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Loyola error cancels students’ federal workstudy awards By Alana Frank anfrank@my.loyno.edu

Katryna gets ready to go live on Howl Radio on Friday at 4 p.m. The radio stations gives students a chance to have real hands on experience of working on a radio station. Sophia Renzi/ The Maroon

Loyola launches FM station The station lets students speak to the New Orleans community

By Elise Beck erbeck@my.loyno.edu When Bob Dunn walked out of a meeting telling him he was losing his beloved radio station at Delgado Community College, he knew the first person he wanted to call. Albert DuPont, co-chair of Loyola’s radio organization Howl Radio, picked up the phone and was happy to take 99.1, Delgado’s spot on the airwaves. Until then, Howl Radio existed only on a streaming site. Fittingly, the station began broadcasting on Dupont’s birthday

on Wednesday, August 26. It’s a kind of homecoming—WWL originally began as World Wide Loyola, the first radio station in the Deep South. Priests erected a tower on campus in the 1920s and sold the signal in the 90s. It was that station that Loyola alum Dunn worked at. The station will serve the younger generation by broadcasting student shows. Loyola began streaming radio in the early 2000s, a project that later turned into Howl Radio. Howl Radio members record their shows in Loyola’s recording booth weekly, and now, car radios can stumble across them, rather than tucked away in a streaming app.

“Remie Revel, a music industry studies student, is digitizing old recital footage to broadcast on the radio,” Dupont said. “I take the old recordings of Loyola concerts like from the Loyola symphony orchestra or the various jazz ensembles, and I put them into Logic Pro and record over them like it’s a live show.” Revel said. “Then we have prerecorded shows to put on air when people aren’t available to do them live. It’s convenient to have and a good way to get the old recordings out into the world. So basically, I have my own show for the radio, except it’s prerecorded and using old Loyola produc-

tions.” “We want to highlight student music,” Dupont said, which includes the current songs Loyola students create as well. Therefore, use of the station isn’t limited to student DJs—its reach includes members of Loyola’s Wolf Moon entertainment collective. “We’re really excited about this next phase of Howl Radio,” said Loyola Music industry Professor Reid Martin. .

See RADIO, page 9

Wine Wednesday is back By Angelica Pineda acpineda@my.loyno.edu

Sammy Yampolsky, the creator of Sammy’s, poses on the counter in front of Sammy’s, a mini bodega inside of Bruno’s Tavern. Sammy’s is a bodega-style booth with items like chips, hygiene products, and other snacks. Angelica Pineda/The Maroon.

Love Island Reunion

pg. 7

Bruno’s Tavern has reopened, and students are enjoying everything the new bar has to offer. Beloved college sports bar, Bruno’s Tavern, closed its doors this past April after struggles with finances and management. Three previous managers with decades of experience at Bruno’s bought it back this month. The three new owners, Will Wilson, Greg Buisson, and Eric Orlando, have been working on restoring Bruno’s over the summer with renovations and a new menu. One of the owners, Will Wilson, was inspired to bring Bruno’s back because

of the personal connection he built with Bruno’s. “We’ve all spent a large amount of our lives in this bar; it’s a place that’s always been special in my heart because I’ve made so many friends here. So many great memories here, and it’s just a great place to be,” Wilson said. One of the ways Wilson brought Bruno’s back to life was through renovations. The interior has been redone, featuring Tulane and Loyola memorabilia as well as new bolted-in tables built by Wilson. The two iconic pool tables have been replaced by one new pool table with more space for students to talk and hang out.

See BRUNO, page 5

Best Bites around pg. 10 Campus

A financial aid packaging error caused some Loyola University New Orleans students to lose Federal WorkStudy awards they had previously received, according to the university’s Office of Financial Aid. The error occurred in Colleague, the system Loyola uses to manage student information, and resulted in the cancellation of work-study awards for an unknown number of students. As of Sept. 1, approximately 30 awards had been reinstated for students who remained eligible, according to an email the Office of Financial Aid sent to Federal Work-Study supervisors. The issue comes after students received financial aid packages over the summer that included Federal WorkStudy funding. Some students later found that their awards had been removed or changed as the fall semester began. Federal Work-Study allows eligible students to earn money through part-time employment while enrolled in college. At Loyola, work-study students hold positions across university offices and departments, making the availability of the funding important not only to students but also to supervisors relying on student employees. The full extent of the error remains unclear. Anthony Jones, vice president for enrollment management, said some student awards required additional review and adjustments during the university’s initial Federal Work-Study awarding process for the 2026-27 academic year. “As part of that review, some awards were reduced or removed, and some were subsequently reinstated after Financial Aid determined that the students remained eligible and that the awards could appropriately be made within the university’s available Federal Work-Study resources,” Jones said in an email to The Maroon. Jones said Financial Aid contacted affected students and their supervisors after identifying the awarding error. Students are also notified of changes to their financial aid through LORA Self-Service”, he said. “No students had their Federal Work-Study awards removed because they failed to reaccept an award by a specific deadline,” Jones said.

See WORK STUDY, page 4

Fall Sports Season pg. 13 Updates

CAMPUS

The Maroon Sept. 4, 2026

LaunchU finalists compete for $50,000 prize By Cae Nguyen ctnguye3@my.loyno.edu

Loyola’s 2026 Wolf Pack LaunchU Final Pitch Competition will take place on Thursday, Sept 10, in 114 Miller Hall. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for a cocktail reception, followed by final pitches at 5:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Wolf Pack LaunchU is a culmination of startup-related workshops designed to help Loyola students, alumni, faculty, and staff turn their entrepreneurial ideas into successful business ventures through mentorship and real-world experience. Fifteen individuals were selected for the 2026 Wolf Pack LaunchU cohort, but eight finalists will compete in the competition for a chance to win $50,000 worth of investment funds to help launch or advance their ventures. Dr. Bobby and Lori Kent Savoie are the competition’s hosts. Dr. Bobby Savoie, the dean of the college of business, holds the Gerald N. Gaston eminent chair in entrepreneurship and has 42 years of industry experience, responsible for building and selling three engineering and technology companies. “[Wolf Pack LaunchU] is entrepreneurship at its finest,” said Dr. Savoie,

“and a unique real-life learning opportunity for our students.” The eight finalists are Joshua Emery, Michael Azzano, Mia Javadpour, Makiah Bonnette, Savannah Hanson, Candice Wright, Max Hemperley, and Raza Mustafa. Joshua Emery, a 2022 Loyola graduate, will compete with his venture Clarity, an AI platform using smart assistants to align team collaboration efforts via online communication platforms such as Slack and Zoom. “Collaboration is a foundational pillar of human work and civilization, yet in the enterprise world, it is often where execution breaks down most,” Emery said. “[T]eams rely on countless tools to track tasks, but no platform verifies actual comprehension. This leads to silent misunderstandings, costly rework, and hours lost in unnecessary status meetings.” Emery’s venture aims to alleviate ambiguity in communication, allowing cross-functional organizations to execute their projects with proficiency and confidence. Michael Azzano, a recent 2026 Loyola graduate, will compete with his venture Crescent Compass, which aims to grow small businesses by transform-

ing real insights into real-life marketing strategies. “Crescent Compass is a business made for the small businesses that make up the Crescent City, so it felt necessary to give credit to the city in the name,” Azzano said. “I want to help small businesses in the New Orleans area grow via data powered marketing and public relations [and] help them achieve the growth they want on the budget that makes sense for them.” Azzano hopes to expand his venture into regional markets to help out small businesses beyond the New Orleans area. Loyola Sophomore Mia Javadpour will compete with her venture Future Pathways, a nonprofit advising program providing college and career guidance for high school students. “I want [Future Pathways] to focus on helping students explore the different paths available to them after high school,” Javadpour said. “I'm hoping to help students in New Orleans who lack access to college and career guidance [and] provide students with personalized, one-on-one support as they navigate [...] college applications, financial aid, and different career paths.” Javadpour’s goal for her venture is to

Finalists pose alongside the competitions organizers and other business school faculty at LaunchU's final pitch competition on Sept., 16, 2025. Monica Basilio/The Maroon

hopefully expand her program to serve students even beyond New Orleans. Senior Makiah Bonnette will compete with her venture Kiah’s Coffee, a relaxing and community-oriented coffee space where people can connect. “Kiah's Coffee is a mobile coffee and drink experience. I'll serve students[...], workplaces, and community events and spaces,” Bonnette said. “I want Kiah's Coffee to be a positive presence wherever we go, and more importantly, I want people to remember how Kiah’s made them feel just as much as what they ordered.”

The revenue Bonnette’s venture gets will be given to community organization events, so she can give back to the community while growing her business. Senior Savannah Hanson will compete with her venture Savvy Socials, a wedding content creation package providing the wedding content industry with photo and video content within 2448 hours.

See LAUNCHU, page 9

OWLS office aims to provide service to every type of student

Mars Serralles Diaz and Nora Humfeld collaborate at OWLS. OWLS tutors frequently come to their coworkers for academic help. Sept. 1, 2026. Stella Perdue/The Maroon

By Lily Bordelon lmbordell@my.loyno.edu

When junior theatre major Ronan Newberry was required to visit the Office of Writing and Learning Services for a class essay, he hadn’t expected to receive much help other than the revisions

necessary. However, when he sat down with his tutor, junior english major Valentina Russel, she helped Newberry with the paper’s clarity, and when they were done, she offered, unprompted, to help him rehearse lines for a play he was in. “I felt ready and confident to turn in the essay I had felt unsure about, and I

discovered that I was practically offbook for the play. It helped me gain a lot of confidence in both of these things,” Newberry said. Since then, Newberry realized just how crucial OWLS is for students, especially due to the community of respectful peers that it provides. He even described

the space as a judgement-free zone where students can ask for anything. “The recent addition of body doubles is especially revolutionary as someone who is neurodivergent. I just really appreciate all of these services that are offered to really help us grow and succeed as students,” he said. However, students required to visit OWLS like Newberry aren’t the only kind that frequent the space, and OWLS Director Nancy Rowe and Assistant Director Mary Waguespack emphasized the efforts that the service is making to convey that their space is for everyone. “The thing that we really want to get across to students is that it's for everyone, and a way for students to engage deeply into whatever they're studying,” Rowe said. “This can be kind of a fun way for students to kind of talk with a peer about some of the things that, you know, maybe they're afraid to ask a professor.” According to Waguespack, teachers mostly send students who are struggling in their course to OWLS, and although it is a great way to take action, she believes that sending only struggling students sets a stereotype that may deter students from using the services. Despite this, Rowe stated that OWLS receives around 1,000 to approximately 2,000 students

per year. Rowe commented that there is consistently a variety in the kinds of students that use the services, from those trying to keep straight A’s to those trying to improve their study skills. “We work with students on just many, many broad subjects. So anything, you know, math and sciences and languages and writing, and business courses, and study skills, and we also do body double tutoring,” Rowe said. Body double tutoring is a service that OWLS added a few years ago, and it simply serves as holding students accountable by setting up a time for them to work alongside tutors independently. According to Rowe, she noticed that working with other teachers next to her felt much more productive, so she wanted to give students a similar experience. "and the tutee, or student getting tutored, is in control of the session. You decide the focal points of our time together, and we guide you through the concepts,” LeBean said.

See OWLS, page 4

Students reply to financial aid response to package delays By Nicholas Parrella nrparrel@my.loyno.edu

Following Financial Aid’s response to student packages being delayed, students in the Loyola community weighed in on their personal experiences. Da’Mya Anderson, a junior psychology major, had a “discouraging” experience with the Financial Aid Office. “There were various issues with trying to reach someone, confusion on the employee's end, and an overall lack of communication, support, and understanding when trying to resolve issues on my ac-

count,” Anderson said. On top of work, Anderson created a GoFundMe in hopes of being able to afford her schooling this semester. “I am highlighting this experience so that there can be improvement moving forward with other current and incoming students alike,” said she. Considering the changes financial aid at Loyola has gone through over the past couple of years [i.e., outsourcing workers], Students would like to see more improvement. “I would love to see Financial Aid push more opportunities for grants and

scholarships, and also help direct students to where they can find such resources,” Anderson said. Thankfully for Anderson, she was able to get the help she needed from other sources. “I did utilize and have access to multiple sources of student support from offices on campus but only after I advocated for myself and kept pushing,” Anderson said. Anderson isn’t the only student with concerns. Shiloh El-Amin, a junior english major, feels similarly. “My entire process with Financial Aid

was drawn out over most of the summer when it could’ve been solved in less than ten minutes. I understand the office is constantly very busy, but I’m always left feeling like there could be a better process in their system”, they said. With all of the changes Financial Aid underwent over the past year, students were sure they would see a change within the process. Anthony Jones, vice president for enrollment management, weighed in on concerns. “Our priority is to continue working individually with students whose aid remains pending and to resolve outstand-

ing requirements as quickly as possible so that eligible aid can be finalized and disbursed,” Jones said. Other students noted rude behavior when interacting with workers, claiming they were given odd looks and treated like they had no idea what they were talking about when bringing up their financial concerns. Even with all of the major changes Loyola has made to financial aid these past two years, students expected a more organized and supportive process.

The Maroon Sept. 4, 2026

PUZZLES Across 1 Rascal 6 With 30-Across, FIFA women's powerhouse 10 Rip-off 14 Green growth in a pond 15 Rotating shaft 16 Salt-N-Pepa, e.g. 17 1990s grunge icon 19 Learning tools 20 Manatee habitat 21 Ray of McDonald's history 22 General locations 23 Some street food vendors 26 VEX creations 29 Make a choice 30 See 6-Across 33 Azerbaijan neighbor 34 Right-hand page 36 Only word spoken in "Silent Movie" 37 Going the faster way, hopefully 41 Former quarterback Manning 42 1/16 of a pound 43 2026 "Legally Blonde" prequel 44 Taxpayer ID 45 "Sweet!" 46 Make a value judgment 48 Easy A's 52 Result of haste, in an adage 54 Colossal 55 Prefix with -tainment 58 So much 59 Judge's directive, or a feature of each set of circled letters? 62 Junction point 63 Hayride seat, say 64 "All sales are __" 65 Beloved 66 Scrabble board symbol covered in the first play of the game 67 Young horses

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The Maroon Sept. 4, 2026

WORK-STUDY: Students report award changes Continued from page 1 The changes were also not caused by a new federal policy eliminating or restricting the Federal Work-Study program, according to Jones. Jones said Federal Work-Study is need-based and awards depend on factors including a student’s financial need, overall financial aid package, additional assistance, and the amount of Federal Work-Study funding available to the university. “An initial Federal Work-Study offer, or an award received in a prior academic year, does not guarantee continued eligibility or funding in a subsequent year,” Jones said. As of Sept. 1, Financial Aid had not yet received a complete list of students whose awards were canceled because of the packaging issue, according to the email sent to work-study supervisors. The office was working to identify affected students and determine whether they remained eligible for Federal WorkStudy. The financial aid email said approximately 30 awards had already been reinstated for students who remained eligible. The office planned to review each affected student’s eligibility individually and provide supervisors with an updated list of students eligible for the program. However, questions remain about how many students were affected, how long students went without their awards,

and whether the cancellations disrupted students who had already secured or begun work-study positions. Jones said work-study awards may continue to change throughout the semester based on individual circumstances, employment, and available funding. “We understand the importance of Federal Work-Study to students who rely on campus employment and recognize that changes to an anticipated award can create confusion and concern,” Jones said. Students have also reported confusion surrounding changes to their workstudy awards throughout the financial aid process. D’Anya Anderson, a junior psychology major, said her work-study award initially did not appear. After repeatedly contacting the Office of Financial Aid, Anderson said the award eventually appeared, but a few weeks later, she noticed it had been reduced to zero. “It was just kind of having to keep going back and forth with them, explaining the problem,” Anderson said. “I had it a few weeks ago, and I screenshotted everything because I was like, ‘Y’all aren’t seeing it. Y’all don’t know what's going on.’” Anderson said she was concerned because she was supposed to begin her work-study position. “I don’t understand why I don’t have it. I’m supposed to start this day,” Ander-

son said. Sophomore nursing major Jaylee Paye said she also had difficulty getting Federal Work-Study added to her financial aid package after having work-study during her freshman year. “When they gave me my financial aid packet, I didn’t have work-study on it,” Paye said. Paye said she tried emailing Financial Aid about receiving work-study but did not get a response. She said her employer eventually requested the award for her, and it was added to her package. “It was pretty frustrating,” Paye said. “I kind of need work.” Paye said having access to an on-campus job is especially important because she does not have a car. “I wasn’t trying to go somewhere else off campus,” Paye said. “I was gonna just try to get one here.” The university has not yet said how many students were affected by the awarding error or how many awards remain canceled. Jones encouraged students who have questions about their awards, believe an adjustment was made in error, or need clarification about their status to visit the Office of Financial Aid. "Loyola's Office of Financial Aid will continue working with students and work-study supervisors as awards are reviewed and adjusted throughout the semester," Jones said. “Please be assured that we are active-

Jaylee Paye sits at the Career Center front desk working. Students experienced workstudy problems during the beginning of the fall semester. Alana Frank/The Maroon.

ly working through the affected records and doing our best to resolve the issue as quickly as possible,” the Office of Financial Aid said Wwin its statement to workstudy supervisors.

LAUNCH-U: Finalists set to present start-ups in competition Continued from page 2

“[Savvy Socials] represents two things to me. First, Savvy Socials is a business meant for social media-savvy brides who enjoy and take part in social media and are looking for a more efficient, or ‘savvy,’ way to capture content,” said Hanson. “Second, ‘Savvy’ comes from my name, Savannah, and that is meaningful to me because my business has a little bit of me in every shot.” Hanson’s goal for her venture is to extend her team to eight content creators while capturing a 4.5% market share of the New Orleans’ wedding content in-

dustry within the first five years of her business. Candice Wright, a Loyola 2023 graduate, will compete with her venture The Executive Room, a 30-day guided leadership system to help founders build their businesses with clarity and purpose. “I named [my venture] The Executive Room because I want the user to feel like they are arriving at a space curated specifically for them, encouraging vulnerability while exploring the daily and weekly prompts,” said Wright. “Connecting with users as personally as possible through this system's pages is important

to me and the name creates that feeling before the journal is even opened.” Wright wants to expand her venture into the leadership maintenance space while providing a variety of options for her system to help with further leadership needs. Max Hemperley, a 2024 Loyola graduate, will compete with his venture Uptown Vending, which is a modern vending machine company using smart machines to offer the best snack and beverage optionexpandconsumers. “I really wanted to build a brand that felt friendly and approachable,” said

Hemperley. “One thing that always stood out to me was the classic ‘Let’s All Go to the Lobby’ video that plays at the Prytania Theatre. That became the inspiration for the vintage style of the Uptown Vending brand and logo.” Hemperley hopes for the success of Uptown Vending to hopefully expand into more retail areas across New Orleans. Raza Mustafa, an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science and the Director of Computer Science, will compete with his venture YourScholar.AI.

Mustafa intends to bridge the gap between students and professionals by creating a service that nurtures academic research through intelligent search and professor insights. Dr. Savoie shares his overall thoughts on the competition. “I am excited. Every year the finalists present great ideas and have usually done a good job of developing business plans that are worthy of consideration,” said Savoie. “I wish we could invest in every team. The finalists for this year look excellent, so it should be a fun night.”

OWLS: A self-described "community built by tutors" for all students Continued from page 2 “I originally was like, ‘I don't know if it'll go over,’ but it has,” she said. “People are making those appointments, study skills as well.” Rowe also stated her belief that OWLS is not only a learning hub, but it is also a community built by tutors dedicated to assisting students. “You know, [the tutors] are the ones who are kind of the ambassadors for OWLS, and so we really do look for people who are very Jesuit,” she said. “They're interested in being very service-oriented. We look for people who are friendly, somewhat outgoing, although sometimes I think we've had some shy tutors, and that can work well too, because sometimes our shy tutors are very good one-on-one.” Laila LeBean is a senior business analytics and management major who tutors in writing and study skills. She described her tutoring experience as engaging and interactive, with a great tutoring community alongside her.

“I like to describe it as a conversation, and the tutee, or student getting tutored, is in control of the session. You decide the focal points of our time together, and we guide you through the concepts,” LeBean said. Waguespack added the fact that tutors also schedule their own sessions with their coworkers for specific classes or topics. “Our writing tutors will go to our math tutors, and our math tutors will go to our writing tutors, and our language tutors will go to our physics tutors, because they're just good students and they know how to use their resources,” Waguespack said. LeBean also expressed her appreciation for the tutoring services, acknowledging how her coworkers have helped her throughout her experience. “In sessions, if I ever need a helping hand or an extra resource, I never hesitate to ask a fellow tutor. I also book sessions for myself to better prepare myself

for midterms and finals,” she said. “Body doubling is especially helpful around that time of the semester if you feel like your focus is elsewhere.” However, LeBean’s gratitude did not stop at her use of the tutoring services; the entire community changed her experience at Loyola. “Nancy, Mary, and Samar are lovely supervisors who are there for the whole team whenever they are needed,” she said. “They have made an impression on my college journey, and I don't know what I'd do without them.” Overall, Rowe stated her wish to encourage students to take the next step towards academic success by scheduling their appointment, because she believes that having someone to work alongside is incredibly important. “Nobody works in a vacuum, you know. The more input you have, the better your work is; that's true here, and it's true when you go out in the work world too,” Rowe said.

According to both Rowe and LeBean, students who book sessions and attend them frequently, usually more than three times, statistically perform better than before they booked an appointment. “I think OWLS is the best peer tutoring resource because we are knowledgeable in the subject and professionally trained to utilize certain tools and resources to help other students,” LeBean said. LeBean, Rowe, and Waguespack all encourage students to stop by the OWLS office, which is open from Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Jace Luckoski working the desk at the OWLS tutoring center. OWLS is open for weekly tutoring. Stella Perdue/The Maroon.

The Maroon Sept. 4, 2026

WORLDVIEW

BRUNO: Loyola students appreciate the' renovations

Photo of Bruno's Tavern interior featuring Loyola, Bruno's, and Tulane wooden plauqes. Underneath the plaques are Sammy's and a bartender at the main bar. Angelica Pineda/The Maroon.

Continued from page 1 Ethan Clement, a business management major at Loyola who frequented the bar before its reopening, shared his opinion on the renovations. “It’s a place I’d want to be in. I enjoyed it and had a good night. I definitely think it has more of a New York vibe now. It's classier because everything’s like freshly cleaned. It's kind of nice to not be in like a bum hole (in reference to the old Bruno’s), or like a bad bar,” said Clement. The Bruno’s renovation that created more of a “New York vibe” was the addition of Sammy’s by Sammy Yam-

polsky. Sammy Yampolsky, a New York native, made Bruno’s his home base after doing pop-up shops around New Orleans. Sammy’s gained popularity and made its way to Bruno’s in the form of a mini bodega, which features classic New York bodega-inspired sandwiches such as the chopped cheese. Sammy’s isn’t just a bodega, as Yampolsky has rotating specials mixed in with classic bar food such as wings and Bruno's famous wings. “The transition from a pop-up to a residency is great because I have more space and it allows me to be a little more exploratory with the menu, and

have more fun with the specials,” Sam said. All of the new changes have contributed to Bruno’s becoming more than Wine Wednesday, according to Wilson. “Of course it's super well known now, but we're more than just Wine Wednesday. I think that's kind of what we have to show people that it's not just one night a week; we're an institution that will be around for a very long time. I think the new menu changes and things like that are kind of playing into how we’ll build more,” Wilson said. Heath Rowland-Woodruff, a popu-

lar and commercial music major, frequented Bruno’s before the remodel and saw the change in atmosphere after his first night back at the bar. “From what I saw, Bruno’s seemed to attract a lot more people than it had in the past, especially for a Wednesday. Towards the time that I was leaving, people were still arriving and filling it out,” Rowland-Woodruff said. Jayla Barhydt, a nursing student at Loyola, appreciated the change in upkeep. “Old Bruno’s? nasty. New Bruno’s? good,” Barhydt said. “They’re actually stocked [with food and drinks] now,” Clement said.

“Also, the bathrooms were a lot cleaner,” Rowland-Woodruff said. Renovations and the addition of Sammy’s helped Bruno’s start on the right foot, but Wilson emphasizes how the change in atmosphere will be vital to Bruno’s future success. “People just have to experience the change. The name got dragged through the mud for a while; I saw it, and it was pretty bad in here. But we've worked really hard to start the process of bringing it back to what it should be. What I remember it as, what Greg remembers it as, is a successful Tulane-Loyola neighborhood sports bar,” Wilson said.

Loyola keeps stable international enrollment as the U.S. faces a decline By Maria Touzard mstouzar@my.loyno.edu

International student enrollment has been facing a decline across the United States. This decline could cost the US billions of dollars, yet Loyola seems to be avoiding the drop. Universities in the U.S. are expected to see a decline of 112,000 students within the next academic year, according to Forbes. The predicted decline entails a loss of $3.4 billion and a significant loss of jobs. The decline does not come as a surprise. Last year, international enrollment dropped by 17% in the Fall term, according to the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors website. Their estimates indicated a loss of approximately $1.1 billion and thousands of jobs. There could be several reasons for this decline. However, the concerns of unpredictability surrounding U.S. immigration and visa policies has become an increasing concern for potential international students. International students who choose to study in the U.S. typically enter with an F-1 visa, which requires students to follow federal immigration requirements to be able to maintain their status. Students under the F-1 visa depend on several other documents, such as the I-20 form, which is proof of full-time enrollment and allows students in and out of

the US, and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, otherwise known as SEVIS. Loyola International Business research scholar Alessandro Braga stated that uncertainty surrounding immigration and visa policies is contributing to the decline. “International students are an important source of tuition revenue for many universities, so a continued decline will inevitably put additional pressure on higher education institutions and their budgets,” Braga said. But the impact goes way beyond mere university finances, according to Braga. International students bring diversity, different cultures, and perspectives into the classroom, Braga said. Exposing students to different worldviews enriches their educational experiences, according to Braga. The U.S. has historically been a source of education and career paths for international students. “I think we will also see effects on the job market, although it may take a couple of years before we can really understand how significant those effects will be, he said. “But if that path starts to feel less predictable, some students may decide to look elsewhere for their degree choices,” Braga said. Despite the nationwide decline,

Loyola has not seen international student enrollment decrease. Braga attributed this to Loyola’s established relationships with families and schools in Central America. “I have personally met students whose older siblings graduated from Loyola only a few years ago. To me, that says a lot. It shows that these connections are real family relationships built on positive experiences and trust in our institution. That can make a real difference.” Braga said As for Loyola maintaining strong numbers on international enrollment, “we need to communicate very clearly that Loyola is a place where international students are welcomed, supported, and considered an important part of our community.” Braga said. Two Loyola international students shared their thoughts on the decline. “I think that the decline of international students in the U.S. is predictable and unfortunate,” said one international student. Given the recent severe changes in immigration and visa policies, this international student was prepared to see less international enrollment. “The recent changes in immigration law have created roadblocks that make it harder for international students to come to the US in the first place, and if they arrive, it has become increasingly difficult to be as productive and success-

Student enters the Center for International Education for the International Student Association’s first meeting of the semester. August 30, 2026. Riddick Winter/The Maroon

ful as other students, which likely caused a big decline in students looking to come study in the U.S,” they said. Despite the decline, this student still valued the experience of studying in the U.S. “I believe I still would make the choice of coming to the US for my studies, but it would be much less clear-cut as it was back when I originally decided to come

here,” they said. Meanwhile another student expressed regret. “Knowing what I know now, I likely would have looked for other study options, places offering a high-quality education that don't create so many hurdles for international students who simply want to improve their circumstances and future opportunities,” they said.

LIFE AND TIMES

The Maroon Sept. 4, 2026

Phoebe Bridgers' “Lost Weekend" will give you all the feels By Zoryn Johnson zkjohnso@my.loyno.edu Phoebe Bridgers has a habit of singing lyrics with meanings that you don’t quite understand on the first listen, but that still manage to put a pit in your stomach, and on “Lost Weekend,” her first album in 6 years, she doesn’t hesitate to dig that pit a little deeper. The album “Lost Weekend,” a somber reflection on grief, trauma, and romantic love, tugs at your heartstrings in a way that, in my opinion, only Phoebe Bridgers’s music can. The album opens with a song that immediately feels like the Phoebe Bridgers we all know and love…and also might be a little bit afraid of. Ambient and ominous, the first track, “The Outside,” drops us in the center of a funeral-like setting. “Crying in a suit and tie/but you should see the other guy,” sings Bridgers in almost a murmur.

Bridgers doesn’t sing these lyrics as if she’s on the verge of tears; she sings them as if she’s completely stoic and checked out of the situation–a theme throughout the album. Prior to the album’s release, Bridgers went on an unofficial tour where she visited towns known for past alien sightings. The extraterrestrial theme, though not in your face, lingers in the background of this album, both sonically and lyrically, as Bridgers discusses feelings that can best be described as alienating: out of touch with your present reality, haunted by the past, and dying to escape the current situation. A large portion of this album seems to be about Bridgers’s complicated relationship with the men in her life–one of those men being her late father, who passed away in early 2023. Songs like “Still Standing” and “Never Going Back!”--the latter including a recorded voicemail from her father him-

self–reflect on Bridgers’s childhood and her feelings towards her father’s passing. On the album’s lead single, “Lost Boys,” a song referencing the ever-young boys in Peter Pan, we hear Bridgers reflect on the men in her life having habits that are self-sabotaging. Bridgers herself has described this track as joyous, and for some reason, I agree. Despite the subject matter being relatively depressing, something in its bones makes you feel alive. Now, to a song that is genuinely joyous, the album’s 5th track and a standout song in my opinion, “Bobby,” discusses Bridgers’s relationship with famous internet comedian Bo Burnham. "I tend to write love songs that are soaked in pain and irony, and I really didn't want to do it this time because it didn't feel like that. I wanted to write about the feeling of love at first hookup - just your life being totally turned upside down by someone in a good way,” Bridgers stated in an interview that was broad-

cast on college radio stations. “Bobby/This could be the end of wanting,” Bridgers sings in an optimistic tone that rings unfamiliar in her discography, and honestly provides a refreshing break from the stewing dread her music usually incites. A truly happy love song on a Phoebe Bridgers record feels like it’d be out of place, but on “Lost Weekend,” it proves itself to be important to the context of the record. The last song on the album, “Lost Weekend (Reprise),” manages to tie this grief and new era of happiness into a melancholic bow. “He’s not coming back as a bird/he’s not coming back,” she sings. But also, the final lines of both the song and the album are “When a dream comes true, a fantasy dies/But we're gonna be alright, me and you/You love me and I won't еver let you forget, not yеt.” This I believe is the true thesis statement of the album–to face grief, you

must accept a future that forces you to acknowledge the past. “Lost Weekend” is an album that fits into Bridgers’s discography like a glove. It stays true to her signature style while also managing not to fall into the realm of being boring. Like always, Bridgers has something so specific to say that there’s no one else you could hear it from.

Album cover courtesy of Dream Ocean

The 'Love Island' reunion marked the end of a messy TV era By Alana Frank anfrank@my.loyno.edu Just when I thought I was finally free, they pulled me back in. After spending my entire summer emotionally invested in strangers wearing swimsuits in Fiji, Love Island USA ended. I thought I could move on. I thought I could get my screen time under control. I thought I could finally stop hearing the word “explore.” Then came the reunion. Obviously, I was seated. And not regular seated. Phone on Do Not Disturb, snacks secured, group chat open, and TikTok ready for the post-reunion investigations. Because let's be serious: We're not watching a Love Island reunion to see how everyone is doing. Instagram already told us that. We're here for receipts. We're here for awkward camera cuts. We're here for beef. And apparently, everybody had some.

ended with, “Wait, that's not the word I meant.” They squashed the beef, though. Peace! For approximately five minutes.

Kenzie and Melanie...oh, we're doing THIS? Then came Kenzie and Melanie.

reminisce. She came with an agenda. She spoke seriously about feeling excluded and uncomfortable with comments about her body in the villa. Then she and Melanie started going back and forth, and suddenly we got:

“Mama a liar.”

As a certified Trinity and Bryce supporter, I had been waiting. Trinity confronted Sol over comments about Bryce pulling Kayda for a chat. And can we finally release this man from the shackles of that ONE conversation? He talked to another woman. On Love Island.

Was the reunion worth it?

Andy Cohen, welcome to the villa. Whoever put Andy Cohen next to Ariana Madix knew exactly what they were doing. Andy has spent years questioning Real Housewives. Putting him in a room with 20-somethings who spent weeks dissing each other on social media? Perfect. The Islanders didn't need a host. They needed a mediator.

Can we PLEASE leave Casa Amor in Casa Amor? Somehow, KC, Aniya, and Titi still had unfinished business. Aniya brought up KC calling her “fragile,” KC apologized and admitted he could've chosen a better word. Yes. Yes, you could have. If this season taught me anything, it's that these Islanders need pocket dictionaries. Half of their arguments could've

Aniya and Carl? Together. Kayda and Zach? Together. Melanie and Sincere? Sigh. Together. Titi and KC? Together. Dylan and Kenzie? Together. Maybe they actually went on Love Island for love. Disgusting. I'm kidding. Mostly. Parmida and Corbin decided they're better as friends, which might actually be the healthiest ending. At least we won't get a Notes app breakup post starting with, “We wanted you guys to hear this from us first.”

Courtesy of Peacock

What started as drama over Melanie getting more airtime quickly became a full friendship evaluation. Melanie basically said: You called me your best friend, but where were you? Now THAT made me sit up. Kenzie cried. Melanie explained why she was hurt. Both said the friendship could possibly be repaired. Beautiful. Growth. Maturity. Next!

HAHA. That had us in a chokehold on Instagram notes. “Mama hungry,” “Mama tired.” Okay okay, back to the story. Melanie accused Sol of exaggerating what happened during the pie challenge. Sol stood by her version. Then Andy checked the footage. Oh. This is exactly why I could never do reality television. You can lie to me. You can lie to yourself. You cannot lie to Peacock's cameras.

Sol came READY

Leave Bryce ALONE!

Sol did not come to this reunion to

Then Trinity entered the chat.

Call the police. Everyone complained the season became “Couples Island” because nobody wanted to explore. Then Bryce explored one conversation, and suddenly he didn't like Trinity. WHAT DID Y'ALL WANT? Thankfully, Sol apologized. More importantly, Trinity and Bryce are still together. Everyone, remain calm. My winners are safe.

Wait...y'all are STILL together? Trinity and Bryce? Together.

Absolutely. Did it answer all my questions? No. Do I somehow have more? Obviously. But that's Love Island. We spent an entire summer analyzing relationships that weren't ours, defending people who don't know we exist, and yelling “GIRL, STAND UP!” while making equally questionable decisions in our own dating lives. For one last night, the group chat came alive. TikTok became the FBI. Everybody picked a side. And now we're supposed to move on. No more Casa Amor. No more bombshells. No more “Can I pull you for a chat?” And, thank God, no more “exploring.” Will I pretend I'm not watching Season 9? Absolutely. Will I be seated the second somebody gets a text? Unfortunately, yes. Until then, my group chat is officially closed off.

LIFE AND TIMES

The Maroon Sept. 4, 2026

Best Bites around Campus Loyola students appreciate a good meal close to campus By Ella Bozeman mbozema@my.loyno.edu

Savory empanadas, sweet, spicy, sour, and others. My personal favorites that I have tried so far were the Buffalo Chicken, Spinach and Artichoke, and the Pizza empanada.

As Loyola students, we are all very lucky to be located in Uptown New Orleans, as it is filled with history, culture, fun times, and “good eats," as some say! New Orleans is known for its local food and traditions, but sometimes after a long day of classes, you just want something to eat that is similar to home. Here are a few different off-campus restaurants if you are new to Loyola or simply just did not know they existed.

Cafe recommendations

Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Looking for some good pizza and Italian food? Located within 10 minutes of campus is Louisiana Pizza Kitchen. Their food is very delicious, and they have everything from the obvious pizza to wings, wraps, and more.

Mrs. Shirley’s Craving some Chinese food? Mrs. Shirley's on Magazine Street is to die for! It’s right on Central Magazine Street and has some of the best Egg Drop Soup and Dumplings I have ever had. Their service is never slow and always has a line out the door, so you might need to get there for dinner right when they open at 5:00 P.M.

Manuela Vasquez, Valetina Guardia, Analucia Torres, Elena Godoy, Andres InerIano sharing a meal at Goodbird on Freret street. Goodbird is a popular sandwich spot close to campus. Amari Winchester/The Maroon

Hanna Sushi Thinking some sushi could brighten your day? Hanna is located only a few blocks away from Loyola and is a small Japanese restaurant that brings in the vibes. They are a smaller joint, but have great deals and sushi rolls, and a complimentary noodle salad if you order two or more rolls! They have ceramic fish hanging everywhere and cute decor.

Camelia Grill Wanting a New Orleans classic yet casual restaurant, then Camelia Grill is the place to go. They do many pickup or togo orders but also have a dine-in option. The inside is as it was when it originally opened in 1946. They have milkshakes, salads, sandwiches, and more. Need a casual fun snack? Shuggs Bagels is very close to campus and has all the possible bagels you could desire.

pizza bagels, breakfast bagels, burrito bagels, philly cheesesteak, and more. The different kinds of bagels they have are seemingly endless.

Empanola Another snack option that lies on Magazine is Empanola. There are multiple locations uptown, and they have a variety of empanadas; not just traditional ones. They have unlimited options.

Last but not least, some coffee recommendations. I know this is not food, but most of these coffee shops have pastries and treats, if you ever need a pick-me up. Vintage Magazine has great coffee and matcha, and even has alcoholic coffee drinks if you are over the age of 21. Their napkins are derived from newspapers as well, which is a very neat touch. Lower Coast Coffee is also great, as it is close to campus and delicious. The list goes on and on, but one final New Orleans coffee shop is, of course, PJ's Coffee House. They were created in New Orleans and have some of the best coffee, treats, and matcha in the city. They even sell beignets! Options are endless Uptown, as there seem to be different restaurant options around every corner (there are). Most of the time, you can even see some familiar Loyola faces working at the restaurants that reside uptown, highlighting how important these spaces are to the Loyola community

Music students work on their careers over summer By Edward Smith epsmith1@my.loyno.edu This summer had record temperatures of 103, completely sweltering. That didn’t stop our amazing music students from bettering themselves and honing in on their craft! Vienna Notarianni, majoring in popular & commercial music, spent her summer going on tour. She kicked off with her first gig in Brooklyn, NY. “After my first show, I met up with an old friend, watching as the Knicks won for the first time in 53 years, which was crazy,” Vienna said. The experience was an amazing way to start off her adventure. Mac NL is another student who spent the entire summer bustling with prideful ambition. He spent the majority of his time in the studio perfecting his craft. He also extended his reach this summer by partnering with different brands on social media, promoting their products with various photoshoots and Instagram reels with Loyola alumni, Kai da Lua. “New Orleans means everything to me and connecting with the community here is all I could’ve asked for,” Mac said. Both students have had a passion for music since they were young. Vienna has been working since she was 15, constantly playing music and improving her vocals. Mac has been in the rap game since he was 14, marketing himself at such a young age all on his own. Vienna recalls playing piano on her front

porch and getting scouted by the owner of a winery down the street. Her music impressed him, and thus she landed the first gig that would set the stage for the rest of her life. They each commented on Loyola and how it helped frame their success for the summer as well. Both musicians shouted out to Professor Reid Martin for his booking & management classes, as it allowed

them to navigate how to get gigs and put their names out into the world. “Reid Martin is a great mentor, always available to help and makes time for his students when he could be doing something much more important,” Mac said. Using the knowledge she gained at Loyola and experience she acquired over the years, Vienna was able to accomplish something she’d been wanting

Stills for Mac Block, Mac NL's, new video that came out July 21, 2026. The video was filmed and produced over the summer of 2026. Courtesy of Mac Block

to for so long. “As a queer artist, I’ve been dreaming about playing “Hagerstown Pride” in my hometown, and finally able to do that was such a beautiful thing to give to my community,” Vienna said. The music industry is a competitive environment to break into. Loyola offers a strong foundation, and that structure is needed to achieve dreams. Professor Ed

Wise, also known as Pop, is an incredibly welcoming teacher, someone who truly looks out for his students, and gives sage advice to the students that need to hear it. “Every gig you play is like an audition for the next gig you’re gonna play, you gotta be a self-starter, and Loyola provides the framework to do that,” Pop said.

Still of Vienna Nortarianni from a photoshoot she did over the summer. Nortarianni toured last June. Courtesy of Isabel George

SPORTS

The Maroon Sept. 4, 2026

Athletes prepare for the fall competition season By Amari Winchester abwinche@my.loyno.edu

Loyola’s athletics department is kicking off a new sports season. Teams ranging from cross country, swimming, men’s rugby, volleyball, and esports are set to compete this month, and coming into this new era, Loyola's freshman athletes share their feelings on this season. Noah Watson, an athlete on Loyola’s women’s cross country team, said that when it came to her preseason training, she was mainly focused on running on her own instead of with the rest of her team. “A lot of it involves trying to get my runs done without as much motivation from teammates,” said Watson. Watson is in high spirits going into her first game. “The energy is super high going into my first meet,” says Watson. “I’m extremely excited to see how my summer training will pay off and to experience what com-

peting in college is like.” Gabriella Messmer, a freshman on the women’s swim team, stated that pre-season for the women’s swim team is mainly about getting everybody back into swimming shape. When the season actually starts, that is when the girls are going to focus more on specific skills based on the meets. “Time management is going to be really important,” says Messmer. “I’m stillgetting used to balancing being a student and an athlete at the same time.” Messmer says that there is a lot of excitement amongst the team, and after all of the hard work they have been putting into training, they are looking forward to competing. Messmer is excited to start off her freshman year with a new team. “The team has been great so far, and everyone has been so nice and welcoming, which has made the transition to college swimming a lot easier”

The women’s cross country team starting their 2-mile time trial ahead of the upcoming season. Saturday, Aug.15, 2026. Courtesy of Alastair Casler.

Women's Volleyball team weightlifting in the gym. This comes prior to the team's 4-game sweep. Aug. 27, 2026. Dima Ahmad/The Maroon.

Coach James “Doc” Irey’s journey from the military to Loyola rugby By Zoryn Johnson zkjohnso@my.loyno.edu

Loyola officially has a varsity rugby team, and the university has brought on James “Doc” Irey as the assistant coach for both the women’s and men’s teams. Irey was born in South Carolina and grew up in Florida. He grew up wrestling, playing football, and basketball; however, it wasn’t until he was 26 that his friend introduced him to rugby, and he discovered his love for the sport. “I was stationed up in Virginia, and a buddy of mine was a player, and we had just had a pretty gnarly deploy-

ment together doing some combat action in North Africa, and I was having some kind of mental adjustment issues being back in the States, and he was like, ‘I have just the thing for you,'” Irey stated. “I went to one practice, got bit by the bug, and I've been playing ever since.” After graduating high school, like many young men in his age group, Irey had decided to enlist in the military– an experience that lasted him 20 years. “It was the best decision a 17-yearold chucklehead could ever make,” he stated. When asked about how his military experience shaped the way he leads people today, Irey had this to say.

“You know, a 20-year career is a long time. I just think it was over those 20 years being able to hone my skills in leading this direct group of individuals. Cause every group is different. Every individual is different, and I have a massive tool belt of how to deal with different personalities and how we can get those groups of 30, in this case, gentlemen to have a single sight and focus on the mission.” Ryan Fitzgerald, the rugby director, commented on his experience with coach Irey. “Doc and I go way back. Tremendous man. Great friend,” said Fitzgerald.

See RUGBY, page 9

Assistant Rugby Coach James "Doc" Irey speaking to rugby players during field training. This practice comes before the men's rugby team's first official game. Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Zoryn Johnson/The Maroon

Athletics staff promotions By Alondra Gonzalez amgonzal@my.loyno.edu

Three long-time Loyola athletics department staff members will receive promotions ahead of the NCAA Division II transition this year. Brett Simpson, director of intercollegiate athletics, announced the promotions on Aug. 10, which include Jason Quigley as coordinator of athletic communications, Jesse Zabal as associate athletics director/senior woman administrator, and Kellie Kennedy as assistant athletics director. Simpson commented on why these changes took place. “These promotions were part of a broader departmental reorganization de-

signed to support the addition of rugby, serve our growing student-athlete population, and better position Loyola for the transition to NCAA Division II,” he said. “The decisions were based on the department’s evolving needs and the strengths of our staff. The recent addition of a full-time compliance administrator allowed us to redistribute responsibilities and devote more staff time to sport supervision,” he added.

See ATHLETICS, page 9 Jesse Zabal

Jesse Quigley

Kellie Kennedy

JUMPS

The Maroon Sept. 4, 2026

ATHLETICS: Staff members recieve promotions Continued from page 8

Quigley described his feelings about the new position and what’s to come for him. “I'm glad to get the promotion after nearly 10 years of working at Loyola. It feels like my hard work is finally paying off,” said Quigley. “I can be expected to keep growing and improving our live broadcasts while continuing to provide high-quality sports coverage to help spotlight Loyola's student-athletes,” he added. Director of Athletic Communica-

tions Camal Petro also spoke about how Quigley’s promotion will affect the athletics department at Loyola. “Having Jason in this expanded role allows us in the Athletics Communications office to be more flexible with our everyday responsibilities and department-wide projects. Ultimately, this promotion allows us to better serve our student-athletes, coaches, and the entire Athletics Department while allowing Jason to continue developing professionally,” Petro said. Jesse Zabal explained how she feels about the promotion and gave insight

on what’s expected from this position. “I'm extremely honored to be named Senior Woman Administrator (SWA). I moved into an Associate Athletic Director role in the fall of 2024 after stepping down as head volleyball coach here at Loyola, so adding the SWA designation is an exciting next step in my growth as a college athletics administrator,” said Zabal. “My hope is to enhance opportunities for personal and professional development for our student-athletes through mentorship, community engagement, and programming that supports their

success while at Loyola and their transition to life after sport,” she stated. “Adding the Senior Woman Administrator role to Jesse’s responsibilities also aligns our leadership structure with NCAA requirements,” said Simpson Kellie Kennedy spoke about what the promotion means to her in relation to leading the women’s basketball team in an article published by the Loyola Wolf Pack site. "This university and the Wolf Pack have been such an important part of my life for nearly two decades, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue

serving our student-athletes and our department in a larger capacity," she said. "I'm especially excited about where Loyola Athletics is headed and the opportunities ahead as we transition to NCAA Division II. While I'll always be passionate about leading our women's basketball program, I'm looking forward to supporting our entire department, working alongside our coaches and staff, and helping position Wolf Pack Athletics for continued success,” Kennedy added.

RADIO: Howl Radio broadcast goes live on 99.1 FM Continued from page 1

Bob Dunn, former manager of Delgado's radio station, poses for a portrait while discussing the transfer of the FM station to Howl Radio on Aug. 24, 2026. Elise Beck/ The Maroon.

“At Wolf Moon Entertainment, students run real businesses that are executing tasks in the real world, which better positions our students for their careers when they graduate from Loyola,” Reid said. Students, alumni, staff, or anyone else in the Loyola community can put their music on Howl Radio, or get involved with the business aspects of the station. “Howl Radio is set to become a part of Wolf Moon, and at the radio station, students will not only program the station, but will help with ad sales, marketing, finance, and all of the other aspects of running the business,” Reid said. May 2026 Loyola grad Katryna Ford

has worked with Howl Radio for the past 3 years. She has a show that highlights the local punk and independent music scene called “The Sound Hole” on Howl Radio. “Every time I had told people in the past that we were doing only online, I would kind of get scoffed at. So now I think it will be a more legitimized thing.” Ford said. Speaking about working in radio as a student, Ford said: “You make a lot of interesting connections that you wouldn’t expect.” When Howl radio began a few years ago, Ford said, it was just her, Dupont, and a few other students brainstorming in a conference room. “But nothing ever came of it,” Ford said. “Until

now.” “We have consummated the marriage. The deal is done.” Dunn said. The station broadcasts from a transmitter at WYES TV and spans a 6-mile radius. “Eventually, we would like to move the transmitter to Loyola,” Dupont said. Students can still record at the Howl Radio booth on the 3rd floor of Monroe Hall, however. Howl Radio can be found on radio dials at 99.1 FM, under the title “WXDR - LP”. Getting the letters changed will be a long process through the Federal Communications Commission, according to Dupont. “We want something that reflects Loyola,” he said.

Albert Dupont and Margaret Howze record the new Howl Radio top of the hour signature in the Howl Radio Booth in Monroe Hall on Aug. 24, 2026. The new radio signature debuted on 99.1 last Wednesday. Elise Beck/the Maroon

RUGBY: Coach "Doc" Irey has hope for Loyola's rugby program Continued from page 8 The two met when Fitzgerald was the general manager at NOLA Gold, a professional rugby union team based in New Orleans. When Fitzgerald was brought on as Loyola’s Rugby Director, he asked if Irey would come on as assis-

tant coach. “He’s a guy that you just want to have in your corner,” stated Fitzgerald. When asked about the current state of the rugby program, Irey had this to say. “I think the foundation’s there. Fitz, he’s done a fantastic job finding us play-

ers over the last several years,” stated Irey.” We have a great high school scene for rugby in New Orleans, so we pulled on that heavy with a lot of local players.” Freshman rugby player on the men’s team, David Melendez, had this to say about coach Irey. “Coach Fitz is an amazing guy, awe-

some person. Great coach. My experience with him has been nothing but great and it’s only up from here,” said Melendez. Irey spoke a bit about the first game of the season. “Our first official match is against the top dog in the state, Louisiana State.

That’s how we want to do it. We want to play the competition. We want to test the boys and see where we’re at. So game one, LSU, Sept. 11.” stated Irey.

OPINION

The Maroon Sept. 4, 2026

Gen Z, we have a self-surveillance problem By Stella Perdue swperdue@my.loyno.edu

Last spring, a group of girls went tanning in the Residential Quad, a completely logical thing to do when the UV hits above a seven and the sleety New Orleans winter finally subsides. The point lies not in the act of tanning but in the fact that serious campus discourse was generated about this. Actual, legitimate discourse: the negative kind–students even went as far as to take photos of them with the purpose of talking shit. This is just one example of self-surveillance running rampant across our generation, a problem I’d attribute to the ever-expansive social network we inhabit both on and offline. Time and time again we’ve heard lamentations addressing how harmful social media is for us, but it’s arguable to say that a majority of these critiques don’t address this caveat: the idea that the lines between social media and reality are blurring at an alarming rate, so much so that we now think it’s acceptable behavior to dissect every movement a person makes as though they are on the same par as an influencer on TikTok. We’re starting to get parasocial over ourselves and it’s so lame.

A surveillance camera is positioned above Elk Place near Canal Street in downtown New Orleans. Surveillance is embedded in our culture, according to Micheal Foucault. Dylan Cobb/The Maroon

The implications of this are dire. Instead of embracing the summer of our lives, we take the safe route. We keep our heads down out of fear that someone, somewhere is defaming us or turning us into their ‘campus celebrity’ of the week. We choose not to dance when we go out. We become vehemently against approaching fascinating people in person because we don’t want photos of us to end up in a stranger’s group chat some

where. In the same breath, we’ll share infographics and articles on the harmful nature of Flock cameras or digital data farming without realizing that we’re perpetuating the government’s ideology for them. Our normative social culture has evolved into a disciplinary one where paranoia subverts the intrinsic human desire for camaraderie. Back in his heyday, French Philosopher Michel Foucault wrote his mag

num opus “Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison,” where he used the Panopticon, an 18th-century circular prison design, to explain how modern society has succumbed to an observational culture that will inevitably foster a hierarchical, highly controlled system that affects human beings on an individualized level. Basically, the circularity of the Panopticon creates this notion of being constantly watched that isn’t defin-

itive, so this fear dictates their behavior without guards having to ever enforce physical punishment at all. The visibility is the kicker here. Online and in society–especially in small universities like Loyola–Foucault’s theory proves to be true. We are oh so visible and deeply aware of our individual visibility, so much so that we have become docile. And this docility is even more embarrassing than dancing on the table at F&M Patio Bar with your friends or tanning in the Residential Quad when the weather changes. What’s terribly upsetting is that there isn’t a concrete way to fix this problem on a generational scale. Instead, we can only hope to mitigate it from the steps of Marquette Hall. We can start by making a conscious decision to stop airing out the business of people we don’t know on Fizz–or taking photos of them, for one. We can also take a second to realize that the undergraduate experience is equivalent to a playground: you are allowed to fail, you are allowed to be embarrassing, and you are allowed to have fun because the being-in-your-20’s safety net will catch you when you inevitably fall. And to hell with anyone who tells you that you can’t.

We must be vigilant about fighting against ICE By Mikaylah-Rosalina Framboise mdvictor@my.loyno.edu

Think back to January 2026. It seemed back then that the only thing that the news was even capable of broadcasting was ICE coverage— and they had fair reasons for that. Renée Nicole Good was murdered on January 7th; Alex Pretti was killed 17 days later— both by immigration enforcement agents. What followed was a whirlwind of protests, memorials, news coverage, and for a moment, the expectation that things could change. But then, the rallies dispersed; the memorials came down, and the news moved on. Our collective national attention span moves so quickly that even the most heinous of crimes could seldom remain in popular discourse for more than a month. Despite a supposed “lull” in popular discourse surrounding immigration enforcement, ICE arrests have increased, and new detention facilities are still be-

ing planned and constructed. The New York Times reported that ICE arrests had surged to more than 49 thousand people nationally this past July. Verite News reported that ICE is in the process of constructing a detention center for families and children in Alexandria, LA. ICE may not be making daily news chyrons, but the threat is still very real. As a community, we have a responsibility to our neighbors, our classmates, and our fellow man to resist ICE’s terror even when it may not be at the forefront of our attention. Most importantly, those with any sort of power have an obligation to protect the people— students or otherwise— whom they are supposed to serve. Students have been widely advocating for “sanctuary campus”-style and otherwise anti-ICE policies, but the Loyola administration has offered littleto-no response on the matter. Even if ICE is no longer making daily coverage and thousands aren’t marching in the streets, we still have an obligation to our communities to ensure their

safety. That is incontestable! In fact, with less coverage on the issue and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin taking a less “made-for-TV” approach to ICE, now would be the perfect time for Loyola to take a firm stand in defense of her students. If the university were to enact firm “sanctuary campus” policies, not only would the entire student body be safer for it; we could identify ourselves as a shining star that dared to take a stand against President Trump’s reactionary policies. We cannot allow ourselves to become dejected or desensitized to the terror that ICE continues to inflict on people in our communities. It is easy to remain narrow-sighted and only focus on whatever issue is getting the most coverage, but ICE is still active all over the country, including in Louisiana. Now is the time when Loyola can make its mark on the positive side of history. The Trump and Landry administrations are vengeful ones, and a struggle would certainly ensue if we were to implement and pulicly

Students protested against ICE on Loyola's campus. ICE continues to cause terror for immigrant communities across the nation. Mabel Regalado-Hernandez/The Maroon

promote such policies. But as the Black revolutionary Fred Hampton once said, “if you dare to struggle, you dare

to win; and if you don’t dare to struggle, then you don’t deserve to win!”

Expert voices are a resource we should all utilize By Vhile Kunene vkkunene@my.loyno.edu

I believe that if there were ever a grand conspiracy to dupe the American people, Anthony Fauci would be on his couch, finding out from CNN like the rest of us. On July 29th, former Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Fauci appeared before the Senate, Department of Homeland Security, and Governmental Affairs Committee to answer questions about his role in the COVID-19 pandemic and the origins of the virus. He invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times, as PBS counted. A week later, the committee voted to hold him in contempt of Congress.

The hearing largely centered around allegations that Fauci concealed information about the origins of COVID-19, and mishandled government research into coronaviruses. Fauci has denied wrongdoing, while Republicans have continued to press the possibility that the virus originated from a laboratory in Wuhan. I am keen to blame most things on post-pandemic psychosis, but I fear we got here on pure American grit and determination. After all, what is more American than deciding that if something is complicated, we should simply go home and figure it out on our own? We have decided that a responsible citizen should be capable of researching everything for themselves, whether or

not they are equipped to understand what they find. I call this phenomenon “at-home expert creep.” It is the belief that with enough Googling, reading, and common sense, we can make ourselves experts in fields that other people spend years studying. As an adult, it is a good instinct to believe that you have a responsibility to be involved in the care of your health, the definition of your politics, and the movements of the world around you. But there is a difference between being informed and being an expert. I am a philosophy major, which means I spend a considerable amount of time reading and arguing over ancient texts. Consequently, nobody would expect me to be particularly qualified to interpret dense

scientific research, and they shouldn't! Fauci is held in contempt for possibly hiding “valuable” information about the origins of COVID. During election seasons, senators have every reason to play into the suspicions of the public, even when those suspicions have very little basis. I suspect the logic goes something like this: China is bad, Chinese people are very smart, Wuhan has a laboratory that studies coronaviruses, and COVID appeared in Wuhan. Therefore, something more sinister must have happened. The problem is not that the experts have failed to give us answers. They have, time and time again. The problem is that bias is masquerading as common sense. Politics make some answers easier to believe than others, even when the plain

facts are sitting in front of us. We cannot know everything, and there is nothing wrong with depending on the people around us who do. The answer is not blind trust in experts, either. We should tighten the accountability of professionals through licensing, boards, and professional standards. Experts themselves also need to stop cheapening their credentials by turning gossip, speculation, or personal opinions into authoritative-sounding content online. A medical professional does not become an expert on everything simply because they are a doctor. We do not need to know everything. We need to know who knows what, what it is they claim to know, and what to do when they are wrong.

The Maroon Sept. 4, 2026

EDITORIAL

We shouldn't be left in the dark about our jobs Federal work-study is essential to a lot of students on campus. Over the summer, students received their financial aid packages, containing Federal workstudy awards, only to lose them once the semester started. Students are once again discussing The Office of Financial Aid. The loss of federal work-study funds apparently was a packaging error in “Colleague,” the student financial information portal. According to the Office of Financial Aid, this error led to the removal of the federal work-study funds for many students. According to an email sent by a representative of the Office of Financial Aid, 30 federal work-study awards have been reinstated to students who were still eligible. However, they did not disclose the number of students affected by their mistake. This issue was not due to late reacceptance of packages. It was also not due to any new federal policies or restrictions on federal work-study. At this moment, awards are still under review and subject to change. A large portion of the student body at Loyola relies on work-study. When a significant portion of the student body relies on a department as important as the Office of Financial Aid, an institution like Loyola should be able to provide full transparency as soon as something goes awry. The financial aid office was able to identify the problem, and even then, there was no mass email sent to students. Their only form of communication was an email sent to federal workstudy supervisors. The problem was acknowledged, just not directly to the students who had actually been affected. It is one thing to make an honest mistake; it is another to make such a mistake and keep it quiet. The most ridiculous aspect of these issues has not even been the lack of organization from the department. The most prominent issue here is the blatant lack of transparency. It is obvious that the office of financial aid does not comprehend the weight that Federal work-study holds for Loyola students. Students need access to their federal work-study, and if for any reason it is to be removed or altered, they have a

right to know the full extent of the cause immediately. Students are confused about the changes in their awards with Financial Aid processes. That is where the problem lies. Students should not be confused when it comes to the very department that provides them with their financial lifeline.

We are human, and we all make mistakes. But when the mistakes are as consistent as this, and lack transparency when it affects so many, the foundation of trust in the administration begins to shatter. Students deserve honesty. Errors like this need to be accounted for. If the university is so unforgiving with payment

Student working at the Loyola bookstore. The Office of Financial Aid mistakenly removed Federal work-study awards from students. Laci WIlliams/The Maroon

There should not be confusion when it comes to why packages aren’t showing up students’ accounts, as happened a few weeks ago, or why Federal workstudy is being removed from packages, as it is happening now. The Office of Financial Aid should be the least of concerns for students; however, it has proven to be a major stressor for those dependent on it.

mistakes (like unenrolling students who can’t pay on time), why is it that students should tolerate this kind of mistake? Students are expected to meet deadlines, monitor their accounts, accept their awards on time, and make payments when they are due. When they fail to meet those expectations, the consequences can be immediate and severe.

Yet, when the department responsible for managing students’ financial aid makes an error, students are left confused, searching for answers and, in some cases, unaware that an error was made at all. Accountability cannot only work in one direction. If Loyola expects students to take responsibility for their financial obligations, the offices responsible for those finances should be held to the same standard. That means acknowledging mistakes directly, explaining how and why they happened, and immediately informing every student who may have been affected. For students who rely on federal work-study, an award disappearing from a financial aid package is not simply a change on a screen. That money can determine whether a student can afford groceries, transportation, textbooks, or other everyday expenses while attending college. Even temporarily losing access to an expected source of income can create uncertainty that students should not have to navigate without an explanation. The issue, then, extends beyond one packaging error in Colleague. Mistakes can happen in any department, but repeated problems paired with poor communication create a much larger problem: students begin to lose confidence in the office they are supposed to trust with some of the most consequential aspects of their college experience. The Office of Financial Aid cannot demand precision and responsibility from students while treating transparency as optional when the mistake is its own. Students deserve to know when something has gone wrong with their aid, why it happened, what is being done to fix it, and whether they are affected. Anything less leaves students to bear the uncertainty created by an error they did not make. Financial aid should provide students with security, not become another source of financial anxiety. If Loyola wants students to trust the systems designed to support them, that trust has to be earned through transparency, communication, and accountability, especially when those systems fail.

HOWLS & GROWLS HOWL to Pumpkin Spice Latte GROWL to FDA recalls HOWL to Southern Decadence GROWL to Grubhub HOWL to Bruno's GROWL to Men who wear sandals Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Alana Frank Managing Editor for Print Elise Beck Pre-Content Director Stella Perdue Post-Content Director Carlos Andrade Campus News Editor Nicholas Parrella Worldview Editor Angelica Pineda Life and Times Editor Amari Winchester Assistant Life and Times Editor Alondra Gonzalez Sports Editor Zoryn Johnson Opinion and Editorial Editor Maria Touzard Assistant Opinions Editor Fin Jones Breaking News Editor Mabel Regalado-Hernandez Wolf Creative Director Makayla Parker Wolf Editorial Manager Laci Williams Senior Staff Photographer Sophia Renzi Assistant Photo Editor & Social Media Manager Adriana Escobar Social Media Manager Clarissa Dupree Social Media Manager Elena Godoy Copy Editor Pablo Pineiro Ramy Co-Anchor Dessadra Tezeno

EDITORIAL POLICY

Student working at the front desk in Thomas Hall. The financial aid department made another mistake that is affecting student finances. Laci Williams/The Maroon

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.