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LETTUCE INVESTIGATE Gloved hand reaching in bag to get Shredded Iceberg lettuce. Students are concerned about the FDA recalls and the safety of the food at Loyola. However, Sodexo reassures them that the food is safe to eat. Angelica Pineda/The Maroon

swperdue@my.loyno.edu

Students are on edge after a summer of food recalls, but Sodexo officials assure them that the produce in the Orleans Room is actually very safe. At the same time, many students say they wish they had been told more about all the work that was being done in the background. Sodexo, which operates Loyola’s dining services, works with vendors to remove or replace affected products, according to Chief Executive Chef Matthew Box.

“Sodexo has a system in place that alerts our units of any recalled food items immediately and provides proper mitigation of affected items.” Matthew Box, Chief Executive Chef “Our vendors are also involved in making sure they are not delivering affected items by either sending suitable replacements or not sending at all.” There have been 12 active federal public health advisories issued this year. Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration updated an advisory involving broccoli sprouts connected to a

aalmonella outbreak. FDA inspections of foreign food facilities have declined. The number of inspections has fallen nearly 35% since 2019, raising questions about the agency’s ability to oversee the thousands of foreign facilities that produce food for the United States. Despite the link between inspection decline and the number of outbreaks, Loyola Professor Amelia Neuberger, director of laboratories and professor for world science and nutrition, considers the possibility of a change in magnitude rather than a change due to oversight. “It does not appear…that it is obvious that there is an increase in the number of recalls, although it does seem that the magnitude of the recalls is greater than what we have seen in the past,” Neuberger said. “At this point, there’s no way to directly link that to reductions in staffing at the FDA.” Charlie Casrill, Sodexo’s general manager at Loyola, said its dining operations and product availability are not currently affected. “If a recalled product is identified, our team verifies that it is immediately removed and properly disposed of,” Casrill said. Still, some students said the growing number of recalls has made them think more about the food they eat on campus. Junior English creative writing major Shiloh El-Amin said the recalls have made them more hesitant to eat in the Orleans Room and that they would like to hear more from the university about its food safety measures. “I have heard about the recent FDA

The Army, The Navy goes from Loyola to Lollapalooza By Zoryn Johnson

FDA recalls leave students wary, Sodexo says all Orleans Room produce is safe By Stella Perdue

The Army, The Navy on stage at Lollapalooza. The band was excited for their first performance at the popular music festival. July 31, 2026. Courtesy of Bella Peterson.

zkjohnso@my.loyno.edu

Residents of Loyola wait to enter OR Dining Hall on Sept. 22. Lines persist even after the dining hall opens. Riddick Winter/The Maroon

recalls,” El-Amin said. “With what I do know, it does make me less motivated to eat in the OR because as far as I know, the school hasn’t made much of an effort to inform students about any measures taken to ensure food safety within our dining halls.” Casrill said Sodexo’s large network of suppliers also allows the company to find replacement products when needed. “Because Sodexo works with a broad network of vendors and suppliers, safe replacement products can typically be identified quickly,” Casrill said. “When necessary, we also adjust menus or tem-

porarily remove an item from sale rather than offer a product that may be affected by a recall.” Casrill said food safety procedures are included in Sodexo’s employee training and daily operations. “These safeguards allow our team to respond quickly while continuing to provide safe, reliable dining options for the Loyola community,” Casrill said. The Associated Press and Llily Bordelon contributed to this report.

Loyola alumni Maia Ciambriello and Sasha Goldberg’s The Army, The Navy, a folk-pop band, had a busy summer, releasing their debut album, “Fake Brave Life,” touring and performing at Lollapalooza. They grew up near each other in northern California, Marin County, an area right outside of San Francisco. And although the pair met while doing a play when they were around seven or eight years old, they even shared a vocal coach. It wasn’t until their coach suggested they both apply to Loyola that the two really connected. “Yeah, we started in the dorms. We were in Biever, right?” Goldberg asked. “Yeah, 429,” Ciambrello responded. The band gained popularity after their song “Vienna (In Memoriam)” received traction on TikTok in late 2023, but before that, they were two college students majoring in pop and commercial music – eventually graduating in 2020. “The time we got to experience in New Orleans was just so formative for us, but I think that college-specific, we took really amazing songwriting classes that were really, really helpful for us,” Goldberg stated. Still, despite working together closely throughout college, The Army, The Navy didn’t form immediately. “I think the year after we graduated, honestly, is when we started really becoming The Army, The Navy, and wanting to do it professionally, but we were performing alongside each other throughout all of college–just singing harmonies for one another, etc,” Ciambriello stated.

See THE BAND, p.9

CAMPUS

The Maroon Sept. 25, 2026

Loyola awards entrepreneurs at LaunchU competition By Pharrell Every pjevery@my.loyno.edu

Loyola University's annual LaunchU competition has come to a close. Eight finalists pitched their business ventures to a panel of judges, who awarded four winners a share of $50,000. The winners included Savannah Hanson, founder of Savvy Socials; Mia Javadpour, founder of Future Pathways; Makiah Bonette, founder of Kiah’s Coffee; and Maximillian Hemperly, founder of Uptown Vending. Hanson, a senior marketing and management major, won a total of $15,000 towards her startup, Savvy Socials, a wedding day content creation service with a 24- to-48-hour guaranteed turnaround time. Future Pathways founder Javadpour, a sophomore business administration major, won $2,500 for her business, which is a consulting agency matching college student advisors with high school students to help them through the application process. Bonette, a senior entrepreneurship and marketing major, founded Kiah’s Coffee, a coffee cart focused on serving the community, and was honored as the winner of $7,500 and the Gauthier Award, which comes with an additional $15,000 of support. Hemperly, a Loyola Alumn, took

away $9,000 for his startup, Uptown Vending. “A fully operational smart vending company focused on modernizing an industry that has remained largely unchanged for decades.” Hemperly said. Hemperly got the idea from a video game that allows players to sell items they no longer need through a vending machine. From that idea came his business model, and from there came his motivation to participate in the Wolfpack LaunchU competition. “My overall experience with LaunchU was extremely positive. I’m incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to participate,” Hemperly said. “The program pushed me outside of my comfort zone, introduced me to great mentors, and challenged me to think about different areas of my business that I might not have considered otherwise.” Hemperly said. That experience didn’t come without its fair share of challenges. Hemperly said, “Running a business means facing challenges almost every day. There is always something new that needs attention or a problem that needs to be solved.” He finds this to be one of the most exciting parts of entrepreneurship. “You have to stay adaptable, find solutions, and keep moving forward. Learn-

On September 10, 2026, the fifth annual LaunchU competition was held. The winners from left to right, Savannah Hanson, Makiah Bonette, Maximillian Hemperly, and Mia Javadpour are photographed holding their checks. Pharrell Every/The Maroon Mia Javadpour

ing how to handle those challenges is a major part of becoming a better business owner,” Hemperly said. Hemperly already has his next plans for the business in motion. He is focusing on efforts to expand. “The goal now is to continue adding

locations, growing the company, and building a successful business around modernizing an overlooked industry," Hemperly said. Applications for the next cohort of Wolfpack LaunchU opened immediately following the competition on Septem-

ber 10. LaunchU is open to all undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, faculty and staff, and Loyola parents, with no business background required to participate.

Annie Grimes: Uptown Hall’s new community director

Uptown Hall Community Director Annie Grimes. Grimes became the community director for Uptown Hall for the 20262027 school year. Alyvia Pierson/The Maroon

By Alyvia Pierson atpierso@my.loyno.edu

Hailing from Conway, Arkansas, Annie Grimes is the new community director for Uptown Hall. Grimes previously served as a residence hall director at the College of Charleston. Writing is Grimes’ passion and calling. In 2022, she graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and sociology. Grimes then went on to obtain her master’s in fiction writing at the College of Charleston in 2024. During graduate school, she began her first residential life job as a part-time graduate residence hall director before working full-time as a director. “I decided I wanted a change, because I felt like I went to college twice, doing four years in my hometown and

four years in [Charleston]. So that’s what led me to apply to be a community director here at Loyola,” Grimes said. Transitioning to this new role has been a pretty smooth adjustment for Grimes. Her previous experience as a residence hall director makes some facets of the job easier. “There are certainly new things to learn and different ways of doing things here, but all the RAs have been super helpful. I think everyone has a shared mindset of our purpose, which is to help students have the best living experience possible,” Grimes said. Upon beginning at Loyola, Grimes noticed an immediate difference in the way people meet and greet one another. “At my last institution it was a different culture. Here, a lot of people in the first few days have introduced themselves to me or have popped by [my office] to say hi,” Grimes said. Excited for the year ahead, she is most looking forward to working with the RAs across all residential buildings. Grimes enjoys getting to know their goals and aspirations beyond college. Working in residential life builds life skills that ties into any job. According to Grimes, cultivating relationships is important to her; she has her residents’ and RAs’ best interest at heart. “Nothing makes me happier than when RAs feel the most comfortable in the space wherethey live and are able to accomplish things that they want to,” Grimes said. Watching students succeed and having everyday experiences is Grimes’ favorite part of the job. She enjoys supporting students, whether they are going through a difficult time or need some motivation to get through the day. The unique part of being a community direc-

tor is seeing students live in a way that professors don’t get to experience. “The point of [college] is to have the highs and lows and to learn and find yourself. I like to think that hopefully when people look back on their experience, they remember that there were people who cared about them and wanted to help them through it,” Grimes said. From an RA standpoint, Grimes sees the invaluable work that comes with living and working with students first-hand. “As an [RA], you get to see people take off their masks for the day. It’s a different experience for students than working with any other department,” Grimes said. When most people think of a community director, some may assume their position makes them unapproachable or that they’re looking for issues. Grimes wants to break down these preconceived notions. The truth is much more welcoming. “[Some may] think a lot of it is just getting people in trouble, but most of it is trying to help people have a comfortable living environment. And the other part of it is trying to build a community,” Grimes said. Jay Davis, the associate director of residential life, stresses the importance of hiring someone with the right expertise to manage a large-scale community, like Uptown Hall. “Annie came to us with prior CD experience, having previously served as an Area Director at the College of Charleston, which made an exceptional fit for Uptown’s unique needs,” Davis said. A career in Residential Life is incredibly unique and requires a strong work-life balance. One’s workplace, like Grimes’, is a living and learning community, according to Davis. “Not only are you doing the obvious

responsibilities like supporting students and building community, but there is also a lot of staff supervision, planning, assessment, and collaboration with campus partners. You also have a lot of responsibility for making decisions that balance student needs, community wellbeing, and university policies,” Davis said. With an open-door policy, Grimes invites students to stop by and say hi anytime. She wants to create an inviting atmosphere for all. “I like to embrace a theme. I’ve been sending little squirrel mails to people and putting it on their doors. I like to be silly and have fun,” Grimes said. Students and readers alike can borrow books from Grimes’ personal cataloged library by scanning the QR code on the flyers posted throughout Uptown Hall. Beyond residential life, Grimes aspires to be an English professor someday. Writing is her most cherished pursuit. Grimes’ master’s thesis was a collection of short stories which some of which have been published in literary magazines. Her latest work will be published in January. Writing and publishing a novel is another goal of hers. From submitting her writings to competitions to reading for a literary magazine, Grimes is steadfast in her devotion to the arts. For those who feel as if time is rapidly slipping away, it’s easy to think that we must have everything figured out now. Grimes offers solace to this defeated feeling. “I want to remind everyone that no one really has it figured out, and that’s the point of college--to learn things about yourself. We are not [limited] to one thing for the rest of our lives,” Grimes said.

Scholarship Universe It is peak scholarship season. now is a good time to log-in to scholarship universe through My Apps and send in some applications! For further assistance, contact the Office of Scholarships and Grants. Email: osg@loyno.edu

International Festival Come enjoy food and culture Sept. 30, 2026 at the International Festival hosted by the International Students Association. Meet international students and learn more about Loyola's study abroad oppurtunities.

Grad School Week If you're interested in graduate school or have already started applying, come out next week for Grad School Week. Events will be hosted monday-friday and anyone is welcome to attend. You can RSVP to events through Howl Connect on the events page. For more information, reach out to the Career Development Center. Email: career@loyno.edu

The Maroon Sept. 25, 2026

PUZZLES Across 1 Bit of baby talk 5 Soothe operator? 9 Hutches 13 Rink leap 14 Geography buff 's compendium 16 Milquetoast 17 *Urn that self-returns? 19 "Purple Haze" rocker Hendrix 20 __ Strauss & Co. 21 Discord figs. 23 Flat cap 24 *Spreading the gospel of continental breakfast, turndown service, and free Wi-Fi? 28 Took in 29 The Roaring Twenties, e.g. 30 Target of some recycling drives 31 Some 35mm cameras 33 Woes 36 Submitter's button 37 *Corny, sappy, or cheesy? 40 Discord fig. 43 Seafaring wood 44 Isolate, in corporate jargon 48 Small diadems 50 Member of the fam 52 Drops in the morning 53 *Treating guests to some honey, perhaps? 57 Quitter's button 58 __-poly 59 Tex-Mex extra, for short 60 Screen type at many a science museum 62 Oregon Trail cry, or an apt title for this puzzle? 66 CarPlay companion 67 "Bo-ring!" 68 On in years 69 Rapa Nui monoliths 70 Tried to get home, say 71 Journo's hook

Down 1 Morse code unit 2 Mexican salamander found in mountain lakes 3 Greek goddess of the harvest 4 Still in it to win it 5 Purse 6 Off-rd. rig 7 Vicuña kin 8 George __ University 9 Vegan sando 10 Gatekeeping type 11 Word often said over prayer hands 12 Sequins effect 15 Grasslike plant 18 Murchison Falls river 22 Setting of the animated film "Flushed Away" 24 Consumes 25 "Black Panther" villain Killmonger 26 Worker who gets around a lot 27 Touches down 32 Henley, for one 34 Curing agent for century eggs 35 Ashram leader, perhaps 38 Broadcasting 39 "I get the point already!" 40 Pascal's wager subject 41 Spanish expression of shock 42 Lash thickener 45 Lanyard attachment 46 Freeloaded 47 Have debts 49 Makes a winter blanket? 51 Grand opening? 54 Secluded valleys 55 Wipes brand 56 Hearing-related 61 Number on an old clock 63 Numeric prefix 64 Married 65 Lines from an admirer

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STAFF LIST Editorial Board

Contributors

Editor in Chief - Alana Frank Managing Editor - Elise Beck Pre-Content Director - Stella Perdue Post-Content Director - Carlos Andrade Exuecutive News Editor - Lily Bordelon Campus News Editor- Nicholas Parella Worldview Editor - Angelica Pineda Life & Times Editor - Amari Winchester Ass. Life and Times Editor - Alondra Gonzalez Sports Editor - Zoryn Johnson Opinion/Editorial Editor - Maria Touzard Breaking News Editor - Mabel Regalado-Hernandez Copy Editor - Pablo Pineiro Ramy The Wolf Creative Director -Makayla Parker The Wolf Designer - John Zwiers Senior Staff Photographer - Sophia Renzi Photo Editor - Pharrell Every Social Coordinators - Elena Godoy, Adriana Escobar, Eryn Goines Broadcast Producer - Ruth Brown Broadcast Lead Anchor - Dessadra Tezeno Co- Anchor- Eleanor Boucher-Ferry Newsletter Writer - Rodrigo Delgato Distribution Manager - Sophia Renzi

Robert Cobb, Sadie Bush, Athalie Dore, Ella Bozeman, Angelica Petit, Cae Nguyen, Amiyuh Tobias, Isabelle Kehoe, Kennedy James, Lauren Stuart, Kaya Tezeno, Riddick Winter, Bianca Mansell Gatti, Katia Vincent, Kendall Ross, Alyvia Pierson, Parrish Scheuermann, Sophia Lewis

Student Media Adviser: Michael Giusti Assistant Student Media Adviser: Hannah Levitan

CONTACT US Main Office - (504) 865 - 3535 Business Office - (504) 865 - 3536 Adviser’s Office - (504) 865 - 3295 Correspondence - maroon@loyno.edu Letters to the Editor - letter@loyno.edu Advertising - ads@loyno.edu Website - www.loyolamaroon.com Twitter - @loyola_maroon Facebook - The Maroon Instagram - @loyola_maroon 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 post-consumer recycled content.

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The Maroon Sep. 25, 2026

WORLDVIEW

Eye In the

Sky Students worry about NOPD's future drone initiative By Alondra Gonzalez amgonzal@my.loyno.edu

Loyola’s community assesses the possible effects of NOPD’s drone program with skepticism of surveillance and optimism for public safety.. The New Orleans Police Department recently launched a drone dashboard that allows residents to view when and why drones are deployed in the area in preparation for its Drone as First Responder program operating later this year, concerning students on possible privacy issues in finding new public safety methods. The program aims to address departmental understaffing and improve public safety, according to NOPDNews. The Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick believed the drones would speed up response time during a period of less manpower. “We can put a drone up and get to some areas much faster than we can get a patrol car there. That means we can get information quicker and get help to people faster,” Kirkpatrick said. She also addressed the importance of maintaining the community’s personal privacy. “We should police smarter with technology. But we also understand the privacy concerns. The goal is to strike the right balance, put the right guardrails in place, and be as transparent with our community as possible,” Kirkpatrick said in a press release earlier this month.

Artificial intelligence and computer science professor at Loyola University Dr. Omar El Khatib suggested approaches to the Drones as First Responder program that consider the possible advantages of using the technology. “Use drones as a tool to help officers rather than replacing officers. The advantage is quicker response. A drone can reach an incident much faster than a patrol car and provide information to the officer before they arrive,” El Khatib said. He talked about how drones could be better used as a tool rather than a replacement. “That changes the role of the officer. Instead of arriving without knowing exactly what is happening, officers could receive a view of the location, number of people involved, vehicles, possible weapons, escape routes, or other relevant information,” he said. El Khatib spoke about the potential disadvantages of the program and said he believed technology doesn't eliminate the need for personnel. “It cannot interview a victim, make an arrest, provide medical assistance in the same way a person can, or provide the human interaction that policing requires. I would view Drone as First Response as a way of extending the capabilities of existing officers, particularly when staffing is limited, rather than as a technological solution to the underlying staffing shortage,” El Khatib said. Emauni Johnpire, a sophomore theatre arts major at Loyola University, felt

the Drone as First Responder program could benefit the community if moderated ethically. “I feel like drones have a lot to offer the city, but we need restrictions. I think anything can be good with restrictions. They shouldn’t be used to target people and build cases over nothing. My only concern is people abusing the privilege to supervise citizens,” Johnpire stated. She also said that drone usage in the department could solve delayed police responses, which she believed is a common issue in New Orleans. “I feel like a lot of the crime in the city goes unnoticed because of understaffing. By the time they come out of the scene, something bad might have already happened. I think drones could be a good thing if they use them properly,” Johnpire said. Isis White-Henderson, a freshman international business major, expressed mixed feelings toward the program. “I definitely understand the appeal because if a drone can arrive before officers and give them a clearer idea of what is happening, it could p o te n tially prevent unnecessary confrontations,” White-Henderson said. White-Henderson talked about how she feels the drones could create an invasion of privacy.

“However, I do feel uncomfortable with how easily the technology could turn into broader surveillance, especially because they can capture things unintentionally like apartment interiors,” White-Henderson said. She also talked about what precautions she wants taken before drones are called to the scene. “I’d be much more comfortable with the program if there were strict rules about when drones can be deployed, what they’re allowed to record, how long footage is stored, and who can access it, along with independent oversight. Those are also among the safeguards civil-liberties groups have advocated,” White-Henderson said.

LIFE AND TIMES

The Maroon Sept. 25, 2026

Grand Theft Auto VI: Overhyped or overpriced? By Angelica Pineda acpineda@my.loyno.edu You’re not dreaming. Grand Theft Auto VI is actually coming out, and no, it's not getting pushed back again to work on jiggle physics. Fans of GTA have been waiting years for the game’s release, and it’s been set to release November 19, 2026, with a few drawbacks including high prices, pre-orders, subscriptions, and the loss of physical media. Rockstar Games, the company that owns GTA, released a pre-order option for two editions of the game available with one featuring more perks for a higher price. The Standard Edition of GTA VI is now available to pre-order for $79.99 and will give players fewer bonuses compared to the $99.99 Ultimate Edition. The Ultimate Edition gives players a plethora of in-game products such as exclusive avatar customizations, weapons, weapon skins, garages, cars, and more, according to Rockstar Games’ website. One of the perks that makes the pre-order more enticing is the bonus that gives players a complimentary month of GTA Plus, which is included in both editions. GTA Plus is a subscription that has been added to the game, which will give players access to exclusive cars, garages, gear, free clothing, in-game currency boosts, access to other games produced by Rockstar, and other exclusive perks, according to the Rockstar website. For $7.99 a month, players can have those benefits. But do they actually want it? No, what players want is not to keep paying for a game they already paid for. Aiden Keller, a senior music industry major at Loyola, shared his opinion on what he thinks about the implementation of “microtransactions” within the gaming industry. “I think subscriptions in video games have been involved since Fortnite really got popular. Every game has adopted that system with a subscription or battle pass or something that keeps people spending money monthly, bi-monthly,

or even bi-weekly. I think GTA is just going to take that and personify it to a whole new level,” Keller said. E-sports member and junior neuroscience biology major Daven-Angelo Montalbano, has mixed feelings considering the game hasn’t been released but the subscription is already available for purchase. “I don’t know how to feel about the subscription-based service for GTA. I think it is a bad idea to announce something like that before the game is even out,” Montalbano said. “It will likely sell well, but it isn’t a good look for the games [as] a whole.” The attempt to incentivise microtransactions isn’t enough for players when they aren’t even getting a physical copy of the game, despite spending nearly $100 on it. Montalbano described the switch as “insanity.” “$100 for a game is insanity, and with no physical product to come with is a pipe dream. Along with PlayStation pushing this game to be at the forefront of a disc less initiative is insanity,” Montalbano said. Rockstar Games has given players the option to pre-order a "physical" version of the game, but the “physical” version is just a disc case with a code in it. “Physical versions will only contain a download code inside the box to support pre-load on November 12. A disc will not be included in the box,” Rockstar Games said on their website. Switching to disc less games has taken some of the nostalgia of the GTA games that included posters, disc designs, and graphics, away from users. Johnny Ray, a sophomore at Loyola, shared his excitement about the physical copies of previous GTA games. “I did own the exclusive version of GTA V when it first came out, and I was a little boy at the time. I had the poster, I had the disc, but with modernized games you don’t get anything physical. It’s definitely unfortunate," Ray said. Despite price complaints, players are still going to play because the anticipation for the game has skyrocketed after being teased for years following leaks

An open Grand Theft Auto V keep case, or disc case. The keep case holds the Grand Theft Auto V disc on one side with the complementary game booklet on the other side. Angelica Pineda/The Maroon

and a new Netflix feature. The 26-minute-long trailer displayed GTA’s detailed graphics, storyline, and new features to the game. Fans reacted with excitement to the graphics, since it was the main reason for the game’s delayed release, according to BBC News. Rockstar Games emphasized the quality of the graphics and mechanics due to

the massive hype around teasers and the success of prior games. No matter how long or how detailed the game is, students think it still won’t meet the high expectations that were set by players. “I think that GTA VI has been the most hyped-up game in the industry. So much so that no matter what Rock-

star decides to do with the final product, it can’t meet the expectations of fans,” Montalbano said. Ray, who has played the game series for years, felt more excited by the teasers rather than feeling like he would be let down.

The Roux Ga Robot Design show will leave you howling for more! By Alondra Gonzalez amgonzal@my.loyno.edu

Student hot glues cardboard cutouts together to create a face mask for the Roux Ga Robot Design Show. The show took place on Sept 16, 2026. Courtesy of Daniela Marx.

Loyola University’s design program is continuing its Roux Ga Roux parade tradition this year, giving students handson experience while also watching their designs come to life. Loyola students walked the runway last week at Loyola’s Roux Ga Robot wearable design show. Freshman design students worked on costumes for theatre students to wear in front of a panel of design experts, who filmed, photographed, and judged each design. The winner of the show will have their costume design replicated for Loyola’s Roux Ga Robot Krewe in the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus parade on Jan. 16 in the Marigny neighborhood next year. The Roux Ga Robot was inspired by a

legendary creature from Cajun folklore resembling a werewolf called the Rougarou, from which the design department created their own variation called the Roux Ga Roux. “The name connects naturally to Loyola’s Wolf mascot, French heritage, and New Orleans identity,” according to an Instagram caption from the College of Music and Media. Jane Kirsch designed the costume “Rougan Prime” with her partner Drayden Naquin and shared her process of creating the design for the Roux Ga Robot show. “First we made sketches combining the Rougarou with robotic and futuristic ideas and learned how to manipulate cardboard with our X-Acto knives,” Kirsch said. We then combined our sketches with an assigned classmate to create 12 final

ideas to then create our own cardboard prototypes with,” Kirsch said." With our cardboard prototypes, we combined them and made one final design with our partners over the span of two weeks, prior to the Roux Ga Robot show.” Daniela Marx, an associate professor and chair of the Design Department, talked about the importance of the show in a press release featured on Loyola’s website. “Having our students participate in the parade is incredibly valuable – not only as a hands-on learning experience, but also as a powerful recruitment tool. It shows prospective students that this is a place where you don’t just study design, you create real work for the world to see. It is going to be a truly unforgettable experience,” Marx said.

Student tries on mask during production

of the Roux Ga Roux Design Show on Sept 16, 2026. Students displayed masks that will potentially be used for the Chewbaccus parade. Courtesy of Daniela Marx.

SPORTS

The Maroon Sept. 25, 2026

Men’s rugby enters their first season with energy

Two rugby players on the sidelines practicing passing the rugby ball. This practice came before their game against Texas’s A&M. Sept. 14, 2026. Kendall Ross/The Maroon

Rugby Head Coach Tylor Howden giving directions for the next drill. This practice took place three days ater the team’s win against LSU. Sept. 14, 2026. Kendall Ross/The Maroon.

By Mabel Regalado-Hernandez maregala@my.loyno.edu

With the Loyola rugby team’s inaugural victory against LSU, the team sees this as a sign that there are good things to come for this upcoming season. For their first game, the team brought home a win against Louisiana State University, taking home a final score of 51-7. This marks the first win for the program, and they’re just getting started. “If you look at rugby around the country in some of these areas, particularly, you know, LSU and Texas A&M and these big schools, their actual profile of athletes is larger,” Head Coach Taylor Howden said.

After spending months creating a team from scratch from not only local athletes but also international ones, many are getting the opportunity to get their first-ever start. “They really play with their extreme maturity and play together, and that’s really what you’re really proud of because that stuff is going to last long-term,” the Director of Rugby Ryan Fitzgerald said. Even though this was a big first win, the team remembers to keep themselves grounded, focusing on motivation and performance in their next game. “We were really prepared and made sure we had every checkbox before we went into that game,” sophomore player Giovanni Matranga said., “There were

definitely some mistakes made that we’ll fix and clean up in the next game.” Fitzgerald spoke on what he’s observed from the rugby team after their inaugural win. “They’re not crowning themselves or anything; they’re right back to work.” Fitzgerald said. “We have a long way to go to where we want to be and are hungry for it and are willing to learn.” Moving forward with the win, the team is back on the field practicing for their next game. “You’re not always going to be motivated to get up early and go to the gym. You’re not always going to be motivated to do a 6:30 court session, but if you have the discipline to do it, then the discipline

Players on the rugby team performimg an offensive pass during a drill. The team won their next game against Texas’s A&M. Sept. 14, 2026. Kendall Ross/The Maroon

outweighs the motivation.” Fitzgerald said. As they prepare to travel to Arkansas for their next game, the team is in high hopes and ready to bring their A-game. “We’re playing the ninth-best team

in the country in D1A. So it’s going to be one of the biggest games of our season.” The Wolf Pack will be going against the Razorbacks on Sept. 26th at Curt Huckaby Field.

Belén Puche reaches 1,000 assists during senior season By Dessadra Tezeno dltezeno@my.loyno.edu

Belén Puche Laguna prepping for the next drill at Volleyball practice. Aug. 24, 2026. Kendall Ross/The Maroon

As Loyola volleyball senior Belén Puche hit her thousandth assist on the court, she completed a goal she didn’t even realize she had been reaching for. Puche, an international business major from Spain, said she often forgets about statistics during games. Instead, she focuses on playing volleyball and helping her team. “I just play volleyball, so I don’t really care about the numbers,” Puche said. When Puche realized she had reached 1,000 assists, her first thoughts

were of her family back home in Spain. “The first thought was my parents, my family,” Puche said. “Being far away from home is hard sometimes, so I was just calling my dad and my mom and like, ‘Hey, I did it.’” After celebrating the milestone with her family, Puche turned her attention to the teammates who helped make the accomplishment possible. “I wouldn’t accomplish that without them because if they don’t swing and score, I cannot get that assist,” Puche said. “And if they don’t pass and dig the ball, I can’t set. So I wouldn’t be in that position without them.”

The milestone comes as Puche begins her senior season and prepares for her final year wearing a Loyola uniform. Rather than looking at the accomplishment as a finish line, she sees it as motivation to continue improving. “It’s like a big motivation,” Puche said. “This is my last year at Loyola wearing the Loyola uniform, so I want to do more. I want more sets. I want to give my best.” After three years at Loyola, Puche has grown both as a volleyball player and as an individual. She said one of the most important lessons she has learned is that her identity extends beyond the court.

See Volleyball, page 9

Golf coach Ryan Hicks is coming back to the pack By Angelica Pineda acpineda@my.loyno.edu

Members of the Wolf Pack golf team play a practice match in Audubon Park. Jan. 24, 2017. Courtesy of Osama Ayyad.

The Wolf Pack is welcoming back 2019 graduate and former Loyola golf player, Ryan Hicks, as the new head golf coach for the men’s and women’s golf program. “It means a lot; I’m very, very excited to be here. As soon as the position was made available to me, it was a no-brainer,” Hicks said.“I played for the golf team from 2015 to 2019. It was a full circle mo-

ment; there was nowhere I’d rather be.” Hicks felt this position was more than just a career change from instructing at Golftec, but a pivotal moment in his career to be back with the Pack. He plans to use his experience as a former Loyola student to help connect with athletes since he was in a similar situation during his time playing golf at Loyola, where he had to adjust to having a new coach on such short notice. “It made me think of the 2016 season; that was my sophomore year, where

I and players on the team were going through similar circumstances, last-minute coaching change, new hire immediately beginning the year,” Hicks said. "It gave me a unique perspective as to what they’re feeling, what they might be going through, some of the uncertainty they have, and kind of being able to put them at ease the best I can.” Brooklyn Lyke, a freshman player for the women’s golf team, shared the impact Hicks has had in just the few weeks he’s been coaching for Loyola.

“Even though he’s only been our coach for a short period of time, he seems determined to make our team the best it can be,” Lyke said. To enhance the performance of both teams, Hicks said he is working towards creating a winning culture by starting small.

See Golf team, page 9

The Maroon Sept. 25, 2026

JUMPS

Golf Team: old and new golf players reflect on Hicks Continued from page 8

Ryan Hicks poses with his golf teammates during his time at Loyola. Courtesy of AJ Schneller.

“Habits that we form along the way and all the little things that we can do to make winning habitual –that starts with showing up on time for work, doing well in classes, preparing for tournaments the right way, treating practice rounds the right way,” Hicks said. “So just have the building up of all the little things that add up to one big goal at the end of the year.” Freshman men's golf player Luke Hoang has felt the efforts Hicks has made to create a winning culture. “He’s really nice and seems like he wants to have winning teams this year. From what we’ve covered in our team meetings so far, he is serious about having a successful team, and I believe he is sincere about it,” Hoang said. Hicks’s former teammate AJ Schneller reflected on his experience with Hicks

when they played golf together at Loyola. “Over the years my appreciation of Ryan has grown well beyond his ability as a player,” Schneller said. “I’ve come to realize just how much knowledge he has of the game, and more importantly, how gifted he is as a teacher. That really comes as no surprise to me, because Ryan was an excellent communicator and writer.” Hicks treats his role as head coach not just as an opportunity to win, but as an opportunity to create a culture for Loyola athletics. “I want them to know that Loyola is a family to me, from being a player many years ago to now rejoining as part of the coaching staff,” Hicks said. “I want to have the best interest of all my players at heart. I want to build a winning culture for the men's team, women’s team, and as a collective.”

The Band: The Army, The Navy and their roots at Loyola Continued from page 1 The band has two EPs that they’ve released over the past two years, “Fruit for Flies” and “Sugar for Bugs,” but on June 12th of this year, they released their debut album, “Fake Brave Life.” “Actually, some of the songs were written in college, so some of them were written in the songwriting classes,” Goldberg said, in reference to the songs on the album, “Walls,” “Becky,” and “Pretty, Pink, and Soft.” “Yeah, Loyola really helped us make our album, which is cool.” This summer, the band performed at one of the world’s most popular music festivals, Lollapalooza. “We were really excited. I remember we were like ‘ah, I’m so nervous,’ but we were also smiling ear to ear,” Ciambriello said. The band has played multiple festivals, such as Bumbershoot in 2025, but they’ve never been on a stage quite as big as Lollapalooza’s. “I felt so good, I felt so free. It feels so good to be on a big stage, where everything sounds good.” Goldberg said. “Sometimes when you play clubs, and you do it with a full band, you're getting a lot of drums, like, the tininess. It's hard to make a smaller room sound good…at least in my experience.”

The duo explained that their childhood home inspired the roots of their sound. “We grew up in such a beautiful place. There was a beach 30 minutes away. There's fog and mountains on every corner. There are tall redwood trees,” Ciambriello said. “I think Sasha and I, one of our biggest inspirations in writing, have always been nature, and I think since we grew up in the same place, we have a shared sense of what nature we find beautiful and how it inspires us, and I think that was and still is a huge thing for us when we're writing music.” And despite their home in California being the source of most of their inspiration, they still find plenty of inspiration in New Orleans. “I think New Orleans was my introduction to more music. I had never heard jazz music in the flesh before, I'd never seen all these huge, deep, and powerful instruments, and I've never been around so many musicians that were so good at their instrument before, and that was so inspiring for me,” Ciambriello said. The pair had some advice that they wanted to extend to current Loyola students who have an interest in pursuing music as a career. “I would say, don't be afraid to be embarrassed online,” Ciambriello said.

The Army, The Navy on stage at Lollapalooza with their band name on the screen behind them. The band was excited for their first performance at the popular music festival. July 31, 2026. Courtesy of Bella Peterson. @elavamy on Instagram

“Something Maia and I struggled with a little bit was posting our music for the first time, and I actually do think that inhibited us for a while.” They also had some advice on living in New Orleans. “I would say get out of Uptown and go explore New Orleans, because inspiration is truly everywhere in the city, " Ciambriello said. “I think that sometimes you get comfortable, and you get in the places that you know, and you want to stay there, but I think that there's

so much inspiration in the city, and you have to just go downtown, go to the Bywater, go everywhere. Exploring the city so much gave us everything, and we're truly forever indebted to what the city gave us.” On October 6th, The Army, The Navy will be embarking on their “Fake Brave Life” tour. “We've only performed the new music a few times. We still feel like it's very new to us, with a full band to sing it all. It's very special,” Goldberg said.

Volleyball: Puche's new record represents deep values Continued from page 8 “That helped me to realize that I’m more than just a setter,” Puche said. “I’m a friend. I’m a good person. I’m a sister.” Coach Jenna Ibieta said Puche’s willingness to reflect on her performance has contributed to that growth. “Bèlén spends a lot of time reflecting honestly on her own game as a player,” Ibieta said. “She consistently watches film and comes into meetings with very intentional questions and observations.” Ibieta said Puche’s growth has also translated into leadership, particularly with several newcomers joining the team this season. “Her comfort and experience on the court have helped others play with more confidence,” Ibieta said. “She has also embraced the responsibility of helping those around her, and that has made a noticeable impact on our team.” Puche credits her teammates and coaches for helping her reach 1,000 assists. “This is just because of them,” Puche said. “They push me every single day. I wouldn’t be this setter without them because they want to get better. So I’m getting better because of them.” Ibieta said Puche’s milestone reflects the selfless nature required of a setter. “A lot of what it takes to be a great setter is putting others before yourself, and Bèlén embodies that,” Ibieta said. “It is never about her; it is always about the success of the team.” For Puche, 1,000 assists represent three years of work, teamwork and growth. As she finishes her final season, she hopes to leave behind a standard that future Wolf Pack players can continue to build on. “We are trying to give our best and set a standard so the next generations can do better,” Puche said.

Loyola athletics hires their new cheer coach By Sophia Lewis slewis1@my.loyno.edu

The Loyola athletic department has hired Michaela Triche as the new head coach for competitive cheer and dance. With experience in cheerleading exceeding five years, as an athlete and as a coach, Triche proves to be a great addition to Loyola’s athletic program. “My path to Loyola has really been a combination of my background in cheer and dance, my experience coaching, and my desire to continue growing as a leader,” Triche said. “When the opportunity at Loyola came about, I was immediately drawn to the university and what it represents.” Triche continued to expand upon why she felt Loyola was a good fit for her. “I’ve always wanted to be somewhere where I could make an impact, not only on the competitive side of a pro-

gram, but also on the athletes as people. Loyola felt like a place where I could bring my experience and passion while also building something meaningful. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this program and to become part of the Loyola community,” Triche said. Loyola Assistant Vice President for Athletics Brett Simpson spoke about his thoughts on Coach Triche in a statement communicated through Director of Athletic Communications, Camal Petro. "Michaela brings championship-level experience and a strong connection to the New Orleans cheer and dance community," Simpson said. “She was a successful college athlete at Texas A&M. As a coach, she has a passion for developing student-athletes that makes her an outstanding fit for Loyola. We're excited about the energy and leadership she will bring to Wolf Pack Spirit Groups." Coach Triche aims to create a strong

family-like unit within the team. “I want to bring a strong sense of purpose, accountability, and family to this team,” Triche said. “Obviously, we want to be competitive and continue raising the standard athletically, but I also want our athletes to be proud of the team they’re a part of and the people they become through this experience.” The transition to a new coach is being received well by the athletes of the competitive cheer and dance teams. Cheerleader Lauren Stewart spoke on her experience with Coach Triche this season. “Coach Triche has been so kind, supportive, and helpful since her arrival! So far, she has already made a positive impact on both teams, and I’m excited to continue getting to know her as the season goes on,” Stewart said. With any change in leadership there are often adjustments that may present

some challenges, namely adjusting to new and unfamiliar choreography, but Triche proves to be a skilled problem solver and receptive leader. Cheerleader Gerardo Santana spoke about his experience with Coach Triche. “I love how Coach Triche has been open with us about these difficulties and worked with us on solutions,” Santana said. “It is always nice to have a fresh pair of eyes on something, as new perspectives can lead to improvement on something you didn’t know could be improved. Coach Triche sees things in us we didn’t, and has pushed us to learn and grow.” Coach Triche has high hopes for the upcoming sports season, and she’s excited to get the ball rolling. “I’m looking forward to the competition, the growth, the challenges, and especially the moments that we’ll experience as a team. "

Michaela Triche cheering for the Saints. Triche is the new head coach at Loyola. Courtesy of Michaela Triche.

OPINION

The Maroon Sept. 25, 2026

GET THE FLOCK OUT

You may not know what Flock cameras are, but they know a lot about you. By Parrish Scheuermann plscheue@my.loyno.edu

Flock Safety is an AI tech company that creates surveillance cameras meant to track anyone who comes within proximity to the cameras. The cameras are officially licensed as license plate readers, which is one function of the devices, but their true usage and intent are a threat to the American public’s security as a whole. These spy devices can detect any Bluetooth signal nearby, meaning if you have your phone, they know who you are. The CEO of Flock Safety, Garrett Langley, claims that a “compromise” of U.S. citizens’ privacy is necessary for our “safety.” In reality, Langley doesn’t even make this compromise himself. Independent journalist Tyler Oliveira was creating a video documentary on Flock cameras and hired a private investigator to get some information on Flock’s CEO. It turns out that Garrett Langley uses a different car with a different license plate every day (for the three days he was being investigated), something that any normal citizen would never do or even be able to access. So, why is he essentially hiding

from his own cameras? It’s because he is aware of the security crisis he and his company have caused in the United States. Per DeFlock (the main website used to combat Flock Safety), there are over 140,000 Flock cameras spanning across the United States. Even more concerning, the cameras are becoming widespread in U.S. owned territories, with 374 reported cameras outside of the mainland U.S. The rapid expansion of Flock cameras is a very alarming issue, with there having been a 559.43% increase in reported camera installations in the past year alone. Not only are the cameras essentially spyware when used with their original intent, butmalicious use of Flock technology is running rampant within many U.S. police departments. Per The Washington Post, 46 officers were caught stalking their partners, ex-partners, family members, and other people they know by using Flock cameras. 19th News reported that over 5,000 police departments utilize the mass surveillance giant’s technology to “help locate missing persons, catch thieves, and identify suspicious vehicles.” I find this funny since the cameras’

technology has ended in the false arrests of 27 people since installments of the cameras began. One couple was detained at gunpoint in Sherwood, Arkansas, after a “license plate reader” incorrectly deciphered the family’s car. I mention that this was a family car, because not only was the couple held at gunpoint, but their child, who had been born only six weeks before the incident, was in the car. That’s right, a young couple was at a serious risk of losing their lives directly in front of their infant baby. Another alarming case is the false arrest of Lindsey Isaacs. Lindsey was tracked down by investigators after yet another false reading of a license plate, leading to her spending thirteen days in jail. Isaacs was quoted as saying, “My heart was in my stomach,” on the CyberGuy Report Podcast. This feeling is very warranted, as she was asleep when officers promptly woke her up and arrested her after arriving at her house. Lindsey was told her vehicle was involved in a car crash that ended in the deaths of three individuals. Her vehicle had no damage. What might be the worst part about Flock Safety existing in general is the constant use of unnecessary consequences for retaliation against the

cameras. The maximum penalty for the destruction of a Flock camera in Louisiana is up to two years in prison and a fine capping at $2,000. I believe that the beyond reasonable extent of punishment is reflective of the true motive of Flock’s expansion: Surveilling any and everyone possible to lengths not yet considered by the masses. Recently, three students were arrested by the Tulane University Police Department at the popular New Orleans college bar The Boot. The students were arrested after being linked to the alleged dismantling of a Flock camera in the New Orleans area, and are currently innocent until proven guilty. In my personal experience, Flock cameras track me at least five times per week during the school year. After using the DeFlock website and following my exact route to Loyola, it revealed to me that I drive in front of 13 Flock cameras every time I commute to school. What this means is that Flock Safety knows who I am, what car I drive, my weekly schedule, and the university I attend. Personally, I am not comfortable with this information being easily obtainable for a major corporation

like Flock, especially since large data breaches and the selling of personal information are anything but rare occurrences in today’s day and age. All I have left to say is one question. Are you okay with your life being followed?

A flock camera positioned on West Road, between Loyola University and Tulane University, on September 21, 2026. The camera sits behind Biever Hall. Sophia Renzi/The Maroon

''Brain Rot'' nation Finding quality, stimulating entertainment is rewarding in the long run. By Amari Winchester

that’s probably going on. So, needing an escape from all of that isn’t what I’m on the fence about; it's how you're escaping that’s the problem. The reason why “brain rot” content is so addictive is that you don’t have to think about it. You don’t have to think about the fact that the hand you see on your screen has seven fingers. You don’t have to think about the fact that the voice on your screen sounds like a robot pretending to be human.

abwinche@my.loyno.edu

If you’re one to consume a lot of media that would be considered “brain rot” content, I’m inclined to think that you have poor taste. Is that wrong of me to say? According to the National Library of Medicine, “brain rot” is “the cognitive decline and mental exhaustion experienced by individuals, particularly adolescents and young adults, due to excessive exposure to low-quality online materials.” On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, “brain rot” content has been on the rise. Especially with the normalization of AI content over the past few years. It’s hard not to find a low quality of video of an anthropomorphic cat soap opera on your feed. It’s also sometimes hard to stop looking away from it either. I’m not going to say that I’m completely above it because I get why it’s so alluring. I’m very active on my phone, especially when it comes to social media. It’s an easy way for a person to be entertained in a short amount of time. But I think that I can speak for all of us when I say that a short TikTok visit can turn into doomscrolling real quick. Especially when you’d rather do anything except that paper that is due at 11:59. Even though we know doomscrolling is not the healthiest thing, we do it anyway because of one simple fact:

“ “When you start to not

think about things like basic quality, you become complicit in the death of your own preference.".” Amari Winchester Mass Communications sophomore

A student scrolls on his phone in bed. Constant screen time, consisting of meaningless content, is damaging young people. Photo illustration by Elise Beck.

college life is stressful. Not only do we have to worry about classes, but we also have to worry about a whole

bunch of other things. Jobs, friends, extracurriculars, and that’s not even considering all of the stuff back home

So when you start to not think about things like basic quality, you become complicit in the death of your own preference. It’s a special thing that we can shape our own opinions about the world around us, and the fact that opinions can develop or change. So even if you don’t have to think about the content you're consuming, you should want to. Numbing yourself with “brain rot” all of the time is not going to expand the point of view that you were gift-

ed with. Am I saying that you have to watch TED Talks all of the time so you don’t become stupid? No! I don’t even want to do that. But what I am saying is that the content you're scrolling through should be based on things that not only stimulate you, but also give you a reason to think. If you recently watched a TV show or a movie, interact with creators who talk about media to gain new perspectives on the things you watch. If you see a person online start a conversation that relates to you and your friends, have that conversation with them. Not only to understand yourself better, but also the people around you. If you need inspiration on your clothing style or your cooking skills, follow people who will motivate you to improve in those areas. The one thing that all of these examples have in common is that you're taking away something from it. Connect with the things that make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. Continue to build on your own curated taste in the world around you. Especially when it’s hard, because that means you care. The fact that a lot of people don’t is a concerning thing to see. If you start to not care about the little things, you’re especially not going to care about the big things. So please start caring; you'll thank yourself later, trust me.

The Maroon Sept. 25, 2026

EDITORIAL

Loyola ensures food safety amid FDA recalls Students are unaware of measures being taken by Sodexo to ensure their food safety in dining service

HOWLS & GROWLS HOWL to Saints win GROWL to Midterms HOWL to Peanuts x Starbucks GROWL to Heat HOWL to Empanola GROWL to No parking Editorial Board

Residents of Loyola wait outside the OR Dining Hall on Sept. 22 after a delayed opening. Long lines at the OR have become increasingly common in recent weeks. Riddick Winter/The Maroon

Recent FDA recalls have been causing a disruption in food safety throughout the nation. From frozen goods to lettuce to flours, panic has erupted regarding food regulation. Some students have reported concerns in respect to the safety of campus dining, yet Loyola has not served any recalled foods, stating that the dining services have been unaffected. Several students felt that Loyola has not maintained efficient communication and has failed to reassure students about the safety of dining operations. However, Sodexo maintains procedures to ensure safety, monitoring recalls and disposing of affected products. If a product is to be substituted, menus are adjusted accordingly. Though the Loyola body is not directly affected, this is a public health issue that students deserve to be aware of. As soon as this became a problem, Loyola students should have been made aware. Sodexo has put all necessary proce-

dures in place. The efforts put toward protecting students’ health deserve acknowledgment. It is a difficult job to maintain, keeping every single step in check to ward off any chance of contamination. There is no question in the fact that Loyola has measures meant to secure students’ well-being. The issue isn’t that Sodexo has failed to handle the recalls correctly. Charlie Casrill, the General Manager for Sodexo at Loyola’s response, actually proves that they have taken prudent measures in protecting students’ health. “Food safety is part of our ongoing campus operations and training, including semester training reviews, new employee safety training and daily food safety procedures,” said Casrill. The food at Loyola is safe to consume. The problem lies in the fact that students have to ask in order to be aware of these specific procedures. Some students even stated a complete lack of knowledge about the FDA recalls debacle. Information like this is crucial for

students to be aware of, and seeing students’ confusion on food safety makes the gravity of this issue weigh all the more. Students are simply not receiving vital information that is essential to their well-being. Even when Loyola remains unaffected, communication is the only way to guarantee students’ security. Loyola’s dining facilities and Sodexo need to establish a consistent system to notify students of any recalls or safety concerns that could jeopardize or instill worry in the meals served to students. This should not be a difficult system to establish. Students and faculty are at reach at all times of the day, through email, GroupMe, and the several apps that offer Loyola services. There are dozens of ways in which to inform, yet we see nothing. In an age where the whole world is at your fingertips, and reaching others is more accessible than ever before, communication should not continue to be

an issue. Though Loyola has been vigilant on this issue, it is not the first time the absence of their communication speaks louder than actions. It is an enormous disservice to keep students in the dark when so much effort is being put towards their wellbeing. It is nothing less than ludicrous when students are those who are required to contact administration or dining staff to learn whether what they are consuming plays a risk in their wellbeing. Sodexo claims safety as a priority, but how are students still unaware of the safeguards in place? Better communication is what gives students the information necessary to make informed decisions about what they consume. Food safety does depend on efficient procedures, but establishing trust with students requires transparency.

Editor-in-Chief Alana Frank Executive News Director Lily Bordelon 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 Editorial Manager Laci Williams Senior Sta Photographer Sophia Renzi Photo Editor Pharrell Every 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 Co-Anchor Eleanor Boucher-Ferry EDITORIAL POLICY The editorial on this page represents the majority opinions of The Maroon’s editorial board and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Loyola University. Letters and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of The Maroon’s editorial board. The Maroon does not represent the opinion of administration, staff and/or faculty members of Loyola. Letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and style. Please limit submissions to 400 words. Submissions are due no later than 4 p.m. the Sunday before publication. Please send all submissions — The Maroon, 6363 St. Charles Ave., Box 64, New Orleans, LA 70118. Email us your letters — letter@ loyno.edu. Submissions may also be made online at www.loyolamaroon.com.