• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

VOLUME 117 | ISSUE 20 How UL’s Why people are stealing master plan catalytic converters on will affect campus and nationwide students Lena Foster a higher value than gold. “There is communication among Eliana Bartlett NEWS WRITER This puts catalytic converters at a different agencies to pull resources NEWS WRITER higher risk of being stolen. together to figure out what’s going on, Catalytic converters have recently been According to the New York Times, how it’s being done, how often it’s being The University of Louisiana at Lafayette a target for thieves nationwide, and the due to stricter car emissions regulations, done and what measures can be put has created a Master Plan that intends to University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the metals that cover the interior of the in place to help curtail this problem,” conjoin the Main Campus, the St. Landry now one of the victims of this surge. converters increased in demand and Abrams said. Corridor and the University Commons According to Sgt. Billy Abrams, therefore led to soaring asking prices. The Lafayette Police Department into one UL District. University Police public information “From a police standpoint, it’s not encourages students and faculty to do According to the guide to the project, officer, there have been two cases of surprising because people commit crimes certain precautionary things to ensure the goal of the Master Plan is to morph UL stolen catalytic converters reported on for little to nothing,” Abrams said. “When their safety and help prevent future Lafayette’s campus into one of the most the University of Louisiana at Lafayette an opportunity presents itself, then you’re incidents. inspiring and comfortable in the United campus. always going to have someone who’s According to Abrams, being more States. A report was made on Jan. 25, 2021, looking to do that type of activity and is vigilant and taking those extra steps to This proposal plans to run into the at 1:27 p.m., near Abdala Hall involving going to capitalize on every opportunity secure personal property can help to 2030s and has been in the works since theft of a catalytic converter from a silver t h e y h av e .” alleviate the opportunities people seek to 2012. Along with weaving the three 2019 Ford Expedition. The incident According to the New York Times, commit these crimes. aforementioned areas, the project intends occurred on Jan. 22, 2021, at 1 p.m. these converters do not take much time “Don’t create the opportunity, so that to widen sidewalks, welcome more Another report was made on Feb. 2, or effort to steal, and scrap yards are people can have the opportunity to do pedestrian activity to the St. Landry 2021, at 2:02 p.m., near Abdala Hall willing to give quick cash for them. the things that they do,” Abrams said. Corridor, increase parking opportunities, as well involving a theft of a catalytic There is not enough information yet to “Safety is our job, but it is everyone’s acquire space for retail and rent-or-sell converter from a 2016 white Dodge Ram. determine if the catalytic converters were responsibility.” housing and construct a more efficient “We don’t have the information right stolen from student vehicles. The Lafayette Police Department transit system for commuting students. now to say that they are related, but (it According to Abrams, the police continues to communicate with students The project is the result of the is) more than likely simply because of the departments of the area are working and faculty in the best way possible collaboration of the UL Lafayette time span between the two incidents,” collectively to find answers to these during applicable times to make sure student body, faculty and staff, Lafayette Abrams said. “Those are the only two undetermined questions surrounding the the campus is safe. They encourage Consolidated Government directors, and we had on campus. As far as outside of individual or groups that are committing students and faculty to continue to report neighborhood organizations, all led by Architects Southwest. campus like the city and neighboring these crimes. suspicious behavior and activities as part On the corners of both East St. Mary cities, I know that it’s a common issue.” Neighboring areas like Scott, of their “See something, Say something” Boulevard and Johnston Street, the Catalytic converters are found in the Broussard, Carencro and Youngsville, campaign on UL Lafayette campus. Master Plan aspires to expand pedestrian exhaust system in between the muffler as well as the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s “The more information that we have, pathways and create retail and housing and the engine. According to the New Office, are also working alongside the that’s the better job we can do because Lafayette Police Department to gather we can look for specific things in specific opportunities. York Times, these emissions-control To improve parking and transportation devices consist of metals like palladium, more information. places with the help of the general public,” Abrams said. experiences, a parking deck located within rhodium and platinum; each of these has a maximum 10-minute walk from all academic functions is in the works. In addition to this, the Master Plan wishes to create either a bus or rail system that offers comfortability and punctuality to students. One of the many core principles of the Master Plan is 24-hour campus life. According to the Master Plan, the Student Union will become resemblant to that of an urban town square that will support the day-long activity. With the opportunity to expand the utilization of the University Common, the project wishes to urbanize West Congress Street in order to enhance undergraduate classroom space. For athletics, the Master Plan has designed a new building adjacent to the Cajun Field Complex. This new structure will serve as a place for educational and management needs for UL Lafayette’s athletics program. The Master Plan has already committed land on the University Commons to Photo by Malik Jones / The Vermilion research facilities such as the Estuarine The catalytic converter on a Toyota Camry. This car part is highly sought after by thieves. Habitats and Coastal Fisheries Center, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The plan wishes to continue this extension of the research services, turning the University Commons into the Research Village. 4 new COVID-19 case last Along with structures dedicated to certain departments and administrations, the Village would include restaurants, a hotel and the new performing arts center. week, bringing UL total to 800 The performing arts center included in David Reed the Master Plan would be a standalone EDITOR-IN-CHIEF structure located on Johnston Street and Cajundome Boulevard. It would seat 2,200 There were four new COVID-19 cases people, but plans to be broken down into among students, faculty and staff at smaller venues. the University of Louisiana at Lafayette “I will be all for having all of this. But last week, according to the university’s as far as building all of this, that is an COVID-19 dashboard on Monday, Feb. entirely different story,” Spencer Olmstead, 22 at 5:26 p.m.. a senior industrial technology major at According to the dashboard as of UL Lafayette said. “Even though they said Monday, the university has confirmed they are gonna do this by 2030, Lafayette that 195 students and 135 faculty and still has not finished construction on staff members contracted the virus, and Ambassador Caffrey or Verot School Road. 470 students have told the university It all depends on the time, weather and they’ve tested positive. This means there help coming in from outside of the state.” have been a total of 800 cases among “The first thing they need to do is have students, faculty and staff at UL Lafayette. better drainage for UL,” Olmstead said. Confirmed positive tests include tests Graphic by Cole Broussard “They need to get that priority out of the way first, then work on the plan.” taken by Student Health Services and providers. Students in this category positive, and three students reported Those involved in the Master Plan strive UL Lafayette Athletics, as well as tests sent their results to the dean of students that they tested positive, according to the to contribute to student academic success, submitted to the university’s human themselves, according to the dashboard. COVID-19 dashboard on Monday. sense of community, quality of life on and resources department by faculty, staff Last week, one faculty or staff This is an ongoing story. Stay with the around campus, safety and sustainability and student workers. Self-reported tests members tested positive. The university Vermilion for more updates. and opportunities for economic were taken by off-campus health care didn’t confirm that any students tested development. News Sports Allons Allons LOVE IS IN THE AIR SOFTBALL PAYING IT BACK SWITCHING THE POSITIONS Ragin’ Cajun Catholics celebrated the Cajuns start off strong with two wins People who recently began filing taxes Ariana Grande’s deluxe version women of Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic thanks to extensive practice after five independently may be eligible for back of “Positions” lives up to the hype Church with a Valentine’s Day Soirée. cancelled games. pay for missed COVID-19 relief. surrounding it. PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 2 FEBRUARY 24, 2021 | THE VERMILION GoFundMe for one UL Police Reports Compiled by Morri Sampey custodian reaches goal Feb. 17 Morri Sampey Professors is providing $200. This is l At 1:29 p.m., a golf cart ran into a building.

Load more

  6

Copy Link