” according to Khattab’s “The national average is a 25% mark- costly purchase. unemployment rates still high, college PowerPoint. up from the original price. You would Whether or not Flip that Book closed students are rightfully worried about jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic after graduation. Eleven engineering graduates are pay the same at LSU, Duke and UCLA,” currently working on the Pfizer vaccine in McFarland said. is unknown. However, they would not On Tuesday, Jan. 19, The Vermilion be alone as a small American business posted a Twitter poll asking students Michigan, and thus found jobs because of Textbook prices have increased by the pandemic; however, that is not true for 1,041 percent since 1977, according shutting its doors due to quarantine and if they were confident they would find social distancing. a job when they graduated. Of the 25 most graduates. to NBC’s review of Bureau of Labor Khattab also said that it is important to Since January, the number of small respondents, 36% said yes and 64% said Statistics (BLS) data. have a stronger resume to stand out. businesses has decreased by 29% in the no. “Just so everybody knows, the This is true for most of the colleges, bookstore does not pick the books,” US, while revenue has dropped by 31.1%. According to UL Lafayette graduate and former graphic design major, Brie Cushall, including liberal arts, where what McFarland expressed. “Faculty and Along with Flip that Book, Don’s she was not as worried about jobs before kind of job a student will have is less professors choose the books.” Seafood, Wing Fingers, Frenchie’s straightforward. Modern Nail Care and other local the pandemic hit, but since graduating in Associate Director of the Ragin’ Cajuns spring 2020, she has yet to find a job in her According to Dean of Liberal Arts Store, Sarah Armentor, expressed the Lafayette businesses have shut down Jordan Kellman, while a liberal arts degree during, or due to, the pandemic. field. importance of returning books to the However, she is also at high risk of the does give students skills that they will coronavirus and does not want to work need in the future, most of the jobs require non-remotely until the pandemic is over. networking. “I think it would definitely help chances On top of this, 45% of students go to knowing that I’d be able to go into work,” graduate school where the employment she said, “the few (jobs) that do exist rate is close to 100%, in Kellman’s words. consistently want someone coming in and “Almost all of our graduates eventually it’s just not possible right now.” get employed in some area that’s using Recently, however, national their college qualifications and training unemployment rates have started to in some way or another,” he said, “But decline, and while they are still higher than there’s no way to numerically sort out, (if) they were pre-pandemic, they are certainly you have a job in the discipline that your not as scarce in some fields. that your degree is in for most liberal arts “In December, job losses in leisure and students.” hospitality and in private education were Kellman went on to say that liberal arts partially offset by gains in professional graduates are also going to be less affected and business services, retail trade, and by the coronavirus because of the diverse construction,” according to the Bureau of skills that the graduates have. Labor Statistics. “Liberal arts majors are much less The Dean of Engineering, Ahmed affected by that because their opportunities Khattab, says that students who are more are distributed all across the spectrum of willing to travel nationally and have a employment sectors,” he said.

Photo by David Reed / The Vermilion The sign outside Flip that Book on Monday, Jan. 25 at 12 p.m.

Graphic by Cole Broussard

THE VERMILION EDITORIAL STAFF SUBMISSIONS

A weekly student publication of the University EDITOR-IN-CHIEF David Reed SPORTS EDITOR Madelyn Myer All letters to the editor and guest editorials must of Louisiana at Lafayette. The paper is MANAGING EDITOR Morri Sampey ALLONS EDITOR Christian Janes include the author’s full name and phone number and be no longer than 400 words in length. Submissions distributed on Wednesdays except on holidays NEWS EDITOR Amelia Jennings PHOTO COORDINATOR Kenton Jackson are edited for libel and vulgarity only. Editorial and and semester breaks.The Vermilion is supported DESIGN MANAGER Cole Broussard BUSINESS MANAGER Madelyn Myer columns reflect the author’s opinion and not those of in part by student-assessed fees. Views The Vermilion staff. expressed in The Vermilion do not necessarily All advertisements must be submitted by the Friday reflect those of UL Lafayette administrators, EMAIL [email protected] BUSINESS 482-6110 FAX 482-6959 MAIL P.O. Box before publication at [email protected]. faculty, staff or other students. 43721 Lafayette, LA 70504-4813 101 BOUCHER DRIVE LAFAYETTE, LA © 2021 Communications Committee of UL Lafayette. LOCATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THE VERMILION | JANUARY 27, 2021 3 Sports Women’s Basketball comes back strong after weeks without gameplay

Photo by James Mays / The Vermilion UL Lafayette sophomore Alexandria Goodly drives the ball to the basket as the Ragin’ Cajuns take on the Mississippi College Choctaws at the on Oct. 28, 2019. Madelyn Myer Some would argue such a long time contribute, Louisiana can be a dominant powerful first quarter that set the tone for SPORTS EDITOR without playing a game could have offensive force. the rest of the game. negative effects, but that was not the case In an exciting game against It seems in the fourth quarter, the Two weeks ago I wrote about the for Louisiana. State University, Louisiana secured a Cajuns were close to succumbing to women’s basketball team’s chances With almost three weeks without 67-65 overtime win. The game-winning their old ways, unable to hold their lead. of winning their upcoming games. I gameplay, the Ragin’ Cajuns had time to shot came from one of Louisiana’s most However, thankfully they were able to believed by correcting a few errors, go over what had been lacking in earlier consistent players, Brandi Williams. get back into their offensive momentum Louisiana could be a force to be reckoned games. Practices were probably filled with With less than two minutes to play and outscore Arkansas State in the fourth with. rebounding, defense and ball-handling in overtime, Williams drained a three- quarter to finish the game. After suffering many losses in January, drills to help correct some of Louisiana’s pointer. After that shot, Louisiana Again Williams, Doucet, Goodwin it was evident that lack of turnovers, weak spots. managed to keep Arkansas State from and Mathis showed out. Louisiana’s strong defense and rebounding were key I’m not sure exactly how different the scoring for the remainder of the game. defense was solid, they limited their own in gaining victories. This was proved practices were between their last loss and Williams was not the only player turnovers while forcing Arkansas State to correct over the weekend as the Ragin’ now, but whatever Head Coach Gary bringing a solid offense for Louisiana. have turnovers and they outrebounded Cajuns women’s basketball team gained Brodhead did to improve, he needs to Jomyra Mathis, Ty’Reona Doucet and their opponents. two back-to-back wins. keep doing. Not only did Louisiana win Skyler Goodwin all contributed heavily to The Ragin’ Cajuns will face State The wins were extremely impressive their first game back in an exhilarating the Cajuns win as well. When more than next in a similar back-to-back round of as the team had not played a game since back and forth bout, but their second just one player is producing offensively, games before facing Arkansas State again Jan. 2. A combination of postponements game back was an over ten-point deficit the team is unstoppable. in February. If the team sticks to this and cancelations left the team without for their opponents. This showed, like in The next victory against Arkansas State formula, they can’t be beat. competition for multiple weeks, but it earlier games of the season when their was an even bigger point margin. This Follow The Vermilion on Twitter may have been exactly what Louisiana confidence is high and all players time it was not last-minute excitement @TheVermilion for more updates needed. that got Louisiana the win, but instead, a

Billy Napier remains committed to Louisiana amid Power 5 interest Louisiana being one of the 11. The Ragin Cajuns are in elite company being Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State are a few of the teams rounding out that list. Napier has been the head coach in Lafayette for three seasons, building the Ragin’ Cajuns into a Sun Belt powerhouse during his tenure. Louisiana finished 11-3 and 7-1 in conference play in 2019, winning the West division title and ultimately beating (OH) in the LendingTree Bowl. Following Louisiana’s best season to date, Napier one-upped 2019 with an even more dominant 2020 season. Led by elite quarterback Levi Lewis, the Cajuns finished the season ranked 19th in the final Playoff poll. The 9-1 Cajuns outdid Big 12 Iowa State in Week 1 of the season and ultimately repeated as Sun Belt West champion with its only loss of the season coming against undefeated Coastal Carolina on Oct. 14. The Sun Belt Championship Game, which was scheduled to be a rematch with the Chanticleers, was canceled due Photo by James Mays / The Vermilion to COVID-19 issues at Coastal Carolina. UL Lafaytte’s head coach Billy Napier directs his players during pre-game warm-ups as the Ragin’ Cajuns take on the Coastal Carolina Napier has resurrected a Sun Belt Chanticleers at on Oct. 14, 2020. team that was simply mediocre into and even Auburn over his time here elevates the profile of the entire a dominant squad with national Zachary Nagy recognition. This success is simply a SPORTS WRITER at Louisiana, but is committed to the university, and we know there is much culture here in Lafayette. more to accomplish.” result of the incredible work that Napier “We are very excited about the future Napier, a former offensive coordinator and his entire coaching staff repeatedly Through all the success the University put in. of Louisiana Lafayette has been having of Ragin’ Cajuns Football under Coach for Power Five schools Clemson and Napier’s leadership,” Athletic Director Arizona State, ultimately decided that he From the recruiting trail to hours over the last few seasons, it is not spent game planning each week, Napier’s surprising that Head Coach Billy Napier Bryan Maggard said in a school press is focusing on building a new norm here release on Twitter. “We will continue at Louisiana. That new norm is simply success is a direct reflection of the work has been receiving national recognition. he puts in to be great. Napier has been pursued by schools to invest in the program to ensure we winning. such as Mississippi State, South Carolina maintain and grow our successes. We In the last two seasons, eleven teams Follow The Vermilion on Twitter believe a successful football program have won 20 or more games, with @TheVermilion for more updates 4 JANUARY 27, 2021 | THE VERMILION Despite placing first in the Sun Belt, Louisiana Football could have done better Caleb Williams SPORTS WRITER

OPINION – With the Cajuns’ triumphant season at an end, it becomes easy to relish in the glory of being the highest ranked Louisiana football team in program history. Louisiana was the only ranked team in the state and No.1 in the . While the team’s overall performance was spectacular, there are aspects that need improvement to continue to 2020 season hype into 2021. Quarterback Levi Lewis proved himself with 2,274 passing yards, but the team’s pass completion percentage was only 58. While Louisiana held the No. 1 spot in the Sun Belt Conference, their completion percentage put them at fourth place when compared to other teams. The offense favored running the ball as their rushing attempts exceeded their passing attempts. Louisiana ran the ball 429 times and attempted to pass the ball 310 times. Running backs Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas have a combined yard total of 1,636 out of the team’s 2,343 rushing yards. With this being said, one would expect the No.1 team in the Sun Belt Photo by James Mays / The Vermilion Conference to be at a higher spot than UL Lafayette’s head football coach Billy Napier watches his players during pre-game warmups as the Ragin’ Cajuns take on the Coastal fourth in pass completions. Carolina Chanticleers at Cajun Field on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. Field goal percentage is another statistic conversion percentage came at 42.74% The team lost the second most number Cajuns need to look to improve their pass that could use improvement. While their (59-138) where their opponents’ average of yards per game due to penalties in the completion percentage, third and fourth field goal percentage was the same as their was at 43.53% (74-170). They were even conference coming behind Appalachian down conversions, making field goals, and opponents, the stats are not to be bragged further behind on their fourth down State who lost 63 yards per game. lowering the number of penalties. With about. Louisiana made 66% (10-15) of conversions at 44% average (11-25) and Despite areas of needed improvement, a change in starters due to playmakers their field goals whereas their opponents their opponents being 55% (15-27). The Cajuns were the only ranked team in graduating, young players have big made 66% as well. Third down conversions playing a crucial the state, and they kept climbing in ranks expectations to fill because they are not Not only could Louisiana look statistic that needs to be fixed in the 2021 throughout the season. Without a doubt, only following in their older teammate’s to improve their pass completion season. the team shocked the nation with their footsteps but as well as coming off a percentage, but their third and fourth Louisiana also struggled with losing excellent season. record-setting season. down conversions. Both third and fourth yards due to penalties. When compared to With that being said, there is always down conversions were lower than their their opponents, Louisiana lost 61.45 yards room for improvement to fulfill the opponents, too. Louisiana’s third-down per game where their opponents lost 40.64. expectations for the 2021 season. The

Men’s basketball picking up steam despite unfortunate start this season

Photo by James Mays / The Vermilion UL Lafayette junior Theo Akwuba attempts to score a dunk over an opposing defender as the Ragin’ Cajuns take on the McNeese State Cowboys at the Cajundome on Dec. 19, 2020.

Olivia Beauvais In another home court game, Louisiana Louisiana men’s basketball battled while defeating their opponent with a SPORTS WRITER rallied past previous in-state rival, back, gaining victory over Little Rock 68-51 victory. Louisiana Tech University. The final score in a 66-64 hard-fought battle. This was This win against UT Arlington was The Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball was 61-56, and the Cajuns snapped a a huge win for Louisiana, as it earned another historical win for as team didn’t start their season as they had two-game losing streak against its in-state Head Coach Bob Marlin his 111th career he earned the 112th career SBC victory, hoped. Although junior Theo Akwuba rivals. victory in SBC play, tying him with tying him with former South Alabama scored a career-high 22 points, they fell Louisiana defeated the Privateers (73- legendary coach of the coach for second in league short to Baylor, a team. 63) for the second time this season. At University of Alabama at Birmingham history. This loss didn’t stop Louisiana though; this point in the season, the Cajuns held a (1979-91) for third place in league Carrying this momentum into a game they fought with force to defeat the 5-1 record for the non-conference season. history. against Arkansas State University, the University of , leaving them The Ragin’ Cajuns upped their winning In the finale of a two-game Sun Belt Ragin’ Cajuns had a strong second half with their seventh game win in a row streak to six games and completed an Conference Men’s Basketball series at and ended the first game of a two-game for Louisiana (1-1) over its former Sun undefeated month after a 75-65 win the Cajundome, Little Rock lifted past series with an 81-68 sweep. Belt Conference (SBC) rival and its third against McNeese State University. the Ragin’ Cajuns in the final minute of In the final game of a two-game series straight against the Privateers in New In the SBC opener, Louisiana claimed overtime. against Arkansas State, the Red Wolves Orleans. its first Sun Belt-opening victory since At the in fell behind as Louisiana never trailed The Ragin’ Cajuns were dominant, claiming the 2017-18 championship. Arlington, Texas, UT Arlington came in score. The Ragin’ Cajuns scored the as always, on their home court as they After the extra session of overtime, the through clutch shooting late from behind game’s first seven points while posting won their tenth straight home opener. Cajuns swept the Bobcats of Texas State the 3-point line and finished with a 91-86 season-highs for 3-pointers made (11) Louisiana’s first opponent was Louisiana University. win over the Louisiana Ragin’’ Cajuns in and 3-point field goal percentage (.688). State University in Shreveport, who they After a seven-game winning streak, a Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball The rest of the season is looking good defeated with an 84-73 victory. Texas State took advantage of their solid game. for the Ragin’ Cajuns Men’s Basketball Bringing this momentum into the shooting, building them a significant In another away game against UTA, the team. Their solid players along with Bob following game, the Ragin’ Cajuns lead. This SBC loss resulted in their 7-2, Louisiana Ragin’’ Cajuns Men’s Basketball Marlin, a legendary coach, hopes to lead took a 90-75 win in a match-up against 1-1 Sun Belt record. team shot a season-best 60 percent from them to victory in the remainder of the Louisiana State University of Alexandria. the floor from behind the 3-point line, season. THE VERMILION | JANUARY 27, 2021 5 Allons OPINION How to handle difficult roommates: Compromises and communication Morri Sampey MANAGING EDITOR

For some, the scariest part of starting college is getting a roommate. If you don’t have anyone to room with, it can be nerve-wracking to get put with a stranger. You might become best friends with your roommate, but it’s also possible your personalities will simply clash too much for it to work out. If that happens, what are you supposed to do? Students actually have a few options at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Before deciding to fill out a roommate change request, it might be worth looking into some other options. First, take a look at why you’re having a disagreement in the first place. Roommates are usually made to fill out a roommate agreement form at the beginning of the semester; consult that and see if the disagreement can be resolved by one of the rules on there. If not, try to see if there’s a compromise that could be worked out. If you both Graphic by Cole Broussard have wildly different political views, you could decide to simply not discuss and might have a solution for you. request and approve or deny it depending roommate in an effort to work out your politics with each other. If you both want Sometimes two people simply don’t get on the reason for the change. If approved, issues. the room at different temperatures, you along, even if there is no disagreement. you will be moved to a different room. If your roommate ever does or says can settle for whatever temperature is in Are your personalities just too different, This can still be a bit risky. If you don’t anything that makes you feel unsafe the middle of the two. Some issues won’t or have you not talked to your roommate request to move in with a particular around them, contact UL Lafayette Police have a compromise, which would be much? Consider getting lunch with your person, you could end up with another Department and explain the situation. the point at which I would pull out the roommate a few times and have some roommate problem, but it’s better to take They’ll be able to help you take the next roommate change request. conversations about your interests. It’s that risk than spend the entire semester steps to make sure you feel safe. If coming to a compromise is proving possible that you’re just uncomfortable unhappy. Once you have a roommate you get to be difficult, Resident Assistants (RA) around them because you don’t know Requests can be denied if the reason along with, get ready for the semester! are able to moderate discussions about them very well. seems too petty to go through the effort Your roommate might leave your life the matter to make sure both parties are If all else fails, the roommate change of moving you. In that case, the housing after the semester or year, but they might satisfied by the end. Discuss the issue request is only a few clicks away on the department may try to help you work also become one of your best friends. with your RA and get their input on it. It’s UL Lafayette website. This form may out your issues with your roommate. Regardless of whether or not they do, no likely that your RA will have experienced take a few days to be processed, but the This would lead to your RA facilitating a one ever forgets their roommates. or witnessed a similar situation before Housing Department will look over your discussion between you and your

OPINION Flip that Book’s closure is a loss to community-oriented businesses Christian Janes ALLONS EDITOR

According to a study conducted by the Florida Virtual Campus on how much Florida University students spent on textbooks, “More than half (53.2%) of students spent more than $300 on textbooks during the spring 2016 semester, and 17.9% spent more than $500.” These figures are abhorrent and disgraceful. College students who already pay tens (and sometimes hundreds) of thousands of dollars to attend higher education institutions are then having to spend many more hundreds of dollars each semester for the textbooks required for those classes. The prices of textbooks have far out-inflated the monetary inflation rate because somewhere along the way when university education was pushed harder on teens someone found a way to make another buck off of students. Yet, this article is not about the price Graphic by Cole Broussard of textbooks. Rather, it is about a small rebellion against them that lost the fight the cost of his son’s college textbooks, for its community. for a fact they could pick them up within to an unlikely and previously unknown founded the business to offer affordable In that Florida Virtual Campus study the next couple of days, rather than foe. books to all. I find it especially noble for I mentioned earlier, was a line that is waiting a week or two for them to travel On the first day of every class at the someone to turn a frustrating and unfair particularly harrowing: “...the findings in the mail from a big bookstore? Over start of every semester, like clockwork, I situation, like scammy textbook prices, suggest the high cost of textbook and 40 years of this kind of quality will have would get a syllabus that listed the books into a workable, egalitarian system that instructional materials are forcing no doubt indirectly led to the success the professor absolutely needed you to benefits the most people, especially the many Florida higher education students of many more students than otherwise. get immediately lest you fall irrevocably less financially fortunate. That is exactly to make decisions that compromise This kind of quality is what you get behind. From there, I would go search for what Flip that Book accomplished for their academic success.” The prices from a small business that cares for its those titles on the Flip that Book website. many years and for many more students. of textbooks have reached levels that community. Flip that Book is the local textbook rental To see a business like this, one that students now sacrifice academic success I am deeply upset this virus has taken store I, and many others, have used to provided tangible and immediate benefits by not buying textbooks for certain away something so noble and good. It rent and buy textbooks. Almost without to its consumers, close its doors is tragic. classes, buying cheaper earlier editions no doubt shows us how fragile our small fail, I would find the title I was looking Unlike Amazon, Books-a-Million or that the professor may not be using or businesses are and how they need to for, it would be in stock and I could get it Barnes and Noble, Flip that Book was fully dropping or withdrawing from be protected. Jeff Bezos, the owner of for far cheaper and faster than Amazon close to the community it served. It classes so they are not forced to buy a Amazon, added $34.6 billion dollars to or any other big corporate bookstores. reinvested in its community by cheaply textbook. his wealth during this pandemic; yet, Flip Yet, after this semester, neither I nor any providing them the resources they Flip that Book helped mitigate some that Book, which has been around for other student will be able to enjoy the needed to succeed in their pursuit of of that burden. How many students were seven years longer than Amazon, fizzled fruits of this academic resource due to higher education. in a better financial position when they out. Neither Jeff Bezos and Amazon, their closure, effective at the end of this Nursing majors, engineering majors, found their textbook cheaply through Books-a-Million nor Barnes and Noble semester. The closure comes alongside writing majors, political science majors, the Flip that Book website? How many care about you; they do not care about countless other small businesses closing etc. could all find the required texts they did better because they could actually Lafayette or its students, because they their doors in the wake of COVID-19. needed to further their learning and afford the text they needed? Or were able do not know them. Small businesses do According to their “About” section on understanding of those subjects they have to get it at all? How many did not have care. They care about your community Facebook, Flip that Book has been a local invested their time, energy and future to sacrifice going without a textbook for because they live and thrive in that same family-owned business since 1987 when careers in. It is incalculable the good this a class, because of the price? How many community. Support local. Support Carl Montiville, a father fed up with one business has been able to accomplish stood taller knowing that they could community. place an order for their books and know 6 JANUARY 27, 2021 | THE VERMILION The Keystone Pipeline: How it affects you Brett Smith When that part of our economy slows, COLUMNIST we all lose. That ebb and flow results in our economy being entirely dependent Louisiana is commonly known as an on one stream of income, never a wise oil field state. Everyone who is reading choice for a state. this article and has spent a considerable There are other reasons this pipeline amount of time in Louisiana understands may be an issue. There’s Native American that the oil industry is the backbone rights, there’s environmental concerns of our state. Without oil, we don’t go and a host of other problems that can to restaurants, we don’t buy clothes present itself. or trucks or practically anything that We not only need to take those into stimulates our economy. account, but also understand that President Joseph Biden’s first day in changing into a state that has a more office was eventful, with one of his biggest reliable economy will be tough. It’s changes being the cancellation of the going to be one of the hardest transition Keystone XL pipeline, that runs from the periods in Louisiana history, but one that border of Canada down to Port Arthur I personally believe will be to our benefit. Graphic by Cole Broussard in Texas near the border of Louisiana. There’s a right choice to be made here, Keystone XL consits of 1,171 miles of and although many people in Louisiana and function as a long-lasting part of our energy resource. When that happens, I pure pipeline, functioning to release our are disappointed about the closing of the economy. don’t want this state to be in a situation dependence on middle eastern countries pipeline, this may serve as an excellent What is that? I don’t know, which is where we have nothing. It’ll take a for our oil supply, as well as provide jobs turning point for our economy. why I think the decision to close the cultural shift starting with you, before it’ll all around the country. My grandfather was a roughneck for a pipeline was too hastily done. It’s poor ever take place across the state. So, what’s the catch? Any development lot of his life, got promoted, made better form for a president to first reverse If you’re from an oil field family, don’t this large, across interstate lines will money and made an entirely different life everything the previous president did, discount the new president yet. If you’re present issues for environmentalists, for his poor family. The oil field and the but it’s quickly becoming tradition. a fan of renewable energy, remember that but there are deeper issues at play, money it provides changes the lives of So my advice, as a young person in people depend on this for their living. Yes economically and socially. our residents. For better or worse, it has a Louisiana, is that this is going to happen we should change the way we do things, For years, Louisiana has had oil as its significant impact, an impact that can’t be anyways. You are in control of where this but it won’t happen fast and it won’t be mainstay, but is that good for the state replaced quickly and easily. economy will go, so let’s start thinking easy. Let’s keep calm for at least the first as a whole? We’ve all known someone in Though, this may be the time in differently about what this state may hundred days, shall we? our history to consider a new frontier. the oil field, but we also likely all know want. Follow The Vermilion on Twitter Something that can offer us a more someone who has been laid off from it. The oil field will eventually dry, and @TheVermilion for more updates consistent and steady income stream, we will find a newer and more renewable

Paywalls on accurate data promote spread of misinformation, ‘fake news’ Amelia Jennings NEWS EDITOR

Paywalls suck. Nobody enjoys paying for a subscription for a paper that they are probably going to use once, but they are necessary, especially in news in order to pay writers. It is also worth noting that creating and maintaining databases costs companies thousands of dollars, which they need to make back somehow. However, this does not negate the issues at hand. For academic articles specifically, there are many problems with paywalls existing, not the least of which is that the original researchers are not getting paid for their work when you buy the subscription. Many professors will tell their students to just email the original researcher who might send the student a free copy Graphic by Cole Broussard because they are not benefiting from it If you are in university, your university every complete and utter lie is completely require effort and/or money. monetarily anymore. But they are not probably pays for the databases that free. The stuff that is actually well Lack of awareness in sharing can lead guaranteed to do that, so students may you use. The University of Louisiana at researched is hidden. to racism, sexism, and most other “-isms” still be stuck paying for it. Lafayette does, and even then, there are Alex Jones, a conspiracy theorist and that you can think of, and it is horrifying Science journals cost more than many some that they cannot use because they host of InfoWars, produces a show that is how easily hate and lies are spread, when others, even for institutions; the cost per are too expensive. easily found and watched, and while he the truth is right there. click in Geobase is $241, according to Trinity College canceled multiple is mocked by most, there are a few who Unfortunately, as I said at the the Library Research Guides at Trinity subscriptions because of an increase in legitimately agree with what he says. beginning, paywalls are necessary, but College. cost including “Anthropology Plus” and However, the issue is the worst on there may be some solutions to mitigate Another issue is that it puts a barrier “EiVillage/Compendex.” social media platforms like Twitter and the amount needed or their price. on who can see up-to-date and accurate The databases’ fees also use a large Instagram, which does not only create Donations are always an option, as is research, and that’s not supposed part of the university’s budget, which an echo-chamber but allows users to say ad-revenue. Those are not always used to be what science is about. Science could instead be going to updating the whatever they like, true or not. because they have their own issues, but is supposed to be about spreading university’s own library, which no student These issues compound upon each they are still usable, and I hope to see knowledge to everyone, which does would argue isn’t lacking. other when it is so easy to share posts more of those options in the future. not happen in a world where you are The final problem is that every and articles without fact-checking first, constantly told to pay to read. conspiracy theory, every half-truth and but then again, the fact-checking might

Stronger together, weaker apart: Recent capitol riots have sown partisan division Evan Hale and conspiracy will change the fact that COLUMNIST Joseph Biden is the 46th President of the United States. Storming and breaking into the United I was honestly in shock, embarrassed States Capitol is never a good idea and and left speechless at these actions as an accomplishes nothing. American citizen. It was disgusting to see On Jan. 6, United States citizens, fellow Americans commit federal crimes most of whom were wearing former as a “protest” because the person they President Donald Trump memorabilia, wanted to win the election lost. broke into the capitol building. After The people who got into the Capitol former President Trump held a rally were filmed maskless, smiling and where he pretty much incited the people waving — acting as if they were doing a responsible saying, “You don’t concede service to the country and as if they were when there’s theft involved. Our country not going to answer for these actions. A has had enough. We will not take it lot of those good feelings they had were any m ore .” because of how easily they got into the Storming the Capitol was quite building. Graphic by Cole Broussard possibly the dumbest thing I have ever I am not letting the capitol building’s security off the hook on this one because confirming the people who stormed to blow up the Capitol or something to witnessed in my life since I have been the Capitol wanted to kill people or had that effect to make it seem like the left is on this Earth. What did they think they the fact that they were able to get into the House of Representatives’ chamber and malicious intent, but I would not rule it worse. were going to accomplish? That we were out. I just gave a hypothetical situation, and going to reverse the decision of a system other federal government rooms is scary. They quickly breezed past security who Politics in America is becoming a yet it seems like something that could that has been in place for over 200 years? cesspool of pointing the finger and being have happened. Being at each other’s Heck no. looked unprepared for what happened. In their defense, they did an excellent petty to one another. For example, if the throats is not the America we all picture, Whether they thought the election was roles were reversed and Trump won and I am sure, but stunts like this push us rigged or not, the numbers we have are job protecting the government officials in the Capitol that day, and damage Biden lost, would we still have Americans further and further away from coming all we have to go off of, and there is no storming the Capitol? The left would say together. other concrete evidence to prove fraud to the building is easily fixed, whereas someone’s life is irreplaceable. I am not no, the right would say yes. The right otherwise. No amount of tin foil hats would have accused the left of trying