The Maroon March 31, 2023

Loyola University • New Orleans • Volume 101 • Issue 09 • March 31, 2023

THE MAROON

construction Loyola’s 18th president makes history Mercy disrupts student

By Jackie Galli jegalli@my.loyno.edu @Jackie_Galli

Who is Xavier Cole?

Cole is set to begin his tenure as Loyola’s 18th president on June 1 of this year, and will be the first person of color and second layperson to hold the position in the university’s history.

Cole holds a bachelor’s in history from the University of Mississippi, a master’s in history from Miami University of Ohio, and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.

The majority of Cole’s time working in higher education has been at Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland. For the last seven years, he has worked at Marquette University, one of

Loyola’s sister schools, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic while working at Marquette was what Cole said proved to him he “had the guts” to do this kind of work on a higher level.

“When some would maybe shy away from the difficulty of the

moment, I tended to lean in,” Cole said.

Now, as he steps into the role of president, Cole said he is eager to take on more challenges. The job of a university president, especially nowadays, isn’t easy, he said. With workforce concerns following the COVID-19 pandemic, budget challenges, and low enrollment nationwide, Cole said one would need a strong reason to be motivated to take on those challenges. For Cole, that reason is to serve the students.

Making history Part of the way in which he said he could better serve students is through his experience as a Black man, not just by what he looks like, but how he looks at the world.

“I will have a lens at an aperture that is more open,” Cole said.

See COLE, page 8

Gabrielle Korein/The Maroon

Loyola University President-elect Xavier Cole was first motivated to work with students and who they become beyond their education while working as a resident assistant at Ole Miss, he said.

“I got a ton of joy out of that. I didn’t know I had that in me,” Cole said. “It seemed like extremely meaningful work.”

It wasn’t until he met a peer of his while in graduate school at Miami University of Ohio that Cole became eager to become a part of the Jesuit system of education.

“He was 22; I was 22. I seemed to be unruddered, and he seemed to be very focused,” Cole said about his friend.

Cole said when he asked his peer what made him this way, he said he was Jesuit educated, which meant they were formed by their education to be a servant leader and to care for others in a way that brought purpose into their life.

“If we can send you out with that sort of intentionality, you’re gonna change the world.” Cole said. “That would be a life well-lived, and really meaningful work for me.”

Now, as the incoming president of Loyola University New Orleans – after 28 years working in higher education, 26 of those years at Jesuit Catholic institutions – Cole said he is excited to be taking on the position.

“I’ve only worked in higher education. This is the only profession I have ever known, the only thing I actually think I know how to do, and so being able to do this at the highest level, being a presi-

dent, and particularly at a Jesuit Catholic institution, means so much to me,” Cole said.

schedules

By Macie Batson

mmbatson@my.loyno.edu @maciembats

Students will notice a significant shift in their upcoming schedules as fall 2023 advising approaches.

Some of their classes will be held in spaces that aren’t really classrooms, and students may have to miss student club meetings in order to attend a class during the 12:30 p.m. window on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which previously was a period of time where no classes were held.

After the announcement of a new dorm to replace Mercy Hall in the fall of 2025, Loyola has begun preparing for the next phase of the project.

Renovations to kickstart the new dorm are slated to begin next fall, forcing numerous courses that were formerly held in Mercy Hall to seek new locations and time slots.

According to Vice Provost for Institutional Research, Accreditation, and Academic Engagement, Uriel Quesada, the university is working on several initiatives to offset any consequences that students may feel as a result of the lack of classroom space on campus.

The Office of the Registrar is looking at available spaces that can be added to the classroom pool in order to utilize the use of classroom spaces in other buildings, Quesada said. He also said that the Provost’s Office and the Office of the Chief Operating Officer are collaborating to identify alternative facilities that can be used as classrooms after being renovated over the summer.

Not only do classes have to find new classrooms, but Quesada said some of them may have to be pushed to earlier and later time slots, and some maybe even during the Tuesday and Thursday window at 12:30 p.m. While not uncommon, there could be a bigger number of 8:30 a.m. and 4:55 p.m. classes.

Quesada said that he is confident that this new time slot shouldn’t affect the majority of department and organization meetings, and that academic units are actively reviewing their fall schedule to use any available time slots.

Students protest House Bill 999

By Maleigh Crespo macrespo@my.loyno.edu

The Loyola chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America, along with other organizations, protested Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ House Bill 999 outside of the Danna Center on March 28.

House Bill 999 prohibits state college funding and backing for courses and activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as limits on gender, queer, and racial studies and prohibits the use of critical race theory in hiring.

See PROTEST, page 5

CRIME MAP 2 | PUZZLES 2 | NEWS 3 | WORLDVIEW 5 | LIFE & TIMES 6 | SPORTS 9 | EDITORIAL 10 | OPINION 11

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March 31, 2023

THE MAROON

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Theft Main Campus

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Simple Burglary Broadway Campus

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8:00 p.m.

Motor Vehicle Theft 1500 Henry

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Motor Vehicle Theft 900 Hillary

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Motor Vehicle Theft 5400 S Robertson

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2:38 a.m.

Motor Vehicle Theft 1000 S Robertson

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IN MAGAZ STAFF

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PUZZLES Across 1 Wet dirt 4 Biblical saying 11 Fave pal 14 Sushi-grade tuna 15 Pen with bright ink 16 Hoppy brew 17 Like an amazing and fortuitous circumstance that can't possibly exist, despite an initial promising appearance [67-Across: Suspiciously awesome] 20 Pulsate 21 Junior 22 Gave a leg up to 23 Actress Vardalos 25 24/7 cash source 26 Metaphor for the legal system that implies a criminal cannot hide or escape from that system's vast resources and unparalleled authority [67-Across: Police jurisdiction] 35 Unlock, poetically 36 Director Kubrick 37 Wall St. debut 38 Plot portion 40 Feel bad about 41 Successor 42 Was as successful and enjoyable as early conjecture and predictions suggested it would be [67-Across: Met expectations] 47 Mogul 48 South Seas wrap 49 WC 50 "i" topper 51 Declaration from a person playing poker in a situation where the opponents think they have it in the bag [67-Across: "I win!"]

58 Game show creator Griffin 59 Pesto herb 60 Broad valley 62 Brink 63 Joint above a foot 64 Bailiwick 65 WCs 66 Stands 67 "I lost interest" acronym spelled out by the starts of four answers in this puzzle Down 1 Actor Damon 2 "Yikes!"

3 Designer Christian 4 Fears 5 Kia sedan

6 Cutlass sedan, e.g.

7 Corleone patriarch 8 Henry VI's school 9 Hoops stat 10 Whispery in tone 11 Poet 12 Fireplace shaft 13 Farm store bagful 18 Large flat bell 19 Proctor's shout 24 Graffiti, e.g.

25 Dined 26 Laundry batch 27 Footnote kin of ibid.

28 Geeky 29 Cheech of Cheech & Chong 30 Obligation 31 Canine pests 32 Occupy, as a bed 33 Copying 34 Saint-John's-__: herbal remedy

39 Closed-off districts 41 Derided from the stands 43 Pond critter 44 Option for soap or ice cream 45 Ping-Pong and canoeing needs 46 Boat's front 51 Ctrl+Y action 52 "By that logic ... " 53 __-pedi 54 Requests 55 Giza's river 56 __ Grey tea 57 Implored 58 Country singer Tillis 61 Musician's gift

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NEWS

March 31, 2023 THE MAROON

3

Governor Edwards visits Loyola

By Maria DiFelice mldifeli@my.loyno.edu @maria_difelice

Governor John Bel Edwards, a born and raised Catholic, said being a governor isn’t the only thing that defines him when visiting Loyola’s campus to discuss his faith and politics.

Catholic Studies hosted their inaugural Twomey Lecture on Wednesday, March 22, which featured Edwards. Father Gregory Waldrop moderated the event and asked questions about abortion, separation of church and state, and public service.

“I think of myself as a Catholic-Christian first, an American second, and a Democrat no higher than third,” Edwards said.

During the event, Edwards was interrupted by Loyola’s charter of Young Democratic Socialists of America protesting against anti-transgender legislation recently passed by the Louisiana legislature permanently eliminating transgender athletes from competing in sports.

The students protesting held up a sign that said, “will you veto hate?” Edwards explained how he has signed an executive order to protect transgender people’s lives, and shifted blame to the attorney general who has filed a suit to challenge the executive order in court.

The protestors were escorted out of the event by LUPD while chanting, “protect

trans kids, veto hate.”

Edwards said that he doesn’t “believe that we ought to discriminate against individuals.”

Waldrop explained how Edwards' appearance has been long awaited. Edwards was supposed to come to campus in 2022 during the international Ignation year, but they could not schedule anything due to timing conflicts, so the Catholic Studies Department was more than excited to have Edwards come and talk to the school.

“I was delighted to hear that Catholic studies has worked it out,” Waldrop said.

The interview was supposed to show Edwards on a more personal level and share how he uses his faith in his everyday life and work.

Edwards explained his views on the separation of church and state. Edwards’ Catholic faith is a big part of his identity and who he is, but he said he believes the government should not force any religiously motivated policies on people.

Though he did admit that there are different degrees to which people will agree or disagree.

Along with explaining his views on separation between church and state, he explained how he is “pro-life” and how he has signed orders against abortion, but he said he cannot see how a victim of rape or incest should be forced to keep the pregnancy to term and be prevented from having an abortion.

“It is hard for me to believe that the

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards talks to students and faculty at Loyola's law school on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Catholic Studies invited Edwards to be the first guest for their inaugural Twomey Lecture. Anna Hummel/The Maroon

power of the government ought to force that decision,” Edwards said.

Michael Martelly, an attendee and economics freshman, said the event

went well and he learned a lot about how American politics work, particularly decision making.

“I’m so glad I went. This was one of the

better experiences I’ve had this semester, and I think it informed me,” Martelly said.

classrooms Loyola's online college continues to struggle Loyola are not suitable for all students

By Emma Santangelo egsantan@my.loyno.edu

With an expected decline in enrollment of traditional college students, rebuilding a post-traditional online infrastructure may be Loyola's only hope in ensuring its sustainability in the future.

According to a new study from the Brookings Institute, there is a projected 10-15% decrease in incoming college students projected to start in 2025, which is also known as the demographic cliff. Building Loyola’s online infrastructure and market was created to combat the effects a decline of traditional students would bring to the university.

Loyola’s City College, an online college where post-traditional students (students who do not study full-time during the day and are not in-residence) can receive full degrees, has been facing concerningly low enrollment numbers since they hired – and later fired their online program management firm, Collegis Education, which has cost the school millions of dollars.

In 2019, Loyola hired Collegis Education to recruit and advise the university about online programs at a cost of more than $2.2 million a year. According to a recent University Faculty Senate report, the company recruited an unimpressive amount of students, forcing Loyola to find a new partner to lead the online program.

In January 2022, Loyola hired Paul Cesarini and internal staff to take over the recruiting process at a cost of roughly $400,000. Loyola also hired a new marketing company called the Education Advisory Board in late August of last year at a cost of roughly $480,000. The combined cost of the new team is half of what the original contract with Collegis Education charged the university.

However, according to the report, Loyola is obligated to finish paying Col-

By Jonathan Whitehead jmwhiteh@my.loyno.edu

Photo illustration by Jake Hufnagel

legis Education until the students they recruited graduate from the online program in two years.

In the meantime, Cesarini, the administrative dean of Loyola’s City College, along with the program’s faculty, are working to provide “career changers and career chargers” to post-traditional students, or working adults.

The original City College closed after Hurricane Katrina and opened again in 2019 to provide fully online programs to students working to earn their degree or enhance the degree they have been working toward. Cesarini has been leading this mission for 18 months now.

“These students might live on Maga-

zine Street, or they might be three time zones away working second shift, or they might be in the military, where they are an hour away for six weeks, and they are across the world for two years,” Cesarini said.

According to the University Senate Faculty report, enrollments are still too low, with 65 new enrollments last year and 72 enrollments this year. 720 students was the peak number of students enrolled at City College, and they are now at about 500 according to Cesarini.

Although the post-traditional or working adult audience is one Loyola has not been able to reach in a sustainable manner, Cesarini has been tasked with build-

ing the infrastructure to change that.

In his previous job at Bowling Green State University, Cesarini worked to create a “one-stop shop” in their online college, which tripled the last college's numbers in about five and a half years.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that the free-fall is over now,” Cesarini said.

An important part of reaching this demographic is the marketing team working with Loyola City College. Cesarini said that several months ago Loyola invited various leading players in the industry to recruit a team for “paid interactive marketing,” and after a “lengthy review process,” they chose the Education Advisory Board.

Loyola freshman Blu DiMarco has dreaded going to class since his first day of college since it is difficult to maneuver in his wheelchair through the aisles of the tight-fitted orange desk chairs that can be found in numerous Loyola classrooms. He said people stare at him because he is one of the few students with a wheelchair on campus. He has skipped classes to avoid the anxieties and frustrations of getting through the obstacle course that is Loyola’s classrooms.

The issue of crammed classrooms is not only a problem for students with physical disabilities but also for plussized students who feel they have to squeeze into their desk chairs.

“At the beginning of the first semester, I skipped a lot of my classes simply due to how hard it was to navigate and even sit in the classroom. At this point in my college career, I try not to use my wheelchair, which is, in the long run, so much worse for my body,” DiMarco said.

“I try to refrain from being late for class, as most students do, but it's even worse when being plus-sized in the tiny seats.

It's always followed by some loud disruption that clearly angers my professor and several glances from students.”

These orange desk chairs, commonly found in Bobet Hall, Marquette Hall, and the Communication and Design building, are about 14 inches at their widest length.

Loyola’s classes typically host about 20 students at a time. To utilize small classroom spaces, the orange desk chairs are used but leave minimal walking space between the aisles.

See CLASSROOMS, page 8

4

THE MAROON

We’re looking for a few good candidates for

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Listen to what past editors have said about the job: “Being Maroon editor is high-glamour, high octane stuff! Nothing beats the power of steering an ultra-eager, rockilicious staff to purple mountains majesty! I mean WOW! I laughed, I cried, I dropped two classes!”

— Hank Stuever, TV Critic, e Washington Post; 1993, 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing runner up; Maroon Editor-in-Chief, Fall 1987 “It was the best of times, and it was the best of times.”

— Liz Scott Monaghan, columnist and feature writer, New Orleans Magazine; Maroon Editor-in-Chief, 1963-64 “To quote the great journalist I.F. Stone, ‘I’m having so much fun I should be arrested.’”

— Mike Wilson, reporter, e New York Times; Maroon Editor-in-Chief, 1991-92 “ere were times I asked myself if it was all worth it. But not on Friday. On Friday, I knew it was worth it.”

— Michael Giusti, Loyola University Driector of Student Media; Maroon Editor-in-Chief, 1999-2000

“Being the Editor-in-Chief of e Maroon has truly connrmed my unending love for telling stories, and has given me the conndence that this is something I will be doing for the rest of my life.”

— Macie Batson, Maroon Editor-in-Chief, Spring 2023 “Being Editor-in-Chief is like a dream, but press night lives in my nightmares.”

— Jackie Galli, Maroon Editor-in-Chief, Spring 2023

Applications are available in CM328 today e position of editor-in-chief is open to any full-time Loyola student. As the chief student editor of e Maroon, candidates must possess proven leadership ability, above-average competence in writing, reporting and editing; and an intimate understanding of journalistic practices, including legal and ethical standards.

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023 THE MAROON

WORLDVIEW

5

Local gay dance club reacts to drag ban in Tennessee

By Arianna D'Antonio

worth it.”

Due to Oz residing on Bourbon Street, the club contributes a lot of money to the state. Thus, the Oz representaThe impending drag ban in Tennes- tive said they don’t anticipate any legissee has raised concerns for the New lature against drag to pass here or even Orleans drag community, who are now be brought up. fearing that similar laws could be passed However, the Oz representative said in the city that will put their livelihoods that while they understand the perspecat risk. tive of censoring drag in public due to Drag shows are being banned in children, banning it completely is ridicTennessee effective April 1 due to the ulous. passing of Senate Bill 3, which prohibits “Every Disney on Ice or play or pa“adult cabaret” performances on public rade has some form of drag in it. What property or in a location where the adult are they going to do? Ban it all? Of course cabaret performance could be viewed not,” they said. “We need to teach love by a person who is not an adult. and learn from each other.”

The legislation describes these perZalia BeVille, owner of The AllWays formances as featuring “topless dancers, Lounge and Cabaret, said she believes go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, this legislative trend will make drag parmale or female imticipants appreciate personators who what they have and “We need to teach love provide entertainnot take it for granted ment that appeals to and learn from each amidst the anger and a prurient interest, or sadness. similar entertainers, other.”

BeVille said that regardless of whether — Anonymous as a nightclub, the or not performed for Representative of Oz AllWays Lounge has consideration.” a focus on patrons Oz New Orleans, a over the age of 21, as local gay dance club featuring DJs, drag several of their acts are not of a prurient shows, and go-go dancers, was the first nature. That said, even in their venue, the club on Bourbon Street to have a trans- artists maintain a strong focus to entergender general manager, the club’s rep- tain and delight through their perforresentative, who opted to remain anon- mance art. ymous, said.

BeVille said she expects certain states The representative of Oz spoke on to follow suit with the bannings after witbehalf of their club community, and said nessing these legislative trends in the last that drag is a form of self-expression, few years. which doesn’t just mean a guy putting However, she said she prays that this on women’s clothes. trend will not incline patrons to stop “Many walks of life and genders can attending or bring negative attitudes to get in drag,” they said. “It’s all about en- drag shows since the shows are many tertainment, and if it makes a person drag artists’ main source of income. smile while they may be going through “Many find it a challenge to rise to the something in their personal life, it is well occasion and keep their art form rolling,” asdanton@my.loyno.edu @AriDantonio

Velma Blair and Laveau Contraire perform at Doggie Drag Show at NOLA on Tap March 18. New Orleans' vibrant drag culture would be heavily restricted under the type of legislation enacted in other states like Tennessee. Gabrielle Korein/The Maroon

BeVille said. “Many of the older performers, and even some of the newer ones, deal with constant persecution in some form or another, so it’s not necessarily surprising, but disheartening.”

The Pink News spoke to a Mem-

phis-based drag queen named Bella DuBalle, who said this legislation is a “clear attempt by lawmakers to mask anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination”, one she fears could inspire further violence against the community.

“This is a movement coming from the religious right, and [it’s] feeling like somehow we’ve been dragged 54 years back in time to Stonewall again,” she said to Pink News. “The pendulum swing is so crazy.”

requires PROTEST: Students protest Florida bill on campus Ordinance working flashers to issue speeding tickets

Continued from page 1 The Loyola chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America, along with other organizations, protested Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ House Bill 999 outside of the Danna Center on March 28.

House Bill 999 prohibits state college funding and backing for courses and activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as limits on gender, queer, and racial studies and prohibits the use of critical race theory in hiring.

Sophomore Maya Davis, founder of Nola Youth Action Network, one of the protesting organizations at Loyola, said they were trying to protect the rights of minorities.

“It's really important that we stand up for this because if this happens in one state, especially since we’re in the South, it's definitely something that could happen here,” Davis said.

Carson Cruse, the Young Democratic Socialists of America’s president said the organizations were also standing in solidarity with the students in Florida, referring to the “Tampa four,” which are the four students arrested on felony charges at the University of South Florida for protesting the same bill.

Jeff Landry, Louisiana’s attorney general, has openly discussed book bannings in the state. Cruse said that since Landry is running for governor, if he wins, there is a high chance Louisiana will follow suit with laws like House Bill 999.

Cruse said Loyola could support its students by affirming they will not follow

By Aron Boehle atboehle@my.loyno.edu

Members of Young Democratic Socialists of America and Nola Youth Action Network protest against measures that target diversity, equity and inclusion in Florida state universities on March 28th. These measures were introduced by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Maleigh Crespo/The Maroon

any of these laws that are put in place in Louisiana.

In spring 2022, Loyola hired its first coordinator of multicultural affairs. That position is now vacant. The administrative assistant role for the Office of Equity and Inclusion also remains empty.

“Affirm the Office of Equity and In-

clusion, headed by Dr. Kendrick Perry, by making sure that that is a permanent position that is going to remain, expanding that, making sure that there's more student involvement, more programs, and more funding for that department,” Cruse said.

Cruse said the Young Democratic

Socialists of America want to make sure Loyola knows that students on this campus are aware of what's going on and are conscious that laws like House Bill 999 could affect Louisiana too.

“YDSA is a student organization that stands for rights for all. We are welcome to anybody joining,” Cruse said.

A City Council ordinance may make college students, particularly commuter students, less likely ticketed in school zones during school hours.

An ordinance passed by the New Orleans City Council this month mandates that in order for camera tickets to be issued, flashing yellow school zone lights must be working.

This ordinance that was called a “common sense ordinance” by proposer Councilman Joe Giarrusso, could impact the city’s attention to working light infrastructure.

The lights are known for how infrequently they work. In 2017, a survey conducted by The Lens showed that 82% of the lights were functioning.

These school zones, in which reduced speeds are enforced two hours each morning and afternoon Monday through Friday, caused issues when the threshold for issuing tickets dropped from 26 miles per hour to 24 in 2019.

This change was instituted without informing the general public, according to Fox8.

The Department of Public Works spokesman John Lawson said the flashers are programmed when the school year begins and school zone lights are revisited when there are complaints.

6

LIFE & TIMES

March 31, 2023 THE MAROON

L.O.V.E. provides a safe space for women of color

By Maleigh Crespo macrespo@my.loyno.edu

"Urinetown" opened at Loyola on March 23 and runs through April 1. Donald Jones Jr. worked with performers for the satirical comedy. Courtesy of Loyola Theater Arts Dept.

TAD takes a trip to "Urinetown"

By Mia Oliva mfoliva@my.loyno.edu11

Loyola’s Theatre Arts and Dance Department had their opening night for the satirical musical “Urinetown,” which is a show that’s more than meets the eye.

The team that put the show together worked day and night to present it to audiences, according to musical theater junior Gabby Santalla. Students began rehearsing in late January and the production premiered on March 23 in Marquette Theater.

Created in 2001, “Urinetown” centers on topics ranging from the legal system and corporate mismanagement to musical theater and incontinence.

“You could see the whole show as a commentary on capitalism versus so-

cialism and the state of our economy, ally take on a character,” Santalla said. or it could really just be about people “Our director, Donald Jones, Jr., told me needing to use the bathroom, real bad,” his vision for [my character], and I really said vocal performance junior Nathaniel had a blast making her come to life.”

Richard, who played The department the character Bobby said they had fun “This is the first musiStrong. working with and “Urinetown” was cal I've been a part of learning from Jones. directed and choreo“This is the first in quite a while, and it graphed by Donald musical I’ve been Jones Jr. Both San- really renewed my love a part of in quite a talla and Richard while, and it really resaid that Jones pro- for it.” newed my love for it,” vided them with the — Nathaniel Richard Richard said. “Donald guidance and advice Vocal performance junior Jones has given me a to be their best selves massive amount of while putting on a advice and things to performance. use going forward in “I think my favorite part throughout my other shows. I think what has mainthis entire process was being able to re- ly stuck with me was just not to doubt

yourself and to put out the best product that you can safely and healthily.”

Loyola Costume Shop is tasked with the responsibility of costuming and piecing together hair and makeup concepts for Loyola’s productions. Theater sophomore Justice Mosley has assisted three previous Loyola productions and “Urinetown” is her first as head hair and makeup designer.

“The process of creating a look for one character involves in depth analysis, research, mood boards, and of course, makeup and costume renderings. This all takes place over the course of about two to three months,” Mosley said.

The final performance of “Urinetown” is on April 1 at 7:30 p.m.

The experience of being both Black and a woman are unique, so having a space and community for them is invaluable, according to mass communication senior and L.O.V.E. President Tori Hardy.

L.O.V.E., which stands for Living Our Vision Everyday, a student-led organization for women of color, strives to do just that.

L.O.V.E. was fostered at Loyola under the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs in 2015. Their mission is to create a sisterhood empowered through academia, mentorship, leadership, community service, and overall excellence.

Psychology senior and L.O.V.E.’s social media chair Imani McGowan said that L.O.V.E. is a space for Black women to be surrounded by other Black women, where they can be their unique selves and uplift each other.

“Having a Black space where we can be ourselves is a great thing, especially for Loyola. I feel like it's a step in the right direction,” McGowan said. “And I hope it continues and we get more opportunities like this.”

Hardy said that it's very important for people of all communities to feel comfortable and to feel like they have people they can share solidarity with.

“Loyola has a pretty significant Black community, in terms of numbers, for it being a predominantly white institution. But just because the numbers are there, doesn't always mean that people feel connected or feel like they have the space to connect with other people in their communities,” she said. “We create that opportunity for Black women.”

On March 26, the club held their annual induction ceremony, in which members who attended the club’s sisterhood sessions were officially recognized as members of the club.

Hardy said the organization inducted nearly 30 new members.

“Most of our current members are graduating, so it makes me really happy to know that there will be a continuation of the organization,” she said.

Loyolans showcase their work at literary fest

By Maleigh Crespo macrespo@my.loyno.edu

The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival set the stage for Loyola professors and alumni to talk about their writing focuses.

The week-long literary event kicked off their 37th year at Hotel Monteleone on March 22. Subsequently, the Saints and Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival, which is a program of the fest, hosted their 20th annual two-day program at the hotel on March 24.

The English Department gave free tickets for the event to English majors and minors.

English professor and festival panelist C.W. Cannon said the event was well-attended and has been since the merging of Tennessee Williams Festival with Saints and Sinners Festival, contrary to most academic and literary conference panels.

“The Tennessee Williams Festival really is the New Orleans Jazz Fest of literary events,” he said.

Cannon and fellow English professor Christopher Schaberg were panelists in respective literary discussions. Cannon, who writes about social and political landscapes, contributed to a panel centered around cityscapes. Schaberg, who writes about airports and fly-fishing, contributed to a panel inspired by passion projects and writing about what you love.

“The ornate ballrooms of the Monteleone Hotel were lovely spaces for discussions,” Cannon said. “It was also a well-designed panel, with good, focused questions from the moderator.”

Cannon said the content of his contributions were pretty exact to what he teaches in his classes at Loyola, specifically his New Orleans studies classes.

“The panel audience got what my students get every day I teach,” he said.

Author and Loyola alumnus, Emma X Lirette, was another panelist at the festival. Lirette, who is a graduate of the English program, said that the program laid the groundwork for her career.

“There was this community around writing that really set a foundation for my

writing career,” she said.

Along with the Loyola English Department, the Loyola Theatre Arts and Dance Department also played an active role in the festival.

The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company, which has had a professional residency at Loyola since 2019, hosted a production of “Night of the Iguana”, a play written by Tennessee Williams, in the Lower Depths Theater.

Loyola musical theatre students PJ Ruffins and Lauren Van Mullem played the roles of Charlotte Goodall and Keighlieyghe Fahrenkopf, and Loyola alumna Maddie Taliancich served as production manager for the play.

Van Mullem said that Loyola’s partnership with the theatre company was the main draw for her attending Loyola because she saw no other universities offering the opportunity to work with companies with the same production quality.

“It’s a big benefit for Loyola to facilitate this experience,” she said. “And I’m just very thankful I got to be a part of the show.”

Panelists (L-R) AJ Dolman, Wes Jamison, Leone Beasley, and Emma X Lirette engage with moderator Delaney McLemore at the literary festival on March 26, 2023. Lirette is Loyola alumna. Maleigh Crespo/The Maroon

March 31, 2023

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March 31, 2023

COLE: Meet Loyola's 18 president th

Continued from page 1 “I do see the world a little bit differently as a Black man, but I also understand my privilege as a man. You’re still talking to a Black man and not a Black woman,” he said.

Cole said he sees how important it is to identify where we have and don’t have privileges. When you have awareness of it, then you don’t let that privilege hurt people, and you make sure it can only help people, he said.

“I will use the privilege of a man, and the awareness of a Black man, to open up new doors for everyone,” he said.

Cole also makes history as Loyola’s second layperson to serve as president.

As the number of Jesuits declines, Cole said we must prepare lay people, like himself, to understand and carry on this 50-year-old charism so it can live on.

And Cole said he believes the Jesuit tradition is something we definitely need to protect.

“The fact that it has survived for 500 years tells you that it’s effective and it’s important. If it wasn’t, it would have gone away, but it persists and it grows,” he said.

Enrollment challenges And as the number of Jesuits decreases, so has enrollment in universities across the country. Cole said this is one

President-elect speaks to community for first time in Peace Quad

By Cristo Dulom cdsulom@my.loyno.edu @CristoDulom

Loyola’s president-elect, Xavier Cole, addressed the Loyola community for the first time in the Peace Quad this past Friday, March 24.

Cole, the first Black president and second layperson to lead the university, spoke about some of his plans for the next few years as university president.

“Loyola, you have my commitment to work tirelessly to advance this university’s mission to prepare our students to lead meaningful lives with and for others, to pursue truth, wisdom, and virtue, and to work for a more just world,” Cole said.

Cole said one of his key goals is to direct the university’s programs to meet the needs of the Loyola community.

“We want to continue building excellent academic programs,” Cole said. “We want to create opportunities to prepare leaders academically and spiritually.”

Student Government Association President, Stephanie Oblena, who sat on the Presidential Selection Committee, said that she was very pleased with the results of the selection of Cole as the university’s next president.

“To be represented well by a president means everything,” Oblena said. “I’m so happy that he’s here in this position.”

Miguel Hernandez, a business sophomore, said he enjoyed the celebrations and hopes for similar events to take place with the president in the future.

“More community kind of stuff, more engagement,” Hernandez said. “That’s something I’d like to see going forward.”

Cole will officially begin his tenure as university president on June 1.

of the most pressing issues in higher education because people are questioning whether the cost of higher education is worth it.

Cole said what we need to tell people who question the value of a liberal arts education is that it gives them the ability to adapt and shift with the times across multiple industries. When industries shift and change, as they inevitably do, what you learn at universities like Loyola will prepare you to handle this.

“I am a double history major. Any parent worth their salt will ask, ‘why are you majoring in history, and what are you going to do with that?’ You can tell them, ‘be president of Loyola University of New Orleans.’”

Faculty and staff salaries Another issue that has been discussed at length at Loyola is the salary of staff and faculty, which as of the past few years, had been falling behind other universities. The Maroon reported in September of last year that Loyola faculty wages were 25% lower than the national average.

Loyola issued $1.4 million in onetime payments to 212 employees identified as receiving compensation below the target range for their position to rectify the issue of low wages last year. Cole said he will further this effort to offer more competitive wages at the university, as this is not only a justice issue, but a standard of living issue.

“We need to be able to afford a good standard of living for our employees,” he said.

This is something the university has said they aim to do, as mentioned by Interim University President, Rev. Justin Daffron, S.J. during a town hall to the university last fall, but have not yet put into a permanent plan of action.

Cole said that not only will better wages benefit current staff and faculty, but they also will help to attract better faculty and staff for students in the future.

In touch with the community Cole said he plans to prioritize staying in touch with the whole Loyola community.

He said his first step will be to begin weekly or monthly emails from the president’s office discussing his vision and direction, what’s happening on campus, and where we need help. But in-person communication is also vital, Cole said.

While at Marquette, Cole would regularly get together over a meal with his departments to build community and discuss vision and strategy. Beyond group gatherings, he also likes to get personal with his university community.

At Marquette, Cole would have a regular sign-up to take somebody from his division on a Cops run, a local hamburger and shake joint. Cole would drive, and his pal for the day would pick the music until they arrived to share a meal togeth-

er.

“All that time we’re talking. I’m getting to know that person on a personal level.

Hopes and dreams but also their family, what they care about,” he said.

That is a tradition Cole said he wants to build upon at Loyola.

“You’re gonna see that. You're gonna see coffee with Dr. Cole - President Cole, I haven’t said that yet - coffee and donuts with President Cole, walks around Audubon park with President Cole because these poboys are gonna catch up on me,” he said.

Cole said more intimate meetings like that help get people comfortable and allows them to give genuine feedback. It’s also a way that Cole said he could prove he cares.

“You are the most important thing: my people, these people here, this university, are the most important thing to me,” he said.

Cole said another important part of communication is staying in touch with the school’s alumni and supporters.

Cole recalled an instance when he was handed a new copy of a Loyola magazine with former president Tania Tetlow on the cover at his dentist’s office run by Loyola alumni.

“They were very excited about this. If we haven’t reached out to that person to let them know that we see them, that we wanna invite them back and understand how they can be helpful to their alma mater, then we’ve made a misstep,” Cole said.

Expanding on the uniqueness of Loyola One of Cole’s early priorities is to more effectively communicate Loyola’s achievements, and what makes the university special. He said part of Loyola’s uniqueness is its connection to other Jesuit schools across the country, which hosts a large support network.

During his tenure at Loyola University in Maryland, 35 Loyola University New Orleans students transferred there following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In that environment, Cole said he also saw what made Loyola University New Orleans students special.

“They were a force of nature. They were different. Their approach was different. Their authenticity, and not that the others weren’t, but they were so open. They were adventurous. Many students were musicians, and they infused our music program like nothing you’ve ever seen before. That was a fun semester playing jazz. They brought a different ethos that was definitely of New Orleans, and definitely of Louisiana, and definitely of the South,” he said. “Why come to us? Because you can’t get this experience anywhere else.”

Macie Batson contributed to this story.

CLASSROOMS: Loyola classrooms lack accessibility Continued from page 3 This results in a daily struggle for not only students like DiMarco, who use mobility equipment to get around campus, but also for plus-sized students, such as Loyola senior Madi Bowen.

“It is embarrassing to have to suck in my stomach as much as I can to be able to squeeze behind or between students who are already sitting down,” Bowen said. “Oftentimes, I bump into them with my body or I have to walk sideways because I don't fit walking straight. Then I sometimes hit them with my backpack without knowing.”

Once she has made it to her seat, Bowen said she has to deal with sitting in these claustrophobic chairs for her 50-70 minute classes. She added that she has to squeeze her body into the chair, and her stomach is always touching the desk. Because of this, she said she is losing desk space on the already small desks.

“I have to sit with perfect posture, or else it cuts into me more. I can't lean on the desk to write at all, so that causes hand and neck pain instead of the pain from pressing my stomach into it,” Bowen said. “The chair itself is too small for my bottom, which means I hang off the sides and am not supported.”

While Loyola has the Office of Accessible Education to accommodate students with disabilities, DiMarco said he feels the university has not done enough to accommodate students with physical disabilities.

“I want Loyola to address these issues and at least attempt to make a change, or maybe even pretend to care,” DiMarco said. “Instead of building a new building, maybe make the classrooms and common areas more accessible.”

However, Director of Loyola’s Office of Accessible Education Andrea Rodriguez explained that in regard to the or-

A ruler demonstrates the amount of room that is between the back of the chair and the inside of the desk in a Loyola classroom.

Students want Loyola to have more accessible classroom seating. Jonathan Whitehead/The Maroon

ange desk chairs, this issue has, in fact, been brought to their attention by a faculty member, but the office needs to hear from a student, so that they can register them in their system and provide the accommodations that the individual needs.

“Physical classroom accommoda-

tions normally do not take long to provide if we have contact with the student.

It seems in this instance there may be a disconnect between what is needed and what we request students to complete so we can provide the accommodation,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez added that if a student

does not have documentation of a diagnosis, the office will rely on self-reports for classroom accommodations.

“If the student is not registered with us, we would just need to talk with them to see how we can help,” she said.

SPORTS

March 31, 2023 THE MAROON

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Women's tennis hits highest ranking in program history

By Alexandra Akes avakes@my.loyno.edu @AkesAlexandra

The Wolf Pack women’s tennis team has achieved its highest ranking in the program's history in the recently released third Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 poll for 2023.

Loyola is now placed at the No. 11 spot, which surpassed their previous spot at No. 12. With less than a month of their regular schedule left to play, Loyola’s women’s tennis team hopes to accomplish even more than they already have this season.

Head coach Matthew Llewellyn said that this accomplishment is one of the highlights of the season.

“I know we can be one of the top five teams in the country,” he said. “To do this, we need to own that challenge. Live it. Every single day we need to play with supreme confidence and zero doubt.”

Loyola’s overall record stands at 9-4 now, with recent victories over Millsaps College and Jones College, and a loss against the University of Mobile.

Llewellyn said that one thing the team has begun to overcome this season is mental and physical toughness.

“We worked on embracing not always needing everything to be perfect for us to play winning tennis,” Llewellyn said.

“Life is not perfect. Tennis is a great example of that.”

Senior psychological studies major Fatima Vasquez said that the team's victory against William Carey University was one of her biggest highlights this season so far.

“It was a great time for the team. Everybody did their part to achieve this goal,” she said. “I was happy to be named Southern States Athletic Conference Player of the Week for the second time in my career at Loyola.”

In singles, Vasquez went up against

The women's team takes a group photo after their victory against Jones College on March 23, 2023. The team received their highest ranking ever in the most recent NAIA polls, coming in at No. 11. Gabrielle Korein/The Maroon

Malak Abarkane of William Carey, who was ranked No. 8 in the International Tennis Association singles rankings at the time of the match. Vasquez won the match in four sets, 7-6 (7-3), 0-6, 6-1.

Doubles pair Micaela Ponce and Ariana Salgueiro-Estela also brought in points for The Wolf Pack after winning 6-3 in the same match.

Vasquez competed and won in dou-

bles 6-0 against William Carey alongside junior Lucy Carpenter, who was named SSAC player of the week at the end of February for the third time in her career.

Carpenter, a junior advertising major, said that the team has more to prove in the last remaining weeks of the season.

“Something we had to overcome was starting off the season a bit slow,” Carpenter said. “It took some time and

playing some higher level matches to realize the level we had to compete at, so we had to push ourselves a bit more to see the results that we’ve now had at this point.”

The team will play at the Round-Up tournament this weekend in Mobile, Alabama. They will face Blue Mountain College, Middle Georgia State University, and Florida National University.

Llewellyn said that their goal is to win the SSAC conference tournament in April, go to nationals, and ball out.

“This team is made up of strong, smart, and independent women. I'm super proud of that. I want them to fully embrace who they are as people and what we can become as a team,” Llewellyn said.

Esports hosts 12-hour livestream fundraiser

By Brendan Heffernan bmheffer@my.loyno.edu @heffthereporter

When most groups on campus need cash, they plan a bake sale, a car wash, or set up a secondhand shopping event. The Wolf Pack esports team just did what they already do best.

The team put on a 12-hour marathon gaming live stream from noon to midnight on March 22 as part of the University’s Loyola Loyal Day fundraising drive.

The program, which is finishing up its first year on campus, raised $699 to help purchase updated jerseys and new equipment for the program’s facility located on the ground floor of the Danna Center, according to head coach Lumen Vera.

The stream appeared on the Loyola Esports Twitch channel, which the team also uses to broadcast its matches. The show featured interviews with esports student-athletes, a raffle, a hot sauce tasting challenge, and hours of gaming as members of the program worked to drum up donations by showing off what makes the organization a unique part of Loyola’s campus.

“This is a place for you to build yourself,” Vera said with a mouth full of ghost pepper hot sauce during the stream’s first hour.

Events like the Loyola Loyal Day stream not only raise the team’s profile, but also gives participating students the chance to build versatile professional skills like digital production, social media marketing, and Information Technology, Vera said.

“For you to run something on Twitch,

it’s not as easy as pressing a button,” Vera said. “It pushes your value when you can show companies that you know how to build a community and build a market.

That opens up opportunities for you.”

Roslyn Chin, the programs’ community manager who Vera credits most with spreading the word about the team on campus, was much more interested in tabletop gaming when she first got involved. Both her interest in PC gaming and her leadership skills have blossomed since she started working with the team.

“I’ve learned a lot about communicating, outreach, being able to set up an event, and being able to manage this amount of craziness,” said Chin, a chemistry senior. “It’s gotten me a lot of handson work experience that I wouldn't have gotten just by working in the chemistry department.”

Loyola’s esports team features 20 student-athletes and fields competitive teams in Overwatch 2 and Super Smash Bros, with plans to compete in several more events next year. Many students are involved with the program in other capacities, and the team’s Discord server currently has 481 members who receive updates about the program.

The esports facility has 20 PC gaming rigs, a few Nintendo switches, and plenty of comfortable seating on-hand for student-athletes and others passing through.

All Loyola students are free to use the facility’s resources on Fridays during the room’s community hours.

While Wolf Pack esports is a varsity athletic program that awards scholarships and competes for championships, Vera said fostering a community that’s

welcoming to all students, regardless of experience, is central to the program’s mission.

“The biggest thing that I really try to push forward with students here is that I don’t care if you don’t know how to play games, just come in,” Vera said. “There’s nothing to be intimidated by.”

Overwatch team captain Zach Sutherland said he’d never even played a video game on a PC before joining the team.

Sutherland has worked hard to get up to speed, and now thrives as a healer in competition.

“The skill ceiling isn’t blocked by your physical body, so as much as you put into it is as much as you can grow,” said Sutherland, a political science senior. “It’s time-consuming, but I’d just be playing video games anyway, so it’s feeding my addiction.”

While the program has room for students who want to compete at the varsity level, the social aspect of the team may be just as valuable. Sara Candia, a public relations senior, the program’s social media coordinator, and the Super Smash Bros team’s manager, said that she’s seen the esports team build a space where students who felt pushed aside on campus now feel like they belong.

“This space is welcoming them and saying ‘you’re not weird, and even if you are, come anyway,’” Candia said.

While the fundraiser met its initial goal, Chin said the school needs to keep investing to grow this vibrant community.

“The school needs to give us more money,” she said. “And maybe another room."

Freshman Kaleb Moore moderates the chat of the esports team's fundraising Twitch stream on March 22, 2023. The team raised $699 in total for team jerseys and new equipment. Brendan Heffernan/The Maroon

EDITORIAL

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March 31, 2023 THE MAROON

HOWLS & GROWLS HOWL to transgender rights GROWL to Florida GOP HOWL to Pedro Pascal GROWL to having kids in this economy HOWL to Destiny's Child GROWL to the way Mark grips food HOWL to President-elect Xavier Cole GROWL to having to wear glasses

EDITORIAL BOARD Macie Batson & Jackie Galli

Editors-in-Chief

Cristo Dulom

Managing Editor for Print

Ava Acharya

Managing Editor

Devin Cruice

News Director

Maleigh Crespo

Design Chief

Gabrielle Korein

Photo Editor

for Digital

Patrick Hamilton

News Editor

Abigail Schmidt

Life & Times Editor

Aron Boehle

Worldview Editor

Matthew Richards Mark Michel

Sports Editor Opinion & Editorial Editor

Kloe Witt

Breaking News Editor

Mia Oliva

Celina Watkins/The Maroon

Respect our time, Loyola The Window is dead.

Those words, undoubtedly, are meaningless to many students on campus.

Equally certain, though, those words just made the blood run cold for student leaders and organizers alike.

For the uninitiated, The Window is the block of time on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. when no classes are scheduled. For some, that may simply be a convenient time for many students to finally figure out the Bird N Brine app, but for generations of student leaders, The Window has been when organizations meet, presentations are made, socials are held, and things get done.

The administration assures us The Window had to die. And for what it’s worth, we have to take them at their

word. They tell us there were no other options to fit in all the classes now that construction on the new residence hall is going to begin, taking all the pool classrooms that are now in Mercy Hall out of circulation.

We are sure they explored every option. Surely this isn’t just the result of lazy teachers insisting on Tuesday-Thursday schedules over Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedules because they can’t be bothered to teach three days a week.

And we are sure that every spare space on campus that could be flexed into classroom space has been explored and so flexed.

OK, perhaps The Window had to die.

But here’s the thing. The Window was more than just a time to stop and eat.

The Window represented the social and

co-curricular lifeblood of Loyola. Taking it away needs to come with more than just a shrug and an assurance that, well, we did our best and that’s just what has to happen.

So, here is what we, the Loyola students need: we need some way to keep that organizational lifeblood flowing. If we can’t meet from 12:30 to 2 like generations of Loyolans before us, we need answers.

Killing the window can’t mean killing Loyola’s soul in the process.

As we enter into a new administration led by the President-elect Xavier Cole, we hope they will make decisions that will take into consideration the effects on students, faculty, and our community as a whole.

Reviews Editor

Victoria Hardy & Melody Newsome

Equity & Inclusion Officers

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Assignment 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.

Please send all submissions — The Maroon, 6363 St. Charles Ave., Box 64, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Email us your letters — letter@ loyno.edu.

Submissions may also be made online at www.loyolamaroon.com.

OPINION

March 31, 2023 THE MAROON

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It's okay to be homesick while abroad JACOB L'HOMMEDIEU Political science junior jllhomme@my.loyno.edu

For many at Loyola, the possibility of traveling abroad and studying in not only a different university but possibly an entirely different continent, is an exciting prospect.

Not only do you get to take different classes than those available at Loyola, but you also get to experience a new culture: be it one of the partner universities in Asia like Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan, going for a summer program in Brazil, or ending up like me and crossing the Atlantic to study at l’Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy.

Being very central in Europe, not only is Milan a good jumping-off point for travel throughout the continent, but it also gives a good snapshot of what life in Europe is like, at least, in the Italian sense.

But between one euro espressos, taking classes, and popping over to visit different cities across the Italian peninsula, I couldn’t help but notice something.

In the back of my mind, something had crept its way into my consciousness, something that will creep into anyone’s mind if they do decide to study abroad at any point, loneliness.

Now, this isn’t the kind of loneliness where you are alone. Nor is it the metaphorical kind where you are surrounded by people, yet it feels like you are all alone. Well, maybe just a little.

No, it’s the kind of loneliness you feel

when you have been separated from what is familiar to you in your everyday life and it is beginning to wear on you.

That’s right, homesickness.

It’s not hard to imagine why I or other people studying abroad would feel that way. We have abandoned what we know in favor of the unknown. The mystery is exhilarating. A new country to explore, new people to meet, and pretty much new everything. Amazing!

But, when that new car smell starts to fade, a realization sets in. In exchange for these temporary wonders, we leave behind friends, family, and everything we have come to love about our city.

Hell, I personally missed out on Mardi Gras, working more on The Maroon, and spending more time with my girlfriend, who I cannot wait to have back in my arms.

The thing is, though, is that it is okay to feel this way. The fact of the matter is that we are all human, and we love having our status quo. But the only way we can really grow is to break that status quo, and studying abroad is a perfect example of that.

So, when you are off on some other continent, and you feel that loneliness slipping its way into your thoughts, don’t try and deny them. Accept them, because there is some truth to them.

Sure, you may only be in that country for a short time in comparison to your entire educational career, but that just means you might as well embrace it. See and learn all you can,

meet and treasure every friendship you make, and enjoy yourself.

At the end of the day, the second heaviest stuff you bring back will be the stuff you bought as a tourist, while the heaviest will be the memories you made along the way. And you’ll want a serious payload to share with the loved ones you’re coming home to.

Jenna DeLucia/ The Maroon

BookTok has shown us our generational anxiety SYDNEY PIGLIA Mass communication freshman sydneypiglia@gmail.com

Photo illustration by Maleigh Crespo

We’re not feeling well at all.

This is what the books we read say about us.

The most popular books among young people are reflected in BookTok, or the book-related side of TikTok. A walk around campus will reveal at least one student reading a BookTok book.

Books like “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” by Otessa Moshfegh, “Bunny”

by Mona Awad and “It Ends With Us”

by Colleen Hoover have become bestsellers in recent years, thanks to the app.

While they stand as a surefire sign of TikTok’s pull in making bestsellers, they also expose a gravitation toward the unusual, disturbing, and dramatic.

It goes like this: a woman is deeply unhappy. She has no friends, except for maybe one she doesn’t really like. She likely doesn’t have a boyfriend, but maybe an ex-lover she still thinks about. The book chronicles her dark descent into madness or perhaps a series of bad decisions. Recent popular romances are marked by unhappiness and trauma (see Colleen Hoover).

Humans gravitate towards media that reflects us and our thought processes. Their massive popularity shows that young people are gravitating toward these types of books because of the way they reflect our own experiences. The

trend toward the disturbing reflects key Other books are pure emotional damaspects of our world. age. “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover Our world has become less and less chronicles an abusive relationship in straight and narrow. We are bombarded vicious detail, while another one of her by choices, expectations, and decisions. books, “Verity”, is a twisted love story that The worst is, we don’t know the outcome. follows a down-on-her-luck young womThe more uncertainty we face, the more an as she takes on a job that irrevocably driftless our books become. The maca- changes her. While they have somewhat bre and bizarre mirrors the world we live happy endings, they still capture an imin. In some ways, popular reads embrace mense melancholy and raw experience. the fear and doubt prevalent in young The pull of these books is the journey people, especially college students. they put you on, the wrecking sadness, The unhappiness of a character like and the come-through. Catharsis comes that of the one in “My Year of Rest and in the form of a haphazard happy endRelaxation” by Otessa Moshfegh reflects ing, and the hope that everything for us, our own. The novtoo, will turn out all el follows a young right. woman on her quest “It seems that like While most popto sleep for a year, ular BookTok novels something I think our favorite books, are not authored by we all have consid- we, too, are becoming young people, some, ered. “Bunny” by like “The Secret HisMona Awad follows increasingly bound to tory” by Donna Tartt a woman in an elustill hold essential the void.” sive Masters of Fine young-person expeArt program as she riences. The uncerjoins a strange cult-like group. Both tainty, the chaos, the nights spent crying novels follow characters down a path of in your dorm or the library. While some madness, where they both grapple with prefer to read for escapism, the recent an inner emptiness or void. Both have popularity of unsettling novels shows a also become representatives of different trend toward embracing chaos, skeptiaspects of the female experience. But cism, and discomfort. These trends are their reach is further than just females. also reflected in our government, world The madness is relatable to many young events, news, and very lives. Embracing people who feel their own form of mad- these themes is our only mode of survivness. The frustration and stress due to in- al. It seems that, like our favorite books, flation, climate change, adulthood, men- we, too, are becoming increasingly tal health struggles, grades, politics, and bound to the void. more are formative to our own madness and our inner emptiness. Our books become our reflections, warped mirror visions of ourselves and our world.

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