Loyola University • New Orleans • Volume 93 • Issue 12 • Nov. 21, 2014
THE MAROON FOR A GREATER LOYOLA
PROPOSAL FOR PROGRESS Loyola’s faculty senate has approved a proposal that could extend equal benefits to homosexual employees
By Colleen Dulle mcdulle@loyno.edu @Colleen_Maroon
The faculty senate approved a proposal encouraging the university to extend the same employee benefits to same-sex couples as heterosexual couples. On Nov. 13, The Fringe Benefit Committee, which gives feedback on the university’s employee benefit policies, proposed that the faculty express their support for a policy change. Chuck Nichols, Fringe Benefit Committee and faculty senate member, said that after some “vigorous discussion,” the Senate passed the motion with overwhelming support. “It was very encouraging to see the level of support for a policy of equality,” Nichols said. The university administration can choose whether or not it will put the proposal into action. Nichols said he is hopeful that the administration will see the benefits of changing Loyola’s policy. “It will make our university stronger, and most importantly, it is the right thing to do,” Nichols said. Due to the university’s Catholic identity, there was some debate about whether giving same-sex couples these benefits was the right thing to do. The Catholic Church does not recognize same-sex marriages as legitimate. The Rev. Ed Vacek, S.J. and Stephen J. Duffy, department chair in Catholic Studies and a longtime sexual ethics professor, presented a nine-page note to the faculty senate opposing the original proposal and presenting a different one. Vacek’s proposal suggested that
Loyola follow the example of Georgetown University, another Jesuit school. Georgetown, his proposal said, provides health benefits for any adult of the employee’s choosing and who is also in that employee’s household. Members of the faculty senate deemed this proposal too costly, opting instead to approve benefits for “all spouses and domestic partners of benefit-eligible Loyola University employees,” the proposal said. Ultimately, Vacek did not approve of the motion that passed, because it supported domestic partnerships in addition to legally-married couples. Vacek said that Loyola should remain neutral on same-sex marriages and domestic partnerships. “The present Senate proposal, however, seems proactively to foster such relationships,” Vacek said. Naomi Yavneh Klos, director of the University Honors Program, said that the final proposal fit the social justice component of Loyola’s Jesuit mission. “Our Ignatian values teach us that it is our obligation to stand in solidarity with the marginalized and oppressed,” Yavneh said. Yavneh said that because the university supports legally-married spouses who have been divorced and remarried, which the Catholic Church does not recognize as legitimate marriage, the school should also support same-sex couples. “When Jesus changes the water into wine at the wedding feast, I don’t see him doing a background check on the bride and groom,” Yavneh said.
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Over 1,000 sex crimes remain uninvestigated By Alex Kennon agkennon@loyno.edu @agkennon
New Orleans Police Department is under fire after a report by the city’s inspector general revealed that over 1,000 sex crimes had not been properly investigated. The report focused on five detectives in the special victims unit who failed to adequately investigate and document the majority of sexual assault and child abuse cases they were assigned over the course of a three-year period. The investigation of these officers came as the result of a May 2014 audit performed by the Office of Inspector General’s Audit Division. Howard Shwartz, assistant inspector general for investigations, said he conducted a detailed investigation of the five detectives after reviewing the 90 random rape cases that were pulled for the audit. “I reviewed those 90 completely random rape cases, and in those, I found a number of things that were disturbing, to say the least,” Shwartz said. “We went on and looked at 100 percent of their work because if I found these things in the random selection, what were we going to find if we did a complete review of everything they did?” The answer was an inordinate amount of deficient detective work. According to the report released last Wednesday, NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau identified 1,290 sex crime related calls that were assigned to the five detectives over the course of a three-year period. Of those cases only 179, or 14 percent, contained any supplemental reports documenting investigative efforts beyond the brief initial report. No reports at all were written in 840 of the cases, which detectives simply classified as miscellaneous. In 271 cases that were designated as potential sex crimes, the five detectives either failed to provide documentation of investigative efforts or provided questionable documentation. NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison has designated Commander Paul Noel to head a task force to review these 271 mishandled cases. Schwartz said that NOPD has asked him to do a follow up on this work to ensure the public that an independent investigator finds it satisfactory. “It’s kind of unusual, but by asking me to do that, it says to me that they really are going to do it right,” Schwartz said. “Because I’m going to do the same thing I did, and if the work’s not there, I’ll do the same report and we’ll be in the same spot.” The Inspector General Report did not identify the detectives by name, referring to them only as Detectives A, B, C, D and E. NOPD later identified them as Akron Davis, Merrell Merricks, Derrick Williams, Damita Williams and Vernon Haynes. All of the accused detectives remain on the force, though according to NOPD, all five have been placed on desk duty.
See SEX CRIMES, page 4
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November 21, 2014
THE MAROON
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Assistant Editors: Mary Colleen Dulle, Gabriel Garza, Mary Graci, Whitney Woods Staff Writers: Zayn Ali Abidin, Emily Alleman, Raquel Derganz Baker, Emily Branan, Faelynn Carroll, Laura Cordell, Trent Dardar, Nick Ducote, Marley Duet, Lester Duhe, Austin Erwin, Rachael Espaillat, Rachael Falls, Kevin Fox, Marc Goudeau, Erin Hidlebrand, Liz Johnston, Cayla Kelton, Victoria Nachman, Anthony Olanji, Francisco Pazo, Lauren Saizan, Kerritt Saintal, Mary Staes, Rebecca Trejo, Skyllarr Trusty, Jack
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Motor Vehicle Theft Soniat Street, 2400 block
Nov. 14
6:23 a.m.
Theft/Larceny St. Charles Avenue, 6800 block
Nov. 14
4:45 p.m.
Vehicle Break-In/Theft Birch Street, 7300 block
Nov. 14
6:22 p.m.
Assault Valmont Street, 2400 block
Nov. 14
7:31 p.m.
Burglary Eleonore Street, 1100 block
Nov. 16
12:24 p.m.
Vehicle Break-In/Theft S. Robertson Street, 5000 block
Nov. 17
12:45 p.m.
Sex Crimes Broadway Street, 800 block
Nov. 17
10:29 p.m.
Theft/Larceny Garfield Street, 5900 block
Nov. 18
12:09 p.m.
Vehicle Break-In/Theft Hampson Street, 7900 block
Nov. 18
3:38 p.m.
Assault S. Claiborne Avenue, 5700 block
Nov. 18
3:56 p.m.
Theft/Larceny Freret Street, 6400 block
Nov. 18
8:37 p.m.
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.
NEWS
November 21, 2014 THE MAROON
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Loyola students weigh campus parking options By Sarah-Anne Smurlick ssmurlic@loyno.edu
Connor Townsend has parked along the streets near campus until earlier this year, when he became fed up with showing up to classes late and receiving $40 parking tickets. The senior psychology major decided to give in and buy a parking permit. “I might as well pay the school and be assured a spot,” Townsend said. As the fall semester comes to an end, exams aren’t the only thing on Loyola students’ minds. Many of them believe that current parking permit fees are too high. Administrators disagree, claiming that these fees are high because the costs of constructing and maintaining parking facilities on an urban, landlocked campus are expensive. Robert Reed, assistant vice president for student affairs, said that user fees are collected to cover certain campus expenses. “Parking fees are collected to pay for ongoing expenses in the both garages and surface lots and some current bond indebtedness required to add two floors to the West Road garage,” Reed said. Jasmine Nikdast, biology junior and commuter student, said students should not have to pay such a high amount for tuition and be subjected to expensive parking on top of that. “The price is ridiculous,” Nikdast said. Rachel Saferstein, mass communication senior, said that commuter students often park in the West Road garage without permits. “They can accumulate a handful of tickets without getting booted, and if they do the result is still cheaper than the pass,” Saferstein said. According to Loyola’s Parking and Traffic Regulations booklet, parking tickets are $20.00 each with a late fee of $10.00 if not paid within 14 days. The booting fee is $75.00 plus payment of all outstanding tickets. Although students say that parking at Loyola is expensive, it is more expensive at Tulane University. Loyola’s rates for a year are $400 for residents and $340 for commuters, while Tulane’s resident fee is $575 and $520 for commuters, according to Deborah Jordan of Tulane’s parking office. That is an average of 48 percent more. Gabrielle Hoyt, junior criminal justice and psychology double major, said that she is aware of the difference in costs because her brother just graduated from Tulane. She said she is happy to be paying the lower fee. Reed, who is also the chairman of the parking committee, said that parking fees have not been raised since approximately 1998. If the fees were adjusted for inflation, parking at Loyola today would be approximately $500 for commuters. If students were required to pay upfront each school day for two semesters, the cost of a year-long parking permit works out to around $2.50 a day, coincidentally the price of a return trip on the St. Charles streetcar or any other RTA route.
EMILY ANDRAS/The Maroon
The greenhouse is located on Monroe Hall’s rooftop and is being utilized by Biology and Environmental Studies professors and students. This photo of the greenhouse was taken with the School of Mass Communication’s drone.
Loyola’s greenhouse officially opens By Colleen Dulle mcdulle@loyno.edu @Colleen_Maroon
Next semester, biology and environmental studies students will be reaching new heights with their research — literally. Thanks to a $250,000 donation from the Azby Fund, a new 3000-square-foot greenhouse facility was built on the roof of Monroe Hall last December. The Azby Fund Greenhouse facility, which includes two glasshouses, a deck and a head house, where students can pot plants and measure the plants’ environment, will be open to all biology and environmental science students and faculty starting next semester. Chemistry senior Anne Barkley has already started doing research on the deck of the facility and in the head house with Paul Barnes, the
John H. Mullahy, S.J. endowed chair in environmental biology. Barkley said that current research in the facility is looking at the effects of ultraviolet solar radiation on plant development. Barkley said she is looking forward to the opportunities that will be available once the greenhouses open. “They are top-of-the-line greenhouses, a must for any science department engaged in any type of research,” Barkley said. “They will provide myriad undergraduate research opportunities from plant physiology to ecology.” The facility includes two 23-by18-foot glass growing rooms, a 500-square-foot research deck, a 900-square-foot storage building and a 650-square-foot head house, according to a university press release. The head house contains two
climate-controlled growth chambers. Barnes, who is one of two professors overseeing the current research, said that the research in the facility will likely expand to examine plant responses to climate change, the genetics of wetland plants, the ecology of native species in Louisiana and productivity in agriculture. Barnes said that classes will also use the facilities for laboratory studies and to grow plants for in-class demonstrations. Like Barkley, he said these facilities are necessary for a complete science curriculum. “There are many aspects of the biology and environment curricula that cannot be studied without adequate facilities to grow and culture plants,” Barkley said. Barnes said that the greenhouse facility will be useful for a wide
range of research, from students studying the fundamentals of biology to faculty doing research in hopes of receiving grants from outside the university. The Azby Fund’s donation was a part of Loyola’s $100 million Faith in the Future campaign. The fund, which is dedicated to supporting community projects in New Orleans, has donated to Loyola in the past, according to a university announcement. The fund’s $250,000 gift went toward the improvement of Monroe Hall, with the greenhouse facility adding 114,000 square feet to the building. Barnes said that anyone outside of the biology and environmental studies department wishing to use the greenhouse will need approval from the Biology Greenhouse Committee.
SGA makes changes to constitution By Lester Duhe laduhe@loyno.edu @LDuhe_Maroon
The Student Government Association is implementing some new policies and changes to the constitution they’ve drafted this semester. At a National Jesuit Student Leadership conference at Boston College, the executive staff of SGA talked to other Jesuit colleges about how their bylaws and constitutions are structured. After the conference, they discussed how to implement these ideas into a constitution for Loyola. Nate Ryther, SGA’s executive vice president, said that they wanted to make sure the constitution was the best it could be. “We wanted to check to see how everybody did it so we could do it the best ourselves,” Ryther said.
Ryther said that one of the most important additions to the new constitution is the table of contents. “It might seem like a small part, but it is actually very important so students can navigate through the constitution easily,” Ryther said. The new Constitution has 10 articles located in the Table of Contents that range from what SGA stands for as an organization to their ratification process. Allison Rogers, SGA’s communication director, said their goal was to make the constitution easier to read. Chief Justice Maya White confirmed that the new constitution is more organized and concise. “There should be no confusion about what each branch does, or standing committee does, plain and simple. It’s organized,” White said. Ryther said that they’ve made
bylaws for each branch and committee, located on OrgSync, which showcase the day-to-day procedures of how things work in SGA. These bylaws also include an impeachment process, which Ryther said is based off of the research they’ve done on other schools’ policies. Former Senator at Large, Allison Cormier, said she is skeptical about the new document. “I think the new constitution, although well intentioned, lacks substance,” Cormier said. Cormier said she does not believe that the bylaws should be separated from the constitution at all, because they do not include a student vote. She believes that if the new constitution is ever subjected to future referendums, it will be “meaningless and insubstantial.”
“Unless the branches are going to constantly change their basic goals, purposes and enumerated tasks, then these bylaws need to remain within the constitution and thus, the purview of the students,” Cormier said. Bylaws are voted on internally, which means that they are not subject to a vote by the student body. So when the student body votes to approve the constitution they are also voting to approve the bylaws located online. Rogers said she is excited to finally have a constitution that they can trust. “This document is not just going to last us through this year, it’s going to last us for years to come,” Rogers said.
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WORLDVIEW
November 21, 2014 THE MAROON
St. Louis students and administrators come to agreement By Etefia Umana etefia60994@gmail.com @emumana_maroon
With tensions high in the St. Louis area over the pending grand jury decision for indicting Darren Wilson, a series of weeklong demonstrations and protests at St. Louis University aimed to restore some peace to the community. Held from Oct. 13 to Oct. 18, the protests were spurred by the death of Michael Brown and the subsequent death of Vonderrit Myers, who was also fatally shot by an unnamed officer during an armed altercation. Students at the university were greeted with rallies and tents as groups gathered near the school’s clock tower. The movement came to be known as OccupySLU. Jonathan Pulphus, African-American studies sophomore at SLU, said the demonstrations had a strong presence on campus. “For a casual observer, you no longer became casual. No matter what was on your mind when you woke up that morning or what was due that day, or what your responsibilities as a student, as a community member or whatever, seeing this in the middle of campus made you curious,” Pulphus said. There were three organizations that spearheaded the protests: the Black Student Alliance, the Metropolitan St. Louis Coalition for Inclusion and Equality, also known as M-SLICE, and Tribe X. Tribe X came into existence during the demonstrations, involving some members from M-SLICE, but its mission focuses more on and involves more of the college population in the St. Louis area. Alisha Sonnier, vice president of Tribe X and SLU biological engineering freshman, said the organization started as a collaborative effort between students and other community members. “Then they finally said ‘Let’s form an organization where we can actually do the change and challenge
this on a more public, organized and structured platform,” Sonnier said about community members. Throughout the protests, Pulphus and Sonnier also interacted with administrators at the school whom they said they had mostly positive interactions with. Pulphus said that Tribe X members were invited to speak to various classes at the university. “Real recognize real, they saw what we were doing and knew the potential backlash,”Pulphus said. The three groups decided to gather protesters on the campus, which is less than two miles away from the neighborhood where Myers’ death occurred on Oct. 8. “I thought why not St. Louis University,” Sonnier said. “I’m a student at this institution that’s based in St. Louis City. I’m a student at an institution where an incident happened maybe ten blocks away.” One week after the OccupySLU movement began, Tribe X, BSA and M-SLICE were able to gain some concessions from the administration at SLU. Assistant Vice President of Communication for SLU Clayton Berry said that negotiations “were both candid and collegial.” “We would take exception with the term ‘concessions,’ however,” Berry said. “We believe we reached an accord that is consistent with and will help further our Jesuit mission.” Pulphus said that the school originally provided “one to two” of the concessions provided in the final letter and that the trifecta of organizations leading the protests had to negotiate with the school for much of what was in the letter. “All of that came about because there were things that the university had already been told to do for years and decades that it needed to happen,” Pulphus said. Berry said that some of the items in the agreement were suggested by University President Fred Pestello. Many of the concessions were
SEX CRIMES, continued from page 1
CHARLIE RIEDEL / Associated Press
A memorial for Michael Brown stands in Ferguson, Mo. Students at St. Louis University demanded that university administrators take action to benefit the community.
aimed at improving the African-American community in the St. Louis area and for African-American students currently attending SLU. The concessions were delivered in letter form with a signature from Pestello. In a letter addressing SLU on Oct. 22, Pestello said he felt the protests were a positive event for the school, “moving our campus forward to address some of the keys social issues brought forward last week.” Moving forward, Sonnier said she does not believe that the grand jury
decision will end the activism. “Regardless of whether or not an indictment is released, Tribe X is going to continue to take a stance on issues and take a stand on things that allow a Mike Brown case to happen. Period,” Sonnier said. Berry said that even though there is no indication that any unrest will occur on the campus, the university has taken steps to prepare “because we believe we have a responsibility to be prepared for any situation.”
Ed Quatrevaux, New Orleans inspector general, said that NOPD needs to take the necessary steps to remedy these problems in the future. “They need to establish management review processes and controls that will ensure detectives’ work is performed and performed correctly,” Quatrevaux said. Ronal Serpas, who was the NOPD Superintendent during the three years that were investigated and recently hired to teach Criminal Justice at Loyola, said he directed the department to work closely with the Office of Inspector General following the incriminating May audit. “If proven true, these five detectives and their supervisors have no place in the department,” Serpas said. Current NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison said the internal investigation into these detectives’ work will be thorough and transparent, and that depending on the results, they may face criminal charges. “The fact that we have a sworn duty to provide a police service to citizens that we knowingly and willingly failed to do could be a criminal violation as well,” Harrison said in a press conference. According to WWL, the District Attorney’s office intends to look into the matter. Schwartz said this could be problematic because the DA’s Chief Investigator Kirk Bouyelas was the NOPD deputy chief in charge of sex crimes during the three years investigated by the Inspector General. “I think it’s a legitimate concern that the same guy in the position as deputy chief over this for years and not recognizing it is now at the DA’s office,” Schwartz said. “If he needs to rescue himself from that, or separate himself from these investigations, I’m sure they’ll handle that properly.” Whether or not criminal charges are pursued, the Inspector General notes that more affective leadership is necessary to break a cycle of negligence and corruption. “It is a matter of culture. Leadership is needed to change a culture where not doing your job is acceptable,” Quatrevaux said.
City creates ‘blueprint’ to handle domestic violence By Lauren Saizan lesaizan@loyno.edu @Lauren_Maroon
Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced a new initiative meant to improve the city’s response to domestic violence cases in order to help victims receive adequate help. This new initiative, the Blueprint for Safety, was created in hopes of furthering collaboration between various organizations within the city’s criminal justice system to ensure that victims obtain proper assistance. Associate Professor of Sociology Marcus Kondkar said the proposal aims to connect the justice system in a new way to ensure the success of the initiative. “The proposal is to hook up the
New Orleans parish district attorney with the Orleans parish sheriff office with the NOPD with municipal court, and that’s never been done before,” Kondkar said. Rae Taylor, assistant professor of criminal justice, said the initiative is important because it includes a comprehensive plan to correct the traditionally ineffective response to domestic violence crimes. “Historically the criminal justice system has not responded effectively to domestic violence,” Taylor said. “So, the importance of a program like this is to have a strategy in effective response to domestic violence that involves collaboration across agencies, meaning the criminal justice system, social services, and so on.” Kondkar said he believes that this
initiative is a step in the right direction toward better communication between various organizations. “Things were so poorly coordinated that victims were just not getting the services they need. The information just was not getting passed around,” Kondkar said. According to a foreword from the mayor’s office, the plan will pay particular attention to the individuals affected by domestic violence incidents. “With a keen focus on identifying victims who are in danger, the Blueprint is designed to prevent victims of domestic violence from falling through the cracks. Our mission is clear: respond more quickly and ably to domestic violence, so that we can stop the violence and save lives,” Landrieu said in the foreword.
Taylor said she thinks that this plan will be effective if implemented properly. “The Blueprint plan calls for strategic responses and collaborative responses beginning with the 911 call through the criminal case if there is one and into the social services networks,” Taylor said. New Orleans joins other parts of the country that currently have similar plans like Blueprint for Safety already in place. “It has been proven to work rather well in other places where it’s been used,” Kondkar said. “This first came up in Minnesota, and it’s been quite successful there.” Taylor said that the most important part of this initiative is to protect domestic violence victims, whether they have been suffering from it re-
peatedly or not. “Usually domestic violence goes on for quite a while before police are called and the criminal justice system ever gets involved, and most of the time they never do,” Taylor said. “This kind of initiative takes into account the context of a domestic violence issue apart from just whatever cases have been reported to police.” Taylor said that she has high hopes that this initiative can spark a much-needed conversation about the widespread impact of domestic violence. “Domestic violence has existed as long as human history has been recorded but it is such an enduring social problem of epidemic proportions,” Taylor said. “This is a problem that affects every person in society.”
SUDOKU
ACROSS
1. Japanese yes 4. “Get lost, kitty!” 8. “The Taking of __ 1 2 3” 14. Suffix with heir 15. Word after “take it” or before “does it” 16. Bring into being 17. Org. with Red Wings and Blue Jackets 18. 1967 song that asks, “Where have you gone, 60-Across?” 20. Some HDTVs 22. When repeated, belittle 23. Dutch cheeses 24. Nickname for 60-Across, with “The” 27. Obliged to pay 28. Industry leaders 31. Egg-hiding times 35. Heavy Brit. reference set 36. With 39- and 40-Across, length of 60-Across’ record hitting streak 39. See 36-Across 40. See 36-Across 42. Man-mouse connector 43. Solar phenomenon 45. Ice cream seller 48. Freeway no-nos 52. 60-Across eloped with her in 1954 56. Rep. and Dem., e.g. 58. Sticky substance 59. Whence an icicle may hang 60. Sports great born 11/25/1914 63. Pro __: for now 64. Actress Dahl 65. New Rochelle college 66. Dir. from Fort Worth, Tex. to Fort Lee, N.J. 67. Undergrounds 68. NCO rank 69. Allowance dispenser, often
DOWN
1. 12th-century English king 2. Rubbish barrel
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THE MAROON
November 21, 2014
3. Cuba, for one 4. Sch. term 5. Completely covers 6. Part of NCAA: Abbr. 7. Innsbruck’s state 8. Banned chem. contaminant 9. Port SW of Buffalo, N.Y. 10. Mortgage provider 11. Is staying overnight (at) 12. Bit of matter 13. Clothing department 19. “__ wouldn’t say that!” 21. Sport invented by hunters 25. Site for cyberbidders 26. “Downton Abbey” airer 29. Originally named 30. Radical ‘60s gp. 32. Volunteer State sch. 33. “Ich bin __ Berliner”: JFK 34. MD’s orders
36. Dandy 37. 401(k) kin, briefly 38. Agricultural region 40. Attend 41. Carry __: sing on key 43. Hindu honorific 44. Action at a well 46. Refrigerator predecessor 47. “Twelfth Night” duke 49. Not for kids, filmwise 50. Nine-day prayer ritual 51. Appeared to be 53. NYC airport 54. Bear and Berra 55. Scrapped missions 56. In __: stuck 57. Tiresome sort 61. Month, in Madrid 62. __ bran
Puzzle answers for November 14, 2014
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Life &Times
November 21, 2014 THE MAROON
Film • Arts • Food • Music • Leisure • Nightlife
LIFE AND TIMES BRIEFS Oak Street serves up Po-Boy Festival Po-boys, a staple New Orleans food, is coming to Oak Street. The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival will be held Sunday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free and live music will be played throughout the day. Over 30 restaurant vendors will be present to hand out samples of their best po-boys, as well food trucks and native Oak Street vendors.
Loyola Ballet dances onto the stage this Friday ZACH BRIEN / Photo Editor
The Big Excuse is one of the bands playing at FAM Fest on Dec 5. The Big Excuse is made up of Nate Ward on trumpet, Evan Murphy on saxaphone, Max Smilen on guitar, Alexander Szotak on bass and Black Letters from Sexual Thunder on keyboard. The Festival is being thrown entirely by a team of Loyola students and Joy Theater interns.
Students throw festival at historic Joy Theater By Melanie Potter mppotter@loyno.edu @iamMelPotter
Film, art and music come together in perfect harmony with the first ever NOLA Film, Arts and Music Fest. Conceived, developed, and organized entirely by a team of Loyola students and Joy Theater interns, FAM Fest is a multi-media experience featuring short films and music video screenings, live music and visual art. The event incorporates not only New Orleans artists, but also Loyola talent. Loyola artists are showcased in all aspects of this event, right down to the promotional art made by music industry studies senior, James Van Camp.
The intern team is made up of Alexus Fisher, music industry studies junior, and Jonathan Bilich, Dominic Rivera and Louis Monroe, music industry studies seniors. The internship program, co-sponsored by the Joy Theater and Loyola, gives students hands-on experience in venue management and event production. “The whole point of FAM Fest is to celebrate artists from every corner of the NOLA art community. By coming, you’re not only supporting this community, but becoming a part of it,” Monroe said. For Fisher, who has been in charge of marketing for the event, it’s all about supporting your peers and creative community in New Orleans. “It’s created by students, and a lot
of students are involved. By going, you’re supporting the efforts of your fellow students. It’s also a great way to engage yourself in the young, creative scene in New Orleans,” Fisher said. Dominic Rivera, music industry studies senior, is one of the four students interning for The Joy Theater this semester. “It is going to be an amazing show with a lot of familiar faces and top-notch art of all forms. It’s an opportunity to get into one of New Orleans’ premier venues for cheaper than usual, while still supporting local art,” Rivera said. “In all, it’s a celebration of the arts and culture that breathe life into our city and beyond.” The night will start with the art. When doors open at 8 p.m., there
will be a live art market, graffiti artists, painters and sculptors displaying and selling their art as well as doing demonstrations. Business management senior, Malcolm Reed will be doing a live art show. Next, there will be a screening of two short films, made by locals, Eric Williamson and Jason Vowell; as well as music videos by Loyola band, Stoop Kids. Last but not least, bring in the music. Loyola bands The Big Excuse and Yugen kick off the music, followed by headliner and “Louisiana’s premier intergalactic space jazz band,” Captain Green. After the music, the visual artists will have the floor once again. FAM Fest will be held at the Joy Theater on Friday, Dec. 5, starting at 8 p.m.
“It’s a celebration of the arts and culture that breathe life into our city and beyond.” Dominic Rivera, music industry studies senior
Friends become family during holiday season By Davis Walden jdwalden@loyno.edu @Jdaviswal
While most will be traveling home to break bread with family, some Loyola students are saving money and time by feasting with friends. This will be Madi Fox’s first time away from home for Thanksgiving. Like many other students, the international business sophomore will be staying on campus during the break. “I’d much rather not spend the 400 dollars for a flight there and back,” Fox said about a flight back home to California. For the same reasons, Nicole Wilkinson, political science freshman, will be staying over Thanksgiving break as well. It will be Wilkinson’s first Thanksgiving away from her home in Nicaragua. “The fare is too expensive,” Wilkinson said, “and I don’t have a car, so I’d have to rely on someone to drop me off and pick me up from the airport.” However, transportation costs ar-
en’t stopping Fox or Wilkinson from celebrating Thanksgiving in their own ways. “The plans are still a bit iffy,” Fox said, “but the main idea is to have a family dinner type thing with all my friends that are staying.” Fox plans to make spiced peaches, ham and a dessert. “This is something my roommate and I have been talking about,” Wilkinson said. “So I’m sure we’ll invite more people when we have a concrete plan.” Residential Life has events planned for the students staying at Loyola during Thanksgiving Break, such as Black Friday Shopping, a football tournament, board games, movie marathons and a Thanksgiving meal in the Orleans Room. Res Life will also be partaking in a community service project on Saturday, Nov. 29; the project is to be announced. The Biever Hall community director, Brandon Williams will be spending his first Thanksgiving at Loyola as well. “I’m really looking forward to the service project, as well as thanksgiv-
On Friday, Nov. 21 from 8-10 p.m., the Theatre Arts and Dance Department will present The Loyola Ballet’s Fall Concert. The Ballet, directed by Laura Zambrano, will dance to a mix of classical, character and contemporary works. The ballet recital will be held in Roussel Performance Hall, located on the second floor of the Communications and Music Complex.
Fancy hat parade marches down St. Charles Avenue The Fifth Annual St. Catherine’s Day Hat Parade will be held this Sunday, Nov. 23 on St. Charles and Pleasant St. The parade is a recreation of St. Catherine’s Feast Day in Paris, where unwed women, seamstresses and milliners walk the streets wearing elegant, bizarre or silly hats. This event is free to the public and the parade is a little under a mile that turns on Washington, Prytania, and Louisiana – then returns back to St. Charles. Lineup is at 10 a.m.
Chocolate and Cheese Tasting, Oh My! On Dec. 17, St. James Cheese Company is throwing their end of the year Chocolate, Champagne, and Cheese tasting. Along with St. James’ holiday cheese selection, local chocolatier Cheryl Scripter of Bittersweet Confections will make and provide handmade chocolates, and the champagne will be selected by Beth Reinhardt of Republic National Distribution. Space is limited, and fills up quickly. The event begins at 7 p.m. at St. James Cheese Company, 5004 Prytania St. Tickets are $50.
Fringe in the city
ZACH BRIEN / Photo Editor
Students break bread with friends this Thanksgiving, forging strong communal bonds and saving money, by savoring dorm life.
ing dinner with students,” Williams said. At the Orleans Room, there will be turkey, yams, green beans, stuffing, gravy, pumpkin and apple pie, and bread pudding, according to Williams. “My family is getting together out of state and I can’t afford to meet them, so obviously the next best
thing is getting friends together for drinks, good food, and appreciation of Native American cultures. As far as food goes, I’m a purist. Some sort of fabulously roasted fowl with lots of sides. Simple and lovely. Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday, it combines a sense of togetherness with cultural awareness.”
The seventh New Orleans Fringe Festival has hit the city. Starting this past Wednesday, Nov. 19, and running until Nov. 23, this art festival is held in over 30 venues across the city. The venues will host a multitude of shows, including dance, comedy, and poetry, to name a few. All shows run an hour or less. A $3 Fringe button is necessary for shows, and individual show tickets are $8 after that. A six-show pass runs $40 and an all access pass is $99. Also, on Nov. 22, the New Orleans Fringe Procession of the Personal Saints will take place. The free event is a walking procession through the Bywater, where participants dress or represent saints or their own “saints,” whomever they may be.
November 21, 2014 THE MAROON
FICTION
THE W RKS The Maroon's section of student art. Contribute at letter@loyno.edu
Sam travels further down his own psyche
PART TWELVE By Adam Albaari akalbaar@loyno.edu
“You have to face your fears, Sam,” Dr. Wright said. I walked toward the bridge almost involuntarily. At a half-step away, I could see the splinters in the wood and the fraying braids on the rope that held it together. I stood there for one last moment of uncertainty, and then took my first step. As my foot lowered, the first board straightened up, as if the wind had stopped affecting it. Then I understood: I had to act purely on faith. The world around me changed slightly. I could feel the storm above me respond to my sudden realization. The wind began to blow less violently, and the darkening clouds retreated so that I could see where
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the other end of the bridge led: through the open window of a dark, looming building. I began walking forward along the bridge that continued to mend itself with my every step. When I got to the other end, I turned to Dr. Wright. She smiled and waved. She tried to yell something, but the wind was too loud for me to understand her. I turned around and walked into the building. Instantly, I recognized the layout. Everything was dark and all of the computers and monitors were switched off, but I could tell exactly where I was. It was my old job. There was the familiar sound of a company phone ringing. I slowly walked over and picked it up. “Sam?” Dr. Wrights voice was scratchy and distorted. “I won’t be able to speak to you for much longer. You should be in the darkest corner of your mind now, where all of your worst fears reside.” I looked around the dark, cavernous office space in silent horror. “Is my worst fear my job?” “That’s for you to figure out.” Dr. Wright’s voice was getting fainter by the second. “All you have to do is —“ The call dropped and the phone line went dead. I slowly hung up the phone. Suddenly, I heard the PA sys-
tem cut on. “Will all former employees of Pace Financial please report to the board room on the 28th floor?” The voice was low and droning, but it was a voice I knew very well. It was my own voice. “I repeat,” I heard myself continue over the PA system. “Will all former employees please join us in the board room?” I ran inside the elevator and looked at the buttons. There were three options: the floor I was on, the 28th floor and a very large button that said “KILL YOURSELF” in large red letters. I chose the 28th floor. The elevator doors opened, and I was standing at the end of a large hallway with a set of double doors at the opposite end. As I stepped out, the lights flickered on and off, and I could hear the deafening booms of thunder outside. The world outside the windows lining the walls was consumed by black swirling clouds, as if the building was inside of the storm. Each burst of lightning and crack of thunder shook the floor beneath me. I took a deep breath when I finally arrived at the end of the hallway. I had to remember that this was still my mind, no matter what happened. But it wasn’t enough to just have faith in myself. I had to act on it.
N.O.
“N.O.” Autumn Cormier, visual arts sophomore / 2014
RELIGION
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November 21, 2014 THE MAROON
Photo courtesy of Edwin Unzalu Kalen Sager, environmental science senior and Katie O’Dowd, business senior serve a Thanksgiving meal at the SMILE Students Move Into the Lives of the Elderly event on Nov. 20, 2013. Students prepare an entire Thanksgiving dinner complete with various pies and sparkling cider and then serve to the members of the Uptown Shepherd Center and their families while enjoying music and other forms of entertainment.
Students cook and serve a Thanksgiving meal for elders By Edwin Unzalu eunzalu@loyno.edu
Loyola University Community Action Program’s project, Students Moving Into the Lives of the Elderly, will host the annual Thanksgiving Party for senior citizens at the Uptown Shepard’s center for elders. In recent years, the event has increased its affiliation with the LUCAP project. Students from Loyola will help to set up the dinner and decorations, as well as coordinate
performances and entertainment. The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. The Uptown Shepherd’s Center is a senior activity center open to individuals 60 years and older. Various activities, classes, exercises and lunches are available. Transportation to and from the Uptown Shepherd Center is provided to seniors. The center allows for socialization, mental and physical stimulation for its members. It also provides resources for dealing with aging and
New Orleans helps students give back during Thanksgiving By Lauren Saizan lesaiza@loyno.edu
While some people are stuffing their faces with turkey on Thanksgiving and trampling shoppers on Black Friday, others will be giving back to their community through service. Loyola’s Office of Residential Life intends to offer students staying in the dorms over Thanksgiving Break an opportunity to do service with Loyola University Community Action Program, said Brandon Williams, community director of Residential Life. “Residential Life is currently in the process of finalizing our project with the organization we are potentially working with, but I can say that we are looking to do a project that will allow our students to get out into the city and serve those who are without homes and a meal for this holiday,” Williams said. Williams linked the idea of service together with one Loyola’s values. “One of our Jesuit ideals calls us to be committed to service, and it is essential that we are remembering those who may not be as fortunate. This holidays are about caring for one another and spreading as much love as possible,” Williams said. Loyola University Community Action Program Advisor Joe Deegan emphasized the importance of remembering what the holiday season is all about. “Thanksgiving is an opportunity for us to think critically about our
lives and to perform acts of gratitude with each other,” Deegan said. Assistant Director of University Ministry Laura Alexander also identified the holiday season as a time to reflect, instead of worrying about the little things. “I think it’s easy to get caught up in superficial things — having the perfect meal, finding the best deals. It can be really counter-cultural to step back, enjoy time with family and friends and just be thankful,” Alexander said. With the semester wrapping up, the holidays can provide students with a break from their hectic lives. “We’re at the point where we’re almost looking ahead to next semester, but it gives us a chance to pause and look backward as well,” Deegan said.
WAYS TO VOLUNTEER LOCAL CHURCH Second Harvest Food Bank has multiple volunteer opportunities in New Orleans. You can donate canned food, help pack food boxes, or help cook meals in the kitchen.
TURKEY TROT Find your local Turkey Trot 5k. Volunteer or participate. The participation fee usually goes to a worthy cause.
HOMELESS SHELTERS The Ozanamm Inn and New Orleans Women’s Shelter are always looking for extra volunteers during the holidays. Donate food or time.
maintaining independence with dignity. Sarah Tornay, sociology junior and former President of SMILE, still enjoys helping out several times a semester. “It always makes my month to go to there and spend a whole Saturday with the seniors. The joy they bring is invaluable,” Tornay said. Students who volunteer for the project on a regular basis go to the Uptown Shepherd’s Center once a month to host interactive events
that bring volunteers and senior citizens together. The Nov. 21 event is the largest event for the project during the fall semester. It brings together the spirit of Thanksgiving with warm service and cross-generational interaction. SMILE is one of LUCAP’s oldest projects, and in 2009, a new program under the same name and model was started by the Loyola University Chicago community, who were inspired the LUCAP project here in New Orleans.
In an interview with Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, founder of the Loyola Chicago program The Clare Corner, Schmidt said that it’s important to be involved projects aimed toward working with elders in the community. “I think the more we can spread SMILE, the better. The more we promote this intergenerational communication, the better the society is going to be,” Schmidt said.
Chi Alpha provides Thanksgiving dinner By Josh Byrd jabyrd@loyno.edu
Students who plan to stay on campus over the break should not have to worry about eating noodles for Thanksgiving. Residential Life is once again partnering with Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship to provide a Thanksgiving meal for students who are staying on campus during break. Chi Alpha is a student organization on campus whose mission is to show the love of Jesus through building community. Josh Harvey, director of Chi Alpha, said that this partnership with Residential Life is important because it is a great way to meet spiritual needs that students have by meeting very real physical needs. “It would be great to be able to go home, but everything that we do focuses on what needs are there and ministering in practical ways,” Harvey said. Brandon Williams, community director of Biever Hall and coordinator for the event, said he is excited about the upcoming Thanksgiving meal. According to Williams, this year’s meal will be slightly different. “A new piece to this dinner is having it conducted in the Orleans Room. This is allowing us to provide more space and meals for those who want to participate,” Williams said. Jasmine Coleman, a student leader in Chi Alpha, said that she really appreciates the meal that happens every year. Because Jasmine lives in Michigan, she said it is almost im-
possible to go home for those few days. Other dinner options at Loyola are closed, so for some students this dinner is their only meal option on campus for Thanksgiving day. “I’m glad they do it and I hope they don’t stop. You guys make my
Thanksgiving away from home nice,” Coleman said. The meal will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, in the Orleans Room. Any student who will be on campus and needs good food options that day is encouraged to come by, grab a plate and eat.
Photo courtesy of Josh Harvey
Chi Alpha members at the Fall Breakaway event on Sept. 28. Chi Alpha members do work benefiting the community and Loyola students during the school year.
SPORTS
November 21, 2014 THE MAROON
Saints season ticket holders remain faithful
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THE PACK IS BACK
By Lauren Saizan lesaizan@loyno.edu @lesaizan
Season ticket holders for the Saints have not always remained faithful when the going got tough, but Michael Pearson, sports marketing professor, said there is a chance that this trend could turn around. Pearson said that attendance for Saints ticket holders has been low before, like during the 1980 season when the Saints were 1-15. “There is definitely a winning elasticity in fan behavior. The more you win, the more people come to the games,” Pearson said. Still, Pearson hopes that this trend will change, as the influx of support for the Saints has grown over time. “I would hope that a long period of winning by the Saints and a special small market attitude about supporting our team in good times and bad would keep our stadium full,” Pearson said. Walter Baudier, 27-year season ticket holder and civil engineer, remembered a time when people could not get rid of their tickets. “What happened in the past was that attendance dropped dramatically as the Saints weren’t really a winning team. It was disappointing,” Baudier said. Being a season ticket holder back then up until today, Baudier said he will continue to go to the games despite the rough start to the season. Rhonda Goode-Douglas, 12-year season ticket holder and assistant district attorney, said that she will continue to go to the games even if the Saints continue to lose. “I don’t think that attendance will be affected like it was in the 1980s. The games are sold out, and people still get excited about them even with the rocky start. People may leave a little earlier, but I think Saints fans will still support the team,” Goode-Douglas said. Even with a lack of wins, Pearson said attendance at games is likely to be high for a while because of the long waiting list for season tickets. “People would be willing to jump at the chance to buy. It would take a long string of losing seasons to start seeing empty seats,” Pearson said.
SPORTS BRIEFS David Griffin named assistant golf coach Jeff Lorio, Loyola’s men and women’s head golf coach, has announced the hiring of David Griffin as assistant golf coach. Griffin played collegiate golf at Rend Lake College in Illinois, where he was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Golf Champion. In 2013, he qualified for the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying Tournament, and since 2014 has been competing in the Adams Pro Tour.
Three volleyball players receive SSAC awards Eva Allen, mass communication junior, and Lauren Brand, psycholog senior, have been named to the Southern States Athletic Conference Second Team All-Conference. Tiffa-
The Loyola women’s basketball team is off to a strong start this season, standing undefeated in their conference. The Pack will travel to Georgia today to take on the College of Coastal Georgia. The first game of the season, a loss to LSU, proved to be a somewhat innaccurate representation, as they went on to win three games in a row. That third game, played against University of St. Thomas, was played on Sunday in Texas.
LINDA HEXTER / Senior Staff Photographer
ny Walker, political science senior, was also honored as Loyola’s Champions of Character recipient. Allen led Loyola’s offense for the season with a total of 387 kills, ranking her first in the entire division. She has played in all 114 sets for the Pack Brand finished the regular season with 277 kills, making her 7th in the conference. She has been named into the All-Academic Team the past two seasons. Walker finished her senior season as the best of her four. She came in with 116 kills, averaging 1.2 per game. This is her second time receiving the Champions of Character award, and she has been named to the All-Academic Team for the past two seasons.
Volleyball falls in first round of championship Loyola’s volleyball team traveled to Montgomery, Alabama to play in the first round of the SSAC Championships. They lost to the number
one seed, College of Coastal Georgia, in three sets, followed by a loss to Dalton State College in four sets.
Eva Allen named Student of the Week Eva Allen, mass communication junior, was named the Kentwood Springs Student Athlete of the Week for the week of Nov. 17. Allen was named the Kentwood Student Athlete for the third time now during the 2014-2015 season. For the season, Allen was named to the Southern States Athletic Conference Second-Team after leading the conference in total kills, accumulating 387. The Kentwood Springs Student Athlete of the Week is awarded to student athletes at Loyola who exemplify Ignatian values in the classroom, community and through competition.
LEADING SCORERS POINTS J. Neely: 17.67 PPG; .588 FG % REBOUNDS M. Temple: 11.33 AVG; 34 TOT ASSISTS J. Neely: 6.0 AVG; 18 TOT STEALS J. Neely: 3.33 AVG; 10 TOT BLOCKS M. Temple: 1.33 AVG; 4 TOT
WOMEN’S UPCOMING HOME GAMES NOV. 25 Dillard University NOV. 28 Middle Georgia State NOV. 29 at Brenau University DEC. 4 Talledega College
SSAC NAIA DIVISION 1 STANDINGS #1 AUBURN MONTGOMERY (5-0)
#8 COASTAL GEORGIA (5-2)
#2 BELHAVEN (5-0)
#9 BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE (2-2)
#3 LOYOLA (3-0)
#10 MOBILE (1-1)
#4 MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE (3-0)
#11 WILLIAM CAREY (2-2)
#5 MARTIN METHODIST (6-1)
#12 BRENAU (2-3)
#6 BETHEL (5-1)
#13 BREWTON-PARKER (2-4)
#7 FAULKER (3-1)
OPINION
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November 21, 2014 THE MAROON
ON THE RECORD The column by the experts
THANK YOUR PROFESSORS BY...
READING THE SYLLABUS LO FABER Dr. Faber is a visiting assistant professor of History and Music Industries. lfaber@loyno.edu
This Thursday is Thanksgiving, a national holiday in the United States ever since Abraham Lincoln declared it one in 1863. Many history experts will tell you that Thanksgiving’s association with a 1621 harvest feast in Massachusetts is somewhat mythical. And every year a legion of Captains of Obviousness also point out that images of Pilgrims and Wampanoags peacefully sharing a table full of gourds is misleading because — get ready for a shocker — Europeans and Native Americans did not always get along that well. Also, no one likes gourds. It is for this reason that American families pay an annual homage to the truth behind the legend by not getting along that well themselves. Nonetheless, Thanksgiving is a good holiday, or at least it can be. It’s not as noisy as the 4th of July, dentally destructive as Halloween, or as crassly materialistic as next week-
end’s other notable occasion, Black Friday. On Black Friday, Americans selfishly gorge themselves on electronic consumer goods made in China and Korea. On Thanksgiving, by contrast, Americans gorge themselves on food that is relatively wholesome. They also, at least for a per-family average of 18.5 seconds, actually give thanks for the genuinely good things in their lives. Giving thanks is a healthy, positive human activity. We give thanks for excellent things, such as being alive, having a roof over our heads and having a handful of family members who — while often irritating — nonetheless mitigate the horrible empty despair of being alone in a pitiless and meaningless universe. In addition to being thankful for all these things, college students this Thursday might also take a moment to thank their professors. In case you haven’t been to class much lately, professors are the sometimes intelligent, sometimes absurd, sometimes boring people who stand at the front of the class and talk about something. Professors — a few dastardly exceptions notwithstanding — work hard, know lots and lots about their
fields and really do care about their students. Most of them, in fact are genuinely thankful for the chance to be a part of your life. So thank your professors, but don’t simply do it by saying thank you. There is a better way. You may remember a long document they handed you on the first day of class; it looked about as exciting as the Facebook Terms and Conditions, and you paid about the same level of attention to it. It’s called the syllabus. It’s filled with all sorts of bureaucratic boilerplates that administrators make us include, but if you can figure out how to get past that, you might find some really interesting other stuff. Stuff like where and when our office hours are. Stuff like our policies on grading and late assignments. Maybe even cooler stuff, like what the course is about and what we hope you learn in it! Above all, we put a lot of time into these documents and it hurts our feelings when they go unappreciated. So really read the syllabus – nay, more than that, know the syllabus, live the syllabus, love the syllabus. We will be so thankful – as thankful as a Wampanoag given the chance to feed a Pilgrim in 1621.
IN MY OPINION Students sharing their opinions on various topics
Think hard about your privilege before you complain about Loyola KATIE COLLIER Katie is a mass communication Senior. kacolliel@loyno.edu
People love to complain. This is a well-known fact, but Loyola students seem to love to complain more than other privileged college students. Their topic of choice? Complaining about Loyola. According to the Huffington Post,
6.7 percent of the world has a college degree. That statistic includes all different types of colleges, and you are lucky enough to go to a beautiful, private university in a vibrant city full of opportunities. Loyola isn’t perfect of course, and there are things this university is working through, but use your energy for something else besides complaining or spitting out facts about our financial deficit. Yes, Loyola may not be doing too well financially. Yes, our class numbers are significantly lower than they were just a few years ago. And yes, Loyola has some other things
that it needs to work through as an institution. But at the end of the day, students at Loyola need to take a step back and realize what they have. However you are paying for Loyola, whether you’re racking up loans or you have a full ride, you are still a student here. You are still a student at a private, Jesuit, accredited institution. Don’t tell me your professors suck. There are professors who are willing to meet with you at office hours. These are people who actually care about you, who notice when you aren’t in class and worry about you.
Don’t tell me the academics aren’t good. There are places like the WAC lab that will edit your papers for free. There is a beautiful library with free printing, computer access and hundreds of desks and chairs for studying. Don’t tell me you wish we had something like the LBC. There are multiple food options on campus and various free food events every week for the alert student that pays attention to the free pizza signs. Don’t tell me that there aren’t opportunities. Loyola has dozens of clubs, sports, retreats and events to participate in on a weekly basis.
There are so many incredible ways to get involved it sometimes overwhelms me. Various sororities, fraternities, clubs, gatherings that suit almost any interest you may have. From swing dancing club to anime club to ultimate frisbee, I find it hard to believe that there is not at least one way to get involved that does not appeal to each and every student. And if you disagree with me, then that is fine. But please stop focusing so much on being negative about this school. Negativity is contagious, so bring it somewhere else.
EDITORIAL
November 21, 2014 THE MAROON
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OUR EDITORIAL
The majority opinion of our editorial board
HOWLS & GROWLS HOWL to the sleep-inducing combo that is turkey and mashed potatoes.
GIVE JUSTICE, NOT CYNICISM
GROWL to all the things you put off doing until the very end of the semester. HOWL to the release of Mockingjay Part 1. GROWL to the Foo Fighters’ show at the House of Blues selling out within 15 minutes.
Cynicism about the holidays is the gift that no one wants — instead, choose to give back to your community by taking a few seconds to donate items you no longer need.
HOWL to Loyola’s brand new greenhouse. GROWL to being torn between your hatred of consumerism and excellent Black Friday sales.
EDITORIAL BOARD Topher Balfer
Editor-in-Chief
Nia Porter
News Editor
Karla Daniela Rosas Kat O’ Toole Melanie Potter
Editorial Editor Managing Editor
Wolf Editor Life and Times Editor
Linda Hexter
Senior Staff Photographer
Daniela Garcia Schulz Maroon Minute Coordinator Lauren Stroh
Copy Editor
Asia Alvarado
Copy Editor
Emily Andras
Design Chief
Katherine Collier
Religion Editor
Whitney Woods
Social Media Coordinator
Alexandra Kennon
Senior Staff Writer
Sarah Szigeti Devinn Adams
Sports Editor Worldview Editor
Zach Brien Burke Bischoff
Photo Editor The Works Editor
Hannah Gomez Farias Katie Richard
Web Master
Resident Cartoonist
EDITORIAL POLICY The editorial on this page represents the majority opinions of The Maroon’s editorial board and do 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.
T
here is a small brown box on the first floor of Bobet Hall. Have you seen it? It’s propped against the wall, next to the candy dispensers. That box has been there all semester, with but one request: that you fill it up with books. If you were to take the time to look into that box, you wouldn’t find much. We speak often of living a life that is committed to justice and faith in our community, but looking inside that box makes us wonder to what extent we actually live by those ideals. Loyola community, we ask that you take a moment to look inside that box. If we can’t possibly do something as easy as filling up a box with books, then how can we see ourselves as capable of stepping up to the challenge of promoting justice on a larger scale? We stress this in the spirit of Thanksgiving, yes, but also because we’re pretty sick of holiday cynicism. Yes, we are aware that Thanksgiving is one big exercise in commercialism and that it glosses over some rather awful abuses of Native Americans at the hands of white settlers. The irony behind the fact that Black Friday directly follows Thanksgiving is pretty impossible to miss for anyone who’s ever watched a #WalmartFights video. However, there are plenty of people around the city who could benefit a lot more from one selfless act than your snarky criticism of the holidays.
Here at the Maroon, we are taking it upon ourselves to help fill that box up by bringing in books, but we have also set up our own box on the first floor of the Mass Communication building. We will be collecting various items for Hagar’s House, a local organization of our choosing. Hagar’s House is a sanctuary for women and children in New Orleans. We think they provide a great service to the community by empowering those in need without regard to race, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or gender identity. We have noted several items in need. Rest assured, we aren’t preaching to you from some pulpit. We don’t see ourselves as saviors, nor do we want others to do so. We think of ourselves as people who fully appreciate whatever privileges we have and want to assure that others have them as well. Think of it in these terms: when we donate a coat, for example, we should do it because we appreciate how much being warm means to us as human beings. We want other human beings to share in that feeling. That’s what justice should mean to us. That box in Bobet Hall is looking pretty empty as of now. We want you all to go take a look inside that box. Then, take another moment to do some good. Donate a few of your own books — textbooks, picture books, comics, or novels. Think of it as practice. Promoting justice won’t always be as easy as dropping a few books into a box.
HAGAR’S HOUSE www.hagarshousenola.org 504.210.5064 A sanctuary for women and children in New Orleans that provides an open residential enviroment and safe space to transiton into permanent housing. They are in need of the following supplies:
BEDDING SUPPLIES Twin-sized comforters and blankets Twin-sized sheets
BATHROOM & PERSONAL CARE ITEMS Recycled toilet paper Shaving cream and razors Feminine care products Shampoo, conditioner, soap
CHILDREN’S ITEMS Diapers and baby wipes Kid’s computer games New or gently used toys
CLEANING SUPPLIES Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products
CLOTHING ITEMS Coats and jackets Dress clothes Children’s clothing