A BROADER RECRUITMENT GPAs up, Faculty strategize to improve students enrollment after a decline and staff try John Roman to explain CONTENT AND WEB MANAGER Amelia Jennings The University of Louisiana at Lafayette NEWS EDITOR has seen a decrease in its enrollment for the fall 2020 semester. The GPAs for the spring 2020 Overall enrollment dropped 1.1%, or by semester at the University of Louisiana 225 students out of 19,403 from last year, at Lafayette were higher than average, according to enrollment management. across the board, jumping from a 2.9 to Jamie Hebert, UL Lafayette’s provost a 3.24 average, according to DeWayne and vice president of academic affairs, Bowie, the vice president for enrollment said COVID-19 affected students’ lives in management multiple different ways. Some students were surprised by this “We’re down in some of our nursing as they would have anticipated them programs which is highly unusual for us,” decreasing. Hebert said. “But you know nurses who “I think it should have went down might be returning to school are working Photo by Kenton Jackson / The Vermilion since we had to switch suddenly to online double shifts, they’re on the front lines of Martin Hall on Friday, Sept. 25. Many university administrators such as, Vice President for classes,” Dianne Bell, a nursing major, the pandemic, and they just don’t have the Enrollment Management DeWayne Bowie, work in the building. said. “I think it’s very surprising that time, or the energy probably, to return to grades went up.” A lot of UL Lafayette’s current for students who have a hard time school right now. While it is unconfirmed that a enrollment strategies are years old, but affording college at this time. He said “So it’s a combination of some students, GPA increase occurred for the entire Bowie said the university might use the these scholarships are largely funded by I imagine, wanting to stay home, but it’s university, there was an increase in the digital meetings and tours more as a result individual donors, and the university has also a matter of the general impact of the College of Liberal Arts. of the current situation. been reaching out to its donors and alumni COVID-19 pandemic on people’s decisions “I don’t know what the GPA increase “One thing that I think we’re going to to try and raise its scholarship funds. to go to school.” was. If there was one, (it) was university seem to do more, cause right now we’re The university has also been focusing Some of the losses came from students wide. I can tell you there was a slight not able to do as many or as large a scale of more on bringing in ex-dropout students, who had planned on attending during increase in GPA in the College of Liberal in-person events or things of that nature,” those working adults who went to UL fall 2020, but for one reason or another Arts,” Jordan Kellman, the dean of the Bowie said. “And so now we do Instagram Lafayette, but never completed their they chose to delay enrollment or enroll college of liberal arts said. Live, Facebook Live sessions with students, degree. They’ve developed what Hebert somewhere closer to home, according There are three theories as to why where they can see us virtually and we’re referred to as completer programs, which to DeWayne Bowie, vice president for GPAs could have possibly increased. The probably going to continue doing those allow the student to pursue an all-online enrollment management. first of which being that professors were things even after COVID.” degree in general studies and business. UL Lafayette’s graduate school more accommodating to students. Beyond the livestreams, the university “We’re tweaking away from traditional enrollment is actually up this semester, “I think that our faculty probably went has also used digital tours and digital students so that we can get a larger according to Bowie. The university had out of their way to take into account meetings, in which potential students can swathe of the Louisiana population in our been seeking to grow its graduate school the catastrophic circumstances we find more information on housing, the recruiting efforts,” Hebert said. for several years, and even with COVID-19 were under and gave students lots of different academic colleges and financial Hebert said the university is looking complications, they saw a continued opportunities that they would not have aid. into making more of these programs for growth this semester. otherwise had to complete the work for Hebert also said they are working to set different degrees, but said it could take the class,” Kellman said. up more gap scholarships, or scholarships time to develop them. However, not all students feel like this is the case. “I wouldn’t say classes would have been made easier if anything it was harder due to the decrease interaction McNeese grateful for UL’s with professors and classmates,” Ashley Sullivan, a junior nursing major said in a statement to The Vermillion. Sullivan said she believes, at least for housing, students say herself, that it was because students studied more. “The amount of gratitude that personally weeks ago with hurricane Laura,” Mambiri Amelia Jennings “I think the GPAs went up because I have and that we have at the university said. NEWS EDITOR everyone was stuck at home bored. When for the UL campus and the administrators Since their arrival on campus, the MSU I couldn’t think of what to do I would and the students and how welcoming and students have made their own group chat. John Roman study,” she wrote. accommodating everybody has been to They keep up communication amongst CONTENT AND WEB MANAGER Finally, some students believe that provide me with the space on that campus each other through it, and Mambiri said cheating was a partial cause of the grades is big,” Nicholas said. he’s even struck up conversations with The University of Louisiana at Lafayette increasing because students were not as “We’re just very grateful and we look some of UL Lafayette’s own. has recently taken in 49 McNeese State easy to monitor during exams. forward to our opportunity to return the “I’ve bumped into a number of University (MSU) students and counting, “It could have been that they used goodness that we’ve received from all the Residential Assistants (RA) and chatted while still leaving room for students to Google to do their tests and stuff like campuses around the state but especially with them and I’m hoping that by the end quarantine in the dorms, according to that,” Bell, the nursing major, said. “That’s UL,” he also said. of the semester I’ll have made a lot more Dawn Miller, interim housing director. definitely probably one of the main Prior to Hurricane Laura, McNeese, great friends here in Lafayette,” Mambiri In an email sent by the Housing Office reasons why grades went up.” much like UL Lafayette, had some of its said. to university students, MSU students Kellman, however, suggested that classes in person — those such as labs that are not sharing rooms with UL Lafayette Follow The Vermilion on Twitter cheating was probably no more likely wouldn’t work nearly as well remotely. students, but may be sharing suites. @TheVermilion for more updates than when students were in the The storm and the displacement of They will also be following COVID-19 classroom, and that professors have its student body has almost reverted the procedures. attempted to stop it. campus back to what it was like in Spring “Over the weekend (Sept. 11-13) “Cheating is always a concern, and of 2020 when COVID-19 first began University Housing will begin to welcome faculty are always taking measures to breaking out in Louisiana, said Nicholas. McNeese students that have been try to prevent it,” Kellman said. “The While not all the students have displaced as a result of the storm. We will university going remote opened up knowingly seen any MSU attendees, some provide them with the facilities and tools different opportunities for cheating than are pleased that UL Lafayette has allowed they need to continue their fall semester in what we had before. I know that it is them to stay on campus. comfort and confidence,” reads the email. something that faculty thought very hard “I have like zero problems with them Some students were waitlisted over the about and worked together, amongst each being here. I’ve always been a ‘from summer and decided to go home that other, to try to find ways to curtail and each according to their means to each UL Lafayette students were not getting manage and prevent.” according to their needs’ person, and if priority, but Miller said that is not the case. These measures included using they don’t have a place to stay and we have “After the semester started, some ProctorU, Zoom and other online that? That’s pretty nice, ”Jillian Mina, an students chose not to come or chose to programs that can be used to watch environmental science major living in go home because they did not feel like students during exams and during class. Huger Hall, wrote in a statement to the they wanted to be on campus with online In terms of the fall 2020 semester, it is Vermillion. courses,” Miller said. “So that’s how we likely that GPAs will go back to normal Simbarashe Mambiri is an MSU ended up with some available spaces.” unless the university closes again. graduate student staying at UL Lafayette, UL Lafayette has a total of 96 beds “I don’t think that faculty gave and he had only good things to say about reserved for potential McNeese residents, students any grades that they didn’t his welcome to the campus. He said the according to MSU Dean of Students earn, or didn’t reflect their learning,” campus had been very warm to him and Kedrick Nicholas. Kellman said. “They were just very very commended UL Lafayette’s and MSU’s Nicholas said he doesn’t expect to fill flexible in terms of course structure faculty and staff for making it easy to get them all out, but the number may fluctuate and giving students extra opportunities back into the swing of things with school. as the semester goes by and housing to demonstrate that, and that was “And that’s what a lot of our students opportunities change. For example, UL appropriate for the spring. I don’t really need right now, to be able to just to focus Photo by Kenton Jackson / The Vermilion Lafayette recently took in MSU’s basketball see it as particularly needed for the fall or on schooling and take their minds off of Jalen Simpson and Christopher Isaac team, who will be staying for about a this coming spring.” month, according to Nicholas. these things that happened a couple of leaving Corona Hall.

News Sports Allons Allons CONFIRMING CASES FOOTBALL HALLOWEEN SEASON SCOTUS

The university saw more new COVID-19 With a critical field goal in the last seconds Columnist Evan Hale expresses what The Republicans’ at the national level are cases last week and is working to include of the game, the Ragin’ Cajuns kept up makes going to classes on Oct. 31. so being hypocritical towards filling out the numbers from self reports. their victory streak. special. Court, columnist Christian Janes says. PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 2 SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | THE VERMILION UL students petition Police Reports for lowered tuition Compiled by Amelia Jennings Eliana Bartlett example, has reduced its tuition by 10% CONTRIBUTING WRITER and its housing charges by 20%. Princeton University also decreased its tuition by Sept. 28 l At 9:34 a.m., someone reported a bike theft on Girard Park Cir. The fall 2020 semester has persistently 10% and refrained from charging students presented many challenges for students for activities and athletic fees. Lafayette across the country. As a result, some College of Easton, Pennsylvania, is universities have discounted tuition reducing the price of its tuition by 10% as well. Sept. 23 prices to accommodate students. Certain l At 3:33 p.m., someone reported a pedestrian walking into a vehicle while it University of Louisiana at Lafayette The petition to lessen the cost of tuition students are asking the same of their has reached over 2,600 as of Monday, was in motion. The pedestrian walked away when the driver stopped to check university. Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. signatures; the goal of on them. Last month, these students created a the document is 5,000. While a petition petition, asking UL Lafayette to partially is not a legally binding contract for the refund them for the lack of certain university, the amount of signatures resources. The petition inquires why fees represents the number of concerned Sept. 22 l for on-campus facilities and sporting students. At 9:18 a.m., someone reported a crash at Girard Park Cir. l events are still included in the university’s “Considering the amount of self- At 2:17 p.m., a professor reported a lost room key at Angelle Hall. educating and lack of hands-on guidance, l tuition. It also mentions that, under 8:56 p.m., a GMC Yukon struck a Nissan Armada with minor damage to the normal circumstances, online programs it’s hard for a student such as myself to are cheaper than on-campus ones. see a reason I should be paying the same Nissan’s front passenger side. A handful of schools around the amount as years prior for services I am no country have discounted tuition for their longer using,” UL Lafayette senior Michael student body. Georgetown University, for Walker said. University Individuals not required to offering report COVID-19 testing results free COVID David Reed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF testing According to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s COVID-19 Emily Miller dashboard on Monday, Sept. 28 at 6:02 COPY EDITOR p.m., there were nine new confirmed COVID-19 cases during the week of Sept. On Sept. 14, the University of Louisiana 20, bringing the total of confirmed cases at Lafayette announced they would be of COVID-19 among students, faculty partnering with the Louisiana Department and staff at UL Lafayette to 125. of Health in order to provide students and This was the lowest number of faculty with free COVID-19 testing on confirmed COVID-19 cases found campus. among students, faculty and staff in one “Walk-up testing will be held from week since the week of Aug. 30 when 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Testing will continue there were also five cases. Photo by Andre Broussard / The Vermilion Monday through Friday until further 94 students and 31 faculty and staff A student at the testing center waits to receive a COVID-19 test. notice,” Eric Maron, UL Lafayette’s senior members are confirmed to have tested student union Monday through Friday Center hasn’t been keeping track of how communications representative said. positive for COVID-19 at the university Madeline Husband, the chief since March 16, as of Monday, Sept. 28 at from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with help from the many people they’ve tested. National Guard. According to Dean of Student administrative officer at the UL Lafayette 6:02 p.m. Office of Student Health Services, said this According to Dean of Students According to Chief Administrative Margarita Perez, there are currently 25 Officer at the UL Lafayette Office of students in isolation or quarantine on will be available for students for at least Margarita Perez, the COVID-19 three more weeks. dashboard doesn’t include positive Student Health Services Madeline campus as of Monday, Sept. 28 at 5:30 Husband, the results of tests conducted at p.m. However, Perez added that this The testing is currently located near the tests that students, faculty and staff Student Union and Cypress Lake, though have reported themselves, but they are the university testing site aren’t sent back number is changing constantly due to to the university, so it’s up to the person people moving in and out of quarantine Husband said it used to be located at planning to add self-reported cases to the Cajun Field. dashboard in the near future. the university tested to report whether or very quickly. not their test was positive. This is an ongoing story. Stay with The In the email sent to students, the testing The university is now offering free was described to be a self nasal swab, walk-up COVID-19 tests near the Husband also said the Student Health Vermilion for more updates. which would take about five days to get results back. “They give you a swab, and you swab yourself only to the interior naval cavity,” Husband said. The website , doineedacovidtest. COVID-19 shifted freshman com, provides a video tutorial of how to administer a COVID-19 test on oneself (not administered by professionals) at the bottom of the homepage. They also have experience, students say a step by step powerpoint tutorial with Ethan Pitre photos to show the process. CONTRIBUTING WRITER Also through this website, students and faculty who want to take advantage The transition to university life is one of of the free testing are encouraged to fill stepping into a new world. The effects of out a registration form. Here, they will be such an event as the COVID-19 pandemic able to register directly for UL Lafayette’s introduces additional difficulties to this site. They may be able to go without pre- transition. registration, but will wait longer. Many changes have been made to the According to UL Lafayette’s website, lives we live, not just in the day to day, but “Symptomatic students are reminded also to grand events meant to help define to complete the COVID-19 Isolation milestones in our lives. and Quarantine Form when told to One such event offered by the university quarantine or isolate because of exposure is the new student convocation, meant to COVID-19, or if they are presumed to help students in entering into a new positive because of symptoms and testing.” chapter of one’s life. Photo by Cole Broussard / The Vermilion Husband said that the results at the Beth Giroir, executive director of the Freshmen participating in Cajun Connection walk towards the Quad on Aug. 22, 2019. testing site would not be sent directly to Office of First Year Experience, organizes the Office of Student Health Services, the new student convocation. therefore it is a student’s responsibility to “At this point in the semester, we’ve written statement to The Vermilion, “but I doing a lot better in an actual classroom report their results to the university. tried to as much as possible do things that understand that safety is more important environment,” Andrews wrote in his Husband said that they have not kept meet the needs of our first year students than that.” statement to The Vermilion track of how many students went to the or students in our freshman class,” Giroir The focus on safety has certainly defined Andrews had more to say about his testing, but, “there has been a decent said. the experience at the university this year. experience outside of classes. amount of traffic, and a lot of students “Regardless if they’re virtual or they’re “I feel like the university is doing all that “I honestly feel isolated” Andrews wrote, have said that they are going to go.” here on campus or they’re in some sort of they can to keep us safe,” Andrews wrote “and almost trapped in my dorm most of Husband also wanted to emphasize that hyflex.” in a statement to The Vermilion. the time. It doesn’t help that I’m an out of the test does not go as far up the nose as The variety of new forms of class Giroir gave an example of such changes, state student, and I didn’t know anyone most students may think, and that those and lecture offered by the university is through one important event. within three hours of Lafayette before who are scared should watch the video necessary to consider in terms of changes “We offered the recent convocation, and coming here.” on the aforementioned website to relieve and challenges. Going from the experience obviously due to COVID restrictions we The social isolation experienced this some anxiety about the test. of an involved classroom or work weren’t able to do that in person, so we year has been noted by many as a major “Employees who visit the testing site environment to such distanced learning is did have a virtual option available through cause of concern. The first year experience must complete the Daily Self-Check something of a sea change. Moodle,” she said. is typically that of entering a new, questionnaire before they arrive on “Being a first year student is definitely This does not mean that we have been vibrant community for many, but that is campus. Health care personnel, and faculty challenging during a pandemic. I know able to completely mimic the experience much more difficult in these times and and staff members who work in a health I’m definitely not getting the full ‘first year we attend university for. conditions. care setting, must complete the HCP self- experience,’” Clayton Andrews, a freshman “Online classes is absolutely the check questionnaire before they arrive on environmental science student said in a worst part for me. I know I would be campus,” the university’s website read.

THE VERMILION EDITORIAL STAFF SUBMISSIONS

A weekly student publication of the University EDITOR-IN-CHIEF David Reed ALLONS EDITOR Morri Sampey All letters to the editor and guest editorials must of Louisiana at Lafayette. The paper is CONTENT AND WEB MANAGER John Roman PHOTO COORDINATOR Kenton Jackson 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 BUSINESS MANAGER Charles Savage are edited for libel and vulgarity only. Editorial and and semester breaks.The Vermilion is supported DESIGN MANAGER Cole Broussard COPY EDITOR Emily Miller columns reflect the author’s opinion and not those of in part by student-assessed fees. Views SPORTS EDITOR Madelyn Myer 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 © 2019 Communications Committee of UL Lafayette. LOCATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THE VERMILION | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 3 Sports FOOTBALL Nate Snyder keeps Cajuns’ win streak alive with a record field goal Caleb Williams Cajun fans are left biting their nails and CONTRIBUTING WRITER waiting on the edge of their seats as the score continues to repeat being tied. After an overtime win against the During the fourth quarter, The Cajuns Georgia State Eagles on Saturday, Sept. took the lead once again with a 27-yard 26, The Cajuns won big again with a final touchdown pass caught by Wide Receiver score of 20-18 at Cajun Field. This marked Errol Rodgers Jr. The score was now 17-10 their first win at home for the season, with the extra point attempt from Nate continuing their hot undefeated season. Snyder. Georgia Southern attempted to Despite having nine players out due kick a 41-yard field goal but missed leaving to COVID-19-related issues, the Cajuns 8:03 left in the game. With a lot of time remain undefeated (3-0) and will remain left, the game proved to be not over yet as No. 1 in the Sun Belt Conference. Georgia Sothern’s quarterback, Shai Werts, “We didn’t play with near the roster threw a pass to Tight End Beau Johnson we had in the opener, but we had a lot of for a 57-yard touchdown pass. players who played for the first time that Before Johnson crossed the endzone, stepped up and had a significant role. I’m he fumbled, resulting in a review for proud of the young guys that stepped up,” the touchdown called play. It would be Ragin’ Cajuns Head Coach Billy Napier reversed as the review showed Johnson said, according to AP News. lost control of the ball at the two-yard Elijah Mitchel, who had an unbelievable line holding the lead for the Cajuns. Even performance against Georgia State with though the touchdown pass would be 164 yards, two touchdowns on eight reversed, Shai Lewis proceeded to throw carries, and scoring the game-winning a 28-yard pass to wide receiver Khaleb Photo by Kenton Jackson / The Vermilion touchdown in overtime, was one of Hood for an unbelievable one-handed Errol Rogers Jr. (left) celebrating after a touchdown at the Ragin’ Cajuns game against the the players who could not play. The catch. With 54 seconds remaining, Georgia Georgia State Eagles on Saturday, Sept. 26. Southern skips the attempt for victory in playmaking running back would sit out As Cajuns’ fans kept their fingers the confidence,” Napier said, according to overtime with a two-point conversion, this week against Georgia State due to crossed, Nate Snyder completed the far- AP News. setting the score 18-17. COVID-19-related issues. Regardless, flung 53-yard field goal attempt sending “The second I hit it, I knew it was good. Despite only having 54 seconds left, the Cajuns showed versatility in their the team and fans in utmost joy. Not only I was halfway to the sideline before it went The Cajuns proved why they were No. 1 run game as they used Chris Smith, does this get the win, but sets a career through,” Snyder said, according to AP in their conference with a series of passes. Trey Ragas, and true freshman Emani record for Nate Snyder in distance for his News. This confidence enabled the Cajuns Quarterback Levi Lewis completes a pass Bailey. Each of these players got carries kicks. to remain undefeated and show everyone to running back Trey Ragas for 19 yards throughout the game. Nate Snyder redeemed himself with his the talent they have. getting the first down. He then completes Trey Ragas got the Cajuns on the game-winning kick as he missed three of With the Big Ten and Pac-12 teams another pass to Errol Rodgers Jr., who scoreboard with a 10-yard run tying the his four field-goal attempts in the Cajuns’ starting their seasons this past week, caught a touchdown pass earlier in the score 7-7 in favor of Georgia Southern. first two games. the Cajuns lost their No.19 ranking, but fourth quarter, for 12 yards. Lewis threw Georgia Southern took the lead in the “You can see the leg talent when he kicks remain No.1 in the Sun Belt Conference. again to Trey Ragas 18 yards getting third quarter with a 27-yard field goal. off. He’s a very talented young man who This big win over Georgia Southern the Cajuns to the 36-yard line. After With 30 seconds remaining in the third had just made some technical errors. You will carry the anticipation to their game two incomplete passes and two seconds quarter, the Cajuns tied the score again 10- don’t make a 53-yarder if you don’t have next week against the Appalachian State remaining, it is up to place kicker Nate 10 with a 25-yard field goal. At this point, Mountaineers. v Snyder to keep their winning streak alive.

OPINION Mylik Wilson and Cedric Russel set to lead Louisiana basketball this season Zachary Nagy But thanks to senior Cedric Russell, coming up with clutch steals game in offseason, much like University of SPORTS WRITER this team is in good hands as Russell has and game out. Portland transfer Theo Akwuba. been making significant improvements As a freshman, Wilson was named “Devin is a wing player who can play With the NCAA giving the thumbs to his game throughout the extended the Sun Belt Conference Freshman multiple positions, has a good feel for up to begin college basketball in late offseason. of the Year as well as finishing as the the game, and can score at all three November, our Ragin’ Cajuns are set to Toward the backend of the 2019-20 lone Division I freshman nationally levels,” Head Coach Bob Marlin said prove the doubters wrong. season, Russell averaged 19.0 points averaging 11 points, five rebounds, during a presser on the roster changes. With the addition of multiple transfer per game on 46% shooting from the two assists and two steals per game. “His time at Mississippi State was great players to our roster, the Cajuns have three-point line in his last six games of He finished 12th nationally in steals for his college development. He has also seen numerous players enter the the season, showing flashes of what is to and also scored 30 points against App. competed against some really good transfer portal to take their talents come in his final season as a Cajun. State in his best game as a freshman. players with length and athleticism.” elsewhere. Russell’s efforts as a leader are what Remember the name. Theo Akwuba, a former big man for Jalen Johnson, Louisiana’s leading Head Coach Bobby Marlin has praised With the loss of Jalen Johnson to the University of Portland, gives our scorer and rebounder in the 2019-20 him for. He has taken the young guys Mississippi State, Marlin went and got Cajuns the size and length we need season, has decided to take his talents to under his wing and elevated their multiple transfers to fill the void. down low. Akwuba is a 6’11 center who Mississippi State to join the SEC. confidence significantly, including Devin Butts, a former Mississippi can use his pure force to dominate in Johnson averaged 15.5 points per sophomore Mylik Wilson. State hooper, will now trade in his the paint. game during the 2019-20 season, which Mylik Wilson has shown the maroon and white for our Ragin’ Cajun The Cajuns roster is set for a ranked him sixth among Sun Belt promise to take over this Ragin’ Cajuns red. significant run this season as Mylik Conference scoring leaders. He also basketball team once Russell graduates. Butts is a six-foot-six guard who will Wilson and Cedric Russell look to take averaged 15.0 points during conference Wilson is a crafty guard that can have three years of eligibility remaining. over with the help of multiple transfers play, making his transfer a huge loss for score the ball from all three levels. He is the second Division I transfer who intend to prove themselves. the Cajuns. Defensively, Mylik is an absolute force, to join the Ragin’ Cajuns during the

Photos via RaginCajuns.com 4 SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | THE VERMILION

Ragin’ Cajuns’ paramount pitchers Madelyn Myer SPORTS EDITOR

Pitching isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work, repetition and focus. Many pitchers experience arm damage such as common pitcher’s elbow or rotator cuff tendinitis. Despite that, being a pitcher is a vital part of any baseball team. The pitcher controls the mound and has to have effective communication with the catcher and everyone on the team. The pitcher may be the leader, but baseball is still a team sport. “These boys love each other, they’re very talented, they know how to play together and they compete nasty together,” Head Coach Matt Deggs said. For the Ragin’ Cajuns, pitchers are and always have been crucial. Let’s start with Conor Angel. He worked hard over the summer to prepare for the upcoming season. In April, Angel was ranked No. 5 in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 149 overall in D1 Baseball Top College Draft Prospect Rankings. Brandon Young and Carter Robinson Photos via RaginCajuns.com are also two pitchers that often ran the show for Louisiana. In March, Young one of the top pitchers in the country,” Johnson. Got to see him in person a As of August 2020, the Ragin’ Cajuns became the first pitcher since 2014 to Deggs said. couple times when I was a kid. Luis have 10 former pitchers who are now in record three consecutive double-digit Deggs went on to compliment Young’s Gonzalez was another, but I always the MLB. strikeout starts. In February, he pitched gameplay. wanted to be a pitcher,” Robinson said. The Ragin’ Cajuns finished a great the first complete-game shutout since “Brandon is big, physical and very He had a successful first season with summer league and recently competed in 2016. He also ranked No. 102 out of 150 versatile. He can start or pitch in the Louisiana, pitching 20.2 innings and their first scrimmage. They are hopeful for top starting pitchers in Division I. back of the bullpen. He always wants the owning a 2-1 record with a 1.31 ERA. for a promising upcoming season. Most recently, he signed a professional ball, loves to pitch and most importantly The Ragin’ Cajuns are notable for Last season, Louisiana finished seventh deal with the Baltimore Orioles. loves to compete. He pitches with bad their previous pitchers as well. Last year, nationally in average attendance per Coach Deggs spoke highly of Young. intentions for the hitter and I love that,” former Louisiana pitcher Jose Alvarez game during the 2020 campaign. For a “I am very proud of Brandon Young. he said. was inducted to the Louisiana Hall of shortened season that ended with an 8-9 He is a young man with a ton of potential For Robinson, he knew from the Fame. Alvarez played two seasons for record, that is phenomenal. Currently, the that found a way to put it all together and beginning he wanted to be a pitcher. Louisiana where he led them in wins and team has 19 pitchers for the upcoming finish a shortened season as legitimately “Growing up I always idolized Randy strikeouts before making it to the MLB. season.

Top three-point snipers Stacey Reilly: One of the in Louisiana basketball Cajuns best spikers ever Olivia Beauvais Reilly’s stats as a junior in 2016 are SPORTS WRITER what solidified her spot as the best spiker since 2000. Not only was she a After looking back into statistics from solid hitter, she totalled 347 digs on the the last two decades, it isn’t difficult to season as well. She appeared in all 31 see that Stacey Reilly, outside hitter for matches, became the first Ragin’ Cajuns the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, player to average above 3.00 kills per set surpassed everyone’s stats and is the best since 2007, and tallied a 300-300 season spiker since the year of 2000. with 387 kills (the most kills produced Reilly was born on May 30, 1996 in since before the year of 2000). Reilly Houston,Texas. She earned all-district also produced double digit kills in 23 of and all-state honors at Houston’s 31 matches while leading the team with Concordia Lutheran High School averages of 3.23 kills per set and 3.65 and had 184 kills with a .300 hitting points per set. percentage in her career. During Reilly’s senior year, she was Coming into Louisiana volleyball as one of three players, joining Jessica a freshman in 2014, Reilly was named Bartczyszyn and Sydney Davis, to play in to the all-tournament team in Sawyer all 32 matches and 121 sets. She became Camillo Classic and started all 33 the program’s career kills leader in the rally scoring era, finishing with 1,055 Photos via RaginCajuns.com matches. She had a career-high 19 digs, along with 11 kills in a game (the most kills (one of only two players to reach the Madelyn Myer fact that Gordon did so well in three- by a Ragin’ Cajun freshman in a single 1,000-kill mark in the rally era). Reilly SPORTS EDITOR pointers speaks volumes. She averaged match since 2003). Reilly was also third also finished on the Top 5 rally scoring 35%. Swan on the other hand averaged on the team of the year with seven era list in career sets played (448), total Aside from dunks, one of the most 32%, just shy of the team average, but double-doubles on the season, and lastly attempts (3,587), digs (1,206) and points exciting aspects of offensive play still the second-highest average on the had 14 matches with at least 10 kills and (1,208). During 2016, she recorded a in basketball is three-pointers. Not team. 15 matches with at least 10 digs. second straight 300-300 season of kills everyone is a sniper shooter able to Going back a few more years, the During her sophomore season of 2015, and digs, while capturing her 1,000th swish threes, but for the Ragin’ Cajuns 2012-2013 season saw Louisiana average Reilly was recovering from an offseason career dig. women’s basketball team, there are 29% in three-pointers. Though it wasn’t knee injury, so she unfortunately missed Overall, Reilly’s accolades from her several who can. as impressive as more recent years, due the first six matches of the season and four years competing on the Louisiana In the past seven years, the seasons to the team roster being notably smaller, was limited to back row duty for a few volleyball team didn’t go unnoticed. She’s with the best three-point percentages two Ragin’ Cajuns still shot well. weeks. Even after the injury, however, been awarded several awards including were the 2016 and 2019 seasons. Guards Keke Veal and Sylvana Okde Reilly excelled. She played in 23 matches the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s Compared to the Cajuns opponents, were the team leaders for the season. (started 17) and 80 sets, finished the List (2017), All-Louisiana Second Louisiana took fewer shots but still Together they scored over 300 points season with 92 kills, averaged 1.33 points, Team (2017), Chicago State Invitational averaged more. just off three-pointers. Veal averaged 1.15 kills and 2.74 digs per set, was All-Tournament Team (2017), and In the latest season alone, three Ragin’ 23% and Okde 34%. The duo led the second in digs behind libero with 219 Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic All- Cajuns had phenomenal three-point team offensively as a whole as well, digs, had 14 matches of double-digit digs, Tournament Team (2017). averages. Guards Diamond Morrison, averaging 13.1 and 10.2 points per game and posted two double-doubles. Brandi Williams and Jasmine Thomas respectively. were the players who contributed Head Coach Garry Brodhead has heavily to Louisiana’s high three-point been with Louisiana since getting the average. As a guard, your main job is to position in April of 2012. After getting perform well offensively and being an the position, Broadhead gave Louisiana active three-point shooter is a big plus, a new kind of gameplay that consisted especially in crunch situations when of shooting and speed. In an interview three points are needed instead of two. with Jay Walker, Broadhead spoke a Morrison shot 47% for the second- little about the upcoming season. highest percentage on the team, even Staff communication was different, higher than the team average. Thomas as was recruiting. “I think because we averaged 40%, while Williams averaged worked ahead of time, we knew who we 39%, all well above the team average. wanted early on, so when this happened The team as a whole had an average it kept that door open for us,” he said. of 33% in three-point shooting. This They worked on talking with potential percentage was higher than the average recruits and their families via zoom. of all their opponents from the season. “We were able to get four Jumping back in history a few years, commitments, that was just big, we the 2016 team also had a 33% three- feel really, really good about the 2021 point average. Fewer players shot three’s class and in the meantime, we were also often, but guard Troi Swan and point recruiting 20 class,” said Broadhead. guard Jaylyn Gordon made an impact. Can’t wait for this upcoming season As a point guard, more often than and to see if there are any new three- not, you control the floor. It’s the point point sniper shooter. guard’s job to set up the offense so the Photo via RaginCajuns.com THE VERMILION | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 5 Allons OPINION Biden’s condemnation of universal healthcare could be his Achilles’ heel C. Rashad Jones fall below a certain poverty threshold, CONTRIBUTING WRITER similar to Medicaid. Consequently, Biden has received Healthcare is the most important major pushback from progressives who aspect of a person’s life. Without see his vision for healthcare as nothing access to quality, affordable healthcare, more than a watered-down version of preventable, and sometimes minor, Medicare for All. A recent poll conducted health issues balloon into deadlier by a market research firm, HarrisX, illnesses or chronic health complications. showing a whopping 88% of Democrats But despite massive efforts to reduce in favor of Medicare for All, single-payer, uninsured rates in recent years, there healthcare system, with an average of remains a great deal of Americans who 69% of Americans supporting the policy, still lack adequate access to healthcare. according to Newsweek. These numbers Particularly, those individuals coming clearly present a wide range of support from low-income and minority for single-payer healthcare coverage, so communities. why is Joe Biden so against Medicare for And now, with the emergence of a All? global pandemic, the U.S., as of Aug. In short, Biden’s disdain for Medicare for All seems to be based on his opinion 19, has amassed an approximate of 30 Graphic by Cole Broussard million total unemployment claims that it would “cost too much.” since COVID-19 first broke ground he would veto any measure of legislation infer that Medicare for All is simply But what about what voters want in March; with African Americans that would “significantly raise taxes on a universal expansion of Medicare, — particularly those coming from and low-income citizens bearing the the middle-class.” But what about the meaning mandatory coverage for all low-income minority households brunt of the economic crisis sparked poor who find themselves most at risk Americans who choose to enroll. So, why — who are already experiencing by the Coronavirus, according to The by this year’s economic and healthcare has Biden expressly denied his support difficulties in accessing affordable Washington Post. crisis, what does Biden have to offer to for Medicare for All, surely, he must see healthcare? While it is true that the According to USA Today’s Charisse them? And does Biden’s refusal to back it as a step up from the controversial ACA has made considerable strides in Jones, “[w]hile unemployment Medicare for All present a problem Affordable Care Act (ACA)? reducing uninsured rates among low- among white workers fell to 12.4%, for him in this year’s 2020 presidential Wrong. income African American and Latino unemployment for black workers rose to election to defeat President Donald Instead, the Biden campaign households, “medical debt (still) remains 16.8%,” the highest rate of unemployment Trump? has decided to endorse a different a glaring issue for Black Americans,” in Black America since the Great Let us begin by clearly defining what interpretation of universal healthcare, with people of color “accounting for over Depression. Medicare for All is, and how it correlates a sort of best-of-both-worlds approach, half of the total nonelderly uninsured Additionally, disparities in healthcare with the broader umbrella terminology: with an emphasis on affordability and population,” according to the Center for have also become increasingly evident universal healthcare. The World Health accessibility, but no talk of universal Popular Democracy, a non-profit social over the last few years, making healthcare Organization (WHO) defines universal mandatory coverage. According to justice network. the number one topic amongst voters’ health coverage as access by all citizens Joe Biden’s campaign website, the It is clear — universal healthcare is lists of issues this election cycle. to health services they need (prevention, Democratic presidential nominee says just as much as a racial justice issue as it This is also why Joe Biden has taken promotion, treatment, rehabilitation he wants to build on the ACA by, “giving is an economic issue. And with so many some considerable political push- and palliative care) without the risk of Americans more choice, reducing health Americans teetering on financial collapse, back amid criticisms he made in this financial hardship. Whereas, Medicare care costs, and making our healthcare one would think Biden would feel more year’s presidential primary regarding for All, a single-payer healthcare system less complex to navigate”: pressured to support Medicare for All. a government single-payer healthcare coverage system, builds on the concept implementing a public option (premium- If Biden really wants to effectuate plan, more commonly referred to by of Medicaid, a healthcare program that free) add-on to the ACA, whereby change in America and bridge the progressives as “Medicare for All.” The assists low-income individuals, which low-income families and individuals may country’s racial divide — there is no Democratic nominee for president said is also predicated on the concept of receive mandatory health coverage if they greater measure than Medicare for All. universal healthcare; therefore, one could OPINION Halloween makes what would be mundane schooldays magical Evan Hale see a ghost nun you are about to run into ALLONS WRITER and scares the pants off of you. That’s why I recommend wearing shorts that day. Halloween on the University of Lannie references that the costumes Louisiana at Lafayette campus is can bring smiles and joy to students. For something to look forward to in these example I failed a test on Halloween in unpredictable times. Biology. I walked out of class and saw a I am excited for all of the new duo dressed as Spongebob and Patrick freshmen, because they get to experience and they were doing a little dance. You it for the first time. I am not the biggest show me someone who says that won’t fan of Halloween, but I still look forward make them even a little bit happy and I’ll to the experience on campus each year. show you a liar. UL Lafayette is a different breed when Meredith Doucet, a first semester it comes to Halloween; it is almost like senior, said, “I’ve never seen a person a different place because it seems like not enjoy the costumes on campus, some everyone, including teachers, loves this of the professors also participate which holiday. I have been going to school here makes it so much fun to go to class.” since 2016 and many students go all out Doucet continued by saying that not on their costumes. only is it beneficial with making student Graphic by Cole Broussard life more cheerful, but I have had at least “The stress is still there, it one teacher each semester offer bonus points for showing up to class dressed just shifts to stress about up. I have seen a teacher offer 20 bonus looking at your phone then points if students showed up to class dressed up as something related to class. looking up to see a ghost Then obviously there is candy being nun you are about to run passed out all around campus. Sometimes into and scares the pants off people will hang out by the bus stop with buckets of candy to pass out to of you. That’s why I students coming off the bus. My second recommend wearing shorts Halloween on campus, my English that day.” teacher loved Halloween and gave me a massive ziploc bag of candy to share with Taylor Lannie, who also started at the other students that went to class that UL Lafayette in 2016 and is a first year day and we got bonus points. grad student in the Master of Business Campus is most likely everyone’s least Administration program, said, “It is favorite place to be on any other day. But something to look forward to when you on Halloween everything changes and get to walk between classes and spot it becomes a wonderland of treats and someone who is fully dressed in costume. bonus points. Like I said I just showed Makes you smile a little bit that they up while everyone skipped class and got wanted to bring the holiday spirit to bonus points and candy. Even if you don’t c ampu s .” get candy or bonus points you could still It is truly a great time to be on campus help a student having a rough day by just because it is a nice change of pace to just having a great costume and putting a going to class, studying, and obviously smile on people’s faces. stressing about your classes. The stress Follow The Vermilion on Twitter is still there, it just shifts to stress about @TheVermilion for more updates looking at your phone then looking up to 6 SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | THE VERMILION

OPINION Republicans’ flip flop on SCOTUS seat is disgusting and hypocritical Christian Janes POLITICAL COLUMNIST

It is my belief that Republicans in 2016 should have taken up the nomination of Merrick Garland, held hearings and taken a vote up or down on whether to confirm him. They had a majority; they could have easily voted no on his confirmation and that would have been the end of the story at election time and beyond. But they did not. They did not so much as even acknowledge the fact President Obama had nominated anyone because it was an election year nomination and “the next president should get to decide.” That reasoning is in some ways understandable, but the Constitution does not say the president only has the power of judicial appointments for the first three of the four years they are elected. Yet, that is the precedent Mitch McConnell and his gang of 51 Republicans set in 2016 and are breaking in 2020. Such blatant hypocrisy shown by the Republican Party is reprehensible, demoralizing and sickening that an entire group of people in political power — citizens of this country — care so little for a political system they nationalistically claim is the greatest God ever blessed upon the Earth. If that were true,

Republicans would have a better sense of Photo via CNN.com self-awareness. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on Friday, Sept. 18 at 87. When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on Sept. 18, I was of course saddened, but after the death of Justice Ginsburg, we would we cut off the national debate about changed,” meaning he and the president also frustrated at what I knew was going only need to look to 2016, where the — this next justice? Why would we squelch are of the same party and an election year to happen within the next couple days exact — situation occurred after the death the voice of the people? Why would we nomination is A-OK. and weeks. Justice Ginsburg had, from a of Justice Antonin Scalia. I know people deny the voters a chance to weigh in on But the person with real power in Republican perspective, died at the perfect hate when we use politicians’ own words the make of the Supreme Court?” You’re the Senate is the Majority Leader Mitch time — early enough to be able to rush against them to point out their hypocrisy right Tom. Why would we deny such McConnell. In 2016, he is effectively the through a Supreme Court nominee to (can you hear my eyes roll?), but I will a thing? Oh yes, we should deny it this one person that set the precedent that he replace her, complete with a mock hearing have to bite the bullet in this case and do time because the President is the same and his own party are now attempting to to “vet” the candidate to add legitimacy just that. party as me, I forgot that clause in the break. In 2016, he stated, “The American to the process. But also, late enough that So if I were to ask Sen. Ted Cruz for Constitution. people are perfectly capable of having such rushing would be deemed necessary guidance in these oh so trying times, I have used two senators’ words against their say on this issue, so let’s give them to fill the vacancy before the election. She what would he say? Well, something like them, though perhaps that is a little rude a voice. Let’s let the American people died at a perfectly balanced time of not- this, “For 80 years it has been the practice of me because they did not ask for that. So decide. The Senate will appropriately too-late and early enough. that the Senate has not confirmed any let’s ask a Senator who has asked we use revisit the matter when it considers the Of course, this is only to say “perfect nomination made during an election their words against them. Sen. Lindsey qualifications of the nominee the next time” if you are a Republican whose year, and we shouldn’t make an exception Graham stated quite clearly in 2016, “I president nominates, whoever that might only waking desire is to pack the courts now.” At least, that is the statement he want you to use my words against me. If be.” I only ask what changed in four years? with as many of your fellow ideologues made four years ago when Obama had there’s a Republican president in 2016 and Are the American people somehow less as possible. If there was any respect for the opportunity to fill a Supreme Court a vacancy occurs in the last year of the “capable of having their say?” According precedent or decency or acknowledgment seat in an election year. Funny how his first term, you can say Lindsey Graham to McConnell and his fellow Senate of some kind of self-awareness, then those tune changed when the letter behind said, ‘Let’s let the next president, whoever Republicans, that answer is yes. You as Republicans would realize that rushing the name of the president matched his it might be, make that nomination, and a voter in this election are incapable of a Supreme Court nominee in an election own. Sen. Tom Cotton in 2016 had made you could use my words against me and deciding for yourself who should appoint year would be ill-advised and against some pretty convincing points regarding you’d be absolutely right.” Well, I guess we the person that interprets your laws. Just their own precedent. Indeed, if we are whether the next president should be the should listen to Sen. Graham and use his remember that when you make your way to wonder “What should happen next?” one to fill a vacancy. His words: “Why words against him, because “the rules have to the ballot box this Nov. 3. OPINION Donation videos can have a positive impact despite negative intentions and excitement, and it was honestly heartwarming. Not only that, but the streamers themselves were delightful. I fully enjoyed the commentary they gave before and after the donations. Yes, I did get to listen to “Megalovania” on the violin, and I also got to see a drummer improvise over fan-suggested music. Streamers like these are my jam, apparently. I haven’t searched for any similar videos since watching his. I haven’t been watching much Youtube in general due to my chaotic schedule. But I do see the appeal of them now. Even if the videos are bragging, I think they still do at least a little bit of good. Some people, myself included, are happy when they see others happy. For the days when you’re too sad to go out of your way to do something nice for someone else, these videos can act as a good way to see others smile and cheer yourself up. Like I said before, I don’t know if doing a good thing for bad reasons actually counts as a good thing or not. If a Youtuber donates to a bunch of smaller streamers just so he can make a video about it, is it still a good deed? I’m not

Graphic by Cole Broussard sure. What I am sure of is that those smaller streamers still have that extra money to Morri Sampey they only did the nice thing to brag about he would donate to in the video, and had eat or buy better equipment. I’m sure that ALLONS EDITOR it later. “Sans donated $300” typed on it. While I’ve been thinking a lot lately about I was never obsessed with Undertale, I the people watching the video will smile, On Sept. 4, Youtuber Jacksepticeye what it means to do a good thing. How was very intrigued by the possibility of and at least for just a few minutes, their (Seán McLoughlin) posted a video of does your motivation affect the act? If I “Megalovania” being played on a violin. day will be brighter. himself donating hundreds of dollars do a good thing for a bad reason, is it still Despite my intention to only watch the wI don’t see myself seeking out these to small Twitch streamers. On Sept. 8, I a good thing? I don’t have the answers violinist part, I actually watched the entire videos in the future, but I think I will watched that video and had a change of to all of my questions yet, but there is a thing. probably click on the next one that comes opinion. discovery that I’ve made recently that I’d McLoughlin bounced around on across my feed. I think you should too. When people post videos of themselves like to share. Twitch, checking out less popular Maybe it’ll make your day better, or doing nice things, it tends to come off as I don’t actually hate those videos streamers who were playing games or maybe not. But when it feels like the world bragging. Nothing gets under my skin anymore. instruments that he was a fan of. I don’t is falling down around us, I’ll take any quite like 240 characters all being used to Normally, I would never click on usually watch his videos, but this one easy smiles I can get. tell your Twitter followers about what a such a video, but the thumbnail for made me smile so many times. Follow The Vermilion on Twitter good person you are. Videos and Tweets Jacksepticeye’s video drew me in. It Whenever the streamers noticed the @TheVermilion for more updates like that always come off as insincere, as if showed a violinist, one of the streamers donations, their faces lit up with disbelief