The Maroon Feb. 23, 2024 Issue

New graduation guidelines causes student issues

By Pharell Every pjevery@my.loyno.edu

Students are facing di culties with the new graduation guidelines. e new system gives less exibility for when students wish to graduate.

Originally, if a student was set to complete all of their requirements in the spring or summer semester, then they would participate in graduation for that calendar year.

If a student was set to complete all of their requirements in the fall semester, then they would be given the option to participate in graduation for either that calendar year or the next one.

e system that allowed for this option was “homegrown,” according to registrar Kathy Gros. e new system, however, is not, and therefore, it doesn’t accommodate for two dates on its application. is means that regardless of when students are set to complete their degree requirements within the calendar year, they must participate with the class of that year.

If students feel like they are going to

nish their degree within the calendar year, they should apply to participate in graduation for that year.

If a student felt that they would be able to complete all of their degree requirements any time during 2024, they would have applied to walk with the class of 2024 in the spring.

As for students who completed their degree in the fall of 2023, this will be the last group with a choice of when to participate in graduation.

Because this new system is not homegrown, Gros said she is using a spreadsheet and is manually inputting dates for this group of students.

Gros said, “Everything has to be done manually [...] and doing that kind of thing leaves a huge margin for error, and I don’t want that student to show up at graduation and their name is not in the program or I don’t have a seat for them.”

Mass communication graduate

Chloe Caudle has already received her degree upon completing her credits in the fall of 2023 and is slated to walk across the stage in May of 2024.

Last spring, she was sent an email stating that she was to walk with the

class of 2023 in May 2023.

Many people, including Caudle, were blindsided by this news. At this point in time, the students that were not originally set to graduate hadn’t gone through with the process of making arrangements or buying graduation caps and gowns.

“ ey made a rule change but didn’t inform anyone, including the higherups of each college [...] ey at least weren’t aware that the change was being implemented that year,” Caudle said. “A lot of people got blindsided because they all of a sudden get this email, and it’s like ‘hey you’re walking this year.’”

Shortly after, the statement was rescinded, and those students slated to graduate with the class of 2024 would walk in the spring of 2024.

If the decision was not rescinded, Caudle’s plan for graduation would have been negatively a ected, as she would have had no time to properly prepare or y her family in for the ceremony.

Gros said she hopes that by 2025, there will be an option for students to walk the following year.

100 Years of

LUPD explains Mardi Gras safety protocols

By Maria DiFelice mldifeli@my.loyno.edu

While Mardi Gras season comes and goes LUPD braced for crime on campus, but none came, according to Loyola University Police Department Lieutenant Patrick Martin.

With an uptick in population in and around campus, there is always the worry of crime, Martin said. For Loyola’s community, this past celebration was particularly peaceful compared to years prior, Martin said.

LUPD has a di erent strategy to dealing with the crime that Mardi Gras brings, like heightened patrolling around areas where students would be coming back from the parades.

“We do change our patrol strategies to be a little more open to the public,” Martin said. “[We] monitor when parades are ending and when the mass of people are returning so that [we] can get more people out there.”

Environmental studies junior Blake Braud has lived in New Orleans his whole life and grew up around Mardi Gras and the crime that it often brings. Braud said crime is expected during Mardi Gras but this year it wasn’t as bad.

Braud lives in Cabra Hall on Loyola’s Broadway Campus and said that he did feel safe overall, but also added that he saw what he perceived as a lack of organization with the front desk. Braud said there was not a person present constantly, especially overnight.

“I feel like the desk assistants and the housing director could have done a better job at keeping the overnight sta here consistently or earlier,” he said. “Because students want to have fun.”

Freshman french teaching major, Chloe Stack, celebrated her rst Mardi Gras in the city and said for the most part she felt safe. Stack also shared her concerns about the safety during the night life on campus. Stack said she wished to see more o cers patrolling around campus after sundown.

“When I was around at night, like midnight, I would maybe see one guy and I’d see him once throughout the night and then never again. So I feel like more active patrolling could be bene cial,” Stack said. is year, Loyola brought in Allied security, which is private security that maintained the desks in the residential halls to make sure students felt safer in their dorms, Martin said. e security was also there to control the amount of people being brought into the residential halls, keeping the Loyola students safe and protected.

“Anytime that you are in an urban or densely populated area, more and more people means more opportunities. I don’t think people should live in fear,” Martin said.

Photo illustration by Sunny Bedford/ e Maroon

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Bateman aims to bridge cultural gaps

By Mina Lefer mplefe@my.loyno.edu

Most people come to New Orleans and Loyola because of the multicultural representation in the city and around campus. However, some students feel that Loyola is lacking when it comes to hosting events to honor diferent cultures.

To combat this, mass communication students through the Bateman Campaign, a national public relations competition for college students, have created a campaign called “Bridged Culturs.”

Public relations junior and team captain Julia Bueno said Bridged Culturs isn’t just a movement for cultural awareness, but a movement for those who are culturally fuid.

“I think people don’t realize how meaningful it is sitting in a classroom and knowing you aren’t the only one, how important it is to feel heard and like you belong,” Bueno said. “Tat’s our main goal, that college students, like myself, feel comfortable being themselves instead of feeling like they have to put aside who they are and where they come from to ft in.”

Bueno said the biggest part of the campaign for Bridged Culturs is setting up an ambassador program that promotes students from diferent backgrounds.

Tis ambassador program will bring awareness to Loyola’s campus that students from diferent cultures want to be seen and heard, she said.

Te ambassadors will have their testimonies on social media explaining why cultural diversity is important to them and why other students should do the same.

Ambassador and public relations senior Yulenda Timothy said being an ambassador is an amazing feeling because she knows others in the world can relate to her experience.

“Whether that be an international student, ftting into both millenial and Gen Z or even having diferent cultures,” Timothy said. “Others can learn as much from me as I do from them. I enjoy being exposed to global diferences, and there’s no better way to do that than bridging the gaps.”

Along with the ambassador program, the team has partnered with other organizations around their campus to hold several events over the following weeks.

One event will be an International Multicultural Food and Music Festival. Tis collaborative initiative, led by the team in partnership with the International Student Association and Student Government Association, promises to be a vibrant celebration of diversity and inclusion.

Scheduled to take place on Tursday, Feb. 29 in the Peace Quad, the event aims to revitalize the fall semester’s International Student Food Fair.

With the support of various cultural clubs on campus, attendees will embark on a culinary journey worldwide, indulging in an array of dishes representing diverse cultures.

Te festival will also feature performances by music students.

Funded by SGA and overseen by diversity, equity, and inclusion director, Stephanie Oblena, along with an ambassador for the team’s campaign, the event will serve as a platform to amplify the voices of students navigating a "home away from home" state.

In the spirit of unity, collaboration, and cross-cultural exchange, this festival endeavors to create lasting memories, foster connections, and contribute to the success of the Bateman Team's impactful campaign.

Daniel Wong/The Maroon

Dining options at Loyola and Tulane

By Falyn Hardouin fehardou@my.loyno.edu

While Loyola ofers a variety of meal plans to accommodate students, there is often confusion on the plans and how they beneft students.

Freshman and sophomore students that live on campus are required to choose one of four weekly meal plans.

“Combo 9” includes nine weekly meals with an additional 75 Flex meals, $600 Wolf Bucks, and $50 in Iggy Bucks.

Flex Meals are meal swipes that are not dedicated to a week and may be used at any point throughout the semester.

Iggy Bucks can be used at specifc of campus locations, and any restaurant in the 70118 area code that uses GrubHub will accept them.

“Plan 18,” which Loyola classifes as the “Best Deal,” includes 18 weekly meals, $125 in Wolf Bucks, and $50 in Iggy Bucks.

“Combo 5” includes fve weekly meals, along with 75 Flex meals, $660 in Wolf Bucks and $50 in Iggy Bucks.

Lastly, the “Maroon and Gold plan” includes 12 weekly meals and $660 in

Wolf Bucks.

History freshman Julian Conravey, who has the Maroon and Gold plan, said he wishes there were more plans available to underclassmen that ofer more Wolf Bucks.

“I don’t eat 12 meals a week in the OR,” he said. “And everything's so expensive, so I run out of Wolf Bucks so fast.”

Wolf Bucks, a preloaded declining balance, are able to purchase food, drinks, and other items at various locations in the Danna Center.

Wolf Bucks come with most meal plans and can be added in increments of $100, which is automatically applied to the students’ tuition balance. All Wolf Bucks are loaded onto the student’s ID card and can be used at any accepting locations.

Locations that accept Wolf Bucks can be found on both Tulane and Loyola’s campus.

On Loyola’s campus, students are able to purchase meals, food, and drinks at the Orleans Room, Starbucks, Te Market, Bird N Brine, Smoothie King, Subway, and Wild Blue Sushi, which are all located in the Danna Center.

On Tulane’s campus, students are

SGA plants seeds for community garden

By Kloe Witt kgwitt@my.loyno.edu

Loyola’s Student Government Association is planting the seeds to provide free home grown food to Loyola’s community.

SGA’s sustainability committee is working with the environmental department on planting fresh produce to give to Iggy’s Cupboard, according to the head of the sustainability committee Rowan Sawyer.

be more like an “SGA funded project,” Sawyer said.

Te food planted in the SGA garden beds will then go to Iggy’s Cupboard, which provides free essential items like food and hygiene products to the Loyola community.

“This one of the physical, tangible things that helps students realize that SGA isn’t just here and doing nothing.“

— Rowan Sawyer SGA sustainability chair

Te garden is set to be around the new Tom and Gayle Benson Jesuit Center. Once planted, it will be taken care of by the environmental department and

Student manager of Iggy’s Cupboard Emmory Bridges does weekly shopping trips to get food for the pantry and although she tries to get enough fresh produce for the week, she said it can be hard to always fnd room for it in the budget.

Sociology freshman Em Bay frequently uses the pantry. Even with Loyola’s dining options, Bay said they fnd them-

able to purchase snacks and drinks using Wolf Bucks in the Lavin-Bernick Center.

Te only dining options that accept Wolf Bucks are Wow Cafe and Pei Wei. Loyola students must use a diferent method of payment at other locations, such as Dunkin’ Donuts or Halal Shack.

If a weekly meal plan doesn’t suit their fancy, upperclassmen are able to purchase Wolf Bucks in increments of $750, $1,000, or $1,500.

Upperclassmen are also able to choose between the four underclassmen options, as well as block meal plans.

Te block plans include the “Combo 5,” which is fve weekly meals without the additional 75 Flex meals and the “50 block,” which includes 50 meals that students are able to use at any time throughout the semester.

Commuter students may choose any meal plan or amount of Wolf Bucks. However, they are required to have a meal plan.

Te plans specifc to commuter students include the “Commuter 3,” which includes 3 meals a week, plus $250 Wolf Bucks. Or they can choose the Wolf Bucks-only plan, which is $250 Wolf Bucks per semester.

Conravey said the lack of commuter meal plan options makes it difcult to eat with his of-campus friends in the OR if they don’t have meal swipes.

For students who are food insecure or don’t have meal swipes, Loyola-Sodexo ofers a program called Swipe Out Hunger, which allows students to donate or request meal swipes for the Orleans Room. Once meal swipes are distributed from the “meal swipe bank” to students in need, those meals can be redeemed simply by swiping in.

All requests can be submitted through the university’s website under the Dining tab, after clicking the external link to visit Loyola’s dining services.

Business management senior Emily Schafer said she generally enjoys Loyola’s dining options.

“I like best how they generally have a good variety of options with something for everyone,” she said. “Tey also do special chef days where they do special guests with a new recipe which is nice.”

If students are looking to change their meal plans, they are able to do so within the frst two weeks of the semester without penalty. No meal plan changes are accepted after that period has ended.

selves needing to use Iggy’s Cupboard to properly feed themselves.

Bay said they sometimes fnd themselves witnessing the lack of fresh produce in the pantry.

“Iggy’s is the only option of fresh produce I can get so I would love more options and consistency in it,” Bay said.

Bridges said she is excited for this project to ofcially start and more support for the cupboard from the community.

“It’s one thing to have a food pantry and it’s another thing to promote and help the food pantry be accessible and well rounded,” Bridges said.

Sawyer said this project is something she feels good about because not only is it helping the community, but it’s helping the community see what SGA does.

“I think this one of the physical, tangible things recently that helps students realize that SGA isn’t just here and doing nothing,” Sawyer said.

Environmental program educational garden on Feb. 19, 2024. Kloe Witt/The Maroon

1.

5. Haitian Easter festival music

6. Lily Rose-Depp and e Weeknd costar in “ e ___”

7. How most people misspell “chaos” like the maker of this crossword

8. Type of music you hear at raves

new song

63. First parade this Saturday

64. “Not __ __ many words…”

65. Easy or Hard ____

66. Irish novelist _____ Binchy

67. Type of clothes from a thrift store

68. Gumbo is a type of ___

69. A fat winged baby

70. “Fools” by Foster feat. ____

71. Martial Artist Jackie ___

72. Enlightened in Hebrew

DOWN

1. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer ____ Allman

2. _____heimer

3. Popular nose piercing

4. Equal Rights Amendment abbr.

9. Expensive Valentine’s Day gift being a necklace from _____ Westwood

10. Birthstone for October

11. Bark cloth

12. Adam and Eve address

13. German card game that involves three players that focuses on trick-taking

20. Twig house for bird eggs

21. Me in French

23. Oxidation of iron

25. Most people at raves are on this

27. End-user license agreement abbr.

28. It holds the rope on a kite

30. Mardi Gras color

31. “If you see red ___ from someone’s dorm, they getting freaky.”

32. Early Literacy Assessment Tool abbr.

33. Muses special item

34. Steve Harvey hosts “Family ____”

35. Latin American Culture Week abbr.

37. I in Greek

40. Queen’s “Bohemian _______”

42. First parade on Fat Tuesday

44. Mormons, for short

45. To close a jacket

48. Parade that follows after Zulu

50. Pop singer Grande that’s releasing a new album in March

52. Parade named after the Egyptian god for wisdom

54. Please in Italy

55. Drinking alcohol is bad for your ____

56. Donkey in Germany

57. Papal name chosen twelve times

58. International NGO Safety Organisation abbr.

59. Like many cars on lots

61. e lightbulb in your head brightens when you have this

62. Fastened with stitches

65. Master’s degree in science abbr.

66. Adult male

For weekly puzzle answers, download e Loyola Maroon Mobile App

Apple Store Google Play

Crosswords and Maroon Libs by Max Schweikarth & Kira Phillips

Your morning alarm of ___________________ [favorite song] blasts into your ears. Time for the next parade, ______________ [favorite Mardi Gras parade]! You _________ [adverb] get out of bed and ___________ [verb] on a new out t. Hurry! e streetcar is ______________ [verb ending with -ing] and we have to catch it. e streetcar stops at _______________ [street name] and you have to walk the rest of the way. It’s going to be a [amount of time] walk! ankfully, your friends brought ___________ [type of drink] to make the path ___________ [adjective]. You're in front of the oats in no time and you get _________ [verb] by a __________ [Mardi Gras throw]. Ouch! By the end of the night, you are covered in ________ [noun] and your neck is __________ [adjective] from the beads. It’s an ___________ [adjective ending with -able] night!

City's STD rates are on the rise

By Chiara Faircloth clfarcl@my.loyno.edu

New Orleans is one of the United States’ highest ranking cities for sexually transmitted diseases with syphilis of particular concern, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Te CDC states that syphilis has increased by 79%, while congenital syphilis rates have nearly tripled.

“Many STD/STIs have no symptoms, but they may still cause health problems and can be transmitted to others,” said Amie Cardinal, RN-BC, and clinical operations coordinator at Student Health Services.

Students experiencing symptoms should consult with a healthcare provider, Cardinal said.

Student Health Services can provide necessary treatment, Cardinal said. Tey are open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m, and appointments are not necessary.

Landry begins frst term as governor

By Guelan Zaour gkzaour@my.loyno.edu

When Jef Landry was elected governor of Louisiana with 52% of the votes, Republicans fipped the governorship, succeeding term-limited John Bel Edwards.

Te GOP also expanded its majority in both chambers of the legislature, gaining one seat in the Senate and two in the House.

Landry took ofce on Jan. 8, and his frst signifcant action was to convene the legislature into an extraordinary session in order to redraw Louisiana’s congressional districts and to close much of the state’s primary system.

Court-mandated, the redrawing of the state’s congressional district was meant to create a second Black-majority district. According to the Louisiana American Civil Liberties Union, the challenge to the former congressional map in Robinson v. Landry was launched, among others, by the Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP.

Alabama also had to redraw its congressional district last year for a similar reason, but the legislature tried to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling in Allen v. Milligan by creating a Republican-leaning 40% Black district.

A federal district court interpreted the legislature’s action as a violation of its ruling and ordered a special master to redraw the lines, imposing a second majority-Black district to the heavily Republican legislature, a decision challenged by the state of Alabama but maintained by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Learning from Alabama’s experience, the Louisiana legislature opted for the second majority Black district carved out of Rep. Garret Graves’ district.

Te extraordinary session also resulted in a change in Louisiana’s electoral system, replacing the jungle primary with a partisan primary as of 2026 for certain ofces, most notably for congressional elections and state Supreme Court elections.

Democrats and Republicans will choose their own candidates for these ofces, while unafliated voters will be able to choose in which primary to vote. Legislative elections and most statewide ofces are not covered by the changed process.

Landry’s frst month in ofce has also been marked by his stance on illegal immigration.

See

Ukraine-Russia confict worsens as election draws near

By Chris Maldonado cwmaldon@my.loyno.edu

As Russia comes closer to its presidential election in March, Ukrainian eforts to stave of Russian aggression continue.

Te international consensus regarding the election is that incumbent Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose re-election campaign was announced in December of last year, will secure his third term as president with minor opposition.

With prominent critics who could challenge him either jailed or living abroad and most independent media banned, his reelection in the March 1517 presidential vote is all but assured.

One aspect of Putin’s reelection campaign is focused on making leeway in regards to ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which is still referred to as a “special military operation” by state-backed media in Russia. Te emphasis placed on the confict in Ukraine is a refection of the progress made by the Ukrainian military in combating Russian forces which, in turn, has caused further damage on the public perception of President Putin.

Following a series of drone attacks on Russian infrastructure in St. Petersburg and port cities throughout the Black Sea, a Ukrainian missile attack occurred in the Russian border city of Belgorod killing 25 people and injuring 100 more. Tis level of ofense is a development in terms of Ukraine’s capabilities for direct action against Russia.

Tis latest stage of development in the Russia-Ukraine war is characterized by increased Ukrainian attacks against Russian critical infrastructure, retaliatory attacks against cities like Belgorod and greater strikes against Russian military bases in Crimea.

As a result of these developments, the upcoming Russian presidential election has taken on dimensions that create major implications for the future of the

Russia-Ukraine war. Late Putin opposition fgure Alexei Navalny has refected on these dimensions in a public statement.

“Putin views this election as a referendum on approval of his actions. A referendum on approval of the war” while urging his supporters to encourage protest against the upcoming election in order to show that “the will of the majority is that Putin must leave,” Navalny said.

On Feb. 16, Navalny was confrmed to have died while imprisoned at the “Polar

Wolf” Arctic penal colony on charges of extremism. Te political atmosphere of Russia in regards to the Russia-Ukraine war becomes increasingly polarized as the Russian presidential election draws near.

Te death of Navalny, the frequency of Ukrainian defensive strikes on Russian soil, and conditions like the recent charges against Russia that Ukraine has presented to the International Court of Justice regarding Russia’s claims of genocide are expected to have an internal

Nation gripped by record cold

By Ecoi Lewis ealewis@my.loyno.edu

After dealing with record-breaking hot temperatures last year, 2024 is starting of weird, weather wise. Te temperature started to drop in December, and it has been going up and down.

Te entire world is being afected by extreme temperatures.

When it comes to the winter season, Louisiana is usually in the 50s-60s with occasional freezes and snow.

Tis winter, the state dealt with temperatures in the low 40s to 20s and thunderstorms.

“Being from Mississippi, I have never truly experienced weather like this. I was not prepared. I did not have the right clothes and was unprepared for the wind, extreme cold rain, and cooler temperatures,” environmental studies sophomore Katie Buc said.

Usually, air in the arctic is stuck in a portal vortex, which is a large, swirling mass of cold air that is typically situated near the poles.

But if the vortex gets obstructed, the jet stream becomes rippled and carries cold air farther south, which brings snow/ice or dry, harsh cold.

According to Judah Cohen, climate scientist at Verisk Atmospheric and Environmental Research, the vortex “wakes up” around January.

But as February ends, that intense chill lingers.

Global ecology professor Paul Barnes said it appears that extreme weather events, such as these cold spells, are in-

creasing in frequency and magnitude due to climate change and the expectation that extreme events will increase as climate change continues.

Climate change refers to the longterm changes in global or regional climate patterns, such as increased permafrost thawing or rising sea levels.

Te portal vortex, which is surrounded by a polar jet stream, causes changes to the climate in the Arctic, such as warming temperatures.

Tese temperatures have the potential to afect the vortex's stability. Tis instability is one possible cause for arctic

extend-

beyond their usual reach, Buc said.

Two arctic blasts have already hit America. And more storms are predicted to come to western America.

Tis winter has seen people die of extreme temperatures, tens of thousands left without power over the winter, and parts of the country have seen deep snow packs.

efect on the consciousness of the Russian people as the presidential election draws near.

Refecting on the change in attitude towards the Russia-Ukraine war, Filippo Grandi the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees, said “I think the big diference from last year to this year is that this year, this is not news anymore in the world.”

Te Associated Press contributed to this report.

Water supply issues continue to afect students

By Ava Acharya aaachary@my.loyno.edu

Areas of Uptown have been plagued by a number of water supply issues, including boil water advisories and service shutofs.

And, these shutofs come without prior warning or timeline for when service might continue, according to biology junior Meghan Williamson.

She said these shutofs impact her daily routine, as she is unable to shower or cook without water.

In early January, New Orleans’ Sewerage and Water Board began the process of replacing several 100-plus year old drinkable water pipes.

According to the Sewerage and Water Board’s website, the S. Claiborne Avenue Transition Main Project is a necessary step in their 2022-2027 strategic plan.

A key aspect of this plan deals with updating city infrastructure in order to ensure efciency and sustainability within the New Orleans water system.

Construction is expected to complete in 2024, and with it, trafc and service interruptions are also expected to conclude, according to the SWBNO website.

In the meantime, Loyola and its surrounding community are faced with the consequences of this construction project.

However, Williamson noted a lack of support and resources ofered by Loyola.

See OPTIONS, page 13

blasts. Arctic blasts occur when cold air from the poles pushes rapidly south,

ing far

Ukrainian soldiers prepare a self-propelled artillery vehicle Gvozdika to fre towards the Russian positions on the frontline in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. Tensions between the countries countinue to rise. Roman Chop/ AP News

Ice coats a vehicle in Bismarck, N.D., on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.

<Dumpling Delight>

Celebrity chef visits Loyola

By Maleigh Crespo macrespo@my.loyno.edu

Law student Mallory Garcia has been following chef Nini Nguyen since 2020 when she was competing on season 16 of Top Chef.

When Loyola Dining announced that Nguyen would be leading a dumpling demonstration on campus, Garcia made sure she was in attendance, even making her way to

the stage to assist the chef.

“It’s a little surreal,” she said. “To me, she’s a local celebrity.”

Loyola-Sodexo chef Chris Hubbard recalls his time working in French Quarter kitchens with Nguyen in the early 2000s.

“Being a New Orleans-native herself… I was hoping she’d come and give back to the community and show some of the students things they hadn’t seen before … maybe get

[them] into Asian cuisine if they hadn’t before,” he said.

Nguyen said she loves teaching others and hopes her demonstration inspired everyone to make their own dumplings.

“I love teaching people and making things a little bit more approachable,” she said. “And I love dumplings — who doesn't love dumplings?”

A table displays fyer for chef Nini Nguyen's dumpling demonstration on Feb. 20, 2024.

Tanesha Taylor/The Maroon

Celebrity chef Nini Nguyen walks students through her dumpling demonstration on Feb. 20, 2024. Laci Barrow/The Maroon

Mallory Garcia, Kenneth Menville, and Monica Basilio try their hand at making dumplings on Feb. 20, 2024. Laci Barrow/The Maroon

Gasa Gasa closure afects Uptown music scene

By Violet Bucaro vabucaro@my.loyno.edu

Amidst the closure of live music venue Gasa Gasa, Loyola students are expressing their concerns with the Uptown music scene’s limited amount of space to perform.

Te once-accessible music venue on Freret Street shut down in November 2023.

Musicians say the closure of Gasa Gasa points towards a larger issue: the lack of a music scene in Uptown New Orleans.

“Te point of Gasa Gasa was to give up-and-coming, contemporary bands a place to come to New Orleans and play. And without that, it will afect the music scene at large,” Micah Burns, the venue’s original co-founder said.

Sam Mostowf, a Loyola alum, said he will miss the space where he often performed. “Gasa Gasa was an oasis for misfts, outcasts, and fuck-ups.”

Loyola alum and musician Gabe Parsons spoke highly of the opportunities Gasa Gasa supported. “If you had a show at Gasa, it felt like a big deal,” he said.

Burns said Loyola students were the “life-blood of the scene.”

When developing the venue, Loyola students were integral to the foundation, Burns said.

“Te reason I felt we could pull it of was because of our connections to that world and how many young folks we had involved, and all of them were Loyola students,” Burns said.

Burns said it took the establishment a long time to get over the hardships that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After everything reopened, the routing schedules were all out of whack, and it created a really toxic environment for independent music venues to survive,” he said.

he said.

Lyle Hutchins, popular communication music junior, was unable to play at Gasa Gasa due to the age restriction.

“Gasa closing was an indescribable tragedy to the local scene.”

“Unfortunately after COVID-19, the age restriction for Gasa Gasa went up to 21+, so I could never go to shows at Gasa Gasa,” Hutchins said. “Someone I knew got booked there, but they were under 21, so they had to sit outside while the rest of their band went in and set up.”

— Alex Teetsel Loyola alum and musician

Burns managed Gasa Gasa until the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. After Burns departed ownership, the age restriction was raised from 18+ to 21+.

Mostowf performed and attended numerous shows with Loyola bands at Gasa Gasa during his college career, even at 18.

“How are Loyola students going to be the life-blood if 60% of them are too young?” Mostowf said.

Mostowf said that due to COVID-19, and the economic state thereafter, Gasa Gasa became alcohol-centered to make sufcient money.

He said this took away from the music and made it into a bar rather than a venue. Te age restriction lessened the ability for college students to attend,

“It’s one less place to play around here that is easily accessible for [students] who don’t have a car,” Hutchins said. He said he wishes there were more opportunities in the Uptown area for young musicians.

“I think the university could do a lot more to help students get gigs and playing experience,” Hutchins said. “To their credit, it seems like Loyola is trying to do that, but the scene around campus is pretty dead.”

Ivan Plokhikh, music industry studies senior and former performer at Gasa Gasa, said he wishes the university would incorporate the venue’s operations into its curriculum to propel students with hands-on experience in the music industry.

“It’s a loss of something heavily

sentimental for my peers and I. I’m more worried about the lack of a platform for younger musicians who are just getting started at Loyola,” Plokhikh said.

Alex Teetsel, Loyola alum and former Gasa Gasa regular, said he will miss the atmosphere and the people.

“It was such a big part of my social life in college, and now people are robbed of that,” Teetsel said.

Gasa Gasa was the frst venue where many Loyola music students performed. It was Teetsel’s frst performance at a music venue in New Orleans.

“Gasa closing was an indescribable tragedy to the local scene and I am deeply saddened by it,” Teetsel said.

Will Rosner, popular communication music alum, was a consistent performer at Gasa Gasa.

“I had a lot of special life-things happen there, including playing some of my frst shows with our band,” Rosner said.

“Gasa was our ‘home-turf’ because it felt like we were at home performing there. I hope the space continues to be used as a venue. Its proximity to Loyola and Tulane campuses makes it a mecca for college kids,” Rosner said.

Lots of Loyola bands were frequent performers for Gasa Gasa, which in turn benefted the venue and the students, according to Burns.

“Tere is a really healthy scene of Loyola bands and Loyola-adjacent

bands, and those guys played our shows. Tere were always a bunch of Loyola people working at Gasa Gasa up until I left,” Burns said. Burns said his intention with Gasa Gasa was to curate and push the music scene forward while incorporating young musicians. Plokhikh said he wouldn’t have had the same experience in his music career without the venue as a starting foundation.

“I can’t imagine starting as a musician at Loyola without a local venue to play at. Gasa was a comfortable and exciting space for artists to start their journey.”

Tough there are few bars such as Maple Leaf and Carrollton Station in Uptown, the alum said it is still hard to fnd multiple venues to book consistent gigs. Live music exists, but there is still an unstable, solid music scene, according to the alums.

“I imagine the Loyola scene is going to take a pretty big hit,” Teetsel said.

Burns also recognizes the lack of a music scene in Uptown, particularly surrounding cutting-edge music.

“Tere is music that is more favored in New Orleans,” Parsons said. "If you have a big band with a lot of brass, that’s fre around here. But there is not much of a scene for music we play, for very intentional listening.”

Burns said New Orleans' availability of indie-type music was underwhelming and that he was surprised by the limited

spaces for diverse music.

“When I frst got back down to New Orleans, I was shocked by the lack of the music I was interested in, with a lack of places they could play. It seemed like these bands were skipping the [New Orleans] market completely,” Burns said.

Loyola musicians play various genres of music, and following Burns’ sentiment, Parsons said there is a need for contemporary music to be heard.

“Tere is a demand for music in this part of the city. It comes down to who is the one organizing it. It’s gotta be someone who is savvy,” Parsons said.

Gasa Gasa's struggling livelihood was attributed to its management, according to Teetsel.

“It would be nice if it reopened under competent management,” he said.

But there is tension in the New Orleans music industry, according to Burns.

“It’s a bad scene. Tere is a hole obviously. Te music industry is under a lot of stress, and the margins for clubs are very small,“ he said.

Hutchins said the house party scene in Uptown has imploded. Tis, in combination with venue closures, points towards a detrimental decrease in venue spaces and live music, he said.

Hutchins said he is seeing fewer shows being promoted.

“Gasa was one of the main ofcampus, Uptown venues that gave Uptown its own scene,” Parsons said.

Tipitinas, Maple Leaf, and Carrollton Station are bars in the Uptown area where live music is ofered, Parsons said.

Hutchins said he is sometimes able to get gigs at those venues, but they are less accessible and not a place of residence for students.

Hutchins said he is forced to drive to Covington because that is the closest place he could fnd a gig.

“I don’t know what Uptown music venue, if there even is one, that can pick up the slack. My hope is that Gasa Gasa comes back. We’ll see,” Burns said.

Still, musicians have hope for Gasa Gasa’s potential return.

“Tey’ve closed before and reopened. Tis kind of thing happens,” Rosner said in hopes it will continue as a music space.

But others think the closure may be permanent.

“It will probably get turned into an ofce space or some restaurant,” Teetsel said.

Burns remains optimistic about the future of Gasa Gasa and implied “talk” of the future reopening within music industry management.

“It ain’t gone yet. I’m hoping that the right thing is going to happen, and we can get it back open,” Burns said.

Curious man peers into a closed Gasa Gasa on Feb. 18, 2024. Violet Bucaro/The Maroon

Certfed teachers and teachers working on their certfcaton: full and part-tme positons available in Louisiana Charter Schools!

All degreed school professionals can atend (teachers, nurses, counselors, coaches, administrators, etc.)

Check

Updated vacancies are posted year-round.

Presented by:

Me and My Evil Twin

Myana Smith

I wanted to create two characters who were based on myself but exaggerated the worst and conficting aspects of my personality. While I've both aspired to

be both of these women and I've drifted between them over the years, the ultimate goal is learn to love myself fully and learn to temper both of these conficting

sides.

One cover follows a more dark y2k aesthetic while the other follows a more dreamy 1970s theme.

Black performing artists sweep award season

By June Fernandez and Dajah

Black performing artists won big at di erent awards shows throughout award season. Here are just a few notable award wins from this year. As we continue to celebrate Black Histoy Month, this list seeks to recognize the accomplishments of Black creatives.

Ayo Edebiri

2024 Golden Globes

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy - " e Bear"

2024 Emmys

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series " e Bear"

Storm Reid

Creative Art Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series -" e Last of Us"

Da'Vine Joy Randolph

Critics Choice Award: Best Supporting Actress- " e Holdovers"

Golden Globe: Best Performance by a Female Actor in Supporting Role in any Motion Picture - " e Holdovers"

Keke Palmer

Creative Arts Emmy: Outstanding Host for a Game Show - "Password"

RuPaul

Creative Arts Emmy: Outstanding Picture Editing in a Structured Reality or Competition Program - "RuPaul's Drag Race"

eron omas

Grammy: Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical

Trevor Noah

Emmy: Oustanding Talk Series - " e Daily Show With Trevor Noah"

Lil Durk & J. Cole

Grammy: Best Melodic Rap Perfomance - "All My LIfe"

Andre 3000 & Killer Mike

Grammy: Best Rap Performance"Scientists & Engineers"

Niecy Nash

Emmy: Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - "Monster: e Je ery Dahmer Story

Quinta Brunson

2024 Emmys

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - "Abbott Elementary"

"King of Wrath": A spicy introduction to the "Kings of Sin" Series

By Sophie Bornfeld slbornef@my.loyno.edu

When I rst got back into reading in May 2023, I thought I knew the tropes I loved in books. However, the more books I read, the more I am thankful that I am so wrong about my favorite romance book styles.

I picked up "King of Wrath" by Ana Huang after a month-long reading slump, and it was the perfect book to pull me out of it. Billionaire romance, hate to love, and an arranged marriage are just a few tropes Huang delivers perfectly in the rst book of her ‘Kings of Sin’ series, a steamy seven-book series themed around the seven deadly sins. is spicy romance novel follows Dante Russo, the arrogant and ruthless billionaire CEO of the Russo Group, and Vivian Lau, an ambitious and elegant heiress to the Lau Jewels fortune. Neither wants to wed, but due to secrets and lies, both must put what they want aside for the protection and security of their families, despite severely disliking one another.

money families were portrayed in "King of Wrath," with new money families not typically being seen in billionaire romances. While a billionaire lifestyle is unfamiliar to readers, Huang did not lose the sense of vulnerability and fear we all have as humans, a thing that made me feel connected to an otherwise foreign story.

“Books are nothing without the added details of the supporting characters.”

"King of Wrath" explores a “rags to riches” story with Vivian, detailing how the Lau family rose to their fortune. But it also o ers a “rich to richer” story with Dante and the e ects of his upbringing in a luxurious family and lifestyle. Adding the contrasting lifestyles between Dante and Vivian while exploring the similarities they have about money, relationships, and family adds depth to the plot, bringing their love story to a new level. I loved how the old and new

Because Dante is married to his work and never planned to marry, and because Vivian only agrees to their arranged marriage out of duty to her family, "King of Wrath" is immediately full of hatred and tension with a heavy underlying tone of love and lust. e melding of the two seemingly opposite characters was sweetly portrayed. Vivian is a headstrong female lead who knows what she wants and refuses to have anyone hold her back from it. Meanwhile, Dante is a possessive and jealous male lead set in his ways. e supposed dislike and disdain for one another builds up to beautiful love confessions and intoxicating spicy chapters. eir hot and cold relationship caused me to get so wrapped up in their story that I was reading it during any spare minute I had.

Huang’s side characters are beautifully captured and drove me to crave more of their stories. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: books are nothing without the added details of the supporting characters. Huang gives the right amount of attention to others without taking away from the main love interests in "King of Wrath. Sloane and

Isabella, for example, set up potential leads in other books that fall under the billionaire love trope. If you read and loved Ana Huang’s popular “Twisted” series, you’ll love the character mentions (I’m looking at you Christian Harper fans) in this series, which is set in the same universe.

While I am a slow-burn romance reader at heart, the pacing of "King of Wrath" could not have been more perfect. Dante and Vivian’s love story takes place over the course of a year with the pacing being a faster pace than I would normally prefer. However, Huang still achieves the tension, yearning, and uncertainty a slower-paced book would hold. is, paired with the swoon-worthy dialogue from Dante Russo and the powerful voice of Vivian Lau, made for an excellent winter break read.

"King of Wrath" is the perfect book for book lovers who get entangled in love stories centered around secrets and slow angst, and want to plummet into rich worlds that are unfamiliar to themselves. It quickly became my favorite romance read of 2023. If you end up loving "King of Wrath", be sure to keep up with the ongoing ‘Kings of Sin’ series with the April 30th release of the fourth book, “King of Sloth.”

A quote from the novel that I think encapsulates its themes well is: “Somehow, somewhere along the way, I’d fallen in love … Not like or lust. Love, in all its terrifying, unpredictable, unwanted glory.”

Illustration of Ayo Edebiri by Justin Lee/The Maroon

Illustration of Quinta Brunson by Justin Lee/ The Maroon

Saul

Final Scores

Men's Track and Field @ SSAC Championships, Feb. 16

Mason Mack, Evon Gocan, Joseph Medina, and Alex Medina: 4x800-Meter Relay, 8:05.84

Women's Track and Field @ SSAC Championships, Feb. 16

Madisyn Acosta: Mile Run, 5:30.02

Kaitlyn Becnel: High Jump, 1.60m

Bryana Bazile: Shot Put, 13.00m

Bryana Bazile: Weight Trow, 15.58m

Madison Leishman, Sarah Haas, Jasmine Martinez, and Madisyn

Acosta: Distance Medley Tree-Team Race, 13:46.12

Beach Volleyball vs. Huntington College, Feb. 17

W 3 - 2

Men's Basketball vs. University of Mobile, Feb. 20

W 72 - 70

Women's Basketball vs. University of Mobile, Feb. 20

W 70 - 60

Women's Tennis vs. Southeastern Louisiana University, Feb. 20

L 3 - 4

Baseball vs. Bryant and Stratton College, Feb. 20

W 22 - 12

Upcoming Games

Baseball

Beach volleyball hits high in preseason ranks

By Avanni Joseph pajoseph@my.loyno.edu

Loyola’s beach volleyball team has their frst game of the season on Feb. 18, and after being picked ffth in the pre-season pools, Robert Pitre, head coach of Loyola’s beach volleyball team has specifc aspirations for his team.

“It’s no underdog mentality. We have a lot to prove. [...] We know we’re better than what other people think we are, but

we still have to prove it,” Pitre said. With that in mind, Pitre admits they have undergone some changes to prepare for this season.

Te coach has made it so that the drills are initiated by the women on the team.

“Last year, we had a couple of coaches hitting down balls or specifc swings that we wanted them to defend, whereas now the girls are doing every touch. It’ll be benefcial down the road. Tey’re do-

ing it all,” Pitre said.

Along with changing the audience's minds, the team aims to win the conference championship.

With skills in place and lots of time in the weight room and practice on the sand, they’re certain this is something achievable and fully within their reach.

“Our goal without a doubt is to win a conference championship. We really feel like we have the talent to do that but on top of that we’re creating a positive team

culture,” Pitre said. Tere’s an ambition to make it clear that a small ffth place title seems like something unfathomable and far below their capabilities.

While the team works hard on the sand, they hope to see the Wolf Pack in the stands cheering them on.

“It’s a really exciting atmosphere,” the coach said. “Come and experience what the sun and sand feel like.”

Tennis swings in with big goals for conference

By B Welch bawelch@my.loyno.edu

Te Loyola tennis team is suiting up to begin their Southern States Athletic Conference matches against Mobile on Feb. 29 in City Park Tennis Center.

Te Loyola women's team ranked second in the preseason SSAC poll, and the Loyola men's team ranked third in

the preseason SSAC poll, leading both teams strongly into the spring 2024 season.

Te Wolf Pack lost 3-4 to Nicholls (11) on Jan. 31 at the center.

Individually, however, Loyola's Lucy Carpenter led strongly as frst seed defeating Nicholls’ Qianyu Liu in singles, as well as Loyola’s Micaela Ponce defeating Nicholls’ Lea Grinberg as second seed

for singles.

Now, the Loyola women’s team is ranked 11th in the NAIA Top 25, and the Loyola Men’s team is ranked 23rd.

Also, Herman Aure was named SSAC’s men’s tennis player of the week on Feb. 6 – his frst weekly conference award with Wolf Pack Tennis.

Men and women’s head coach Matt Llewellyn said that both teams have

goals of winning the conference championship, as well as the national championship.

“It’s something that I believe they can do, so it’s good to hear that from [SSAC],” he said. “We have the most talented and accomplished women's team in school history right now so they have the ability to do it.”

Feb. 23 @ 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. vs Point University @ Segnette Field Beach Volleyball

Feb. 24 @ 10 a.m. vs. William Carey University & 2 p.m. vs. University of Mobile @ Coconut Beach, Kenner, LA

Men and Women's Basketball

Feb. 24 ; Women @ 12 p.m. and Men @ 2 p.m. vs. William Carey University @ Hattiesburg, MS

Men and Women's Tennis

Feb. 25 @ 12 p.m. vs. Xavier University of Louisiana @ XULA

Men and Women's Golf

Feb. 26-27 @ Ram Spring Invite @ Magnolia Grove, Mobile, AL

Men and Women's Track and Field

Feb. 29-Mar. 2 @ NAIA Indoor Championships @ Brookings, SD

Kala Emanuelli sets during practice. The beach volleyball team had its frst win of the season against host school Huntingdon College on Feb. 18. Courtesy of Brittany Cooper.

Rose Vanney spikes ball during practice. The beach volleyball team was ranked ffth in preseason polls. Courtesy of Brittany Cooper.

OPTIONS: Students request support

Continued from page 9

She added that these shutofs often last up to six hours, during which she and her roommates are either without water or reliant on close friends.

“I would appreciate a little bit of something from Loyola,” she said. “Even just them saying ‘we understand that these students are being afected,’ and maybe ofering water to students.”

— Meghan Williamson Biology junior

While she is grateful to have close friends to rely on, Williamson added that this is her only option, and she fnds the situation frustrating and taxing.

Loyola’s Department of Student Affairs did not provide a response in time for publication.

IMMIGRATION: Landry cracks down

Continued from page 9

Like most Republican governors (with the exception of Phil Scott from Vermont), Landry announced his support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott in his defance of the federal administration.

On Jan. 22, the Supreme Court ruled

that the federal government could ask the U.S. Border Patrol to remove razor wire installed on a portion of the Texas-Mexico border.

Abbott signaled he would deny access to federal agents sent to remove the razor wire, citing the protection of his state’s sovereignty and Texas’ “right to self-defense.”

Landry took actions against illegal immigration with the promulgation on Jan. 12 of an executive order, asking every state agency to collect data on the efects of illegal immigration on the state.

Associated Press contributed to this report

FUTURE: Climate change fuels extreme weather

Continued from page 9

Buc said that while some climate scientists have sought to establish links between specifc weather events, such as arctic blasts and climate change, she fnds the relationship to be more complex.

Once climate events are set in mo-

tion, rectifying them becomes challenging because they have been developing in our atmosphere for decades now, she said.

“Te only viable option today to stop or slow global warming is to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions,’ Barnes said. “While some progress is being made on this, it isn’t enough or

fast enough to mitigate climate change. So, we can probably expect to see more of these kinds of extreme events for the foreseeable future.”

Buc thinks our focus now should shift towards preparations for such situations and concerted eforts to shield future generations from experiencing more severe events.

COLUMN: I almost missed my graduation

DAJAH SAUL English Student drsaul@my.loyno.edu

I almost missed my graduation.

Scratch that – I almost missed my only opportunity to walk in graduation, but let me explain.

Because I’m fnishing my degree in December 2024, within the 2024-2025 school year, I am expected to walk in the May 2025 commencement ceremony, due to a recent change in graduation procedures that came as a result of Loyola’s new operating system.

According to the new regulations for graduation, anyone who completed their degree during the spring, summer, or fall of an academic year must walk in that year’s graduation ceremony, regardless of if you fnish after the May graduation.

Tis rule, which was not formally communicated, only confused me, hence why I almost missed my graduation.

Why would I walk before even completing my degree? Even when I walk this spring, I still have to return in the fall to fnish my last 12 credits.

Walking in graduation earlier than expected is nerve-wracking, and I wouldn’t have even known to double check my graduation date if it weren’t for a friend questioning my statement.

Once I confrmed with university registrar Kathy Gros that my only opportunity to walk was May 2024, my panic increased tenfold.

Like any other person with this realization, I did the only thing I could think of – immediately calling both of my parents in the middle of their work shifts.

Shock and happiness were received all around, but now, the real work begins. I have a handful of months left until I walk across the stage – with a degree

that won’t even be complete when it happens.

Beyond almost missing my graduation due to the lack of clear communication, on a more personal note, I no longer get to enjoy the day by walking with my friends.

I have a great group of seniors also graduating this spring, but what about the ones in my year that I’ve been with since freshman year (and yes, it’s possible to still be friends with most of your freshman year group)?

I’ve already had one friend who graduated last spring, and that was hard enough to deal with.

Now another is graduating, and it happens to be me.

I didn’t plan on fnishing my degree early, it just happened.

An English degree in three years? Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud, and in serious disbelief, of myself.

But now, I have more stress than ever.

Instead of a year to prepare in advance for graduation and traveling, I now have to inform my immediate and extended family that my timeline got cut down by a whole year – start making your plans to come down to New Orleans now, family, or you’ll miss my only chance to walk across the stage.

So, if you still see me around campus in the fall, don’t be concerned – I still have a degree to fulfll.

But with the act of walking in graduation months behind me by that point, I hope it’s all still worthwhile.

Sophia Renzi/The Maroon.

Sunny Bedford/The Maroon.

Study abroad enriches your education

I’ve always heard good things about studying abroad – how it changes you and your independence, expands your mind, grants you new experiences, allows you to meet new people, explore new cultures, and new languages.

Well yes, but it is so much more than just that. It enriches you as a whole person. Entirely.

I went to England in the fall of 2023. I went to England fearing the cold and the rain. I left England loving the cold and the rain… just kidding.

I chose the University of East Anglia in Norwich for its creative writing program, which has opened so many doors for me.

Te networking will follow me for years to come. I have friends I can connect with overseas and get feedback on my writing. I learned how to write more creatively with confdence.

Writing creatively is vulnerable and scary, but being in UEA’s creative narratives class, I realized writers have a shared experience.

Tis connectedness translated to my time at Loyola. I went into my semester abroad with the intention to connect with my femininity and understand my womanhood.

And as I entered my junior year, I started questioning the gravity of being a woman and what that means for me, so I signed up for a feminist theater class.

Going into the class, I felt nervous. I complimented a girl with similar colorful eyeliner as me and tried to break out of my shell. Over the semester, we became closer. I asked a diferent girl next to me if she wanted to do the group project together. Another friend joined in.

Te four of us came together and met up to talk about the project. It instantly and efortlessly became a deep conversation about what it means to be a woman. We talked about the hard truths. Te universal experiences we all had. We realized we all had the same story. Te

same feelings about the same issues. We all had diferent ideas, but somehow, they all connected and seamlessly ft.

We were unstoppable.

By the end of the semester, I felt so close to these women that I could quite literally share anything and everything with them. Tey showed me love. Tey taught me how to overcome obstacles and fears I had. Tey empowered me when I needed it. We fostered a sense of sisterhood. And as a result, I became more aware of my independence and womanhood.

During my time in England, I felt inspired, unlike before. I felt comfortable. I could feel myself become smarter. Tere were no constraints. It was cool, and we even had smoke breaks during class.

I visited museums featuring artists who broke the status quo. I made friends with students from all backgrounds that gave me numerous ideas for future projects. I was surrounded by students who were craving the same amount of creative freedom and knowledge as me. I

met professors with a brand new frame of thinking, pushing me to think diferently. I learned about political diferences and how English kids think about America, which is completely diferent from American kids. It changed how I think about America, too.

In addition to England, I was blessed enough to visit other countries like Spain, Wales, and Scotland.

In Barcelona, we walked around the city, and I attended a Palestinian protest. It was so powerful, and the people walked with such candor. It was so emotional. Vulnerable. Raw. Angry, yet calm.

I was washed over with a blanket of sulky haste and deep sadness. Te energy was charged with hope for change. I took as many pictures as I could, water rushing up my eyelids, watching others eyes gloss over too. Te fags swaying back and forth, signs written in Spanish that wrote genocide.

In London, there was a protest for bulldogs and pitbulls rights in front of Big Ben, stopping trafc for hours. Pitbulls are currently being killed there for “being too

dangerous.” People were yelling. Horns were blown. Police enforcement stood still with resting apathetic faces.

In Scotland, on Remembrance Day, there was a protest for Palestine. Shouts and speeches on microphones overwhelmingly echoed in the air.

All the protests that I encountered opened my eyes to the international issues of our times, how everyone is afected by the current political crisis. Tere are protests around the world so frequently, and America doesn’t even know about them.

I’ve lived in my parent's home for 21 years, and this was the frst time I fed the coup for multiple months. I went without knowing anyone who lived there and started anew.

I craved independence, which was a large reason I wanted to study abroad in the frst place.

I am incredibly grateful for my experience and encourage those with the opportunity to strive to study abroad. As corny as it sounds, I found a new side of myself. If I could, I’d still be there.

My "Ins and Outs" for this year

Welcome to 2024, where we are ringing in some new styles, saying bye to old styles, and (fnally) sick of Harry Styles. And corn. I have compiled a list of my predictions and implementations for this year, which I will be very loosely adhering to and expect to see around Loyola. No, they are not biased at all. Tis is all science-based. Lying is also very in.

In:

• Local concerts

• Dressing up for class

• Ribbons. Everywhere.

• Making your own cofee

• Folk rock. (I’m really pushing for this one come on guys.)

• Mid 2010s fashion

• Jacob Elordi

• Trading clothes with your friends

instead of shopping

• Red cowboy boots (maybe that’s just me)

• Going to bed at a reasonable hour

• NOT procrastinating. (I am turning this in eight minutes before it is due.)

• Cargo pants (who needs a backpack when you have 17 pockets)

• Women who like shoegaze music

• Denim on denim (Joutft or Canadian tuxedo?)

• Crying like all the time

• Daily “vacations” (for the love of God go outside)

Out:

• Construction

• Men who like shoegaze music

• Te smell of the Peace Quad (really disturbing the peace)

• Frigid Mardi Gras weather

• Uptown bars (please go exploring this city is way too cool for you to be at the Boot)

• Pajamas to class

• Harr y Styles

• Barbie (Sorry Queen Margot I’m just so so sick of it)

• Loyola WiFi (literally lagged as I was typing this)

• Butterfies

• SGA (Oops)

• Malls

• Ignoring my emails!!!!! (It hurts my feelings) Loose corn (put it back on the cob!)

• QR codes

• FOMO (go to bed)

COLUMN: Neoliberalism is the only "cure" for infation in Argentina

Chris Maldonado Columnist cwmaldon@my.loyno. edu

Te economic future of Argentina grows dimmer with each passing day of the Milei president. For the blissfully unaware, Argentina is currently in the midst of one of the worst periods of infation that has ever been seen with a current infation rate of 211.7% and is only anticipated to worsen as the year moves forward. To put this level of infation in perspective, one U.S. dollar is currently the equivalent to 819 Argentinian pesos. Tis comes right after the recent Argentine presidential election in December where the economist Javier Milei was elected with 55% of the vote.

For a country to experience an economic downturn after a major election is nothing relatively new and the current infation crisis in Argentina has been considered by many to be a longtime coming given the country’s political and economic instability. However, infation this severe coupled with Milei’s bewildering and psychotic economic policies is something truly astounding. Milei, a (literal) chainsaw brandishing anarcho-capitalist, has been on a rampage in his handling of the Argentine economy.

After commemorating his presidential inauguration by dissolving nine government ofces for the sake of stopping “corruption,” Milei is approaching the ongoing infation issue in the most outrageous and mind-numbing way possible: an economic austerity program. Tis is all while 40.1% of Argentina’s population is sitting in tremendous poverty. Only in a truly corrupted reality could such a psychotic and moronic grifter be in charge of economic policy-making after outlandish displays including the aforementioned chainsaws and wearing a knock-of party city Batman costume to symbolize his anarcho-capitalist beliefs.

Milei, doing what little he can given his limited cognitive ability, spoke at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 19 and spoke of the “ills” the world is currently faced with. Te main antagonist of the world - according to Milei - is that ever-present dastardly specter that’s been haunting the world since time immemorial: socialism (I trembled with fear just writing this). According to Milei, “Socialism is a phenomenon that creates poverty,” which is such a dumbfounding statement that I forgot that so many free-market cesspits and the unfortunate class refugees who inhabit them get to experience all the “freedom” and “privileges'' that such a system ofers.

Milei genuinely believes that free-market capitalism is the only way to lift Argentina out of its current economic catatonia and bring about “never-ending peace and prosperity” for the whole world. All I can say to Milei’s conceptualization of reality is this:

1. Take your prescribed medication.

2. Go all out with your inane anarcho-capitalist cheer-spreading, so that after you’ve exploited all your constituents and leached every ounce of capital from the masses, they can give you a big thank you in your sleep.

Abigail Schmidt

Man and child walk down a Barcelona street with people holding hands alongside, in Barcelona, Spain, on October 26, 2023. Violet Bucaro / The Maroon

Grace Knight/ The Maroon

Loyola should prioritize sexual health and awareness

Everyone knows the iconic “Mean Girls” scene where Coach Carr comedically declares, “Don’t have sex because you will get pregnant and die” in front of a chalk board that reads “safe sex is abstinence.”

Concerningly, this is pretty close to the sex education most high schoolers receive, which isn’t e ective, especially for queer people.

Consequently, students enter college lacking necessary safe sex practices and information.

With the rates of sexually transmitted diseases on the rise in New Orleans, as the fourth-highest city with increasing rates, according to Tim Barclay, researcher at Innerbody Research, Loyola must step up and prioritize comprehensive sex education and awareness on campus.

First, let's acknowledge a fundamental truth: sex is a natural part of the human experience, regardless of gender or sexuality.

And despite our institution’s moral standing, students are having sex. erefore, it's essential to equip students with the knowledge and resources they need to engage in healthy, consensual relationships to minimize risks.

As a Jesuit institution, we are run by Catholics and uphold their long-standing values; however, we are not only a Catholic-serving institution.

e moment Loyola opened its doors

to students of all religious backgrounds under the guise of cura personalis, it made a commitment to support those students holistically, and that includes sexual health and wellness.

Data from 2021-2022 academic year recorded 14% of students as non-Christian, 24% unknown, and 8% other, which shows the varying religious backgrounds of our student body, further exemplifying the importance of o ering inclusive and secular sex education and sexual health resources.

Sexual health resources and information should be accessible and relevant to all students, regardless of their religious background.

Providing sexual health services is not promoting promiscuity.

In an e ort to uphold Catholic values, Loyola is failing a large majority of its student body, and failing to address the need for comprehensive sex education amounts to negligence.

Maintaining Jesuit values should not come at the expense of providing well-rounded student health and sexual awareness on campus. is lack of awareness and service forces students to be their own advocates and seek out resources elsewhere, like Tulane University, which provides diverse and comprehensive sexual health and wellness resources for students.

Loyola students, however, have been

driven to be their own champions for sexual health initiatives on campus through coordinated e orts to maintain a resource hotline that provides Plan B pills, condoms, and other necessary products.

Students on our campus are forced to look to each other for advice and resources, which leads to misinformation and feelings of isolation.

Students have nowhere to turn when it comes to sexual health, and while we aren’t asking the university to disregard the Jesuit values it's built upon, we are asking for support as we begin to make well-informed decisions for ourselves and our relationships that prioritize health and well-being.

Loyola should support student groups and collaborate with student health to develop and implement evidence-based sexual health awareness programs, which includes but is not limited to safe sex practices, menstrual health, and inclusive LGBTQ+ a rming care.

We should be able to have a place where we feel safe and comfortable talking to a professional about concerns or questions we have.

By prioritizing the well-being of its students, in alignment with Jesuit values, Loyola can play a proactive role in sexual health awareness by fostering a campus culture of informed decision-making and respect for all individuals.

Quote of the week

" I think this one of the physical, tangible things recently that helps students realize that SGA isn’t just here and doing nothing."

- Rowan Sawyer, biology junior

HOWL

GROWL to loud stompers

HOWL to Punxsutawney Phil GROWL to midterms

HOWL

GROWL to the price of pesto pasta

HOWL to caramel lovers

GROWL to

HOWL

faculty members of Loyola.

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