Former manager of the LSU Student Union Barbershop Lawrence Cutrone said his resignation and the shop’s subsequent Oct. 15 closure weren’t as amicable as Auxiliary Services portrayed them to be.
The Daily Reveille previously reported Auxiliary Services Communications Coordinator Heather Gulino said the closing was a result of Cutrone’s decision to pursue another career.
However, Cutrone, a barber at LSU for 16 years, said the resignation was almost forced upon him after he refused to accept a 25 percent pay cut. The proposed pay cut was the most recent reduction in a series of cuts throughout the Student Union.
When Assistant Vice President of Auxiliary Services Margot Carroll was hired a little more than a year ago, Cutrone said cuts began throughout the Student Union, including the removal of the pool tables and game room and the decision to cut leisure classes from the budget. Leisure classes were then picked up by LSU Continuing Education.
“[The Student Union] is basically a food court now,” Cutrone said. “Ever since the Student Union came under Auxiliary Services, people have been walking on eggshells. Everything is changing, and none of it is for the better for students.”
Carroll said in an email that Auxiliary Services could not comment on Cutrone’s resignation because personnel matters are confidential.
Shirley Plakidas, former director of the Student Union, retired in 2011 after 44 years of service. Since her retirement, LSU has not hired another director, instead merging the Student Union with Auxiliary Services. Cutrone said students and staff lost their voice within the Student Union, as Plakidas used to lobby on their behalf.
The 25 percent cut to his pay was not the first time Cutrone received unfortunate news. Auxiliary Services also discontinued the barbershop’s supply of pants, shirts, jackets and other barber essentials, as well as its use of a linen service.
“After the linen service was cut, I had to wash and fold my own linens,” Cutrone said. “I had to put them on a dolly and wheel them from the Union to the Union Theater where the washers and dryers are located.”
Auxiliary Services informed Cutrone on Feb. 28 of his pay cut, which would become effective on July 1.
With the decrease in pay, Cutrone said he would be unable to support his family and resigned instead of risking financial stress.
“After 16 years, I would have liked to have stayed at LSU for a full retirement,” Cutrone said. “But I couldn’t provide for my family with that kind of a pay cut. I had to take the risk and open my own shop.”
Britton Mapes, a former barber at the Student Union Barbershop, said he planned on staying at the shop after Cutrone’s resignation, but Auxiliary Services decided to close the shop instead.
“A barbershop doesn’t really need an executive director,” Mapes said. “It pretty much runs itself. [Auxiliary Services] made it hard for us.”
Mapes was given a 30-day severance package, but Cutrone was not.
Cutrone said the barbershop was one of the last standing symbols of the Student Union serving as an area for convenience. Although the option to reopen is still possible, he said it won’t be the same place.
“I have faithful clients who remember the [Huey P. Long] Field House location, as they never got a haircut anywhere else but LSU,” Cutrone said. “The barbershop has always been a big convenience and service for the faculty, staff and students. … The good ol’ hot lather and straight blade are gone at LSU.”
Cutrone said he also is concerned for international students and students without transportation, as the Union should have services like this at their convenience, but they now have to find a way to get to either Cutrone at his new shop on Jefferson Highway, or go to a new shop.
His appointment book is lined with the names and numbers of LSU faculty, staff and students who followed him. He said he’s thankful for such a supportive clientele.
His new shop, aptly named Cutrone’s Barbershop, is open for two weeks, and he said he feels like he hasn’t skipped a beat.
Despite having to leave what he said was his dream job, Cutrone said he is happy to have his own shop and support, but he’s worried about his friends and the students who could face another change to the Union at any time.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Karen Welsh

Students wait in line for Chick-N-Grill during the busy lunch hour Wednesday September 16, 2015.