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New Metrics Program Review raises concern By Lily Bordelon lmbordel@my.loyno.edu

Empty Financial Aid office. It was announced on March 2, 2024, that the Financial Aid Department was outsourced to introduce the HEAG. Ashlyn Bobb Collins/The Maroon.

Loyola outsources Financial Aid Department By Mary Ella Hastings mlhastin@my.loyno.edu

Loyola leadership announced earlier this week it is outsourcing all financial aid operations as the university department’s website was recently rid of its staff list. Anthony Jones, vice president of enrollment at Loyola said effective immediately, the department will be working with the Higher Education Assistance Group for financial aid services. The group is a third party financial consul-

tant that specializes in streamlining fiscal processes between universities and students, according to their website. In the email, Jones said the group has been hired in hopes of “(providing) more proactive support as students move through their financial journeys.” Jones said after months of evaluation, multiple stakeholders recommended this change. It wasn’t immediately clear what led to that decision nor whether it had a direct effect on the staff. “For those whose roles are affected by this change, we extend our heartfelt

thanks for their many contributions to Loyola and its students, and we will provide supportive resources to help with their transition,” Jones said. The Maroon requested an interview with Jones; he wasn’t available in time for publication, but sent a statement saying strong financial aid support is essential. “Engaging with the Higher Education Assistance Group allows us to improve the services and responsiveness students rely on,” Jones said. The Maroon also asked University President Xavior Cole’s Chief of Staff De-

siree Rodriguez about the departmental shift and she referred a reporter to Jones. Jones also noted that these changes only apply to the financial aid operations and not other offices on campus. Students seeking support on matters of financial aid can still seek help in Thomas Hall. Christopher Nesbit contributed to this report.

“It’s a metric that doesn’t necessarily treat all departments the same” — Chemistry Professor Shane McGlynn

Three Loyola basketball players reach major milestones By Alana Frank anfrank@my.loyno.edu

Three Loyola basketball players have reached the milestone of 1,000 career points. Alissa O’Dell, Deniya Thornton and Leonard Jackson III each surpassed the 1,000-point mark this season, earning a place in the program’s record books. The milestone is a significant achievement in college basketball and reflects the players’ contributions to their teams over the course of their careers. Their scoring accomplishments mark an important moment for Loyola’s basketball programs this season.

See Basketball, page 13

Mens team sitting on the side of the court. They have won their last two home games and competing in the SSAC Championship. Dessadra Tezeno/The Maroon

Faculty members say they are concerned about how the university plans to evaluate departments across campus. Since the Student Council for Academic Planning began conducting a Metrics for Degree Program Review for academic programs, many faculty members are concerned about what this may mean for their own programs. The underlying concern is some programs that are rated lower than others worry they may be faced with a difficult decision after they are inspected. Many professors stated their worries about what this may mean privately, but they are ultimately unsure due to the lack of knowledge they have about the program. Therefore, many do not feel equipped to state a public opinion that isn’t backed by information. Some have said privately that after years of disinvestment in faculty and academics, years of few to no raises and cuts, and faculty line removals, it is frustrating and demoralizing that the university wants faculty to prove how they are making a profit for the university. One faculty member with intimate

knowledge of the metrics, however, expressed their discontent with how the SCAP is carrying out this plan. They expressed that by prioritizing profitability to measure the success of a non-profit university, the SCAP is replicating a “capitalist and neoliberal focus” of choosing money over knowledge. Another professor from the College of Arts and Sciences Adil Khan, chair of the Religious Studies department, additionally expressed the fact that the College of Arts and Sciences has made a substantial impact on the university despite the lack of funds. “We hope that the administration is prepared to act on rectifying the situation now that the metrics reveal just how much the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences contribute to Loyola and at such low cost,” Khan said. Chemistry professor Shane McGlynn also commented on how the metrics fail to treat all departments equally. “It’s a metric that doesn’t necessarily treat all departments the same and ultimately raises concern over how all departments are evaluated equally. I wouldn’t say fear or anxiety, but concern,” he said.

See METRICS, page 2