Issue 273 (Nov. 2024)

The University News

By Students, For Students. Since 1921

SLU graduate workers file for union elections, hoping to improve working conditions

Graduate student workers at Saint Louis University filed a petition for union elections with the National Labor Relations Board on Oct. 21, hoping to secure better wages, health care and job security.

The student workers want to join a national movement of academic workers represented by the United Automobile Workers (UAW), a union that advocates for science research funding, fair visa and immigration policies and better working conditions at academic institutions across the country.

Eileen Schaub, a teaching assistant for introductory biology and ecology labs, said she wants to join the student worker union so she can have a seat at the table during discussions about benefits and compensation.

Carlee Smith, Contributor

When Schaub started her graduate studies at SLU in 2022, she said she quickly noticed that student workers were struggling to make ends meet.

“It did not take me very long to realize that most of the other grad students in my department who had been here for more than a year just seemed really tired and demoralized,” Schaub said. “They were giving me advice on things like what food banks to go to and where I could sell plasma because these were things they were having to do routinely.”

Graduate student workers were becoming fatigued under their employment conditions, Schaub said. SLU made changes to their health insurance which increased their copays. The graduate students also have not had a

pay increase in about 12 years.

In February 2023, the graduate workers had an open forum with the provost to discuss their frustrations.

“It was a handful of us at first, we started looking for people in other departments in the university, and we started talking to people who knew about local labor organizers,” Schaub said. “Eventually we had enough organizers that we were ready to partner with a larger union, in our case, UAW.”

Schaub was a part of a graduate student worker union at the University of Connecticut where she received her masters.

ReadmoreonA2,Unionization

Why I voted for Kamala Harris for president

Mariya Yasinovska, OpinionEditor

I voted for Vice President Kamala Harris for president, and I think you should too. This year’s election is unlike any in recent memory. For many U.S. citizens, it’s a defining moment, and as a woman, an immigrant and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, this was not a decision I made lightly.

This election is not just about policy differences but about the very survival of democracy, civil rights and the protection of minority communities. I voted for Harris not because I agree with her on every single issue, but because the stakes are far too high to risk a return to a Trump-led America.

Women in politics are constantly held to impossible standards that men, especially white men (who dominate American politics), rarely face. Harris, as both a woman and a woman of color, is subject to scrutiny far beyond what’s applied to Trump or even male leaders within her own party. While Trump can openly make inflammatory comments and maintain his base, Harris’s every word and move is dissected with an intensity that suggests women must be above reproach to even be considered competent.

Unlike Trump, whose supporters often disregard his past actions, Harris faces a huge double standard, judged by expectations that her male colleagues do not meet. She faces an even higher bar than Hillary Clinton did, as Harris’s identity brings additional prejudice — she’s a target not only as a woman but as a Black and South Asian woman, forced to navigate biases that compound ReadmoreonB3,Kamala

Joseph Glaser, Senior Writer

I find it absurd that even if no one voted, there would still be a president elected. In America, we are promised the freedom of democracy and the power to choose our leaders. So why do so many people still feel like their vote doesn’t matter? We have all heard that the popular vote does not determine the presidential election, the electoral college does, but what purpose does the popular vote then serve to begin with?

The Saint Louis University’s Men’s Basketball team took the court for two exhibition games on Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 against Rockhurst and Maryville. Despite early woes, new head coach Josh Schertz is confident in the new-looking Billikens.

Schertz’s career with the Billikens started with disaster when star junior transfer Robbie Avila was injured during a scrimmage. Avila’s sprained ankle kept him out of the Oct. 18 game against Rockhurst. The six-foot-10 center returned from injury to start against Maryville, delivering 12 points and 7 rebounds in 17 minutes and holding opposing center Francisco Espinosa scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting from the floor. Avila joined Schertz from Indiana State, along with sophomore guard Jaden Schertz and senior guard Isaiah Swope. Avila was named to the Preseason All-Atlantic 10 First Team along with SLU veteran guard Gibson Jimmerson. Swope was named to the Third Team.

SLU’s mettle was tested against Rockhurst. SLU finished the first half down 30-33 against the Division II Hawks. Due to Avila’s absence, sophomore guard Kellen Thames took the opening tip-off against Rockhurst’s Dan Carr, with junior forward Kalu Anya serving as Carr’s primary defender throughout the game. Carr put up 11 points and six rebounds against the Billikens in the first half, shooting 5-of-9 from the field.

The five-foot-10-inch Swope struggled against Brian Hawthorne’s six-foot-two, 175 lbs. frame and physical defense. Every possession where Swope attempted to

Some faculty and graduate students are anxious after recent round of layoffs

Jack Cipfl, Staff Writer

Ulaa Kuziez, News Editor

Lauren Hutchens, Editor-In-Chief

After Saint Louis University laid off 23 staff members in October, faculty and staff morale has weakened, leaving some uncertain about their future at the university. SLU also cut expenses by 4%, or about $20 million, this fiscal year, and plans to cut an additional $40 million over the next two years. These cuts have delayed faculty raises originally scheduled to take effect Oct. 1 to January. It remains unclear how the cuts have affected specific academic departments and administrative divisions. Overall, faculty and graduate students have concerns related to the number of adjunct instructors allotted to departments for the spring semester, implications for their workload, and funding for research as the university moves toward R1 research status. Staff from six administrative divisions and two schools lost their jobs, according to an Oct. 18 university statement, which did not name the offices in which cuts were made. The University News confirmed that five people were laid off in the Office of the Provost, at least three in the Office of the Vice President for Research and one in the Student Involvement Center. The UNews is continuing to confirm where others were laid off.

University administrators have said they are committed to making transparent, faculty-focused decisions about budget cuts, but faculty fear future budget cuts may directly affect their ability to balance teaching and research.

Arts and Sciences Faculty Council President Ruben Rosario-Rodriguez said that unequal pay across departments has hindered faculty unity.

“The climate among faculty is not good. I talked to one tenured faculty member who is budgeting month to month,” Rosario-Rodriguez said. “There’s a huge inequality between salaries depending on the department. For many STEM faculty, if salaries are unaffected, they may be very happy with the way things are going. But for those who may even be at the top of their field in the humanities, their salaries are barely keeping up with inflation.”

Fewer adjunct positions awarded to departments

The College of Arts and Sciences only approved 40% of the adjunct requests that were made by its departments for the spring 2025 semester. Adjuncts are typically hired

The Electoral College was created to balance voting power in the states. It puts the power of the state’s vote into the hands of a few “electors” who are determined ambiguously by political parties. This system, essentially, sets up a barrier between people’s power over the presidential election and the power of political parties to determine who becomes the leader of America for the coming years. No wonder people feel their vote no longer matters nowadays because, at the federal level, it literally does not. There have been multiple occasions where a candidate has won the popular vote yet lost the Electoral College. While the system was made in good heart, it is clear that it can be easily manipulated to fit a political agenda. Aiden DeSpain, Arts & Life Editor

drive inside seemingly ended in either a turnover or a poor shot for the Billikens. Swope finished the first half with four points, three turnovers and zero assists, against Hawthorne’s four steals.

Swope spoke after the game about his play during the first half.

“I think I came out too lackadaisical, not playing with a sense of urgency,” Swope said. “I just gotta be better.” Schertz voiced his disapproval of Swope’s play during the postgame presser. “You can’t jog back in transition and give up two layups. On top of the turnovers,” Schertz said.

Schertz spoke on how he motivated his players during halftime to produce such a shift in play.

“Yeah, nothing I can share in here though,” Schertz joked. “Most of the adjustments were mental and mentality adjustments.”

SLU would come back in the second half to blow out Rockhurst 86-65, with Swope putting together 10 points and three assists with zero turnovers. Other secondhalf heroes included senior guard Kobe Johnson and freshman guard Amari McCottry, who combined for 25 second-half points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. Both showed out defensively, including McCottry rising up for a monstrous stuff block against Carr to preserve a SLU run. “[McCottry] and Kobe both can really give ball handlers trouble. And then they both have the size and physicality to switch,” Schertz said.

Some players showed impressive potential during

It is here. “CHROMAKOPIA” is Tyler, The Creator’s 7th solo album, and as to be expected, it tops his previous six projects with magical composition and lyricism that leaves listeners wanting more.

The album includes mostly hidden features from the following artists: Daniel Caesar, Teezo Touchdown, Childish Gambino, Schoolboy Q, Doechii, Lil Wayne, GloRilla and Sexyy Red, the last five of whom have full verses.

Some recurring topics on the album include pregnancy scares, parental trauma, lack of privacy, sexual deviancy and an inability to practice monogamy. Inside his fear of commitment, he questions whether he is simply afraid to be intimate with someone or if he is interested in polyamorous relationships, with the idea that he is simply afraid to get that close with someone or that he is interested in polyamorous relationships. The album rollout was quick, with only enough time for two singles — “Noid” and “St. Chroma” — prior to the album release. The former, the third song on the album, comes out swinging. Tyler struggles with the paranoia associated with extreme fame and the associated lack of privacy, narrating not trusting people romantically and advocating for nearly solely physical relationships to avoid being “trapped” with pregnancy. While the song was initially widely accepted by fans,

ReadmoreonB1,CHROMAKOPIA

boy band, One Direction, was a phenomenon: Dubbed “the internet’s first boy band,” the group found profound, and retrospectively unexpected, success in the early 2010s. Composed of five members, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik, the iconic pop band had a shortlived five-year career before taking an indefinite hiatus in 2015. The band members got their start in an extremely unassuming way, not only for the time, but also in a way

prodigy. Average-at-best singers, dancers and overall performers, their stage presence lacked the confidence and fine-tuning that a solo act needs to command the industry. Yet, producers saw an undeniable glimpse of talent and pushed the five of them forward as a group. Although an “X-factor”

Budget, Continued from A1 temporary, semester-based contracts, usually to teach introductory classes, many of which are required courses for freshmen and sophomores.

Rosario-Rodriguez, who also serves as an associate professor in the theology department, said for the first time in about 15 years, more than half of the department’s requests for adjuncts were denied this semester.

“We always relied on adjuncts, not by design, but because of the sheer volume of courses we have to offer. Faculty members then have to not offer certain upper-level courses and switch to teaching a foundational course,” Rosario-Rodriguez said.

This dilemma is intensified for departments like theology that teach courses in the core curriculum requirements, which are mandatory for all students across campus. To meet this demand, departments often rely on adjunct instructors to teach a portion of those class sections, allowing full-time faculty to teach higher-level, or more specialized course offerings. With fewer adjuncts to fill this role, faculty have to fill in the vacant roles and give those higherlevel classes.

Lori Baron, an assistant professor in the theological studies department and a coordinator of the department’s undergraduate studies, said she is also concerned that several adjunct faculty won’t be offered contracts for the spring 2025 semester.

“I wish that we didn’t have to cut people. Our faculty and staff are so important to our students getting their education,” Baron said.

Additional adjunct positions that were previously open won’t be filled next year because of the university’s near-total hiring freeze, Baron said.

She was originally scheduled to teach 3000-level classes next spring. With fewer adjuncts, Baron said she will have to teach some of the classes adjuncts would have taught instead.

“It makes me sad for these people who have been around for years in our department, teaching classes that are really popular with students,” Baron said. “On the other hand, I understand from what I’ve heard that the university has to make cuts and I’m trying to be sympathetic to that.” University to reevaluate workload policy

The university is currently reevaluating its workload policy, which dictates how much tenuretrack and non-tenure-track faculty are allowed to work. The standards are likely to change due to departmental restructurings related to budget cuts. It is also heavily related to the university’s plans to move to an R1 research-intensive school.

The current policy allocates workload hours differently based on the amount of research, teaching and service a faculty member does. If faculty does more research, then they are expected to do less teaching and vice versa.

A Provost-led committee has been tasked with examining the policy, which was last updated in 2021.

“This is a big area of consternation among the faculty and with the administration, and it’s going to be a big part of these Provost teams,” said Paul Bracher, an associate professor of chemistry. “It’s a big area of concern, and there are going to be people who are unhappy about it, for sure.”

With open positions not being filled and adjunct

support waning, SLU’s ambitions in research means departments have to reimagine what a normal workload unit is and does, Bracher added.

Savannah Warners, a doctorate student and graduate instructor in the English department, said university budget cuts make her anxious about her future academic prospects.

“I’d love to work in academia, and seeing all of these changes at SLU makes me feel unsettled about my own career,” Warners said. “It’s not great for the morale of graduate students, undergraduate students and for the morale of a learning environment in general.”

Questions linger surrounding research support

In the Office of the Vice President for Research, which oversees the distribution of all academic research funding, at least three staff members were laid off, including two who held executive research development positions.

While most of the cuts and layoffs have been on the administrative side, cuts to this research office worry faculty who say these cuts contradict the university’s promise not to change faculty and student resources. This specific cut will “indirectly affect everyone,” Bracher said.

It also leaves graduate students worried about their research, said a doctorate student in the history department, who prefers to remain anonymous because she feared risking funding from the university for her research.

“Staff that help facilitate grant writing, specifically in the humanities department, were cut,” the student said. “As a result of SLU majorly downsizing that office, people are going to have to do jobs themselves that are typically spread among several.”

The anonymous student, who also teaches in the history department, said budget restraints have put pressure on her day-to-day research and teaching.

“On one hand, we have been assured by the university that these cuts are not for faculty and not for graduate students, but on the other hand, it’s really hard to do our jobs if there’s not good funding for research,” the student said. “It’s not clear what’s next on the cutting block.”

Graduate thesis and dissertation funding could now be at risk, the student added. Some graduate students have been pressured to complete their research faster than planned.

“Previously, there had been this assumption that you would certainly get a sixth year of funding. That is something we have been told we can no longer assume,” the student said.

For Baron, the theology professor, the uncertainty of what else will be cut over the next two years is concerning.

“I’m a person who worries,” Baron said. “I would say for the near future, I’m not worried, but I know that the cuts that happened this year were the first of a series of cuts. So I really hope I can stay at SLU as long as SLU will have me, or until I decide I actually can retire.”

Despite these concerns, Baron said that she believes SLU is making an effort to keep as many faculty as possible while balancing the budget.

“I feel like I’m working for an organization that seems to care about people,” Baron said. “That seems to want to live out its Jesuit values.”

Unionization, Cont. from A1

Graduate student workers at Saint Louis University filed a petition for union elections with the National Labor Relations Board on Oct. 21, hoping to secure better wages, health care and job security.

The student workers want to join a national movement of academic workers represented by the United Automobile Workers (UAW), a union that advocates for science research funding, fair visa and immigration policies and better working conditions at academic institutions across the country.

Eileen Schaub, a teaching assistant for introductory biology and ecology labs, said she wants to join the student worker union so she can have a seat at the table during discussions about benefits and compensation.

When Schaub started her graduate studies at SLU in 2022, she said she quickly noticed that student workers were struggling to make ends meet.

“It did not take me very long to realize that most of the other grad students in my department who had been here for more than a year just seemed really tired and demoralized,” Schaub said. “They were giving me advice on things like what food banks to go to and where I could sell plasma because these were things they were having to do routinely.”

Graduate student workers were becoming fatigued under their employment conditions, Schaub said. SLU made changes to their health insurance which increased their copays. The graduate students also have not had a pay increase in about 12 years.

In February 2023, the graduate workers had an open forum with the provost to discuss their frustrations.

“It was a handful of us at first, we started looking for people in other departments in the university, and we started talking to people who knew about local labor organizers,” Schaub said. “Eventually we had enough organizers that we were ready to partner with a larger union, in our case, UAW.” Schaub was a part of a graduate student worker union at the University of Connecticut where she received her masters.

“I can really feel the difference between being a grad worker at a unionized university and nonunionized university. At UConn we had really good health insurance, dental coverage, and if we felt we were getting

overworked we could talk to a union representative,” Schaub said. “It just felt like the university was more aware of our existence.”

To form a union, first, 30% of coworkers need to sign union authorization cards or a petition. Then, an election petition must be filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB will then hold a private election to determine if a majority of workers want a union. If the union wins in the election, the NLRB will become the employees’ union representative.

The employer is required to bargain with the union over the conditions of their employment. This is the step in the process where employees can negotiate and advocate for their needs.

In a statement, a SLU spokesperson said the university encourages eligible students to learn about how a union could benefit them and to participate in the union election that will be held on campus the second week of November.

“We respect their right to explore union representation and make informed decisions about their future. The University will honor the process that allows them to decide if they wish to be represented by the United Auto Workers,” the statement read.

At SLU, graduate workers include graduate assistants, teaching assistants and research assistants, many of which take on teaching and grading responsibilities.

Zackary Davis is a doctoral candidate in American Studies and a teaching assistant in the department. He said that graduate workers need to be treated better by the university.

“We were unanimously dissatisfied with the present situation up until this past year,” Davis said. “We haven’t received any raises in our compensation for the past 12 years, and we continue to feel that lack compensation.”

If SLU graduate students vote to unionize in November, they’ll join over 100,000 graduate student workers represented by the UAW.

“We all have one too many friends who are graduate workers at SLU who have had to make decisions between which non elective medical procedures they want to get because the health care coverage can’t cover both,” Davis said. “For me a union is the only path out of this Devil’s bargain that is graduate work at SLU.”

18 hours in Grand: Inside a student’s attempt to hide in the dining hall overnight

Aninterviewwiththeonemanwhodaredtotry

Owen Hendrick, Arts & Life Editor

Most know Grand Dining Hall as merely a cafeteria.

Senior Jonah Tolbert sees it as something else: a challenge.

“I enjoy staying at Grand for a long time, as I can eat a lot,” Tolbert said. “So I thought of the idea of spending 24 hours [in Grand].”

From 7 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, to 7 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 19, Tolbert, a business technology management major, intended on staying in Grand for as long as he could.

He would end up staying 18 hours.

Though his bucket list goal was cut short, Tolbert’s feat is nothing short of fascinating.

Tolbert yields a passion for challenging himself, accomplishing tasks like running a sub-three-hour marathon, jogging around the Clock Tower 100 times and accessing as many of Saint Louis University’s rooftops as possible (he’s been on three, “so far”).

This specific plan, though, started his sophomore year. Tolbert, a fan of Grand’s unlimited food, once found he sat inside from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tolbert had also watched 24-hour challenge videos before, a trend where people attempt to stay in an establishment for 24 hours undetected, and this seemed like just the way to join the lore.

For Tolbert, only one location could suffice.

“People were like ‘Would you do somewhere else after?’ and I said ‘Absolutely not.’ It has to be Grand. It’s just the elusiveness of it,” Tolbert said.

Two years after the idea first popped into his head, Tolbert began planning. He picked the third weekend of October as the ideal date a couple of months in advance, and emailed dozens of friends details of his plan, asking them to come greet him during his odyssey. 21 friends did just that.

“There was a period of time where some people wanted to come and spend the night as well,” Tolbert said. “They chickened out at the end, which I kind of expected.”

Although alone, Tolbert was not dissuaded, and his strategy was simple— Grand staff typically do not kick out students from the dining hall, they merely stop accepting new students. Coupled with a later opening time on weekends, Tolbert felt equipped to stay 24 hours and slip out before any workers arrived the next day.

“Grand opens at 7 a.m. on Fridays, but then it opens at 9 a.m. on Saturdays,” Tolbert said. “You stay there, you can leave before the workers hypothetically get there.”

Tolbert’s gear for the plan was minimal. He packed a compact sleeping bag, pillows and a Gatorade bottle that was “ready to rumble,” should a bathroom emergency occur in the middle of the night. He relied on Grand for the rest of the necessities.

Tolbert was never concerned about suspicion surrounding what he was bringing.

“I knew Grand workers wouldn’t care,” Tolbert said. “No one really batted an eye.”

During Grand’s operating hours, Tolbert spent time with his friends, watched the film “Yesterday” and listened to emo band Hot Mulligan. He ate lots of chicken fingers, which he called his “favorite food of the day.”

“I was in the same booth from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.,” Tolbert said.

At 9 p.m., Grand’s closing time, it was time to change strategies.

“I got in the back room around 8:50 p.m.,” Tolbert said. “The last student I saw was at 8:30 p.m. and then I saw no one pass. I soon got in the corner and time passed very quickly.”

Between the hours of close and Tolbert’s going to bed, he studied, another catalyst for his operation.

“My goal was actually to also get this assignment done for business analytics,” Tolbert said. “I told somebody ‘I think I’m gonna get like an 87.’” Tolbert received an 88%. The back room of Grand harbors meeting rooms that double as allergy-sensitive eating areas. Here, Tolbert made himself at home, taking control of the lighting and setting up his sleeping area. He had a friend come by to check he couldn’t be seen from outside.

He considered exploring all areas of Grand, like its kitchen and dish station, but decided not to “push his luck.”

Just after midnight, Tolbert went to sleep, but it would prove short-lived. A maintenance worker flashed a light at Tolbert, waking him up around 1 a.m. The worker asked Tolbert what he was doing there. Tolbert, who wore his student ID card to convey his status as a student and not a squatter, answered honestly.

I’mspending24hours inGrand, Tolbert said.

Youcan’tdothat, theworkerresponded. “ ” “ ”

At this point, Tolbert was aware he’d overstayed his welcome.

“I knew my plan was folded, so I started to pick up my sleeping bag and stuff,” Tolbert said.

It was the dead of night. Maintenance was threatening to call security should he try this again. Tolbert had memorized his emergency contact’s phone number should he end the night in jail. Despite all this, the half-asleep Tolbert was not worried, never expecting any real consequences for this stunt.

“I was talking to people like ‘There’s a 2% chance of being in trouble,’” Tolbert said. “I was joking that I know there’s a holding cell in DPS [Department of Public Safety], [but] I didn’t really think there would be any charge.”

Tolbert was in Grand from 7:09 a.m. Friday to 1:15 a.m. Saturday, just over 18 hours in all.

Disappointed with his lack of success, Tolbert emailed those with knowledge of the stunt three simple words: “I have failed.”

Though personally not pursuing the endeavor, Tolbert insists that the “journey is [still] possible.” As for how to better accomplish the task, Tolbert advises a quieter approach for the next brave soul.

“Going back, I wouldn’t have invited that many people,” Tolbert said. “If a friend of a friend knows a desk worker… 21 people is a lot to know.”

Here is what you need to know to vote

Lauren Elsen, Contributor

With less than one week until Election Day, Missouri voters are filling in their ballots and gearing up for the polls. For first-time voters, however, casting a ballot can be a daunting or uncertain task. It’s important to remember that valuable resources are available to help with the voting process. The most important ways to prepare for Election Day include double-checking state-specific voting rules in advance, verifying your polling location, checking to see what form of ID is needed for voting and knowing what is on your ballot. Each state has a unique set of rules for polling places to protect the election process. In this election, Missouri voters are prohibited from bringing Democrat or Republican voting guides to the polls. However, Missouri law allows sample ballots and notes on paper or your phone at polling places under Missouri law. Voters in Missouri are also prohibited from taking selfies or pictures with their ballots inside polling locations. Make sure to bring a valid Missouri driver’s license, Missouri nondriver ID, U.S. passport or military ID to your polling place. If you are registered to vote but don’t have a valid photo ID, you may cast a provisional ballot, which won’t be counted until your identity is verified through signature analysis and prior records after Election Day.

Thousands of St. Louis County residents have gotten a head start in the voting process, as Missouri offers in-person, no-excuse absentee voting starting the second Tuesday before Election Day until Nov. 4. Throughout St. Louis County, no excuse absentee voting locations are located in public libraries and election offices. Visit the websites for the St. Louis County Board of Elections and the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of St. Louis for more information on locations and hours. You can also check wait times at polling locations in the city and county before going to cast your ballot. On Election Day,

Ryan Moore Jr., Contributor

Saint Louis University received $964,848 from the Department of Energy (DoE) to develop a Climate Resilience Center that will aim to mitigate the effects of climate change in the St. Louis area. It is one of 10 centers that received funding from the DoE in the U.S.

The proposal to the DoE for funding was made by Orhun Aydin, an assistant professor at SLU who put together a team of researchers from the Water Access, Technology, Environment and Resources (WATER) Institute and Taylor Geospatial Institute responsible for mapping heat islands in the city of St. Louis and developing solutions for rising temperatures and other weather conditions in the region.

Aydin hopes to use this funding to create dynamic solutions to climate change.

“We have a multifaceted approach that combines climate science, social science, urban planning and artificial intelligence crafted to support the local communites,” Aydin said.

Jason Knouft, a professor of biology at SLU and director of the Freshwater Policy Institute, laid out the fundamentals they hope to achieve through this project.

“The primary focus of the research is documenting the urban heat islands and trying to understand how hot it gets in the city… another aspect of it as well, is trying to develop an urban flood model,” Knouft said.

The urban flood model will help researchers understand what parts of the city are most heavily impacted by high levels of rain so that they can best equip these places with resilience strategies.

Knouft’s background in water dynamics and hydrology is important to this project because “the water component to the Climate Resilience Center helps to understand, if we can, in estimating the likelihood of intense flooding events, and then come up with some possible ideas to remediate against potential flooding,” Knouft said.

Finding optimal locations to plant trees in the St. Louis city area is a solution the team is considering. Knouft hopes the project will help “reduce the impacts of climate change.”

Trees are an optimal solution for potential climate problems as they mitigate heat and precipitation, the two main areas of impact.

“The city is [in] the process of planning to plant trees throughout the city. What that does is it reduces the temperature, they have a cooling effect, primarily in the shading… but also, when you plant vegetation, it inhibits flooding by essentially, holding on to water,” Knouft said.

This multifaceted solution to mitigate the effects of climate change is being worked on in Aydin’s Artificial Intelligence in Coupled Human-Environment Systems for Sustainability and Resilience (AI-CHESS) lab. The main fgoal of this project is to create a “digital twin” of St. Louis: a model of the city that they can use to experiment in.

Aydin shared some insights into how this model would be used.

“AI that we know about generally predicts things that are going to happen… there is another part of AI that actually is called prescriptive learning, which basically computes good decisions, or what might amount to good decisions,” Aydin said.

The prescriptive learning AI model that Aydin and

Joseph Glaser, Staff Writer

colleagues are working on in their lab will be able to predict the outcomes of certain weather conditions in order to mitigate their effects in St. Louis neighborhoods.

“One big part of our project is creating this digital twin, creating this digital environment where we can say, if the heat goes over a certain extent in a neighborhood for a measured period of time, it can trigger a specific amount of health-related deaths, or strain on the electricity grid,” Aydin said.

With the digital model of St. Louis, Aydin and his team hope to find community-driven solutions to climate change to help people become more aware and protected from dangerous weather conditions.

The number of Metro Transit passes available for Saint Louis University students has been reduced from 2,000 to 930 in the 2024-25 school year.

Last academic year, SLU provided 2,000 Metro passes for full-time students. However, the university lost more than $68,200 when 1,100 passes were never collected.

This year, the university has implemented a 53% reduction, designating only 930 passes to be available for students. Event Services at the Busch Student Center purchased the passes at $62 each for the academic year.

SLU purchased the passes in partnership with Bi-State Development (BSD) which operates Metro Transit. Together, BSD and Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) manage the Student U-Pass program that allows full-time students from several universities, including SLU, to ride the MetroLink and MetroBus for free, year-round.

Students were able to request a pass through a university Google Form that was active between Aug. 28 and mid-Sept. and supported 930 requests. The form reached its request capacity in about two weeks, leaving students who still want a pass without one.

Ashley Lets, a senior business technology management student, has been an avid public transportation user since 2020. She said she is struggling day-to-day because the complimentary passes “ran out really quickly” this semester, and she was unable to obtain one in time.

“ ”

One of our end goals is empowering the community with information, sharing our findings in a very objective way, talking about impacts of climate in specific neighborhoods… and educating residents in terms of what that means for them, Orhun Aydin said.

“One of our end goals is empowering the community with information, sharing our findings in a very objective way, talking about impacts of climate in specific neighborhoods… and educating residents in terms of what that means for them,” Aydin said.

Enbal Shacham, Ph.D, founding director of the Taylor Geospatial Institute, brings her background in public health and community-based work to ensure equitable implementation of the project.

In this model, they use anonymized smartphone tracking for data to understand how people move around their communities.

“Where they [people] go and how they [people] spend their time, how long they [people] spend their time away from home – at work – and away from work; those patterns are important to really understand the health of a community,” Shacham said.

Other geospatial data sources include drone technology, satellite imagery and temperature sensors.

“You can use satellite imagery. You can use sensors,” Shacham said. “You can use drone technology, and data collected from drones, or you can use ground measures of temperature.”

The most challenging part of the project is getting community members interested, according to Shacham, what she does is think “about how our community members engage with different systems and different challenges in their daily lives.”

A large goal for the project is ensuring that outcomes are beneficial for the whole St. Louis community.

“The geospatial work that I’ve grown into has led to thinking about how we can make our research more collaborative so our practice is more collaborative, and then we can solve bigger problems,” Shacham said.

The team plans to survey and collect information from surrounding St. Louis neighborhoods to get community feedback. They want to make sure that solutions are implemented so that residents affected by the change feel included in the work being done.

“If you think about inequity, extreme heat events are a good example. Some people don’t experience heat events in the same way others do,” Shacham said. “If I had central air and access to resources I don’t worry about whether I’ll have money to pay my air conditioning bills”

The team of researchers want to know “how individual perspectives are thinking through and experiencing these differently to give us a better sense of where and what types of intervention needs to occur,” Shacham said.

Some other solutions the team is considering are city-wide alerts for adverse weather conditions as well as working with nonprofits to implement climate change mitigation efforts.

The three year project is in its early stages, and the team is still deciding whether planting more trees in green spaces such as parks or gardens, or simply planting more trees in the city area is the optimal solution to the problems they are facing.

No matter the solution, they hope to implement equitable change that positively impacts all St. Louis residents.

“I want to highlight that this is the beginning of many more studies and a work in practice, so for me, I want to translate this research into practice and understand where we need to intervene, and how to best utilize our resources to be accessible to residents,” Shacham said.

October is known as the spookiest month of the year. Kids are picking out costumes, frightening decorations are put up and pumpkins are carved. People cuddle up and watch their favorite horror films, and others go out to seek that thrill at a corn maze. For politicians, October is spooky for a totally different reason, the “October Surprise.”

October Surprise is an event or news release about a presidential candidate or administration that is so newsbreaking that it has the potential to sway the vote. This happens constantly throughout an election year. However, in October, a candidate may not have enough time to recover from or respond to the effects of the “surprise”. Any event happening right before an election is often on the voter’s mind as they step into the booth. Major political revelations released in October can swing voters one way or another and can radically shift undecided and independent voters. The October Surprise was coined nearly 50 years ago in the 1980 election between former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. As October drew in, people warned about an October Surprise regarding the American citizens being held hostage in Iran. This was a hot-button issue. Many criticized Carter, who was the incumbent candidate at the time, for not being able to get the hostages back home. The outcome of the hostage situation was a top priority for many voters. However, an October Surprise never came. Some even went on to accuse Reagan of delaying the release of the hostages due to supposed fear that their release would swing votes in favor of Carter.

Since then, there have been several October Surprises that have affected a presidential race. Days before the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, a story broke that Bush had previously been arrested for driving while drunk. News sources from across the country rushed to pick the story up.

Karl Rove, one of Bush’s key political strategists, speculated that three million Americans did not vote or changed their vote as a result. Bush lost four points preceding the election day and the race was dangerously close.

Later, Bush would write that not previously disclosing the DUI “may have been the single costliest political mistake I ever made.” Bush won the election when the Supreme Court overturned the Florida Supreme Court order for the state to recount ballots. The decision stated there was not enough time to fairly recount the votes and the electoral college ratified the Florida vote. Bush won the 2000 election by a matter of 537 votes.

In 2016 there were two October Surprises. On Oct. 7 an Access Hollywood tape surfaced of former President Donald Trump’s now infamous “locker room talk” video. In the video, Trump can be heard making lewd comments about women. There had been about a month before the election and was able to successfully smooth out the fallout from the video, but many cited it as further evidence of his misogyny.

On Oct. 28, 2016, 11 days before voting booths opened, James Comey, former director of the FBI, announced that he was leading another investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private server emails in relation to the Anthony Weiner case. Comey closed his investigation days before the election, citing nothing new had been found. The email scandal was a large issue throughout the campaign, and many believe that it reignited concerns of competency.

Comey announced the renewed investigation to Congress, giving Clinton little time to respond. A year later, Clinton said it was a “determining factor” when she lost the election to Trump in 2016.

Ben Perlman, the assistant vice president of student engagement, said that the university delegated 930 Metro passes to be available for students because they did not want to buy a surplus of passes that would be left unclaimed.

“We’re trying to be stewards of the university funds, which are student funds at the end of the day,” Perlman said.

Currently, 426 out of the 930 students who requested a Metro pass via the Google Form have picked them up from the designated locations.

According to the SLU enrollment data, there are 8,669 undergraduate students enrolled in the fall 2024 semester. The 930 Metro pass requests they put in this year make up 10.73% of the entire undergraduate population. That is just over a 10th of all undergraduates that have unlimited access to the MetroLink and buses through the passes provided by SLU.

While only a small portion of the student body would have free public transportation access, David Young, the director of the Busch Student Center, and Perlman believe that Metro passes may not be a necessity for all students.

“Maybe students don’t want them, we have a lot of students who bring cars to campus,” Perlman said.

Lets, however, mainly utilized public transportation instead of a vehicle. Last semester, she mostly used the pass to get to and from her job and to explore more of the city. As an intern at the Crime

Victim Center, she had hoped to use public transit to get to tabling events in the city that her job would host.

Now, her options are buying a discounted $175 student semester pass from Metro Transit, or buying the $78 a month pass which the senior said “is exorbitantly expensive, so I’m trying to save up for that.”

Perlman explained that some students mistakenly thought the passes were for SLU shuttles, which are free, and opted out once the clarification was made.

“I think first-year students were confused about what they were. Housing changed the language on the form to be clear about what they were. So, we hope that helps people understand.” Perlman said.

Both Young and Perlman indicated that this misunderstanding may have contributed to the low turnout of students picking up the Metro passes.

“We want to try to maximize the efficiency of the program, but we need students to know what they are for and then come get them in time because it’s a sunk cost for students if they don’t,” Perlman said. “I’m not sure the demand is there. I’m not sure the energy is there for public transportation.”

Both administrators said they believe most students bring their cars on campus and if they want to get anywhere, they will drive or catch an Uber. Young said that he thinks students are not seeing the opportunity to utilize Metro passes. The two said that they think students prioritize other modes of transportation first before considering utilizing the Metro Transit.

“I would’ve won [if Comey hadn’t intervened]. It stopped my momentum. It drove voters from me,” Clinton said. “And so that, in terms of my personal defeat, was the most important factor.”

The 2024 election has had several surprises between the endorsement of a new democratic candidate midway through the race and a presidential shooting. So, what can we expect for this October? For these candidates, no surprise may be the biggest October Surprise of all.

Lets meanwhile, prioritized taking the metro. Now, she occasionally uses her mother’s car since “gas is expensive” and mostly pays for fares individually to use public transit which she said has been a “financial burden.”

Young and Perlman noted that there are many walkable businesses and areas around campus that students would not need a metro pass to get to. The U-Pass program was utilized more years ago when there were not so many accessible establishments around campus like Fresh Thyme, Walgreens and CVS.

Both Young and Perlman consider a lack of data on student Metro pass use to be a barrier to their availability.

Young said there’s no data that can inform SLU’s Event Services about why students would want or need a Metro pass. Perlman said that they would most likely be able to buy more passes if they could “justify the funding” with data about the student Metro pass use provided by BSD.

“That’s the other challenge, right, is that BSD doesn’t provide us any data. We can’t track it,” Perlman said.

Young also mentioned that it is difficult to know where students go when they use public transportation.

“I’m not sure where they’re going. They could be going to South Grand, or they could be going to Brentwood,” Young said. Perlman said that analytics would benefit BSD because they could use them to request additional federal grants. Starting in the 2024-25 academic year, event services will use online forms to track the number of residential and commuter students who use Metro passes.

“It’s definitely been beneficial [to have a Metro pass] because it allows me to commute to my job and school and to be involved in various methods of community engagement,” Lets said. The Google Form for obtaining Metro passes reopened on Sept. 20 and remains open to allow more students to request a pass.

(The Department of Energy)

The Department of Energy logo.

(The University News / Sana’a

Sana’a Abouantoun, Contributor

Basketball

Continued from A1 the exhibition games. Anya, McCottry and freshman forward Max Pikaar displayed talent that could be crucial for the Billikens later this season.

Anya averaged 9.5 points and rebounds across the preseason, including a 12-point 11-rebound doubledouble in just 26 minutes against Rockhurst. Schertz praised Anya’s high motor and transition playmaking potential, calling his ability to grab the rebound and then push the ball up the floor while flowing seamlessly with the guards “a cheat code.” “When he’s got the rebound and he can push, that’s great’,” Schertz said.

McCottry and Pikaar received high praise from Schertz. “I think Amari and Max are our most talented players,” Schertz said after the Rockhurst game. He expressed hesitation about their lack of experience but cited McCottry’s physicality and versatility and Pikaar’s highlight scoring as his reasons for being optimistic about the duo’s progression toward fulfilling their potential. Pikaar averaged 5.5 points per game during the preseason in only 10 minutes of floor time per game. During the Rockhurst game, he showed off his hops, putting six-foot-nine Arol Kacuol on a poster for SLU’s penultimate basket.

SLU Field Hockey loses 3-2 on senior day to Davidson

Chloe Rhine, Contributor

On Oct. 22, the Los Angeles Lakers opened their 2024-2025 season against the Minnesota Timberwolves, earning a 110-103 win. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with an impressive 36 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. LeBron James supported Davis, contributing a generous 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. These leading performances ultimately pushed the Lakers ahead of the Timberwolves, allowing them to earn the first win of their season.

While a preseason win for the Lakers is exciting, this game will be remembered for something much more monumental: making NBA history with the first father-and-son duo in the league. After being the 55th overall pick in the draft, Lebron James and his son, Bronny James, landed on the same stage and team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the 3rd quarter of the contest, Lakers head coach JJ Redick subbed the James’ simultaneously, causing a blaring roar from the crowd. Detailing the weight this moment carries for him, James Sr. praised the memory. “No matter how old I get, no matter how my memory may fade as I get older… I will never forget that moment.”

Bronny also felt the energy in this moment. When asked

about making history in his first NBA game alongside his father, he expressed overwhelming gratitude, “I appreciate the Laker Nation for showing me the support for me and my dad.”

Davis of the Lakers also felt the energy. “Just looking at them checking in at the same time at the scorer’s table, it gave me chills.” In anticipation of the historic contest, head coach Redick said that he was “thrilled” to be a part of this “historic occasion.”

LeBron “the goat” James, originally from Akron, Ohio, entered the NBA directly from high school in 2003 and has since found immense success. Lebron is an NBA all-time leading scorer, the only player in NBA history to be in the top five all-time in points, the top 10 all-time in assists, the top 10 all-time in steals, maintains the most 20 point games in NBA history (1,171) and has earned the most all-time playoff points (7,631), wins (174) and games (266).

Since their season opener, The Lakers’ record has improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2010-2011 season. It is safe to say that Bronny grew up with quite the built-in coach and that this is just the beginning for the father-and-son duo.

dance, and dedication

Nora Kotnik, SportsEditor

For decades, Saint Louis University’s Cheer and Dance teams have rallied Billiken fans together and embodied what it means to exhibit school spirit. Their dedication to supporting Billiken athletics has advanced SLU’s athletic programs, allowing them to excel. Though SLU cheer and dance function as separate entities, they share a united goal: to amplify school spirit. SLU cheer and dance is dedicated to honing their squad’s skills. With practice sessions three times a week, each lasting two hours, SLU’s spirit squads put in a committed effort. SLU cheer and dance highly prioritizes the advancement of their athletes. According to SLU Cheer and Dance the program, “focuses on helping spirit squad members grow in their talents, while teaching responsibility, teamwork, and discipline…”

SLU’s cheer squad is led by head coach, Grace Schultz. Schultz, a former Billiken cheerleader herself, was named as leader of the program after being a volunteer assistant coach for the 2022-23 season. In 2022, when Schultz was announced as head of the program, she said it was “a dream come true.”

In an interview with the University News, cheerleading senior Brandon Truong detailed some of his favorite parts of being a cheerleader at SLU. One moment he highlighted was cheering at the 2023 Women’s Basketball A-10 Conference Championshipwhere the women’s basketball Billikens earned their first conference title.

“I love being a part of the local community and contributing to the game day atmosphere. Watching them play and witnessing the moment where they lifted that trophy was an incredible experience to be a part of,” Truong said.

For Truong, cheering is bigger than just the performance of chants and stunts. He says, “Cheering is something I put real meaning into… it’s about bringing

everyone else into the spirit of the game.”

Morgan Maglente, a senior, has been a member of SLU’s dance team since her freshman year. Upon her arrival at SLU, Maglente was especially pleased with the level of commitment required of SLU’s dance team saying, “What I loved about the SLU dance program is that we didn’t compete.”

In pursuing a degree in physical therapy, Maglente knew that her school workload would be demanding. This flexibility of not traveling to competitions allows for Maglente, and SLU dancers alike, to pursue multiple opportunities concurrently.

In reflecting on her experience as a dancer, Maglente mentions that in general, “dance is not recognized enough for its duality as an art and sport…Our role is to promote school spirit within the university, but we don’t just stand and look pretty…we are strong and lift, we run and have good cardiovascular endurance, and we smile all the way through it with a pound of makeup on.”

Maglente explained that over her past four years at SLU, she feels that the dance team has received positive recognition for their hard work. This seems to be the experience of other members of SLU’s spirit squads. Truong agreed with Maglente saying, “I believe SLU athletics does a great job supporting us.” He continued saying that each year, the teams have felt more and more supported. Anna Burns, a junior on the dance team, agreed with Maglente saying, “The staff is always willing to help us whenever we need it.”

SLU’s cheer and dance teams play a pivotal role in elevating the energy of fans and spectators at SLU athletic competitions. Their hard work and dedication to not only their own skills, but also the promotion of school spirit, is noteworthy. SLU’s spirit squads consistently enrich the spirit of SLU athletics and will continue to do so for years to come.

Lebron and Bronny James: The first father-and-son duo in the NBA

Nora Kotnik, SportsEditor

The Saint Louis University field hockey team fell to the Davidson College Wildcats in a 3-2 loss at SLU Field Complex on Oct. 11. The loss moved the Billikens to 1-9 overall and 0-4 in A-10 play. Davidson improved to 5-6 and 1-3 in A-10 play.

There was action in the first quarter, as Davidson’s Abby Pompeo scored first in the sixth minute. The Billikens answered back as senior Perez assisted senior Olivia Smith’s goal to tie the game.

The match was on senior day, a celebration for athletes in their final season, as the bleachers were decorated with blue and white balloons and streamers. Before the game, seniors Josefina Perez, Savina Purewal, Julia Roojakkers, Anna Smith and Oliva Smith were recognized by athletics’ faculty members Janet Oberle and Chirs May.

SLU Field Hockey Complex marked the first time the field hockey team has had a field on campus since 1988. The stadium held a crowd of 257 fans.

“The senior day environment was fun, there were a lot of fans. It is nice to see them get to celebrate that moment with their families and teammates,” audience member, Abby Ulsas, said.

Anna Christ, a biology major who attended the game, said she had not gone to many field hockey games before coming to SLU.

“I think the new field is really nice and well deserved by the field hockey team. I know in the past they have had to travel over 30 minutes for practice each day,” Christ said.

Right before half-time, Pompeo put Davidson back on top with a score of 2-1. Pompeo has led her team with four goals and has started all 11 games this season. In the third quarter, Davidson midfielder, Hannah Merritt, scored a goal, giving her team a 3-1 lead. Abby Vidas answered back the Wildcat’s goal in the fourth quarter, making it 3-2 Wildcats. Olivia Smith and Anna Smith were awarded the assists on Vidas’ goal. Vidas has played and started ten games this season for the Billikens.

The Billikens were unable to answer back the sole goal.

“We started off pretty sloppy and found ourselves stuck in our defense 25, but after getting together and talking, we were able to figure out how to take the game into our control. We then were able to generate more offense and create some great opportunities,” Vidas, the team captain, said. No. 8 Saint Joseph’s University will host the Atlantic 10 Field Hockey Championships on Nov. 7-8 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at Ellen Ryan Field.

(Emma Duman / The University News) SLU cheer squad performing an impressive stunt at Billiken soccer match.

Seniors (left to right) Julia Rooijakkers, Olivia Smith, Anna Smith, Savina Purewal and Josefina Perez

Match.

Live sports streaming platforms: How costly it has become for fans to support their teams

In recent years, it has become increasingly harder for sports fans to watch and support their favorite teams from the comfort of their own home. With the emergence of multiple streaming platforms, each boasting unique viewing opportunities, it now appears virtually impossible for customers to meet all their spectating needs with just one subscription.

Since cable TV’s decline in the early 2010s, the success of the streaming service industry skyrocketed. Now, many households have gotten rid of cable TV, now watching movies, news, shows and sports on streaming platforms. Initially, people made this switch because they thought it was cheaper; however, with the emergence of more streaming platforms, some think these services and their diverse offerings leave the consumer spending more money in the end.

If you’re a sports fan or have tried to watch a game recently, you most likely started by searching online for where to watch the game, followed by some brief research on how much it might cost you to utilize whatever streaming platform the event was offered on. Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Apple TV+ and ESPN+ all offer sports streaming options.

The popular sports streaming service, ESPN+, broadcasts sports that are otherwise not usually available on cable channels. However, despite ESPN+ having a wide array of available broadcasts, it does not cover all the events fans may want to see. For example, viewers aren’t guaranteed access to watch all MLB, NBA or NFL games. Although ESPN+ will occasionally cover games in these leagues, other subscriptions are required for consistent access to these events.

Often, if a game is being streamed on a cable TV network, it is also streaming on their corresponding streaming platform, such as ABC and Hulu + Live TV, CBS and Paramount+, and NBC and Peacock. When games are not streamed on these networks, league-specific streaming services may be necessary to watch certain games. To watch MLB games, MLB.TV offers fans out-ofmarket games, but still has periodic location-based blackout restrictions. A blackout restriction makes certain sporting events occasionally unavailable in specific areas. For NFL games, the most comprehensive option is NFL Sunday Ticket, available through YouTube and YouTube TV. Out-of-market NBA

Emma Browka, Senior Writer games are broadcasted through NBA League Pass, but these games are also subject to blackout restrictions.

As reported by NBC News, by the start of the next NBA season, fans will need subscriptions to Amazon Prime Video and Peacock if they want to view all games.

Navigating these subscriptions has already caused frustrations for fans and will only worsen as companies expand and new platforms arise.

Additionally, games not broadcasted on these platforms will be on ABC and NBC, as well as through ESPN on cable TV, meaning that fans will still need access to traditional TV on top of the two streaming subscriptions to have access to all NBA games throughout the season. Although you can watch some professional baseball, football and basketball games on ESPN+, Major League Soccer is not included. Apple TV owns the rights to broadcast

MLS games, meaning that if you’re a soccer fan, be prepared to add one more subscription payment to your ongoing list.

Cost is an important consideration for fans deciding how they will watch their favorite teams each season. For example, ESPN+ has a subscription rate of $12 per month, or $120 dollars per year. An additional fee applies when ESPN partners with UFC to bring pay-perview events to ESPN+. A significant note is that there is currently no ad-free version of ESPN+, unlike other platforms, who often offer a slightly higher price for ad-free relief.

A large demographic of the sports-viewing population includes college students. Many students move away from their hometowns for college but still want to watch their teams from campus. Since these students are most likely looking to view out-of-network games, one can assume that higher-tier subscriptions are needed. Add into this equation the fact that students probably want to watch and support their university’s athletic programs too, making their monthly bill not so convenient or affordable.

The more streaming platforms that emerge, the more complicated and expensive watching live sports seems to be for fans. With companies offering different bundles with each other, changing which games are broadcast weekly and having exceptions or blackout restrictions for certain games, it looks as though there is no way to avoid paying for more than one service. Navigating these subscriptions has already caused frustrations for fans and will only worsen as companies expand and new platforms arise.

Tom Brady calls the shots in

Tom Brady, one of the biggest powerhouse names in NFL history, is most famously known for his career winning seven Super Bowl titles. Brady hung up his cleats and retired in 2022. In his retirement, Brady has transitioned into a broadcasting career with FOX where he calls the game, but not how you think. Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million broadcasting contract with FOX in 2022, shortly after his retirement. This year is Brady’s first season announcing games alongside play-by-play announcer, Kevin Burkhardt. Here’s the catch (literally), Brady is a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, as NFL owners voted 32-0 during the week of Oct. 19 to approve his ownership. Brady’s partial ownership poses several restrictions in his broadcasting job.

These restrictions include: not criticizing teams or referees, cannot enter team facilities, cannot attend practices, cannot join pregame production meetings with teams or players whether they are in person or virtual and he cannot subject to the league’s gambling and tampering rules.

Spectators are left wondering… How does Brady perform his job with these restrictions?

To give an example, if Patrick Mahomes were to throw an interception, Brady cannot criticize Mahomes for his play or his contract, as that would violate the first restriction. Another big restriction for Brady is his ineligibility to attend pre-production meetings. Each week, the broadcasting crew for every major network that carries the NFL, meets with both teams players and coaches to discuss the upcoming match up. Since Brady is not allowed in those meetings, he has no way of receiving intel on injuries, new formations or certain plays to allow him to tell the full story of the game. According to ESPN, the Dallas Cowboys said that they wanted Brady in their production meetings but because of the league rules, the Cowboys were forced to exempt Brady from their meetings. For Brady, he knew that these rules would be in place and has adjusted his commentating to the rules as the early part of the NFL season is underway. Will the lack of context hurt? Not for the NFL legend, but the story may be different once the playoffs begin, which is the most crucial time to accurately announce a game.

Depiction of televisions and dollar signs symbolize the rising costs of sports streaming service options. (The University News / Nejla Hodzic)

Tom Brady’s broadcasting debut in Cleveland, Ohio during the season opener featuring the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns.

(Photo

Carlos Leatherman dribbles into action against SIUE, Sep. 8, 2024

(University News Emma Duman)

Chloe Maughan celebrates score against Illinois State, Sep. 7, 2024

(University News / Enna Duman)

Emma Duman & Nivindee Fernando, PhotographyEditors

U Arts & Life

CHROMAKOPIA, CHROMAKOPIA!

The changing seasons bring about a lot of things: the holidays, cold weather, an (eventual, keep pushing) academic rest and many other wonderful things. Chief among them, though, is that crisp, cold air coming in through the window as you watch a cozy fall flick under a blanket with a warm drink in hand. Though a straightforward guide to some, we at the Arts & Life section wanted to come together to create a guide to ensure that everyone who wants to gets to have that cozy fall viewing experience.

1. “Dead Poets Society”

“Dead Poets Society” is a thought provoking, cozy and nostalgic film that is perfect to watch in late fall. Starring Robin Williams as Mr. Keating, the film follows a group of private academy students all learning who they are in the world and as a people, aided by the advice of their eccentric English teacher. For those with a soft spot for the dark academia aesthetic, “Dead Poets Society” is an essential watch to add to your collection. This movie is incredibly inspirational and has a tendency to resonate with the hearts and minds of viewers, young and old alike.

Directed by Peter Weir, this brilliant coming-of-age movie embraces deeper themes of mental health, suicide, alienation and family issues that are still just as relevant almost 40 years later. This film revolves around the concept of great expectations, exploring ideas of caving in to family pressures and the phenomenon of gifted-kid-burnout-syndrome, which is a shared experience among many students today.

2.“Over the Garden Wall Where to begin with “Over the Garden Wall” ? This Emmy-winning miniseries by Patrick McHale is a jarring, unique masterpiece of cinema crammed into just under two hours worth of episodes. With some of the most beautiful background art that can be seen on television, “Over the Garden Wall” follows stepbrothers Wirt and Greg on their adventure through The Unknown, a purgatory of sorts as they straddle the line between life and death.

The journey the boys take is meant to mirror Dante’s “Inferno” as a modern retelling, with each 11 minute episode drawing them deeper into another layer of hell. Throughout the show’s short runtime, the children are pursued by a creature known as The Beast, a dark and shadowy monster representing Satan himself. The quirky and fun animation contrasts with the eerie autumnal aesthetic and story of the show, making it a rich and delightful piece that can be watched and rewatched every time the autumn leaves begin to fall.

3.“Knives Out”

“Knives Out” is an amazing film that focuses on the comedic struggles of the rich. While the film itself may not be focused on the season, its atmosphere is heavily strengthened and emboldened by the fall weather and setting, helping to give the acting a lived-in world. This film follows the mysterious suicide of a rich writer and the quirky investigator hired to uncover the truth. Things come to a head when the writer’s family discovers he left his millions to his kind nurse, who is in way over her head.

Directed by Rian Johnson and starring a stacked cast of pedigree actors like Chris Evans, Ana De Armas, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Jamie Lee Curtis, and so many more, this Sherlock-like comedy/mystery will keep you laughing and guessing all the way till the end. There is so much to love from this film, with sharp writing, a well-developed ensemble cast and a perfect soundtrack all helping to create a perfect combination of zany comedy and subversive mystery.

4. “Fantastic Mr. Fox”

This animated Wes Anderson is another situation where the season is never outwardly focused on but adds heavily to the world-building and emotional atmosphere of the film’s events. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” follows the story of Mr. and Mrs. Fox, who decide to give up their days of stealing and living on the edge for a stable family and home, even if it is not all they think it is cracked up to be.

Another film with a stacked cast, this time with the likes of George Clooney, Bill Murray and Meryl Streep, all delivering some of the best voice acting performances of their careers. They are further strengthened by some classic Anderson movie regulars like Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzmann. This stop-motion film is filled with amazing set and character designs, fantastic writing and a fun, family friendly plot, making it a great watch for all ages.

5.“Bottle Rocket” Here is another Wes Anderson film, this time it’s his debut, “Bottle Rocket.” The film is a simple, unserious and just downright pleasant watch. All of the performances are hilarious and engaging, and the film is not concerned with what would become Anderson’s sterile, precise and intentional directorial eye. Because of this, the film feels more improvisational, more cozy and simply like an easier watch. It may seem strange not to mention the plot, but once

one has seen “Bottle Rocket,” they will understand this movie feels more like joking around with friends than it does following a story. If ever in need of a comfort movie, Owen and Luke Wilson in “Bottle Rocket” will not disappoint.

6.“About Time” It probably seems hard to believe a time travel film could be one of the most emotionally poignant romance films ever made, but that is exactly what “About Time” is. Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson star in a film where the paternal line of Tim, portrayed by Gleeson, can go backward in time, allowing them to relive and retry moments in their lives.

This is not all encompassing, though, and what follows is a gripping emotional story that grapples with the inherent risk we all run making decisions every day, and how little power we have to change things once they are set. With its crushingly beautiful depictions of all kinds of love, both familial and romantic, “About Time” will probably bring tears to most viewers’ eyes. “About Time” manages to live in viewers’ minds far longer than they expected it to when turning on a time travel romance.

7.“Coraline”

Many shared a similar experience when first watching “Coraline.” The PG-rated movie lulled our younger selves into doubting our parents and believing that this movie would be a walk in the park. Despite being marketed to younger audiences and often grouped with films like “Paranorman” or “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Coraline” has an uncanny, unsettling atmosphere that sets it apart.

The story follows a young girl who discovers a parallel world that seems perfect,until its dark secrets unfold. With gorgeous and meticulous stop-motion, a haunting story and a relentless flurry of tension “Coraline” is a perfect pick for fall, offering a mix of nostalgia, mystery and a lingering sense of unease.

8.“Magnolia”

Magnolia is one of those films that stays with you long after you have watched it. Set over the course of a single day in Los Angeles, the movie follows a series of interconnected characters, each dealing with their own personal crises. Despite this massive scope, “Magnolia” offers a personal glimpse into characters which creates a deep and rich world for the viewer to sit back and watch. What makes “Magnolia” stand out is its mix of raw emotion, surreal moments and themes of fate and redemption. The film’s haunting score and unforgettable performances feel like the perfect match for the shifting mood of the season. If you are in the mood for something intense and beautifully chaotic, this Paul Thomas-Anderson magnum opus is it.

9.“Edward Scissorhands” “Edward Scissorhands” is one of those household names that if you do not quite know the origin of, you can kind of figure it out yourself. He has scissors for hands! No surprises there, but one thing that may surprise you about this movie is how lovely it is. “Edward Scissorhands” is practically bursting at the seams with the wackiness of director Tim Burton, depicting a dystopian daydream with a heartwarming message: It is okay to be weird.

Johnny Depp stars as the titular Edward, discovered in his spooky castle just outside a cookie-cutter neighborhood by a suburban mom who takes him in. The suburb is shocked by the arrival of this pale and mysterious character, and soon discover his talents for anything scissor related. . The acting is antiquated but timeless, the writing is corny but charming and it all comes together to form a classic fairy tale of friendship. Make sure to check out “Edward Scissorhands,” and enjoy the rewatch if you already have!

10.“Silver Linings Playbook”

Nothing says fall like mental illness in Philadelphia. “Silver Linings Playbook” is a wonderfully unique romantic comedy starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert DeNiro. This hilarious movie follows Pat Solatano, portrayed by Cooper, a man with bipolar disorder fresh out of the mental hospital who moves back in with his parents to rebuild his life. Lawrence stars opposite Cooper as Tiffany, whose strange and dramatic tendencies indicate borderline personality disorder.

As one might probably guess, the movie is an on the nose look at the day-to-day interactions of people with mental disorders: and it is hilarious. Developed from Matthew Quick’s New York Times bestseller of the same name, “Silver Linings Playbook” is a perfect fall movie from the top down. Each character is so loveable, even when at their lowest. Pat and Tiffany are perfectly written, and Cooper and Lawrence are immaculately cast.There is something about it that just convinces you that you would be best friends with the two main characters in real life. We are sure that “Silver Linings Playbook” is a solid movie night selection, and we truly hope you enjoy it!

Continued from A1, it makes the most sense within the album’s full context.

The nonmonogamous nature of his relationships is continued in the next song on the album, with the chorus repeating “Darling, I keep falling in love.”

The second person is a priest who openly condemns LGBTQ+ people while privately engaging in same-sex relationships. Despite yearning for a life where the priest can be openly true to who they are, they “get back on the wagon” of preaching after quick sexual escapades.

The third person is

Two songs after, Tyler warns listeners about the importance of safe sex as to avoid being “tied down,” he is informed by Jane, a past fling, that she is pregnant. Tyler performs the first half of the song as himself, conflicted between the idea that he has possibly been lucky to have a child now and finding himself unready to be a parent.

Feeling that he would not do a good job raising the child, he utters lines like “If it was bound to happen to me, I’m lucky it’s you” and “Ain’t in the space to raise no goddamn child.” In the second half, he takes on the persona of Jane who is scared but ends up in the opposite position, pressuring him to leave and assuring him that she would be okay raising the child without a father.

Punching through the middle of the album, “Take your mask off” includes four different people who “wear a mask” or present a version of themselves that is almost the opposite of who they truly are on the inside. The first person is someone who partakes in violent gang culture while avoiding being thought of as “a bitch” and is forced to face the reality of their missed future when imprisoned.

honest with oneself and the world, good or bad. Tyler takes his overgeneralized identity as a rap artist and proves his multifaceted nature by exploring these heavy ideas with an often comedic delivery. Once again, he redefined the expectations of artists at the highest level, something fans are all too used to him doing.

Makes You Beautiful” became an overnight success. With the release of their debut album “Up All Night,” they went on to become the first British band to top American charts, spending 13 weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Nearly instantaneously, One Direction became an anomaly in the industry. In their mere five-year run, they shattered the records for ticket sales, becoming the highest-grossing concert tour of 2014 and making them one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. They broke the mold of their predecessors and rewrote the boy band playbook by avoiding overdone pre-choreographed moves, never wearing uniform clothes and being heavily tattooed. Witty and amusing, they pulled juvenile pranks midperformance, sang from the comfort of a couch on stage and wore funny costumes when they wanted to. Their personas were brought to life through the music, and the members often co-wrote their songs, but the group’s dynamic was further shown through their frequent interactions with fans. They would show up in chat rooms, communicating on Twitter (known today as X), Tumblr and Instagram to have long and short conversations with their unwavering supporters.

More than a band, One Direction was a group. A group of artists, but even further, they were friends. Often publicized on social media, their friendship and humor made them real. It was because of this that they didn’t just have fans. They had devoted

followers who felt let it into the group’s inner circle, privy to their inside jokes and shenanigans. It was this genuine camaraderie that helped make them so beloved. In a Rolling Stone interview, their frequent collaborator Savan Kotecha said “They did that by being themselves. That was a unique thing about these boys: When the cameras turned on, they didn’t change who they were.”

In an industry often characterized by brutalizing egos and artificial images, One Direction’s embrace of themselves and each other was refreshing. It played a big part in their remarkable rise to fame. As their notability inevitably grew larger, the members remained distinctively down-to-earth. Their willingness to be vulnerable and unguarded on public platforms like social media allowed fans to feel a genuine connection to the band. It was a stark contrast to anything like the manufactured personas of public figures that had become the norm in the pop music landscape. The legacy of One Direction was forever altered by the passing of member Liam Payne on Oct. 16, leaving the group and their legions of devoted fans in a complex state of grief in the midst of Payne’s recent controversy and public scrutiny. Fans and casual listeners returned to where they first met, the internet, and spoke about their complicated feelings towards Payne’s death. While the group may never reunite, the memory of One Direction will endure. Long live 1D.

Country Music Television’s (CMT) “Campfire Sessions” provides a wonderfully intimate and authentic way to listen to country music. Originally a YouTube series turned mainstream musical program on the network, each segment watches established, as well as up-and-coming artists play acoustically around a crackling campfire. It strips aways the flashiness of big stage performances and brings country music back to its roots – a raw, unfiltered experience where the focus lies entirely on the voice, instruments and storytelling.

Although viewership for the TV show may be limited by the greater decline in cable, CMT has made the series accessible via a comprehensive YouTube playlist that features over 120 songs and covers from the series. The first session, released on Jan. 28, 2021, showcases Granger Smith performing “Backroad Song,” “Happens Like That,” “Mexico” and “Hate You Like I Love You.” Since its inception, rising stars and country music legends have made an appearance, including Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, Riley Green and Scotty McCreery, among others.

What makes these sessions so unique is that they distinctly exhibit artists’ raw personality and talent. Without any autotune or plethora of instruments, it seems that artists genuinely enjoy telling their stories through music – whether the camera is recording them or not. The sound is rich and round, with sharp violins and buttery wooden guitars that help create an extremely relaxing atmosphere.

The Bolo Brothers Creative, a full-service media

and video production agency out of Nashville, TN has worked extensively with CMT on the show’s production.

“Campfire Sessions is always a hit for us every year allowing us to demonstrate our talents of blending music and cinematography,” the Bolo Brothers wrote in an article on the project. “Our team carefully selected each location to create a unique and intimate setting that would complement each artist’s style. The use of creative lighting and the campfire created a warm and inviting atmosphere that perfectly suited the show’s laid-back vibe,” they said. Personal favorite performances of the series include Dustin Lynch’s cover of “Chasing That Neon Rainbow,” Darius Rucker’s “Let Her Cry,” Chris Young’s “Getting’ You Home,” Sara Evans’ “Suds in the Bucket” and Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like a Truck.” These specific acts reveal the inherent humility that lies within country music, highlighted by the emerging grins, quick glances and raw emotion as they sing. Margaret Comeaux, executive producer and vice president of production at CMT, commented in 2021 on the show’s premiere following the lift of COVID-19 social distancing protocols.

“It was an incredible feeling to have our Production team back together on-set and get to witness the magic of live music – something all of us have been desperately missing this past year,” Comeaux said. “CMT Campfire Sessions’ is filled with performances that

Country Cozy, Cont. from B1 class troubadours Jack [Ingram], Miranda [Lambert] and Jon [Randall] sharing stories of their creative process to Kane [Brown] and friends effortlessly entertaining with a laid-back, good time vibe, fans have a front row seat to their favorite artists and amazing music,” she finished.

Whether or not you were raised on country music, the “Campfire Sessions” provide a welcoming and honest lens into the genre. They successfully capture the warmth and heartfelt stories that have defined the genre for the last hundred years.

U Arts & Life

‘Agatha All Along’ is the comeback Marvel fans have

One of the largest franchises in modern television history, Marvel has been chasing the success and mass media impact of its past projects ever since “Avengers: Endgame.” Many of the movies, shows and storylines released since then have fallen short, making fans wonder if the studio had taken on more than they could handle.

Just as many longtime fans started to lose hope in the franchise, Marvel recaptured its spellbinding allure with “Agatha All Along,” a highly anticipated “WandaVision” spinoff that centers on the character of Agatha Harkness, played by the ever-enigmatic Kathryn Hahn. After a recent period of mixed audience reactions and box office missteps, “Agatha All Along” feels like a breath of fresh air for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), blending wit, magic and a storyline that embraces inclusivity in a way no Marvel project has before.

At its core, “Agatha All Along” brings powerful, complicated female characters to the forefront, following a trend that the media has increasingly embraced in recent years. Female-driven stories have already proven successful in the MCU with characters like Black Widow, or Natasha Romanoff, and Wanda Maximoff, or Scarlet Witch, in their own respective projects. Agatha’s journey builds on that momentum.

The series dives deeper into Agatha’s internal and external world as she journeys through the Witches’ Road — a mystical path that holds the secrets to her lost powers. Accompanied by Joe Locke’s Teen, a queer

‘The Apprentice’: The horrifying true story

Aditya Gunturu, Senior Writer

Donald Trump.

It is a name practically ingrained in today’s popular and political culture. Known by billions, his story is marred by leagues of controversial moments and actions. However, before the Trump of today, there was the Trump of 50 years ago – a younger but still decrepit man – a message the film “The Apprentice” attempts to capture.

Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi directs this film, which focuses on Trump’s early days, portrayed by Sebastian Stan. Here, he is the young, naive son of American real estate developer Fred Trump, portrayed by Martin Donovan, whose shadow he is attempting to escape from. The film starts when Donald Trump meets the sleazy lawyer Roy Cohn, portrayed by Jeremy Strong, while his family attempts to escape a civil rights lawsuit. What starts as a professional relationship between client and lawyer quickly shifts into a dangerous duo.

Strong and Stan shine as cruel mentor and evilbudding mentee, beautifully portraying these two sick and twisted real-life figures. Stan’s portrayal of Trump starts as a wimpy socialite, obsessed with his image and money. While these characteristics do not really change, they intensify as Cohn begins to mold the young Trump into the evil, greedy persona that the public knows him as today.

While Stan’s acting amazes, Strong manages to blow him out of the water as Cohn. While Trump is a well-known personality, Cohn is not as prominent in today’s culture, making his character a challenge to bring to life. Strong masterfully achieved the nearly impossible task of portraying a terrible man who created a man worse than himself. Strong embodies the immoral lawyer,

best known for knocking down civil rights lawsuits while harboring a key secret: He himself was a gay man suffering from HIV, a disease he eventually died fighting.

Points in this film feel like a genuine horror movie. Key moments showed Trump’s anger and cruelty, especially when he meets and marries his first wife, Ivana Trump, portrayed by Maria Bakalova. Viewers watch as hebecomes increasingly more evil, at first treating her kindly and showering her with gifts, then torturing and even raping her at one point, a moment that is highly contested by the Trump administration.

This already amazing film is further empowered by a stellar soundtrack from Martin Dirkov. The music perfectly captures the time period of the ‘70s and ‘80s with the xylophone and digital keyboards. During scarier portions of the movie, there are more intense musical tones, allowing for proper beats in the story.

Following the film’s recent release, Trump published a statement on his conservative social media site, Truth Social, calling the film “a disgusting hatchet job” and “FAKE and CLASSLESS.” His attorneys also threatened legal action to the filmmakers, even sending a cease and desist order to Abbasi and his team.

Oftentimes historical dramas like this, which focus on extremely controversial and terrible figures, receive backlash from the same figures they attempt to critique and analyze. Trump’s history has been marred by all the insane things he has achieved and gotten away with, yet people often cannot separate the man from the myth. This movie helps to show the public that they may be one and the same.

Jazz is alive and well in London

WhyyoushouldlistentoEzraCollective

Jackson Ryson, Contributor

For many, jazz is a genre only experienced when being placed on hold. Sitting on the line for a few minutes is more often than not followed by the sweet, grainy musings of a royalty-free jazz quartet. Bebop often wafts quietly through the air of densely populated cafés, serving as nothing more than background ambience. It is this commonplace nature of the style that has contributed to the supposed “ death of jazz” in recent years. Fortunately, a new vanguard is leading the renaissance of jazz. Ezra Collective’s most recent effort, entitled “Dance, No One’s Watching,” is a shining reminder of jazz’s viable influence. London has become a well-renowned scene for jazz in recent years. The U.K.’s largest city boasts many clubs, welcoming the genre’s most cutting-edge artists. One such band, the Ezra Collective, continues the tradition of adding a tasteful spin to jazz while remaining faithful to its roots. Led by Femi Keleoso on drums, the jazz-funk fivepiece collaborates frequently within the London scene, making waves since their debut EP “Chapter 7” in 2016. “Dance, No One’s Watching” finds the band fresh off a 2023 Mercury Prize win with a more confident sound than ever. The album is dedicated to the art of dancing, and something becomes abundantly obvious upon the first listen: this project guides you through a night out. Listeners are introduced to this environment on “Intro,” as the band bobs and weaves through a large dinner party, with conversations floating through the background of the short jam. This charming opener is then followed by what the listener will soon realize to be Ezra Collective’s bread and butter: groove. “The Herald” brings the party to the forefront, quickly setting the tone for the rest of the album. A ridiculously tight horn section soars over a bright and vibrant rhythm section, making it borderline impossible for listeners to remain still. This album ebbs and flows beautifully; Blisteringly energetic tunes like “Ajala” morph directly into sleek and

funky instrumentals like “The Traveller.” Small journeys like these end in tender string-supported ballads like “in the dance. (Act 2),” and the listener is grounded for just a moment before settling into the silky Afro-R&B track “No One’s Watching Me.” This song is a high point in the album, featuring burgeoning neo-soul singer (and fellow Brit) Olivia Dean. Ezra Collective plays the role of backing band on this song, supporting Dean’s vocals beautifully.

Ezra Collective remains faithful to their jazz roots throughout “Dance, No One’s Watching,” fully realizing the allure of a live jazz band. Tracks like “Shaking Body” and “Expensive” transport the listener to a tightlypacked jazz club in which Ezra Collective has the room captivated in rhythm. The crowd participation of this element makes it an even more fun listening experience. Many songs feature gang vocals and clapping, making it feel like the listener is in the room. This energy dissipates and resurges for the last two songs of the album: “Have Patience,” the penultimate track, is a direct homage to the iconic solo piano interludes of legends like Bill Evans and Ahmad Jamal. “Everybody,” the closer, secures this album as proof of jazz’s palpable pulse, with soaring horns and kindly melodies reassuring the listener that this is not a goodbye, but a see you later.

Ezra Collective’s “Dance, No One’s Watching” is a tailored anthology of Afrobeats, jazz, funk, and R&B. Ezra Collective melds face-melting musicianship with tasteful and thoughtful melodies to create something incredibly fun and full of life. London scene collaborators like Yazmin Lacey and Moonchild Sanelly boost this album’s atmosphere even further, adding a lyrical component to Ezra Collective’s beautiful instrumentals. This album’s clear jazz influence will satisfy the ear of a seasoned jazz listener, and demand the attention of anyone who is just getting into the genre. “Dance, Nobody’s Watching” is a statement to the world: jazz is alive and well in London.

Mariya Yasinovska, OpinionEditor

character whose identity is normalized within the storyline, Agatha unites a coven of unique personalities, each adding depth and representation to the series without making identity the central plot device

This groundbreaking and unpatronizing depiction of LGBTQ+ identities is one of the most praised aspects of “Agatha All Along.” Marvel has taken a decisive step toward normalizing queer identities within the superhero genre by introducing characters like Teen and Rio, portrayed by Aubrey Plaza, giving them a narrative presence that feels authentic yet unforced. Besides Locke’s character, who has a boyfriend, there is also a romantic storyline between Agatha and Rio, adding backstory and depth to Agatha, who served as the villain of “WandaVision.”

Seeing representation on screen is becoming more widely discussed and accepted, and it is reassuring to see that Marvel is finally keeping up with the times. Many queer fans have expressed a flurry of support for the show, pointing out that moments like Agatha’s lesbian flag-colored bracelet in episode five or scenes of Teen texting his boyfriend have made them feel connected to the characters in an incredibly special way.

The show embraces an environment that is dark and enchanted yet campy, building on Agatha’s established persona from “WandaVision.” It does all this while infusing a deeper exploration of self-acceptance, camaraderie and identity within a magical setting. The costuming and design evoke a gothic, witchy aesthetic

been waiting for

witchy aesthetic that embraces Agatha’s dramatic flair, channeling a look reminiscent of drag-inspired theatricality. This approach was influenced by showrunner Jac Schaeffer’s vision of Agatha as an “icon” and a performer adept at “code-switching” to fit her surroundings. The themes and plot points have resulted in the series being dubbed one of Marvel’s “gayest” projects to date — a title that Hahn humorously confirmed. This avoidance of patronizing queerness as a plot device allows for a wider variety of characters and stories to emerge, grounding Agatha’s journey not only in magic but also in community and acceptance. Locke described his character’s queerness as “not the driving force of the plot,” a choice that lets identity exist naturally within a magical and thrilling storyline. This approach mirrors the real world, where identity is just one part of who a person is, adding a touch of realism to the supernatural drama and making the show feel both contemporary and forward thinking Marvel delivered a series that seamlessly blends powerful storytelling, character depth and representation, making “Agatha All Along” an unforgettable addition to the MCU. Its innovative choices and powerful female leads prove that Marvel is back in its prime, reconnecting with audiences in a way that is exciting, inclusive and undeniably magical. Overall, its easy to say that Marvel fans can be excited and greatful for “Agatha All Along”.

Saint Louis is a city incredibly well known for its robust and vibrant food and drink scene, and for students at Saint Louis University, it is easy to stay in that college bubble and scarcely leave campus to try anything new.

Throughout the month of October, I toured seven different coffee shops around St. Louis and found the best of the best coffee for exhausted SLU students looking for the perfect place to study, sip and sit. With recommendations from a Specialty Coffee Associationcertified barista and on the grounds — pun intended — of best study spots, most photogenic drinks, most convenient location for students and best taste, below are the four best coffee shops and two honorable mentions for this fall.

Blueprint Coffee: Most photogenic drinks For the best looking drinks, look no further than Blueprint Coffee in the Delmar Loop. The chic,modern interior is inviting, making it a great study spot — if you can find an open table. They put incredible care into every beverage, with nearly every drink looking better than the last. The espresso itself is roasted in house with warm chocolate, dried fruit and berry notes. The baristas are friendly, helpful and eager to please.

While the location is further from campus, the Delmar Loop can be reached by MetroLink and offers many retail and dining options to explore. After careful deliberation, Blueprint Coffee was overall deemed the best coffee shop for a ’grammable latte or cappuccino.

Protagonist Cafe: Best study spot Next, the perfect coffee shop study space.

Protagonist Cafe, located in the heart of Soulard, has everything the weary student could ask for: plenty of tables and soft seating, a warm library ambiance, house-roasted coffee and fresh baked pastries. The cafe itself doubles as a bookstore, offering books of all genres and types. Protagonist is open much later than most coffeehouses in St. Louis, offering coffee as late as 7 p.m., making it perfect for evening study sessions.

As a barista at Protagonist, I can personally attest to the atmosphere of the shop. Bias aside, many local university students frequent and enjoy the cafe. With no charge for alternative milks, Protagonist is a great option if you are willing to commit to a drive.

Quarrelsome Coffee: Best location

Located just a short walk away from north campus, Quarrelsome Coffee was easily the most convenient coffee shop for students to walk to without sacrificing quality in the other areas. With a modern, artistic interior, a full

but had only one gluten free option and an upcharge for alternative milks. Catalyst Coffee, is a coffee shop located Downtown right across from SLU’s Law School. What makes this coffee shop unique, and why it made the honorable mentions list, is because it’s actually located inside of an art gallery.

Last, Northwest Coffee, while still an enjoyable experience, would have to be the least-favorite location visited. Located near north campus on Laclede, Northwest offers lots of outdoor seating and little indoor seating. Open until 6 p.m. every day, the shop offers breakfast, lunch and plenty of drinks made with their in-house roasted espresso. The only downsides were any charge for alternative milks and the inconsistency in drinks, with some visits leading to a great cup of coffee and others leading to something lackluster or even worse. Still, this coffee shop has much to offer if you’re looking to sit outside and enjoy a drink with friends.

A barista’s guide to Saint Louis coffee: Fall 2024 Andy Cullinane, Contributor

(Kaldis

Maria Bakalova and Sebastian Stan as Ivana and Donald Trump in “The Apprentice”.

A tale of two debates

Charlie Preiss, Staff Writer

Long gone are the days when Donald Trump eviscerated his opponents in debates with nicknames and witty one-liners. Bullying Jeb Bush by calling him “low energy,” saying Rand Paul did not belong on the debate stage and giving his famous line, “Cuz you’d be in jail,” in response to Hillary Clinton saying she feared him becoming president. The debate showed Trump completely out of control and unable to avoid taking the most obvious bait in the world.

The debate began with Kamala Harris walking over to Trump’s podium to shake his hand, a foreshadowing of how events would turn out. Harris would have complete control over the debate, baiting and trapping Trump into succumbing to his worst impulses. Trump in the first 15 minutes or so was doing fine. It was nothing spectacular, but he was calm and delivered a consistent message, attempting to tie Harris to Joe Biden’s unpopular policies. Soon, things unraveled. When abortion came up, he could have distanced himself from the unpopular extreme anti-abortion bans that have been passed in many red states, or avoided the question, since abortion is the worst issue for Republicans. Trump gave no clear answers, instead, he went on a barely coherent rant about nonexistent post-birth abortions, mistaking Virginia and West Virginia, attempting to paint Democrats as the real extremists on abortion and he took credit for the overturn of Roe v. Wade. He claimed to support exceptions for rape and incest and to be against a national abortion ban, but that was overshadowed by his support for the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision. It was the worst answer he could have given. Harris swiftly attacked Trump, claiming he is the reason abortion rights have regressed all across the country.

The pièce de résistance of the night, in my view, was when Harris mocked his rallies. It came after she was asked about immigration and the border crisis. Harris touted her experience prosecuting international gangs and attacked Trump for tanking the bipartisan border bill that would tighten border security because Trump did not want Biden to take credit for it. At the end of her critiques on Trump’s killing of the border bill, she slipped in, “People start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom,” and he immediately fell apart. He claimed that his rallies were the best, people loved them and the crowds were huge. He also claimed that illegal immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating cats and dogs. Instead of responding to Harris’ comments on immigration, Trump’s strongest policy advantage, he could not help but pathetically boast about his rallies. It was all downhill from there.

Other noteworthy moments from the debate include Trump’s “I have concepts of a plan” answer in response to what he would do about healthcare, Kamala making overtures to the Polish-American community in Pennsylvania by arguing that Putin will not stop in Ukraine and Harris calling out Trump’s divisive rhetoric on race when he was asked to explain his comments accusing Harris of not being Black. Trump faltered under the weight of his failures. Harris, for all the praise I have heaped on her, would have probably done worse with someone who was focused and not almost an octogenarian. Nonetheless, because of Trump’s inability to control himself and stay on a consistent message, Harris wiped the floor with him. She exploited Trump’s number one weaknesses, his impulsiveness and fragile ego, to her benefit.

The only vice presidential debate, strangely, had the opposite dynamic. Senator J.D. Vance was calm, cool and collected. But Tim Walz was nervous, furiously writing notes and fumbling his words. Vance needed this debate to improve his disastrous public image. Going into the debate, he was even Kamala, Cont. from A1

As she rises in political power.

I voted for a Black woman for president and I can celebrate that progress while also admitting that she does not hold the same values that I do. I do not agree with Harris on every single issue. She is not my ideal candidate for president. I am not buying merch or begging to worship at her feet, but she secured my vote because the alternative option is descending into fascism. The alternative option is saying goodbye to our democracy as we know it. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, we have seen countless cases where women have been denied lifesaving healthcare. Women have died, some bleeding out in parking lots. Women have been denied life-saving care and have been stripped of their autonomy. Women across the country have died from complications, forced to wait until their lives were in immediate danger before doctors could act. Girls, still children themselves, have been coerced into motherhood under laws that strip them of their bodily autonomy. Harris, who staunchly defends reproductive rights, offers a way forward. Although we may not agree on every issue, her commitment to protecting women’s health and autonomy is non-negotiable, especially in the face of a Trump administration eager to further erode these rights. On LGBTQ+ rights, the choice is similarly stark. During Trump’s term, we saw an emboldening of hate and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, with policies such as the transgender military ban. Harris has consistently advocated for equal protections under the law, offering an alternative to Trump’s divisive rhetoric. A second Trump term could mean a rollback of marriage equality, adoption rights and even basic anti-discrimination protections that many in the LGBTQ+ community, including myself, depend on daily.

Trump’s foreign policy is equally alarming, especially regarding both Gaza and Ukraine. Harris has received a lot of criticism for refusing to condemn the genocide and continuing to support Israel despite everything that has happened in the last year. Many voters have been disappointed that despite proclaiming support for a two-state solution, she continues to voice support for funding Israel’s actions. Yet, even in her most criticized stance, she is nowhere near as radical as Trump.

Trump has aligned with forces seeking to devastate Gaza, displaying a blatant disregard for Palestinian lives by equating all Palestinians with terrorists. He has openly backed policies that support the destruction of Gaza, a stance that endangers countless innocent lives and further undermines America’s role as a theoretical mediator in the Middle East. Trump has promised to level Gaza to the ground. Trump and his circle have called Harris a supporter of terrorists and made it clear that they deeply hate all Arabs and do not care for their well-being.

Then, there’s Trump’s “promise” to end the Ukraine-Russia war in 24 hours — a statement that suggests capitulation to Russian demands rather than

more unpopular than Sarah Palin. This negative public image is due to controversial comments he made in past interviews, podcast appearances and public appearances. In addition to the infamous “childless cat ladies” comment, he has said that people in abusive marriages should not get divorced for the sake of the kids and called for a national ban on abortion. Vance’s goal for the debate was to repair his reputation.

Vance throughout the debate was clear and focused, in stark contrast to the man at the top of the Republican ticket. Although he spoke more eloquently than either Trump or Walz, he lied like Trump all the same. He repeated the lie about Haitians in Springfield eating pets, claimed that the Haitians were in the U.S. illegally despite their legal status and lamented the fact that he was being fact-checked by the moderators.

The best moment for Vance came, surprisingly, on the question of abortion. He talked about the need for the Republican Party to win back the shattered trust of voters, and he is right. On multiple ballot questions, the anti-abortion side lost. On the surface, this comment sounded promising, but ultimately Vance failed to articulate how they would regain the trust of voters on the abortion question.

Walz fulfilled the rule “do no harm,” which is to say he was not the best performer. He looked nervous, was fidgety and tripped over his words. His most embarrassing slip-up was when he said he had “become friends with school shooters” when he meant to say he befriended the victims and their families. His performance, lackluster as it was, contained some decent moments for him.

Walz endearingly referred to himself as a “knucklehead at times” and played up his small roots and a Minnesota nice persona. Instead of trying to best Vance in a battle of wits, Walz took the route of trying to appear as a nice guy you could have a beer with. Was it effective? That is for you to decide. Walzs’ best moment came at the end. Vance refused to say whether Trump lost the election, instead wanting to “focus on the future.” Walz did not hold back, saying that Vance’s response was a “damming non-answer.”

Initially, Vance achieved his goal of improving his public image, but his approval ratings returned to pre-debate levels. The general public has returned to admonishing him. Post-debate polling showed that people were tied as to who won. With a CBS poll showing 42-41 Vance winning. In the same pool, voters thought that both candidates were reasonable and that the debate had a positive tone. In a focus group conducted by political strategist Sarah Longwell, voters liked the civility of the debate and thought Vance performed well, but felt they could not trust him. All of this proves an old political axiom, Vice Presidential debates do not matter.

The most striking thing about this debate was how civil and cordial it was compared to the mean-spirited chaos of the last decade of Trump. Vance and Walz at various points expressed agreement, shook hands, and for the most part, stuck to discussing policy. Vance expressed condolences when Walz mentioned that his son Gus witnessed a shooting. A reminder of what debates used to look like. \ Eventually, Trump will leave the political scene, either voluntarily or til death do us part. So what does the vice presidential debate say about the future? Could this debate be a sign of what the American political landscape could look like post-Trump? I think so. We could return to some semblance of a pre-Trump normal, but with a twist. Trump picking Vance shows he wants to double down on MAGA and America First philosophy and that these policies will be carried onto the future. Economic nationalism, anti-immigration, anti-intellectualism, Christian nationalism, isolationism and an admiration for illiberal regimes such as that of Orban’s Hungary is here to stay. Trumpism will stay, but with the veneer of civility.

a genuine solution. Ukraine needs more support and permission to strike back at Russian targets, not to be forced into a harmful and false peace deal with Russia.

As a Ukrainian immigrant, I know what’s at stake for Ukraine. Trump’s cozy relationship with Vladimir Putin, evidenced by his secret provision of COVID-19 tests to Russia during a pandemic shortage in the U.S., suggests that he would trade Ukraine’s sovereignty to appease a dictator. Harris, though imperfect, recognizes the importance of supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and standing firm against authoritarianism.

The Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection was an unprecedented attack on American democracy that cannot be brushed aside or forgotten. It seems that, as a country, many of us have moved on much too quickly. On that day, after Trump and his allies amplified false claims of election fraud, supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of the 2020 election results. This violent event led to injuries, deaths and over a thousand arrests. Even Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, who was directly targeted by the mob, refused to endorse Trump’s 2024 candidacy — a remarkable stance that speaks volumes about the level of danger Pence perceives in a second Trump term.

Trump’s role in inciting the insurrection has been documented thoroughly, from his speeches urging followers to “fight like hell” to his hours-long inaction as events unfolded. He has encouraged violence, hate and division throughout his career, with frequent endorsements of dangerous ideas. His record also includes numerous accusations of racism and misogyny, not to mention many credible allegations of sexual misconduct.

Jan. 6th stands as a reminder of the risks Trump poses to democracy and the extremes to which he will go to retain power — no matter the cost.

In an election this high-stakes, the choice between a major-party candidate and a third-party candidate is a luxury we simply cannot afford. Voting for a third party may seem like a way to hold out for “better,” or vote in a way that’s better aligned with one’s morals, but in reality, it risks splitting the vote, especially among those who oppose Trump’s destructive policies. As unfortunate as our current political system is — a two-party system that utilizes the flawed electoral college — this is the legal system under which we live.

This is a two-party system; our options this election are Trump or Harris. I find it difficult to believe that those who support progressive values genuinely think both would lead us to the same future.

Casting a vote for Harris does not mean blind allegiance or agreement on every policy. I will not be buying campaign merch, making obsessive memes about her or treating her like a savior. But I recognize that, at this moment, she’s the leader who can protect the rights and values we hold dear. Choosing Harris is a choice for progress over prejudice, for hope over hatred.

Dont Vote Continued from A1

I think it would be awesome if no one voted in the presidential election, and we still saw someone get voted in to demonstrate the absurdity of this issue. Imagine watching the polls stay completely still all day, and then all of a sudden at 6 p.m., boom, we have a new president that no one voted for! What is important in our political system, however, is to vote locally. The Missouri ballot has issues of abortion, fair wages and most importantly, sports gambling to fund our schools – your vote on these issues actually does matter.

Voting locally ensures that we put people we trust

into positions of power. The House of Representatives and Senate of Missouri have more of an impact on community issues than federal officials do. They have the power to change how the electors are chosen for the Electoral College in Missouri. Putting people who uphold systemic injustice through their agendas into office will only perpetuate further oppression. So please, do not vote on the federal level. I know I am not the only one who does not want to pick the worst of two evils. Instead, vote locally and vote often. That is how we create real and lasting change.

The art of letting go

Maram Lemnifi, OpinionEditor

The leaves are changing colors and slowly drifting away from the trees that they once held onto so tightly. They either float away in the wind, never to be seen again, or cover the ground with faded hues of oranges, reds and browns, of what once used to be vibrant greens, reminding us of changing seasons. They remind me of letting go.

The concept of letting go can be hard for some of us to grasp. It can be applied to anything, whether letting go of people, the past, objects, etc. It can be difficult to grapple with leaving behind what you may have always known and are familiar with for a new version of life or even a new version of you.

Familiarity can be one of the main reasons why it can be so difficult to let go. Often, when we stay with what is familiar, we avoid the fear of deciding to leave behind what we have always known and dive deep into the unknown.

Deciding to let go of a version of who we have always known ourselves to be is one such example of losing a sense of familiarity. Deciding to make a change in one’s life and letting go of who we used to be can allow us to lose the sense of familiarity we may have always known and thereby feel a sense of loss in who we are as a person.

However, what may have always been familiar to us does not always correlate with what is right for us. Perhaps it is those most familiar things that we hold onto so tight that are holding us back from our greatest potential and who we are meant to become.

It may also be beneficial to think of who we

would be if we were put into a new environment where the people and expectations of society that we have always known were no longer there. If negative experiences, old insecurities, family ideals, or bad friends were gone, who would you choose to be if all that you have ever known were no longer there and you had the opportunity to start afresh? Acceptance is another concept that often tends to coincide with letting go. Often one must accept the situation that is causing them so much distress to finally be able to let it go and feel a sense of release. However, that is usually much easier said than done. Typically, to accept the situation at hand, we must also be able to face the feelings that come with it as well, a difficult mixture of emotions that can include anger, sadness or fear. Those feelings of frustration or sadness, as difficult as it can be to understand sometimes, often only want to be acknowledged by their host, and only after being seen and felt do they decide to leave. Resistance, however, is an opposing and interconflicting act of defiance within the body against the acceptance and acknowledgment of those feelings. Resisting can put us in a state of unrest when deciding to go against naturally occurring emotions, and can affect how we go about our daily life. Often, individuals resist without even realizing it, not realizing the effects that it may have or the harm it may cause to the body’s natural state.

War and resilience in Ukraine through the eyes of a first-generation immigrant

My great-grandmother was afraid of storms her whole life. I used to laugh about it when I was young, thinking it was silly. It was just thunder, what was there for a grown-up to be scared of? Only later did I realize those sounds brought her back to her childhood — that every time it stormed she would hear bomber jets. War came to her homeland again, in 2014 and 2022. My greatgrandmother survived a world war, but those horrors never let her go. She was afraid until the day she died. I was born in Cherkasy, Ukraine, in 2003, 11 years before Russia forcefully annexed Crimea, Ukraine, and 19 years before the full-fledged invasion. When Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, I cried in sixthgrade social studies class because we watched a CNN video about it. I stepped out of class, and my teacher followed me to check in, saying she understood this was a sensitive situation. I told her the war scared me, and she told me there was no war. I felt angry — there were foreign soldiers killing people in my country. Feb. 24, 2022, is a day I will never forget. For weeks beforehand, my anxiety grew as both Ukrainian and American news outlets reported on the thousands of Russian troops gathering near the border. Every day, I feared the worst would come. That day, it did. My mom called, her voice cracking through the phone. She looked like she had been crying for hours. “Mariya, they’re bombing Kyiv… I don’t know what will happen,” she sobbed. I had never heard her sound so scared.

Russia violated the Budapest Memorandum when it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This treaty and many other international agreements were supposed to guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and protection in case of attack. Russia not only attacked a sovereign nation but also undermined the very foundation of international diplomacy and trust.

‘Full-scale invasion,’ the New York Times alerted me while I frantically tried to call my grandparents to make sure they were okay. When my grandmother finally answered, her voice was faint. “We’re okay for now, but the air raid sirens just went off again,” she told me. I could feel the distance between us more than ever before.

Russia launched a simultaneous ground and air attack, the largest on a European country since World War II. I did not notice the tears flowing down my face until I saw my reflection. I looked like a ghost, and I felt completely numb.

There is no way to prepare for something like this. I went through the motions — class, lunch, conversations — but it all felt fake. My world had just stopped. I ran on autopilot for weeks. I will never be the same person I was before the invasion. Some days, I still have panic attacks when I think about it.

The relentless bombings and shellings that followed have taken the lives of over 70,000 Ukrainians and left between 100,000 and 120,000 wounded. More than 10,000 of these casualties are civilians — ordinary people whose lives were brutally cut short. Each number represents a stolen future, mothers, fathers and children whose lives could have been filled with dreams and joy. These are not just casualties of war — they are fragments of the world I was born into, erased forever.

There are so many children in Ukraine right now who will grow up afraid, just like my grandmother. Air raid warning sirens ring out every night in many regions of Ukraine, marking a new generation’s trauma. They will be haunted by these sounds long after the war ends.

I moved to the United States at the age of six, a

Mariya Yasinovska, OpinionEditor

I have many fond memories of my early childhood in Ukraine. I did not grow up afraid. My mother used to take me to Crimea every summer for vacation. I remember the beautiful beaches and befriending the resort owner’s daughter. Together we would look for tide pools and hold snail races, thinking we would do this every summer, forever. They are now incredibly bittersweet with the knowledge that no Ukrainian child can experience what I did all those years ago because their childhood is being stolen from them.

So many everyday people have taken up the cause to help their country in whatever way they can, like my mom’s close friend and former magazine editor, Helen Hudz. She leads volunteer efforts in her community for the third year to gather money and supplies for the war efforts. Sometimes, Hudz doubts if she made the wrong choice by choosing not to evacuate her family.

“My daughter, Solomia, is six years old, and now for half of her life all she has known is war,” she stated.

The war has weighed incredibly heavily on my heart these last three years. My mom and I cannot talk about what is happening in our homeland without both of us breaking down into tears. “There is not a single family that doesn’t have someone who’s at the front, someone who died. Everyone is affected, every single person,” she said, and I could see the sorrow in her eyes when she thought of all the stories she had heard, all the people who died.

Even though I live thousands of miles away, I feel a deep connection to my homeland. I think of the summers spent with my grandparents, the scent of freshly cooked varenyky filling their kitchen, and the vibrant blue and yellow flags lining the streets during Independence Day celebrations.

Now, I watch videos of those same streets reduced to rubble, destroyed by Russian attacks. But amidst the destruction, there is resilience. Ukrainians have a strong, unbreakable spirit, which is one of the many things this brutal war has highlighted. The country has come together in ways that fill my heart with hope and pride.

Hudz discussed the wavering international support and explained that the same phenomenon is occurring within Ukraine’s borders, as well. People are tired of hearing about the war, tired of donating and helping, and most of all, tired of living it. “You need to be your own hope. When everything feels hopeless, I have to believe in myself,” Hudz said.

It has been nearly three years of war. The Russian army targets museums, hospitals and kindergartens.

On Oct. 23, a Russian attack decimated a Cherkasy bus station that I used when I visited my great-grandma.

Ate, slayed and served: How LGBTQ+ social media helps pioneer new language

AshlynJones,ManagingEditor

Open Instagram or TikTok today, and you’ll see English like you have never seen before. From “She ate” to “le$bian,” LGBTQ+ social media is full of phrases that would make an English teacher’s eye twitch. But these unconventional compliments and phrases are not just random expressions — they are a linguistic transformation. They challenge traditional English, defy algorithms and offer LGBTQ+ communities a distinct and powerful voice.

Historically, Standard English has been the language of power, used in formal institutions, government agencies and educational systems. This article is for anyone scratching their heads over queer slang and wondering why someone would say “She slayed” or use “le$bian” instead of “lesbian.” These terms aren’t just fun expressions; they are part of creative language that reflects a long tradition of marginalized groups shaping English in unique ways to express identity, connect with each other and stand out. A compliment with a history

A phrase like “She ate” might sound strange to anyone unfamiliar with LGBTQ+ slang. Traditionally, “ate” simply means the past tense of “eat.” But in LGBTQ+ circles, particularly within Black and Latinx ballroom culture, “she ate” has transformed into a high compliment, meaning someone impressed, exceeded expectations or performed exceptionally well. This term was born in the 2000s and gained popularity through the underground ballroom scene, where queer Black and Latinx performers and drag artists took the spotlight, often despite cultural resistance and marginalization.

In this context, “She ate” doesn’t need to follow traditional grammar rules or rely on a literal meaning. Instead, its power lies in the community-based meaning: recognizing someone’s skill, resilience or authenticity. When we understand where it came from, “She ate” becomes a phrase of pride, history and shared culture, rather than just slang.

“Mother” redefined Similarly, the word “mother” doesn’t have to mean a biological parent. In LGBTQ+ slang, particularly in drag culture, “mother” describes a revered community leader who offers guidance and care. The phrase is about respect, admiration and familial bonds that aren’t defined by biology. “Mother,” as a term of respect, reflects the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and its creation of chosen family structures. Now, “mother” has expanded to be used as a compliment, meaning “a woman who’s iconic and constantly serves cunt.”

The word “cunt,” traditionally considered vulgar slang for a woman’s genitals, has been reclaimed to mean someone that radiates fierce feminine energy. This is a language that serves, includes and redefines rather than separates.

Breaking rules for visibility

If you’ve noticed “le$bian” tagged on TikTok or Instagram, you’re not alone. It may seem strange at first, but the dollar sign isn’t just a random quirk — it’s a response to censorship. On many platforms, LGBTQ+ content creators face suppression or bans for even

using words related to their identities. By swapping the “s” for a dollar sign, creators reclaim their content’s visibility while sidestepping censorship algorithms that often flag LGBTQ+ terms as “inappropriate.”

This spelling shift is about more than evading filters; it’s a form of digital protest, a way for LGBTQ+ creators to stay visible and amplify their voices in spaces that may otherwise silence them.

Reclaiming language

The word “sickening” might seem like an insult in Standard English, but in LGBTQ+ slang, it describes something incredible. Following the tradition of reclaiming words with negative connotations, “sickening” has become a term of awe and praise. Much like hip-hop’s redefinition of “bad” to mean “good,” the LGBTQ+ community often reframes language to celebrate rather than diminish.

These adaptations reveal how marginalized communities reclaim the words that once confined them, turning them into expressions of strength and community pride. When LGBTQ+ social media users call something “sickening,” they’re not just adding flair — they’re asserting their place in language itself.

It is tempting to dismiss nonstandard English as incorrect or sloppy, but this perspective misses the mark. Nonstandard English, especially within communities like LGBTQ+, is a space for innovation. These adaptations aren’t mistakes; they’re purposeful and deliberate shifts in language that reflect cultural creativity and resilience. From using “girl” as a gender-neutral term to adding extra vowels for emphasis (like “yaaas”), these shifts expand the expressive possibilities of English.

While Standard English is taught as the “correct” form, it’s only one of many dialects. Nonstandard forms of English reveal the fluidity of language, often adapting faster and with more creativity than standardized forms. Those who create and use nonstandard English are the true pioneers of the language, exploring new meanings and uses that enrich our collective understanding. Instead of looking down on these variations, it’s time to celebrate them as vital threads in the fabric of our evolving language.

The linguistic creativity within LGBTQ+ social media isn’t just a matter of quirky language. It’s a resistance to the idea that one way of speaking is inherently “right” or “wrong.” LGBTQ+ social media users are showing that language evolves to meet cultural needs, not just grammatical rules. By creatively adapting language, they challenge the dominance of Standard English and celebrate their community’s unique experiences and perspectives.

Language is more than words on a page; it’s a medium of identity, connection and transformation. LGBTQ+ social media is a vivid reminder that language doesn’t belong to institutions alone — it belongs to those who use it to tell their stories and honor their communities. So next time you see someone “slaying” or “serving” on your feed, remember: this isn’t just internet slang. It’s a living, breathing testament to the power of language to empower, connect and uplift.

Yet, much too often, I have to remind the people I come across in my everyday life that the war is still happening.

Americans have the privilege and luxury of forgetting, but Ukrainians do not. They cannot forget about the rockets or drones flying overhead and being shot down over their cities. They cannot forget about the husbands, sons, daughters and wives who have perished to protect our nation, nor about those who are currently fighting for their lives.

Artur Dron is a soldier in the Ukrainian National Army and an internationally recognized poet. He is also a 24-year-old journalism major from a small town in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. Dron lived a normal life before enlisting in 2022 — he finished his bachelor’s degree, wrote poetry and worked at his dream job as an event manager at Old Lion Publishing House, one of Ukraine’s largest publishing houses, building connections with Ukrainian authors.

I got to know him when he collaborated with my mom and contributed poetry for one of her books. He has been on the front lines ever since, fighting for his country and writing earth-shattering poems about the war. The poet discussed the toll of the war and the importance of aid and support.

He also highlighted that a large part of the Ukrainian army is made up of volunteers, people who had never expected to be soldiers before 2022. Dron emphasizes, “It is a war of ordinary people, ordinary people take part in it, fight and die. Just like ordinary Americans, with the same life goals and dreams. But in order to afford such an ordinary life, we now have to pay a huge price.”

The Ukraine-Russia war is so much more than a battle for territory — it is a fight for sovereignty, democracy and justice, but most importantly it is a struggle for the survival of the Ukrainian people to exist as a nation. During the current election cycle, the topic has been a major point of discussion. Candidates debate the role of the U.S. in providing aid and support to Ukraine, with Democrats arguing that America has a moral obligation to defend Ukraine, while Republicans largely question the financial cost of such involvement and say that America has already poured too much money into this war. Donald Trump has made it clear that he would push Ukraine into negotiations with Russia, valuing a makeshift truce above sovereignty and actual peace.

For me, this is not just a political debate; it is personal. It is about the place I was born, the people I care about and the future I see for Ukraine. I cannot stand by and silently watch my homeland be destroyed. And while I am incredibly proud of Ukraine’s resilience, I also know that we need global support to keep that fight going.

The nonprofit Nova Ukraine — which means new Ukraine — is a great project to donate to or get involved with. Since 2014, Nova Ukraine has run a variety of successful humanitarian projects in Ukraine. I urge everyone reading this to consider how they can help — whether through donations, advocacy or simply educating themselves and others in their life.

The world cannot afford to turn away. Ukraine’s fight is not just its own, but a stand for democracy and freedom as we know it.

Ukrainians are strong, but no one should have to face a threat like this alone. Supporting Ukraine is not just the right thing to do, it is a stand against tyranny and for the values we all hold dear.

Let Go, Cont. from B3

But once again, it is only after we take on the task of facing feelings that may have been avoided for a long time and giving them the acknowledgment they have been seeking, do those feelings decide to leave and allow us to return to a normal balance of life. Another key factor in letting go is how we view life and our perception of it. Many of our experiences in life can be centered around two concepts: perception and mindset. When we decide to acknowledge that much of how we view our experiences or even ourselves is just simply based on our own backgrounds and upbringings and that everyone else has their unique perception of things different from ours, we begin to be open to the possibility of perhaps trying to view things in a different light.

Mindset can also help us decide to either view a situation as a negative experience to dwell on or a positive experience because of a lesson learned. This could make the biggest difference in how we choose to show up in the world and what kind of outlook on life we have.

Because of this, we are usually only one step away from perceiving things differently just by deciding to change a thought or two that we are so used to thinking. Only one step away from finally being able to come to terms with concepts such as acceptance, letting go or allowing ourselves to see that life has much to offer in terms of abundance and good experiences. However, it can still be difficult to feel like the world is not ending when something does not go as we may have expected or wanted it to. Difficult to understand how to just automatically shift our mindset and perception of things to a more positive one when all an individual may have always known was a negative mindset instead.

A negative mindset typically comes from a multitude of negative experiences that an individual may have experienced throughout their life. With a negative mindset, a burden of negativity can encompass the mind and hinder our ability to perceive the world.

Ironically enough, it is only when we decide to come to terms with the negative situations presented to us in life and stop resisting the feelings that come along with them, that we can feel a sense of freedom and lightness overcome us, different from the weight of the familiar negativity we once held onto.

Acceptance then, as difficult as it may seem, is often the key to letting go and lifting off of the heavyweight the heart may feel.

The fall season teaches us of how nothing is permanent and that everything has its allotted time. The leaves are not always meant to stay on the trees and the grass is not always meant to be green, so perhaps thoughts and feelings, or places, people and things, are very much the same way and abide by those same rules of nature. To decide otherwise, may only cause us internal harm to ourselves.

What is most beautiful to remember though, is that after the fall and winter seasons end, newness and vibrancy come along with spring and summer. Seasons that bring with it life once again rejuvenated to its fullest, and perhaps even more vibrant or beautiful than we remembered it to be.

Letting go can be seen as the analogy needed to see that by doing so, we are not necessarily losing anything, but instead simply creating and providing space for new and more fulfilling experiences to enter into a new season of life.

Similar to how the trees hold onto their leaves so tightly in the life-giving seasons of spring and summer, but eventually release them in the fall and winter, it is simply a law of nature that we too must let go at some point to give room and space for a more vibrant season and version of ourselves to come.

Celebrity culture deserves to die

KaiaMonaco,Contributor

From the first Hollywood starlets of the ‘50s to Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter, the celebrity machine has tirelessly pumped out annual new stars for decades. Yet, all machines stop working eventually.

As scandals turn more horrifying and parasocial relationships become increasingly dangerous, celebrity culture has morphed into something evil. While it would be easy to blame the paparazzi or the media, we are all at fault.

Celebrity culture is the obsession with famous people simply because they’re famous, and it hit its peak in the 2000s. Britney Spears, “Brangelina,” Eminem and Paris Hilton — just a few names that capture the zeitgeist of 2000s pop culture. Everything in this era was iconic, and the public was obsessed.

People could not get enough of celebrity news and scandals until, suddenly, they had a much bigger problem on their minds: the recession. In 2008, the Great Recession hit, and people were more concerned with keeping their homes than reading gossip magazines. Celebrity culture came to a halt. But by the early 2010s, there was a new fascination: social media.

The mass introduction of social media irrevocably changed how the public viewed celebrities. With superstars able to post any picture they wanted, fans were allowed a new look into their lives, effectively “de-mystifying” the allure of the 2000s icon. Celebrities became just like us, posting exactly how any average twenty-something would with their friends.

However, this posed a new, ongoing problem. As fans were provided a more intimate look into the personal lives of celebrities, they started to feel as if they knew these people personally. Celebrities’ efforts to appear normal backfired, as fans’ simple adoration turned to obsession.

Fans began feeling deeply connected, forgetting they did not know these people. They started to feel as if celebrities owed them something for their devotion. Behaviors such as stalking celebrities for photos, commenting vulgar things under TikTok edits and discussing celebrities’ issues as if

they knew them personally became normalized. Recently, no celebrity has been more vocal about this than Chappell Roan. The pop star has unapologetically called fans out for their obsessive behavior, reminding them, “Women do not owe you a reason why they don’t want to be touched or talked to.” Roan has come under fire for some of her statements, but she has a point: in just a few years, celebrity culture turned from simple admiration to idolatry, in a dangerous way. Yet, in the background of this, the tide has been turning. Since 2020, celebrity obsession has started to dwindle. In March of that year, COVID-19 hit, illuminating the vast differences in the lives of celebrities and the public. The majority of Americans were worried about keeping their jobs, paying rent and providing for their families. When celebrities tried to comfort fans by offering advice and, unfortunately, covering John Lennon’s “Imagine,” it felt like a slap in the face. As they posted these videos from the comfort of their mansions with millions of dollars to fall back on, the American public was in chaos. Their efforts to relate to the struggle of the average American only made it more obvious how out of touch most celebrities are. Fans started criticizing celebrities left and right for their controversial opinions, involvement in sex trafficking scandals and loss of reality. Americans realized they were facing a multitude of crises — rising costs of living, extreme weather and a polarized and dangerous political climate — so, who has the time to worry about what celebrities are doing? The concept of the “celebrity” is not going away any time soon, but celebrity culture is dying. This obsession has been nothing short of a waste of time, distracting us for far too long. There is too much going on for people to waste their energy on celebrity drama. As celebrity obsession dwindles, we should just let it, rather than choose someone new to fawn over. Our hyperfixation on the stars has become unhealthy and it is time to simply leave them alone. The celebrity culture of the 2000s is dead, but this is not a death we should mourn.

Mariya Yasinovska and her grandmother, Nadia Yarova, sitting on a park bench together during Mariya’s visit to Ukraine in March 2023 (Photo courtesy of Mariya Yasinovska. )

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