University News No. 5 (Jan. 27, 2022)

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THE UNIVERSITY NEWS

Photo By Abby campbell

VOL. C No. 5 / January 28th, 2021

DoLPHins find new home on grand lawn

COver design by Grace Dunlavy

NEWS

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MARY BRUEMMER AND THE WOMEN’S COMMISSION

By GABBY CHIODO News Editor n 1938, Mary Bruemmer began her first days at Saint Louis University as a student studying education and history. It was impossible to know the great impact this small, 5 feet 1 inch to be exact, young woman was going to have on the atmosphere at SLU. As a student, Bruemmer championed change by following her passion. Marching into the office that was home to the University News, Bruemmer demanded that women have a voice in the school newspaper.

With her demands met, she earned the position of editor in chief,making her the first woman to do so.

Bruemmer was inducted into the women-only Jesuit honor society Gamma Phi Epsilon which would later be integrated into Alpha Sigma Nu. After graduating with honors and high marks in 1942, Bruemmer was offered the position of Dean of Students but declined.

“She simply hadn’t lived enough life yet. She was just so thoughtful about life,” stated Mary Krieg, a close friend of Bruemmer and former pres-

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Mary Bruemmer seated at far left, Photo Courtesy of Jesuit Bulletin

ident of SLU’s Women’s Commission.

In 1956, Bruemmer returned to SLU after traveling and working in the radio communications field, again breaking barriers in a relatively male-dominated work environment.

She began by working in residence halls with students.

Nancy Culbert, who has been reading through Bruemmer’s appointment journals since her passing, states that there were many things Bruemmer did at SLU that not many people are aware of. “In 1962, she was on the planning committee for the Peace Corps at SLU. She knew it was a way to give students opportunities to work for the greater good. She didn’t talk about that hardly at all.”

Her true passion was working with SLU students and this became even more apparent as she began her position as Dean of Students in 1972. She assisted students on both an administrative and personal level.

Krieg told the story of Mary assisting a female student who was pregnant and whose parents had disowned her. “Mary went to SLU donors and got money to help her finish college,” Krieg recalls.

This story is just one specific example of the work Mary Bruemmer did for women at SLU. “She was the self-appointed greeter to all women who joined the ranks of St. Louis University,” Krieg stated.

Ellen Harshman, Dean Emerita of SLU, recalls the day she herself was welcomed to the University by Bruemmer. “She was giving me tips for

interviews and recommending me committees. She specifically recommended me to the Women’s Commission.”

The Women’s Commission, initially called the President’s Advisory Commission on the Status of Women, is one of Mary Bruemmer’s living legacies. A federal directive issued in 1978 stated the inclusion of women to be essential to all universities. According to Krieg, Bruemmer quickly took the directive to President Paul C. Reinert and advocated for the launch of the Women’s Commission.

SLU’s Women’s Commission is a group of female staff that have been identified as leaders in their communities. Since its founding, the Women’s Commission has undertaken several projects to promote the inclusion of women in the workplace. At the helm of it all was Mary Bruemmer, a constant source of support and leadership for the organization.

“Her first love and the thing that she devoted most of her time to was SLU’s Women’s Commission. She watched over the commission as it evolved and ensured that it was living out its mission,” Harshman stated.

Kellisa Fiala, former president of SLU’s Women Commission, and Emily Boyd, current president, reflected on Mary Bruemmer’s presence within the commission.

“She would always make a point to tell us that we had put on a nice event and give us positive feedback on the women that we nominated as leaders for the year. It always made us feel good to be recognized by her for all our hard work,” Fiala stated.

Mary Bruemmer received the commission’s first Woman of the Year award in 1977. The award goes to women who

embody the mission of SLU while demonstrating a commitment to professionalism, diversity and mentorship.

Fiala confessed that with Bruemmer receiving the first Woman of the Year award, there was pressure to find women of equal prestige and accomplishment in the later years.

However, the commission has highlighted several astounding women since 1977.

Boyd confessed that seeing Bruemmer at meetings felt something similar to seeing a real-life celebrity. “She was just a legend,” Fiala agreed.

The Women’s Commission and its successes were on Bruemmer’s mind until the tragic day she passed away.

Nancy Culbert stated, “The last time we discussed the Women’s Commission was not long before her death.

She held it as a great point of pride that SLU’s commission was the only one still operating, to her knowledge, continuously since the directive in the early 70s.”

Now, after the passing of Mary Bruemmer, the commission is looking for ways to continue her legacy and get more individuals involved.

The commission typically hosts an event, open to all students and staff, once a month. The events range from discussions of economic inequality to luncheons to attending a SLU women’s basketball game.

Additionally, the commission is seeking motivated female student leaders to join a new group called Women Empowered. The students not only get to engage in programming for this organization but get to take leadership roles by running the committee.

“There’s so much room right now for students to shape what this program looks like,” Boyd stated.

The involvement of students is the new lifeblood of SLU’s Women’s Commission. Mary Bruemmer truly believed in the students at SLU and it only makes sense that they will now be keeping her legacy alive.

Mary Bruemmer worked tirelessly to advance the rights of women, students, and anyone else who needed support and the impact she has had on SLU cannot be overstated.

“She was a woman of small stature but great reach,” said Culbert.

HRL HOSTS MENTAL HEALTH

News

TRAINING

By ALLIE RASHID Contributor ollowing a difficult fall 2021 semester, Saint Louis University began mental health awareness and suicide prevention training for Housing and Residence Life (HRL) staff.

Led by Communities Healing Adolescent Depression and Suicide (CHAD), the training focused on various topics such as suicide risk among college students, potential barriers to help-seeking, assessing risk factors, navigating conversations on these topics, SLU protocol for crisis response and self-care.

After SLU grieved the loss of two students in the fall semester, a Change.org petition campaigned for improving mental health policies while students voiced their disappointment with the campuses counseling department.

The Director of Housing and Residence Life, Manisha Ford Thomas, provided insight into the training and what it holds for the HRL staff and the student body.

Ford-Thomas said: “We complete training every semester which supports being trauma informed and having mental health resource knowledge. This particular training, our focus was more intensive in this area.”

The training took place from January 12-14 and was an in-person interactive event which included different cases and open discussions and online modules were part of training. CHAD speakers collaborated with the HRL staff and guided the students through the training.

The SLU staff also completed the Mental Health First Aid (MFHA) course. Ford-Thomas explained, “The skills-based training was focused on mental health and substance-use issues and offered

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many resources to connect Billikens to appropriate employee and community resources.

The current staff is now equipped with three-year certification.” HRL intends on providing the MFHA training to incoming staff members each year.

Elisabeth Vaughn, a junior resident advisor, mentioned that the training event included information on identifying risk factors in students such as depression, suicidal thoughts, and how to ask difficult questions.

Vaughn said the training “addressed the situation head-on but in a sensitive way.” Vaughn also emphasized that mental health crises are a common situation she sees as a residence advisor, so this training was necessary long before the last semester. However, it was the events of fall 2021 that made the department handle and see it in a more active way.

Vaughn mentioned that she wished this type of intensive training could have occurred earlier, arguing that it could have created a different environment surrounding mental health last semester.

One-on-ones with RA’s will be used in the future to assure students they are cared for. Vaughn said, “personally, I hope to be more confident with this training carrying out conversations that I was already having.

Having a guide to look back on definitely makes you feel more qualified or confident in the delivery.”

The skills that the HRL staff learned will allow them to connect with the students in a different way than before. This is a big step towards removing the negative stigma surrounding mental health on SLU’s campus, as the university takes steps to address the struggles that students face.

While the nature of these conversations may be difficult, this training proves that they are still absolutely necessary. The established partnerships with CHAD and the MFHA courses shows that SLU is taking steps towards navigating mental health on campus and addressing how depression, anxiety, addiction or suicidal thoughts impact people walking right among us on West Pine.

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DOLPHIN POND RETURNS TO CAMPUS

By FATEMA REHMANI Staff Writer hat once was a classic background for photos, a popular hang-out spot for many students and an overall SLU staple—a pond with seven ceramic dolphins—is now the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (ISE) Building.

These beloved dolphins were promised a return, and three years later, that promise is set to be fulfilled.

“I remember taking a picture near it for SLU 101, like every group did, and I watched one group stand in it to take a picture,” senior Ayeza Syed said.

“I also remember watching a video where the Muslim Students’ Association did a scavenger hunt and people swam in the pond.”

After 26 years on campus, the dolphins went for a swim in 2018 to make space for the new science building on campus. Toward the end of 2021, construction for a new Dolphin Pond began.

“It was a landmark of the campus. Often we would reference ‘meeting up at the Dolphin Pond,’” alumnus Mustafaa Mahmood said.

“It was very nice to walk by on the way to class.”

The upcoming pond’s location is near Grand Hall, making it viewable to both the SLU community and the public. Part of the prom-

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inence of this structure is due to its sheer size; the old pond stretched 120 feet long and the new one is expected to be 96 feet in length.

“I just came to school one day and there was a bunch of construction in that area and then [the Dolphin Pond] was gone,” Syed said.

“I always like throwing pennies into fountains and making wishes, so that was always there freshman year whenever I wanted to do it.”

As the dolphins have been kept in a warehouse and had no on-campus presence the past three years, to many freshmen, the concept has sparked some questions.

“I was confused because I had never heard of the previous Dolphin Pond, so I thought it was a bit random,” freshman Saima Farook said.

“Since I had no idea, I thought they were bringing real dolphins, so I got excited. But then someone told me about the previous pond.”

For many alumni, this pond brings back fond memories, but to present students, it is an opportunity to make new ones.

“I didn’t really get why they specifically wanted dolphins because I thought they would do something related to our mascot, the Billiken. But, overall, I think it would be a pretty-looking fountain in a central part of SLU,” Farook said.

Overall, the SLU community is excited about the scenery these sculptures will provide.

“Honestly, I like [the new location] more because it is in a more central part of campus and I would walk past it more often than I did before,” Syed said.

Photo Courtesy of Abby Campbell

NEWS

04 (Abby Campbell / The University News)

OMICRON VARIANT ALTERS PLANS FOR SPRING SEMESTER As thousands of SLU students return to the city, COVID rages on.

Attempting to slow the surge, administration is implementing additional regulations that will temporarily alter campus life.

By ALEX ROZAR Staff Writer

he Omicron variant of COVID-19 quickly spread to become the dominant variant of the virus both in the U.S. and around the world, and COVID-19 case numbers rose dramatically in the U.S. in January 2022.

In response, Saint Louis University officials have imposed new restrictions and other changes for the spring semester, hoping to limit the virus’s transmission. Some prior restrictions still remain in place, while others have gone away following new data. Here’s what has changed at SLU. One major change this semester is the cancellation of “internal events” until Jan. 31 and “external events” until March 1. SLU defines internal events as those where fewer than ten percent of attendants

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are guests and external events being greater than ten percent guests. For external events, guests were already required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result within 72 hours of coming on campus.

The restriction excludes events being held at Chaifetz Arena, such as basketball games, as the stadium is under the separate guidance of both the city and the CDC, the school said. Also excluded are “integral” events, which include enrollment activities and those related to the university’s accreditation. Departments or student organizations wishing to host events they believe are integral must submit a request to the Designated Event Review committee. The internal event restriction may be extended past Jan. 31 if the university does not believe the vaccine booster shot requirement is being met at that time.

Groups of people meeting together, whether informally or for an activity, are still allowed without restrictions such as social distancing.

As before, face masks are required indoors except when eating. Employee meetings may also continue in person, but virtual meetings are now encouraged, the school said.

As for COVID-19 vaccine booster, unlike neighboring Washigton University in St. Louis, doses will be required for students and SLUCare employees by Jan. 31, and by Feb. 28 for all other staff. An online portal originally opened at the beginning of the fall semester has since been reopened to submit proof of vaccination or an exemption request. The vaccine requirement is also in place for contracted employees, such as those working in food service, security, or construction.

Students or employees who have received prior COVID-19 vaccines but wish to receive a medical or religious exemption from the booster shot specifically are required to apply for an exemption by those same dates. Those who have already been approved for exemptions by the university for previous doses do not need to apply again.

Causes for a medical exemption include an allergic reaction to the vaccine or its components. The university said it will not exempt students and employees from the vaccine requirement based on prior COVID-19 infection, and will not grant religious exemptions to Cath-

olics over concerns about fetal cell lines, following a December 2020 decision by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Until further notice, only those affiliated with the university, such as students and employees, will be allowed in residence halls. Students staying in residence halls are still allowed to have other students stay overnight with them under the updated policy.

While masks are still required inside university buildings, as they were during the fall semester, the university will not require N95 or KN95 face masks except in specific clinical settings where local policy takes precedent.

In classrooms, seating charts were previously used for contact tracing, but the university has determined they will no longer collect seating charts from instructors.

According to provost Mike Lewis, only one case of transmission out of about 1,100 was traced to a SLU classroom, and it remains possible that transmission occurred elsewhere.

The Simon Recreation Center is holding vaccination clinics open to all members of the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the remainder of January and throughout February.

Vaccines are available either by appointment or by walk-in. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be offered. The Pfizer vaccine will be available from 10 a.m. to noon and the Moderna vaccine from noon to 2 p.m.

And as a final layer of protection, beginning Jan. 23, the university is conducting surveillance testing using a random 10 percent sample of on-campus students, a measure the school most recently took during the spring 2021 semester. Students selected to be randomly tested will be notified by email and given instructions to report at the Simon Recreation Center. Testing is required for those who are randomly selected.

NEWS

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MISSOURI MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES TO $11.15

By UlAA KUZIEZ Associate News Editor BRIAN GUERIN Staff Writer

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he new year brought about significant change in Missouri, as the state minimum wage was raised to $11.15 an hour.

The statewide wage raise at the start of 2022 was expected. In 2018, Missouri Proposition B was voted into law.

Also known as the $12 Minimum Wage Initiative, the proposal stipulates that the state minimum wage be raised 85 cents every year until 2023, when the $12 benchmark will be achieved.

For Crystal Brigman Mahaney, Communications Director for Missouri Jobs for Justice, the raise is an encouraging sign.

“The exciting part of being involved with Missouri Jobs for Justice and our coalition partners is when you get involved and see the things that you want to see actually happen. That’s a really exciting feeling,” Mahaney said.

Founded in 1999 in St. Louis, Missouri Jobs for Justice is a statewide chapter organization dedicated to economic justice and worker power.

(Abby Campbell /The University News)

The organization works to hold decision makers accountable, introduce ballot measures, expand Medicaid and express solidarity with labor unions and community members.

“Bringing people’s voices together brings real concrete victories, and in this case brings more dollars in people’s paychecks,” Mahaney said.

“Which is their ability to be able to decide if they can go to work safely or not or care for their children.”

Mahaney acknowledges that there is still much to be done to help workers across Missouri and St. Louis, and is well aware of the precarious nature of some of these agreements.

In 2015, the organization played a key role in securing minimum wage increases in St. Louis and Kansas City, only to see those increases reversed with the passage of a preemption law.

Although a step in the right direction, Proposition B also leaves the Missouri minimum wage fixed at $12 in 2023.

“For a very long time, the push to raise the minimum wage has been synonymous with workers’ rights, the fight for $15 and a union.” Mahaney said.

“From what we’re seeing, especially right now, $15 is more the norm now.”

On May 7 2020 as the pandemic surged across the region, hospital workers at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital protested in demand of better pay and protection. The conversations with workers and unions continued over the months. In Nov. 2020 President Pestello announced a plan to implement a $15 minimum wage for all full-time staff by 2024.

“What we observed at SLU during these eight months of isolation, and what has been observed in general society, is that a significant amount of these essential services fall upon those employees at the lower end of our pay spectrum,” Pestello said in his email.

“Thank you to the many people who advocated for this change and shared care and concern for those who will be impacted by it.”

Sodexo, an independent private company that employs food service workers at SLU increased its minimum wage to $13 an hour starting this year, making its minimum pay higher than the state of Missouri’s. Additionally, the union representing Sodexo workers at SLU has been able to negotiate a bonus of up to $250 this year.

Rosie Wade has worked at SLU for 23 years and is currently employed by

Sodexo. She said that the pandemic coupled with low wages has taken a toll on workers.

“We just got an increase and I’m glad we did. So they can get more workers in here to help us out,” Wade said. “We are overworked. We are very short staffed.

So if they raise their money, maybe they will get people who want to work with them. Because who wants to work for $10? We have to pay our bills.”

Working alone at Simply To Go in the Busch Student Center from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for most days of the week, Wade looks forward to getting support in the near future. She hopes service workers at SLU and across Missouri will benefit from the state wage increase.

“We already coming out in the pandemic to serve these babies [Wade’s endearing reference to students]. We take a risk on our lives, get corona. But they really gotta appreciate what we are doing and give us a little something back too,” Wade said.

Junior student worker Lacey Thomas who has a desk job this semester recognizes that while the minimum wage will give her more of an opportunity for financial gain, it will not be substantial enough.

“Especially with so many people who want to continue their education, this isn’t enough to allow people to start saving for those experiences along with the cost of going to SLU,” Thomas said.

“I think that SLU should recognize the cost of living in Saint Louis near or on campus, and the cost of tuition.”

“Especially with so many people who want to continue their education, this isn’t enough to allow people to start saing for those experiences, along with the cost of going to SLU”

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Arts and life

Movie Review: I

(Image Courtesy of Film Affinity)

Staff Writer Claire Lyons takes a look at Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1970s coming-of-age spectacle.

By CLAIRE LYONS Staff Writer

nfamous Paul Thomas Anderson directs another soulful film with a brilliant cast. “Licorice Pizza” is a rom-com coming of age story about a young woman and teenage boy on their road to self-discovery.

The film begins by introducing fifteen year old Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) as an ambitious hustler. Gary has acted in several minor roles in major movies, starred in talk-shows and has many connections with well-established adults, such as expensive restaurant owners. Gary uses this ambition to swoon twenty-five year old Alana (Alana Haim) into hanging out with him on an adventure though San Fernando Valley in the 1970s. Alana lives with her parents and two sisters (played by Haim’s real-life parents and sisters!) as she navigates what she wants to do with her life and career.

Although Hoffman and Haim had not acted in many major movies prior, Anderson took a chance on them, and it paid off. Their chemistry is so impeccable and encapsulating that any faults in the plot can be easily overlooked by these young actors’ outstanding performance.

The setting of San Fernando Valley in the early 1970s is supplemented with a 35mm camera, “blown-up,” with 35mm film being converted to 70mm to make use of the increased image quality of the larger film format. Giving the final cut a vintage feel, 70mm is an excellent match for Anderson’s celebration of the 1970s setting and style.

Furthermore, Anderson includes hidden nods to the social and political issues that were prominent at the time. For example, onw scene revolves around the 1973-74 oil embargo, resulting in a gasoline shortage as well as Los Angeles’s local electoral turmoil.

“Licorice Pizza” has a complexity of character development woven with comedic nostalgia and aesthetics, similar to films like “Lady Bird” (Greta Gerwig), “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (Quentin Tarantino), and “The French Dispatch” (Wes Anderson). With side characters played by Bradley Cooper, Sean Penn and Tom Waits, there is a familiar face for all movie watchers.

Compared to Anderson’s well-known, Oscar-winning film “Phantom Thread”, “Licorice Pizza” has a more sweet and lighthearted feel.

However, both films share a similar structure in that their drama is not driven by the external plot, but rather by the constantly shifting dynamics of Gary and Alana. This is seen in the seemingly non-chaotic scene where Gary, who owns a PR firm, starts a waterbed company, and a pinball emporium, takes Alana out for drinks at a bar, but can only order them coke because he is 15. The complex characters add a layer of irony and humor that keeps the viewer entertained despite the relaxed story arc.

“Licorice Pizza” is a hit movie for ages 13 and up. With a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, this whimsical, relaxed and entertaining film is well worth watching. Hoffman and Haim have a bright future ahead of them as this film was the perfect start to their careers.

Arts and life

NEW

YEAR YOU BOOKS

“The new year is finally upon us, which means that it is time for new year’s resolutions! If you are looking for guidance on how to follow through on your resolutions, here is a list of self-help and improvement books.”

If you are looking for a book about handling stress filled with colorful language and a quirky sense of humor, then “Calm the F*ck Down” is the perfect choice for you! The author, Sarah Knight, is not a therapist trying to cure readers. Instead, she takes the role of a friend giving raw and honest advice. This book takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and introspection which seeks to help stop overthinking.

“Calm the F*ck Down” is all about learning to stop worrying about problems, and instead start solving them. If your New Year's resolution is to reduce stress and start taking action, give this book a read.

Looking to discover your purpose in 2022? Read “Ikigai”! This self-help book analyzes Japanese culture and helps readers to discover their ikigai. Ikigai is the Japanese word for one’s reason for being, or (simply put) what makes people get out of bed and look forward to the day. While “Senbazuru” encourages the reader to slow down, “Ikigai” instructs the reader in the happiness of staying busy with what you love to do. This is a calming and informative book all about finding your purpose in life, and is perfect for anyone feeling lost or even simply curious about Japanese culture.

07 Kickstart the new year with some amazing self-improvement books!

By ABIGAIL LISZEWSKI Staff Writer

“Senbazuru'' by Michael J ames W ong teaches through the Japanese art of origami. Michael Wong p rovides l essons o f joy and wisdom while simultaneously leading readers through the twelve steps to fold a paper c rane. This book encourages t he viewer t o slow down; only by slowing down are we a ble t o find joy in each moment o f the day. The simple structure of “Senbazuru” paired with gorgeous watercolor pictures make it a must read for anyone wishing to find peace in their life.

If you are looking to finally break some bad habits in 2022, “Atomic Habits” is the perfect book to read. Author James Clear uses true stories from Olympic medalists and award-winning artists to show how the science of small habits helped change their lives and can help improve yours.

He draws on ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to erase the bad and promote the good. Any New Year’s resolution can benefit from a quick skim through this book, so give it a try!

Similar to “Calm the F*ck Down,” “You Are a Badass” is a humorous self-help book about recognizing destructive thoughts and behaviors and taking the steps to change them. Success coach Jen Sincero teaches readers how to gain the confidence they need to unleash their inner badass. The 257 pages of this book are filled with easy exercises, inspiring stories and colorful language. The ultimate goal of this book is for the reader to learn to love what they can’t change, and change what they don’t love.

This book is a must read for anyone looking to create a new “me” this new year.

Arts and life

08

SLU’s Very Own Pod:

“That’s So Sunday”

By MORGAN HAUSBACK Arts & Life Editor hat’s So Sunday” is a podcast having a bad day, we’re starting on a hosted by none other than two positive note.” When asked to describe Saint Louis University juniors their podcast in just a few words, Agnew offering relatable support and and Baca had similar answers: uplifting, advice right to college students’ happy, communal and therapeutic. ears. Hosts Rose Agnew and Isa Baca, who are Occupational Therapy majors at SLU, “That’s So Sunday” has a conversational had discussions about starting a podcast feel, and this is together. The opportunity arose when they took the course, Development of Humans as Occupational Beings. When a class assignment asked students to create a new occupation, the girls selected podcasting, and “That’s So Sunday” podcast was born.

“We’ve always wanted to do a podcast together,” says Agnew, who described the “debriefings” the girls conducted every weekend. The title of the podcast, “That’s So Sunday,” comes from the girls’ united love of the day and their characterization of activities like picnics and long walks together.

From sharing muchneeded tips from Agnew and Baca’s abroad adventures in Madrid to relationship advice yD and deep conversations with ia na their friends, “That’s So Sunday” Ja k ovc is a college student manifesto. evic Each episode begins with Agnew, Baca intentional. and any guests sharing something they W h e n it comes to planning a are thankful for and something that brand new episode, there is rarely a makes them happy. These “affirmations,” script involved. Instead, the pair pick a as Agnew calls them, came from their general topic of discussion while sharing time rooming together as sophomores. an Apple Notes page during which They believe that starting the podcast they shoot thoughts back and forth. with optimism is an important feature Upon launching the podcast in of their narrative. Baca says, “If you’re September 2021, Agnew and Baca

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were overwhelmed by the support.

Encouragement like this from fellow Saint Louis University students has kept Agnew and Baca continue to plan for the future of “That’s So Sunday.” Not expecting a class project to grow into something students would love, the two are happy knowing that people out there are listening. Agnew says, “People will come up to us and be like ‘I love your podcast and it made my day.’”

Both Agnew and Baca note that their favorite part of making the podcast is that the podcast is a way for them to connect with SLU’s students. For Baca, “That’s So Sunday” is a chance for her to voice her thoughts and have it “mean something because someone is listening.” In a small community like SLU’s, it is comforting enough to know others are experiencing similar dayto-day occurrences, but it may be even more reassuring to know that these things are being voiced out loud.

Agnew and Baca sum their podcast up perfectly: listen for a different perspective of life on campus. For the upcoming semester, the two are working hard on new content, such as introducing new fresh segments, relationship advice, and sequels to their most popular episodes. They are also planning to design merch to help spread “That’s So Sunday” along West Pine. The next time you are looking for ‘big-sister’ advice, or need a break from schoolwork, grab a cup of coffee and tune into “That’s So Sunday” for profound thoughts and advice.

Arts and life

09

upcoming stl concerts

By DANIEL BERNAS Staff Writer

With COVID slowly and unsurely becoming less of an obstacle for social gatherings, concert season is finally coming back into almost full swing for the spring ‘22 semester. While there are so many to keep track of, here are a small selection of 12 concerts to look out for.

HIPPOCAMPUS The Pageant Monday, February 21 | $25

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YVES TUMOR

CAT POWER

Off Broadway Sunday, March 6 | $26

Old House Rock Friday, March 25 | $25

Red Flag Monday, April 25 | $39.50

Supporting their upcoming album “LP3,” out February 4th on Grand Jury Music, the five-piece Saint Paul pop outfit Hippo Campus will be at the Pageant to share songs from what has been described as “their strongest and most complete work yet.” Indie pop up and comer Jelani Aryeh will be opening for this tour.

Ever-prolific lo-fi rock one-man-band Ty Segall will be spending one night of his “solo tour” at Off Broadway.

What does a Ty Segall “solo tour” consist of, you may ask? As Segall himself describes it, “Ty Segall solo loud drum machine delay twin amp Travis bean freak out.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Earlier this month, slowcore icon Cat Power put out her new covers record, aptly titled “Covers,” where she shared her takes on songs by the likes of Jackson Browne, Lana Del Rey, Nick Cave and more. No stranger to intimate shows, the chance to hear Chan Marshall’s voice in person is not one to miss for fans of classic alternative music.

GHOST

CAROLINE POLACHEK

Shapeshifting powerhouse Yves Tumor will bring their effortless blends of rock, psychedelia, soul and various forms of experimental music and electronica to Old House Rock in March, following their 2021 EP “The Asymptomatic World.” Their dynamic, powerhouse performances are as expansive as their non-genre-defined discography, making March 25th a night to clear your calendar.

Chafeitz Arena Monday, February 21 | $42.50

Delmar Hall Thursday, March 10 | $25

Right in our own backyard, one of the 2010’s best displays of metal music and camp in general, Ghost, will be supporting their upcoming album “Impera” in late February. Until then, make sure to stream the album’s lead single “Call Me Little Sunshine” for maximum enjoyment of a concert you won’t even need a ride to.

While “PANG,” Caroline Polachek’s solo debut, is two years old, it seems that the pop music community is still grappling with its magic, and her show at Delmar Hall in March is not one to miss for fans of pop music in any capacity. Following her 2021 single “Bunny Is A Rider,” which Pitchfork named their #1 song of the year, stepping into Polachek’s world will be a transcendent experience for everyone in the audience.

PARQUET The Pageant Saturday, March 6 | $26 After the bold sonic detours of 2021’s “Sympathy for Life,” this tour will likely see post-punk band Parquet Courts’s most extravagant and groovy shows to date. With the emphasis on groove of their last record and the classic post-punk sound of their back catalog, Parquet Courts is sure to put on a varied show of fan favorites and their newer material. Tuareg musician Mdou Moctar will be opening with songs from their critical success “Afrique Victime,” which is reason enough for a ticket.

CANNIBAL CORPSE Red Flag Monday, March 21 | $27.50

BRIGHT EYES The Pageant Wednesday, March 30 | $39.50 Bring the tissues and an appetite for the melodramatic because one of the 2000’s most iconic folk acts, Bright Eyes, will be at The Pageant at the end of March following their latest record, 2020’s “Down at the Weeds, Where the World Once Was.”

THE FLAMING LIPS The Pageant Monday, April 4 | $45

Following their 2020 studio album “American Head” and last years collabFor fans of music’s harsher, faster and orative Nick Cave covers album with more visceral genres, death metal singer-songwriter Nell Smith, “Where pioneers Cannibal Corpse will be at Red the Viaduct Blooms,” one of indie Flag for a show that is sure to be well pop’s most recognizable groups, the worth the hearing loss. With a stacked Flaming Lips, will be taking their lineup of three bands with their own psychedelia to the Pageant for a colorspins on death metal, Whitechapel, Revo- ful night of delay and distortion on cation, & Shadow Of Intent, make sure their American Head Tour. Indie rock you have your earplugs handy at the door. band Heartless Bastards will be supporting them on this tour.

SCREAMING FEMALES Off Broadway Tuesday, April 26 | $16 On their Spring 2022 tour, the critically lauded punk trio Screaming Females will be spending the 10th night of their 15 day tour at Off Broadway on Lemp Avenue. The band’s last studio album was 2018’s “All At Once,” where they fine-tuned their knack for catchy hooks and chemistry as a band. See them in action for an energetic Tuesday night.

DESTROYER Blueberry Hill Friday, April 29 | $22 Delmar Loop’s iconic Blueberry Hill will be hosting sophistipop singer-songwriter Dan Bejar’s Destroyer at the end of April. In support of their upcoming record, “LABYRINTHITIS,” out this March, seeing one of the most beloved indie pop acts of the 2000s and 2010s will be quite the treat come finals time.

University News 1/27/22 Crossword

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University News 1/27/22 Sudoku

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Across 1 Science rooms 5 Ancient Greek sophist 9 Fall flower 14 Cockeyed 15 Small price to pay 16 Outpouring 17 Legal prefix 18 Rousing cheers 19 Threesome 20 Four gills 21 Furrow 22 Warbles 23 Chinese dynasty 25 Dust remover 26 Also-ran 29 Monastery 32 Spending limit 35 Oomph 37 Criminal charge 38 Tree trunk 39 Mah-jongg piece 40 Waikiki welcome 42 Rainbow goddess 43 Olympian’s quest 44 Just out 45 Prospector’s find 47 Switch positions 48 Smelly mammal 50 Zoo heavyweight 51 Rightful 52 Supreme Court count 54 Hair dressing 57 Landscaper’s need 58 Winston Churchill’s “___ Country” 62 Oxlike antelope

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To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

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Caviar source Turn ___ profit Ave. crossers Off the mark Bit of parsley Kite part Footnote abbr.

Cold war group Boring tool Dot follower “Unhand me!”

Gibson garnish Hawks Burnt sienna Scrooge’s cry Short-legged dog Little green man Tortellini topping

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University News 1/27/22 Word Search Bronx Bomber Overly conceited Moldovan cash Samovar A S I L K W Without warning H Z E O A F Pine type I T W R S Y Social T V U T P I Think tank U N C E S I output Toll Z S N B L H Cantina cooker N P B P O S Domestic F A J C Z A 1 Achy H R M F H L Dandy’s pal 5 S T B R L P Bath’s county 8 I A M W A S Musical interval 2 Subway F C E W F T 7 alternative D U P O Q B 3 R S X O O Q 6 O I W U P S 9 W T N S K H 4 S D C G A U F L G G S W

PuzzleJunction.com

“S” Movies O O D R S X P A P E U X T H Z S W E Y B A M A S C R E G Q T V N O S R X R A M L E S C Z K Sudoku Solution C A M C S R R L O A O L E D H O P T J M N O S F O I S 4 9 7 6 3 8 2 5 H I P P S S G P Z 6 3 2 1 8 7 9 4 H D E O V D E V G 7 2 4 5 9 1 6 3 X L P G O N H J S 5 6 3 8 1 4 7 9 L G H I A Q M S I 9 1 5 2 4 6 3 8 S Q H M V N P I D 8 4 9 7 6 5 1 2 M S R V E R T C E 3 5 8 9 7 2 4 1 R E N N A C S S W 2 7 1 4 5 3 8 6 P W Y G S K Y F A 1 8 6 3 2 9 5 7 K P H W I U D O Y N P I A S S Y O S

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SALT SAW SAYONARA SCANNERS SCOOP SCREAM SCROOGE SECONDS SELMA

SERPICO SHAMPOO SHANE SHINE SHOPGIRL SIDEWAYS SIGNS SILKWOOD SKYFALL

SLEUTH SOLARIS SPARTACUS SPECTRE SPELLBOUND SPLASH STARMAN SUPERMAN SWORDFISH

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photography

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SLu TOPS UMASS 90-59 By: IAN HALL Staff Photographer aint Louis University’s men’s basketball team had a match-up Sunday, Jan. 23. A 91-85 loss in Massachusetts Thursday, Jan. 20, had pushed the Billikens to come back to Chafeitz ready for a battle.

Helping lead the team Sunday afternoon were Gibson Jimmerson and Jordan Nesbitt. After a slow start to the game—going scoreless in the first four minutes—the Minutemen put up a 3. Soon after, they made a free throw putting them up 4-2 after a jumper from Fred Thatch Jr., which would be the last time UMass would have the lead the rest of the game.

Another layup from Marten Linssen tied the game 4-4 and started the trend which the Billikens would build upon throughout the rest of the game. Jimmerson would help bring up the score in the first half with about 15 points, putting the team up by 22 points to go into halftime at 53-31.

In the second half the Minutemen would try to push back, but just couldn’t get there. Yuri Collins scored first in the second half which would help contribute to his fourth career double double (all achieved this season) with 10 points and 12 assists; this puts him only 5 assists away from breaking the SLU record of 437 assists by Josh Fisher. He would also end the game with a game high of 3 steals.

Jordan Nesbitt would add to the board making 2 more free throws to help him finish the game with 17 points and another career high of 12 rebounds.

Gibson Jimmerson would be another name to remember after finishing the game with 31 points, making 7 of 10 of those points threes. Along with those threes, Fred Thatch Jr., Marten Linssen, Terrence Hargrove Jr., Francis Okoro, Rashad Williams, Markhi Strickland, Brandon Courtney and Lassina Traore would all put up points to help lead the Billikens to a winning score of 90-59.

The Billikens will play at George Mason at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2 in hopes of pushing their record to 15-6.

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(Ian Hall / The University News)

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WINTER FASHION TWENTY TWENTY TWO

By ABBY CAMPBELL Photo Editor

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Photography

(Ian Hall / The University News) (Catherine Miller / The University News)

(Catherine Miller / The University News)

(Catherine Miller / The University News)

(Ian Hall / The University News)

sports

15

OVERTIME RULE CHANGE IS OVERDUE

By JONAH TOLBERT Staff Writer his past weekend was crazy if you are a football fan—starting on Saturday afternoon with the Titans, vs. Bengals. Ryan Tannehill threw a pick with 21 seconds left which allowed Joe Borrow to attain field goal range and Evan McPherson, the kicker, hit the field goal to win the game. Later that day, Aaron Rodgers’ Packers faced Jimmy Garoppolo’s 49ers in a cold, snowy Lambeau.

With the 49ers being down 3-7 with 3 minutes left,the Packers had to punt it in their own end zone—but the 49ers blocked it and scored.

Then, Jimmy G. drove another game-winning field goal for Robbie Gould.

On Sunday afternoon, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers took on the LA Rams. In the middle of the 3rd quarter, the score was 3-27 with the Rams in the lead. Brady came back once again, but with 43 seconds on the clock. Mathew Stafford and the Triple Crown leader Cooper Kupp made 2 great passes. Matt Gay then made a field goal to win the game for the Rams. In one weekend, the NFL saw 3 game-winning drives, 3 game-winning field goals and 3 wins for the visiting team. This is all before one of the most thrilling games this season, to be played later that evening.

If you thought the Raiders v. Chargers game was crazy, when Justin Herbert went 6-6 in 4th downs, this game-tying drive was one of the best drives I’ve ever seen. In this game, there were 25 points scored in the last 2 minutes. Gabriel Davis was a star in those 2 minutes, catching 2 amazing touchdowns, which allowed Stefon Diggs’ amazing 2-foot 2-point conversion, and Josh Allen going for 2 4th downs. The Chief’s offense had something to say about Mahomes throwing a 64-yard touchdown to Tyreek Hill. By far the most defining moment of the game was the game-tying drive from Mahomes with 13 seconds on the clock. Hill and Travis Kelce made career-defining catches.

Harrison Butker nailed a 49-yard field goal to tie the game. The game was offensively loaded, with both quarterbacks playing stellar games.

The NFL is infamous for its overtime rules.

Whichever team gets the ball first is able to score and end the game, essentially creating a sudden death scenario. These rules force the decision of the game into the defense’s hands. For teams that rule the offensive side of the field, this can be dev-

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astating. That’s why when the coin toss happened and the Chiefs got the ball, fans knew that the game was essentially over. Travis Kelce scored a touchdown to win.

This was a scene with which many were familiar, especially in the playoffs. Look back at Super Bowl LI with the Patriots v. Falcons and the infamous 28-3 comeback. It came down to overtime and a coin toss—Tom Brady got the ball and won the game. Matt Ryan didn’t even have a chance to answer. Josh Allen didn’t have a chance, either. This led to duress from many fans who had watched Allen answer every score that evening. Many argue that college football has better overtime rules.

The ball starts on the opponent’s 20-yard line.

There is no time clock but the other offense gets a chance at a drive no matter what the outcome of the previous possession is.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Texas A&M v. LSU serves as an example. The game went to 8 overtimes. While not ideal, many think that it’s at least better than the NFL. Commissioner Roger Godell could change the rules, potentially by giving each team 5 minutes on the clock for their offense. Whatever that offense does,the other team can match. If the 5 minutes are up, there will be a turnover on downs. If there is a

time limit, it provides more pressure and “hurryup” offenses can be shown. That is also shown in the Cowboys v. 49ers game where the game ended because the Cowboys couldn’t stop the clock in enough time. The main problem is finding the sweet spot for overtime football. Football is a difficult sport to play in overtime, whereas sports like hockey, soccer and basketball are good since the offenses and defenses can change without incident. Football, on the other hand, has to clear the field in order to sub their offensive, defensive and even special teams lines. It is a little unfortunate that one of the best playoff games ever in the NFL ended with calls for a rule change that has been discussed for a while and has not been implemented. Many believe that these playoff games proved now is the time.

The coming games should be fun to watch, and they will be the first without Rodgers or Brady in 12 years. Now, young quarterbacks have an opportunity to write their name in the sport’s history.

These playoffs have shown the value of a quarterback. These coming weeks will show Burrow, Stafford, Grappalo and Mahome’s ability to win championships for their respective franchises.

Diana Jakovcevic / The University News

sports

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SLU CHESS TEAM WINS PAN-AMS

By CONOR DORN Editor in Chief arlier this month, as most Billikens were enjoying winter break, the Saint Louis University Chess Team was working hard to win the 2022 Pan American Intercollegiate Team Championships, held Jan. 6 through Jan. 9 after a two-year hiatus.

This year, over 250 participants from 35 schools competed in the tournament. SLU sent two teams, an “A” team featuring Darius Swiercz, Nikolas Theodorou, Benjamin Bok, Robby Robby Kevlishvili, Akshat Chandra and Cemil Can Ali Marandi, and an all-female “B” team that included Stavroula Tsolakidou, Gabriela Antova, Thalia Cervantes, Karen Hoshino and Varenya Chilukuri.

Both the A and B teams put up stellar results. SLU’s A team offered a dominating performance, winning all six of their matches against other top-ranked universities and was the only team to finish the tournament with a perfect score. The B team won four out of their six matches, earning them a top-10 finish out of the 57 teams.

The B team also won an award for finishing as the top female team, and Gabriela Antova and Thalia Cervantes won first and second place respectively among females.

SLU’s A Team entered the tournament as the second seed behind rival Webster University, followed closely by Texas Tech and the University of Texas at Dallas.

After nearly two years of virtual tournaments, the SLU chess team was thrilled to return to in-person competition, with the tournament being held in Dulles, Virginia. The format was a standard team chess format, also known as the “Swiss” format, in which four players from one

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university face off against four from another. A full point is earned for a win and a half point for a tie. The team with the most points after the conclusion of the four games wins the match.

Gabriela Antova, a freshman from Bulgaria with a major in international business, put up an incredible performance for SLU’s B team.

She won five games and drew one, earning her an award for top female player of the tournament.

One of her most impressive games was an upset win in round three against a much higher rated player from the University of Chicago.

Benjamin Bok, a junior studying finance, had an especially strong tournament, winning several must-win games to propel the A team to victory. In round four, he clinched the win for his team by beating Samuel Schmakel of Texas Tech.

He came in clutch in round five again by beating Brian Escalante of Webster University. With the rest of the team finishing with draws, his win gave SLU’s A team the win over the top-seeded Webster University. Bok finished the tournament with five wins and a draw, earning him an award as the tournament’s top fourth board.

Nikolas Theodorou, a junior studying physics and mathematics, came through in the sixth and final round to clinch the team’s tournament victory. At the start of the sixth round, there were several teams in contention. SLU led the tournament with a perfect 5/5, but they were paired against University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, who had scored 4.5. A win in the final round against SLU would have given the tournament victory to University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley.

Bok, Marandi and Swiercz each drew their games, but Theodorou won against his opponent Ulvi Bajarani, clinching the victory for SLU’s A team.

By winning this tournament, the SLU chess team has earned the right to play in the prestigious President’s Cup, to be held in April.

Since 2001, the top four finishing U.S. schools in the Pan-Am advance to the President’s Cup, also known as the “Final Four of Chess,” which determines the U.S. National College or University Champion. SLU hopes to improve on their runner-up finish last year with a win this April.

Webster, University of Texas at Dallas and Texas Tech also earned spots in the Final Four.

sports

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

By SYDNEY ALTEMOSE Sports Editor

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year ago, Chaifetz Arena was abuzz. With COVID-19 forcing all eighteen varsity sports to be played at once, it was humming with incessant activity. Now, however, we have returned to a traditional schedule, which means that only six sports will be center stage for administration and teams. Many of the Billikens’ sports teams came out of the shortened season triumphant.

The six sports that will happen this spring are baseball, softball, women’s and men’s tennis and coed track and field.

Track is fortunate, being able to come off the indoor season and head directly into their outdoor season. Already, two names on the men’s team stand out for success throughout the 2022 season. Myles Gascon, a senior sprinter and hurdler, broke the school’s indoor record for the 60 meter dash on Jan. 15, 2022. He ended the 2021 season with a silver medal at A-10s in the 100 meter dash. Undoubtedly, he will be hungry to take the top podium spot this season. After breaking a school record, he is poised to feed off his success and use that to fuel himself into a championship.

This past week, his teammate Danny Hopkins saw success by posting the second fastest time in the A-10 400 meter sprint all year. Hopkins has a silver medal for his 200 meter performance in his sophomore year. With a great number of newcomers, and a successful backlog of throwers, the season is sure to hold more records. If last season was any indication, there will be plenty of medals around Billiken’s necks at the end of the season.

On the women’s side, fifth-year returner Katie Wissing will look to have a repeat performance of her gold medal meet at the A-10 Championships last year. It was her third triple jump gold. Senior distance runner Megan Kress has had a career full of personal bests. As the Billiken’s top place finisher at the conference meet for cross

OSCAR ALVAREZ

SADIE WISE

country season, the distance group will look to her in order to anchor their group. The women’s team will also put forward an impressive group of sprinters and throwers. The individuals span all four years of university competitive experience and have rivaled one another consistently to put forward some of the team’s best times. The team will spend this next season looking to send more Billikens to the podium along with Wissing.

Billiken baseball enters the 2022 season after a 17-31 record in 2021. With wins over big names like Kansas, Oral Roberts and Cincinnati, the 2022 Billikens will look to overtake some of those same competitors once again. Oral Roberts is back on the schedule along with a difficult A-10 group. In order to overtake these competitors, the team will look to Cam Redding to perform for the team in the same way he has for the past three years. An infielder and catcher, his athleticism is a necessity for the Billikens’ rotation. Last season, he started every game. His stats prove his experience has surmounted to something close to expertise.

Just last season, he topped the Billiken statistics with a .377 batting average and .537 slugging percentage. He also held the top spot for total hits (57) and bases (95), 35 runs scored, 47 runs batted in, singles, doubles and triples. The roster also welcomes eight transfers with four coming from the University of Missouri, who battled the Billikens for a 2-1 win last season. While those new Billikens will not have an opportunity to play their old school, the group certainly brings expertise garnered from intense SEC play.

The softball team will look to build on a 19-27 season and continue their ability to defend home base. Their home record last year was 15-13, and they held a 10-12 conference record. Coach Connyer added seven freshmen to the roster, which will add some much needed numbers to the program. Graduate student Sadie Wise leads the Billikens’ offense. She holds the top spot for SLU’s

DANNY HOPKINS

ELIZABETH MINTUSOVA

record list with her batting average (.378), slugging percentage (.664), 33 home runs, 48 double hits and 365 total bases. She was named Saint Louis University’s Outstanding Female Senior Student Athlete and was even nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year. On the defensive end, Chole Wendling leads the Billiken’s pitching staff with her statistics: from starts to appearances, wins, innings, earned runs average, fewest walks, shutouts, saves and complete games. The young Billiken team will need the pair’s expertise on the offensive and defensive ends in order to best some of their opponents this spring. Games to watch will be played against Omaha, Ole Miss, Iowa and Mizzou.

Finally, men’s and women’s tennis will look to improve upon a wildly successful 2021 postseason. Senior Oscar Alvarez leads the men’s side of the court. This past season he saw success all the way to the second round of the A-10 Championship meet. He led the team in total wins with 21, which included 9 singles and 12 doubles wins. On the women’s side, junior Elizabeth Mintusova leads the team with 12 singles wins, a .857 singles winning percentage, 10 doubles wins with a .769 doubles winning percentage, 22 total wins and a .815 overall winning percentage.

After her performance she was named the team’s Outstanding Player. Senior Mariona Perez, her doubles partner, follows her statistics, and the two will likely be paired again in order to see another championship run.

Overall, the Billikens’ 2022 spring season holds much promise. As the teams battle familiar opponents and new competitors, they will bring with them staples of the athletic department.

Competitiveness, excellence and success are all pillars which the department strives to instill in its athletes. This next season will see plenty of all three on the national stage thanks to an impressive Billiken standard.

CAM REDDING

KATIE WISSING (Photos Courtesy of SLU Athletics)

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SIX BILLIKENS SIGN PRO CONTRACTS

By JENNA KLAERS Staff Writer

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he morning of January 11 marked the start of the MLS super draft as elite players from across the nation gathered in anticipation. The MLS welcomed six new players who were once on the Saint Louis University Men’s soccer team. These players include Isaiah Parker, Kipp Keller, Patrick Schulte, Simon Becher, Chandler Vaughn, and Chase Niece. This is the most players drafted in the history of Saint Louis University soccer.

Isaiah Parker started Saint Louis University off strong with the third pick in the first round. His preeminent accomplishmenta as a collegiate athlete are taking Parker to FC Dallas. Parker is from Gurnee, Illinois and as a starting freshman in the fall season gathered many accolades. Some of the few are threetime A-10 Rookie of the Week, No. 2 Top Drawer Soccer’s Midseason Men’s Top 100 Freshmen list, and A-10 Conference Rookie team. As an underclassman, Parker was offered the prestigious Generation Adidas contract which will provide financial stability regardless of where in the draft the individual falls along with allotting an education stipend in order to help signees finish out their education. Additionally, a Generation Adidas contract means that the teams to whom the players are drafted are not responsible for their salary, thus providing incentive for the team to develop young players.

Round one, pick five was Kipp Keller going to Austin FC. Keller’s three year career at Saint Louis University was extremely successful. Initially, Keller had been projected to be the first selection in the 2022 draft. Keller held a vital role in the middle of the field for the Men’s Team. Keller is from Saint Louis, Missouri and has had many achievements with his time here, including the A-10 Rookie team his freshman year, Second-team All-American his sophomore year, and A-10 Conference Defensive Player of the year in 2021. Keller was also a Generation Adidas signee.

Patrick Schulte, joining Keller and Parker with a Generation Adidas contract, was drafted first round, twelfth pick and is going to Columbus Crew. Schulte was the first goalkeeper to be drafted this year. From St. Charles, Missouri, Schulte since his freshman year he has made an impact on the program. His first sea-

son, he played in sixteen matches and had an overall record of 10-6 with 1.05 goals against average. He was also a A-10 Conference All-Rookie team selection, and was the A-10 defensive player of the year as a sophomore. During his last season with SLU , Schulte won the most Outstanding Player of the A-10 championship.

Simon Betcher was first round, pick sixteen and is off to Vancouver to play with the Whitecaps FC team. Out of the six players, Betcher is the only one to go outside of the states.

From Brooklyn, Connecticut he came into Saint Louis his sophomore year from Holy Cross. His junior year he made the A-10 First team All-Conference. As a senior, he made the Top-Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week on the A-10 All-Champion Team, and was the A-10 Conference Player of the Year. He was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, awarded to the NCAA’s most valuable player. Betcher topped the Billiken’s stats charts for goals and points this season.

Chandler Vaughn was third round, pick sixty and is off to LA Galaxy. Vaughn is from Woodbridge, Virginia and joined the SLU team as a junior after starting off at Pitt. Vaughn quickly adapted to the team and was a part of the third Top Drawer Soccer Men’s Team of the Week. His last season at Saint Louis he was named to the A-10 All-Championship Team.

Chase Niece was third round, pick sixty-six and is headed to FC Dallas where he will join Isaiah Parker. Niece is from Saint Louis, Missouri and has been a crucial player on the team since his freshman year. His freshman year he played in 13 games and as a sophomore he played all but 11 minutes in the season. During his last season as a Billiken he was named to the A-10 All-Champion team.

These top drawer players have created history for Saint Louis University Men’s Soccer.

As the names of some of the best Billiken players continued to be read in the draft, commentators noted, “It is a Billiken’s world, and we’re all just living in it”. In a simple sentence, the commentator managed to sum up the past year of Billiken soccer. Historic is the only word to describe the accomplishments of the team and these six prominent players. Under Coach Kevin Kalish’s guidance, he has developed a program that has created players who will undoubtedly join a list of the program’s most legendary athletes. After

all, with this draft, Saint Louis joins only two other college programs to have at least four players drafted in the first round of the MLS. SLU men’s soccer will certainly be different without these crucial players. Much will be demanded in the coming months of the players who have been left behind. Three of the season’s captains have been drafted which leaves a gap in team leadership. The highest scorer, Simon Becher has left the team, along with Isiah Parker, one of the staples of the forward line. Four defensive rocks have made their departure, leaving the team in need of other players to step up and fill their roles.

The MLS will also certainly be a different place with these Billikens. They certainly leave behind a fanbase rooting for their success at the professional level. Their absence requires their Billiken teammates to fill new roles and embrace new obligations if they want to see the success of last season come to fruition once more. SLU has not seen any of its players selected in the MLS draft since 2016. None of the 2016 players were drafted in the first round. It is the first time since 2011 that any of SLU’s players were offered a Generation Adidas contract. This team saw three. The 2021 Men’s Soccer team has left a huge legacy. It will not be easily replicated or forgotten. The next generation of the program, however, will look to fill in the gaps and make the most of the roles they are given in order to progress the future of SLU soccer and build off the foundation of one of the most legendary draft classes the country has ever seen.

Diana Jakovcevic / The University News

Opinion

20

Nurses are Experiencing Burnout and Exhaustion, Leading to Staff Shortages SLU nursing students offer insight into the challenges presented by the nursing shortages

By AMAN RAHMAN Staff Writer

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he ongoing issue of nurse shortages has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and is hitting St. Louis hospitals hard. This nationwide phenomenon existed prior to the pandemic, however, hospitals are increasingly being caught in a vicious cycle in which health care workers may contract COVID-19 and have to isolate, resulting in the lack of hospital staff. In turn, nurses grow overworked, experience burnout and resign from their jobs.

Furthermore, the demand for nurses in the United States is extremely high and some individuals may leave their job for a higher paying one.

As a short-term fix to this crisis, hospitals are hiring traveling nurses. These are temporary nurses that are brought in from various states and countries to aid hospitals during nurse shortages. Due to the high demand for traveling nurses, they are paid a greater amount than staff nurses, which has caused frustration within the profession.

The surge of the Omicron variant has led to a record number of COVID-19 patients in the St. Louis area, overwhelming and overworking hospital staff. KSDK reports from early January indicate that out of the 964 patients admitted to the St. Louis hospitals, 67 percent were unvaccinated and 33 percent were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This discrepancy between vaccine status showcases that hospitalizations are primarily occurring amongst the unvaccinated population. These numbers, in turn, are reflective of the amount of pressure and stress nurses experience. Healthcare workers that were considered “healthcare

heroes” at the start of the pandemic (Catherine Miller / The University News) are often the target of frustration that inevitably arise from being of patients with positive COVID-19 overloaded with work, nurses are at test results.

Upon receiving a high risk of contracting COVID-19 positive COVID-19 test result, due to their constant exposure. some patients get angry with their After observing the burnout of nurses and deny their results. Many young nurses, some SLU students of these individuals, according to describe feeling nervous about their local health care workers, do not pursuit of nursing. “I chose nursing believe in the reality of the virus because I thought it was something and are typically unvaccinated. The that I would genuinely enjoy doing, brash reactions of patients are both but now I’m afraid that I will disheartening and frustrating for quickly become tired of it,” junior those trying to do their jobs.

Shelby Berghorst says. This is a real The growing crisis of nurse concern that many individuals are shortages can be daunting for the bringing to light. Much of the future next generation of students, who are of the nursing profession relies on studying to become nurses during this generation. the pandemic. Current SLU students The pandemic has shown a rise in have reported feeling discouraged nursing students, as individuals may at times due to the current feel inspired by current health care circumstances in the medical field. workers to pursue nursing; however, “It is scary to hear about the this is not the case for everyone. The unbalanced nurse-to-patient ratio, pandemic has presented numerous as having to fulfill timed orders for challenges within the medical five or more patients puts a lot of field resulting in a fear of negative pressure on a singular nurse,” junior experiences. This can deter some Sara Coleman explains. Coleman individuals from going into a further indicated that the pandemic career that they were previously has highlighted the amount of hard passionate about. Both students work and dedication that is required and nurses alike may experience of health care workers. Along a lack of motivation to continue with the mental health effects in this path of medicine. Coleman

urges these individuals to reflect on the reasons why they chose to go into the medical field.

Berghorst explains that many health care workers have taken to social media to express their frustration online. She notes that while nurses are enduring a great deal of stress, a lot of them are trying to remain devoted to their mission. “​​One ICU nurse recently made a video saying that she still cares for COVID patients who do not believe that the virus is real,” Berghorst says.

Berghorst also noted the increasing hostility towards health care workers due to a rise in distrust. Having to navigate difficult patients while trying to save their lives is an exhausting process.

Despite the copious amount of stress nurses experience, Coleman notes that there is a good support system in the area. “One thing I have noticed at the different hospitals in the area is that the nurses are happy to help their colleagues out when things get hectic.

These relationships have motivated me, as they are a reminder that no matter how daunting the circumstances, if you are on the right team you are never alone.”

The effects of the continuing nursing shortages highlight the importance of healthcare professionals. “Nursing poses a great opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life, big or small.

The world will always need nurses, but especially now,” Coleman says.

Opinion

21

The Secular New Year The History of New Year’s Resolutions

By Juliette Callahan Staff Writer

he Babylonians celebrated the new year during the festival of Akitu where they would crown their king and promise to pay for their labor, objects and status. If those promises were sustained, the gods were thought to favor them. Throughout antiquity, Egyptians began the new year when the Nile, which was considered a gift of the gods, was inundated as the Sirius star rose and celebrated Khnum, who created humans from the mud of the river. The new year celebrated new life. However, when Julius Caesar established the beginning of the new year as January 1 in celebration of the god Janus, the emphasis shifted to Janus’ two-faced nature, one face contemplating the past and the other awaiting the future. In turn, Romans would promise to act benevolently, similar to the promises of the Babylonians. Instead of centering on the future year like the Babylonians or Egyptians, Caesar begins the new year as both a departure of the past and arrival of the future, creating a duality. From that duality and the implementation of the Gregorian calendar, the tradition of starting over through resolutions began.

In contemporary time, the relationship between religion and the New Year has become much more secular. Instead of making promises to gods, we promise ourselves the accomplishment of a resolution.

Around the world people celebrate the new year differently. In Spain, people eat a dozen grapes at midnight with each one granting a resolution. In South Africa, people will discard furniture from the prior year through the window to release the past. In Ecuador, people burn paper statues of people who had aggrieved or persecuted people in the year prior such as a corrupt politician. In South Korea, people observe the first sunrise of the year to bring newness into their first day. After the celebrations people create New Year’s resolutions to amend the indulgences

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and mistakes of the last year with the hope of bettering their disposition in the new year.

Others create resolutions that they failed to accomplish in the years prior. Arguably the first modern account of a New Year’s resolution was from a 1813 Boston newspaper which stated that many “who will sin all the month of December, with a serious determination of beginning the new year with new resolutions

(Grace Dunlavy / The University News) and new behaviour, and with the full belief that they shall thus expiate wand wipe away all their former faults.” The creation of resolutions is humans’ form of authority over the future. Obviously, having authority over the unknown future is a vain attempt at foretelling, but creating resolutions is a significant and valuable attempt at structuring our futures. For this reason, creating resolutions can orient an individual’s values, and interim objectives towards the continued resolution and everyday accomplishments,

deeming their creation worthwhile.

For the new year to improve myself, I created an interim resolution to read a non-academic book for thirty minutes every day. As an English major, I value reading both for enjoyment and academics, but unfortunately I am regularly reading for academic purposes only. So as a continuous resolution, I would like to read ten non-academic books each semester. I urge everyone to create resolutions to accomplish personal objectives and structure their future year around their own values.

“After the celebrations people create New Year’s resolutions to amend the indulgences and mistakes of the last year with the hope of bettering their disposition in the new year. Others create resolutions that they failed to accomplish in the years prior.”

Opinion

22

RORY GILMORE:

THE VILLAIN OF HER OWN STORY

By PENELOPE GARDNER Opinion Editor

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ver since I can remember, when my sister, mother and I get together, we watch Amy Sherman-Palladino’s “Gilmore Girls.”

I have cited it as my favorite show for most of my life. I always wanted to be just like Rory; I even had the extra drawers full of books just like her. I joined my high school newspaper to continue on the road she paved. It wasn’t until my recent rewatch that I realized Rory is actually the villain of the story. Watch out - spoilers ahead!

It always felt odd when she lost her virginity in a spur-of-themoment decision with her married ex-boyfriend Dean.

That disregard for fidelity can be dismissed on the fact that she was just nineteen. Later, in the reboot “A Year in the Life” Rory would fly to London regularly to help another ex-boyfriend, Logan, cheat on his fiancée while she is in a relationship with a man named Paul who she consistently forgot existed.

She was 32 and should know right from wrong and that cheating is not a good and noble act.

Maybe she just doesn’t have relationship knowhow or the relationships she saw her mother participate in gave her less respect for others in relationships. However, she can take zero criticism in any aspect of her life and won’t take responsibility when she does recognize it as bad behavior.

In the very first season, Rory is late for school because she hits a deer and misses a test in the process. The class did not allow for a make-up test and Rory heard “no” for maybe the first time in her life and practically threw a fit. The town of Stars Hollow practically revolves around her and the nosy town members are constantly interested in her life and never blame the perfect Rory. When Jess crashed her car, Rory was a helpless victim. When Rory recommends moving inappropriate movies to a higher shelf, she is praised beyond belief and gets a sign in her honor.

In her college newspaper, she had to write interesting articles in order to be

on staff. She resorted to making fun of a dancer’s weight to make a compelling article and mocked a poor girl relentlessly, even calling her friendless. Later, when she got an internship at a newspaper (from her boyfriend’s dad I might add) she hears for the first time that she might not be perfect for this career and she goes on a destructive rampage, blaming everyone but herself. She steals a yacht, gets arrested, drops out of Yale, and refuses to talk to her mother who worked very hard for her to have the opportunity to attend Yale.

At her sentencing for the robbery, she expected 20 hours of community service, which is startlingly light when she could’ve been charged with a felony. When she was sentenced with 300 hours of community service over six months, she acted like it was a full-time job. Had she worked 40 hours a week, which is considered a full-time job, she could’ve gotten it done in two months. Or if she wanted to spread it out over the six months, that would’ve been a mere 10 hours a week.

She has wealthy grandparents and has always lived comfortably. She always had the cushion of her grandparents to fall back on. She was able to go to Chilton, her private high school, and Yale free of cost except for a measly Friday night dinner with her grandparents. When her friend Paris loses her family’s support and has to work to live and stay at Yale, Rory is ambivalent. She acts innocent and humble, however she’s been to Europe multiple times, has graduated from a prep school and an Ivy League school, has always had a roof over her head and gets take-out most nights shown in the show. Her whole act is nothing but fake and annoying. I regret idolizing her for so many years when in reality she is a bad examoke for young girlse. Seeing another bookworm who has a good relationship with their mother, and who I so strongly related to, make horrible decisions and not recognize their privilege is such a let down. When you rewatch or reread something you loved as a child in an adult perspective, you can see flaws that you may not have realized.

(Diana Jakovcevic / The University News)

Opinion

23

Will Democracy die in dreamland?

By KATERINA SUPER Staff Writer n late December, Canadian political scientist Thomas Homer-Dixon Asian-Americans were targeted and attacked due to racism and a deluded sense called into question the stability of American democracy. Predicting of blame which was arguaby ignited by former president Donald Trump. And its collapse by the year 2025, he emphasized the following point: just this last year, attacks on women’s rights have seen abortion effectively “American democracy could collapse, causing extreme domestic restricted in Texas. This year, Roe v. Wade faces the possibility of being political instability, including widespread civil violence. By overturned. 2022 continues the conversation on climate change 2030, if not sooner, the country could be governed as scientists race to prevent irreversible damage while by a right-wing dictatorship.” His area of concern was Congress argues over legislation.

Trump’s probable return to the White House in 2024 Divided by social issues and destabilized by a as a catalyst for destabilization, which he followed pandemic, the United States is struggling to with the prediction that Trump “may be just maintain a united identity. The siege on the a warm-up act,” for a more politically adept Capitol in Jan. 2020 demonstrated how quickly leader that will reconstruct the American the country could slip into chaos. Considering political system. the deep divisions that exist, as well as But how realistic are these predictions? newfound polarizations, the U.S. may not be On a global level, confidence in American the strong front it presents itself to be. democracy is minimal. In a survey conducted Democracy is not promised. The United by the Pew Research Center, only 17 percent States must actively uphold and protect of people outside the U.S. believe the country the freedoms it denotes. Furthermore, it sets a good democratic example for other must uphold them for all its people. The countries to follow. Furthermore, rampant “American Dream” promises freedom and discrimination was criticised alongside the equality for those who come to and live in state of civil rights in the U.S. following the the United States. That freedom is only viable murder of George Floyd in May of 2020, a where division is bridged. The country may summer marked a period of protest and demands never be fully united, yet consensus is necessary for policy and social change. Some predicted a to maintain democracy. Without it, democracy Second Civil Rights Movement, suggesting the U.S. may die in the land of dreams. has not come as far into a post-racial society as it likes to think it has. Additionally, the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the deep xenophobia present in America as many (Grace Dunlavy / The University News)

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The University News was founded by Claude Heithaus, S.J. The Editorial Board of the University News recognizes Avis Meyer, PH.D., as the newspaper’s faculty mentor.

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