March 16' Issue

The Xavier Herald @xulaherald

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March 1, 2016 - March 14, 2016

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Xavier University of Louisiana

New Orleans, La.

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March 1, 2016 - March 14, 2016

Letter to the Editor

‘Flu Near You’ Contest Earns Money For XU traditional reporting methods.

by Prema Bhattacharjee LSUHSC

Greetings XULA Family!

Flu Near You (FNY) is running a contest between Xavier, Tulane and LSUHSC. The school with the highest number of eligible entries will win a $2500 Visa gift card. Flu Near You is a mobile phone app/website that uses selfreporting to track flu in the area and around the country.

If a large proportion of the population is reporting, the app can accurately detect outbreaks of flu earlier than

How does it work?

Once you have downloaded either the mobile app (Flu Near You) or sign up on the website (www. flunearyou.org), you will get one push notification or email every Monday reminding you to report. All you have to do is take a 10. second survey that will ask what type of symptoms you may or may not have, and NO personal info will be required for signing up.

Terms & Conditions (Contest Duration: Feb 1 – Apr 15) The school with the highest number of entries wins.

Qualifying entries: Current users (enrolled before Jan 20); New users (enrolled January 20 and after) can enter if they have a minimum of 4 reports and at least 75% participation.

Anyone can participate in the contest – their points will be assigned to one of three schools of public health. You are encouraged to get as many people to sign up as possible and they can give their points to your school, even if they're not affiliated.

The survey for entering points will be open from April 11-15. Link to the survey will be provided on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook. com/flunearyoulsu/, for those who are assigning points to a school. Winning school receives a $2500 Visa gift card, with the caveat that students will be able to vote on its use.

SPREAD THE WORD, NOT THE FLU! WANT TO WIN $$$ FOR YOUR SCHOOL? THEN ENTER THE FLU NEAR YOU CONTEST! FLU NEAR YOU is a FREE, real-time influenza tracking system that engages you, your family, and your friends directly in flu prevention and gives you the knowledge to help everyone stay healthy.

For more information about the program, please visit www.flunearyou.org For more information about how to enter the contest, contact: Prema Bhattacharjee, Student Ambassador pbhat1@lsuhsc.edu

Olivia Dominguez, Student Ambassador odomin@lsuhsc.edu

Contact Prema Bhattacharjee (pbhat1@lsuhsc.edu) Olivia Dominguez (odomin@lsuhsc.edu)

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March 1, 2016 - March 14, 2016

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New Voices Welcomes Submissions

Poet, XU Grad Jonathan Moody Rehashes Life on Campus New Voices Submission Guidelines

by Thomas Nash New Voices Staff

Editor’s Note: These are excerpts from an interview New Voices staff writer Thomas Nash conducted with poet Jonathan Moody, who performed on campus Feb. 23.

New Voices: You were a student at XU in the early 2000s. What was campus life like then?

Jonathan Moody: Campus life at XU in the early 2000s was pretty decent. I lived in a suite at the Living Learning Center (LLC): the living conditions were better than they were when the LLC first opened in ’98. The land lines were fully operational, and the hot water knob would release hot water.

As far as The Yard, there was always something happening: whether it was a step show, a Spoken Word event, or students spitting flows off the top of their dome.

The entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well: you’d see women outside chilling on a bench and braiding their clients’ hair, a guy by the name of Lee Tanner sold dope shirts named after his company: Shapes. Ormond White, a fabulous painter who would later be commissioned to produce artwork for XU and for my first book, The Doomy Poems, was a professional barber; he had brothers lined up at his door (especially during Homecoming Week).

When hunger struck late at night, there was this older cat named Snappy who’d park his food truck in front of St. Mike’s and asked, “What you want, G?” He hooked us up with mad grub (each meal came with a complementary cold drink).

What was staggering to me, though, was the huge gender disparity between women and men—about 22:1. I had heard about the lack of black males

present at higher education, but there was nothing like seeing it firsthand.

NV: What do you remember about Creative Writing at XU, and New Voices? Please reflect.

JM: I remember the great faculty at the Creative Writing Department at XU. Major Jackson, who teaches at the University of Vermont, was my first Creative Writing professor. He was very generous with his workshop critiques and book recommendations.

At one point, he even showed me the galleys (i.e. proofs) for his manuscript, Leaving Saturn, which had won the 2000 Cave Canem Poetry Prize for best first book, and predicted that one day I’d have a poetry book of my own.

Then, there was Terrance Hayes, my second Creative Writing professor, who now teaches at both his alma mater and mine: the University of Pittsburgh. He had a wild sense of humor. What I dug about Terrance was how he had the capacity to offer valuable feedback on the different styles of poetry that students brought to the workshops.

New Voices is Xavier’s literary journal. We accept poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction, plays, reviews of books, translations (experimental writing is acceptable), and artwork. You must be a fulltime, part-time Xavier or alumni student in order to submit. Please read the guidelines carefully.

Submission Guidelines: (February 29 LEAP DAY) Submit a cover letter and work in Microsoft Word to newvoice@xula.edu. Use 12 pt. Times New Roman.

The cover letter should include: Your name (first and last) Titles of the work (s) you are submitting. (Don’t put your name on any of the work) Present and permanent address Cell phone number XU and alternate email address Your major and classification A five line biographical note must be included with your work (in third person), for example: Jane Smith is a Sophomore Philosophy major and a Creative Writing minor. She has had a passion for writing since the age of seven. She looked up to Toni Morrison. She is originally from Houston, Texas. She likes to travel and has been to Mexico and France. She likes to dance.

Poetry—submit 5-7 poems; single-spaced; each poem on a separate page. (Don’t put your name on any of the work) Prose (fiction, non-fiction)—submit up to six pages of prose, double-spaced.

Plays—submit a 10-page, 10-minute short play.

Submit translations from any language of prose, or poetry, and include the original text.

Book reviews of our campus visitors’ books—500 words.

Artwork—scan your work and submit it in paper form (photo of your painting, sculpture, clay piece, or a photo) Authors and artists will retain their copyrights. Submissions will not be returned. All submissions will be presented to the New Voices staff for consideration for the spring issue. You will receive a response this semester via email. If your work is accepted by New Voices, it will be printed in the spring journal and you will receive a free copy of the journal. Contact New Voices at newvoice@xula.edu for more information.

And last we have Dr. Biljana Obradovic, who’s still holding down the fort. Her advanced readings classes prepared me for the rigorous curriculum that I encountered as an MFA student at Pitt. … New Voices gave me my first experience with rejection (ca 2000), but I was motivated to receive an acceptance letter. I spent most of my time honing my craft, and I submitted poems to them a year or so later. I can’t recall which poems I submitted to New Voices, but I recall receiving my first acceptance letter ever from them.

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March 1, 2016 - March 14, 2016

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Staff Writers

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Morgan yates Prinsey Walker Kendall Lawson Ashlee Hill

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SR. EVA REGINA MARTIN, S.S.F., Ph.D. LECTURE

A DIALOGUE IN BLACK & BROWN:

Melinda L. Shelton, Adviser 504.520.5096, mshelton@xula.edu

"Death Shrines as Memorial Acclamations: Black Lives Matter, Gone but not Forgotten”

HERALD CONTACT INFORMATION

Shawnee Daniels-Sykes, Ph.D. Mount Mary University – Milwaukee, WI

"Recognizing the Brutalized Image of God: Latino Racism, Undocumented Blacks, and Empire's Collateral Damage" Jeremy V. Cruz, Ph.D. St. John’s University – Queens, NY

Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 7:00 PM

Herald office:

Email stories: Advertising:

Xavier South,112B herald@xula.edu 504.520.5096

The Xavier Herald is an award-winning newspaper produced by, for and about students at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, La. While The Herald is housed in the Department of Mass Communication, its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the department or Xavier University. The Herald is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and as such adheres to the collegiate journalists’ code of ethics. The Herald staff reserves the right to accept, edit, or refuse content.

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March 1, 2016 - March 14, 2016

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As Paying Customers, How Do Students Rate their XU Experience?

Demographics of the 502 students who responded include:

Age: 15 to 43 Classification

Gender

502 Xavierites complete survey about academics, on-campus facilities, dining services – and more To gauge students’ satisfaction as paying customers of Xavier University of Louisiana, an enterprise team comprised of members of The Xavier Herald and XTV created and implemented a survey assessing students’ opinions about life on campus, student services and the overall Xavier experience.

Team leaders Eric Craig, a senior political science major from Los Angeles, Calif., and Franziska Pirkl, a senior public relations major from Munich, Germany, said the project’s goals are to generate quantitative and qualitative data the administration, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff—and students—can use to address

the challenges of student recruitment and retention, as well as gauge school pride and student engagement.

Using research methods learned in the Departments of Mass Communication and Political Science, the team met over the course of several weeks to hammer out the survey format, questions, and delivery methodologies.

The team conducted the anonymous survey, “Customer Satisfaction at Xavier University of Louisiana,” Feb. 2-7, 2016, utilizing social media, online links, email, hand-distributed reminder bookmarks, and one-on-one interviews.

Survey Results Based on the customer satisfaction survey, roughly 41 percent of respondents indicated that they feel satisfied about their overall college experience at Xavier. The same percentage said they feel neutral about it, and 18 percent of students are dissatisfied.

dents indicated that they are satisfied with the level of transparency student services, SGA and XAB provide regarding the selection of music artists and activities.

Only 10 percent feel dissatisfied with overall student services and their engagement with students.

A large number of respondents, about 54 percent, expressed that they are satisfied with the academic quality they are receiving for school fees and tuition.

Even though many students criticized Xavier’s high fees and tuition in the comment section, they strongly complemented the level of education they are receiving, as well as the positive relationships with their professors. Roughly 52 percent of those surveyed said they are satisfied with faculty interactions. The results also showed that office hours are being kept by faculty and materials/grades are being posted in a timely manner.

When looking at the students who live on campus, 350 out of the 502 respondents, 66 percent are dissatisfied with campus housing. The majority of comments stated a lack of responsiveness to inadequate living conditions, cleanliness, building maintenance, plumbing issues, insect problems and health hazards such as mold.

When asked about their overall customer service experience at Xavier, the majority of students, 45 percent, feel satisfied, but also reported unpleasant experiences with Financial Aid, Fiscal Services or the Registrar’s office.

Student services received a fairly positive rating. Half of the 502 respon-

Considering that 387 out of the 502 respondents are on a meal plan, 58 percent of those living on campus eat in the cafeteria every day. A majority of students on a meal plan are dissatisfied with the menu choices and variety of Sodexo and only 14.4 percent are satisfied. The majority of comments indicated that dinner hours should be extended beyond 7 p.m. and that there should be an early breakfast on weekends. Furthermore, 37 percent of students feel satisfied about the cleanliness of the cafeteria, 28 percent feel dissatisfied and 33 percent are neutral about it.

Explore the results of the survey through Pages 7 - 12 xulaherald.com

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Editor’s Note: These survey results are meant for enhancing student retention, school spirit and campus life. The quoted comments from students were selected based on reoccurring themes found in the survey responses. In order to provide the Xavier community with professional and unbiased journalism, team members of the Xavier Herald and XTV interviewed Xavier’s new President Dr. C. Reynold Verret; Ralph W. Johnson, senior vice president for administration; Marion Bracy, vice president of facility planning and management; Dr. Anil Kukreja, Dean of the College Arts and Sciences; and Joseph Byrd, vice president for student services.

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Verret Tackles Challenges as New XU President; Student Recruitment, Retention Top Must-Do List

by Eric Craig Editor

Xavier University entered a new era when Dr. C. Reynold Verret took the reins as president July 1, 2015. Despite a hectic schedule, especially leading up to weeklong celebrations Feb. 22-26, 2016, marking his formal investiture as president, Verret sat down with student media representatives to offer a better understanding of his vision for Xavier and how he views student satisfaction, enrollment, recruitment and retention.

Topping the discussion list were Verret’s welcome into the Xavier family, change at the university, and his reaction to the “Student Customer Satisfaction Survey” a team of student media representatives conducted to assess students’ satisfaction.

A Positive Beginning According to Dr. Verret, his first seven months at Xavier have been very positive, particularly his interactions with and observations of students, whom he said are friendly and courteous.

“There has been a warm welcome with students.

At the [fall] orientation, I experienced that upper class students were welcoming freshmen and embracing

them,” Verret said. “You saw how they were responsible for each other.”

He also noted the exceptional collaboration among students, which marked one of his first impressions at Xavier.

While Xavier is a historically Black and Catholic university steeped in tradition, Verret said newcomers often struggle to understand why some rules and practices have been the same for decades.

“We also recognize many challenges, many ways of doing things that functioned for us at a certain time, but may not sustain us because the circumstances of the academy and region have changed,” Verret said. “We can’t allow inertia to keep us doing what we have always done because sometimes it is not serving us well, and we have to have a reflection.”

XTV senior producer Zyneria Byrd and The Xavier Herald co-editors Franziska Pirkl and Eric Craig interviewed President Verret in his office.

improvements need to be made to sustain itself. Verret said many of the findings in the student media’s survey were similar to those the external review produced.

“They talked about students not being received well in certain offices. They framed it as a customer service piece,” Verret said of the review firm.

The reviewers “expressed External Review, Survey concern that we are not being Similar Results proactive in serving students In the fall 2015, only in certain areas,” he said. weeks into Verret’s tenure, Verret said he created the Xavier Board of Trustees an enrollment committee hired an external, professional headed by Dr. Anil Kukreja, review firm to assess specific Dean of the College of Arts areas for improvement. Verret and Sciences, to address the noted that it has been a decade rising concerns of enrollment, since the university had been recruitment and retention at reviewed externally.

Xavier. Additionally, Verret The reviewers talked said a search is underway with students, staff, faculty, for a vice president for and administrators to enrollment, whose job will assess the current state of be to address enrollment the institution and what challenges, and a vice president for academic affairs to replace former provost/ VPAA Dr. Loren Blanchard, who departed in June 2015.

Recruitment, Retention Improvements Currently, Verret has several plans to improve recruitment and enrollment at Xavier. As of Fall 2015, the total enrollment, including College of Pharmacy, undergraduate, and graduate programs is, 2,969. However, Verret said Xavier can do a better job to communicate what the university does well, can make it easier for transfer students to retain credits, and must improve academic

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support and the overall Xavier experience for students.

“It matters how we create messages and how we tell stories about Xavier. Even though you and I know about Xavier and other colleges, the world doesn’t know about Xavier in the way we think it does,” Verret said.

Verret also plans to make it easier for transfer students to apply and matriculate into Xavier’s core curriculum.

“For a student transferring from outside of Xavier, it will cost you an extra year in order to fit the core. The core is somewhat large and often a barrier for transfer students,” Verret said.

Lastly, he would like Xavier to broaden the demographics of the Xavier population, particularly among non-traditional students who are older and those who would utilize distance learning opportunities with online and hybrid courses.

“We are very traditional with mostly 18- to 24-yearold students,” he said. “Xavier hasn’t previously targeted an adult learner population.

We have to broaden our experience.”

Retention Efforts According to Kukreja, the committee on enrollment consists of staff from admissions, institutional advancement, alumni affairs, and student services, faculty and administrators. Currently, there are no students on the committee.

Kukreja said the committee’s top goals are to: • Develop an effective communication plan to promote Xavier’s and students’ accomplishments; • More effectively meet the needs of transfer students; • Expand recruitment in Asian and Hispanic populations • Recruit more international students; • Create an alumni engagement plan as part of the recruitment process.

Kukreja said the committee identified two factors that affect retention: academics and finances. He explained how important it is for students to have access to help while they’re in college.

“We are trying to create a culture where students don’t hesitate to ask for help. That’s the kind of environment that we want to create at Xavier,” Kukreja said.

Improving a student’s overall Xavier experience is also part of the recruitment and retention plans. Kukreja referred to the 2015 Survey of Institutional Effectiveness and Efficiency, which has responses from over 700 students.

“The institutional data shows that students are not satisfied with social and campus environments. We are aware of it, and this topic is being discussed on the highest level on a regular basis,” Kukreja said.

March 1, 2016 - March 14, 2016

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Students Rate Residence Life Quality

by Ashlee Hill Staff Writer Editor’s note: For details about each residence hall, staff writer Tyler Despenza scoured archived copies of The Xavier Herald at the Library Resource Center. The following includes excerpts from newspaper reports.

While some students consider on-campus living as a way to meet people and form friendships, others feel living conditions in all four of Xavier University’s residence halls are poor. Based on responses to the Student Customer Service Satisfaction Survey regarding dorm services and maintenance, 47 percent of the respondents who currently live on campus are dissatisfied with their experiences with residence life, specifically dorm services and maintenance.

There were 300 out of 502 respondents who live on campus. Of those 300 respondents: • 29 live in the freshmen’s men’s dorm, St. Michael’s, also known at the Mike’s. The dorm opened in 1957, named for the Archangel Michael, who led God’s army.

Originally, the building was reserved for sophomores, juniors and seniors.

The building opened with 95 rooms, 17 of which were private, 75 were semi-private, and three were for guests.

• 119 live in the freshman women’s dorm, Katharine Drexel Residence Hall, or KD, which is named for Xavier’s founder St. Katharine Drexel. The dorm opened in 1969, originally accommodating 150 women. Three additional floors were added to KD as the freshmen women’s population grew • 82 live in the Learning Living Center, also called The L or LLC. The L, originally former Foltz Coffee Warehouse that was converted into a five-story hall with apartment-style dorm rooms, opened in 1998. The hall was recognized in the Contractor Magazine as the 1998 Public Architecture Project of the Year.

• 70 live in the coed dorm, St. Martin de Porres, or de Porres. De Porres opened in 2003. It is named for St. Martin de Porres, who is considered the first Black saint of the Americas. The hall was designated to house Xavier’s upperclassmen, with seven floors and a capacity of 514 students.

The living conditions that students detailed in the survey’s optional comments sections and interviews with residents showed they are satisfied with the friendships and bonds they create while living in the dorms, but they’re not pleased with where they have to sleep at night. Also, a majority of students feel thate residence halls are a bit too pricy for what the lacking quality

Maintence

Anonymous Student Comments About Housing “Overall I like living in the dorms; I think it’s a great way to meet people. I just don’t like how it takes a while for things in my room to get fixed after I put in a work order.

I put in one for my AC about five times and it still isn’t fixed,” said an LLC resident.

Safety & Privacy

they receive.

The University Responds Marion Bracy, vice president of facility planning and management, oversees all construction and maintenance on campus. In an interview with the survey project team, Bracy addressed some of the survey comments.

“I walk through the residence halls and I have seen some things that I am not pleased with,” Bracy said. “We are making some improvements and internal changes with our personnel and with house keeping, and we will continue to make changes to address dormitory issues. We’re here to service our customers, who are faculty, staff, students, alumni and parents, and we have to make sure we satisfy those customers.”

“I came to college to exercise my skills that I have acquired over a time in preparation to be an adult. While I do understand that many rules are for our safety, I should not be treated as a child. There should be another system in place for visitation so we do not feel like our privacy is being invaded or that we are being judged for having company. ”

“The majority of the money we spend on campus actually comes through federal funding,” Bracy said. “The money you see spent on campus comes from external sources and not necessarily from student tuition.”

“We plan to improve our service and we plan to monitor our service and make sure that we have the best that we can have. We want to make sure that the residence halls are clean and that they’re functional,” Bracy added.

Bracy urges students to report problems or problems concerns by calling 504.520.7321 or sending an email to reslife@xula.edu.

“None of these buildings are fit to live in. De Porres is the most “live-able”. The Mikes and KD need to be gutted out and remodeled completely. The Living Learning Center needs to be torn down completely. Deporres just needs some major cleaning done to it.

All of these building have mold in it. If health inspection people came, I’m sure they would shut these buildings down,” said anonymous De Porress resident “The maintenance is horrible, especially in places like the Living Learning Center.

There is a mold issue every semester campus-wide in general, and I feel more should be done in terms of maintenance.

I lived on campus for 3 years, so I have personal experience with the dormitories.”

“The RAs come into your room when you are not around for no reason at times. I had 3 knock on my door one time and then when I was approaching the door they opened it. When asked the reason for them coming into my room they said, ‘I did not think anyone was here.’Very unprofessional and I feel my privacy is compromised.”

Bracy said that unlike students believe, funding for dorm maintenance and updating does not come from housing fees. Funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and money generated from operational services allowed dorms to be renovated and maintained for several years after Hurricane Katrina flooded the campus in August 2005.

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Students Rate Financial Aid Staff Relations Vital Component of College Experience

by Morgan Yates Staff Writer

Students often rate their college experience by factors such as academics, dining, residence life and campus activities. According to dozens of comments on the Student Customer Service Satisfaction survey, Xavierites also view the services they receive from staff in areas such as Fiscal Services and Financial Aid as essential in creating a positive Xavier experience.

The survey question, “Overall Customer Service Experience with Xavier Faculty,” created interesting feedback. Of the 502 respondents, 220, or 44.5 percent, say they are satisfied with faculty service. However, 78 optional comments refer to the offices of Fiscal Services and Financial Aid; many of those also lump together the two offices.

Nevertheless, the offices do differ. Students interact with fiscal services in order to pay fees and make arrangements for payments, while students use the Financial Aid office to obtain financial assistance such as loans, work study, scholarships and grants.

“Most of the staff that work in [those] offices are extremely rude and act as if they are miserable with their

jobs,” said an anonymous junior, biology pre-medicine major. “They are the most hateful people that I have ever met; it’s like they have forgotten they are here to perform a service.”

According to the university website,www.xula. edu/financial-aid/documents/ PoliciesAndProcedures.pdf, the functions of Financial Aid and Fiscal services are to provide information to secure the necessary financial resources to meet students educational goals and financial obligations to the University, while providing quality customer service.

However, many students feel quite the opposite.

“It is very difficult to get the information that is needed from Fiscal Services and the Financial Aid office,” said Natalie Faciane, a freshman biology engineering major.

“They don’t respect the fact that we are becoming adults and need to know how to handle our own money.”

There have also been complaints that these services are unprofessional.

“One day when I entered Fiscal Services, before I asked a question, one of the staff members rolled her eyes at me as if my presence just irritated her,” said Destini Thomas, a sophomore sales and marketing major. “On a completely separate day, I went to the same office

and a different staff member refused to service me until she completed a personal call on her cell phone.”

As a paying customer, students feel as though they deserve fair treatment and proficient service.

“Staff in Fiscal Services and the Financial Aid office need to realize that students are their customers and the only reason they are employed,” said a posted comment from the student survey. “As a paying student, I expect my financial information to be up to date and accurate at all times and to be assisted when I need help.”

How students feel about the way staff treats them certainly affects their experience at Xavier.

“This lack of support definitely affects my college experience, it gives me a negative image of the school which is unfortunate because Xavier has so much to offer academically,” writes student. “The only thing I can positively say about these offices is that it prepares you for real world challenges.”

According to students, this negative perception of Xavier is affecting the school’s retention rates.

“Students have left this university and transferred to other schools because of the treatment they have received from staff,” a student

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posted. “With other cheaper universities available, Xavier should improve its services and appreciate their students more.”

The survey team’s request to meet with Edward Phillips, director of Fiscal Services, was not fulfilled.

Financial aid was more receptive.

“After conducting a town hall meeting this past October, I was able to address many of the challenges students were having in our office,” said Emily London Jones, director of the Financial Aid office. “When students complained about my staff, the staff that were reported were reprimanded.”

London-Jones said he is doing everything possible to ensure that the office’s reputation is not permanently damaged.

“I have been here for three years and have noticed a lot of improvement, but we are nowhere near perfect,” she said. “In order to address many student’s problems, we have implemented a Twitter account so our students can reach us directly, updated a list of frequently, and created a phone bank that opens four of our lines to immediate communications.”

Whenever students are having difficulty with financial aid staff, students are encouraged to approach London-Jones with their

concerns.

“I encourage all students to come to me when they face difficulty with staff and inform me who they are having the problem with so a change can be made,” she said.

Ralph Johnson, senior vice president of Administration, supervises every non-academic function at Xavier University, including Financial Aid, he commented on customer service.

“I was not previously aware of staff in Financial Aid being rude to students, but after hearing this I am very concerned,” said Johnson.

“I have spoken with this office and they understand the importance of customer service.”

Though there has not been a resolution for this apparent disconnect between Financial Aid, Fiscal Services staff and students, Johnson has hopes for the future.

“This is a growing relationship and there is room for improvement,” said Johnson.

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Sodexo Dining Hall: Longer Hours, Better Food

by Eric Craig Editor

Based on responses to survey questions about Sodexo dining services, students are dissatisfied with menu choices/variety and the operating schedule for the cafeteria and Jazzman’s.

Respondents are split almost evenly with how they feel about maintenance and cleanliness, and food services generated the most optional comments for the entire survey, which can be found online at www.xulaherald. com/studentsurvey.

Of the 502 respondents: • 129, or 23.2 percent, do not have a meal plan • 241, or 48.6 percent, are dissatisfied with menu choices/variety • 194, or 39.2 percent, are dissatisfied with operational hours of the cafeteria.

• 139, or 28.1 percent, are satisfied with dining hall maintenance and cleanliness; • 105, or 21.2 percent, are dissatisfied

How Dining Services Work In an interview with the project team, Ralph Johnson,

senior vice president for administration, said choosing a dining services provider starts with the procurement process when the university sends out a request for bids.

Xavier has contracted with Sodexo for a number of years, Johnson said, and the last contract was signed three years ago.

“It’s an exclusive agreement, and they are the provider of first choice. We work with them so that they can understand the needs of the university, including students’ expectations,” Johnson said.

Sodexo addresses hours, complaints Food service availability on campus—for students with meal plans and commuters looking for a bite to eat—is a hot topic for discussion Johnson said that there is room for change in the operation hours. However, the vicepresident and Sodexo are hoping to first tackle the conversations about meal plans.

Scott Price, on-campus general manager for Sodexo Dining Services, says that hours of operation will be extended in March.

Currently, the cafeteria is open on weekdays for

Menu Choices & Variety

Maintenience & Cleanliness

breakfast between 7 to 9:30 a.m; lunch is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m; and dinner is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

“We would like to extend breakfast meals from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.[...] and lunch will be from 2-4 p.m,” Price said.

However, during the extended hours Sodexo plans to close main and international lines, and keep the additional stations open for students.

Price also discussed the possibility of keeping Flambeaux’s open until midnight.

Operational Hours

Staff Courtesy & Respect

Alternative Brands on Campus Many students say they are not happy with the current choices of dining options on campus.

Johnson said it is possible to have a conversation about offering alternative brands on campus.

“Very often a company like Sodexo would own a franchise like Chick-Fil-A, and we can always have those conversations with Sodexo about the possibility of bringing in a franchise like that, but without the label,” Johnson said.

Price is aware of the limitations of Sodexo’s contract with Xavier and said both parties must agree upon adding alternative brands.

“We have had conversations about other brands, and it’s mutually agreed upon by Sodexo and the University. Within my limited ability, we would love to be able to provide those things for the university,” Price said.

Anonymous Student Comments About Sodexo “…Please branch out. We, as students, who have “It doesn’t make sense for the cafeteria to close no other choice but to eat this every day, need to at 7 p.m. when most students stay up to at least have more variety. Sodexo is only good some of 1 a.m. studying. That’s six hours without eating a the times…Please try to branch out to other food meal. [There] should be a late-night food spot on companies so that the menu isn’t so predictable. campus for students.”

I promise, this would make students so much happier.”

“I wish we had more options for dining on campus. It feels so isolating for someone who lives off-campus, “We need a new or upgraded company because I know other HBCUs who have contracts with for services in the cafeteria. The food is Sodexo and still provide more dining options than we digusting, especially on the weekends, even do. Since I don’t have a meal plan, I find it hard to eat the people that work in the cafeteria know on campus because Sub Connection is the only thing this. Also, most days they usually serve the that stays open late.” same thing every week.”

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Page 12

Students Rate Campus Life events are determined, 42 percent feel neutral.

• 28 percent say they are College is as much an dissatisfied with on-campus recreational activities, and 37 experience as it is a place for higher learning. The Customer percent answered neutral Satisfaction Survey covers • A large number of optional a variety of “quality of life” comments suggest students issues at Xavier, including want more music, parties and special events to boost morale how students feel about on-campus activities such as and enhance their Xavier experience concerts and recreation.

On-Campus Recreational Activites

The Office of Student Services is over programs such as the Student Government Association and Xavier Activities Board.

According to survey data: • While 21 percent of students feel dissatisfied about the transparency the Office of Student Services, SGA and XAB provide about how musical artists and special

have to have,” Byrd said.

As a Catholic institution, Byrd said it’s important to note that vulgarity stands against its Catholic tradition and ethics, so artists must accommodate the university’s protocols.

by Kendall Lawson Staff Writer

The university encourages students to suggest musical talents for campus events.

Joseph Byrd, vice president of student services, explains that students are a key part in finding artists.

“We don’t tell them whom we can invite. I think it wouldn’t be fair to the student body if we selected the artists and said, “This is who you

“We are not a party school, and I respect that. I enjoy many of our events, but I wish we had more activities in the evening.”

XAB and other campus organizations want more student participation in

“Greek life here is nothing like other HBCU’s. There is nothing to do on this campus past 7 p.m. maybe 9 if we are lucky”

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Does the office of Student Services, SGA, and XAB provide transparency in how music artists and activities are selected?

making decisions about their on-campus activities.

With SpringFest around the corner, there will be several opportunities for students to be active and voice their opinion.

“Sometimes we have this mindset, that it won’t be fun because of this and that instead of just going and

seeing what it’s about,” Tracy Haddock, XAB’s secretary, said. She predicted that response to the student survey and others will result in a “… change for the better in due time because we can already see changes happening all around the university.”

“They aren’t fun a lot of the times. It’s mainly loud music, “here’s some food/snacks!” and most people just go on with what their doing. I feel like if things like that are going to be done, it needs to be stepped up.

They aren’t exciting. Waste of money.”

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Coming April 15, 2016 2015

X AV I E R I T E 2016 xulaherald.com

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Division of Business

Internship at Housing Authority Opens Doors

by Darielle Cobbs Contributing Writer

M

y name is Darielle Cobbs, and I am a senior accounting major. This past fall semester, I was granted the opportunity to work as an intern at the Slidell Housing Authority. Slidell Housing Authority is a housing program for low-income families and elderly that provides safe,

affordable housing opportunities.

After I interviewed and was informed that the internship is located in Slidell, I was skeptical because that is far from where I live, and I figured that would be extremely hard. Yet, along with one of my classmates who is also an intern there, we began to carpool and make the best of our daily drive to Slidell.

I’m happy about my decision.

My daily responsibilities include collecting and depositing rent, payroll, paying the company’s monthly bills and assisting with any other jobs. We are currently working on bank reconciliations for the housing authority’s fiscal year. While doing the bank reconciliations, I have learned how to use the check register and other incoming rent when comparing numbers

to the general ledger and bank statements.

I have learned things at my internship that prepared me for the governmental accounting I’m studying in a class this semester. Working there has definitely allowed me to realize what branch of accounting I want to practice.

It has also showed me that if I ever open my own business that it takes hardworking and trustworthy employees because small problems can lead to bigger problems. In accounting, the smallest mistakes are the hardest ones to fix, and it’s a challenge and a lot of pressure.

Overall, I enjoy working at the Slidell Housing Authority and appreciate Professor Cliff Wright for the reference and opportunity.

THE PSY.D. PROGRAM IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AT XULA PREPARES GRADUATES TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AT XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA EDUCATION

INNOVATION

SERVICE

COMMUNITY

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THECHICAGOSCHOOL.EDU/XULA

504-656-4833

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Arts & Entertainment

‘Deadpool’ Review: Action, Humor and Grit cides to leave everything behind in hopes for a cure. Tempted with

by Lester Rainey the opportunity to be cured of his Staff Writer disease and become a superhero in the process, Wilson finds the Among the streams of Marvel cure for his dilemma at the cost movies, none quite hit the mark of his face. Now on a mission like “Deadpool.” Ryan Reynolds for revenge, our anti-hero locks portrays comic book hero Wade and loads for the sake of poetic, Wilson, a crazy and reckless or rather cosmetic, justice. Now mercenary known for having a with the ability to heal from any tongue as sharp as his swords. injury, Deadpool is even harder Notorious for facing death countto kill, and he uses that to his less times, Wilson never seems advantage to protect the one he to die. loves.

With a knack for getting into Deadpool is a favorite among trouble and a newfound relationmany Marvel fans.Considering ship, this mercenary has no reathe current trends of super hero son to fear death. However, all movies, this movie did not disapof that is threatened when Wilson point. Not only does it appeal to is diagnosed with cancer and delong-time fans, but it allows for

newcomers to get to know and enjoy the things that make Wade Wilson one of the most entertaining men to don a spandex costume.

While this film is definitely not for children, many adult fans will appreciate the mix of offcolor humor, high stakes action, and the ever-present jab at people on and off the screen.

For those who wish to see wild ride packed with guns, blades, and the trademark all-out battle of good and evil, I recommend it. If you don’t get your fill of adrenaline from one end, it’s because you were too busy laughing on the other.

Image Credit: Fox movies. Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool in action.

Jesse Owens Biopic: ‘Race’ Goes Distance

by Jendaya Bell Staff Writer The Jesse Owens biopic “Race” overcomes its audience with happiness and inspiration with the story about the man who won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany.

The film starring Stephen James as Owens and Jason Sudeikis as Larry Snyder perfectly embodies the tough love relationship between an athlete and coach.

Snyder, who missed his Olympic opportunity by three weeks due to a helicopter incident, pours his passion into Owens, mirroring a father-son bond and wanting only Owens’s success. Not only does the film capture Owens’s life on the track in Nazi Germany, but also the racism Owens faced in America even after his achievements, along with a plethora of responsibilities given to him through life circumstances.

One of the most memorable scenes depicts a conversation between Lux Long, a Berlin

native/athlete, and Owens, where both find that the situations of their countries are one in the same as far as hardships go. The scene silences the room, yet speaks volumes.

With the underlying tone of feminism throughout the film, Carice van Houten as Leni Riefenstahl, a woman hired to capture the 1936 Olympics on film, overcomes conflict when German officials imposed rules to censor her project. A confident Riefenstahl snaps back and said she is recording history by capturing the Olympic events on

film and will not be deterred.

Unfortunately, the film doesn’t address the life after Owens’s success in Berlin and also ends abruptly, leaving the viewer unfulfilled.

The director, Stephen Hopkins, allowed the story to conclude with a sense of joy for Owens’s accomplishments yet concern with America’s social ills.

Overall, the film went above greatness for the story of a great athlete and an even greater man.

“Race” stars Stephen James.

Comic by Leland Johnson

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Sports

Keepin’ It Gee: Gary Smith and Gold Rush

by Kaelin Maloid Staff Writer

T

here is 1:51 remaining in the second half. The Gold Rush are up 50-46. Gary Smith has the ball. He dribbles once— twice—three times before he makes his move. At 1:50, he drives from the top of the key, the ball in perfect control underneath his sure hand. He crosses over. 1:49. He’s driving right, a determined look on his face and a not-so-clear path to the goal. 1:48. He’s at the goal now, ball cradled in his hands.

1:47. He shoots. A Southern University at New Orleans defender hits him. The ball goes in anyway. 1:46. And one.

“Being on the court just feels natural,” said Smith.

Before Xavier Around six or seven was when Smith started his basketball career. His dad put him in a park league, and he has been playing ever since.

In high school, Smith attended and played for the Village School, for which he started varsity all four years.

During this time, he averaged 13 points and six assists as a sophomore and 14.5 points, six assists, six rebounds and three steals per game as a senior.

He was also a four-time all tournament selection.

His high school career led to his Gold Rush career.

Gold Rush head coach Dannton Jackson was watching a showcase on the Westbank in New Orleans when he first saw Smith. It was an Amateur Athletic Union tournament for seniors, and Smith was playing.

The Gold Rush were looking for a point guard, someone who was real “steady,” according to Jackson.

Smith fit that mold.

“He had a heck of a weekend, where he played a whole lot of games. I think his last day he played three or four games. And then the next day he came over and we played about three or four games here,” said Jackson.

Stellar Xavier Career Now, four years later, Smith is a senior guard on a 13-member Gold Rush team.

This season Smith is averaging 7.5 points, 1 steal, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. On Feb. 15, 2016, Smith put up a career high 24 points, including a buzzer beating three from just below the half-court line to end half-time.

But being a student-athlete isn’t as easy as it looks.

“It’s tough,” said Smith. “A lot of work. A lot of late nights and early mornings. It’s just work.”

According to Jackson, Smith has grown tremendously since

his first arrival at Xavier. A big time competitor, Jackson said that Smith is fun to coach.

“Gary is fun,” said Jackson.

“It’s been a fun four years.”

Smith will graduate at the end of this semester. He couldn’t name one specific thing he would miss the most, but Xavier in general.

“The people, playing basketball. Everything,” said Smith. “I love Xavier.”

Of all the success Smith has had on the court, it’s his off the court success that Jackson is most proud of.

“I’m most proud he’s going to graduate,” said Jackson.

“That’s all I want for all Xavier

The coach recruited Smith in 2012.

“It was just his toughness,” said Jackson on why he recruited Smith, “his competitive fire. He was just a good student coming from a good program at the Village School.”

Smith, a New Orleans native who moved to Houston after Hurricane Katrina, said he decided to suit up for Xavier because it was “back home.”

“I had family down there,” said Smith.

Senior Gary Smith (middle) poses with Gold Rush coaching staff and family for Senior Night, Feb. 15, 2016.

Photo by Kaelin Maloid.

athletes is a degree. I’m most proud he’s going to get his degree.”

Off the Court Smith is a psychology major and public health minor with intentions on becoming a family emergency therapist and clinical psychologist.

His favorite team is the Los Angeles Clippers, and his favorite player is Chris Paul.

Even with his successful career at Xavier, his favorite

memory is still from playing in high school.

“My best basketball memory would have to be, probably, my senior night in high school,” said Smith .”I had played with basically my best friends from middle school to high school, and it was the last time we played, so that was pretty cool.”

When he’s not playing basketball, Smith likes to watch movies and listen to music.

“I’m big into music,” said Smith. “I listen to a lot, lot of music.”

He also likes to read and go out to see the city.

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Xavier Community Embraces New

President C. Reynold Verret

Signatures on Verret’s poster from Xavier students during the Students First event.

Students sign a poster welcoming Dr. Verret on Students First event.

The week of Feb. 22-26, 2016, was a special one for Xavier University of Louisiana. The week was filled with campus-wide activities for students, staff, and faculty for its newly inaugurated sixth president, Dr. C. Reynold Verret.

The inauguration week spanned from Monday, featured the Students First event, to Friday, ending with the official investiture and inauguration.

On Feb. 22, the Student First Event kicked off with a free t-shirt giveaway, a photo booth filled with various props students could adorn themselves with, tables where students could answer questions about Verret and receive prizes, and a cut-out of the president himself to take pictures with.

The Black History Convocation was held on Feb. 23. Although it was supposed to start at 12:15 p.m. with a procession, it was cancelled due to inclement weather.

On Feb. 24, Verret and others attended a Mass in the St. Katharine Drexel Chapel.

On Feb. 25, the “Here is Where You Turn Back: Performing New Orleans through Literature, music, and art” performance was put on by the Performing Studies Laboratory, Department of Art and Department of Music Jazz Ensemble.

On Friday, Feb. 26, Verret was officially inaugurated as president of Xavier University of Louisiana.

While the events officially recognized the new leader, Verret saw the week as “a pledge to Xavier,” and a chance to have “a conversation with the community.”

Verret was ecstatic at his opportunity to officially become part of the Xavier family. He commented how this was not the first time he has been a part of an investiture, but the first time he has been on the receiving end.

“The Inauguration is a passage of tradition,” Verret said. “It’s recognition that we stand on a history, that we stand on a mission, and that we stand on a tradition. Xavier’s tradition is its commitment to service, and we educate leaders.”

At his investiture, Verret implied in his speech that the bond of students goes further than Xavier’s community, alluding to Xavier’s mission statement.

“Let us further our force of mind and spirit, our institutional soul and our many talents to shape Xavier’s destiny, to keep the promise to educate, to transform students and to be a vessel of grace for the next 90 years and more to come,” Verret said.

Destine Cammon-Thompson and Amira Gee take a selfie with the Dr. Verrett cut-out.

Kevin Thomas, Kalyn Jones, Morgan Dillard, and Isaac Britten pose in front of the photo booth during the Investirue kick-off.

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Miss Xavier, Lacey Douglas, poses with Dr. Verret.

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President Verret relaxes with student, staff and faculty in the convocation center after the Black History Month Convocation was canceled due to bad weather.

Xavier University Symphonic band plays on.

The Horn section rehearses.

President Verret poses with relatives under his secondline umbrella.

President Verret second lines behind Michael White after the “Here is Where You Turn Back� performance.

President Verret was presented the honorary presedential chain, which has the name of all preceeding presidents inscibed on the links.

President Verretgreets the audience at his investiture.

Photos by Kaelin Maloid. Natese Dockery, Eric Craig and Tauni Julien

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March 1, 2016 - March 14, 2016

Dr. C. Reynold Verret: The Presidential Investiture

Dr. Verret holds the university mace.

(L-R) Dr. Verret, Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, Dr. Norman Francis and Sr. Donna Breslin stand for the national anthem.

Board of Trustees Chair Michael Rue assists Dr. Verret his new presidential attire.

President Verret is congratulated by President Emeritus, Norman C. Francis.

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President Verret officially assumes his role as the sixth president of Xavier University of Louisiana.

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