The Maroon March 15, 2024 Issue

SGA SHOWDOWN Get to know the presidential and vice presidential candidates running in this year’s student government election. Two tickets qualified for running as pairs to serve the student body until next spring. Voting begins on March 21 and goes until March 24. Students will be able to vote online. Students are invited to a town hall debate on March 21in Monroe 152 at 6:15 p.m. and a tabling event for voting on March 22. For more information and updates about voting, follow @loyno_sga on Instagram.

Unifying Loyola

A Sweeter Loyola

Bertholet - Cruse Ticket

Dixon - Sawyer Ticket

From left to right; vice presidential candiate Carson Cruse and presidential candidate Juleea Bertheaway. Sophia Renzi / The Maroon

From left to right; presidential candiate Diamond Dixon and vice presidential candidate Rowan Sawyer. Sophia Renzi / The Maroon

"Together we can create the Loyola we all deserve."

"I hope to empower students as SGA has empowered me throughout my time at Loyola."

- Juleea Berthelot, presidential candidate

- Rowan Sawyer, vice presidential candidate

NEWS

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March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

Q&A with SGA Candidates We asked each candidate running this election six yes or no questions and one short answer. Here are their responses.

President/Vice President

Senator-at-Large Senators*

Dixon/Sawyer

Berthelot/Cruse

Diamond Dixon:

Juleea Berthelot:

Myers

Delker

Arts & Sciences Music & Media

Gustin

Moss

Arts & Sciences Arts & Sciences

Have you held a previous position with SGA? Do you think SGA has been upholding its responsibility in being the voice of the student body?

Should SGA members be allowed to speak to the media without permission from or going through other SGA members?

Do you think the administration is receptive to SGA representatives as leaders of the student body?

Do you think the current budget allocation process is efficient?

Do you think SGA is clear and transparent with funding in its recent past?

What do you think SGA's role on campus should be?

"SGA's role and responsibility on campus should be to advocate for students' voices and concerns.

SGA should utilize its resources to make Loyola sweeter for everyone including those who join the pack after us."

Rowan Sawyer:

"SGA has the resources to make campus life SWEETER, and it is our responsibility to support student's interests and concerns.

SGA should be a space for student's voices to be amplified in conversations with upper administration."

*Senatorial candidates who did not respond in time for publication: • Paris Hayes - College of Arts and Sciences • Pharrell Every - College of Arts and Sciences • Emma Ridge - College of Business • MaryKate Mintken - College of Business

"I think SGA's role on campus is to be a conduit for information from the student body to the administration as well as from the administration to the student body. I also think SGA is meant to connect the different parts of campus and help them have the best Loyola experience they can."

Carson Cruse:

"SGA’s role on campus ought to be a direct line of communication from the student body to administration. We are beholden to the needs and wants of our constituents and have a responsibility to advocate for them regardless of our personal beliefs. In my time in SGA I feel that this line of communication has been damaged and needs to be strengthened."

Kalena Myers:

"I think the role of SGA on Loyola's campus is to be a voice for the student population, between students, between different organizations, and between students and various departments and administration. SGA serves a key role in facilitating connections and advocating for student representation across campus."

Kaley Delker:

"Right now SGA has to do a lot of enforcement of campus policies. This takes away from us from doing the accessibility, educational, and student involvement work we should be focused on."

Grayson Gustin:

"I think SGA’s role on campus should be exactly what it is, a liaison for student to administration communication.

I feel that a lot of people don’t understand that SGA isn’t the end all be all, its a process just like regular government which calls for a lot of back and forth, taking a lot of time. The role is of course major, especially for the student body but is misunderstood to be the way immediate change is made. SGA is just another branch of Loyola, then going through other branches."

Kruz Moss:

"I think SGA’s role on campus should be to receive and relay the concerns of the student body and beautify areas of the school that need upkeep, whether that be in the constitution, belongings of the campus like furniture, or simple acknowledgment of common concerns that go unseen."

A town hall will be held on Thursday, March 21 in Monroe room 152 from 6:15 - 8 p.m.

Reporting by Kloe Witt, graphic by Sophia Maxim

NEWS

March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

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Faculty's qualifications evaluated for accreditation

By Nadir Benslimane nmbensli@my.loyno.edu

Joshua Hinchie speaks at Catholic Studies night on March 12. Hinchie will be leaving at the end of the semester. Christopher Nesbit/The Maroon

Joshua Hinchie reflects on time at Loyola

By Pharrell Every pjevery@my.loyno.edu

Philosophy instructor, co-director of faith formation for the Catholic Studies program, and a former Jesuit in residence, Joshua Hinchie is leaving Loyola to pursue further education at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain.

He currently holds a masters degree in philosophy and is seeking a graduate degree in theology to further his education In Hinchie’s three years at the university, he taught a variety of philosophy and religious studies courses. As the co-director of faith formation, he plans faith-based programming in the Catholic Studies program for Catholic Studies nights.

He also coordinates the Sodalities which he describes as, “groups of stu-

dents committed to living in a more intentional form of Christian life.”

He recalls his time at Loyola as being “beautiful” and “transformative.”

As a Jesuit in residence, Hinchie worked for a year-and-a-half in Biever Hall assisting with the resident ministry program.

The Resident Ministry program has two components. The first is the Jesuits in Residence, made up of members of the Society of Jesus, and the second is the resident ministers who all work together to “bring home our Jesuit values” as their slogan states.

Ken Weber, associate director of ministry said, “the foundation of that mission is in offering ourselves as relational resources to residential students. In other words, we want to get to know our neighbors so that we can help them.”

To bridge the gap between those in the department and the student body,

the Jesuits in Residence and resident ministers often look towards the Catholic heritage to guide their works in the ministry.

Weber said, “Whatever our thoughts on religion, faith, spirituality, or any other views, all of us are made for connection among one another. We are all made for love. Resident Ministry works to facilitate contexts for growing in charitable love among students in the res hall communities.”

Upon his departure from Loyola, Hinchie plans to attend university for three years. After which, he will return to the U.S. and be ordained as a priest, possibly in New Orleans at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. After becoming a priest, he could be missioned anywhere depending on where the Jesuits choose to send him.

He was sent to New Orleans by the Jesuits and regards it as one of many plac-

es he would’ve been happy to have been assigned to.

Although he is leaving the Big Easy, he knows that students will still have “big questions” and to those students he says, “don’t lose those opportunities if you have those big questions.”

Hinchie said, “Don’t let anything hold you back from [going] to someone, people who are eager to help you discuss those big questions and help you explore and find what you’re looking for.”

While he didn’t expect the amount of responsibility that he would have in the Catholic Studies department or with students coming to him regarding their lives and struggles, Hinchie said, “I also did not expect the amount that I would see students grow and change in the last three years.”

Event held to increase awareness of sexual assault

By Kloe Witt

ant to one, address those issues and two, build up the community and to support each other,” Myers said.

But the event wasn’t exclusive to Students had the opportunity to dress up, dance, and educate themselves on Loyola. The committee partnered with sexual assault prevention at a soiree put Dillard University’s Healing Women oron by Loyola’s Student Government As- ganization and Loyola’s counseling center, both of which had speakers at the sociation. event, to show this SGA’s Assembly awareness. for Sexual Assault Assistant Direcand Prevention tor of the University banded together Counseling Center to create a night to Ash Bayer spoke at honor those who the event and said have survivors of sex — Breanna Crain events that educate related violence, ac- Psychology senior one another on sexcording to assembly ual awareness are chair, Kalena Myers.

The soiree gave students and survi- essential to fight for prevention.

“We can unlearn harmful ideas, eduvors of sexual assault and domestic violence the chance to feel welcomed and cate ourselves, and hold each other accountable to be the people we all aspire heard.

“The opportunity to feel not alone, it’s to be,” Bayer said.

In previous years, the committee foso important,” psychology senior Breancused on handing Title IX cases and inna Crain said.

This type of event was one Myers said creasing awareness for sexual assault and they felt was needed at Loyola, whether domestic violence on campus through posters. This year, however, Myers said the community realizes it or not.

Myers said she hopes this soiree will they wanted to do something different.

“This year, we’re really moving forbecome an annual event.

“I think, especially with Loyola being ward with events like this and I think it as diverse as it is, um it’s really import- was really a success,” Myers said. kgwitt@my.loyno.edu

Loyola is beginning a process of evaluating the qualifications for its teaching faculty, leading up to the university's accreditation report in 2025.

The review is part of the university’s overall accreditation report, which aims to document, update, and report on all aspects of the university’s operations.

The most typical teaching qualification is a terminal degree, such as a doctorate or master of fine arts, or at least a degree that is one step above the level the faculty member is teaching.

The qualifications will be determined on a class-by-class basis. If a faculty member doesn’t have the requisite degree to teach a particular class, then it will be up to the department to document exactly how that faculty member is qualified to teach that course.

Accreditation, in short, is an evaluation process performed by a regional accrediting agency to ensure that universities are in compliance with the standards put in place by the U.S. Department of Education.

Vice Provost for Institutional Research, Accreditation, and Academic Engagement Uriel Quesada said that it is very important for a university to be in compliance with the standards set by the Department of Education.

Quesada explained that accreditation is a requirement for universities to be able to grant degrees to students.

“Being accredited is a requirement for universities and students in those universities to have access to federal funding, federal loans, and other programs that support students,” he said.

To receive accreditation, Loyola University must exhibit compliance with the 72 standards set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional accrediting agency in the Southern states, in 2025.

One of these standards is faculty qualifications which allows the university and the agency to “ensure that the students are getting quality education.”

Quesada said. He said that his office started coordinating with the deans and associate deans in February of this year on how to create a clear and detailed accreditation report for SACSCOC.

See FACULTY, page 13

From the Editor

"The opportunity to feel not alone, it's so important."

SGA senator Grayson Gustin assists Senator-at-Large and event coordinator Kalena Myers with soiree raffle tickets on March 8, 2024. Maleigh Crespo/The Maroon

CORRECTION: Last week, The Maroon published an article, “Students frustrated with refund processing” that contained misinformation. The Office of Financial Aid does not process refunds.

Refund requests are received and processed by Student Financial Services.

Although both offices are housed in one suite in Thomas Hall, they are different departments.

Additionally, quotes from Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid Mary Musso were to a student in regard to student eligibility with and receiving Louisiana Go Grant funds for the spring semester and not any other forms of aid.

Also, contrary to our implications, the Office of Financial Aid and Student Financial Services can’t add or remove charges to students' bills.

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LIFE & TIMES

March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

Film • Arts • Food • Music • Leisure • Nightlife

DJ Pretty Na$ty paves the way for fellow female DJs

By Ashlyn Bobb Collins abobbcol@my.loyno.edu Katie Chandler is a teacher by day and DJ by night. Known as “Pretty Na$ty” by most, she wants to help people pursue their musical passions and be a role model for women.

Chandler was born in New Orleans and has always had a passion for music. She grew up listening to artists like Lil Wayne and Boosie, so her work has strong influences of hip hop.

In college, Chandler majored in journalism before she made the switch to education. She didn't think there was a career in music, so she went on to pursue teaching for 9 years.

During her free time, she would listen to music all day or get in the studio. Eventually, her passion for music grew so strong that knew she needed to express it. Encouragement from friends and her first time at a music festival really helped solidify how Chandler felt. She then discovered a career in DJing.

Chandler bought her first DJ controller during Hurricane Ida when she had plenty of time on her hands to get the hang of it. She taught herself to DJ by watching YouTube videos and constantly practicing. Eventually, she was able to put her skills to use.

Chandler had some friends who worked at Republic NOLA, who were looking for performers. After some deliberation and previewing her work, she played her first show at Republic NOLA. Her shows didn’t stop there. Since then, Chandler has played at multiple other dive bars in the city like The Saint,

The Drifter, Rabbit Hole. Subsequently, gigs began to get more high profile, and Chandler has now played in other cities like Denver, San Francisco, and Austin, Texas.

With her rising popularity, she’s used her platform to mentor other aspiring DJs. Chandler is more interested in taking women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and minorities under her wing because she understands the difficulties that come with being a woman or a minority in the music industry, or even both.

As Chandler is growing in popularity, she approaches challenges, like not being taken seriously, people doubting her skills, and being told she was seeking attention.

She wants to teach other women that while these challenges might feel like they’re holding you back, they’re just words, and all you need is to “have a really strong sense of self.”

Chandler hopes that fellow up-andcoming female artists know how beneficial it is to be true to themselves, regardless of how saturated the music industry may be.

“It’s important to find your uniqueness and use it for branding purposes and build a community people can relate to. Have something that people can expect from you,” Chandler said.

Chandler continues to believe in herself and what women can do and is proud of how far she’s come.

“I’m really starting to see the fruits of my labor. Seeing myself overcome my challenges and my mental toughness to be able to push through,” Chandler said.

Musician MSSNGR works on producing music in studio on Jan. 26, 2024. Maleigh Crespo/The Maroon

Courtesy of Bryan Ell

Students work on music in studio on the 4th floor of the Communications/Music Complex. Student musicians are learning about synchronization licensing. Maleigh Crespo/The Maroon

Loyola helps musicians monetize music

By Abigail Schmidt acschmid@my.loyno.edu After garnering over $30,000 in sync placements in the last year, Loyola is working to teach its students how to monetize their music.

Synchronization licensing is the process of securing legal permission to synchronize music with visual media such as films, television shows, commercials, video games, and online videos. According to music supervisor and professor

Jonathan McHugh, it is the best way for young musicians to get money and traction.

“There was very little conversation here at Loyola about sync, so part of my mission is to demystify how to best monetize some of the great music that our School of Music and Theatre Profession students are creating,” McHugh said.

The Studio A Library initiative builds upon Loyola's previous endeavors in sync licensing, which have focused on

educating students about the process of monetizing their music for visual media content. Music supervisors, integral figures in the industry, rely heavily on one-stop music libraries like Studio A to efficiently license music for various visual projects.

"One of the most important tools that music supervisors use to get their jobs done efficiently are one-stop music libraries to license music for our visual media content," McHugh said.

Loyola has already had major suc-

cess in past sync placements. Senior Sergio Soto has four songs featured in the series "The Freak Brothers," and junior Kinsley Welch, along with sophomore Aidan Pilley, created a song for an unreleased movie.

"We were just given the note of 'do the reference but better.' So naturally we freaked out a bit," Pilley said.

This was his first time writing for sync, so he said it was a learning curve.

"I was creating and producing restlessly at first since I've never tackled a

sync brief before,” Pilley said. “But when I realized the power was in not overthinking, I feel like that's when I got in the groove."

Music industry sophomore Savannah Bergeron manages Loyola artists and assists them in acquiring sync placements.

"As we develop the catalog, we hope to get bigger and better placements for our students and alum,” Bergeron said.

“Because how cool would it be to have your music in a film or TV show?"

March 15, 2024

THE MAROON

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COMICS

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March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

Greer Jines/The Maroon

THE WORKS Submit to maroon@loyno.edu to be featured

STAFF

Assistant Editors: Patrick Hamilton, Rodrigo Delgado Jr., Falyn Hardouin, Mabel RegaladoHernandez, Ruby Nieder, Chiara Faircloth, sam Guillotte, Chris Maldonado, Janssen Van De Yacht Comics Editors: Greer Jines, Grace Knight Authors Abroad: Callie Honeycutt, Athena Marks Maroon Broadcast Producers: Francisco Esteves, Hannah Darcey, James Hufnagel, Christopher Nesbit, Matthew Richards, Leonard Jackson III, Mabel Regalado-Hernandez, Maria DiFelice, Grace Agostino, Sadie Meade, Ashlyn Bobb Collins, Cecilia Calderin Digital Team: Addison Laird, Rin Andrews, Daniel Wong, Kennedy James, Lydia Hilt, Natalia Silva The Wolf: Dajah Saul, Taylor Falgout, Sophia Renzi Staff Writers & Photographers: Ava Acharya, Shelby Perkins, Angel Martinez, Micaela Hood, Jacob L’Hommedieu, Guelan Zaour, Alana Thompson, Avanni Joseph, Nadir Benslimane, Brice Gutter, Gabbee Bonura, Hector N. Garcia, Eve McFarland, Sydney Piglia, Aaron Covin, Liz Snow, Heidi Herrera, Ryan Talley Adviser: Michael Giusti

By Tanesha Taylor

CONTACT US Main Office 504) 865-3535 Business Office (504) 865-3536 Adviser’s Office (504) 865-3295 Correspondence maroon@loyno.edu Letters to the editor letter@loyno.edu Advertising ads@loyno.edu Website www.loyolamaroon.com Twitter @loyola_maroon Facebook The Maroon @loyola_maroon Instagram Our office is in the Communications/Music Complex, Room 328.

Send mail to: The Maroon, Loyola University, Campus Box 64, 6363 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118 The Maroon is published every Friday. Unless otherwise noted, all content is copyrighted by The Maroon. All rights reserved. First copy free to students, faculty and staff. Every additional copy is $1.00.

The Maroon is printed on 30 percent postconsumer recycled content.

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ACROSS

50. The FBI monitors the activities or development of a person or org.

57. Emotionally distant 59. Two people singing 60. Pond plant 61.”Heaven forbid!”

62. Father of Art Deco 63. Opposite of upset 64. English majors write a lot of these 65. Close by 66. Middle of your leg

26. Past tense of hide 27. Red puppet that Jordan Peterson hates 28. Ghostly sound 29. People in the Harry Potter universe with no muggles in their family 30. Past tense of act 31. Attracted fish 32. Soap _____ 36. Salt Lake City is the capital of this state 37. Louisiana is in the bible ____ 39. A sweet treat 40. Easygoing or relaxed DOWN 42. Oedipus complex is when a ___ loves his mother 43. Actress DuVall from “But I’m a Cheerleader” 1. Memento ____ 45. Scott Pilgrim’s main love interest 2. Oil group with twelve member countries 46. Talk incessantly 3. Not exciting 47. Philippine machetes 4. With insulin deficiency 49. “Miss the ____” By Trippie Redd feat. Playboy Carti 5. Pisces, leo, virgo, etc.

51. Adam and Eve’s address 6. Millennial parents give these to their children to shut them 52. Your, in Berlin up 53. Animal rights org. that everyone thinks is annoying 7. Foolish person, in Sydney 54. Goddess of flame in Berserk 8. The ____-d Bird Sings by Maya Angelou 55. Search engine Go_____ 9. Flirtatious wife in "Of Mice and Men" 56. It’s on your ID 10. Look with pleasure 58. Irish singer ___ Vance 11. What students look for after graduation 12. More than overweight Crosswords and Maroon Libs by: 13. Doing something again Max Schweikarth & Kira Phillips 21. Need sunscreen to protect against UV ____ 22. Take off clothes

1. “I can’t breathe! We have a ____ problem.” said by many students living in dorms 5. Oysters contain the most of this nutrient of any other food 9. Junior year, you are required to pick this 14. Organization for the Prevention of Alien Infiltration, abbr.

15. Optical Parametric Oscillator Amplifier, abbr.

16. Design majors are extremely familiar with this program 17. “Calm Down” singer 18. ____ nabbit!

19. Implant 20. Early humans crossed these to enter the Americas 23. Latin term translated to “by the fact itself” 24. Experimental Aircraft Association, abbr.

25. Intense pain associated with birth, death, or great change 27. Why drink soda it's just _________ 33. King of France during the French Revolution 34. A lovely flying baby with arrows 35. Common myth that you can get pregnant in a hot ___ 38. Fashion Designer ____ Jacobs 39. Streptococcal pharyngitis 40. Miller ___ beer 41. ___ fish, two fish 42. A mocking smile 43. The green streetcar line ends at 44. Havoc was caught stealing extra snacks in _____ _______!

47. White, in Paris 48. Automated External Defibrillator, abbr.

49. Skyscraper: apartment; dorm: ____

“BRRRRR”– every student and teacher’s __________ were chattering once __________ Monroe.

Body Part

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the class. Suddenly, __________ trips and spills the drink all over your favorite sweater, and you Your Class Crush

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their sweater.

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REVIEWS

March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

Lights, Camera, Action:

The Women of Film and Television

By Dajah Saul and June Fernandez Mean girls, demigods, and superheroes, oh my! As March graces us with Women’s History Month, we have compiled a list of the best films and television shows 2024 so far - with women leading the forefront. This list aims to showcase

These films of 2024 shine a light on the strong female performances within their main casts. A ride through various genres, these women-led films allow audiences to enjoy the performances in a short period of time. Whether you’ll enjoy these films for the plot (or for Zendaya, which I understand), you’ll find a film or two that will make your watch time as enjoyable as possible.

Taylor Falgout/The Maroon

FILMS: Renee Rapp - Regina George - “Mean Girls” Jenna Ortega - Cairo Sweet - “Miller’s Girl” Kathyrn Newton - Lisa Frankenstein - “Lisa Frankenstein” Katy M. O’Brian - Brian - “Love Lies Bleeding” Bryce Dallas Howard - Elly Conway - “Argylle” Dakota Johnson - Madame Web - “Madame Web” Sydney Sweeney - Julia Carpenter - “Madame Web” Florence Pugh - Princess Irulan - “Dune: Part 2” Zendaya - Chani - “Dune: Part 2” Zendaya - Tashi - “Challengers” Mckenna Grace - Phoebe Spengler - “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” Kristen Dunst - “Civil War” Emily Blunt - “The Fall Guy” Cailey Fleming -”IF” Anya Taylor-Joy - Imperator Furiosa - “Furiosa”

actresses who left us speechless for their onscreen performances. From live-action series of beloved media to revamped classics, the film and television series of this year display the best female performers to keep an eye out on.

Television expands the world of storytelling, giving the female actresses leading the shows to build on their performances in a fulfilling manner. Want to watch a smart, strong demigod find her way through a hero’s journey? A waterbender working hard to protect her tribe - and the world? Read through this list of fantastic women-led television shows to discover more interesting series to add to your watchlist.

SHOWS: Leah Sava Jeffries - Annabeth Chase - “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” Quinta Brunson - Janine Teagues - “Abbott Elementary” Ambika Mod - Emma Morley - “One Day” Kiawentiio Tarbel - Katara - “Avatar: The Last Airbender” Alaqua Cox - Maya Lopez - “Echo” Maya Erskine - Jane - “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” Michelle Yeoh - Mama Sun - “The Brothers Sun” Sofia Vergara - Grisela Blanco - “Griselda” Danai Gurira - Michonne - “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live” Anna Sawai - Lady Mariko - “Shogun”

Concert films are just as impactful as live performances Concert films are a

By Maleigh Crespo macrespo@my.loyno.edu

up-and-down that occur at live performances.

Ultimately, it was up to the theater 2023: The year of larger-than-life and the person. Before the film’s debut, concerts and women dominating the AMC Theatres released a statement film and music industries with Barbie about guidelines, “Taylor Swift Eras on the big screen, Taylor Swift on her attire and friendship bracelets are record-breaking tour, and Beyoncé’s strongly encouraged! We encourage RENAISSANCE, which both made dancing and singing throughout this concert film event, but please do not their way to the big screens, as well.

Do you really wanna know where I dance on our seats or block other guests from viewing.” was April 29?

Many Swifties (myself included) I was in Atlanta, Georgia for night two of “The Eras Tour.” And call me took this as their golden opportunity “the lucky one” because I also have to take full advantage of the concert tickets to her upcoming show in New film experience by making and Orleans, which is seven months and trading bracelets, dressing up, waiting 10 days away, but honestly, baby, in line to get the coveted pink popcorn bucket, and for me, recreate and who's counting? relive The Eras Tour Even though I experience. traveled 13 hours For others who (*wink, wink*) to “Whether it’s reliving were unable to get another state to see the experience or seeing tickets, this was Swift perform and have plans to see the hard work and effort their version of her again on the put into the show, it’s an “The Eras Tour,” and Swift made sure the same tour, when she experience could announced the film immersive experience be just as special version of the tour, I that’s just as special.” for them by giving immediately bought attendees free tickets.

For super Swifties, like my friends posters and selling “merch” by way of and I, every announcement and themed popcorn buckets and cups.

Even though I’d already been to the release from Swift is a reason to “make the friendship bracelets, take the show, being in that theater transported moment and taste it,” and of course, me back, and it was exhilarating. I dress up in our sparkliest outfits and cried just as hard, sang just as loud, and danced just the same as I did at accessories.

After Swift announced the film the concert.

And I’ll probably do the same from premiere, however, there was discourse in the fandom on whether the comfort of my living room when attendees would follow typical theater the film is released on Disney+ this guidelines of sitting, watching, eating Friday.

As a lover and massive consumer of popcorn, and sipping on Icees or the standard scream-singing and jumping media, I am definitely a fan of concert

films in general, not just of Swift’s.

So when “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” was released, I ran to buy tickets for its on screen premiere.

Although the superstar had a tour stop in New Orleans, I opted not go even though I would’ve undoubtedly had a good time, I had a prior commitment.

The film, which also had tourinspired cups and free posters, was the perfect alternative.

However, unlike Swift’s “The Eras Tour” film, Beyoncé’s film, which was produced by the performer’s own production company Parkwood Entertainment, is a documentary rather than a filmed version of the concert.

While Swift’s film was footage from a single night in Los Angeles, Beyoncé’s film showcased behindthe-scenes moments leading up to the tour, the making of the show, and had featured editing that allowed for every costume, which was around 140 total, to be shown.

Both artists’ shows had similar runtimes, so the respective films were both 2 hours, 49 minutes.

Even though I was “cozy” in the theater, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” brought me to tears with its poignancy and homage to the queer community, along with the vulnerability shared by the artist and mother of three.

Though different, these two films show that concert films can be just as impactful as a live concert. Whether it’s reliving the experience or seeing the hard work and effort put into the show, it’s an immersive experience that’s just as special.

superficial experience

By Maria DiFelice mldifeli@my.loyno.edu

something a movie just can’t show. It dawned on me that it’s not so much about the artist singing, but the excitement of being in the crowd and Waves of new artists have being able to connect with the artist converted the concert experience on a different level. to film. The wave started with Taylor Don’t get me Swift's “The Eras wrong, the appeal is Tour” that came “While the money great because if you out in October can’t afford to pay for 2023, and then appeal is nice, nothing a ticket to see Taylor Beyonce’s beats going to the conSwift live, why not “Renaissance: A just go and watch it Film by Beyoncé” cert and experiencing at your local theater that came out the rawness of everyfor way less. But as in December I sat in my seat, the of 2023. I saw thing in real time.” spontaneity dwindled Taylor’s, but after away and left me with that the appeal to no excitement to see what will come see another concert movie was low next. for me, so I never saw Beyonce’s film.

Thanks to social media, the While I'm not a die-hard Swiftie, element of surprise is gone, especially the overwhelming praise for her live due to all of the spoilers people get performances prompted me to give nowadays. Spoilers never usually it a shot. However, my enthusiasm bother me when I go to a concert waned just 30 minutes into the because there is the aspect of screening. watching unfold right in front of your As I’m watching “The Eras Tour” eyes and seeing everyones reactions unfold on the big screen, I found in real time is priceless. myself wondering: why spend hours In essence, me watching a concert in a movie theater when I could easily movie, like “Taylor Swift: The Eras enjoy the artist's music from the Tour,” is just me trying to vicariously comfort of my home? experience someone else’s joy and The excitement of watching this excitement – a pale imitation of what amazing live performance dwindled away, making me realize that it means you would experience at a concert.

While the money appeal is nice, more to me to be at the concert. nothing beats going to the concert You are experiencing the music and experiencing the rawness of in real time and experiencing the everything in real time. raw emotion of the artist singing,

LIFE & TIMES

March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

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Film • Arts • Food • Music • Leisure • Nightlife

New Orleans Book Festival has something for everyone

By Ecoi Lewis ealewis@my.loyno.edu Get ready to be immersed in a world of literature and culture, as the New Orleans Book Festival begins next door at Tulane University.

The festival will be held March 14 - 16 with over 183 participants, 90 of them making their first appearance at the

event.

The event will feature book signings, family day activities, 90+ panels, a culinary symposium, and a music celebration to close the festival.The musical act will be Irma Thomas.

Imani Perry, Clint Smith, Jake Tapper, Cleo Wade, and Jesmyn Ward are just some of the authors participating. Members of the Tulane administration, facul-

ty, board members, staff, and alumni will appear on panels.

Two Loyola professors will be moderators – Michelle Johnston and Justin Nystrom.

For the first time, the festival will also feature a session presented in Spanish.

There is something for everyone. The festival is free to the public and on a firstcome, first-served basis.

“The convergence of literary, culinary, and artistic brilliance at this event transcends mere celebration; it's a symphony of creativity and a feast for the senses,” festival co-chair and Tulane professor Walter Isaacson. “Our aspiration is for attendees to engage deeply in the diverse, innovative discussions, and spark an intellectual curiosity that extends well beyond the boundaries of New Orleans.”

A M

bookfest.tulane.edu

RD

"Our festival lineup promises something for every book lover, regardless of age and we hope to ignite a love for reading in the hearts of all attendees."

— Cheryl Landrieu Festival co-chair

@nolabookfest

e M h t r IND I G RAS fo

®

march 14|15|16 2024

THE NEW ORLEANS BOOK FESTIVAL will bring the world’s leading authors to TULANE UNIVERSITY’S uptown campus for a multi-day celebration! This FREE festival will provide an opportunity for authors and readers to interact with each other in one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in the world. Be sure to join us for FAMILY DAY at the fest on SATURDAY, MARCH 16!

Visit bookfest.tulane.edu for the 2024 author lineup and updates!

k o o B it!

SPORTS

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March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

Junior guard Lizzy Ratcliff shoots a shot against Thomas University on Jan. 20, 2023. Loyola will host the NAIA regional basketball tournament on Friday. Jacob L'Hommedieu/The Maroon

Women's basketball to host and compete in NAIA regionals

By Matthew Richards mlricha2@my.loyno.edu Loyola will host the women’s National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics regional basketball tournament for the second consecutive year on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. with the women’s team up against a familiar opponent—Southeastern University of Florida. Loyola (24-4) hopes that its 12-1 home record in the regular season will translate into the tournament as it seeks to improve on last year’s surprise first-round exit.

“We have a lot of success at home this season and we hope to continue that moving into the weekend,” head coach Kellie Kennedy said. “We play well here, and our group is comfortable at home.”

Kennedy said last year the team was dealing with the loss of starting point guard Kennedy Hansberry, due to an ACL injury in the conference tournament final game. This year is different, she said.

“Our team is excited, and we will approach this next game as we have each one all season. One game and one possession at a time,” Kennedy said.

This game serves as a rematch from earlier in the season when the Wolf Pack and the Fire met in Montgomery, Alabama for the Southern States Athletic

Conference/Sun Conference Challenge, and Loyola won 55-53.

The Wolf Pack is led by Sandra Cannady and Taylor Thomas. Cannady, a graduate senior forward and two-time reigning SSAC Player of the Year, earned the award after averaging 16.7 points and 9.3 rebounds this season. Thomas is a graduate senior guard who was second on the team in scoring at 14.6 points per game and leads the team in assists, averaging 4.5 per game.

The Southeastern Fire (22-7) enter this contest on a five-game winning streak that saw them claim their seventh Sun Conference title in the last nine years. The team is led by grad senior point guard Bekki Kalaydjiev, who was named the Sun Conference Player of the Year for this season after averaging 15 points per game and 3.9 assists. Along with grad senior forward Kiki Britzmann, who was named Sun Conference tournament MVP after a 30 point performance.

Coach Kennedy stressed the importance of having a solid game plan to win on Friday and advance to the second round.

“We need to play well on both sides of the ball,” she said. “We need to be aggressive and execute offensively and defend their personnel well.”

Members of Loyola swim team race in the indoor pool on Jan. 20, 2023. The team concluded their season at nationals in Columbus, GA. Heidi Herrera/ The Maroon

Swim team makes waves at nationals

By Hector N. Garcia hngarcia@my.loyno.edu

The swim team competed at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Championship on March 6-9.

In the men’s 4x200-yard freestyle relay, Jack McNamara, Tate Bladon, Benjamin Chehebar, and Logan Gary broke the Loyola record for the first time since 2019 with a time of 3:04.12, finishing in 8th place and All-American in the second heat.

Tate Bladon set a school record of 45.15 in his preliminary swim in the 100yard Freestyle, which placed him in the B final where he swam a 45.53.

Harvey Quiddington finished 14th in the 200-yard Breaststroke at 2:04.85, which was just close to breaking his own previously set record.

“The team spirit is always high at nationals. This is a chance to get up on the block and show everyone that you deserve a medal more than they do," Quiddington said.

Eve Thomas placed 18th in the 200-

yard Backstroke with a personal best of 2:08.46.

Catherine Streeter swam a 53.98 in the 100m Freestyle.

Monty Moore Yetter swam a 56.20 in the 100-yard Breaststroke, setting a school record for Loyola. Yetter finished in 16th place in the finals with a time of 57.68.

Mya Baker won her heat for the 1650yard Freestyle with a time of 18:11.22.

At the end of nationals, the Loyola Wolf Pack Swim Team finished in 12th place.

TATE BLADON 45.53 100-yard Freestyle HARVEY QUIDDINGTON 2:04.85 200-yard Breaststroke

EVE THOMAS 2:08.46 200-yard Breaststroke CATHERINE STREETER 53.98 100m Freestyle

MONTY YETTER 56.20 100-yard Breaststroke MYA BAKER 18:11.22 1650-yard Breaststroke

Men's basketball prepares for NAIA regionals

By Eve McFarland ecmcfarl@my.loyno.edu The Loyola men’s basketball team took an unusual route to winning its third straight Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament title.

The Wolf Pack entered last week’s tournament with a 10-14 record. But the team found itself and made history by becoming the first team in the SSAC

Baseball vs. Louisiana Christian, March 12 L 9-12 Men's Golf at Carey Collegiate March 11-12

tournament to win four games in four days and win the title.

The team’s reward? A date with No. 1 seed team, Freed-Hardeman, at the Brewer Sports Center in Henderson, Tennessee, on Friday at 7 p.m.

“We never gave up, and we believe in each other,” redshirt freshman and MVP of the SSAC tournament, said.

Freed-Hardeman Lions (26-4) made history in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as

back-to-back champions of the MidSouth Conference tournament. This was their second time facing Georgetown College in the tournament, with a victory of 71-59.

Head coach Donald Reyes said the team is continuing to build on its foundation and is ready for the matchup against Freed-Hardeman.

“I truly believe we are right where we need to be at this time to compete for

another national championship,” Reyes said.

Senior Milan Mejia brings experience to the young team from being part of the NAIA national championship team two seasons ago.

Mejia plans to lead the team and help them understand that not one person can do it alone.

See BASKETBALL, page 12

Men's Tennis vs. Dillard University March 13

Senior Spotlight:

a junior player and have known her since she was 13 years old,” Llewellyn said. “She was always a great competitor with huge potential, and she's one of the strongest, most genuine people I know.”

Carpenter lived up to her lofty billing and expectations the moment she stepped on the court for the Wolf Pack, winning Southern States Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, first team All-Conference, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Second Team All-American, and reached the highest singles ranking for any Loyola tennis player in program history (no. 8).

“It’s such an honor to be a part of so many big moments for this program,” Carpenter said. “I really love this school and it feels really good to do things that no one has done here before, so I’m

proud of that. I love the community here and it’s really fun to do it for them.”

Carpenter recorded more program milestones her sophomore season, becoming the first women’s player in Loyola history to win SSAC Player of the Year, along with Scholar-Athlete of the Year, first-team All-Conference, and NAIA Second Team All-American, and finished the season on a 10 match winning streak.

“It was awesome to win that award,” said Carpenter. “That was a really good season for me, and my goal is to do it again this year. It was really cool to be the first to do it at Loyola too. And I don’t usually care about personal or individual awards, but it was cool to get it and be the person that was able to put a light on my great teammates as well.”

Women's Tennis vs. Dillard University March 13

Lucy Carpenter excels on tennis court

By Matthew Richards mlricha2@my.loyno.edu

Lucy Carpenter in action against Jones College on March 22, 2023. Carpenter was the highest-rated recruit in Loyola history. Gabriele Korein/The Maroon

Final Scores

When Lucy Carpenter arrived at Loyola all the way from Croton-on-Hudson, New York, she did so as the highest-rated tennis recruit in the history of the program and was being reunited with her high school coach, Matthew Llewellyn, as the program looked to reach new heights.

“Before coaching at Loyola, I had a unique opportunity to coach Lucy as

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Competitive Dance at dance regionals - March 11 1st of 5 L 7-0

W 6-1

Upcoming Games Men's Track and Field March 15-16 vs. University of Louisiana Women's Track and Field March 15-16 vs. University of Louisiana Women's Tennis March 15 vs. Louisiana Christian @ 2 p.m.

WORLDVIEW

March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

Briefs Presidential preference primary is approaching The Presidential preference primary election for Louisiana is right around the corner.

Polling stations for the primary will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23. All registered voters should visit the GeauxVote website or download their smartphone app to ensure they vote at the correct location, as polling sites vary within each parish.

In-person voters must present valid photo identification such as a driver’s license or the LA Wallet app.

The Campus Vote Project is an online resource where students can find information about elections and why their votes matter.

Additionally, the AllSides website is a resource which provides information about a number of databases and news sites regarding their potential political biases. Such information is gathered through expert analysis as well as surveying readers from a range of points on the political spectrum. Students and voters can use this resource when reviewing news databases that provide information about presidential candidates as the primary election approaches.

Loyola to host union event Loyola’s Department of Sociology is hosting their second annual Labor Spring.

Partnered with the Workplace Justice Project, Loyola’s Jesuit Social Research Institute, University of New Orleans Justice Studies, and others, the sociology department is hosting a panel to discuss workers rights.

On March 21 at 5:20 p.m. in Monroe Hall room 610, this event will educate students on labor unions and how the labor movement contributes to and aids workplace equality. Professors, labor union leaders, and workers will be presenting.

TikTok faces potential ban TikTok once again finds itself in a precarious position as lawmakers in Washington move forward with a bill that could lead to a nationwide ban on the platform.

The House passed legislation on March 13 that would ban TikTok if its China-based owner, ByteDance, doesn’t sell its stakes in the popular social media platform within six months of the bill’s enactment.

Lawmakers from both parties — as well as law enforcement and intelligence officials — have long expressed concerns that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over data on the 170 million Americans who use TikTok. If the bill becomes law, it would be bad news for small businesses who rely on the platform for marketing or sell products on TikTok Shop. It would also impact the lives of social media influencers who have spent years relying on their platform to acquire brand deals or other types of income.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

11

Louisiana battles coastal erosion

By Eloise Pickering ewpicker@my.loyno.edu

A football field an hour — that is how much coastal land loss Louisiana is constantly experiencing, according to a 2011 U.S. Geological Survey. Since 1932, they have estimated that Louisiana has lost around 1,900 square miles of its coast, which is larger than the size of Rhode Island.

To combat this ever present issue, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana has numerous programs, including one that recycles oyster shells.

According to Fiona Lightbody, the coalition’s oyster shell recycling program coordinator, the oyster shells are cleaned, bagged, and sent to the coast to create a reef barrier in order to prevent and lower erosion rates.

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana partners with 30 restaurants in the greater New Orleans area to collect oyster shells to keep the shells from ending up in a landfill.

“A lot of them do really appreciate the sustainability aspect of this program.

There's actually a tangible outcome from their actions, which is really, really huge for them,” Lightbody said.

On March 2, Loyola’s Students for Environmental Action club partnered with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana at a volunteer event to bag the oyster shells.

SEA is an on campus organization with the mission of community involvement and education regarding environmental action.

“We do a lot of volunteering and outreach, like our trip to CRCL and then here on campus, we are working to make campus more environmentally friendly,” Ellie Redeman, SEA's co-president and environmental science major, said.

The club is involved in numerous events both on and off campus. SEA volunteers various organizations in the New Orleans community such as Glass Half Full, as well as participates/hosts volunteer events on campus, like working in Loyola’s greenhouse.

SEA brought six members out to the oyster shell recycling event, where they

Grace Nolan, program coordinator, leads team in shoveling and bagging oyster shells on March 2, 2024 with the Coalition for Restore Coastal Louisiana. The event works to combat rapid coastal erosion on Louisiana's shore. Eloise Pickering/The Maroon

spent a morning shoveling and bagging heavy oyster shells with dozens of people throughout the community and various other volunteer organizations.

“This was a really special volunteering opportunity because, I mean, coastal erosion is a big problem here in southern Louisiana,” Redeman said. “It's kind of nice to be able to physically take action and fight that as well as you know, kind of like grow that community feeling and like know that you're helping out your local community.”

This year, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary of the oyster shell recycling program.

This specific program began in 2014 following the receival of a $1 million grant after the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill crisis.

The coalition has functioned as an advocacy group since 1983, and ground programs began in 2000 with the planting of cypress trees and marsh grasses to prevent coastal erosion.

“We are engaging people with the coast, helping them make choices when they are voting, for instance, or also just helping people understand what legislation is coming out,” Lightbody said.

According to Lightbody, the mission of the coalition and the oyster shell recycling program is community involvement. The niche, as she refers to it, is in the citizens and the volunteers.

“We're not doing huge scale projects that need to be contracted out, because then we're missing that critical part, which is the people, the citizens,” Lightbody said. “The ones who can lose their livelihoods and their home and what

they love about this place to the landloss crisis.”

Since the oyster program began a decade ago, they have recycled and sent nearly 14 million pounds of shells to the reef.

Both the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and Loyola’s SEA are continuing their fight for Louisiana’s coast as well as the environment as a whole.

“There are so many amazing community organizations and people out there that are working against climate change, working for climate change, and for environmental justice here in New Orleans,” Redeman said. “Just that itself is really inspiring, but I really recommend getting involved because it does you know, it feels good to like, bring change and see the change that you can make in a community.”

students Louisiana gun legislation changes TUPD, speak on college bar safety

By Chiara Faircloth clfaircl@my.loyno.edu

Legislation that legalizes the concealed carry of a weapon without a permit has been sent to Louisiana State Governor Jeff Landry’s office for approval, Currently, individuals with permits alone are legally allowed to carry a concealed weapon within the state of Louisiana.

The proposed law will allow eligible people to carry guns hidden in their clothing without having to pay for a government permit, having their fingerprints taken or completing a firearm training course — which are all currently required.

In response to the potential change in legislation, Director of Loyola University Police Department Todd Warren said, “Nothing will really change on campus. The reason being campus is a gun-free zone.”

Loyola policy and state law prohibit the possession of firearms on campus or the storage of firearms in vehicles parked on campus. Violation of such

By Maria DiFelice mldifeli@my.loyno.edu

Guns sit on display at Walmart. New gun legislation legalizes weapon carry without permit. Sunny Bedford/The Maroon

policy will subject the offender to potential suspension, expulsion, or criminal charges within the state.

Warren said that campus signs indicating that the university is a “gun-free

zone” will likely be replaced in the fall if they have deteriorated, and students may also be sent a reminder of the campus policy on weapons.

See SAFETY COURSES, page 13

With the bustling nightlife around Tulane and Loyola, safety becomes a concern, Tulane Police Captain Anthony Dominguez said.

Dominguez said his team has 24/7 patrolling from South Carrollton Avenue to Jefferson Avenue and St. Charles Avenue to South Claiborne Avenue.

The patrol route includes six popular college bars around Tulane and Loyola: The Boot, Palms, Bruno’s Tavern, TJ Quills, Redd’s Tavern, and Snake and Jakes. Whether Tulane police officers are on foot, bicycle, or driving around, they make sure students are safe, Dominguez said.

“While not responding to calls for service, our officers proactively patrol these areas to prevent criminal activity and to be available to our community members when needed,” he said.

See COMMUNITY, page 13

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THE MAROON

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

13

COMMUNITY: Bar safety fosters commmunity Continued from page 11 Advertising junior Emma Santangelo said she enjoys going to Bruno’s for “wine Wednesdays,” a popular event, where Bruno’s serves $5 bottles of wine.

Santangelo doesn’t just go for the wine. She said it’s also for the social aspect. The familiarity of people is a reason why she goes out.

“The age range is nice in college bars because you are around people who you know are at the same stage of life,” she said.

Santangelo isn’t the only one who likes the familiarity of college bars, like Bruno’s. Former Loyola student Rory McCarthy said he enjoys going out with his friends and being able to recognize others around him.

“Going to other bars feels like you are a small fish in a big pond, so being here makes you feel like a sense of community,” he said.

Students said it's not just the ambiance of the bars; it's also the safety element of them, as well.

Tulane junior Mackenzie Jackson said she enjoys going out and being able to feel safe because Tulane Police are patrolling.

“In terms of security, and I guess outside dangers, I feel pretty safe,” she said.

Map of bars popular with college students in Uptown within walking distance from campus. Margo Weese/The Maroon.

FACULTY: Loyola enforces faculty qualification standards Continued from page 3 He detailed in an email to The Maroon that for this standard, his office will start by making a table listing each teaching faculty’s qualifications cross-listed by every course they are teaching.

“That table includes each course offered in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 (we offer hundreds of courses each semester), the faculty member teaching the course, and the faculty member’s qualifications to teach the course,” he wrote.

Quesada said that determining these qualifications are often straightforward as the university usually offers courses that correspond with faculty members’

degrees in compliance with SACSCOC’s standards.

In other cases, he notes the connection between the course and the faculty member’s qualification is not that clear.

In those cases, Quesada said that those unclear qualifications could still be justified if that member has additional credentials such as work experience, teaching experience, certifications, or other experience that relates to the course they’re teaching.

Quesada said that when Loyola went through the same process during SACSCOC re-accreditation in 2016, the accrediting body only flagged six faculty

members across the entire university.

After being questioned, the university submitted additional reports on why those faculty members were still qualified to teach and deserved their position in the university.

These reports aren’t the responsibility of individual faculty members. Departments submit documentation for faculty members who don’t have the requisite degrees, which is then sent to the Provost’s office. These qualifications must be clear and rigorous in how faculty qualifications are documented, Quesada said. Typically this process is done when the faculty member is initially

hired for a position.

He added that these reports help to update vital information about faculty, and their documents to be as accurate as possible.

Quesda concluded by saying, “We are not saying that faculty may be disqualified from teaching their class, that’s not the point, and that’s not what we are doing. We are following a process that comes from the Department of Education and our accrediting agency, in which we have to report that we have the right people teaching. And I am 100% sure that we have the right people teaching.”

SAFETY COURSES: Police concerned about increased gun access Continued from page 11 Regarding changes that may occur off-campus as a result of the legislation, Warren said, “If I had my preference, I would want anybody carrying to be permitted.”

However, Warren also stated, “Historically, they [legislation legalizing concealed carry for permitless holders] have not caused any more shootings or conflicts.”

He referred to the same legislative

change which occurred years prior in Texas. “[Loyola] police chiefs had predicted that there would be an increase in confrontations, an increase in shootings, and there wasn’t,” he said. “I would suggest if they're going to carry, that they go take a course anyway.”

With the number of car burglaries that take place near the city, Warren added, “And if they’re going to leave it in the car, I would recommend a lockbox in the car.”

Warren explained that the main concern with individuals leaving guns in cars is that, while he believes “most of the people that are going to be carrying are going to be your law-abiding folks,” if the gun is stolen, it is then in the possession of a criminal.

Pre-law and history freshman Abi Gallagher said, “I don’t really understand the argument behind that law. What could be a possible pro of letting a teenager concealed carry without a permit? I don’t see any upside to that.”

Considering how this might affect students on campus, Gallagher said concealed carry then makes the no-gun policy on campus really hard to enforce.

“It’s not like we do stop-and-frisks around campus,” she said.

Gallagher said that offering gun-safety courses within colleges may be beneficial. She referred to how lack of gun-safety knowledge often leads to accidents.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Milan Mejia dribbles down the court on Nov. 16, 2023. James Hufnagel/The Maroon.

BASKETBALL:

Team "locks in" for regionals Continued from page 10

By playing together and focusing on what coach Reyes has for the team, Mejia believes that locking in on defense will let their offense come together.

“Coach [Reyes] tries to inspire us to do more for the team than for ourselves,” Mejia said.

Last season, the Wolf Pack lost to Sagu University at the Den in the first round of the national tournament. Freed-Hardeman also lost to Sagu in November 7471 in Panama City, Florida, during the Battle at the Beach tournament.

While the Lions have the home-court advantage as the number one seed, Reyes said they are ready to take them on.

“Some would say [the match-up is like] David and Goliath in terms of going to their home environment, but we are built for it,” Reyes said. “This isn’t our first time in a foreign environment versus a really good team.”

The Wolf Pack faces a challenge as the Lions have been a prolific offensive team, averaging 84.6 points per game while shooting over 52% from the field goal. The Wolf Pack is averaging 68 points and shooting 42.3% from the field goal.

Reyes said his team didn’t understand who they were as a young team in terms of maturity earlier in the season, but he has been speaking to his players individually. His personal goal is to trust in their hard work to get where they are now.

“It’s just the little things; earlier in the year, we couldn’t get over the hump because we didn’t do the little things,” Lee said. “We understand that everything is not going to be perfect, but as long as we stay together, then we will be straight.”

EDITORIAL

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March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

HOWLS & GROWLS HOWL to SGA elections GROWL to missing socks HOWL to the swimming team GROWL to unsolicited advice HOWL to concert films GROWL to concert films HOWL to hot water GROWL to parking violations HOWL to daylight savings

EDITORIAL BOARD

Sofia Johnson / The Maroon

Students should vote in SGA elections What does Loyola Student Government Association do for the student body?

The truth is many students don’t know.

The organization serves as the primary representative body for the student body, advocating for their needs, concerns, and interests to the university administration. Through its three branches – Executive, Legislative, and Judicial – and the President's Cabinet, SGA should facilitate communication between students and the administration, organize events and programs to enhance student life, allocate funds to registered student organizations, and foster a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and social justice on campus, according to SGA. We know how they operate, but why don’t we see what they do?

We should have high expectations for our SGA. We know about the events they host, but students want real change within the university.

According to Butch Oxendine from the American Student Government Association, the role of student government should advocate for positive change through interaction with the student body.

With the 2024-25 SGA election on the horizon, laying a new foundational groundwork can create a better future

for SGA to implement real change within policies around campus.

This begins with research, such as comparing to other Jesuit institutions on what their SGA’s do, and a direct line to the student body.

The start of this change can be in shifting more of their operations to gear toward student advocacy and support, not just planning programming events. Although SGA merged with UPB in 2012, their goals and roles should remain separate. Fostering a community is important, but SGA is meant for more.

SGA needs to strive for advocacy rather than just novelty programming.

Educational panels, such the Assembly for Sexual Assault Prevention committee’s soiree, and inclusive events, like the drag show, are examples of propelling and impactful programming that uphold our university’s Jesuit values. While these are great events that are necessary, they are the role of UPB. SGA is called for a different role on campus.

The implementation of the community garden, providing rain barrels to the environment program, advocating for the return of “window,” along with maintaining campus resources such as Iggy’s cupboard and the Grace of Ignatius award are great examples of what we need and continue to expect from the next student leaders. Advocating for students needs to be met and implementing change to support the student body

should be at the forefront of our SGA. But, beyond those initiatives, SGA is the student body’s voice at the table.

SGA sits in on Board of Trustees meetings, the University Budget Committee— where tuition decisions are made—and the Standing Council for Academic Planning, where curriculum decisions are made. Those are the areas that SGA needs to be standing up for students. If they are doing this, that’s great, but we need to be made aware of it. We aren’t being asked what needs to be communicated to higher ups. And this should be the core role of SGA. These are expectations, but the decision to elect a candidate to fulfill these expectations rests in the hands – and votes – of students. We must vote to be heard. Only students can decide which candidate will be effective in making change and supporting the school.

There is a fee within your tuition bill for SGA. You have the right to put your opinion in on what happens with this organization. Don’t let your money go to waste.

Together, let us ensure that our SGA serves for positive change, fostering an inclusive, vibrant, and empowered campus community.

Keep all these considerations in mind, and remember – you have a say in your Loyola experience and voting a worthy candidate can make all the difference.

Maleigh Crespo Editor-in-Chief Sophia Maxim Managing Editor for Print Kloe Witt Managing Editor for Digital Daniela Martínez Executive Producer Dajah Saul Wolf Editor Taylor Falgout Chief Visual Artist Zach Cesarini Design Chief Laci Barrow Photo Editor Sophia Renzi Wolf Lead ` Photographer Tanesha TaylorDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Elinor Upham News Editor Maria DiFelice Breaking News Editor Eloise Pickering Worldview Editor Mia Oliva Life and Times Editor B. Welch Sports Editor Lizzy Hadley Op/Ed Editor June Fernandez Reviews Editor Ecoi Lewis & Pharrell Every Senior Staff Writer Sunny Bedford Senior Staff Photographer Ruth Brown Senior Staff Illustrator Heather Rabassa & Violet Bucaro Copy Editor

EDITORIAL POLICY The editorial on this page represents the majority opinions of The Maroon’s editorial board and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Loyola University.

Letters and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of The Maroon’s editorial board.

The Maroon does not represent the opinion of administration, staff and/or faculty members of Loyola.

Letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and style. Please limit submissions to 400 words. Submissions are due no later than 4 p.m. the Sunday before publication.

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OPINION

March 15, 2024 THE MAROON

15

Loyola needs more left-handed desks Accessibility on campus is an ongoing discussion because there are many Sydney Piglia ways that Loyola continues to fall short.

History Students pay thousands of dollars to be sophomore here only to have a campus that does snpiglia@my.loyno.edu the bare minimum (in accordance to the Americans with Disabilities Act). Those who are physically disabled find campus hard to navigate in a timely manner. Other disabled students find their course When I walk into class for the first load and class policies uninviting or untime, my eyes are instantly searching accepting. Not to mention the growing the room for left-handed desks. I get em- number of mentally ill students who are barrassed when I have to move things too scared to ask for what they need. It around because inevitably, the one left can be embarrassing or hard to ask for handed desk is shoved all the way in the support or help when there are no rules back. Most times, I do not move desks or guidelines acknowledging your realbecause either it’s too much trouble, or ity. Often, students end up suffering in silence. there isn’t a left-handed desk at all.

It is easy to look away and ignore I like left-handed desks because I physically write my notes and as a lefty, these issues or to believe the bare minit provides a little perch to rest your el- imum is enough even when it isn’t when we ourselves are not bow on as you write. experiencing these I also enjoy the exstruggles. We cannot tra space I get with “Even though we (hopea left-handed desk. fully) no longer consider assume we immediately know how to Even at smaller class meet the needs and tables, I find myself left-handed people as comfort of others, but bumping elbows with dishonest or stupid, the that does not mean the right-handed perwe should not try. It son next to me and academic world still feeling like I take up conforms to right-hand- does not mean we should not listen and too much space. edness." help where we can.

Left-handed peoAt some point, ple have a long history of being considered evil or weird someone thought about making (which I am sure a few have been). We left-handed desks or switching to tables, are those whose parents tried to force and they’re available on our campus, but them to be right-handed before we could it is the duty of the university to ensure even write. Even though we (hopefully) that they are in every classroom. It is no longer consider left-handed people as also the duty of the university to not only dishonest or stupid, the academic world listen and react to student complaints but to actively seek their commentary, still conforms to right-handedness.

While this may seem like a silly com- something I rarely see Loyola do.

So while I search my classrooms for a plaint, and in some ways as a left-handed person who loves to complain, I agree, left-handed desk, there are people who but the lack of left-handed desks shows need much more than me, and while I that accessibility is not always obvious can’t claim to know their struggle, I hope they know that they are seen. or something we think about.

Photo illustration by Rodrigo Delgado / The Maroon

Mardi Gras is not sustainable Gabbee Bonura Journalism senior gbonura@my.loyno.edu

The amount of waste that Mardi Gras accumulates each year is absurd. Empty water bottles, broken plastic beads, and unwanted parade throws flood the pot-hole filled streets of New Orleans.

Parade-goers leave their all trash behind and wait for garbage trucks to scoop it up. The trash gets sent to landfills and everyone continues on with their Mardi Gras celebrations, not thinking twice about their impact on New Orleans and its environment. Society as a whole needs to move towards sustainability efforts and stop embracing litter culture during Mardi Gras.

There is one huge sustainability issue during Mardi Gras: plastic beads.

Everyone loves to catch beads from their favorite parade, saving only the good beads and leaving the plain ones behind. That’s what Mardi Gras is all about. But what about all the beads that get shoved into the drains along the streets of New Orleans? A majority of the beads are made from plastic that can’t naturally break down, so imagine what it is doing to New Orleans infrastructure.

Everyone knows that New Orleans doesn’t have the best infrastructure to begin with. If it isn’t a busted pipe, the street is flooding from poor drainage.

There is always a problem because of the outdated infrastructure in New Orleans. The drains can’t handle heavy rain, much less tens of thousands of plastic beads being shoved down them. Gutter buddies are being placed in certain locations to stop beads from going down the drain, but they aren’t located at every drain in the city.

Bead recycling has become a popular effort amongst organizations like Recycle Dat, and krewes are joining and buying recycled beads and throws. If more krewes joined and bought recycled beads, it would lessen the overproduc-

Sign reads "Beads. Fence. Recycle." outside of Felicity Street on Feb. 17, 2023. The church collects beads on their fence to recycle after Ash Wednesday. Maleigh Crespo / The Maroon

tion of plastic beads that are distributed on the streets. This is an excellent way to push towards a more sustainable carnival season. An even better switch would be towards biodegradable beads, but this is a longshot.

Not only does there have to be a change by Mardi Gras krewes, but there has to be change on an individual level.

People have to want to join the efforts and make a difference, but it's so hard

when litter culture is so normalized during Mardi Gras. When it’s any other time of the year and you see someone litter, it is very distasteful. During Mardi Gras, generally, no one bats an eye at someone littering.

During Mardi Gras, it can sometimes be hard to find a trash can, and people definitely don’t want to leave their spot to throw away some trash. The city of New Orleans needs to start putting out

more trash cans and recycling bins to encourage people to throw their trash away, not leave it on the streets. It seems like a small action, but it would definitely help out the waste problem.

There are so many other sustainability issues that come with Mardi Gras that people don’t really address. Many people see Mardi Gras as a time to party and have fun, but their impact on New Orleans during Mardi Gras is not worth it.

THE MAROON

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March 15, 2024