W W W. L A L O Y O L A N . C O M
Los Angeles LOYOLAN The
EST. 1921
L
. ME O . H ICE UR YO R VO S. W U YO R NE U YO
ON NI
OP I
Oc to
, 2013 r3 be
ARTS E+ IF
Government shutdown affects student abroad.
West African film comes to LMU.
Page 6
Page 8
V O LU M E
92
| ISSUE
09
Grades inf late to B+ average Students
advocate cultural dialogue For the second year, intercultural facilitators encourage ethnic equality. Carly Barnhill Copy Editor
@carlybarnhill
Information compiled by Sonja Bistranin, asst. News editor; Graphic: Sydney Franz | Loyolan
In the past two decades, average GPAs have risen at both public and private four-year universities. LMU is no different, with its average GPA rising from a C to a B+ in 20 years. This national trend is a hot topic in higher education circles both around the United States and in the LMU community. To read Asst. News Editor Sonja Bistranin’s full article, see Page 3.
News editor tries 12hour tech blackout In this first-person news analysis, Croley describes the paradox of stress and peace. Allison Croley News Editor
@allisoncroley
College newspapers around the country are reporting on students’ addiction to technology. University of Alabama’s The Crimson White reported in July that technology is contributing to student sleep deprivation. CSU Fullerton’s The Daily Titan similarly reported in September that technology is suppressing student success. In 2011, Huffington Post blogger Susan Moeller summarized a study of worldwide college students who turned off every form of technology for one day – phones, laptops, Playstations, televisions – and the responses of students participating in the study were quite in line with the issues college newspapers have been reporting. Most students in the study reported feeling like an addict when they unplugged. In fact, many of them showed actual signs of withdrawal. Frankly, I found this interesting but not
shocking. These days, we all rely on technology to communicate with people and do our work whether it’s school or job-related. I began to wonder how I would react to a technology blackout, let alone be able to do it without getting fired or failing out of school. So I tried it. No messages, no social media, no email, no television. For 12 hours, I put my phone on airplane mode, kept my laptop off and put a sheet over the television. What happened? The whole government shut down. But that might not have been because I unplugged. In all seriousness, my stress went through the roof, but life felt simpler. It was a weird paradox of hating myself for taking on the challenge and loving myself for sticking with it. Did I experience withdrawal? Not really. Was it possible? Yes, but only for a day. I started at 9 a.m. I chose a Monday because nothing big usually happens on Mondays and I’m in class for most of the day. Normally I walk to each class and meetings texting someone, looking at Facebook or checking my email, but without my phone I was forced to actually pay attention to what went on around me. I saw that the air was a little hazy, I smelled See Tech Blackout | Page 4
This year marks the second year for the Ethnic and Intercultural Service’s Intercultural Facilitator (IF) Program, which is made up of LMU students dedicated to student support. The student facilitators are in charge of campus-wide discussions and workshops regarding diversity, culture and various other topics. There are currently 25 facilitators involved in the program, with a waiting list of students interested in getting involved. According to the Student Affairs Division section on the LMU website, IFs “are open, friendly and supportive individuals who are genuinely interested in helping students become actively involved in issues related to the intercultural community.” This semester, approximately 350 students have been present at seminars, workshops and dialogues with these facilitators, according to Henry Ward, the Director of the Office of Intercultural Affairs. If it is hard for students to attend a meeting or a session, the IFs make time to reach out to the students themselves. Rather than holding these discussions and workshops as formal meetings and hoping that students come, the facilitators meet the students in other places such as residence halls, Ward said. See Intercultural | Page 2
Leslie Irwin | Loyolan
Foley Fountain purple for Domestic Violence Awareness November is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and Belles service organization, whose social justice concentration is domestic violence, is observing in a number of ways. One of these ways is coloring Foley Fountain water purple in order to remind passerbys of the women and children who have suffered from domestic abuse, according to Belles member McKenzie Cochran, a junior dance major.
. ME . HO UR OICE . O V Y UR NEWS O Y UR YO
laloyolan.com Page 2
Facilitators focus on ‘open and honest’ conversations Intercultural from Page 1
The dialogues vary in topic, from race and ethnicity to sexual orientation and community building. The student facilitators have open and honest conversations with other students all across the LMU community – athletic programs, ethnic organizations and everyday students in their classrooms are a few of the many groups with which they converse. The IFs see it as an opportunity to help people discuss profound issues that they might not otherwise discuss. “I find it extremely intriguing that students, given the safe environment that the IF program encourages, are able to come together and discuss sensitive and critical cultural issues and walk out of the discussions with a completely new perspective sometimes,” said Laura Ahn, a facilitator and junior communication studies major. “They learn a lot about race and gender, and I think that it’s really important to have these talks about these issues.” Ward noted that students find it easy to relate to other students, even if they are saying the same thing as a faculty or staff member. His job is to encourage the collaboration among the various cultures at LMU, but he noted the difference between his own workshops with students and the studentto-student workshops. “It is just very different. Students hear things differently from students, even when they might be saying the exact same thing as me,” he said. Ward said that facilitators go through one year of training before they lead workshops
via EIS
Laura Ahn, facilitator and junior communication studies major, finds it “interesting” that students are able to come together and discuss normally sensitive cultural issues within the IF program and walk away with a “completely new perspective sometimes.” and dialogues, so that they are prepared to lead these group discussions. Facilitators are also benefiting from this program on their transcripts. IFs take an Intercultural Practicum course in which they earn an Intercultural Competency Certificate. This is a citation that is stamped on their transcript, so if a future graduate school or employer requests a transcript, they will see these students’ advanced coursework in the area of human relations. “The skills that you learn when you do these dialogues and when you leave these facilitations are skills that will stay with you for the rest of your life,” said Ward. “No matter what field you go into, they will help you with the process.”
Crossword Puzzle: All About the Library
Down 1. The black and white printers are named after the four ______ 2. Total number of computers in the Information Commons 4. Number of group study rooms in the library 7. It costs ______ cents per page to print in black and white 8. Students may check out a laptop on the ______ floor
Across 3. The library is open 24 hours a day for ______ days every week 5. Number of Mac Pro computers in the Information Commons 6. The cafe located on the ground floor of the library 7. Exhibits are located on the ______ floor 9. Year the William H. Hannon Library opened 10. Number of books undergraduate students are allowed to check out at a time 11. The current exhibit on display in the library is called ______
Check your answers at laloyolan.com/puzzles
via EIS
Student facilitators go through one year of training before they lead workshops and dialogues so they are well-prepared to lead discussions.
°
FOR THE °°° In the Sept. 30 article “Conference shares technology with RECORD °° teachers,” Sue Liefeld’s last name was spelled incorrectly. One Cards happily accepted.
We deliver. Order at FreshBrothers.com, on our Facebook page, or with our iPhone and Droid apps. Marina Del Rey, 310.823.3800.
NEWS
laloyolan.com Page 3
Grade inflation a problem
In the last 20 years, LMU students’ GPAs have risen significantly. Sonja Bistranin Asst. News Editor @sonj_b
Midterms are either present or right around the corner for LMU students, and the hope is that those hours spent at the library will pay off with an A. However, the amount of students receiving As is a cause for concern in the community of higher education, including LMU. “Grade inflation” is a steady trend of higher average grades over time despite a lack of corresponding change in student performance. According to Vice President and Provost Joseph Hellige, grade inflation is not only present at LMU, but also poses a threat to LMU’s reputation. “Over many years, grade distributions at LMU and across higher education have crept steadily upward,” said Hellige. “If LMU were to develop a reputation for excessive grade inflation or easy grading it could put our graduates, especially our academically superior graduates, at a disadvantage in competing for post-baccalaureate programs or jobs.” According to Renee Florsheim, the associate dean of undergraduate programs, one cause of grade
inflation is students’ expectations. “Most students come to LMU already very familiar with inflated grades from high school,” said Florsheim. Florsheim added that when grade inflation is ingrained in students’ minds, it can cultivate an inability to take constructive criticism from professors, since nothing less than an A is satisfactory. “These students used to grade inflation have generally never received any criticism of their work in their lives,” said Florsheim. “That makes it very hard for them to grow, because they often cannot take constructive criticism at all.” Despite these negative effects, though, grade inflation continues. The more As and Bs that are given out, the less grades represent an actual account of quality. “Among other things, this grade inflation compresses the grading scale and can make it more difficult for grades to adequately reflect outstanding student performance compared to very good student performance, compared to good or average performance,” said Hellige. Evelyn McDonnell, an assistant professor of journalism, echoed Hellige, saying, “If all students get As, then As become equivalent to pass in a pass fail system. Or if the range of grades is between B- and A, then why even have Cs?” Continuously receiving good grades puts every student on a narrower playing field. According
to Florsheim, LMU is among universities where the playing field is thinning. “I first came to LMU in 1989,” said Florsheim. “At that time, the average grade had already risen from a C to a C+/B-. Right now the average grade is a B+. The Dean’s Honor Roll used to include 5 to 10 percent of students. Now it is about one-third of students in the college.” Grade inflation has been a hot topic among higher education communities for decades. According to Florsheim, grade inflation may have originated to protect students in the 1960s. “While I certainly can’t guarantee that there was no such thing as grade inflation before this, a lot of modern grade inflation is said to have begun in the 1960s as a reaction to the Vietnam War,” said Florsheim. “Students whose grades fell below acceptable levels were not eligible for student exemptions to the draft, so in order to protect their students, a number of schools … raised grades.” But now, grade inflation may be causing more harm than good for students. In addition to an adverse attitude toward criticism of their work, students may focus too much on grades and not education. “The emphasis put on grades turns students into grade-grubbers, not learners,” said McDonnell. “My pet peeve is when students come into my office and ask, ‘How can I get a better grade’ not, ‘How can I do better work?’”
6
BURNING Questions
This issue, Editorial Intern Julia Sacco sits down with the new director of Asian Pacific Student Services, Aristotle Mosier, about his new position.
1
What is the Asian Pacific Student Services (APSS)? -
2
When did you become interested in this field, and why did you become interested in Ethnic and Intercultural Services at LMU?
Graduate School of Theology
Master of Arts in Youth Ministry
3
What is your favorite aspect about APSS?
4
What type of advocacy, community building and programs are available through APSS? Doug Fields, M.Div. Author / Youth Leader
Jim Burns, Ph.D. Author / Speaker
Powerful. Flexible. Practical.
5
Azusa Pacific’s biblically centered Master of Arts in Youth Ministry (MAYM) program prepares men and women for the specialized field of youth and family ministry.
What would you say to a student who wasn’t sure if he or she should check out APSS or not?
Learn from leading experts Study under thought leaders in youth and family ministry, such as Jim Burns, Doug Fields, and Mark DeVries. Flexible format Choose from online courses and one-week summer intensives, or a traditional classroom setting.
What is your favorite hobby?
Hands-on experience Intentional integration of academic and experiential components enhances learning and advances your career.
For more information on the MAYM program, contact the Graduate Center at (626) 815-4564 or gradadmissions@apu.edu, or visit apu.edu/maym/. Other degree programs offered: D.Min. | M.Div. | Pastoral Studies, M.A. | (Theological Studies), M.A.
6
laloyolan.com. 14924
NEWS
laloyolan.com Page 4
Tech necessary ‘and that’s OK’ Tech Blackout from Page 1
greasy burgers by Iggy’s, I overheard some hilarious conversations and I actually thought about my classes. I know it’s not uncommon for people to say they feel more aware and rejuvenated when without their phones, but it’s true. I felt refreshed – that is, until the anxiety kicked in. With extra time to think came extra time to worry. What if I got an email from a professor about class being cancelled? What if an accident happened on campus and I was the only person who could cover it? What if my family had an emergency? How would I be able to learn about anything important with no communication? I spent the majority of the day worrying, then forgetting about
everything when a bird would fly by, then worrying again. I felt lost, like I didn’t know how to stay in tune with the world without my phone or the Internet. By 7 p.m. I was in class and had two hours left of my technology blackout, so I stopped worrying. This was gold. This was the part of the experience I will never forget because I was at complete peace. I was able to dedicate my full attention to class because I wasn’t worried about missing or receiving important texts, calls or emails. I was able to relax and – wait for it – enjoy class. What a concept. At 9:30 p.m. when I got out of class and turned my phone off airplane mode, I had 18 emails, 10 text messages and two missed calls, which isn’t too bad for the course
HOW TO SURVIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A DAY WITHOUT
TECHNOLOGY
1 2 3 4
of a day. Some of them were semiurgent, but none of them were lifethreatening. I was able to take care of them within the hour. It was actually great not having technology for 12 hours. Once I got over my anxieties, life was slower and more pleasant. However, it’s really only possible for a day because our lives do depend on technology for communication. We really do need it to complete daily tasks – and that’s OK. The most important thing I learned is that emails don’t necessarily have to be answered immediately and the world won’t end if I don’t respond to a text. The government may shut down, but even then there is no reason to let it control your life. And there’s no reason to completely hate it.
Tell people you normally talk to throughout the day that you are going off the grid. Send all necessary emails the day before. Don’t take your phone with you … it’s too tempting. Turn the wifi off on your computer if you need to type homework. Relax. Ever ything will be okay.
Information compiled by Allison Croley, News editor; Graphic: Tyler Barnett | Loyolan
On Campus
CLASSIFIEDS
LMU’s Do soMething CLUb is looking for student bands, solo-artists and DJs to perform at an upcoming benany questions, please email
RATES 1-35 words: $10 36-50 words: $15 Additional words: $40
First line bolded: $1 All bolded: $2 visit www.laloyolan.com
WANT TO WRITE
FOR NEWS? CONTACT
Allison Croley at acroley@laloyolan.com
and select ‘Classifieds’ from the Advertising Tab to set up your account
TODAY!
Kevin O’Keeffe Editor in Chief
Allie Heck
Managing Editor
Dan Raffety
Managing Editor
Tyler Barnett Design Director
Michael Busse Copy Chief
Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.
E
S
T
NT V I
S
Board Editorial
DE
W
OPINION
U
! &? E
DI
TORIAL
Covering LMU goes beyond accentuating the positive
T
he essence of school spirit is hard to Loyolan. It’s part of being a news organizadefine: is it cheering fans in the stands? tion that features opinion pieces. Offering Is it the school mascot getting pumped criticism is a sign of respect, as true respect on the sidelines? Is it a fight song, a winning includes being unafraid to shed light on both the positive and negative. sports team or a squad of cheerleaders? We at the Loyolan aim to feature inspirWe think school spirit is much simpler than that – it’s about love for your school. And ing figures on campus – like senior theatre arts major Lissa Danshaw, who saved a man’s sometimes, that love has to be tough. Last Thursday, Asst. Sports Editor Carlton life last week (“Student saves staffer’s life,” Lew wrote a column (“Lions struggle through Sept. 26) – or the successes of student-driven daunting schedule,” Sept. 26) offering his programs – like ASLMU’s revamping of After Sunset this past weekend, thoughts on the women’s of which we featured phosoccer team’s performance Offering criticism is tos in our Sept. 30 issue this season after losing eight straight games. He offered a sign of respect, as and on our social media. Those positive events are criticism, concluding that true respect includes equally important, and just “the Lions have failed mightas crucial in our mission to ily to meet … preseason being unafraid to fair while still emphaexpectations.” Yet his points shed light on both the be sizing our love and respect were supported by quotes and insights from the team positive and negative. for our school. Yes, the Loyolan will members and Head Coach Michelle Myers, and as the beat reporter for continue to feature pieces that are critical women’s soccer, Lew has paid close attention of LMU – including its sports teams and its student performances – alongside our posito the team all season. In short: Lew’s column was tough, but fair. tive coverage. Success and failure are both It’s that kind of thorough critique that we at part of the LMU experience – and the human experience, too. It’s not our role on campus to the Loyolan fully support. Whether it’s a column about an LMU sports be a public relations firm, to feature relentteam, a review of a dance performance in less positivity and ignore the negative aspects. Life+Arts or a Board Editorial calling an That’s not fair to this great community; our administration decision into question, cri- audience deserves the truth, no matter how tique has a real home in the pages of the tough it may be.
Letters to the
EDITOR
Dear Executive Editorial Board:
I was deeply disappointed that your Board's editorial "A Conversation About Our Identity" (Sept. 26) would frame the current debate about employee healthcare as turning on a decision whether "it's appropriate for a Catholic school to pay for its faculty and staff's elective abortions." In doing so, your board seems to follow the logic of Robert V. Caro's argument in his Sept. 26 Letter to the Editor that the proposed changes to our health benefits means that “university funds would not be used to pay for elective abortions." Both positions share the troubling view that an employer’s contribution to healthcare insurance means that the employer is actually "funding" or "paying for" various medical procedures. Robert Caro argues that this means that LMU has the right (the obligation?) to exclude any medical procedures that are in tension with LMU's institutional commitment to Roman Catholicism. Rather than simply contribute to health insurance so that an LMU employee can pay for legal medical procedures, LMU reserves the right to decide what legal medical procedures an employee gets to choose. Your board appears to share the same understanding of the way health insurance works. This logic can be extended in absurd but also disturbing directions: Does LMU have the right (the obligation?) to police other benefits that it provides its employees? What if an LMU employee was using its wages or salary on activities inconsistent with LMU’s institutional commitment to Roman Catholicism? Is the University “funding” such activities? Should LMU intervene?
I am joined by many staff and faculty in regarding the decision to exclude so-called elective abortion from insurance coverage as frankly dismissive of women’s and girls’ experiences – and of their intellects. I will defend the right of my colleagues and their daughters to have coverage for abortions that they – not their doctor, not their university – determine necessary. The question of abortion coverage is not, as some have framed it, one of balancing LMU’s Catholic identity with its commitment to plurality and diversity of moral and religious sensibilities. This is, in part, exactly because there is no one “Catholic position” on abortion – not unless we are willing to conflate Catholicism with the teaching of modern bishops. According to the Guttmacher Institute, approximately 22 per 1,000 Catholic women in the United States have had an abortion, and Catholic women are 29 percent more likely to have an abortion than are Protestant women. We would be rash to assume all these Catholic women perceive themselves as having committed a “particularly egregious evil” (Robert V. Caro, “Re: Abortion special coverage, pages 6-7,” Sept. 26, 2013). When we talk about Catholic identity, with whom are [we] willing to engage in conversation? I hope we are willing to speak with the women of LMU, who will disagree among themselves and sometimes fiercely about the morality of abortion – why shouldn’t they? Our varied voices must surely count for something. It is precisely matters of real moral significance that test the truth of LMU’s stated commitment to plurality and diversity. If abortion coverage is declared “off limits” on the grounds that we are a Catholic university, LMU will have failed this test, declaring a preemptory role over the conscience of its employees. Having done so, our university will have conceded that when it really matters, plurality and diversity do not really matter.
Dermot Ryan Associate Professor of English
Anna Harrison Associate Professor of theological studies
RE: Abortion and Catholicity special coverage, Sept. 26, 2013 Dear Executive Editorial Board:
laloyolan.com
S
We want to hear from you! letters@theloyolan.com The Loyolan welcomes letters to the editor. All submissions must include the author’s first name, phone number, email address and year in school or relation to the University (i.e. alumnus, professors, etc). Submissions should be typed and no more than 300 words.
Page 5
POLL: Do you think LMU should cover elective abortion in its faculty and staff health care plans?
* Of a sample size of 30, as taken by laloyolan.com visitors.
Yes.
I’m unsure.
No.
I need more information.
Graphic: Mercedes Pericas | Loyolan
The Los Angeles
LOYOLAN EDITORIAL STAFF Editor in Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor Design Director Copy Chief News Editor Asst. News Editor Asst. News Editor Asst. News Editor Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editor Life+Arts Editor Asst. LIfe+Arts Editor Asst. Life+Arts Editor Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Editorial Intern Editorial Intern Editorial Intern Production Intern Production Intern Production Intern Designer Designer Design Intern Design Intern Cartoon Editor Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Web Editor Asst. Web Editor Asst. Web Editor Digital Intern Digital Intern
Kevin O’Keeffe Allie Heck Dan Raffety Tyler Barnett Michael Busse Allison Croley Sonja Bistranin Casey Kidwell Ali Swenson Chelsea Chenelle Eddie Estrada Devin Feldman Christopher James Mary Grace Cerni Marissa Morgan Kevin Cacabelos Sam Borsos Carlton Lew Carly Barnhill Khayla Golucke Ryan Johnson Kellyn Kawaguchi Chanel Mucci KiMi Robinson Lauren Slack Karen Ruiz Julia Sacco Danni Wilson Tyler Franklin Susannah Keane Julia McQuade Sydney Franz Mercedes Pericas Mo Haley Patrick Josten Jackson Turcotte Leslie Irwin Kevin Halladay-Glynn Kailey Strachan Edward Bramanti Ian Lecklitner Janine Leano Kassandra Velasquez
BUSINESS STAFF Business Director Business Manager Asst. Business Manager Business Intern Ad Sales Representative Ad Sales Representative Advertising Intern Advertising Intern Ad Designer HR Coordinator HR Intern Distribution Manager Distributor
Harrison Geron Jennifer Bruner Charles Riley Rebecca Liaw Genesis Contreras Sabrina Budhrani Chloe Garcia Wilson Parnell Callie Douthit Brigette Scobas Sarah Kodama Dan Raffety Moriah Grant
Director of Student Media Tom Nelson
LOYOLAN EDITORIAL POLICY The Los Angeles Loyolan, a student-run campus organization, publishes a twice weekly newspaper free of charge. Additional copies are $1 each. Paid, mailed subscriptions can be purchased through the Business department. The Loyolan accepts unsolicited letters from students, faculty, staff and alumni, and press releases from on-campus and off-campus organizations, but cannot guarantee publication. The Loyolan reserves the right to edit or reject all submissions, including advertisements, articles or other contributions it deems objectionable. The Loyolan does not print consecutive articles by the same author that repeat/refute the initial arguments. Opinions and ideas expressed in the Loyolan are those of individual authors, artists and student editors and are not those of Loyola Marymount University, its Board of Trustees, its student body or of newspaper advertisers. Board Editorials are Editorial Board. Guest editorials are by invitation of of the author. All advertisements are subject to the current rates and policies in the most recent Advertising Rates and Information materials. The Los Angeles Loyolan is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association.
laloyolan.com Page 6
OPINION
U.S. indecision travels beyond borders Sands Castle Sierra Sands Staff Writer
@LoyolanOpinion
A
s I woke up this morning in Bonn, Germany, the U.S. government was shutting down. Thirty minutes into the shutdown, I took a shower, brushed my teeth and ate breakfast. Everything was carrying on as usual, yet something was off. For the first time in seventeen years, I can’t flash my passport and say, “I have the full strength of the government behind me.” Headlines around the world reported the American government’s failure to meet a deadline. CNN, BBC and my favorite German paper, Spiegel International, all found the situation more important than political crises in the Italian and German governments. I don’t fully understand all the reasons why the government shut down, but I do understand that it’s a result of inaction between Democrats and Republicans in Washington, D.C. With our bipartisan system, disagreements are bound to happen; more than that, they are supposed to happen. Disagreement can lead to greater achievements but it can also lead to the death of a once-great system. The art of democracy is compromise. This stalemate is not good for the American people, economy or America’s image abroad. Since I left the safety of U.S.
Associated Press
While Washington, D.C. may seem far away for Sierra Sands, the government shutdown has directly affected her morale while abroad in Germany. borders 43 days ago, our country and trying to explain to me, in bro- economy is at stake. myself broke and stranded in forhas weakened the trust between ken English, its effect on Germany. Just over a week ago, I was cel- eign country? our allies with the NSA scandal, Not only were they dismayed that ebrating with the Irish at the end Good news: I can still check my made and then retracted a threat a country as large and strong as of their recession. Their GDP had Facebook, take money out of the of war on Syria and shut down the the U.S. could fail over something increased for the first time since ATM and attend class. The govgovernment due to a difference in that, in their eyes, is so small, but the market crash. If the American ernment shut down, but the world fiscal opinion. Whether we realize they also feared what this means economy tanks again, the global did not end. Bad news: We still it or not, the world watches Amer- for their policies. market could go with it. European don’t know at what cost. ica’s every move. Other countries America is now the most hypo- stocks have been falling since word This is the opinion of Sierra Sands, care what the U.S. does because it critical country in the world. We broke about the possibility of the a junior screenwriting major from affects them too. have often criticized situations shutdown. Germans fear the value Plymouth, Minn. Tweet comments to Though the American govern- abroad like the Euro crisis and the of the Euro will drop after being on @LoyolanOpinion, or email ment had only been shut down for struggling economy in Greece, but a steady climb for the past three cchenelle@theloyolan.com. half an hour, come breakfast time, Congress has not proven them- months. I fear the decline of the To read more about the Affordable Care Act, the catalyst for this my German host family was al- selves any better. More than the U.S. dollar. What if the value of the shutdown, visit laloyolan.com. ready fully briefed on the situation threat of reputation, the global dollar plummets? What if I find
life+arts
laloyolan.com Page 7
LMU hosts month of West African films The School of Film and Television partners with LACMA for the festival. Christopher James Life+Arts Editor
@cwj92movieman
Film has the power to showcase the conflicts and cultures of worlds far from LMU. Recognizing this, the School of Film and Television (SFTV), in partnership with Film Independent at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), kicks off their monthlong focus on the films of West Africa in “Cameras D’Afrique: The Films of West Africa.” The series will include over 20 films, both fictional and nonfictional, from the past 50 years of West African cinema. Whether on campus or at LACMA, the latest installment of the “SFTV Presents” series, which has focused on the foreign language films and filmmakers nominated for the 70th Annual Golden Globes in the past, will give students the opportunity to see new films and auteurs, some of which have never before screened in the United States. “The series is an opportunity
for patrons and students to meet many of the filmmakers who will be in town from West Africa,” said Julie Porter, the communications and media relations manager for the SFTV. LACMA is hosting the opening night festivities tonight with the U.S. Premiere of “Grigris,” the story of a man with a paralyzed leg who dreams of being a dancer, but turns to a gang of petrol smugglers to take care of his ailing uncle. The film screens at 8:30 p.m. The film, directed by MahamatSaleh Haroun, who will appear for a Q&A session following the film, received the Vulcan Award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. According to the Cannes Film Festival website, the award was given to “Antoine Hebérlé, director of photography for the film ‘Grigris,’ for a result showing remarkable finesse and humility, with the sole intention of serving the film, in conditions that we imagine were very difficult.” The first event, however, begins with a guided tour of “Shaping Power: Luba Masterworks from the Royal Museum for Central Africa” at 4 p.m. Following the art exhibit is a showing in LACMA’s Bing Theater of “Bye Bye Africa,” also directed by Haroun, with an introduction by film critic and cu-
rator Elvis Mitchell at 5:30 p.m. “This series brings me such joy,” said Mitchell in the event press release. “Primarily because there’s nothing more exhilarating to me than to expose people to exciting new filmmakers and films, let alone bring attention to the art of an area that deserves more attention than it has received in America.” Continuing through Oct. 28, there will be more films screening at both LACMA and at Mayer Theater as part of the series. “Another highlight is the screening of award-winning ‘Tey’ with actor/poet Saul Williams and filmmaker Alain Gomis [in attendance],” said Porter. “That will be here on campus so students will have the opportunity to ask them questions and see the film in Mayer [Theater].” The film school hopes that exposing students to this different culture of filmmaking will inspire them to try daring and innovative techniques to better tell their story to audiences. “Connecting our students to the rich filmography of West Africa, long a Francophone region, will expose them to different forms of storytelling, inspiring their own unique visions,” said Stephen Ujlaki, the dean of the School of
FILM PREVIEW
via Julie Porter
Mahamat-Saleh Haroun’s “Grigris,” is making its United States premiere after winning the Vulcan Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Film and Television, in the event’s press release. Events will take place both at LMU in the Mayer Theater and at LACMA’s Bing Theater. LMU students, faculty and staff can show their LMU I.D. at the LACMA box office for a free pair of tickets to any of the screenings in Bing Theater.
For more information on laloyolan.com.
EVENTS Thursday, Oct. 3 at LACMA 4 p.m. – “Shaping Power: Luba Masterworks from the Royal Museum for Central Africa” curator tour, for SFTV students only 5:30 p.m. – “Bye Bye Africa,” with introduction by film curator Elvis Mitchell 8:30 p.m. – “Grigris,” featuring Q&A with director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun via Julie Porter
Alain Gomis’ “Tey” depicts a different type of immigration as its protagonist journeys from America to his home country, Senegal. The screening will include a Q&A with actor Saul Williams and Gomis after the show.
Saturday, Oct. 5 at LACMA 12:00 p.m. – “L’Absence (The Absence),” featuring Q&A withdirector Mama Kéïta 1:45 p.m. – “Buud Yam,” featuring Q&A with director Gaston Kaboré 3:30 p.m. – Panel: “The State of West African Cinema” with panelists Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Mama Kéïta, Gaston Kaboré and moderated by Elvis Mitchell
Monday, Oct. 7 at Mayer Theater 7:30 p.m. – “La Femme Porte l’Afrique (Women Carry Africa),” featuring Q&A with director Idriss Diabaté followed by “Tilaï” (The Law)
Tuesday, Oct. 8 at LACMA 7:30 p.m. – “Caméra d’Afrique,” with introduction by Elvis Mitchell
Information: School of Film and Television; Graphic: Tyler Barnett | Loyolan
life+arts
laloyolan.com Page 9
How to break up with ‘Breaking Bad’ self again. Pretty soon you will forget all about Jesse Pinkman.
Chris Culture
5. Don’t fear falling in love again.
Chris James
Life+Arts Editor
All good things come to an end. Every time I tell people to watch “Game of Thrones,” people always reply, “I know it’s good, but I don’t want to get addicted.” If love scorns you once, don’t just say you are never going to fall in love again. Every TV love is going to end. You will be hurt again. But in time you will see that it is worth it. Just like Woody Allen says at the end of “Annie Hall,” “Relationships are totally irrational, and crazy and absurd. ... I guess we keep going through it because most of us need the eggs.”
@cwj92movieman
I
am an addict going through withdrawals. My addiction: “Breaking Bad.” My life has been consumed with AMC’s acclaimed drama about a cancerridden high-school-teacherturned-meth-cooking kingpin. This isn’t just a “Breaking Bad” problem. This afflicts everyone who has ever loved a TV show passionately, only to reach the end of the road and feel lost. If you prefer lovelorn thirty-somethings to middle-aged drug lords, you will soon be feeling the same emptiness come May when CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother” ends. Here is what I have found as the way to properly mourn a TV show and then get over it and move on with one’s life.
1. Get all your feelings out.
Admit that you have become a slave to your TV show. Share your thoughts, cry, comment on message boards, call your mother and just talk ad nauseam about it until you are drained of any desire to say the name Walter White again. We get it—you lost a major life partner. However, spending more than one day sulking will make you look pathetic.
2. Discard reminders.
Jackson Turcotte | Loyolan
You and your show are done like Jack and Rose in “Titanic.” No matter how much you wish, they aren’t going to come back to life. Frankly, you don’t want them to. Does anyone remember “Joey.” It’s now time to throw all your little memories in a little drawer—including your “I want food” Jenna Maroney shirt you wear to bed—and just get over it. You can binge watch “Orange is the New
Black” and “House of Cards.” There are plenty of fish in the sea that is Netflix.
chael J. Fox Show” is the perfect rebound. Now is your time to experiment and have fun.
3. Speed date.
4. Get outside.
Good news: It’s pilot season. Tons of new shows just aired their first episode and are looking for fun, non-committal relationships. Maybe something will develop between you and “Hostages.” You might think “The Mi-
There is a world outside of Albuquerque. Now on Sundays at 9 p.m., go on an hour-long run, attend Mass at Sacred Heart Chapel or have a drink with friends. Frankly, just be a productive member of society. Become your-
With that, I say goodbye to “Breaking Bad,” one of the most intense and addicting roller coaster rides I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Thank you for a great five-season run. You will always have a place of my heart. Vince Gilligan, feel free to get me hooked on TV again. This is the opinion of Christopher James, a senior marketing and screenwriting double major from Lodi, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or email cjames@theloyolan.com.
To read James’ column on his visit laloyolan.com.
WHAT TO DO THIS
Weekend
Zombie Fashion Show and Creature Art Exhibit If you’re a fan of gore and guts and are 21 or over, step right up to this unique fall exhibit, going on this Saturday. Located near Downtown L.A., the walking dead become a reality in this zombified fashion show that will only cost you $10. Beware: guests are not encouraged to come in costume, but to enjoy the spooky spectacle for a rotting good time.
First Fridays A Southern California classic event, First Fridays are a must. For those who haven’t made their way down to Abbot Kinney, this Friday is your chance. The street lights up with life as friends and food trucks gather in one fun and convenient location. Be ready to walk the walk, because the night plays out more like a street fair than a sit-down soiree.
Way Over Yonder Festival Music enthusiasts should make the drive out to Santa Monica Pier for this acoustic music festival going on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Featured artists include Neko Case, Brett Dennen, Calexico and Dave Simonett. Admission is a bit steeper at $75 dollars, but this unique lineup paired with the breathtaking view of the beach is hard to pass up. Compiled by Marissa Morgan, asst. Life+Arts editor; Graphic: Tyler Barnett and Patrick Josten | Loyolan
SPORTS
laloyolan.com Page 10
Vocal Arriola heralded by teammates Arriola from Page 12
on the court were,� Black said. “She kept leading, she kept cheering, she kept finding anything she could do. I haven’t met many people that are willing to go through what she’s gone through.� “I was there for the girls. I wasn’t just bossing them around – I don’t think captains should do that,� Arriola said. “I did anything that would help their game. I didn’t care if I was playing or not. I wanted to be there for them.� Although she recorded zero stats for her junior year, Arriola didn’t leave the season empty-handed; the injured outside hitter received an award during a season in which she didn’t even set foot on the gym
floor. She was a LMU Pride Award honoree; the recipient of this award is chosen by the volleyball team and coaches each season to recognize the most valuable player on and off the court. “She drives the team to be better through not only what she says but also her actions,� said outside hitter Taylor Scioscia, a fellow senior. “I remember my freshman year, she took me under her wing and made me be the person that I am today.� After trying out a huge range of sports as a kid – cheerleading, gymnastics, taekwondo, tennis – Arriola decided to give volleyball a shot. Since then, the sport has played a significant role in her life. She lives with three of her volleyball teammates, loves
working out and when she’s not at the gym practicing, she’s playing sand volleyball at the beach. As a natural science major with a physical therapy emphasis, Arriola sees fitness in her future, as well as graduate school for physical therapy. “I love working out with a passion,� she said. “I want to make
sure I maintain that after volleyball. My goal is to go to graduate school and coach volleyball. If anything, I want to do something with figure body building – I find it really interesting.� So far this season, Arriola has racked up 91 kills, with a .242 hitting percentage. She has eight aces and an impressive 89 digs.
Although she’ll be graduating this spring, following her fifth and last season with the Lions, she won’t be remembered by her younger teammates for what she accomplished on paper. She’ll be known for her ability to lift the team up even when she’s down, and her incredible leadership on and off the court.
/PX EFMJWFSJOH PO BOE PĂŹ DBNQVT GSPN BN QN -FU VT DBUFS ZPVS OFYU FWFOU $BMM GPS EFUBJMT BOE EJTDPVOUT
/FFE QJ[[B GPS BO PO DBNQVT FWFOU 8BUDIJOH B NPWJF BU IPNF #VTZ TUVEZJOH
8F %FMJWFS Steven Douglas | Loyolan
Sidelined by a knee injury for her entire 2011 season, Arriola has been a consistent contributor for the Lions over the past two years.
LION SPORTS
laloyolan.com Page 11
Defenders fitter, stronger Polo struggles Raff’s Rap from Page 12
Steven Douglas | Loyolan
Redshirt freshman Mark Dotseth battles for a ball in a match against CSU Northridge from earlier this season. Despite missing all of last year due to a knee injury, Dotseth’s been a key addition for the Lions. M. Soc from Page 12
‘Maybe we aren’t going to play as direct as we might want because we aren’t going to win anything in the air,” said Krumpe. Another feature of this year’s defensive group is its overall fitness. The unit is staying active and attentive for each match’s 90 minutes – a notable difference from last year, according to McCracken. “We learned from last year that we definitely had to be fitter,” McCracken said. “I think [strength coach] Nick Longo in the spring really helped us with his program, and we really built a foundation in the spring. And we’ve been building on it ever since.” LMU’s defense could get even
better once junior defender Bryce Bacic returns from injury. “We haven’t seen Bryce Bacic much this year, but he’s the quickest guy on our team. He brings a different dimension,” said Krumpe. Bacic appeared in all 20 of the team’s matches last season and earned an All-WCC Honorable Mention at the end of last year. At goalkeeper, the Lions will put their faith into Blanchette, who was battling for a starting spot with redshirt senior Billy Thompson before Thompson suffered a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago. Blanchette currently ranks third in the WCC in save percentage (.889) through Sunday’s games. Nitti, Felix and McCracken are
in their third season of playing together, making this unit an experienced and tight-knit group. “This is probably one of the best defensive teams we’ve had, especially since I’ve been here,” Nitti said. “And I think it’s like that because for the past two seasons now we’ve had guys who had been starting and playing together.” Blessed with size, healthy chemistry and an adequate goalkeeper, the LMU defense promises to be one of the best if not the best in the WCC this season. “Defensively we’re a special group. We’re all just playing really well together,” McCracken said. “I think we all understand each other really well and hopefully we continue that going into conference.”
record. In short, the fact that the Lions lost to UCSD basically ensures them to finish second or worse in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA). The Lions followed that performance with a 17-4 beat down by the No. 1 Bruins. But one has to look beyond the box score to know some of the reasons that the Lions lost both games. There has been a flu-like illness traveling around the team that has sidelined many of the players, six to eight of whom get significant time in the pool, according to Loughran. The coach was quick to note that he’s not using this as an excuse, but that once the game was out of hand, he put in backups for virtually the entire second half of the game against the Bruins. “It’s been a lot calmer than in years past if we would have lost those two games,” said senior 2-meter John Mikuzis. “A lot of people were sick and we didn’t have everybody together as a unit throughout the week.” Loughran also noted that his starters, who started the UCSD game despite their illnesses, “ran out of gas in the second half, and in retrospect I should have gone deeper into the bench.” Loughran says that his team is getting healthier, and that this weekend will be good for his team, not only to get fully healthy, but also to flex its muscles against inferior competition.
“We feel like we have more talent than them,” said Loughran. “We just have to put it together.” Frankly, the Lions need to win all four games this weekend. They will be favored in all of them, and they need to win in dominant fashion. Loughran included this tournament for a reason: He knew that his team in the middle of the season would be battled and bruised, and this tournament would be a source of remedy for this ailing club. This team is no doubt young, but it’s time to grow up. There is division in the team, and the only way this club will be a defined unit come WWPA Tournament time is if they stick together, get healthy, follow the leadership of the most winning coach in LMU water polo history and end the season with more definitives than question marks. This is the opinion of Dan Raffety, a senior communication studies major from Eagle Rock, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email draffety@theloyolan.com.
For more water polo coverage throughout the 2013 season, visit laloyolan.com/sports.
SPORTS LIONBITES M. SOCCER The Lions tied the University of San Diego Toreros 2-2 in the team’s West Coast Conference opener on Wednesday night. LMU
SCORES UPDATE M. SOC
LION
2-2 T
VOLLEYBALL
at USD
SPORTS
M. POLO
17-4 L
vs. UCLA
3-0 W
vs. Portland
M. SOC
1-0 L
at UCSB
Follow us on Twitter @loyolansports for up-to-date scores.
Page 12
LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | October 3, 2013 | laloyolan.com
Volleyball’s unsung leader
minutes to tie the game despite being a man down after sophomore Pedro Velazquez received a red card.
M. BASKETBALL According to ESPN College Basketball Analyst Fran Fraschilla, LMU landed a verbal commitment from 2014 recruit Devin Wyatt on Wednesday. Wyatt is a 6-foot-8 forward from DeSoto, Texas.
For daily LION BITES, like Loyolan Sports on Facebook and visit laloyolan.com/sports.
Youth hurting Lions Raff’s Rap Dan Raffety
Managing Editor @danraffety
Y
oung teams go through trials and tribulations throughout a season; the LMU men’s water polo team is no different. With a young team struggling to find its identity in the midst of a two-game losing streak, a lack of consistency at goalie and a lack of overall senior leadership, the Lions are currently in a state of flux. The season started with more questions than answers, as the youth of this team was the only thing for certain. The club had come off disappointing finishes to the two previous seasons, and many of the older leaders left due to graduation. Someone had to step up. The team lost its first three of four games, but played well and showed the coaching staff that they had the necessary tangibles to improve over time and could be in a position to compete for a conference championship by season’s end. The team looked even better after the club defeated long-time rival Pepperdine University on Saturday Sept. 14 in what Head Coach John Loughran called “one of the best games LMU has had over Pepperdine in a longtime.” However, despite the victory, the team’s youth showed during the next week of practice. “People came to practice that week thinking they were great, and we didn’t have a great week of practice,” said Loughran. “We take a loss to UC San Diego and UCLA and people came to practice thinking we were terrible. … The next day of practice after a big win or a big loss should be the exact same. That’s the sign of a young team, and we are working through that.” The Lions lost to the UC San Diego (UCSD) Tritons 11-7 in La Jolla, Calif., which basically eliminated their chances of ending the season with the best conference record. A new rule is in place that only conference games in nontournament settings count for the conference See Raff’s Rap | Page 11
Loyolan Archives
Redshirt senior outsider hitter Felicia Arriola is one of LMU volleyball’s upperclassman leaders along with redshirt senior Kathleen Luft and junior Litara Keil. Arriola hopes to lead the Lions this season to their second consecutive NCAA tournament berth.
The injury-free Felicia Arriola is now one of LMU’s most important players. Sam Borsos
Asst. Sports Editor @sborsos13
Felicia Arriola’s statistics do not jump off the page. The volleyball redshirt senior outside hitter doesn’t have the team’s most kills or the highest kill percentage. At 5 feet 10 inches, Arriola is definitely not the tallest player on the squad. But these are just numbers. Statistics on paper can’t tell you the leadership and strength that Arriola has shown on the volleyball team for the past five years. As a senior in her last season on the team, Arriola plays a crucial role in not only executing on the court, but providing
an emotional backbone to a team with a 3-1 conference record, hoping to return to the NCAA tournament after earning a berth in the 2012 season. “She’s one of the unquestioned leaders,” Head Coach Tom Black said. “It’s an established fact. On paper, I think every outside hitter in this league is way taller and jumps way higher. But she’s smarter, she has more willpower than most people I’ve coached and she’s a pretty incredible person.” Arriola’s game-day rituals include eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, listening to hip hop music and wearing a heart-shaped necklace throughout the day, which matches one that her younger sister has that says “My sister, My best friend.” Also part of Arriola’s routine is athletic rehab for her legs with a trainer – the senior Lion has not had a picture perfect path through her LMU athletic career. “Coming into my freshman year I was good to go, healthy,” Arriola said. But after a knee
injury during the winter of her first year on the squad, things went downhill. “I had surgery that winter on my right knee,” Arriola said. “I came in strong for the spring, and then during the fall my shoulder started bugging me halfway through the season. So after that year ended, I had shoulder surgery.” After talking with Black during the summer before her junior year, Arriola decided to take a year off as a medical redshirt in order to recover from her surgeries. Some athletes might complain or shut down emotionally knowing that they’d be out for a season, but Arriola used it as a way to keep leading the team. As a captain on the squad for three straight years, leading the team was not unfamiliar to Arriola – she just had to find a different way to do it. “She was more invested than some people See Arriola | Page 10
LMU’s intimidating defense Men’s soccer upperclassmen Craig Nitti and Ryan Felix lead a physical defensive unit. Kevin Cacabelos Sports Editor
@KevinCacabelos
Steven Douglas | Loyolan
Junior defender Ryan Felix is one of the key pieces to LMU’s early season success.
The Lions’ defense is big, tall, intimidating and most importantly, effective. Through eight games, the Lions (4-2-2) have yet to give up more than two goals in one game, compiling two shutouts in the process. The Lions’ defense has been instrumental in the team’s early season success and will be depended on throughout West Coast Conference (WCC) play. LMU’s back line consists of redshirt junior Craig Nitti and junior Ryan Felix at the two center back positions accompanied by redshirt freshman Mark Dotseth at right back and junior Jack McCracken at left back; in between the pipes at goalkeeper is sophomore Paul Blanchette. These five, along with some
help from midfielders, have kept games close and within reach for the Lions. “It’s a very big, physical group that we put on the field. Both Craig and Ryan are pretty big and imposing figures, and when you balance that off – especially with Dotseth and McCracken – it’s a big group,” Head Coach Paul Krumpe said. “Good luck trying to serve a ball into our box and we’re not going to head it first.” Among the WCC teams, the Lions’ starting back line is the tallest with Nitti (6-foot5), Felix (6-foot-3), Dotseth (6-foot-2) and McCracken (6-foot-1). The University of San Francisco is the only other WCC team that starts four defenders above six feet on their back line. LMU defensive size has forced its opponents to adjust their offensive strategies due to Nitti and Felix’s ability to consistently win balls in the air. “If you look at our back line a lot of teams are going to think, ‘Maybe we shouldn’t serve it in the box because these guys are so big’, or See M. Soc | Page 11