November 18, 2025 | The Reflector

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS • FOUNDED 1922 • INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA VOL.

104 I S S UE # 2

NOVEMBER 18, 2025

reflector.uindy.edu

Accessibility issues at UIndy

By Willa Allen & Adrian Moon

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER & STAFF WRITER Facilities is waiting for the University of Indianapolis’ Master Plan to address ADA accessibility issues that have arisen on campus.

Bruce Miller, director of facilities, said he is currently working with an outside company to gather information that could help improve ADA accessibility. Larger changes are expected to align with UIndy’s upcoming master plan, which will outline the university’s direction for the next five to 10 years.

Facilitiesdoesnothaveimmediate plans to make accessibility updates, Miller said, but the department makes individual accommodations for students with disabilities as needed. A budget is set aside for ADA-related adjustments, Miller said, and facilities work with residence life on a case-by-case basis.

“We have a student who has joined the university this year who presented some unique ADA requirements. We focused on that for close to a month and a half, preparing her dorm room and getting her access to the buildings that she needed on campus,”Miller said.

A student in an ADA dorm said that their room followed ADA requirements on paper, but faltered in practice. The student requested and received the ADA room before acquisition, and spoke of their experiences in their dorm, along with certain accessibility options on campus.

The bathroom is where most issues are present, according to the student. There was no light in the shower when the curtain was closed, there was a huge lip making it hard to get in, and the shower rails were positioned in a way where the student had to move the curtain to hold onto them.

“My shower head is kind of busted,” the student said. “It sprays water off the side and it lands directly on the metal rail. What am I supposed to do with that? I have no grip and no traction. I’m just grabbing onto it and sliding down.

God forbid I lose control of my legs or something.”

According to Miller,Warren Hall presents the biggest accessibility challenge because it does not have a ramp. He also noted that another residence hall does not have an elevator.

“Res Life has to be a little bit more conscientious of where they put students with accessibility issues,” Miller said.

Photo by Luke Cooper

Warren Hall photographed on Nov. 14. Warren Hall is an example of a building on campus that does not meet ADA standards, according to facilities.

Accessibility repairs are addressed either by Facilities staff or an outside company, depending on the issue, according to Miller.

Maintenance staff can complete some repairs on campus, and they keep spare parts on hand, but most ADA door repairs are handled by an outside company.

Miller said that Facilities

conducts annual checks of ADA doors, but issues that arise between inspections are addressed when work orders are submitted, which notify Facilities about broken accessibility features. Once a work order is submitted, Facilities typically responds within one to two days, according to Miller.

Repairs that require an outside

company may take longer based on the company’s availability. ADArelated issues are placed higher on the Facilities priority list than routine maintenance tasks, he said.

Students can report ADArelated concerns by calling Facilities at 317-788-3258 or emailing maintenance@uindy.edu or facilities@uindy.edu.

Security loopholes on campus Doors with automatic buttons have to remain unlocked but pose security risks

Photo by Luke Cooper

The Schwitzer Student Center is an example of one building on campus that has card swipe access for students and staff to enter. Doors with automatic door buttons must remain unlock, thus creating a loophole.

By Willa Allen

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Loopholes in the University of Indianapolis’s security system have led some students to question whether current measures adequately protect them on campus.

Students have reported that at

certain doors equipped with an ADA-accessible button,card swipes are not required for entry. UIndy students say this poses a safety risk.

“This is 100% a safety risk,”junior social work major Kyla Blattner said. “Especially with the amount of homeless people who are around on campus, as sad as it is, they are looking for places to stay.”

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Senior public health major Brenna Bastin agreed this poses a safety risk. If a random person sees a student utilize this loophole, then they now know how to get in.

According to UIndy Chief Brandon Pate, the issue occurs because the ADA button does not override the lock. If the lock were activated, the door would no longer

be ADA accessible. Pate said the police department is working with facilities to purchase and install switches so those doors will operate similarly to residence hall entrances.

He said the loophole should no longer be present once those changes are implemented. The police check card-access systems once a month, though facilities oversee the system as a whole.

Two months ago, the police began using drones to increase situational awareness on campus.

Pate said the police are using technology as a force multiplier to assist with response and mitigation. “[The drones] do have a huge impact on us,” Pate said. “If we get a call right now that says suspicious person in Key Stadium, let's say we have an officer on a run, where our detective can put the drone up and kind of locate through the air visually.”

In 2023, the police launched the Guardian app, which provides instant access to campus police and was developed as a student-led initiative. The app sends messages directly to the officers’ phones and emails and functions as a text-based communication system.

“I really wish more students knew about it, had it downloaded and used it,” Pate said.

Crime on campus has seen a decrease over the past three years.

Pate provided statistics for several categories, including aggravated assault, alcohol arrests, burglary and drug arrests. Aggravated assaults decreased from four in 2022 to zero in 2024,and alcohol arrests fell from five in 2022 to zero in 2024.Burglary cases dropped from nine in 2022 to zero in both 2023 and 2024,and drug arrests declined from six in 2022 to zero in 2024.

Students shared what additional measures would help them feel safer on campus. Blattner said increased lighting and locking all the buildings at set times would make a difference, and Bastin said she would like to see “more police security,” including officers stationed near the bus stop and in campus parking lots.

Upcoming security projects include additional cameras on campus and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design strategies in areas such as Schwitzer Park and Smith Mall, Pate said.

He added that the police recently applied for a grant to improve access control.

"We want your feedback,” Pate said. “A lot of people think that we don't take it seriously, but there's been real public safety improvements based on student feedback.”

To contact the UIndy Police Department, call 317-788-3386, and the station is located at 3920 S. Shelby St.

SENIOR SEND-OFF

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OPINION

2

Luke Cooper is off

NOVEMBER 18, 2025

THE REFLECTOR

The heist heard Editor-in-Chief bids goodbye to The Reflector after 1.5 years around the world

By Luke Cooper

By the middle of my sophomore year, I became the news director for WICR 88.7 for a semester.

After some challenges, I decided it was time for a change of pace, so I applied to be the online editor for The Reflector, a position that would be the perfect blend of my broadcast journalism and public

relations experience. I had the interview two hours before I had to board a plane to Las Vegas for a conference, which would be my first flight ever. I got the news I had been hired right before I had to head to the airport. I feel honored to be the last remaining member of The Reflector to have

been hired when Jeanne Criswell served as adviser.

I joined The Reflector at an interesting time, being between advisers. After I got the hang of how The Reflector worked, I did not think it was that bad. Before joining, I thought The Reflector was too much work for the result.

It was relatively simple compared to my expectations, but I did not have to design pages either.

As online editor, one of my first acts was to modernize our social media graphics. I followed that by opening our LinkedIn and TikTok accounts, expanding The Reflector’s digital presence to more platforms.

I also helped upload our first videos to YouTube. I tried staying behind the camera as much as possible, which is why it is very rare to see me on social media.

By the time interviews rolled around for this year, I decided to apply for editor-in-chief as a lastminute effort. I received the role despite graduating in the middle of the year. I am fortunate to have Logan McInnes taking over for me next semester.

It has been such an honor to serve as editor-in-chief of this publication. I am extremely grateful for the experiences I have had by being a member of The Reflector, and I want to thank Advisers Jeanne Criswell and Katie Greenan for making it possible. My greatest advice is to always keep opportunities open.

program, Nelson also hosts the annual Writer’s Symposium By The Sea, where prominent writers come to discuss the craft of writing. Nelson has interviewed Amy Tan, Anne Lamott, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Rob Bell, Deepak Chopra, Ray Bradbury, George Plimpton, Joyce Carol Oates, Garrison Keillor, Billy Collins, Bill Moyers, and dozens of others. Many of those interviews are available for viewing on this site and on UCSD-TV’s website. They have been broadcast worldwide and downloaded or viewed more than 4 million times.”

Nelson was an incredible speaker.

In a nutshell, he spoke on how to engage someone in an interview who is reluctant to answer questions. I took three pages of notes, learned a lot and even had the chance to connect with Nelson after. Not only was he full of wisdom and very wellspoken, but he was a great person and extremely down to earth.

On Saturday, we made it back home to Indianapolis after a long day of TSA issues with American Airlines, as we had to deplane three times. Yes, the statement came true; the “third time was the charm” for us.

Overall, D.C. was an incredible experience for me, as I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I would definitely recommend going if you have not been, and I’m for sure going back sometime in the future.

Another session I attended was on self-care during crisis reporting.

The most valuable lesson from the session was to remember the people involved are more than just a number or statistic; each of them has a story to tell.

My favorite session was the first editor-in-grief session, as the presenter had a very good sense of humor. It was interesting to hear the philosophy of the editor-in-chief is above a bunch of anarchists. The editor should be tough at first and then lighten up later.

Outside the conference, I enjoyed

meeting The Reflector Advisor Katie Greenan’s brother, Michael. It was kind of him to spend time with us and give us a tour of C-SPAN. He is very intelligent and funny — he has one of those personalities that resonates with people. We talked with people at C-SPAN on the tour, and they absolutely loved Michael.

Overall, attending MediaFest reminded me why journalism matters and why being a part of it is something to be proud of. It also opened my eyes to how student journalism can be vastly different from professional journalism.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The first thing I did when I stepped on campus was changing my major f rom journalism to communication to avoid being a member of The Reflector.

I had no clue what I wanted to do when I was applying for college.

My major depended on which colleges I applied to — it was split between journalism and computer science. Ultimately, I chose the University of Indianapolis, where I had decided to pursue journalism up until that point. I wanted to be an automotive journalist, but I thought broadcasting might be a better route for me, so I opted for that instead.

By the end of my freshman year, I had made a good effort to be a part of UINDY TV. I definitely had leadership potential there. I also decided to drop my business administration minor to pursue a public relations track on top of my media track.

During the first three weeks of summer after my freshman year, I took the spring term course “Hollywood Looks at Journalists.”I am deeply grateful for that course, as it introduced me to my journalism heroes like Edward Murrow and Peter Arnett. I still did not have a desire to take The Reflector after that class, as I thought it would be too difficult.

Luke Cooper

Editors in the capital

By Luke Cooper & Logan McInnes

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & MANAGING EDITOR Logan’s Experience The trip to Washington, D.C., for the Society of Professional Journalists’ MediaFest 2025 was my first time going there. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the city. It was lively on every street corner, restaurant and bar, and the gorgeous array of government buildings and corporate skyscrapers was pleasing to the eye.

On Thursday, the first day of the conference began. I was fortunate enough to get selected as one out of 10 of the 800 total conference attendees to be taken on a tour of U.S. News and World Report, along with other journalists from the conference and a tour guide, who took us there via the metro.The tour guide at U.S. News and World Report was a great guy with whom I connected well. It was inspiring to hear how he had just graduated from college in May of this year, and yet he was already working at a prestigious place in such a short amount of time. The tour was wonderful, as he took us all around the building. We had a live Q&A with three bigwigs from the company, whom I had the chance to ask several questions to, and our tour guide even took us to the building’s rooftop patio, which overlooked the city.

After the tour, I had the chance to attend a session called “Storytelling Through Videography,” which was about the power of storytelling through a picture and lighting without dialogue.

On Friday, Luke and I attended three sessions: which were “Talking to Strangers,” the second session of “Editor-in-Grief ” and “Deadlines and Dating.” My favorite session was “Talking to Strangers,” led by professional journalist and interviewer Dean Nelson.

According to Nelson’s website, “Dean Nelson is the founder and director of the journalism program at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. He writes occasionally for the New York Times, the Boston Globe, San Diego Magazine, Westways, Sojourners, and several other national publications. He has won several awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for his reporting and has written or co-written 14 books. Nelson is a frequent speaker at writing workshops and retreats…In addition to directing the PLNU journalism

Luke’s Experience Attending MediaFest 2025 in Washington, D.C. was not my first rodeo in the nation’s capital, but it was my first during a government shutdown.

Photo contributed by Katie Greenan

Logan McInnes, Katie Greenan and Luke Cooper pose for a photo on the MediaFest25 red carpet. The Reflector attended conference sessions where media professionals shared their insights.

If I owned the world’s largest public art museum, holding some of the most distinguished and loved art pieces in history, what would be my security password?

The Louvre museum in Paris, which was recently under fire after a security breach resulted in a jewelr y heist costing a whopping $102 million. Get this: its video surveillance system password was set to “Louvre,” according to ABC News.

I can’t sit here and knock on someone for making their password something easy to remember; we’ve all done this.

But this museum holds the Mona Lisa, which, according to NPR, was involved in a different art heist at that very museum? It’s insane.

With the internet taking over, you would think it unlikely to pull an “Ocean’s Eight” when one could simply hack into someone’s bank account if they really wanted money. So that is what makes this heist so intriguing to people all over the world — why do it?

According to the BBC, the four robbers will most likely sell the jewels separately, not as a package deal, making them virtually impossible to track down to the Oct. 19 robbery.

If the robbers are successful in selling the priceless gems, they will likely walk away with over 13 million.

Is 13 million enough money for you to pull something off like this? The robbers must have to have practiced and prepared for the infamous heist. People all over are flooding the internet with memes, conspiracies and edits attempting to decipher what went through the minds of the four robbers.

In an interview with Law&Crime Sidebar, former FBI and CIA special agent Tracy Walder said the robbers were sloppy. According to Walder, seven minutes to get in and out with the jewels was a “really long time.”

The Louvre heist isn’t just going viral for its in-and-out shock value, but also because of the romanticising culture that Gen Z has come to love. TikToks under the #louvreheist call it the “heist of the century” while providing headcannons for what they think the thieves might look like. Others call the robbery a “recession indicator” – “Art heists are back!”

Not to jump on the bandwagon, but I have to agree with some of the points made by others online.

Watching the heist go down, checking in for new updates and laughing at the insanity of the risky situation — it’s the same reason people love true crime.

While the Louvre robbers might have to break up a few jewels, they definitely brought some people together.

The opinions in this section do not necessarily reflect those of The Reflector staff.

It was an amazing learning o p p o r t u n i t y, b u t m o s t importantly, an eye-opening experience to the many people who deal with the same situations we do. Unfortunately, there are some who have it worse than others. Shoutout to those who have to deal with overarching administrations, I stand with you fully.

Not to brag, but The Reflector has a really good workplace culture.

One session dealt with relationships in student journalism, and a few students told their stories and it made my jaw drop. The amount of internal fighting I heard was incredible. Disagreements are bound to happen, but some of these situations went beyond that. People dating each other and breaking up was the tip of the iceberg, as some are dealing with jealous staff because of their editorial board elections.

By Ella Harner

ARTS & GRAPHICS DIRECTOR

Corrections The Reflector acknowledges its mistakes.

When a mistake occurs, we will print corrections here on the Opinion page.

If you catch a mistake, please contact us at reflector@uindy.edu.

In our Aug. 26 Issue: The Corrections Box was a template.

What do you think?

Photo contributed by Katie Greenan

Katie Greenan, Michael Greenan, Logan McInnes and Luke Cooper pose for a photo in a C-SPAN production broadcast room. Michael provided The Reflector with a tour of C-SPAN’s offices and studios in Washington, D.C.

Send your letters to the editor or other correspondence to reflector@uindy.edu

NEWS

3 NOVEMBER 18, 2025

THE REFLECTOR

UIndy sets goals for retention rates

By Ella Crawford STAFF WRITER

The University of Indianapolis is currently standing at a 70.1% retention rate and has set a goal to have it raised to 85% by 2027, according to Vice President for Student Affairs Carolyn Golz.

Right now, 30% of students who attend their first year at UIndy do not graduate from UIndy. This is due to things such as location, lack of Greek life, majors and financial aid, according to Associate Provost and Professor of Communication Rebecca Gilliland.

UIndy has made a plan to have improvements made for the university and to raise the school’s retention rate. The university plans to accomplish this by making some changes and improvements in areas that will benefit the students. Golz and Gilliland are currently leading the efforts for improvements in university retention. The main effort that they want to undertake is to achieve more effective, efficient and improved communication within the university, said both Golz and Gilliland.

One of these planned efforts to benefit students includes

improving the first-year student experience on campus. This is being implemented because how a student reacts to their first year being a college student can set the tone for the rest of their college career, according to Gilliland.

“We’re trying to set the tone from the beginning,” Gilliland said. “We’re taking a very hard look at specific academic courses in the first year, seeing how we can help to support faculty and improve those [courses], and how events can actually coincide with those courses to get students more acclimated to campus from the beginning.”

Gilliland said new student orientations and New Hounds Days will be looked at before new students arrive in order to set a positive tone for them.

Efforts are being made to make sure that students have support from the university and that they are more prepared to start their college experience from the very start. Support from faculty and the university includes help from advisors, the staff of Student Affairs, as well as offering things such as workshops to first-year students.

This also includes the university connecting students who may have

Graphic by Ella Crawford

graduated high school with a low GPA with resources on campus to help them with their studies, such as the school’s SOS workshops and making sure that they are aware of study zones and tutoring on campus, Golz said. The university wants these connections to be made up front for new incoming students, according to Golz.

O verall, the key to this retention improvement process is communication. UIndy Provost

Chris Plouff said that it should be easier for students to communicate with the university without having to switch from multiple different places and talk with numerous people to make sure that they are being helped. “[We are] trying to make sure that we have all the services in place for students to be able to do that much more seamlessly so that we are all communicating and not expecting the student to have to do

all the communicating,” Plouff said.

Plouff said UIndy students should communicate with the university if they are being negatively impacted by it.

“We want to know about that,” Plouff said. “So that we can help improve that aspect to make you feel as comfortable, supported, challenged in all those ways [in order] to get the educational outcome and goal that you’re trying to achieve.”

UIndy master plan UIndy marketing firm University hopes to make impact with new plan

By Luke Cooper EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The University of Indianapolis is set to launch a master plan soon, which will serve as a long-term guide for the university’s goals.

“The campus master plan is essentially an assessment of our current facilities, and an assessment of where we want to be next year, five years, 10 years from now,”UIndy President Tanuja Singh said. “What the place should look like, feel like, and do we, you know, what kind of capacity do we have? What if we grow [it] to three times the size of it? All that is already happening.”

The master plan is expected to share similarities with the current strategic plan, as it is being developed in conjunction with it. The strategic plan serves as a three to five-year plan for the university; the current version

was first enacted in March 2024 with revisions since, according to Singh.

“The thing that makes our strategic plan really important is, as we have said in the plan, it is a live document,” Singh said. “Our document will change and evolve as the world evolves. For example, this year, we had to adapt pretty quickly to some of the changes that are happening in our environment.”

There are five key pillars for the academic portion of the plan, according to Provost and Executive Vice President Chris Plouff. The pillars include leading health and behavioral sciences, business and technology integration, experiential learning, applied liberal arts and UIndy Online.

“There are a whole number of these things that impact different faculty members differently,” Plouff said. “Some of it impacts many of them. If you think about experiential

learning for all students, that impacts all of our majors.”

Singh said the number one goal for UIndy is student success while the university grows. Creating an AI institute and developing community relationships are meant to benefit students.

One of the primary viewpoints of the university is that learning is not a linear process anymore.

The university wants to accept and identify with more students, which includes students who might not have finished their undergraduate degree, and other students with untraditional backgrounds, without forgetting the more traditional routes, according to Singh.

“Everything that we are doing, every single initiative, every single investment, every single outcome, we are measuring it based upon what our strategic plan says,” Singh said.

“We look at it practically every day.”

Photo by Luke Cooper

University of Indianapolis sign by the visitor parking lot. The master plan will serve as a long-term vision for UIndy.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS

The Innovation Studio is located on the second floor of Esch Hall. It opened over the summer and recently had its first client, Athens on 86th.

By Luke Cooper EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The University of Indianapolis launched the UIndy Innovation Studio, leading into the 2025-26 academic year, allowing marketing students to take on projects with real clients as a student job.

The studio currently has two project managers, Marina Agapios and Grace Trump, according to Assistant Professor of Practice in Marketing and Director of the Innovation Studio Carissa Newton.

The studio had its first client over the summer, with Agapios being the sole project manager, but Trump joined this semester.

“I try to bring real-world experiences into all of my classes,” Newton said. “I am always looking for partners and I am looking for people who will let us do projects for them in our classes.”

Newton explained that the class projects with a partner or client are nice in the context of a semester, but may not necessarily work with the schedule a business has in mind.

She said a way to resolve time frame constraints is to accept work via the UIndy Innovation Studio, so the partner has a dedicated student who can do the work in their time frame.

“I am typically the one out there prospecting, meeting with potential clients, trying to help scope out the project and make sure it’s a fit for the team,”Newton said.“If it’s not a fit for

number, which will be verified. Letters are subject to condensation and editing to remove profanity.

Submission of a letter gives The Reflector permission EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.............................LUKE COOPER • charlescl@uindy.edu to publish it in print or online. All submissions MANAGING EDITOR................... LOGAN MCINNES • mcinnesl@uindy.edu become the property of The Reflector in perpetuity. NEWS EDITOR.....................................................................................TBD

The Reflector is a student publication, and the opinions contained herein are not necessarily those of the University of Indianapolis. The Reflector is dedicated to providing news to the university community fairly and accurately.

Advertisers: The Reflector welcomes advertisers both on and off campus. Advertising rates vary according to the patron’s specifications. For advertising, contact 317-788-3269 or reflector@uindy.edu.

Letters to the editor, suggestions, corrections, story ideas and other correspondence should be addressed to The Reflector, Esch Hall, Room 333, or sent via email to reflector@uindy.edu.

Readers: You are entitled to a single copy of this paper. Additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Reflector business manager.Taking multiple copies of this paper may constitute theft, and anyone who does so may be subject to prosecution and/ or university discipline.

NOTE: To be considered for publication, letters must include a valid name and telephone

Photo by Luke Cooper

the team, I may make intros to other professors that could do the applied learning in their classes... From there, [if approved,] the assignments go to the project managers.”

The studio’s first client was Athens on 86th, a Greek restaurant that received updated menus, according to Agapios. She knew the restaurant owner and decided to bring them on as a client over the summer.

“The owner came to me and asked me to redo some menus for her,” Agapios said. “I was like, this is a perfect opportunity for the Innovation Studio. I emailed Newton, saying, ‘Hey, they want me to redo their menus. I think this would be a really good opportunity.’”

One of the challenges that came from the project was dealing with the translations from English to Greek and vice versa on the original menus. Fortunately, Apagios knows Greek, so she was able to correct anything that was lost in translation on the original menus.

Currently, the studio is working on a video project for FNEX, according to Agapios. The focus is on smaller projects right now, but she hopes that once more people get added to the studio, they will have the capacity to handle larger projects.

The studio is on the lookout for new projects, according to Newton.

The students have access to faculty to coach them through each project as well.

EDITORS / MANAGERS

MISSION STATEMENT

STAFF WRITERS ELLA CRAWFORD.......................crawford@uindy.edu ADRIAN MOON.............................emoon@uindy.edu

SPORTS EDITOR.........................BRAYTON BOWEN • bowenbc@uindy.edu OPINION EDITOR................................................................................TBD FEATURE EDITOR................................................................................TBD ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR.....GENEVIEVE CONDON • condong@uindy.edu PHOTO EDITOR...................................................................................TBD ARTS & GRAPHICS DIRECTOR..............ELLA HARNER • harnere@uindy.edu BUSINESS & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER..............................................TBD SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER.................WILLA ALLEN • allenw@uindy.edu ADVISER......................................KATIE GREENAN • greenank@uindy.edu

The Reflector is dedicated to providing fair and accurate news and information for and about the campus community while upholding the highest standards of professional practice and ethical conduct. Operating in accordance with the guarantees of the First Amendment, The Reflector fosters civic discourse and engagement.

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FEATURE

4

NOVEMBER 18, 2025

THE REFLECTOR

UIndy student speaks up for SNAP users Uncertainty surrounding food benefits after longest government shutdown

By Logan McInnes MANAGING EDITOR

With the holidays around the corner, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients are unsure when they will receive their full benefits. More than 42 million Americans rely on them monthly, according to CBS News.

UIndy junior psychology major Natalie Childers knows this firsthand, having grown up in Fenton, Michigan, where her family relied on SNAP benefits to pay for groceries. Childers said she also qualifies for food stamps and benefits, being on her own at UIndy, financially independent from her parents, and a firstgeneration college student without a college fund.

“Not to like state the obvious, but a lot of these families are going without groceries or meals,” Childers said. “They’re going without necessities. And then there are a lot of parents who are choosing to go hungry so that their children can eat…”

Growing up, Childers was the youngest of six children, all halfsiblings. She said her mother had two kids with her ex-husband, her father had three kids with his ex-wife and then they had her.

Since the age of six or seven years old, her father has been disabled and unable to work, according to Childers. “...My mom was kind of singlehandedly supporting all of these children,” Childers said. “At one point, my cousin was living with us under legal guardianship. She [her mother] was working to feed all of these families, to make all of the holidays happen.”

For the Childers family, many of their meals, even when they were not experiencing genuine, extreme scarcity, were going without protein, Childers said. Her family relied on eating rice, condensed soup, ramen and lentils. Through these meals, her mother, Jennifer Childers, taught her firsthand, through cooking meals and grocery shopping with her, how to make food last and money stretch within a tight budget.

“I was able to see how my mom did it,” Natalie said. “Being a student on a minimum wage salary, especially last year, I was making $8 an hour, entirely financially independent from my parents.

So that was when I was applying for food stamps. It’s hard, and you have to learn how to grocery shop and how to get things that last a long time.”

The threat of SNAP recipients receiving delayed benefits, and maybe even not their full amount, has been weighing heavily on Natalie’s heart, according to her.

She said she thinks about it almost every day and is anxious about how these delayed benefits are coming into effect, from what she is seeing on her social media feed on a daily basis.

Natalie said she is frustrated at those who believe “this is the best thing that’s ever happened” because their tax dollars are going to people in need. She said this issue makes her worried if it were to escalate to food stamps being cut or defunded in some way, which she said she fears may go further into affecting other things, such as Social Security benefits.

Also, if the wealthy are not giving their tax dollars to those in need, Natalie said it is important to

Photo Contributed by Jennifer Childers

The Childers family hosts Thanksgiving dinner for four people. Jennifer has always prepared family meals for her children, no matter the cost.

question where that money would be going.

“It seems, like in past trends, that the people in need, their voices are not heard, and the people who are speaking against them are the ones that are heard,” Natalie said.

W hen asked whether or not she belie ves there is a stigma around needing food assistance, Natalie said that in impoverished communities where using SNAP benefits is more common, people do not think twice about it. However, Natalie gave the example of her sister not being willing to have people over at her house. She said that if people were to see the meals at her sister’s house, they would think to themselves, “Oh, they don’t make a lot of money.”

There is discomfor t and shame directed toward people on SNAP who need food assistance, according to Natalie. She said when someone is in a position where they need help, it is hard to ask for it.

“Being a student who’s working and looking forward to their future, and like doing everything that they can, it’s exhausting,” Natalie said.

“Doing that all while holding a job, working 80 hours [a month], 20 hours a week, it’s draining and it’s difficult. Having to add on worrying about feeding yourself is so detrimental to your health, well-being and mental health…”

It is a very difficult situation right now for a lot of people, especially around Fenton, Michigan, in lower-income neighborhoods, according to Jennifer. She said people are all over Facebook asking for assistance of any kind, whether people have bottles to feed their babies or extra food to feed their kids. These people are working full-time making decent money, according to Jennifer, but the amount that everything costs in life takes all of their paycheck that they rely on to pay for groceries.

Natalie said she was unaware that her family qualified for SNAP benefits until now. Jennifer said she was not ashamed of it by any means, but she was more worried about what other people would say to her kids at school, so she did not say anything about it.

“I did what I had to do,” Jennifer said. “I would make a big dinner [for the kids], and they’re like, ‘You’re not going to eat?’

‘No, I’m good. I ate while I was cooking.’ Well, I didn’t eat while I was cooking. But they didn’t need to know that because they’re just young kids. They just had to have what they needed to be big, strong and intelligent kids.”

There were seven kids in the house at one time, including Natalie, her five half-siblings and Jennifer’s nephew, whom she took in, according to Jennifer.

She said her ex-husband had to stop working, so she was the only income to feed all the kids.

Now that the tables have turned

Photo Contributed by Natalie Childers

Jennifer and Natalie Childers celebrate Natalie’s birthday at the shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield. Natalie is the youngest of six children.

for Jennifer, having all the kids out of the house and being better off financially than when the kids were little, she said she now tries her best to give as much back as she can to food banks and churches.

It helped her so much when she needed it most, so she said it feels only right to give back.

For those currently struggling to put food on the table, Jennifer said it is best to buy food in bulk, which saves you money in the long run. Also, it is a good idea to take your kids to the grocery store with you if you can, so they can see what kinds of food you are buying and how you are best making your money stretch for you within a tight budget, according to Jennifer. Natalie would often go with Jennifer to the grocery store, which Natalie said she now uses these life lessons on her own when shopping.

Jennifer addressed the two big misconceptions about those who are on SNAP and need food assistance: (1) because some take advantage of the benefits, it is not right to assume everyone will because most do not, and (2) most people work way more than the minimum 20 hours a week to receive SNAP benefits, so it is not right to assume that SNAP users “do not work hard enough.”

Jennifer had to work the 80hour monthly minimum to receive SNAP benefits weekly, often leaving Natalie and her siblings at home more than she liked, according to her. However, she said she had to do what she needed to do and worked 80 hours weekly, 15 to 17-hour days, for about three years. With the amount of costs

in life, she said she was making decent money, but still, much of it was going out on bills.

“I would work from six in the morning till six at night, usually,” Jennifer said. “Then, I would go work a second job, and on the weekends, I would work from nine in the morning until midnight, one o’clock in the morning. It was a lot.”

The biggest qualities that people can have toward SNAP recipients are empathy and respect, according to Jennifer. She said most people have not lived in these people’s shoes, but she believes that the world would be a better place if people could take into account other people’s perspectives.

For those who may be struggling and in need of food assistance, Natalie mentioned a variety of different resources on and around the UIndy campus, including the UIndy Food Pantry at University Heights Methodist Church, the $40 Thanksgiving Meal Package at Aldi, DoorDash, GOPUFF, Walmart+ Assist, Amazon Prime, Little Free Library, Instacart and SNAP INTO ACTION. Additionally, there is the “OneStop-Shop” in the Terry Center for Campus Connections, and SNAP food assistance and Community C o m p a s s Fo o d A s s i s t a n c e through Universit y Heights Methodist Church, according to UIndy’s Campus and Community Resources.

“It’s in times of need, where people realize that they have community and that they have the people around them,” Natalie said.

“I think it’s very important to just know that people are doing their best to help.”

Graphic by Willa Allen

SPORTS

5 NOVEMBER 18, 2025

THE REFLECTOR

Conference dominance

Greyhounds on a roll: UIndy clinches GLVC title share, eyes postseason run total tackles.

Under head coach Chris Keevers, the Hounds have won four GLVC Championships, but are winless in postseason play.

This trend, of course, is one that the players would love to end.

“We have a huge chip on our shoulder after all the let downs in the past,” Stuckey said. “During my time here, we haven’t made it out of the first round. We have become known for being a great regular season team, but not playing well in the postseason. We certainly want to change that.”

With momentum on their side and an outright conference title

By Brayton Bowen SPORTS EDITOR

After a dominant 66–21 win over conference opponent Southwest Baptist, the No. 12 UIndy Greyhounds have clinched at least a share of t h e 2 0 2 5 G LVC Fo o t b a l l Championship.

The Greyhounds boast the second-best scoring offense in all of NCAA Division II, averaging 48.6 points per game, trailing only the nation’s top-ranked team, Ferris State, according to the NCAA. Senior quarterback Gavin Sukup continues to lead the charge for UIndy, averaging 285 passing yards and more than three touchdown passes per game.

Sukup had a record-breaking performance against Southwest Baptist, setting new program records for both single-season and career passing touchdowns, per UIndy Athletics.

“It’s a blessing to go down in the record books,” Sukup said.

“I’m very excited about where we are as a team right now. We’ve adjusted really well as the season has gone on, and I’m even more excited about the opportunities ahead of us.”

With one regular season game left on the schedule, the focus now shifts to closing out the year on a high note and preparing for what could be a deep playoff run.

The Hounds’ last regular season contest is against Upper Iowa. A win would secure the GLVC title outright and earn them the right to host a home playoff game, an

within reach, the Greyhounds are focused on turning regular-season domination into postseason success. Led by record-setting q u a r t e r b ac k G a v i n S u k u p, award-winning offensive lineman Brandon Stuckey, and defensive standouts Danny Royster and Jalen Wilson, UIndy has the talent and leadership to make a statement on the national stage.

After years of early playoff exits, the Hounds are determined to rewrite the narrative and prove that this team is built not just to dominate the GLVC, but to compete among the best in NCAA Division II football.

Photo contributed by Allison Cook

Quarterback Gavin Sukup rushing for a first down against conference opponent Lincoln (Mo.). Sukup also threw three touchdowns in the contest.

opportunity they’ll be eager to seize in front of their fans.

“Having the opportunity to come back home and win the conference on our home turf is an amazing feeling,” said redshirt sophomore Brandon Stuckey.

“We’re blessed to be able to do it here in front of our friends and family.”

Stuckey, a 2024 All-GLVC First Team selection, anchors the Hounds’ offensive line at center, serving as the steady presence who sets the tone for a unit that’s

paved the way for the conference’s most consistent offense. While the offense has grabbed headlines, the Greyhounds’ defense has quietly established itself as one of the conference’s best units.

UIndy’s defense ranks first in the GLVC in sacks, interceptions and yards allowed per game, according to the GLVC. The Hounds are led defensively by Danny Royster and Jalen Wilson. Royster ranks second in the conference in sacks, while Wilson ranks eighth in

Despite playing much of the season without Clark, the Fever still reached the WNBA semifinals and came within minutes of advancing to the Finals. Just a few years ago, this would have seemed unthinkable as the Fever were the league’s laughingstock, missing the playoffs seven straight seasons from 2017 to 2024 and failing to reach ten wins in five of those seven seasons. In a state that lives and breathes basketball, the Fever’s resurgence may be just as meaningful as the Pacers.

Sticking with basketball, Purdue University men’s basketball has been one of the most consistent and successful programs in all of the NCAA in recent years.

Led by head coach Matt Painter, the Boilermakers have made 10 straight NCAA tournaments (no tournament during the 2020 season) and reached the 2024 National Championship game.

Despite losing in the national title game, Purdue’s run to the championship marked a significant milestone for the program, as it was the Boilermakers’ first appearance in the NCAA final since 1969.

Fast forward to the present day, and Purdue is the preseason No. 1-ranked team in the country in both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls for the 2025-26 college basketball season.

While basketball dominates the Hoosier state, football has quietly shown its own resurgence.

After decades of struggle, Indiana University football has a pulse.

The Hoosiers are in the midst of back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons. Following an impressive 11–1 regular season in 2024, the Hoosiers earned their first-ever College Football Playoff berth, where they fell to Notre Dame 27–17. Now, sitting at 9–0 with two top-10 victories, Indiana has a legitimate shot at an undefeated 2025 regular season and Big Ten Championship appearance. Head Coach Curt Cignetti has revived the Hoosier football program and was awarded with an eight-year, $93 million contract extension with Indiana that runs through 2033.

Notre Dame football has long stood among the “blue bloods” of

Photo contributed by Allison Cook

Brandon Stuckey on the sideline after leading a scoring drive against Lincoln (Mo.). The Hounds defeated the Blue Tigers by a final of 62-7.

Indiana sports at all time high

By Brayton Bowen SPORTS EDITOR

For the first time in decades, Indiana is redefining its sports identity. The Hoosier State is experiencing a true golden era, with its professional and collegiate teams excelling across the board.

Take the Indiana Pacers, for example. After years of promise and heartbreak, the team finally broke through during the 2024–25 season, winning 50 games and reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. Much of that resurgence can be traced to disciplined roster building and organizational vision. Rather than chasing short-term fixes, the front office invested in youth and culture, as they acquired All-NBA talents Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam in recent offseasons, and gave them time to grow into franchise cornerstones.

Or look at the Indiana Fever, who now have one of the biggest icons in women’s basketball history, Caitlin Clark, and recently hosted the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.

college football. With 11 national championships and seven Heisman Trophy winners, the Fighting Irish have built a legacy that few programs can match. In 2024, that tradition of excellence came back to life. The Irish posted their best season in more than a decade, winning 14 games and earning an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Their magical run ended there, as Ohio State defeated the Irish by a final score of 34–14. Currently, Notre Dame sits ninth in the College Football Playoff rankings and holds a 7-2 record as Head Coach Marcus Freeman and staff look to make another deep playoff run.

The Indianapolis Colts have been the biggest surprise to Indiana sports fans, as they hold a 8-2 record and are on pace to win the AFC South for the first time since 2014. Much of that success can be credited to head coach Shane Steichen, who has transformed the culture in his third year at the helm. Steichen also handles offensive play calling for the Colts, which ranks second in the NFL in

yards per game. A big piece of that high-powered offense is All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor, who leads the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, along with not turning the ball over through week nine.

The Colts showed that they are all in for winning now as they traded two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell for two-time All-Pro cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner at the recent NFL trade deadline. With Gardner anchoring the secondary, the Colts appear to have filled their biggest weakness: passing defense.

The Colts’ defense ranks 25 out of 32 in the NFL in passing defense, according to Fox Sports.

Collectively, Indiana’s sports landscape has arguably never looked stronger. With professional and collegiate teams all competing at the highest levels, the state has become a national focal point for athletics. Whether it’s the Colts’ resurgence, Purdue’s national prominence, or the Pacers and Fever restoring Indiana’s basketball pride, success has become the state’s new standard.

SATIRE

6 THE REFLECTOR

Baptism in UIndy canal

By Luke Cooper EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Reports of a baptism in the Smith Mall canal has students curious about the occasion.

Last month, a figure wearing a black Adidas track suit was discovered taking a plunge in the canal by UIndy police. The figure was revealed to be Joe Snells, a guy who walked from the IndyGo Red Line bus stop.

“I really loved the clean water,” Snells said. “The water had this crisp and holy sense to it. I felt connected to the Earth while in the canal.”

Snells said his plunge was rudely interrupted by UIndy police a little after 10:45 p.m. that night. Since he really enjoyed the canal, he wanted a second chance to enjoy it. He came up with the idea to have a baptism in the canal.

Two weeks ago, Snells got the opportunity to achieve his dream of getting baptized in the UIndy canal. A preacher visiting campus helped in the impromptu ceremony.

“This guy was sitting by the canal and he jumped in,” Rev. Giorgio Ammann said. “I decided to rush over because I thought he was going to drown. He looked up at me and asked ‘Will you baptize me, sir?’”

Rev. Ammann blessed the

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Photo by Luke Cooper

A view of the Smith Mall canal earlier this month, after the baptism took place. The canal has since been drained for winterization.

water in the canal, allowing the baptism to take place. He said he almost ended up going for a plunge with Snells, as he was pulling him down into the water.

“The water was different from my first plunge, I could not tell if it was the algae or the declaration making it holy water,” Snells said.

“As I felt the water rush over me,

I felt transported to a different world. I wanted the reverend to join me and feel what I was feeling.”

Ammann said this was not his first experience baptising someone in an unconventional place, as he has also baptized people in the Indiana Central Canal. He said the Smith Mall

canal had its pros and cons, with it being critter free but a little shallow when compared to other outdoor venues.

Snells said he will continue to visit Smith Mall, but he will stay out of the water. He might not have a choice for several months as UIndy has now drained the canal for winterization.

Uncle Earl brought unexpected guest to last Thanksgiving dinner MANAGING EDITOR

Due to Uncle Earl’s behavior last year, he will not be invited to attend the Booths’ family Thanksgiving this year.

L a s t T h a n k s g i v i n g, E a r l pulled up to the Booths’ family home in his beat-up blue 2005 Che v rolet S il ver ado, whic h marked its territory like a dog, peeing oil down the driveway.

He got out of his truck, walked to the f ront door and rang the bell. To his sister Sarah’s surprise, she was unpleasant to say the least when she saw he looked like he had not showered in a week and smelled like rotten eggs.

“It’s wonderful to see you, Earl. You’re looking good,” Sarah said hesitantly, admiring his blackened, stained jeans, black leather jacket, biker t-shirt with a woman in a bikini on it, his red Make America Great Again hat, greasy, long black hair and unkept Santa beard.

“Aw, thank you, Sis! You’re always so kind. Don’t know what I’d do without ya,” Earl said.

“Yeah, me too…” Sarah said.

Trump to receive all of Santa’s coal for Christmas

By Luke Cooper

Earl banned from dinner

By Logan McInnes

NOVEMBER 18, 2025

“Why don’t you head inside and join everyone. We’ve all been waiting for you at the table to start dinner.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Earl said.

“That damned truck out there wasn’t starting and was f rozen over like your soul.”

“Oh my God, Earl! Do not speak like that here,” Sarah said.

“Oh, you know me. Can’t be too promisin’, Sis,” Earl said, with a wink and a flash of his missing f ront tooth.

Sarah let him inside and walked him through the living room to the dining room table, where the family sat. At the table, Sarah’s husband John sat to the right of her empty seat, among a mix of aunts and uncles. The kids sat at the end with their partners, which included Matthew, Sarah and John’s daughter Matilda, Chloe and James, and Georgia and Scott.

“I saved you your own seat down there on the end next to the kids, Earl,” Sarah said. “Behave yourself now.”

“I’ll do my best, Sis,” Earl said. “My apologies in advance if this mouth of mine goes on sayin’ too much.”

Earl sat down at the end

of the table, with his niece Matilda on his right and her boyf riend Matthew to his left.

After everyone was settled at the table, John tapped his glass for everyone to get quiet for prayer.

“Lord, thank you for gathering us all together for this meal,” John said. “Please watch over us as we eat and fill our conversations with love and laughter. In your precious name we pray, Amen.”

“Amen,” everyone replied.

As the silverware clinked and everyone dug into their food happily, Earl broke the silence.

“This sure is the best turkey you’ve ever made, John,” Earl said. “I never knew somethin’ this good could ever come f rom you.”

“Excuse me, Earl,” Sarah said.

“Oh, my bad. Just joshin’,” Earl said, pausing. “I forgot to mention this to everyone. Listen up now, you on the end, and slow down the food for a second. I brought a little somethin’ for us all to share.”

Earl reaches into his black leather jac ket poc ket, pulls out a dead squirrel in a plastic ziploc bag and throws it on the table. Everyone gasps at the horrendous sight, with the dead squirrel coated in blood and guts

that line the inside of the ziploc.

“Oh my God, Earl! How dare you bring such a filthy thing to our Thanksgiving and throw it on my dinner table,” Sarah said.

“You need to cool it down, Sis. You’re all a bunch of wussies,” Earl said.

“Don’t talk back to me at my dinner table and call us names,” Sarah said.

“I’m telling you, Sis. It ain’t a big deal,” Earl said. “Cool your jets. This is part of the reason I was running a little late. I had run over this squirrel here on the road, had to clean up its slime and guts off the f ront of my car and threw it in this baggie for us all to enjoy. We’ll just throw it in the microwave now and have us a nice piece of meat.”

“We’re not eating that filthy mess! Get up f rom this table now, and get out of my house,” Sarah exclaimed.

“Fine, then. I guess I’ll get on my way and enjoy this squirrel myself,” Earl said.

Earl got up f rom the dinner table, grabbed his squirrel for later and headed out the f ront door. He will no longer be invited to the Booths’ home for any holidays.

President Donald Trump will receive all of Santa’s coal this year, Santa announced during a press conference yesterday.

“Donald Trump has been a very naughty boy,”Santa said.“That is why he will receive all my coal. Everyone can thank him for sacrificing himself to save Christmas with the bad choices he has made.”

The Trump Administration denies accusations the president has done anything wrong. They released a statement calling Santa “woke” and “not real.” The message has received major backlash, especially from parents who have children that believe in Santa.

Santa said he is real and a resident of the north pole.Trump has now led his administration to not recognize the north pole as a place. The unrecognition of the north pole has led to some issues with NASA as they study the Earth’s geometric field.

“I don’t care about NASA,” Trump said. “I mean I do but surely they can figure something out.People believed the sun orbited around us for many years. Al Gore doesn’t believe the north pole exists either.”

Gore dismissed Trump’s claim, and said there is a difference between the polar ice caps and the poles themselves. Gore has volunteered to take the coal off of Trump’s hands to destroy it before Trump sells it to coal power plants to burn.

Susan Herring, mother of a newborn who used to mail Santa letters, called the feud “stupid.” She said Trump has to ruin everything, and he deserves the coal.

Unfortunately, Trump’s denial of the existence of the north pole was not the most concerning thing to come out of Washington, D.C. yesterday. He also thought of dinner plans.

“The late, great Hannibal Lecter would often have a friend for dinner,” Trump said. “I think I will have some people for dinner if the coal shows up.”

Chair of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell is said to be one of the guests on Trump’s Christmas dinner list. Trump and Powell have experienced minor feuds in the past, but nothing explosive.

Time will tell if Santa will follow through with his plan to deliver coal to Trump. Internal memos from Santa’s workshop suggest Santa is scared to fly over the White House to make his delivery after Trump’s dinner suggestion.

ENTERTAINMENT

7

THE REFLECTOR

Best new thong

Faux hair thongs and Labubus and beauty products, oh my!

By Genevieve Condon ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Today more than ever, it is easy to spend hundreds of dollars within minutes, and when celebrities inspire people, it makes it even more tempting.

On Oct. 14, SKIMS, a clothing brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian, released the “Ultimate Bush.” This product is a faux hair thong, emulating a woman’s pubic hair.The thong sold out within 24 hours, according to WWD.com.

Celebrity endorsements have been around for a long time,dating back to the 1800s, according to Holl ywoodbranded.com.

This marketing strategy helps entice customers by increasing the brand ’s credibility and popularity. Kim Kardashian took advantage of this phenomenon by releasing such an outlandish product, but acknowledging her marketing strategy does not make it any less concerning in the sense that it worked

so well. The “Ultimate Bush” sparked conversations online about women’s beauty standards, consumerism, and the SKIMS brand in general, all helping keep the brand relevant. The “Ultimate Bush” was criticized, but again, that does not change the fact that it sold out almost immediately.

We see product promotions every day on platforms like TikTok and Instagram f rom various influencers and celebrities, one being Alix Earle.

She started out simply making content, but eventually partnered with brands like Revolve and Fashion Nova (Skysociety). Alix Earle’s influence has become so widespread and well-known that people have started calling it the “Alix Earle Effect” (elle. com). When Earle recommended Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil from Mielle Organics, the product sold out (elle.com). No matter the product or brand, if Earle endorses it, the company’s sales seem to increase. The fact that Earle’s

name alone affects company sales so drastically tells us a lot about consumerism in society and what people are valuing when it comes to making purchases.

I think the pressure to follow trends is causing people to buy things they may not even want, and it is largely due to the fact that their favorite celebrity or influencer is promoting it.

Even when people are trying to relax by scrolling on social media or watching TV, the capitalist nature of society is hard to ignore. New products are everywhere, and people with power and fame are persuading you to buy them.

Another product that has taken the world by storm is the Labubu plush toys, which serve no real purpose other than being a trendy accessory. Labubus became popular because there is a surprise element to the product, as consumers buy what is called a “Blind Box,” where they do not know exactly what Labubu doll they are getting according to npr.

org. However, it is not only the surprise element of Labubus that makes them popular. Celebrities like Dua Lipa, Rihanna and Lisa f rom the K-pop group BLACKPINK have been seen with the dolls, increasing their popularity according to npr. org. Lisa from BLACKPINK is widely credited with actually starting the Labubu trend, according to UCSD. Yet again, consumers are being persuaded to buy seemingly useless items just because famous people are participating in the trend.

People are giving influencers and celebrities too much power by wearing what they say to wear, using the products they say to use and just doing what they say to do in general. We are letting consumerism run rampant, all because we want to look and act like the rich and famous, and I think it needs to stop. Nobody needs a Labubu or the “Ultimate Bush.” People need to take celebrities off the pedestal they put them on.

Graphic by Ella Harner

Frankly, I do love it

By Ella Harner

ARTS & GRAPHICS DIRECTOR Fr o m d r e s s i n g u p o n Halloween, green face paint lathered and fake bolts glued – to countless adaptations complete with spooky music and bubbling labs.

Mary Shelly’s 1818 novel “Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus” has been pushed around and remade enough times that the original is barely there.

The same thing is happening again with Guillermo del Toro’s new adaption of the classic Gothic tale, but this one I am okay with.

“Frankenstein,” a Netflix film starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth, was

absolutely extraordinary. The film tells not only the story of Victor Frankenstein, as adaptations usually do, but the story of The Creature himself.

I was completely captivated by Elordi’s performance throughout the two and a half hour watch.The Creature had such a passionate urge for death, hoping to escape the loneliness Frankenstein forced upon him. That portrayal made my heart hurt whenever he came on screen. This is different from many other adaptations of Frankenstein’s monster who are as simple as their names – monsters.

What surprised me the most about Elordi’s performance was that he was not the original casting choice. According to People,

Andrew Garfield was originally cast as The Creature but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.

In an interview with Variety, Del Toro said that Elordi’s eyes are “so full of humanity” which is what secured him the role. As much as I love “The Amazing Spiderman,” I cannot help but be grateful for the conflicts in Garfield’s schedule.

Elordi’s performance is not the only portion of this film that is worth praise. Del Toro did a beautiful job showcasing survival through innocence, while also providing captivating visuals.

From the lab to the Blind Man’s home, every scene was enchanting to the eye.

The only thing I found myself wanting more of during this film

was a brotherly relationship between Victor and Felix. After growing up apart, the two are reunited while Victor continues to work on scientifically defeating death. William Frankenstein, played by Felix Krammerer, was great at encapsulating the attitude of a younger brother, but I wouldn’t say Isaac did much for that older brother role.

There is so much to say about “Frankenstein.” From character depictions, plot and cinematography, ever ything about this film had me hooked.

While no one can match the obsession Victor Frankenstein has for success, I might be close when it comes to an obsession for this movie.

moviegoers are supposed to use when a specific point in the film is reached. For example, it is raining at the beginning of the movie, so people use water guns to spritz the air. Glow sticks are handed out during the song “There’s a Light.” These prop bags are an integral part of the Rocky Horror experience, and part of why it has remained so popular.

The moviegoing experience also includes a practice that I’ve found unique to this cult classic called “callbacks.” This concept encourages audience participation in the experience; they are responses to lines or actions the characters do in the film or simply name-calling characters. It is not expected of someone to know all of the callbacks when seeing the film, but it is fun to have a few to blurt out throughout the film, as it is, at its heart, an interactive experience.

The experience of the film is not the only reason why it is regarded as a cult classic. The plot of Rocky Horror centers around a newly-engaged couple, Brad and Janet, who get stranded on a rainy road after their engagement and end up at the mansion of mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter, played by the legendary Tim Curry. There, they encounter a barrage of strange experiences and timeless songs. There isn’t a word to describe how utterly weird this film is, even in today’s day and age. You can only imagine how it was received when it initially came out. It is camp in its highest form. Even with all of the film’s eccentricities, everything is well blended, even if you cannot exactly tell what is going on at some points. Aside from that, the characters are great, the songs are addictive and timeless, and you truly cannot take your eyes away from the screen.

One gripe I have with this film is the pacing and how they introduce new subjects without any sort of foreword or afterword, which is somewhat confusing. It is a movie that sometimes takes a few watches to actually understand, aside f rom the surface-level plot, as you may catch yourself wondering how the characters ended up in the situation they did if you look away from the screen for a minute. It was very impressive and progressive for its time, and we are 50 years past the initial release.

Yo u c a n s e e R o c k y Horror in theaters every year in October in a number of different establishments, or simply watch it at home and memorize some callbacks in time for the next Rocky Horror season (rockyhorror.com). UIndy Theatre also puts on its very own shadow-cast production of Rocky Horror once a year.

Rocky horror rocks

By Adrian Moon STAFF WRITER

Rocky Horror Picture Show stands as the longest-running movie in history, still having showings 50 years after its initial release.

This year, I went to the BuskirkChumley Theater in Bloomington to be a part of the Rocky Horror experience, as this cult classic provides more engagement than a simple movie. Every Halloween season for the past 50 years, since the film’s release on Sept. 29, 1975, the movie has been shown in theaters across the nation. The movie has remained iconic for a number of reasons, one of which is the movie-going experience.

It is standard practice in Rocky Horror showings that prop bags are either given out or sold to each guest before the film begins.

These prop bags are filled with things relating to the film that

NOVEMBER 18, 2025

What events to keep an eye on at UIndy

By Ella Crawford STAFF WRITER

Get ready, Greyhounds, and mark your calendars for some upcoming events here at the University of Indianapolis!

One of these events is the ongoing food pantry on campus.

The food pantry offers nonperishable food items for students and faculty. A permanent location has not yet been determined, as this is an ongoing event, but the temporary location is the University Heights United Methodist Church, 4002 Otterbein Avenue.

Donations are needed for this pantry, including numerous non-perishable items that are needed for the pantry. Food can be donated on campus on Thursdays at the University Heights United Methodist Church, as well as the Schwitzer Student Center.To learn more, visit uindy.edu/inclusion/ pantry.

Similar to the food pantry, the UIndy School of Nursing is partnering with Beggars for the Poor to hold a collection of various items for Indianapolis’ homeless community. Items being collected include winter clothing, meals and hygiene items. The end date for this event is fast approaching, as the last day to donate items is Nov. 20. There are various places on campus where you can make your donations, such as the Health Pavilion, Schwitzer Student Center and Krannert Memorial Library.

And last but certainly not least, in order to get you in the holiday spirit, UIndy’s very own and beloved Smith Mall Tree Lighting, presented by UIndy PD, Student Affairs and Wonderly Lights, will be taking place on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.

This is a popular event here at UIndy, as well as being a Lecture Performance Credit approved event.This is a great opportunity to get together with friends and staff to witness something beautiful on the UIndy campus.

Your involvement in UIndy’s events is never overlooked and is always appreciated by staff, students and the city of Indianapolis. Be sure to tune in to these on-campus drives and events this semester!

GAMES

8 THE REFLECTOR

NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Holiday Crossword

ACROSS

DOWN

2. Presents go under this on Dec. 25 6. Nine-branched candelabra 8. Holiday that falls on Nov. 27, 2025 9. Snowman with a corncob pipe and a button nose 11. The last holiday of 2025 12. The eight-day Festival of Lights

1. Day in November where people shop til they drop 2. Bird commonly ate during family gatherings in November 3. Where elves live 4. Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus 5. He finds out whose naughty or nice 6. Holiday celebrating African-American and Pan-African culture 10. “All is Merry and _____”

Graphic by Ella Harner

Graphic by Ella Harner