March 15, 2012

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ESTABLISHED 1921 March 15, 2012 Volume 90, Issue 36 Your Home. Your Voice. Your News.

Loyola Marymount University

www.laloyolan.com

Committee announces top Provost candidates

President David W. Burcham expects to announce the provost by mid-April out of three finalists.

By Adrien Jarvis Editor in Chief

The University has narrowed down the search for LMU’s next provost from five to three candidates: Dr. Patricia Fleming, Dr. Luis Fraga and Dr. Joseph Hellige. Fleming is from St. Mary’s College and Fraga is from University of Washington, making Hellige the only internal candidate. He currently serves as LMU’s senior vice president for Student Affairs and chief academic officer.

According to Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Co-Chair of the Provost Search Committee Dr. Lane Bove, the three finalists were presented to University President David W. Burcham on March 9, and

Devin Sixt | Loyolan

Students enjoy racing through inflatable maze at “Bounce at Convo” Junior English and Spanish double major Lauren Walsh and junior natural science major Nicole Lata challenge each other as they speed through the inflatable maze set up by Mane Entertainment at Convo on Tuesday, March 13.

See Provost | Page 4

University cancels planned STRFKR appearance Worr y over appropiateness of band’s name leads to LMU rejecting headliner.

By Weston Finfer Web Editor

Portland-based indie pop band STRFKR has been denied playing on LMU’s campus, following a decision by University officials.

Another version of the band’s name includes an expletive, and the University deemed it to be inappropriate for a Catholic institution.

“It’s a judgment call. I’m responsible for approving major campus events, and in my judgment, having a band that has vulgarity as part of its title isn’t fitting for our campus,” explained Associate Vice President for Student Life Richard Rocheleau.

STRFKR (also known at times as PYRA-

MID or Pyramiddd) was scheduled to play for Sigma Chi’s philanthropic event “Derby Dance,” in what would have been the first cosponsored event between a Greek organization and on-campus FM radio station KXLU. Now that the band is not appearing, however, KXLU is no longer a co-sponsor, according to senior biology major Danny Salazar, a member of Sigma Chi and a Derby Days coordinator. Derby Dances in years past have hosted a variety of DJs in order to raise money for the Santa Monica Rape Victims Treatment Center, with proceeds from this year’s fundraising continuing support for the organization.

STRFKR was intended to boost the attendance at this year’s event, according to senior business major Daniel Lees, KXLU’s general manager and the band coordinator for this event. The opportunity was facilitated by KXLU’s early support of the group. The radio sta-

tion brought the band to play a live session on Aug. 11, 2011 in Murphy Recital Hall, which some students were able to attend.

Along with STRFKR, LMU’s own Mojo Stone (featured in the March 12 Loyolan article “Mojo Stone sticks to honest rock and roll”) was set as the opening act for the show, along with Long Beach band Pageants. According to Lees, with the likely return to a DJ as the main act, the supporting bands will no longer be performing at the event due to the shift in musical style.

Lees compared the band’s name to songs that top the Billboard charts in terms of what is appropriate.

“Usually, [a DJ] is just someone playing the hits we hear everywhere. The language is vulgar and people are grinding, dancing provocatively,” He said. “Instead, we were going to have a band [STRFKR] come that not one of

By Jacob Stone News Intern

Kensie La-Anyane | Loyolan

LMU production aids Japanese theaters

Kimiko Miyashima, a junior theatre major, performs in last Sunday’s production of “Shinsai: Theaters for Japan.” The LMU production was part of a nationwide effort to raise funds for Japanese theaters’ efforts to rebuild in the wake of last year’s earthquake and tsunami. For more coverage of the event, turn to Page 10.

The Loyolan covers the films and festivities about and surrounding St. Patrick’s Day.

A&E, Pages 8- 9

See Band | Page 2

Spoken word event stresses empowerment

Students gather to promote and emphasize Women’s History Month through spoken word.

ST. PATTY’S TIPS AND TALES

their songs has a curse word in it, and people actually dance to the music.”

Despite the profanity in the band’s name, none of STRFKR’s songs contain expletives.

However, the content of the band’s lyrics was unrelated to the University’s decision, according to Rocheleau.

“It isn’t about the lyrics or the music,” he said. “People make a choice to go to a dance or event because they know the artist or the music, and that it could be offensive or have expletives in the lyrics. What’s different is when you’re advertising an event, and the name of the group or the title of the event has vulgarity in it and is posted throughout the campus.

People don’t have a choice whether they see it or not – it’s in their community.”

STRFKR played for a packed audience at USC on Feb. 25. In anticipation of their return

A group of about 15 women gathered this Tuesday in the Ethnic and Intercultural Services (E.I.S.) office for spoken word performances focused on female empowerment.

Evy Trezvant, an L.A. poet and playwright, headlined the event. Reading from bits of scattered manuscript and her cell phone, Trezvant recited homilies of love and motherhood at dizzying speeds. “I reach down in my bosom hearing the music of my sisterhood,” she proclaimed in her poem, “Feeling Myself.”

The thematic material of Trezvant’s work was varied. Stanzas like, “He took me as his lust slave … this brother had skills y’all” in her poem “Voodoo” were followed by descrip-

Index Classifieds.............................4 Opinion...............................5 A&E.....................................8 Features...........................11 Sports..............................16 The next issue of the Loyolan will be printed on March 22, 2012.

tions of quaint remedies of healing in contemplations of her depression. With all of the lyrics, unique phrases like “erectile injections” weren’t scarce. It was a small and short performance, but a spectacle nonetheless.

The spoken word performance, “Voice Within: Hear Me ROAR!” was held as part of Women’s History Month and co-sponsored by E.I.S. and the Lambda Theta Nu Sorority.

Jennifer Martinez, a junior psychology and Spanish double major and host of the evening, spoke briefly about the decision to hold such an event. “The spoken word is a really powerful tool for empowering women, for voicing out,” she said. “We hope to make this event an annual thing.”

The event’s themes tie directly into the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month, which focuses on women’s education and empowerment. On the subject of this theme, Lorianne Harrison-Reyes, Director of Resident

See Women | Page 2

PRESIDENT BURCHAM, ONE YEAR LATER Senior Editor Kenzie O’Keefe examines the first year of President Burcham’s tenure.

Features, Page 11

News

Band performance canceled due to controversial name to Los Angeles, they posted the following message on their Facebook page on March 2: “We’re also coming back to L.A. next month to play a show at Loyola Marymount University on 3/23.”

The comment received 122 Facebook ‘Likes’ and 38 comments expressing excitement for the show.

A follow-up post on March 8 read, “Hey L.A. – we’re sorry to say, but our show at Loyola Marymount University has been cancelled. Turns out the administration at LMU won’t let us play because our name has the word [expletive deleted] in it. … Super lame.”

This post has received 255 ‘Likes’ and 130 comments, as of Loyolan press time. Many

of the comments came from non-LMU students expressing their disapproval for the administration’s actions, although some mentioned that the band should expect the possibility of backlash for their name.

This is not the first time STRFKR has come into opposition for its title. When asked where their name came from in an interview with OC Weekly published on Feb. 22, bassist Shawn Glassford said, “Oh, just out of stupidity. It came from pure stupidity.”

Though finding some mainstream recognition, as their song “Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second” was used in a 2009 commercial for Target, they have openly discussed a change in moni-

Nadine Jenson | Loyolan

STRFKR’s performance at Sigma Chi and KXLU’s Derby Dance, on March 23 has been cancelled due to University’s concerns with the band’s name.

ker. Band founder Josh Hodges said in an interview on the music blog of Willamette Week on Sept. 8, 2009: “[We’ve talked about a name change] for at least over a year. [Our tour manager] was really encouraging us to change our name because we lost out on all these tours like the L.A. tour that Passion Pit got on – they got big after that tour. Nobody wants to tour with us, basically.”

The band held a contest in 2009 to see if a fan could come up with a new name, but no permanent change has been made thus far.

The decision to remove the band from the lineup was finalized last week, according to Rocheleau. While the University did offer to raise the budget for booking, Lees told the Loyolan that a lack of advance notice is hindering the ability to secure a popular music act.

“The problem is, I’ve reached out to 15 bands since then, and it’s way too late in the game. We’re two weeks away and I don’t know what we’re going to do,” he said.

“It’s just unfortunate because this was supposed to be an event that has never happened before in terms of bringing together such different organizations [KXLU and Greek Life], and that rarely ever happens on our campus,” Lees said. “It was going to be really cool to see these two different groups that never cross paths come together because of great music that they can all agree on and raise money for a great cause.”

Promoting women’s activism through spoken word poetry Women from Page 1 Life and a Resident Minister, said that, “It’s about how can we educate and empower individual women and the community in general.”

A member of an organization called the American Association of University Women, HarrisonReyes got her start in women’s activism when she arrived as an employee at LMU in 1999. She stressed the importance of involvement with organizations such as these, which are making differences on the national level with domestic violence, human trafficking, gender discrimination regarding pay scales and “a lot of other issues.”

Harrison-Reyes also stresses the scope of the issues that involve women, highlighting the fact that they impact the entire community.

She talked about Chris Chappel, who established LMU’s campus daycare center, hailing him as “a heroic voice for so many people” due to the “tremendous impact [the center has] made on the lives of families on campus.”

“It’s about all different aspects of women’s issues within women’s history,” Harrison-Reyes said about the month, in its 101st year.

She was also full of praise for the LMU community’s involvement with human trafficking prevention and the recognition of individuals dedicated to the pursuit of women’s activism.

“It’s wonderful. These are issues that impact people’s lives tremendously. Everybody takes to their

passions and really helps to provide that opportunity for awareness on campus,” she said.

Concluding the evening’s performance, Trezvant gave a final piece of advice to the audience, empha-

To read about LMU’s Mock Trial team and their successes at the American Mock Trials Competition, visit laloyolan.com.

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Band from Page 1

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sizing that “the mirror is where you will find your greatest love,” a statement that encompassed the theme of both the event and of Women’s History Month – female empowerment.

UPCOMING

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH EVENTS Women’s Softball Centennial Game and Spirit Rally Where: Burns Pool When: March 17, 2012 at noon

The women’s softball team will play their Centennial game against Seattle University. Free food will be provided for the first 100 students. Sponsored by ASLMU and LMU Athletics. Contact: Katie Styles (310) 338-2864.

Women 2 Women

Where: Desmond Hall, First Floor & McCarthy Hall Lobby

When: March 20, 2012 at 7:30pm The LMU community will have the opportunity to write letters to both the women who have inspired them and those who they want to inspire. Contact: Kristina Alarcon (310) 338-2339 kristina.alarcon@lmu.edu or Jeneane King (310) 338-7883 jeneane.king@lmu.edu.

“Victim or Victor? Basic Self-Defense for Women” (Students only) Where: Burns Recreation Center, Studio 1

When: March 21, 2012 at 1:30-3:00pm (Students only) When: March 22, 2012 at 1:30-3:00pm (Staff & faculty only) This 90-minute self-defense seminar will allow students, staff and faculty to practice skills that could help fend of an attack and also experience simulated adrenaline responses. Sponsored by The FitWell, LMU Human Resources and the Committee on the Status of Women. Contact: Sara Trivedi – (310) 568-6105.

Compiled from publicity information from the Division of Student Affairs.

Graphic: Dol-Anne Asiru | Loyolan

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March 15, 2012 Page 2

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News

March 15, 2012 Page 3

National survey monitors student experience at LMU The 2012 NSSE will gauge effectiveness of LMU’s student learning outcomes.

By Jay Lee Asst. News Editor

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is an annual survey created by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research. LMU invited 2,600 freshmen and senior students to participate in the 2012 survey, according to the email sent out by Dean of Students at LMU Dr. Linda McMurdock.

NSSE results are used to improve student experience. At LMU, the NSSE is only administered to freshmen and seniors.

Christine Chavez, M.A., the manager of surveys and evaluation at LMU, is in charge of distributing and administering the NSSE. “The NSSE is considered by many universities to be one of the most comprehensive assessments of effective practices in higher education … [and] allows universities to assess whether or not our students are achieving our [LMU’s] goals and learning outcomes,” Chavez said.

The NSSE “allows us to assess the extent to which students are actually achieving these outcomes and for our University, it covers almost every single one of our learning outcomes,” she said.

LMU administered the NSSE in 2010 and approximately 35 percent (about 856 students) responded.

Chavez said the 2010 NSSE results

were used in a variety of ways to both directly and indirectly improve student learning and experience.

Chavez gave an example of a direct change as a result of the NSSE. “One interesting thing that we had found was that freshmen were completing first drafts of a paper before finalizing a paper more often than seniors. Because writing a draft before you finalize a paper is a very effective practice, … we felt that we wanted to try to keep encouraging freshmen to continue doing so,” Chavez said. “We saw that some programs reported back to us that they started to require multiple drafts from their students. So that was one direct change that occurred because of the results that we saw from NSSE in 2010.”

In order to attract student responses, LMU is offering a total of 16 $50 Amazon gift cards, choosing two winners each week. In order to be eligible to win the gift cards, students must complete the survey

by April 27. However, students can still submit surveys until June 1.

The NSSE is intended to gauge five benchmarks, according to Chavez. These five benchmarks or themes include the “level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student faculty interaction, supportive campus environment and enriching educational experiences,” Chavez said. LMU is also part of a Jesuit consortium, which allows LMU to compare the effectiveness of its Jesuit mission with that of other Jesuit schools.

Emily Cheek, a senior communications major, participated in the

survey. “Overall, I thought the survey made me take a look at myself before I was an LMU student … and I feel like it made me realize how much I learned about myself going through college,” she said.

Cheek mentioned with any online survey there is the possibility that students do not take it seriously. She was concerned that many students may have completed the surveys in order to be eligible for the gift cards, rather than actually taking the time to help LMU gain insight into the student experience.

“I’m not a huge fan of online surveys because … [most students] do not do them. I don’t think it’s really an effective way for them to get the full opinion of students,” Cheek said.

“I definitely think that it makes you look at yourself, and if you really are going to take the survey and answer the questions to try and help LMU to understand more about its students, then it could benefit [LMU].”

Sophia Yu, a freshman English major, is one of several people featured on posters advertising the NSSE. “I think it’s a good way to learn how the student body is thinking,” Yu said. She did mention, however, that “not a lot of people know about the [NSSE].”

Survey invitations were sent to eligible freshmen and seniors.

Students should check their LMU email account in order to complete the survey. For more information, check lmu.edu/nsse. The NSSE 2010 results can be found on lmu. edu/about/services/academicplanning/assessment/2010nssescores. htm.

Karina Johnston

Karina Johnston encourages “restoring and assessing these valuable habitats” and believes students “are the wave of the future.”

11 Burning Questions with a restoration ecologist

This issue, Asst. News Editor Casey Kidwell talks to Karina Johnston, a Restoration Ecologist and Project Manager from the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, about wetlands.

1. For those of us who aren’t familiar with wetlands, how would you describe them and why are they important?

Wetlands are vital to our ecosystem and provide many services, both ecological and economical. … Wetlands also adapt to sea level rise, combat carbon emissions and provide a buffer from storm surge and erosion.

2. Why was LMU chosen as the site for the Urban Wetland Symposium that happened on Monday, March 12?

LMU has an excellent group of scientists and professors who engage their students consistently in research opportunities and hands-on experience. We are thrilled that the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission has LMU as our partners and that we can be housed on campus.

3. How do these symposiums differ from year to year?

Each year we bring different scientists working on wetland research from throughout Southern California to participate. We hope that the lessons learned from each of the speakers will help to build the wetland restoration and assessment programs throughout California.

4. Why has Southern California fallen victim to losing over 90 percent of the wetland systems and what have its inhabitants done to cause this?

Most of our wetlands in Southern California have been lost to development and other effects. Modified hydrology through draining, dredging and placement of fill spoils has been the largest problem.

5. In what region of Southern California has the most research been done regarding wetlands?

The focus has mostly been on individual research projects. Many of the larger-scale monitoring programs have been included into restoration projects as they are completed. We hope to continue to expand and develop a regional assessment program for all wetlands in Southern California.

6. If 100 percent of the wetlands in Southern California were to be lost, what would this mean for its inhabitants and for us?

Wetlands are among the most valuable habitats on the planet. Besides providing recreation, many of the wetlands in Southern California are home to numerous rare, threatened and endangered species.

7. Why was Dr. Joy Zedler chosen as the keynote speaker for this symposium?

Dr. Joy Zedler is one of the premier wetland scientists in the world. In addition to developing marsh research programs from the Tijuana Estuary to Point Conception, she literally wrote the book on tidal marsh restoration (entitled: “Handbook for Restoring Tidal Wetlands”).

8. What other projects does the Bay Restoration Committee put on in order to further educate society with regards to the wetlands?

We have an outreach program that involves educating the public through tours of the Ballona Wetlands, Farmer’s Market events, our website (Ballonarestoration.org), as well as our restoration LISTSERV that reaches approximately 800 people with our quarterly newsletter.

9. What can we as students do to help protect them and educate others on the issues?

Students are the wave of the future. Knowledge that you gain now will help to work towards restoring and assessing these valuable habitats in the future. Every little bit helps.

10. Who has personally inspired you because of their dedication to this issue?

Actually, Dr. Zedler has been an inspiration to me throughout my experience with research and wetland restoration. It was an honor to be able to converse with her about her experiences and lessons learned in southern California. I also appreciate groups and organizations, like the Friends of Ballona Wetlands, who have worked so to promote wetland restoration.

11. What is an animal species or plant group that lives in the wetlands that you don’t think people would be aware of?

People pay quite a bit of attention to birds. Many people may also know that the endangered Belding’s savannah sparrow needs the salt marsh pickleweed plant to make nest in; however, most people don’t realize that the high marsh habitat is also home to the South Coast marsh vole.

To find out more about Johnston’s thoughts on wetlands, read her full interview at laloyolan.com.

March 15, 2012 Page 4

News

Provost a ‘key collaborator’ Provost from Page 1 he plans to announce his decision on who will be the next provost by mid-April.

Co-Chair of the Provost Search Committee and Professor of Psychology Dr. Jennifer Abe explained that, “For LMU, it’s critical that we get a really effective leader because President Burcham has laid out such ambitious goals for the University. … We have all these concrete, pressing questions, and the provost is the person who is going to be working closely with the president to coordinate and ensure that we … implement our vision.”

During Hellige, Fraga and Fleming’s interviews with the LMU community as a part of the search process, they each expressed this idea of the provost as a person of action.

Hellige said, “[Right now] it’s a critical time. The next three to five years at LMU are our chance to move in a different way, forward in [the] direction that, collectively, we have identified.”

Fleming approached the topic similarly, saying, “I have a firm belief in the structures that an institution has, because we can have good intentions, but if we don’t set up opportunities to act on those intentions, then what happens is morale takes a hit.”

“Growth that is consistent with the strategic plan and the strategic mission is the type of growth that I think Loyola Marymount [University] is at right now,” said Fraga. She added that she saw the position as “being a key collaborator, a key participant, a key player in trying to help the institution realize the primary benefits of that growth.”

The search for provost began

last May, according to Bove, when approximately 600 people were contacted and invited to apply. There were 94 applicants, and Bove worked with Abe and Executive Recruiter and Search Committee Member Carol Gilbert to narrow the list to 45. From there, a search committee of 16 individuals from various parts of LMU’s campus brought the list from 45 to six through various stages of elimination.

The next step in the process was for the six finalists to visit campus, but Cheryl Schrader dropped out of the race after being named to a chancellorship.

The three current finalists, in addition to Bette Jacobs from Georgetown University and Molly Smith from Manhattanville College, came to LMU’s campus between Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 to speak to the University. Following the visits, the community was invited to send feedback to the search committee about the candidates. According to Abe, they received almost 300 responses.

“We received a good amount of feedback [from LMU],” said Bove.

“We went through and categorized the responses.

It was a nice response from the community.”

Factoring in community response, the committee asked Bove and Abe, as the co-chairs, to do site visits for the three finalists. It was following these visits that the committee decided to present Fleming, Fraga and Hellige to Burcham, who makes the final decision.

ASLMU President Art Flores, a senior English major and the undergraduate student representative on the search committee, emphasized the shared sentiment that the provost needs

to be able to work effectively with Burcham “so that they could continue carrying out the vision that has been set for us.”

He added, “We were looking for someone who could continue inspiring our campus the way President Burcham does. … It was important for us to find candidates that would fit well at a university like LMU, so that they can hit the ground running once appointed.”

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Provost finalists: Dr. Patricia Fleming (top), Dr. Luis Fraga (middle) and Dr. Joseph Hellige (bottom).

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Opinion Student Editorials and Perspectives

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Board Editorial

Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.

Michael Goldsholl Managing Editor

Adrien Jarvis Editor in Chief

Kevin O’Keeffe Managing Editor

Brigette Scobas Human Resources Coordinator | Asst. News Editor

T

More than just a band name

he recent decision to cancel indie pop band STRFKR’s March 23 performance on LMU’s campus is an issue far greater than simply whether the band should be allowed due to their name (which contains an expletive in another version). The controversy highlights the disconnect that often occurs between different facets of LMU, especially the University’s administration and its overall community.

According to KXLU’s General Manager Daniel Lees, a senior business major, he was unaware he “ever had to get permission from the school.”

Once aware, he contacted LMU on Feb. 1 but it was not until a month later, March 1, that the University told him their decision, according to Lees.

This decision was not made due to a policy, but based on the situation, Vice President for Student Life Richard Rocheleau told the Loyolan.

“There is not a profanity policy on campus,” he said. “It’s a judgment call. I’m responsible for approving major campus events and in my judgment, having a band that has vulgarity as part of its title isn’t fitting for our campus, given … [that] we are a Catholic institution.”

It’s understandable that making choices in the best interest of all members of a community past and present will require making tough decisions from time to time. But what is confusing about the validity of this judgment call is that this wouldn’t be STRFKR’s first appearance at LMU, as the band was permitted to play on campus on Aug. 11, 2011 for a live session in Murphy’s

I

Recital Hall, as stated in “University cancels planned STRFKR appearance” (Page 1). So what made their potential encore performance any different?

The Loyolan fully recognizes that we, as members of a Jesuit institution, need to be mindful of the decisions made and how they project the University to the global community. It is not hard to see how controversy would arise from a band’s name containing profanity. Because of that, it is crucial to foster an open and collaborative environment so decisions such as this one come with transparency. To maintain a positive studentadministration relationship, there needs to be fluidity and reliability in their collaboration.

Too often this community seems to function on reactively, not proactively. Whether it is trip cancellations, dismount zones or live performance policies, it is in the best interest of the University to be upfront and transparent with the community about the changes being made and the rules being laid out. However, effective communication is a two-way street. An equal level of responsibility falls on the students as well – not just to voice their opinions, but to also take advantage of opportunities provided by the administration for open and constructive dialogues.

The issue is not whether the administration views “STRFKR” as an appropriate on-campus showcase – but rather, it is the importance of finding ways for the administration to work with the students, and for the students to take advantage of opportunities that are given to them.

March 15, 2012 Page 5

Rule of Thumb

The Loyolan’s Executive Editorial Board weighs in on current topics of discussion.

Voting opportunities abound The Republican primaries have propelled election season into full swing for several months now, and while California’s primaries won’t be held until June,it’s never too early to register to vote and be involved with the political process.

Even here at LMU, students can vote in the ASLMU presidential and senate elections. Students can still vote by filling out the ballot sent to their Lion Mail account, as voting for ASLMU’s elections ends today at 5 p.m. Being involved in choosing your future leaders is important on both the national and the local level.Thumbs up to informed voting.

Pink slime infects the meat you eat There are few things less appetizing than the phrase ‘pink slime.’ A March 8 ABC News report by Jim Avila titled “Is Pink Slime in the Beef at Your Grocery Store?”indicates that low-grade beef trimmings, commonly referred to as pink slime, are included in 70 percent of all ground beef sold in grocery stores. The problem is the trimmings come from the most contaminated part of a cow yet are considered safe to eat thanks to several disinfectants, including spraying the meat with ammonia gas in order to kill germs. Pink slime may not be the unhealthiest to eat, but the amount of it in the meat Americans regularly consume is alarming – if 70 percent of all beef includes pink slime, then how much of it are you eating on and off campus? Thumbs down to pink slime and its inclusion in so much food.

Students fight education cuts nationwide Cal Grants aren’t the only sources of education funding being threatened this year. A March 13 Associated Press story titled “College students deliver letters to Capitol Hill to halt student loan interest rate hike” reported that students are preparing to protest the scheduled interest spike on new subsidized Stafford loans. Closer to home, LMU students made their way to the state capitol last week to protest the potential cuts to the Cal Grants. Director of Financial Aid Catherine Graham joined the students who spoke at the rally. Shortly after the rally concluded, an Assembly subcommittee rejected Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed cuts. Throughout the country, it’s great to see so many students taking their futures into their own hands. Thumbs up to students across the country standing up for their ability to afford higher education.

The death of the Southern drawl, y’all

have never felt like more of a disappointment than when a blind date told me he expected I would have an accent. Apparently, being from Texas, I was expected to be a good ol’ Southern boy rather than my true self: An urban, pop culture fanatic who thinks “roughing it” means staying at a Grinding Hampton Inn. Gears Truth is,

By Kevin I’ve never had a Texan O’Keeffe accent, nor do Managing Editor I know anyone in my generation who does. But I always assumed that was because I’m from Austin, a more cosmopolitan area than the stereotype might lead you to believe. According to a study by the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas English Project, that began in 2008, Austinites are not the only ones losing their accents.

In the Jan. 28 Austin American-Statesman article

by Brenda Bell, titled “Is the Texas twang history?” that reported on the study, the typical Texan accent is becoming extinct as it “is being infiltrated by what linguists call General American English, a more-or-less Midwestern accent, the standard heard on TV and other spoken media.”

Accents across the country, from the San Fernando Valley here in California all the way to the Jersey Shore, are being affected by the same trend,

which leads those in the younger generations away from traditional speech patterns and toward the homogenized tone that has become so popular in media.

The article states, as expected, metropolitan areas are succumbing more significantly to General A m e r i c a n English than rural areas. It also states that in the urban areas, young women are the ones picking up on the speech trends the fastest, causing their use to become more common.

Fascinatingly, the study also shows that, while the Texas drawl is dying out, several phrases and words are staying alive. The article cites one particular subject, Luke Malone, as often saying “thank you kindly” at work despite his bland Midwestern accent.

Malone was born and raised in Austin, so using these kinds of phrases is probably a purposeful decision on his part to counteract the Midwestern accent that has replaced the Texas drawl.

One such word choice that isn’t purposeful is “y’all,” possibly the most common differentiation remaining

between Southerners and others. The more time spent around those who don’t say “y’all,” however, the quicker the word’s use dies out, just like other regionally-specific phrases and patterns of speech. I know I personally still use the word, but soon

enough my life in California will probably make my “y’all” a thing of the past.

It’s a shame that regional American accents are going the way of the dinosaurs, b e c a u s e they really are a way to maintain one’s culture despite geographic distance.

H e a r i n g everyone s p e a k ing with the same accents all the time is boring and just another way everyone in America can be homoge n i z e d .

Accents are an unmistakable link to o n e ’s roots, something that can’t just be changed or reappropriated like a flannel shirt Ian Zell | Loyolan or a cowboy hat. If people in our country all spoke the same, dressed the same and looked the same, there wouldn’t be much differentiation, would there?

What if the General American English accent spreads beyond just America?

As the world itself becomes

more intermingled and intermixed, it’s only natural that globalization would come to include accents as well. The Biblical story of the Tower of Babel says that humanity’s ambition to reach heaven led to everyone being scattered and made to speak different tongues. Are we, as a world population, destined to reach that point where we not only speak the same language but also speak it in the same way?

It’s a long-term concern, and I’m certainly not worried about everyone coming together to build a tower to the heavens, but it might be the eventual cause of the spread of a homogenized accent. All of this, of course, is a massive exaggeration.

Ultimately, this problem probably won’t go farther than making everyone in our country sound similar, which is awfully boring. We should be a diverse country – after all, we are all from different states with separate identities.

I don’t particularly like a Texan accent. It’s too slow, and I’m not one who can wait for someone who talks at a snail’s pace. However, I do appreciate the accent for being different, just like all other regional accents in this country. The spread of General American English may be inevitable thanks to shared media like TV and film, but I hope that remnants of accents stay around, if only to make Americans slightly more interesting.

This is the opinion of Kevin O’Keeffe, a sophomore screenwriting major from Austin, Texas. Please send comments to kokeeffe@theloyolan.com.

March 15, 2012 Page 6

Opinion

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UPROAR Tumblr’s self-harm ban:favorable or futile?

Head to Head

Resource for help

T

umblr has decided to take action against issues such as eating disorders and suicidal thoughts and actions. The blog-hosting platform just announced an update in their policy prohibiting blog postings that promote any method of self-harm.

As stated on Tumblr’s staff blog, “These are messages and points of

By Erica Lopez view that we Contributor strongly oppose and don’t want to be hosting.” While Tumblr has, since its launch five years ago, boasted accommodation to all forms of expression, this latest prohibition limits that freedom for the good of the users themselves.

Tumblr’s new plan of action is to monitor tags and to remove and forbid posting anything encouraging anorexia, bulimia, self-mutilation and suicide. The site’s decision to limit the freedom that allows for such material is a necessary move. Tumblr’s plan includes a positive lifestyle element. The staff blog explains, “In addition, we plan to start posting ‘public service announcement’ style language whenever users search for tags that typically go along with pro-self-harm blogs.” As part of this PSA, Tumblr will include information for hotlines and treatment websites so that bloggers have access to whatever help they need.

Tumblr’s policies, prior to the implementaiton of this latest rule, have spawned the emphasis of very negative material that can lead to the destructive thoughts and actions of impressionable users of the site. Some of the biggest trends on Tumblr are “thinspiration:” blogs that venerate, dignify and praise unhealthy thoughts.

It is ideal that people should be able to blog about whatever topic they choose, even if those topics are more oppositional, but when the subject matter is being presented to a vulnerable audience, these expressions can have serious and harmful side effects. As a former member of the Tumblr blogging site, I can attest to the need for a change in the website’s policy. Tumblr does not require users to be a certain age, and I have seen users on the site as young as 12 years old. This is an exceptionally susceptible group of users who, because of their age, fall prey to self-esteem issues and a hightened sense of curiousity. The dangerous material this audience is exposed to can easily lead them to adopt dangerous behaviors and actions, as these suggestive ideas attack their innocence.

“Thinspiration,” a term used by bloggers, dominates the site with blog posts praising unreasonable perceptions of the

Wrongful restriction I

ideal woman. Between photos and personal posts, these users document the means that they take to make themselves thinner. These pages are explicit confessions of adolescents with obvious self-confidence issues, but their alleged authority on the matter makes them dangerous to visitors of their page. These words and images are degrading to both women and men. They evoke in bloggers the feeling of their inferiority to the depictions of “perfection.” This can be detrimental to the development not only of the blogger, but of his or her followers.

There are also Tumblr pages devoted to suicide, which include photos of self-multilation, personal stories of suicidal thoughts and true accounts of young people who have taken their own lives. While blogs are designed to act like diaries, where bloggers can write about whatever they are feeling, these sites have much deeper implications. These blogs do not simply document but glorify the extreme behaviors. Those blogging this type of material need serious intervention for their health’s sake instead of encouraging others into their lifestyle.

Some Tumblr users who question the policy update believe that by removing the material, Tumblr is turning a blind eye to subjects that are still very real. Tumblr is not ignoring these issues. On the contrary, by providing resources for help, Tumblr is promoting awareness and the opportunity for bloggers with serious needs to get the services they require. Tumblr has an obligation to the wellbeing of all of its users, which includes protecting them from being barraged with posts that glorify harmful thoughts and behaviors.

I believe that everyone has the right to express themselves freely, and I do not think that it is right to censor all unfavorable material. What must be understood, however, is that the freedom we have to express our personal thoughts can have consequences for others. For this reason, we are culpable for what we share in the public sphere, despite the fact that credibility is sometimes lost in the virtual world.

According to the Tumblr staff, the site understands that “online communities can be extraordinarily helpful to people struggling” and add that they hope that Tumblr can be “a place that facilitates awareness, support and recovery.” Tumblr’s latest policy change will not destroy its intended purpose to be an online community for those who seek a creative outlet and for those who use it to share their thoughts. The site will continue to run with the functions that it has always provided, but it will be more mindful of its users and their safety.

This is the opinion of Erica Lopez, a junior communication studies major from Orange, Calif. Please send comments to ktran@theloyolan.com.

Photos: Flickr Creative Commons

n five short years, Tumblr has become a social networking staple for a blogcrazed generation. Whether you want to poke fun at politics or glorify the nerdy boyfriend fashion style, it is guaranteed that Tumblr has at least a few dozen blogs to choose from for you to get your fix. The freedom to blog Over a Glass what you

By Amanda Kotch want, when you want Opinion Intern has pushed Tumblr to the forefront of the microblogging sphere, receiving over 15 billion views per month.

However, a quote advertised on the site from Product Director Joshua Nguyen that says, “Our mission is to build the perfect platform for self-expression,” is being challenged as of late with Tumblr’s new policy against “self-harm” blogs. In their staff blog, Tumblr originally stated they were debating between fully prohibiting blogs “that glorify or promote anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders; self-mutilation; or suicide,” or permitting them to stay up, “accompanied by a public service warning that directs readers to helplines run by organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association.”

The new and revised Content Policy, which just recently went into effect, in fact, adopted both.

And as one can imagine, Tumblr’s decision has been met with more than a bit of controversy.

I do not have a Tumblr account, and up until I began to research the new content ban a few days ago, I was unaware that many of these blogs even existed. The Tumblr staff noted on their page the kind of crafty terminology used by the ‘selfharm’ community, including the likes of “proana,” for pro-anorexia, and “thinspo,” for thininspiration. So with a mindful mix of journalistic integrity and personal curiosity, I typed “tumblr thinspiration” into my Google search.

The first blog to pop up hosts a mix of photos featuring toned swimsuit models, fashion darlings with their knobby knees and thigh-high socks and a range of celebrities from Kate Moss to Miranda Kerr, with a few inspirational quotes thrown in there for good measure. There are many MySpace-style shots that glamorize being thin, and many girls raving about how fantastic the burn feels after an hour-long run.

Sure the models are too thin, the calorie consumption is too low, but in essence it seems to be nothing more than a teenage girl’s diary combined with the latest issue of Vogue packaged into one nice, neat photo-sharing blog site.

Certain critics have cried out, “But, but, free speech!” They fail to realize that Tumblr is a private company. They have the right to prohibit any kind of con-

tent they wish. But while their intentions may be good, I feel a great deal of the blogging community is being misunderstood.

Only time will tell whether Tumblr executives will have the ability to distinguish self-expression from self-harm on their site. But this new policy will surely prove difficult to enforce.

The reality is that every individual has a different take on what they deem appropriate or what constitutes as “self-harm.”

Excessive piercings could be an art form to one, self-mutilation to another.

While Tumblr is a privately owned corporation, the intention of a blogging site is to provide an open forum for its users. Restricting what content can and cannot be shared is no way to solve an issue as deeprooted and psychological as cutting one’s wrists or binging and purging.

Including public service announcements on self-harm related sites is a brilliant idea. That would be putting space typically reserved for advertisers to good use. Tumblr’s new policy should include these warnings but allow users to share whichever content they so choose. While I applaud Tumblr for its good intentions, placing bans is not going to solve any issues.

It is not hard to imagine oppositions to other perceived kinds of self-harm working to restrict content they deem inappropriate in the near future. There are Tumblr blogs dedicated entirely to smoking, advertising beautiful people past and present with Camels and Marlboros dangling from their pouty lips, while giant clouds of carbon monoxide loom above their heads. How long until health associations decide these “self-harm” blogs need to be removed as well?

Search “Tumblr rape” and you find blogs aimed at helping victims of the horrible crime.

Yet many include pictures that look as if they were stills from provocative scenes in the movie “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” Some users may see these and think “How awful.” Others may see them as more of entertainment than anything else. It doesn’t make it right, but it is abundantly clear that different people interpret words and images in different ways.

It seems unfair to take away a platform that may be helping people deal with these issues.

Restricting content is not protecting anyone. These images are abundant in fashion, media and the news. Any form of selfharm is a mental disease, and simply being exposed to it does not mean one will become susceptible. By all means, plaster the Internet with these public service warnings and self-help hotlines. Triggers are everywhere, but it should not be up to company executives to decide what is and what is not working for someone who may be suffering.

This is the opinion of Amanda Kotch, a sophomore art history major from Huntington Beach, Calif. Please send comments to akotch@theloyolan.com.

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“When I came to LMU and the fountain was green.”

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March 15, 2012 Page 7

“Waiting in the crazy line to get into Brennan’s [Pub] in the morning.”

Steven McPherson

Kyle Oddis

Freshman

English major

Senior

Business major

“Waking up at 3 a.m. and making green eggs and ham.”

“When my mom would dress up with a green sparkling hat.”

Junior

Zachary Martinez

Philosophy major

Freshman

Michael Jakucs

Recording arts major

To read A&E Editor Tierney Finster’s favorite St. Patrick’s Day memories, turn to Page 8.

Cartoon: Jackson Turcotte | Loyolan; Graphic: Kim Tran | Loyolan; Compiled by Kasey Eggert | Loyolan

1

St. Patrick’s Day to-do list Forget to make St. Patrick’s Day plans? Check out these options around Los Angeles. With drinking, live music and food all part of the Irish celebratory tradition, there’s a way for everyone to get their Irish Saturday.

Brennan’s Pub: St. Patrick’s Day Spectacular Brennan’s in Marina Del Rey opens at 6 a.m. and doesn’t close until 2 a.m.

Specials include corned beef and cabbage, breakfast sandwiches, Irish coffee and green beer.

O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant O’Brien’s, located on Main Street in Santa Monica, opens at 7 a.m. on Saturday, and will be serving Irish breakfast all morning.

South Bay St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival The annual parade in Hermosa Beach begins at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Pier Avenue and Valley Drive, and extends west to Hermosa Avenue and south on Hermosa to 10th Street.

Vox Femina “From Shakespeare to Shamrocks” The Zipper Hall at The Colburn School in Downtown Los Angeles is hosting a bicultural evening of Shakespearean sonnets and authentic songs in Gaelic. Tickets are $25–$35 on Voxfeminala.org, or discounted for $15 on Goldstar.com.

Milkshakes, my mother and Molly Malone “A

nd it’s no nay, never; no nay never no more,” she screamed melodically, stopping in between verses to offer the inattentive audience a riotous clap. My Irish mother is chanting in the kitchen, while my father fields calls from individuals in need of rides home from the bar. The borderlinerotten smell Totally Tierney of cabbage

By Tierney Finster p e r m e a t e s the entire A&E Editor house, and my family ’s collective breath is reflective of their hours spent at Ireland’s 32.

It was St. Patrick’s Day and, by no coincidence, also my parents’ wedding anniversary. The most important aspects of the celebration remain the same from year to year. What has changed, however, is the way that I interpret them.

Standardized tests were my time to shine in elementary school. I know it’s socially sanctioned to hate them, for us to all be enraged by their unfair demands and cookie-cutter expectations, but I happen to enjoy the uniformity and specific organization of the exams.

My overachieving, fourth-grade self especially lived for quarterly assessments and California Standardized Tests, particularly the speed-reading components that I can’t believe even existed.

So on March 17, 2002, I walked to school with an extra pep in my

step (Yes, I walked – how “Little House on the Prairie” of me, right?). I proudly wore my annual St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt from Old Navy and constantly pushed my hair (a natural brown color, if you can believe it) behind my ears to reveal sparkly drop earrings adorned with shamrocks.

As I motored through each section of the daylong evaluation, I daydreamed about the fun to come. I wanted to get a Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s right after school, and I really hoped that my mom still needed help in the kitchen. We were hosting dinner for everyone at our house, and at this point in my life, I was very enthusiastic about chopping up salad ingredients.

However, at this juncture, I was also aware that my mother’s most productive hours were between the hours of 6-10 a.m.

Maybe she had finished cooking already.

The dismissal bell rang, and I walked to my pick-up location in front of school. I expected my mom to be waiting for me in her car. Up through high school, she would arrive an hour early when picking me up to ensure that she got a convenient spot, and I was shocked to not find her waiting for her one and only “baby.” Instead, I strolled home with my doting grandfather, who informed me that my mother had left me behind some cooking instructions. I guess dinner wasn’t done.

My mother, Shannon Shaw, was named after a city in Ireland, and had abandoned her cooking duties after a few too many hours at Ireland’s 32. She left a voicemail asking me to begin

preparing the corned beef and cabbage for our expected crowd of 30-ish people, including her eight siblings. I was 10, 11 maybe, and all I could think about was my Shamrock Shake. She had promised me that we would get one, and I was insanely disappointed. The offer was available for a limited time only, after all.

In that moment I was still mobilized by the weight of familial responsibility that I then realized my mother felt at all times. I executed the dinner perfectly, trained by my observing her for years but was not quite ready to forgive her misdoings.

Corned beef and cabbage, boiled potatoes and toasted rye bread attracted many to the kitchen.

Not Shannon though – her stomach didn’t feel too great after her day at the bar. She didn’t get dinner, and I certainly didn’t get a Shamrock Shake. I held a grudge about this for approximately eight years following. St. Patrick’s Day anxiety became routine, and I was always angry about my mother’s propensity for partying come mid-March.

To be honest, my mother rarely drinks and absolutely never goes to bars except on St. Patrick’s Day. She isn’t a social mom whose schedule is marked by organized card games or dinner and drinks with “the girls.”

Her and my dad’s version of a date consists of a new addition to Showtime On Demand and a new recipe, and she doesn’t go on these “retreats” or “conferences” that I so often hear other parents speak of. My mom’s life, social aspects included, revolves around me, whether that’s a good thing or not.

I am fairly certain that my bad attitude that day in fourth grade, and on most subsequent St. Patrick’s Days, stemmed from the fact that I couldn’t be the one celebrating my mom’s favorite holiday with her. At 10, I was already upset that I couldn’t pull up a stool next to her in Ireland’s 32 and enjoy their spotty renditions of Irish folk songs. I wanted to see her dance and hear her laugh, and most importantly, I wanted to see her have some selfish fun. St. Patrick’s Day, in many ways, was her time to shine.

So think of my mother as you “cheers” with your loved ones this Saturday. Imagine her determined clapping, boisterous laugh and teary-eyed renditions of “Danny Boy,” an Irish ballad, that she treats me with each year. I will be in New York this St. P a t r i c k ’s D a y , home of the first S t .

Patrick’s Day parade and the historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

However, I will be 21 next St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re looking for me then, try a table at Ireland’s 32.

This is the opinion of Tierney Finster, a sophomore screenwriting major from Los Angeles, Calif.

Please send comments to tfinster@theloyolan.com.

Cartoons: Jackson Turcotte | Loyolan Graphics: Alberto Gonzalez , Nadine Jenson | Loyolan

1

Five best Irish movies for St. Patrick’s Day T he depiction of the Irish in film has always been a tricky culture to capture without delving into caricature. It’s too easy to portray the people of Ireland as drunks or focus on the gang culture of Ireland or IrishAmericans.

This year for St. Patrick’s Day, try out one of the following films which each give a different and engrossing Chris Culture depiction of the Irish.

By Christopher

James Asst. A&E Editor

“In America” (2003) An Irish family dealing with the loss of their youngest child makes their way to America in search of a more prosperous future despite the forces of social adversity. There is no better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than saluting modern day Irish immigrants as well as taking a look at our society from an outsider’s perspective. With a fantastic script, written by Jim Sheridan and his daughters Naomi and Kristen Sheridan, the film is loosely based off their lives. “In America” does a great job of painting an unflinching but not sensationally bleak portrait of immigration and poverty. The acting is all across the board great, with each actor fully assimilating into their family dynamic. In particular, Sarah Bolger commands the screen with her fantastic performance as Christy, the oldest child who begins to understand the complexities of life and become more aware of the world around her.

For those looking for an emotionallyinvolving family drama, “In America” would be a great addition to your St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

“Once” (2007)

This micro-budget romance tells the story of a man and a woman (Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová) who bond during their collaboration on a folk album. With careful pacing, honest chemistry and a great soundtrack which features the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly” sung by the two leads, “Once” became a sleeper hit and proved that romance, even on the smallest of scales, can be a radical and grandiose emotion. If you want to spend St. Patrick’s Day with that special someone, “Once” would be the perfect choice for your romantic weekend.

“In The Name of Our Father” (2003) One of my favorite father-son stories focuses on the strained relationship between Gerry, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, and Giuseppe Conlon, played by Pete Postlethwaite. As Gerry is coerced into taking accountability for an Irish Republic Army (IRA) bombing he didn’t commit, both he and his oblivious father are imprisoned in a maximum security prison. Enlisting the help of a hardened attorney, Gareth Peirce, played by Emma Thompson, the two men fight for their innocence while simultaneously mending their troubled relationship. Jim Sheridan has crafted a masterfully paced and surprisingly engrossing and exciting film. The performances are all uniformly great, with each of the three leads receiving welldeserved Oscar nominations.

It’s a great drama to watch in order to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and to honor the late Pete Postlethwaite, who suddenly died in early 2011.

“The Crying Game” (1992)

In 1992, many in America could not stop talking about the radical twist from “The Crying Game”. This dark mystery, which centered upon a British soldier being captured by members of the IRA and befriending one of his captors, turned into a sleeper sensation. Actor Stephen Rea created this complex and relatable terrorist in his character, Fergus.

He walks a fine and dangerous line in tackling such a potentially controversial character without making too definite of a political statement. Perhaps the best discovery in the film is Jaye Davidson, who plays the tricky role of Dil, the girlfriend of the captured British soldier who starts dating Fergus. Neil Jordan’s superb direction and taut screenplay makes “The Crying Game” the perfect shocking mystery to lend some suspense to your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

“Hunger” (2008) Directors Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender are a creative force to be reckoned with. McQueen wrote and directed this visceral and haunting film about Irish Republican Bobby Sands (Fassbender) leading the inmates of a Northern Ireland prison in a hunger strike, which creates much media attention for their cause. Operating as nearly a silent film,“Hunger”is always challenging and not one for the squeamish. However, it is an immensely rewarding experience as McQueen’s fantastic direction not only puts the audience in the shoes of Bobby Sands and the other inmates, but makes the viewers experience the pain and hunger exhibited by the characters.

For the avid film or history buff, consider spending your St. Patrick’s Day with the emotionally gripping,“Hunger.”

This is the opinion of Christopher James, a sophomore screenwriting and marketing double major from Lodi, Calif.

Please send comments to cjames@theloyolan.com.

Images: Fox Searchlight, Universal Pictures, Miramax, IFC Films

Seven things you might not have known about St. Patrick’s Day 1

Corned beef and cabbage encompasses the traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal. It is often paired with Irish soda bread and buttered potatoes, and for those over 21, some Jameson Irish Whiskey or a Guinness.

2

Guinness’ popularity is undisputed as 5.5 million pints are consumed around the world daily, no matter the time of year. On St. Patrick’s Day, more than 13 million pints of the “thick stout” are consumed.

3

St. Patrick’s Day marks the anniversary of his death in the fifth century, and the Irish have celebrated this day as a religious feast for over 1,000 years.

According to Irish folklore, St. Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the Christian Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

4

New York City hosted the first ever St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York in 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the English army marched through the city.

5 6 7

St. Patrick is credited as the “patron saint and national apostle of Ireland.”

“Approximately 144,588 current U.S residents were born in Ireland.”

Compiled by Tierney Finster | Loyolan, Information from history.com

March 15, 2012 Page 10

Arts & Entertainment

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LMU’s ‘Shinsai’ raises funds for Japanese theaters Theater Spotlight

By Luisa Barron Asst. A&E Editor

W

ith Japan remaining damaged by their earthquake and tsunami a year ago, their theaters have become damaged and are in need of repair.

As a part of a relief effort, the Shinsai Japanese theatre has made its way to the states in such places as New York and Los Angeles.

However, the L.A. Times reported on March 8 in its article, “A big show in NYC, but little in LA for Japan quake benefit,” that there were less performances in Los Angeles compared to New York. Despite “Shinsai: Theaters for Japan” being a “nationwide initiative” to raise funds for devastated theater companies in Japan, Los Angeles still has far

fewer performances.

“Shinsai,” which means “great earthquake” in Japanese, would involve performances of various Japanese plays and dances in order to raise money to rebuild the destruction of Japanese theaters after the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

However, with only having two performances of “Shinsai: Theaters for Japan” in Los Angeles despite the widespread support for the project, one of the performances took place at LMU’s own Strub Theatre with theatre students, professors and alumni performing both Pulitzer Prize-winning material and their own original compositions.

The performance was March 11, to mark the one-year anniversary of the Japanese earthquake.

Co-chair of the theatre arts and dance department and director of theatre arts Kevin

J. Wetmore Jr., who was also quoted in the L.A. Times article, had a personal tie to the efforts to rebuild Japanese theaters. “I go to Japan every other summer and teach Japanese theatre, and [I] know some of the playwrights involved [with Shinsai],” Wetmore said. “So, the second I saw that we could do something for Japan, it was sort of the perfect triple threat: we could help the theaters in Japan, we could give opportunities to our own students and we could also introduce our audience and students to some plays and playwrights that they might have not otherwise had a chance to see performed,” he said.

In the 11 performances of the night, there were several interpretive-style dances, along with short, minimalist plays with running themes of family and loss, along with many references

Kensie La-Anyane | Loyolan

From left to right, Kimiko Miyashima, Brandon Shypkowski and Kit DeZolt star in “A Guide to Japanese Etiquette” by Doug Wright. This segment was directed by Professor Kevin Wetmore.

Kensie La-Anyane | Loyolan

Thomas Ireton mourns over the body of Timothey Fitzgerald in the first segment of the Shinsai theatre, entitled “Child is Father to the Man.” to the devastation and suffering caused by the natural disasters.

Along with plays written by Japanese playwrights such as Naomi Iizuka and Yoji Sakate, American playwrights such as Richard Greenberg and Doug Wright pitched in with their own plays.

According to Wetmore, when organizing the event, “The agreement with the organizers in New York is that you can do any of the plays, [commissioned for the event] and you can add any of your own stuff if you’d like.”

“We decided that we wanted an LMU student represented as well. So, sophomore theatre arts major Mara De La Rosa wrote a play called ‘Gomen’nasai,’” Wetmore said.

De La Rosa commented on her piece, which involved three women all confronting their husband, lover and father, who has just died in the earthquake.

“For my piece, it was about giving voice to the voiceless. I don’t hold back on the vulgarity because I say what should be said,” De La Rosa said.

The Co-chair of the theatre

arts and dance department and Director of dance Patrick Damon Rago also choreographed and performed his own piece, “Ephemeral,” near the end of the performances. Rago says that seeing all the pictures on the news of the devastation “made me realize all these things we as people think are permanent are really not … everything is ephemeral.”

Winnie Werre, a senior theatre arts major, performed in two of the 10-minute plays, and has her own personal ties to the cause. “I’m half Japanese – my mother is from Japan and moved here when she was in her early 20s – and my family still lives out there. I’m very proud of my Japanese heritage and very honored to be asked to be a part of this,” Werre said.

Junior theatre arts major Christina Foster, who attended the event, said, “I’m proud that LMU’s theatre [arts] and dance department brought awareness because a lot of times, disasters go out of the media after about a month, and people forget that Japan is still suffering and needs our help.”

way that civil society can be so dangerous. I think it’s the most psychological of the three.”

Another small cast rounds out the trilogy of plays in “The Lover,” which involves a husband and wife and, as the name suggests, a lover, as well as a twist in the plot. One of the actors in this piece, junior theatre arts major, Jackson Kendall, admitted that this was the first time he had a chance to perform in such a stylized play, and that it “is the most fun I’ve had as far as strictly dialogue goes. It’s just really fun to say.”

Sophomore theatre arts major Jakob Berger credits the complexity of speech in the plays as one of the most interesting parts of the show. As Berger says, “The thing about Pinter is that he is such a wordsmith.

And he really is an actor’s writer. You have to be ‘on’ at all times and in the moment.” Because of this, the audience can expect to be drawn into every moment, as the combination of Pinter’s long, heavy pauses in dialogue, and the small, intimate setting create a captivating atmosphere between the actors and the audience.

According to Professor Royer, she ultimately wanted to do these plays because of these elements and the fact that Americans don’t get to witness much of this kind of witty comedy.

Emphasizing the involved nature of each play, Royce likens the production to a sports game, where it could all go wrong if one person “drops the ball.”

“It’s high risk for actors. And

if the actors can get it, it’s also high risk for the audience,” Royce said. “These plays aren’t for lazy audiences. They are complex and intellectual, and in some ways an audience member has to work as hard as the actors do.”

On Thursday, March 22, the show will be followed by a post-play discussion with the director, cast and Catherine Christof, formerly a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the production’s vocal/ dialects coach.

The performance on Friday, March 23 will also be followed by a talk with the director, cast, Christof and Professor John Menaghan, addressing the influences of Samuel Beckett on the work of Harold Pinter.

Pinter trilogy combines ‘absurd with realism’ Theater Preview

By Khayla Golucke Staff Writer

G

enre hybrids have been going on long before Stephen Sondheim came through to Broadway.

LMU’s theatre arts department’s new play, “Pinter X Three,” blends realism and absurdist tendancies for a unique theatre experience. The show is a series of three one-act plays by the Nobel Prize-winning English playwright Harold Pinter, and has been in rehearsal since January. Its small, dedicated cast will finally get to display all of their work for the next two weeks in seven performances in the Barnelle Theatre.

Directing the show is Judith Royer, C.S.J., who taught a class on the complex playwright last year.

“A lot of people don’t know about Pinter, but he’s actually influenced almost every writer that’s come after him,” Royer said. “He pulls together theater of the absurd with realism. He completely redefined dramatic structure and how it works and enters into a whole new period.”

Royer explained that each play represents one of the three major periods of Pinter’s evolution as a writer. The first, “The Dumbwaiter,” comes from his early absurdist comedy period.

It focuses on two characters’ anxiety over their social situation, and, as is customary of Pinter’s work, is set in a barren single room. Sophomore theatre

Stewart Tomassian | Loyolan

Jackson Kendall (top) and Melissa McIntosh (bottom) perform one of three one-act plays based off the work of playwright Harold Pinter. arts major Luc Hediger, who is one of two actors in the one-act, said that compared to the five other productions he has acted in at LMU, this short play is one of the most intellectually demanding he has done so far.

“The fact that it is just a two-man show is the most exciting part of being in the play.

It’s also the most challenging - keeping it up beat and keeping a rhythm when you are only working with one other person,” Hediger said.

The second play, “The Collection,” has a small cast as well, using just four actors. Written during Pinter’s “comedy of menace” period, the actors portray two separate English couples concerned with whether their partners were faithful on a

business trip.

The actors, who all coincidentally took Royer’s Pinter class last year, have been working with a vocal/dialects coach to adopt realistic accents, while at the same time, applying everything they learned in class about the playwright to their performances. For senior theatre arts major Sofya Weitz, the class allowed the cast to connect to each other quickly, as well as understand Pinter’s intentions more thoroughly.

“It just happened that all four of us were in the class that Judith taught last year, ‘Pinter Shakespeare,’ so we went in with an idea of Pinter already,” Weitz said. “What’s interesting about our play is that it’s really, really psychological in the

Features

www.laloyolan.com

March 15, 2012 Page 11

One year since inauguration President Burcham has a specific focus for his second year at the helm.

that President Burcham has a lot of.

He is the kind, down-to-earth leader who has shown time and time again that he is both a visionary trailblazer and a level-headed problem solver.

Since his inauguration in March 2011, Burcham has overseen the agreement of the faculty on LMU’s new core curriculum and he initiated the search for a university provost that is now nearing its final stages.

Additionally, a new University Strategic Plan is on track for presentation to the Board of Trustees this May. But Burcham does not spend much time celebrating his successes.

He has his gaze fixed firmly on the future and the continuous betterment of the University.

Parking Starting in the spring of 2013, anyone who parks a car on LMU’s campus will be charged to do so. “No one likes to be charged for something that’s been free … I understand that,” said Burcham, who added that the decision to charge for parking was made following a recommendation to the cabinet from a committee of representatives from all over the University, chaired by Senior Vice President for Administration Lynne Scarboro.

The Master Plan requires the construction of more parking spaces, and parking currently imposes a cost to the University through services like valet parking. The parking situation costs LMU money, and the funds

By Kenzie O’Keefe Senior Editor LMU President David W. Burcham is a man of many accomplishments. He graduated first in his class from Loyola Law School in 1984. He was unanimously selected by the board of trustees as the University’s 15th president in the fall of 2010. He is the man who led LMU to reach its fundraising campaign goal of $380 million dollars six months early this year, and he is currently under fire for implementing a new fee for on-campus parking, announced last week.

What most probably do not know is that he once worked on the assembly line at a Formica countertop factory during his first two years of college.

“I was designated the person that would take injured workers to the hospital, which I did two or three times when they cut off various parts of fingers and hands,” he said. “It was just because I had a car, and it was faster to drive people to the hospital than to wait for an ambulance.”

These types of emergencies tend to put things into perspective, and from the factory to Loyola Law to the LMU presidency, perspective is something

have to come from somewhere.

Burcham explained that the decision to implement a parking fee is intended to generate funds for new parking structure facilities directly from those who need them. “It’s a user fee as opposed to taking the money out of the general operational budget, which is generated by tuition dollars. Rather than imposing the cost on everybody by taking out of tuition, we thought it made more sense to impose it on those that use the parking garages,” said Burcham.

Rising Tuition Rousing a culture of academic rigor is not the only abstract problem Burcham faces. A permanent solution to the problem of tuition that continuously rises year after year still eludes the president. “[Rising tuition] is the one issue that I lose sleep over. If we want to keep education as it is characterized at LMU, and that means relatively low class sizes, professor accessibility, the great student/faculty ratio, all of these offerings and opportunities for student life and all those things that cost money, the only solution is to get an alternative source of revenue,” said the president, who spoke with the Loyolan prior to the University’s budget being finalized. He explained that there will be a “modest increase” in tuition again this year but added that it would be “as low as is humanly possible.”

5

THINGS

YOU

1 PRESIDENT 2 BURCHAM 3 4 5 DIDN’T

KNOW ABOUT

He’s been married for 38 years to wife Chris.

Likes “really stupid” movies such as “Animal House” and “The Three Amigos.”

Has a cabin in the Sierra Nevadas that he calls a “total retreat.”

His favorite thing to do in L.A. is fish in Loy Beach.

He is a Dodgers fan.

Devin Sixt | Loyolan

President David W. Burcham reflects on his time as President since his March 2011 inauguration during an interview with the Loyolan.

In a University-wide email sent out on March 6, the President announced that undergraduate tuition would increase by 3.52 percent for the 2012-13 school year.

Over the next 10 years, Burcham has committed to raising hundreds of millions of dollars for the endowment for student scholarships. In the short term, he has worked hard to protect both Federal Pell and State Cal grants which have been threatened with cuts in the past year.

He explained this two-part solution to the problem of rising tuition but added that a permanent fix to the nationwide problem still evades everyone involved in the discussion.

“I have often said in my public talks that we cannot become a university that is accessible only to the wealthiest among us,” he said. “I, for one, wouldn’t want to be president of that university.”

Current ASLMU President and senior English major Art Flores experienced Burcham’s commitment to educational affordability when he served on the University Budget Planning Committee this year. He explained: “From what I understand, Burcham’s directions [to the Budget Planning Committee] were pretty specific. He didn’t want [tuition] to go up more than a specific percent-

age. He tries his hardest to relay to people that affordability is a concern to him. While he wasn’t there in the meetings, his goal was echoed.”

The Future With his unrelenting humility, Burcham remains positive and proactive about the future. Once the Strategic Plan is approved, he will oversee each college and division’s development of a business plan that advances the initiatives set forth in the University-wide Strategic Plan.

He plans on making “significant strides” in the implementation of the new core, and he wants to sketch “out the framework for an aggressive campaign to raise money for the endowment for scholarships.”

Long hours. Tough economic challenges. And yet Burcham never seems to waver in his hard work or expressions of gratitude.

“I have a dream job,” he said.

To read a full version of this story, including President Burcham’s focus on academic rigor and his role as the first lay President, visit

laloyolan.com

Graphics by Dol-Anne Asiru | Loyolan; Joanie Payne | Loyolan

Hipsters’ popularity defies counter-cultural roots Despite modern stereotypes, ‘hipsters’ have historical roots.

By Kevin O’Keeffe Managing Editor They wear skinny pants and TOMS shoes. They listen to underground music and embrace everything retro. They wear wayfarer glasses and consider independent artists the golden standard. These are the stereotypes surrounding hipsters in today’s popular culture.

The term “hipster” is firmly engrained in the mainstream vernacular of today. Hipsters have become so popular that advertisers are embracing the hip ideal as a marketable brand. The hipster, which was once considered an icon of the counter-cultural movement, is quickly becoming an immovable part of pop culture.

“Hipsters want to feel special and superior. That’s a huge thing, being superior,” said sophomore film production major Zoe Gieringer, who dislikes the ‘hipster’ label. “A lot of the culture is counter-mainstream. Hipsters almost have an aversion to the mainstream.”

“I think, for some people, it’s an attitude, a feeling of superiority,” sophomore film production major James Weber said of hipsters. “But I’d say that’s getting into the pretentious side of it … I would say a hipster would be someone who would wear trendy clothing, listens to independent music, is under the radar and has an eye

for anything counter-culture.”

The hipster culture first came about in the 1940s as what author of the Journal of the American Musicological Society article, “The Problem with White Hipness: Race, Gender and Cultural Conceptions in Jazz Historical Discourse” Ingrid Monson describes as a “hip subculture, comprising black Americans interested in Western artistic nonconformity and white Americans captivated by urban African American styles of music, dress and speech.” The word “hipster” became popular again in the 1990s as a term for who particularly invested in independent music.

Sophomore film production major Caroline Dunaway was less clear about the definition of the word thanks to the connotations that have been attached to it.

“The problem is it depends on how you’re looking at the word,” Dunaway said. “I feel like, a lot of times today, when someone calls someone a hipster, it’s derogatory.”

Perhaps because of that negative connotation, it’s difficult to find many who will define themselves as hipsters. Junior film production major Dan Fromhart is a rare breed: someone who seems to have a grasp on hipster culture while submitting himself to the label.

“I would consider myself a hipster,” said Fromhart, “but by doing that, I don’t think I am actually considered a hipster. I can call myself a hipster just because people would consider me a hipster. The way I dress is hipster, but the way I live my

life isn’t.”

Today, however, the movement seems to be centered on retro fashion as well as with independent music.

The stereotype also indicates a competitive nature among hipsters to discover small artists and wear unconventional fashion trends first.

“People associate being a hipster with trying to go against the grain

as well as trying to find the super cool, underground bands that no one knows about and stay ahead of everyone else in knowing about things,” Dunaway said. “So I think in that

sense, that’s where the negative connotation comes from.”

As the hipster label has evolved, however, it has increasingly become part of popular culture, something Dunaway said was a contradiction of the very ideals behind the culture.

“People truly believe in the counter-culture aspect of it, but the hipster image reigns supreme in popular culture when it comes to our generation and what it means to look cool,” Dunaway said. “Advertisers cater to the hipster demographic.

When you go to a store and say, ‘I’m going to buy this, it’s so hipster and counter-culture,’ thousands of other kids are doing the exact same thing … [and] you’re actually feeding the popular hipster culture. It’s not good, it’s not bad; it’s just popular.”

The marketing of the hipster image is what has caused so many to attempt to be hipster simply as a trend or fad. It is those people who have added a negative connotation to the word: the divide between real hipsters and posers.

“There’s a conceived true hipster and a conceived wannabe hipster,” Dunaway said. “A lot of people see a real hipster persona and a buyable, wearable hipster persona. You can buy the records, you can put on the clothes, but does that make you a hipster? I don’t know.”

“People go out of their way to dress the part of a hipster and make it look like they’re part of the culture because it’s becoming more popular,” said senior English major Brian Pede. “It’s cooler to be that way and dress that way.”

At LMU, according to Gieringer and Fromhart, hipster culture is a bit more limited, with most of the emphasis placed on the music scene versus the counter-cultural aspects.

“I don’t think there’s a strong hipster culture at LMU, but because there isn’t one, the people who have even the littlest tinge of hipster to them are immediately put into that box,” Gieringer said.

Fromhart added that LMU’s hipster culture was “suppressed, but growing,” largely thanks to the school’s population of wealthy students seeking a way to rebel against their upbringing.

“In regards to music, I think [the LMU hipster scene] actually has a lot to offer that you might not realize when you first come here,” Dunaway said. “As far as the bad hipster connotation goes, I don’t want to say sometimes people try too hard, but people can try too hard.”

As the hipster image continues to evolve, it will likely fall out of the popular culture once again. However, the culture of hip will continue on and possibly return to its counter-cultural roots.

“I think it’ll absolutely continue to evolve, but I’m interested to see where it goes,” Dunaway said. “Everything is influenced by something else. We can’t keep pulling out of thin air. It seems like we’ve gone through so many cycles – I’m interested to see what it’ll be. I’m certain it’ll be something from the past, just repurposed into something just a little different.

Only time will tell.”

Cartoon by Ian Zell | Loyolan

March 15, 2012 Page 12

Sports

www.laloyolan.com

Men defeat Fullerton in first round of CIT M. Bball from Page 16 that happens, he’s going to make shots,” Viney said of Seeley. “He’s quick, he’s real shifty and he can shoot, which is hard to play against.”

Approaching the two-minute mark, Ireland held the ball at the top right of the key. With the shot clock running down, Ireland launched a deep 3-pointer that swished home to put LMU up by nine.

From that point on, LMU took care of business, breaking the Titans’ press and making free throws to close out the nine-point victory.

With just less than seven minutes left to play, sophomore Godwin Okonji slammed home a dunk that gave LMU a 10-point lead, 70-60. Two Lions completely uncontested on the breakaway, Viney backed off and allowed Okonji to finish the powerful two-handed slam that elicited the loudest cheer of the night from the Gersten Pavilion faithful.

LMU led 45-41 at the half and never surrendered that advantage throughout the second half.

The Titans dominated LMU on the glass, pulling down 48 rebounds, 23 on the offensive end. Fullerton parlayed the rebounding advantage into a 21-7 edge in second-chance points.

“We tried to get in there and fight, but it’s just one of those games where the rebounds killed us but luckily it didn’t hurt us,” Viney said.

The win moves LMU to

20-12 overall for the season, the first time that the Lions have recorded a 20-win season since the 1989-90 team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. The victory is also the program’s first postseason win since that historic team.

“It’s very cool. Just to know that we’re the team that finally got back to the 20-win mark since Hank [Gathers]

and Bo [Kimble] left. And that people are going to remember us,” Viney said. “We didn’t make it to the tournament, which is a bummer, but we did something that hasn’t been done in 22 years.”

It was the second time in the last three years that LMU hosted a CIT game. In 2010, LMU welcomed Pacifica College to Gersten Pavilion in a first-round game

Kevin Laughlin | Loyolan

Redshirt senior forward Drew Viney (above) shot 50 percent from the field, scoring 19 points and eight rebounds in a first-round win at Gersten Pavilion.

that the Lions lost, 86-76.

Good said he was not worried about a competitive letdown from his team after losing in the first round of the conference tournament.

Ireland, however, said he reached out to teammates in preparation for Wednesaday’s game. “I texted everybody and told them, ‘be ready to play’ because I’m bringing my game for all 40 [minutes].

That’s what I expected from everybody else,” Ireland said afterward.

The CIT is not formatted in a traditional bracket. Rather, following the completion

of the initial 32-team round, matchups are picked to accommodate as little travel for schools as possible. With both other California schools losing, LMU will host Weber State University on Sunday in a 3 p.m. game at Gersten Pavilion. Weber State defeated Utah Valley University on Tuesday, 72-69, improving to 25-6 on the season.

“I just like to keep going. I go into depression when the season’s over,” Good said.

“You just want to keep playing. It’s about investment in these seniors … and investment in the future.”

www.laloyolan.com

Sports

March 15, 2012 Page 13

Lions rely on pitching as offense struggles Baseball from Page 16 games as freshmen Colin Welmon and Trevor Megill both went late into games.

“The key again for us was pitching and defense,” said Head Coach Jason Gill. “We made one error in two games, which was on a do-or-die type of play, and our pitching was outstanding.”

Welmon was superb, throwing seven scoreless innings, not giving up a run. He allowed three hits, did not walk a batter and struck out two Longhorn hitters.

Megill threw five innings in the second game of the doubleheader, allowing only two earned runs to a Texas team who is a perennial College World Series participant coming from the powerful Big XII conference. Megill struck out four while only allowing one free pass.

The Lions’ bullpen has proven to be an asset for the club, as junior reliever Aaron Griffin, senior set-up man Ryan Hawthorne and Dahlson have performed well late in games.

In 29 1/3 innings of work combined between the three relievers, the tandem has allowed 15 earned runs and has struck out 27 opposing batters.

Dahlson said of his new role as the team’s closer, “I like being in the bullpen with the other guys, but whatever role they give me, I’m going to accept it to help our team win. “ The Lion offense struggled in the team’s trip to Texas, only scoring two runs in two games.

“We just didn’t produce runs. We were facing some high-quality Texas pitching, but we failed in some situational hitting. We have to figure out a way to handle high-quality pitchers,” Gill said of the struggling offense.

Because of the rainouts, senior lefthanded starting pitcher John Lally will start the first game of the Indiana series today. Lally came in to pitch one inning on Sunday, allowing one hit and striking out two.

“The rainouts definitely affected our pitching because our top two guys, Welmon and Megill, had to go Sunday [at Texas]. Lally will start on Thursday, but those guys have to come on two days short rest as opposed to have seven days to rest before their next start,” Gill said.

Lally is confident going into his start today: “I threw my usual bullpen session two days before my start so I feel good and I’m taking the same approach,” Lally said. “My goal every time I go on to the mound is to throw strikes. I try and get into as deep of the game as possible to help out our bullpen, but it is all about giving our team the best chance to win.”

Abbey Nelson | Loyolan

Junior second baseman Cullen Mahoney has been a bright spot at the plate for the Lions, batting . 359 in 13 games played.

Torano confident in play Torano from Page 16 late in the recruiting game,” said Torano.

The passion for Torano’s beloved sport began when he was three years old. “I hit my first ball at three and started playing when I was eight,” Torano said.

Torano is attempting to revitalize a team that finished dead last in the standings last season.

The University of San Francisco and Pepperdine University were atop the standings a year ago, and the addition of Brigham Young University will only add more depth to the conference.

Torano is excited for the challenge to take on the conference’s best. “We did not do well last season,” he said. “Everyone’s goal is to improve and do better in the standings.”

Golf is unique from other team sports because both individual scores and team scores count in the overall standings.

“All you can focus on in golf is yourself,” Torano said. “We try and pump everybody up to get ready to play but, at the end of the day, all you can worry about is yourself and your game.”

Senior captain Andrew Waldron described Tyler as a great teammate, on and off the course.

“He’s a confident player,” said Waldron. “That is what sepa-

rates him from a lot of people we play against.”

Torano characterizes himself as a leader on the course, even as a sophomore player. “I’m a very competitive guy on the course. I just love to win and I like to share that winning mentality with the whole team to pump them up before practices and matches,” Torano said.

“He wants to see the team do well, which is unique among top collegiate golfers,” said Waldron.

Torano’s former teammate at LMU, sophomore Parker Middleton, described Torano as a stellar player on and off the course.

“Tyler is a very talented player,” said Middleton. “Combining that talent with his confidence on the course, he has the ability to compete with the best players in the WCC. Having played golf with Tyler, it is no surprise that he had such an impressive fall season. I am excited to see him continue his success this spring as the team prepares for the WCC Championships in April.”

For each tournament, five players out of the nine-man team will play in the round with the best four scores counting for the overall team score. Typically, the first day of the tournament consists of two rounds of golf and

the second day is another round.

Also setting the team apart from other LMU athletics, the golf team has to travel to their practices. It is a year-round sport, and each player has an individual coach aside from the team’s head coach.

“With each practice being around five hours including travel time to the courses and us playing year round, I don’t have a lot of time off,” Torano said. “We get a month or two off throughout the season, but it is all golf, all the time.”

Head Coach Alex Galvan has been the Lions’ golf coach for 10 seasons.

“He is a very friendly guy who keeps the team light,” said Torano. “Because everyone else has their own coach on the side, his main role is to build the program.”

Torano’s dream after graduation is to continue playing golf and hopefully enter the PGA Tour.

“My ultimate goal is to be the number one golfer in the world,” Torano said. “Which golfer wouldn’t have that goal?”

Torano will lead the men’s golf team into a three-day tournament against Gonzaga University in Brandon, Ore. this Friday through Sunday.

LMU Athletics

Sophomore Tyler Torano did not get recruited for a college team until his senior year of high school. According to Torano, his constant drive to always improve has prepared him for collegiate sucess at LMU.

March 15, 2012 Page 14 2nd ROUND March 15-16

3rd ROUND March 17-18

REGIONAL SEMIFINALS March 22-23

Sports

REGIONAL FINALS March 24-25

1 Kentucky 16 WKU

NATIONAL SEMIFINALS March 31

CHAMPION April 2

NATIONAL SEMIFINALS March 31

www.laloyolan.com

REGIONAL FINALS March 24-25

REGIONAL SEMIFINALS March 22-23

3rd ROUND March 17-18

2nd ROUND March 15-16

Syracruse UNCA

1 16

Kansas St. S. Miss.

8 9

Vanderbilt Harvard

5 12

Wisconsin Montana

4 13

Cincinnati Texas

6 11

3 Baylor 14 S. Dak. St.

Florida St. St. Bon.

3 14

7 Notre Dame 10 Xavier

Gonzaga 7 West Virginia 10

2 Duke 15 Lehigh

Ohio St. 2 Loyola (MD) 15

LOYOLAN SPORTS

8 Iowa St. 9 UConn

NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET

5 Wichita St. 12 VCU 4 Indiana 13 N. Mex. St.

EAST

SOUTH

6 UNLV 11 Colorado

CHAMPION

UNC Vermont

1 16

Memphis St. Louis

Creighton Alabama

8 9

5 New Mexico 12 LBSU

Temple S. Florida

5 12

4 Louisville 13 Davidson

Michigan Ohio

4 13

SDSU NC State

6 11

1 Michigan St. 16 LIU 8 9

MIDWEST

WEST

6 Murray St. 11 Colorado St.

L

3 Marquette 14 BYU 7 Florida 10 Virgina

Georgetown 3 Belmont 14

2 Missouri 15 Norfolk St.

St. Mary’s Purdue

7 10

Kansas Detriot

2 15

LOYOLAN SPORTS STAFF’S 2012 NCAA TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS SLEEPER TEAM

DARK HORSE CHAMPION

UPSET ALERT

SOUTH FINALIST

Wichita State University

Vanderbilt University

Syracuse University

Baylor University

Kansas State University

Indiana University

Syracuse University

Murray State University

Louisville University

Syracuse University

Harvard University Florida State University

Syracuse University

Syracuse University

University of Kentucky

WEST FINALIST

EAST FINALIST

MIDWEST FINALIST

Michael Goldsholl Managing Editor

University of North Carolina

Marquette University Vanderbilt University

TOURNAMENT CHAMPION

University of North Carolina

Nathan Dines Sports Editor

University of Kentucky University of Missouri Florida State University

University of North Carolina

University of Kentucky

University of Kansas

University of Kansas

University of Kentucky Murray State University Florida State University

University of North Carolina

University of Kentucky

Michigan State University

University of North Carolina

University of Kentucky

Dan Raffety

Asst. Sports Editor

Baylor University

University of Missouri

Ohio State University

John Wilkinson Senior Editor

Kevin Cacabelos Staff Writer

UC Berkeley

Vanderbilt University

Ray Ferrari Staff Writer

Belmont University Florida State University

University of Kentucky

Baylor University

Michigan State University

Florida State University

Florida State University

University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina

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Softball improves to 20-10 Softball from Page 16

Contact Sports Editor: Nathan Dines at ndines@theloyolan.com

March 15, 2012 Page 15

their pitchers,” Medeiros said.

“But we obviously handled that perfectly fine.” Medeiros added that this game was reminiscent of the UCLA game earlier this season, but the Lions were the ones scoring all the runs this

time.

Even though the entire team performed at a high level yesterday, they could not find a way to win against Notre Dame University.

Though the team suffered a loss on Tuesday at the hands of the Fighting Irish, Ferrin thinks it was a good lesson for his team.

Men’s tennis

Lions extend their winning streak to three with a win against the University of Hawai’i Warriors.

Devin Sixt | Loyolan

Senior shortstop Sam Fischer (above) followed up a 3-4 performance against Notre Dame with four runs on one hit and three walks against Iowa State.

Abbey Nelson | Loyolan

The Lions beat the University of Hawai’i 5-2 yesterday, winning the doubles point early and taking four of the six singles matches.

In the doubles portion, sophomore Alex Wilton and freshman Felix Van Kann won a tight match 8-6, and top doubles duo of junior Nicholas Bjerke and sophomore Sebastian Bustamante finished off the doubles point with an exciting 9-8 finish.

Coming off the break, Van Kann won his second match in a row, knocking off Jared Spiker for the Lions’ first singles point. Bjerke rebounded from injury to take the number one singles match in two tiebreaks, 7-6, 7-6, with the junior continuing to play well for LMU. Junior Nick Northcott and freshman Todd Volmari also pulled out victories for the Lions during Wednesday’s contest.

The Lions are back in action at the LMU Tennis Center on Tuesday against Dartmouth.

Compiled by Nathan Dines | Loyolan

“Sometimes a Notre Dame loss like that isn’t a bad thing. It brings you back down to earth.

You go out and you work harder and I think we saw the results today,” Ferrin said.

Fischer was still proud of her team’s performance in the Notre Dame game, even with the loss.

“I think that we know that we played a really good game yesterday against a really good team, so I think that confidence from playing really well came into today,” Fischer said.

Fischer agreed with Ferrin and added that her team needs to make games “no-doubt wins.”

On Tuesday, the Lions led most of the game, but let the game slip away towards the end. In the first inning, sophomore catcher Kathryn Dutton hit a single to center field, driving in two runs to make the score 2-0. Fischer hit the only homerun of the game, making it her 13th of the season. Fischer is currently ranked second in the nation for home runs and third in the nation for slugging percentage and batting average.

“I felt good and I saw the pitcher really well all day and it was really exciting because it put us up,” commented Fischer about her home run.

With the team’s performance yesterday, all three players and Ferrin agree that these wins were an ego-boost for the Lions and will help to propel the team through the remainder of the season.

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Lion Sports

History in the making The men’s basketball team reaches 20 wins and a postseason victory for the first time since 1989-90.

March 15, 2012 Page 16

Torano swings to be the best SPORTS FEATURE

By John Wilkinson

With a change in swing coaches, the sophomore has won two individual titles this season.

Senior Editor The crowd was not indicative of a postseason atmosphere, but despite not being the NCAA Tournament or National Invitational Tournament (NIT), at the end of the night, one team moved on to continue playing and the other’s season ended.

CSU Fullerton’s junior guard D.J. Seeley had a career night for the Titans, but it was not enough to get past the LMU men’s basketball team on Wednesday night. The Lions had four players in double-digit scoring as they advanced with an 88-79 win.

“I always tell our guys I could care less about stats, there’s only one stat that counts, … and that’s putting it in the lefthand column, and we did that tonight,” LMU Head Coach Max Good said.

Sophomore Anthony Ireland led LMU with 26 points. Redshirt senior Drew Viney added 19 points and eight rebounds, while redshirt junior Ashley Hamilton had 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Senior LaRon Armstead scored 16 points in the first game since his mother passed away earlier this week.

“I’m still excited. I’m playing like it’s the NCAA [Tournament],” Ireland said.

“I’ve never been to the Tournament, I’ve never been to anything. I’m just glad we’re still out here playing. I’d rather be playing than be sitting at home.”

Seeley lit up LMU for a career-high 32 points, 21 of them coming in the first half. The Big West Conference Newcomer of the Year added eight rebounds. Also in double-digit scoring for Fullerton were junior guard Kwame Vaughn (21 point) and senior forward Orane Chin (10 points).

“He didn’t stop moving. They went to him every time down the court; when

See M. Bball | Page 12

By Dan Raffety Asst. Sports Editor

Kevin Laughlin | Loyolan

Sophomore guard Anthony Ireland (3) led the Lions in scoring in their first playoff win in over 20 years, recording 26 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Tyler Torano has found his home in LMU men’s golf.

The sophomore Chula Vista native has excelled for two seasons in crimson and navy, winning two individual championships this season for the Lions. He is considered the top player on the nine-man roster. As a sophomore, he was also named the West Coast Conference (WCC) February Player of the Month.

“I have built my confidence over the years,” Torano said. “If you don’t have confidence, you are not a good golfer.”

Torano’s recent success may lie in his switch in coaches, at the beginning of this season. “A swing in golf can make all the difference and my new coach and I get along very well,” he said. “I have definitely improved since I made the switch.”

His journey to collegiate golf was not always imminent. According to Torano, most golfers get recruited from high school after their freshman and sophomore seasons, but Torano did not receive an offer until his senior year.

“My freshman and sophomore year [in high school] I struggled. I picked it up junior year and had my best season senior year. It was that improvement that allowed me to receive a scholarship, despite being a little

See Torano | Page 13

Baseball Lions crush Iowa State 23-0 in two hosts Hoosiers Bouncing back from a one run loss, the LMU softball team shuts out Iowa State in two straight.

By Emily Wallace

The University of Indiana visits Page Stadium for a three game series starting today at 3 p.m.

Copy Editor

The LMU softball team defeated UC Riverside 17-0 in five innings exactly 11 years ago from Wednesday at the same time and place. Interestingly enough, the Lions

played in a very similar manner yesterday.

After coming off a hard 4-3 loss in the Centennial game against Notre Dame University on Tuesday, the team played a double-header against the Iowa State Cyclones, winning 6-0 in the first game and 17-0 in the second game.

Starting at the bottom of the third inning and continuing throughout both games, there were multiple homeruns scored including two by senior first baseman Kelly Sarginson, boosting her homerun count to six this season.

By Dan Raffety Asst. Sports Editor The LMU baseball team will host the University of Indiana Hoosiers in a non-conference series starting today, which will continue tomorrow and Saturday at Page Stadium.

The Hoosiers are in the midst of a 12-game road trip. They have yet to play a home game this season, and have only won two of those games.

This will be the second consecutive series where the Lions will play a top-six conference school, with the Hoosiers representing the Big Ten Conference.

The Lions split a doubleheader against the University of Texas Longhorns last weekend in the two games on Sunday, because of two consecutive rainouts. The Lions won 1-0 in the first game, but lost 3-1 in the series finale.

“It’s nice to have some big-name schools in the schedule,” said sophomore closer Bret Dahlson. “Last season, we didn’t get to go on that trip to Texas, and I think it characterizes what the future is for this team: scheduling big schools and going out and beating them, surprising others, but not surprising ourselves.”

The Lions top two pitchers started both

See Baseball | Page 13

Devin Sixt | Loyolan

Senior first baseman Kelly Sarginson (pictured earlier this season) led the charge for the Lions’ sweep of Iowa State, batting a combined 4-6 with three runs, four RBIs, and a homerun.

“[I felt] really confident seeing my pitch and hitting it well and, of course, anytime you hit a homerun, it’s going to be awesome,” Sarginson said.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, sophomore third baseman/shortstop Meghan Harman hit an RBI single, driving in another run to make the score 5-0. The last run was driven in by senior outfielder Brittney Pereda making the final score 6-0.

In the first game, junior right-handed pitcher Molly Medeiros gave up only one hit in seven innings, including five strikeouts and no walks. Medeiros also came in at the end of the game against the Fighting Irish on Tuesday and recorded the loss.

“Coming in the last inning [on Tuesday] I knew I had to do my job, and obviously it didn’t come out the way I wanted it to, so I knew I had to come back twice as hard today and redeem myself,” Medeiros said.

In the second game of the day, Pereda hit a grand slam, sending her teammates into a whirlwind of excitement. The team continued with hit after hit, scoring the most runs for LMU since the UC Riverside game in 2001.

Junior right-handed pitcher Dana Waldusky received her sixth win of the season, striking out five batters and giving up only two hits.

“This is the type of team that goes on momentum so once it starts, everybody does it,” Head Coach Gary Ferrin said. He also commented that his entire team performed extremely well and that he was very satisfied.

The Cyclones gave the two games all they had, keeping in good spirits for the entirety of the game. The team exhausted a large percentage of their pitching staff in an attempt to slow down the Lions.

“One of [the Cyclones’] strengths is all

See Softball | Page 15